View source for Fencer (3.5e Class)

{{author
|author_name=the bluez in the dungeon
|date_created=25/3/2023
|adopter=
|date_adopted= 
|status=Complete
|editing=
|balance=Moderate
}}
{{3.5e Class Data
|summary=
|length=20
|bab=Good
|fort=Poor
|ref=Poor
|will=Poor
|ability=Other
|progression=Full
|align=lg, ng, cg, ln, n, cn, le, ne, ce
}}

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==Fencer==

Fencers are extremely capable and versatile combatants, who use only swords to fight, and have honed their prowess with them to the peak of mortals height. They are gallant fighters, who rely on duels to give their best in a battle

===Making a Fencer===

Fencers are martial characters specialized in melee combat, who prefer to go one-on-one when possible, but may deal with multiple opponents as well thanks to their versatility. They have a good number of skills, and are capable of supporting a team even outside combat.

'''Abilities:''' They rely both on Strength and Dexterity, either focusing on one of them or balancing the two to achieve an unmatched quality of combat, and also to gain various fighting feats. They need Constitution as any martial character does, while they have no specific use for any mental score, except to help with saves or class skills. 

'''Races:''' Almost any race may become a fencer, but they mostly arise in civilized societies, especially where swordmanship is treated as a refined and serious art. Most fencers are humans, elves, half-elves, halflings and gnomes. Orc and dwarf fencers are considered a rarity, while half-orcs are more common.

'''Alignment:''' Any

'''Starting Gold:''' 4d6 x 10 (120 gp).

'''[[SRD:Race Descriptions#Starting Age|Starting Age]]:''' Moderate.

{{3.5e Class Simple
|classname=Fencer
|hitdie=10
|length=20
|bab=Good
|fort=Poor
|ref=Poor
|will=Poor
|special1=[[#Duelist|Duelist]], [[#Martial Training|Martial Training]], [[#Fencing Stance|Fencing Stance]]
|special2=[[#Adaptive Technique|Adaptive Technique I]]
|special3=[[#Advanced Sparring|Advanced Sparring]]
|special4=
|special5=
|special6=[[#Swordplay|Swordplay]]
|special7=[[#Multiduel|Multiduel]]
|special8=[[#Adaptive Technique|Adaptive Technique II]]
|special9=
|special10=[[#Dual Stance|Dual Stance]]
|special11=
|special12=
|special13=
|special14=[[#Master of Stance|Master of Stance]]
|special15=
|special16=[[#Adaptive Technique|Adaptive Technique III]]
|special17=
|special18=
|special19=
|special20=[[#Eternal Duel|Eternal Duel]]
|skillpoints=6
|skills=
Appraise,
Balance,
Bluff,
Concentration,
Climb, 
Craft, 
Diplomacy,
Disguise, 
Forgery, 
Gather Information, 
Handle Animal, 
Intimidate, 
Jump, 
Knowledge (Arcane),
Knowledge (Dungeon),
Knowledge (History), 
Listen, 
Perform, 
Profession, 
Search, 
Sense Motive, 
Speak Language, 
Spot, 
Swim, 
Tumble,
Use Magic Device
}}
====Class Features====

All of the following are class features of the fencer.

'''Weapon and Armor Proficiency:''' Fencers are proficient with all swords and sword-like weapons, regardless of their type. They are proficient in the use of all armors and shields.

'''Variable Saves:''' A fencer may choose two of its saves to have a good progression instead of poor. Once this choice has been made it can't be changed.

'''{{Anchor|Duelist}} {{Ex}}:''' A fencer fights best against an opponent it has challenged to a duel. As a swift action it may challenge an opponent in sight to a duel. It gains the benefits of the [[Adaptive Dodge (3.5e Feat)| Adaptive Dodge]] and [[Adjusted Accuracy (3.5e Feat)|Adjusted Accuracy]] against that opponent and a number of duel dice based on its level, while suffering -2 to AC and to attacks against other opponents. The effects of the duel go on on until either one of the participants is dead, unconscious or the combat otherwise ends, or the fencer may change its target buy expending another duel use. It may use this feature once per day per fencer level. If the fencer fights a single opponent alone, it always starts a duel, without wasting any duel uses, though, if at least an ally joins the fight, it must use, as an immediate action, one of its duels per day to keep the current duel going.

The duel dice pool starts at 1d6 and increases by +1d6 at each odd level in this class. The main function of these dice is to increase the damage dealt with a sword, adding duel dice to the danage roll, up to the available pool (this extra damage is not multiplied on a critical hit, but it's not precision damage). Duelist dice may be rolled once per turn, choosing to which attacks each dice apply, and are expended for that turn. Duel dice can be added to other rolls or value, drawing from the limited pool-per-round. If, due to some effects, duel dice are rolled out of the fencer's turn, the dice are expended until the end of the fencer's next turn.

'''{{Anchor|Martial Training}}:''' All fencers have received an extensive formal training in the art of swordmanship and so they can apply their class features only to swords, not other weapons. They are also treated as if having the feats [[Assured Strike (3.5e Feat)|Assured Strike]], [[Combat Expertise]], [[Improved Disarm]], [[Improved Feint]], [[Improved Trip]], [[Combat Reflexes]], [[Power Attack]], [[Improved Bull Rush]], [[Improved Overrun]], [[Improved Sunder]], [[Quick Draw]], [[Two-Weapon Fighting]], and [[Weapon Finesse]] and gain their benefits.

Fencer levels count as fighter levels  and they also count as if having proficiency with all martial weapons for the purpose of meeting requirements.

'''{{Anchor|Fencing Stance}}:''' The fundamental of any fight is the footwork and blade position and fencers know it well. When in combat, as a move action, they may enter, or change, a stance to gain various benefits:

* ''Iron Gate'': When in this stance, a fencer that fights defensively, performs a total defense or uses the [[Combat Expertise]] feat, beside the normal benefits, may roll duel dice and add the result to its AC as a dodge bonus, which lasts until the end of its next turn.

* ''Pointed Sword'': This kind of stance is bold, with the sword raised high, or directly pointed to the opponent's face. The fencer increases the weapon critical range by one point (after any other similar effects) and may roll duel dice as a bonus to the roll for confirming critical hits.

* ''Long Tail'': Even bolder than an offensive stance, this guard leaves the fencer purposefully open to attacks to gain the upper hand. When the opponents attacks, the fencer may roll duelist dice, one per attack. The enemy gains a bonus to the attack and the damage equal to the result, but the fencer may make an attack of opportunity in retaliation immediately after the attack (the normal rules for attacks of opportunity apply).

* ''Trick Blade'': This stance allows the fencer to use its special maneuvers more effectively. In this stance the fencer may add one or more of its duel dice for the round to a combat maneuver.

Whenever they enter a stance, they gain two extra duel dice that they might use only for the effects of the stance they are currently in.

They count as if having the [[Dodge]] and [[Mobility]] feats for the purpose of requirements (but don't actually gain them).

'''{{Anchor|Adaptive Technique}}:''' Starting at 2nd level a fencer gains a virtual feat, that it may use to gain a [Fighter] feat for which it meets the requirements. To do so, it must spend 30 minutes in training, or half that time if it trains with someone that has the feat. It gains that feat and its benefits, but it may not use it for the purpose of feat, prestige classes, or special abilities's requirements (instead, it may do so for temporary benefits). It may later change the feat to another one within the same limitations. They gain additional uses of this feature at level 8th and 16th, allowing them to gain other versatile feats, with the same limitations (though they may be requirements for each other, becoming unusable if they lose their requirements).

'''{{Anchor|Advanced Sparring}}:''' At 3rd level a fencer gains the [[Advanced Sword Technique (3.5e Feat)|Advanced Sword Technique]]<ref>It applies to all swords and sword-like weapons.</ref> and [[Battlefield Agility (3.5e Feat)|Battlefield Agility]] feats for free. Additionally, the fencer may now add either its Strength or Dexterity to attacks and damage rolls with its sword, whichever is more beneficial. If the fencer has the same score in both it may add them together for attacks and damage. If the sword is wielded two-handed, only Stregth is multiplied by the two-handed weapon increase, unless it could do so with Dexterity beforehand, in which case the highest one is multiplied (but never both).

'''{{Anchor|Swordplay}} {{Ex}}:''' From the 6th level, a fencer can choose to use its iterative attacks in any order it likes, even to perform combat maneuvers that expend an attack from the routine (it may also use this ability for two-weapon fighting). For example, at this level, it may first use the +1 bonus to perform a bull-rush, and only then attack with its +6 bonus.

'''{{Anchor|Multiduel}} {{Ex}}:''' At 7th level and higher, a fencer may choose additional targets for its duel ability. It may apply its duel effects to two targets (but the number of duel dice per round it has access to doesn't change), chosen when expending the use. At level 10th it may target three, three at level 13th, four at level 16th and a maximum of five at level 19th.

'''{{Anchor|Dual Stance}} {{Ex}}:''' By level 10, the fencer may hold two different stances at once, allowing it to benefit from both, though they still gain only the standard number of extra duel dice, which may be used for the benefits of any of the stances, distributed as they like.

The following it's a list of all dual stances, and their effects:

* ''Blade Thicket'': When using the Iron Gate and Pointed Sword stances together, the area you threathen counts as difficult terrain for all enemies, any sort of movement from the opponent you are dueling and you threathen provokes an attack of opportunity and the enemy may not take the withdraw action to safely move away from you.

* ''Fancy Footwork'': By combining the Iron Gate and Trick Blade stances, you gain the additional benefit of avoiding attacks of opportunity due to movement against the enemy you are duelling and you may make a single attack of opportunity against the target of your duel.

* ''Open Invitation'': You adopt a mix between the Long Tail and Pointed Sword stances to gain the benefits of the [[Goad (3.5e Feat)|Goad]] feat, though you add number of the duel dice that you invest in the Long Tail stance as a bonus to the DC instead of your Charisma modifier and it works only against the target of your duel.

* ''Iron Clasp'' By combining the Pointed Sword and Trick Blade, you facilitate the control of your enemy, while keeping an aggressive swordplay. The weapon you wield allows you to make a [[SRD:Bull Rush|bull rush]], [[SRD:Disarm|disarm]] or [[SRD:Trip|trip]] attempt for free whenever you successfully strike your duel's target.

* ''Whirling Defense'': Whenever the fencer combines the Iron Gate and Long Tail it tries to take the best from two opposites. The fencer may make, as part of the attack of opportunity from Long Tail, a single attack against all adjacent opponents by swinging its sword around, keeping them at bay. If the attack misses, the enemies that avoid it must take a step back, or fall prone if it's impossibile to do so.

'''{{Anchor|Master of Stance}} {{Ex}}:''' At level 14th a fencer gains increased benefits from its stances, thanks to its exceptional footwork and posture. It gains four extra duel dice instead of two for the purpose of the stances' benefits.

'''{{Anchor|Eternal Duel}} {{Ex}}:''' By level 20, the fencer isn't limited by its duel uses anymore and it's always considered under the effect of a duel.

====Additional Options====

=====Feats=====

* [[Extra Secret Technique (3.5e Feat)|Extra Secret Technique]]

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|}

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'''{{Anchor|Bonus Feats}}:''' The epic <-class name-> gains a bonus feat (selected from the list of epic <-class name-> bonus feats) every <-# of levels-> levels after 20th.

''Epic <-class name-> Bonus Feat List:'' <-list of bonus epic feats->.

<!--====<-Sample race of your choice-> <-class name-> Starting Package====

'''Weapons:''' <-Weapon selection for starting at 1st level with this class.->.

'''Skill Selection:''' Pick a number of skills equal to 4 + [[Int]] modifier.

{| class="zebra d20"
|-
! class="left" | Skill || Ranks || Ability || Armor<br/>Check<br/>Penalty
|- class=
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'''Feat:''' <-1st-level feat selection->.

'''Bonus Feats:''' <-1st-level feat bonus feats due to class or sample race.  Remove this section if this sample doesn't get any bonus feats at 1st level. ->.

'''Gear:''' <-Starting armor and other equipment outside of weapons.->.

'''Gold:''' <-Starting gold using this package.->.

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===Campaign Information===
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'''Religion:''' <-Description of how this class typically (but not exclusively) approaches religion, including likely portfolios it would worship->.

'''Other Classes:''' <-How this class typically interacts with other classes and how characters of this class interact with characters of other classes->.

'''Combat:''' <-Typical role in combat->.

'''Advancement:''' <-Typical advancement options for characters with this class.  Include desirable multiclass options->.
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<-Where characters of this class fit in a d20 world.->

'''Daily Life:''' <-day in the life of a character of this class->.

'''Notables:''' <-notable NPCs of this class->.

'''Organizations:''' <-Info on what, where, when, and how characters of this class congregate and assemble->.

'''NPC Reactions:''' <-How NPCs react to PCs of this class->.
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====<-class name-> Lore====

Characters with ranks in <-the appropriate skills-> can research <-pluralized class name-> to learn more about them.  When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

{| class="zebra d20"
|+ <-the appropriate skills->
! DC || class="left" | Result
|- 
| 5 || class="left" | <-common knowledge->.
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|}
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====<-pluralized class name-> in the Game====

<-How characters of this class fit in the game (PC and NPC) and what roles they play.->

'''Adaptation:''' <-Possible variant conceptions of this class.->.

'''Sample Encounter:''' <-DM placement for NPCs of this class.->.

''EL <- EL Number ->:'' <-Encounter scenario and character info on sample NPC, including stat block.  The CR of the NPC is typically the same as the EL for the encounter.->.

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Article Balance	Moderate +
Author	the bluez in the dungeon +
Base Attack Bonus Progression	Good +
Class Ability	Other +
Class Ability Progression	Full +
Fortitude Save Progression	Poor +
Identifier	3.5e Class +
Length	20 +
Rating	Undiscussed +
Reflex Save Progression	Poor +
Skill	Appraise +, Balance +, Bluff +, Concentration +, Climb +, Craft +, Diplomacy +, Disguise +, Forgery +, Gather Information +, Handle Animal +, Intimidate +, Jump +, Knowledge +, Listen +, Perform +, Profession +, Search +, Sense Motive +, Spot +, Swim +, Tumble +, Escape Artist +, Hide +, Move Silently +, Sleight of Hand + and Speak Language +
Skill Points	6 +
Title	Fencer +
Will Save Progression	Poor +