Martial Artist
- Details
- Category: Classes
- Published on Saturday, 03 July 2010 18:30
- Written by Ian
Alignment: Any
Hit Die: d10
Class Skills
Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (dungeoneering) (Int), Knowledge (engineering) (Int), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Survival (Wis), and Swim (Str).Skill Ranks Per Level: 6 + Int modifier
| Level | Base Attack | Fort | Ref | Will | Special Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +1 | +2 | +2 | +0 | Bonus Feat |
| 2nd | +2 | +3 | +3 | +0 | Bonus Feat |
| 3rd | +3 | +3 | +3 | +1 | |
| 4th | +4 | +4 | +4 | +1 | Bonus Feat |
| 5th | +5 | +4 | +4 | +1 | |
| 6th | +6/+1 | +5 | +5 | +2 | Bonus Feat |
| 7th | +7/+2 | +5 | +5 | +2 | |
| 8th | +8/+3 | +6 | +6 | +2 | Bonus Feat |
| 9th | +9/+4 | +6 | +6 | +3 | |
| 10th | +10/+5 | +7 | +7 | +3 | Bonus Feat |
| 11th | +11/+6/+1 | +7 | +7 | +3 | |
| 12th | +12/+7/+2 | +8 | +8 | +4 | Bonus Feat |
| 13th | +13/+8/+3 | +8 | +8 | +4 | |
| 14th | +14/+9/+4 | +9 | +9 | +4 | Bonus Feat |
| 15th | +15/+10/+5 | +9 | +9 | +5 | |
| 16th | +16/+11/+6/+1 | +10 | +10 | +5 | Bonus Feat |
| 17th | +17/+12/+7/+2 | +10 | +10 | +5 | |
| 18th | +18/+13/+8/+3 | +11 | +11 | +6 | Bonus Feat |
| 19th | +19/+14/+9/+4 | +11 | +11 | +6 | |
| 20th | +20/+15/+10/+5 | +12 | +12 | +6 | Bonus Feat, Open Hand Mastery |
Class Features
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A martial artist is proficient with all simple weapons but not armor or shields.
AC Bonus (Ex): When unarmored and unencumbered, the martial artist adds his Wisdom bonus (if any) to his AC and his CMD. In addition, a monk gains a +1 bonus to AC and CMD at 4th level. This bonus increases by 1 for every four martial artist levels thereafter, up to a maximum of +5 at 20th level.
These bonuses to AC apply even against touch attacks or when the martial artist is flat-footed. He loses these bonuses when he is immobilized or helpless, when he wears any armor, when he carries a shield, or when he carries a medium or heavy load.
Levels of monk stack with levels of martial artist for the purpose of this feature.
Unarmed Strike: At 1st level, a martial artist gains Improved Unarmed Strike as a bonus feat. A martial artist's attacks may be with fist, elbows, knees, and feet. This means that a martial artist may make unarmed strikes with his hands full. There is no such thing as an off-hand attack for a martial artist striking unarmed. A martial artist may thus apply his full Strength bonus on damage rolls for all his unarmed strikes.
Usually a martial artist's unarmed strikes deal lethal damage, but he can choose to deal nonlethal damage instead with no penalty on his attack roll. He has the same choice to deal lethal or nonlethal damage while grappling.
A martial artist's unarmed strike is treated as both a manufactured weapon and a natural weapon for the purpose of spells and effects that enhance or improve either manufactured weapons or natural weapons.
A martial artist also deals more damage with his unarmed strikes than a normal person would, as shown on the table below. The unarmed damage values listed on the table is for Medium martial artists. A Small martial artist deals less damage than the amount given there with his unarmed attacks, while a Large martial artist deals more damage; see Small or Large martial artist Unarmed Damage on the table given below.
Levels of monk stack with levels of martial artist for the purpose of this feature.
| Level | Damage (Small) | Damage (Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st-3rd | 1d4 | 1d8 |
| 4th-7th | 1d6 | 2d6 |
| 8th-11th | 1d8 | 2d8 |
| 12th-15th | 1d10 | 3d6 |
| 16th-19th | 2d6 | 3d8 |
| 20th | 2d8 | 4d8 |
Bonus Feats: At 1st level, and at every even level thereafter, a martial artist gains a bonus feat in addition to those gained from normal advancement (meaning that the martial artist gains a feat at every level). These bonus feats must be selected from those listed as combat feats, sometimes also called “fighter bonus feats.”
Upon reaching 4th level, and every four levels thereafter (8th, 12th, and so on), a martial artist can choose to learn a new bonus feat in place of a bonus feat he has already learned. In effect, the martial artist loses the bonus feat in exchange for the new one. The old feat cannot be one that was used as a prerequisite for another feat, prestige class, or other ability. A martial artist can only change one feat at any given level and must choose whether or not to swap the feat at the time he gains a new bonus feat for the level.
Bravery (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, a martial artist gains a +1 bonus on Will saves against fear. This bonus increases by +1 for every four levels beyond 2nd.
Open Hand Mastery (Ex): At 20th level, a martial artist automatically confirms all critical threats made with unarmed attacks. In addition, the damage multiplier from unarmed attacks is increased by one step (×2 becomes ×3, for example).Author's Note: Created this because I really wanted a way to play a martial artist style character without being stuck with the Buddhist stylings of monk*. This allows you to have a truly martial-focused character that can do great at unarmed and unarmored combat, without being stuck with law and order as your credos, or the association with monasteries/religion-in-general. I also didn't want to have to create a whole new class or new rule-sets.
Great for a brawler-style character! If you want a weapon-based style just pick up a proficiency and integrate the weapon into your combat style (even if only for maneuvers). Unlike monk, this variant (if it takes TWF) can use any weapon as part of a full-attack action.
* By Buddhist I refer to the "enlightenment through discipline" and "transcendence of physical self" themes of the class.
Additional Ratings  |
|
| Balance: |
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.90 (21 Votes) |
| Utility: |
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.05 (19 Votes) |
| Clarity: |
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.18 (22 Votes) |