Nine Ways of War
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Celegian Striker
Striker is the class name taken on by users of the simple but incredibly powerful Nine Ways of War fighting style.
The Nine Ways of War is an armed style of fighting, and is best suited to powerful weapons, with or without points, such as long swords, two handed swords, spears, picks, mauls, maces, axes, etc. “Soft” weapons such as rapiers, sabers, morningstars, flails, whips, gauntlets, chains, and the like are not suitable.
It takes quick hands and rigid discipline to master the precise and very fast moves of the Nine Ways of War, making the class far too limiting for those without the proper Lawful mindset. If a user has the speed and endurance to hold on through the grueling training and can master the precise moves, the true power of this class is there for the taking. The Nine Ways is a relatively young fighting style, and still has not reached the peak of its popularity, but already lore is well developed of the overwhelming power of masters of the style. Tales of Strikers driving swords hilt-deep into solid blocks of stone with a single thrust already abound, and in truth, the power of a Striker's attacks has to be seen to be believed. Even worse, if a Striker chooses not to attack at full power, their precision strikes can hit almost any degree of armor class, and a Striker's “gentle” attacks are still more powerful than most warriors can generate at full power. Even more potently, if a Striker chooses to fight defensively, the Combat Reflexes feat allows their incredible hand speed to serve as a potent defense indeed.
As a note, a Striker’s number of attacks per round is changed due to their incredible combat prowess. A Striker no longer gains attacks from having a high BAB, which is why the class requirements include the note that they have two attacks. If a high BAB character comes to the prestige class “late” they may face the possibility that they actually have to give up one or more main-hand attacks as they begin their training in the Nine Ways. Once you take a level of Striker and begin to study the Ways of War, you can only ever achieve a total of three main-hand attacks per round, two at full adjusted BAB and one at -5. You can, of course, use weapons in both hands, and gain more attacks with your off hand by expending feats.
The Nine Ways of War is an adaptive art, and is equally suited to one handed and two handed weapons. The use of a shield in combat is viewed as detrimental, since the hands should be used for destroying, not defending. Use of a shield is not disallowed, but is frowned upon. The Nine Ways is a very aggressive art, with Strikers relying on strong armor for defense, leaving the weapon free for killing. It emphasizes speed in dispatching foes, and the supreme goal of the style is one strike, one kill.
The Nine Ways is a linear, direct, and deceptively simple style which is purely lethal in its effects. People who watch a Striker fighting are often struck by how boring the combat appears, as the tightly disciplined stance of a Striker is not in the least flashy, but fights tend to be over quickly. Experienced melee combatants know that a Striker is simply too dangerous a foe to be treated lightly, and should not be engaged directly no matter what art the opponent is using, since the attacks will be incessant and lethal.
Notes: The Nine Ways of War has no further lessons to offer after devotees have learned all Nine Ways. Thus, if a practitioner chooses to take Epic levels in this Prestige class, they do not receive Ways of War bonuses beyond +9.
Hit Die: d10
Requirements:
Alignment: Any Lawful Base Attack Bonus: 8 Feats: Deft Hands, Endurance, Power Attack Special: Must be able to perform 2 attacks in a full action. Cannot be limited to less than that number by prior class or prestige.
Class Skills:
The Striker’s skills (and key ability for each skill) are Bluff(Cha), Intimidate(Cha), Listen(Wis), Spot(Wis)
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier
Advancement Table
Level Base Attack Bonus Fort Save Ref Save Will Save Special 1st +1 +2 +2 +0 Bonus Feat:Exotic Weapon Proficiency 2nd +2 +3 +3 +0 First Way of War(+1) 3rd +3 +3 +3 +1 Second Way of War(+2) 4th +4 +4 +4 +1 Third Way of War(+3) 5th +5 +4 +4 +1 Fourth Way of War(+4) 6th +6 +5 +5 +2 Fifth Way of War(+5),The Broader Way of War 7th +7 +5 +5 +2 Sixth Way of War(+6) 8th +8 +6 +6 +2 Seventh Way of War(+7),The First True Way 9th +9 +6 +6 +3 Eighth Way of War(+8) 10th +10 +7 +7 +3 Ninth Way of War(+9),The Greatest Way of War
Class Features:
All the following are class features of the Celegian Stoner prestige class: Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Stoners receive no Weapon or Armor proficiencies aside from their single bonus Feat.
Bonus Feat: Exotic Weapon Proficiency: This may not be used for any “soft” weapon, such as any whip, spiked chain, Saber, or War Flail. Since the Nine Ways requires large weapons, it would be possible but probably foolish to use it for a light weapon.
The Ways of War(Ex): Add the Ways of War bonus as a Competetence Bonus both to attack rolls and to the damage a Niner does with every armed melee attack. The Ways of War bonus may then be used with the Power Attack, Combat Expertise and Improved Combat Experise feats for truly heroic displays of martial prowess.
The Broader Way of War(Ex): You get +1 attack at your full BAB (with Ways of War adjustment) when you declare a full attack action.
The First True Way(Su): Whenever using the Power Attack Feat, increase the bonus damage usually awarded. If a 1-handed weapon is being used, each point of BAB spent adds +2 damage. If a two-handed weapon is being used, each point of BAB spent adds +3 damage. For purposes of this special ability, the bonus for the Ways of War may be added to the maximum points which may be spent.
The Greatest Way of War(Su): Whenever using the Power Attack Feat, increase the bonus damage usually awarded. If a 1-handed weapon is being used, each point of BAB spent adds +3 damage. If a two-handed weapon is being used, each point of BAB spent adds +4 damage. For purposes of this special ability, the bonus for the Ways of War may be added to the maximum points which may be spent. A user of the Nine Ways of War can hit faster and harder than anyone.