Prestige Classes

EXOTIC WEAPON MASTER

Characters of any race or background can become exotic weapon masters; the only real requirement is commitment and perseverance. Nevertheless, most exotic weapon masters are human, because members of that race have the most exposure to new cultures and thus the most opportunity to take up exotic weapons. NPC exotic weapon masters often open training arenas or schools for those interested in learning to fight with unusual weapons or tactics. They often take levels in other prestige classes and can be found as champions or leaders among bands of warriors.

Hit Die: d10.

Requirements

To qualify to become an exotic weapon master, a character must fulfill all of the following criteria.

Base Attack Bonus: +6.

Skills: Craft (weaponsmithing) 3 ranks.

Feats: Exotic Weapon Proficiency (any exotic weapon), Weapon Focus (any exotic weapon).

Special: Races that have familiarity with an exotic weapon (such as the dwarf’s familiarity with the dwarven waraxe and the dwarven urgrosh) are considered to have the Exotic Weapon Proficiency feat for the purpose of meeting the requirements for this class.

Class Skills

The exotic weapon master's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Craft (Int), Intimidate (Cha), and Profession (Wis).

Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 2 + Int modifier.

Table: The Exotic Weapon Master

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the exotic weapon master prestige class.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Exotic weapon masters gain no proficiency with any weapon or armor.

Exotic Weapon Stunt (Ex): At each level, an exotic weapon master learns a special trick that he can use with any exotic weapon for which he has the Weapon Focus feat. He must select the trick learned when he gains the level, and once selected, the choice cannot later be changed. He can’t select the same stunt more than once.

Close-Quarters Ranged Combat: A character who knows this stunt doesn’t provoke an attack of opportunity when using an exotic ranged weapon.

Double Weapon Defense: When wielding an exotic double weapon with both hands, the character gains a +1 shield bonus to AC.

Exotic Reach: When wielding an exotic weapon with reach, the character may make an attack of opportunity against a foe that provokes such an attack even if the foe has cover (but not total cover).

Exotic Sunder: When wielding a one-handed or two-handed exotic weapon, the character deals an extra 1d6 points of damage on any successful sunder attempt.

Flurry of Strikes: When wielding an exotic double weapon or a spiked chain with both hands, the character can elect to use a full attack action to make a flurry of strikes. When doing so, he may make one extra attack in the round at his full base attack bonus, but this attack takes a –2 penalty, as does each other attack made in that round and until the exotic weapon master’s next turn. The extra attack may be with either end of the double weapon.

Ranged Disarm: The character can make a disarm attempt even on a ranged attack. Such an attack provokes no attack of opportunity (except as normal for using a ranged weapon). For the purpose of this disarm attempt, treat the character’s ranged weapon as a light weapon. If the character fails this disarm attempt, the defender can’t attempt to disarm him.

Show Off: As a standard action, the character can display his mastery with an exotic weapon and confound his opponent. The character may make an Intimidate check against a single opponent within 30 feet that can see him, adding his base attack bonus to the result. If the result exceeds the opponent’s modified level check (see the skill description on page 76 of the Player’s Handbook), the opponent becomes shaken (–2 penalty on attack rolls, ability checks, and saving throws) for 1 round per class level of the exotic weapon master.

Stunning Blow: If the character has the Stunning Fist feat, he can utilize the feat while wielding an exotic melee weapon.

Throw Exotic Weapon: The character can throw an exotic weapon with no penalty on the attack roll, even if it isn’t designed to be thrown (such as an orc double axe or a spiked chain). When he throws a double weapon, only one end of the weapon (character’s choice) can strike the target. Exotic weapons thrown in this way have a range increment of 10 feet.

Twin Exotic Weapon Fighting: When wielding the same light exotic weapon in each hand, the character is treated as having the Two-Weapon Fighting feat. If he already has the feat, the penalties on attack rolls are lessened to –1 for both the primary hand and the off hand when fighting in this manner.

Trip Attack: The character can use a one-handed or two-handed exotic weapon to make a trip attack. If he is tripped during his own trip attempt, he can drop the weapon to avoid being tripped. If the exotic weapon already allows its wielder to make trip attacks, the character instead adds a +2 bonus on any trip attempt.

Uncanny Blow: When wielding a one-handed exotic melee weapon in two hands, the character can focus the power of his attack so that he deals extra damage equal to his Strength bonus ×2 instead of his Strength bonus ×1-1/2. If he has the Power Attack feat, he treats the weapon as two-handed for purposes of determining his bonus on damage rolls.