Blackguard
Blackguard
PRESTIGE CLASS: This class is not available at character creation and must be unlocked by meeting special requirements, listed below.
The blackguard epitomizes evil. Consorting with demons and devils and serving dark deities, the blackguard is hated and feared by all. The blackguard has many options available to them -- sending forth dark minions and servants to do their bidding, attacking with stealth and honorless guile, or straightforward smiting of the forces of good that stand in their way. Therefore, almost any class is suited to take the blackguard prestige class.
Requirements
To qualify to become a Blackguard, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
- Alignment: Any Evil
- Base Attack Bonus: +6
- Skills: Hide 5 Ranks
- Feats: Cleave, Power Attack
Class Skills
The class skills of the Blackguard are:
- Concentration
- Craft Armor
- Craft Trap
- Craft Weapon
- Diplomacy
- Heal
- Hide
- Intimidate
- Lore
- Parry
Class Features
Base Attack Bonus Progression: High
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Hit Dice: D10
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The Blackguard is proficient in the usage of simple and martial weapons, all armor, and shields (except for tower shields).
Smite Good: Once a day, a blackguard of 2nd level or higher may attempt to smite a good-aligned enemy with one normal melee attack. The blackguard adds their Charisma bonus to the attack roll and adds 1 extra point of damage per class level.
Dark Strike: A blackguard may, as a free action, gain a bonus equal to his charisma modifier, if positive, against all creatures of an alignment opposite his own. In addition, he deals magic damage against all opponents, regardless of alignment, equal to his combined levels in Blackguard and Divine Champion. This ability lasts for 60 seconds. The damage stacks with other sources of magic damage.
Dark Blessing: At 2nd level, the blackguard applies their Charisma modifier to all saving throws.
Aura of Despair: Beginning at 3rd level, the blackguard radiates a malign aura that causes enemies within 10 feet of them to take a –2 penalty on all saving throws.
Turn Undead: When a blackguard reaches 3rd level, he gains the supernatural ability to turn undead. He may use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + his Charisma modifier. He turns undead as a cleric of two levels lower would.
Create Undead: At 3rd level, the blackguard can summon an undead minion to fight alongside him. At 7th level, the minion becomes more powerful.
Summon Fiendish Servant: At 5th level, the blackguard can summon a fiendish dire rat to serve as a scout or spy. At 9th level, the servant becomes more powerful.
Sneak Attack: At 4th level, the blackguard gains the sneak attack ability. This ability functions exactly like the rogue ability of the same name. The bonus damage is +1d6 at 4th level, +2d6 at 7th level, and +3d6 at 9th level.
Spells:
- At 2nd level, the blackguard gains the ability to cast bull's strength once per day.
- At 6th level, they may also cast inflict serious wounds once per day.
- At 7th level, the blackguard gains the ability to cast contagion once per day.
- At 8th level, they may cast inflict critical wounds once per day.