Blade Styles and Techniques (Expert)
The four Blade Styles described here are all of Expert complexity. Techniques from these styles can be learned by any character who has at least 19 ranks in Bladecraft, a Base Attack Bonus of +16 or higher, and who knows at least 8 Advanced techniques. Required or granted tags are presented in the following order: Gesture, Hand, Motion, Position.
Clay StyleThe Clay style has Expert complexity. Clay yields to the sculptor's touch, then becomes hard as stone, but brittle, in the fire. This form emphasizes misdirection, risk, and reward; it is usually referred to as the most difficult style to master. A practitioner of Clay style might make minimal movements, possibly taking small (or large) wounds, to maneuver the enemy into position, then execute the overconfident opponent with stunning precision; or, the blademaster might end a fight quickly and decisively with an unexpected gamble, coming a hairsbreadth from death in the process.
Black Lance's Last Strike
Expert Clay Parry
Required: Thrust, Sheath, Stand, High
Granted: Thrust, Cleave, Stand, High
Action: Immediate
A simple technique, depending entirely upon speed to draw a sword from the scabbard and thrust it into the enemy's neck. It is, however, an all-or-nothing move; if it fails, the combatant usually dies.
Use this technique whenever an opponent attacks you while your weapon is sheathed. You draw your weapon, and your opponent provokes an attack of opportunity from you, which is resolved before your opponent's attack. You may choose any amount of Bladecraft dice, up to a total equal to your initiative modifier. You gain the Bladecraft dice as bonus damage on your attack; however, your opponent receives the same number of Bladecraft dice as bonus damage on the attack against you. Both your attack and your enemy's attack against you, if successful, are automatic critical threats.
Dandelion in the Wind
Expert Clay Parry
Required: Slash, Cleave, Spin, Middle
Granted: Any Gesture, Rend, Spin, Low
Action: Immediate
A horizontal wild swing, aimed at the opponent's throat, with the intent to startle. Used to bring an attacker up short, positioning them where you want, for the next attack.
Use this technique during an opponent's turn. The targeted opponent must be within 5 feet of your threatened area. Make an attack roll with your weapon against the opponent, at your highest base attack bonus, with 1 Bladecraft die as a competence bonus to the roll. Your opponent must make a Reflex save (DC equal to the result of your attack roll) or halt all movement, and lose the rest of its actions for the remainder of its turn. On a successful save, the opponent retains its actions, but cannot move under its own power from the space it occupied when you used this technique until the beginning of your next turn.
The Mongoose Strikes the Serpent
Expert Clay Assault
Required: Bash, Cleave, Stand, Low
Granted: Bash, Cleave, Circle, High
Action: Swift
This technique is used best when the blade tip is bound below low guard. The attack comes to the opponent's neck with the haft, brought up with the full power of the hand as if you were striking the opponent with your fist. It is a good reminder that the edge and point are not the only part of a weapon in combat.
Use this technique when you have missed on an attack against an opponent during your turn. You make another attack against that opponent, wielding your weapon in two hands, at your highest base attack bonus. You gain 2 Bladecraft dice as bonus damage, and the attack deals bludgeoning instead of piercing or slashing damage (if applicable). If your attack is successful, the opponent must make a Fortitude save (DC equal to damage dealt) or be stunned for 1 round; on a successful save, or if the opponent is immune to being stunned, the opponent is dazed for 1 round instead.
The Rose Unfolds
Expert Clay Form
Required: None
Granted: Bash, Cleave, any Motion, Middle
Action: Swift
An advanced, dangerous Form which begins with leaving an opening, inviting an opponent to attack. When the bait is taken, the opponent is surprised when you attack their overextended limbs.
While in this Form, you may provoke an attack of opportunity from an opponent who threatens you as a free action. If you do so, you can change any two tags granted by this Form to new tags of the same types. You may also choose to use an Assault technique (provided that it is your turn and you have the required actions remaining) against that opponent; if you do, roll initiative with the target. If you win the initiative roll, your Assault technique is resolved before the opponent's attack of opportunity, and the opponent is flat-footed against your Assault.
Sheathing the Sword
Expert Clay Form
Required: None
Granted: Thrust, Sheath, Stand, any Position
Action: Swift
More a concept than a Form, this refers to an action which is detrimental (possibly even deadly) to oneself, but for which the gain is much greater than the price, even if that price is the blademaster's life.
While in this Form, all attacks made against you, as well as all melee attacks that you make, automatically hit. You gain 5 Bladecraft dice of bonus damage on all attacks made while in this form. Once you are in this form, you cannot leave it (even if another blade technique would normally allow you to) until the beginning of your next turn.
Soft Rain at Sunset
Expert Clay Assault
Required: Bash, Rend, Circle, High
Granted: Slash, Rend, Circle, High
Action: Standard
A half-blade strike at the opponent's face, holding the blade with your fist. Once the blow is made, the blade is swept across the enemy's face to scar, and possibly blind the enemy. If the move fails there is a great chance that you will take a lethal strike.
Make two attacks with any weapon or weapons you hold against your opponent, at your highest base attack bonus, gaining 3 Bladecraft dice as bonus damage to each attack. The first attack deals bludgeoning damage instead of piercing or slashing (if applicable). If you hit with the second attack, your opponent must make a Reflex save (DC equal to damage dealt) or become permanently blinded. If you miss with either attack, each miss provokes an attack of opportunity from the target.
The Storm on the Mountain
Expert Clay Parry
Required: Thrust, any Hand, Stand, Middle
Granted: Thrust, Rend, Stand, Middle
Action: Immediate
An extremely complex move done at high speed. A momentary feint is followed by a strike at the opponent's wrist in an attempt to disarm, then a shove to overbalance the opponent.
Use this technique whenever you are attacked by an opponent. Make a feint attempt against that opponent, using Bladecraft in place of Bluff for the roll. If you are successful, as part of the same action, make a disarm attempt against the same opponent; you do not provoke an attack of opportunity for initiating the attempt. Whether or not the disarm attempt is successful, you may also make a trip attempt against the opponent as part of the same action; you do not provoke an attack of opportunity for initiating the attempt.
Tower of Morning
Expert Clay Assault
Required: Thrust, Cleave, Stand, Low
Granted: Slash, Cleave, Stand, High
Action: Standard
Starting with knees bent, make a vertical lunge at the opponent's groin, then continue upward with all your strength to slice through the opponent.
Make a single two-handed attack against your opponent, at your highest base attack bonus, with a -4 penalty to the attack roll. If successful, the attack is automatically a critical threat, and you gain 3 Bladecraft dice as a bonus to damage. You may roll to confirm the critical as many times as you like, suffering a cumulative -3 penalty to each successive roll, until you fail. You gain 2 additional Bladecraft dice as bonus damage for each successful confirmation. Effects which automatically confirm critical hits (such as the Blessed weapon property) only automatically confirm the first roll you make; each successive roll cannot be automatically confirmed.
Glass StyleThe Glass style has Expert complexity. Often used by wizened, arthritic blademasters to teach their young prodigies humility, Glass style is the ultimate defensive style. Practitioners of Glass style understand the fragility of the body, the brevity and mortality of the soldier's plight, and seek to avoid deadly contact at nearly any cost.
The Branch in the Storm
Expert Glass Parry
Required: Slash, Rend, Circle, Middle
Granted: Slash, Rend, Circle, Middle
Action: Immediate
A horizontal slash, designed to deflect the opponent's attack with the flat of the blade.
Use this technique whenever an opponent attacks you. Make an attack roll with your weapon against your opponent, at your highest base attack bonus. You gain an insight bonus to your attack roll equal to the number of consecutive times you have already used this technique in the same round (not including the current use); this count resets whenever you use a different technique or enter a new Form. If your attack roll equals or exceeds your opponent's attack roll, the opponent's attack misses. Whenever you successfully use this technique to deflect an attack, you gain an additional immediate action, which you can only spend to use another Parry technique. You still lose your swift action on your following turn, even if you do not spend the additional immediate action.
The Courtier Taps His Fan
Expert Glass Parry
Required: Bash, Cleave, Spin, High
Granted: Bash, any Hand, Stand, High
Action: Immediate
A quick, powerful overhand horizontal blow, aimed at the opponents head. This is often a move used if you must quickly disengage from a fight.
Use this technique whenever an opponent attacks you. Make a single two-handed attack with your weapon against your opponent, at your highest base attack bonus. If you succeed, deal damage as normal, and you gain 3 Bladecraft dice as a dodge bonus to AC, and do not provoke attacks of opportunity for moving through threatened spaces, until the end of your next turn.
Folding the Air
Expert Glass Parry
Required: Thrust, Sheath, Circle, any Position
Granted: Thrust, Cleave, Circle, Low
Action: Immediate
A technique similar to “Unfolding the Fan”, however this is purely defensive. The arms are close to the body, with one hand on the blade in order to give more control and power.
Use this technique whenever your weapon is sheathed, and an opponent attacks you during a surprise round or when you are caught flat-footed. Draw your weapon as an immediate action, and make an attack roll with it against your opponent, at your highest base attack bonus, gaining 2 Bladecraft dice as a circumstance bonus to the roll. You may use the result of the attack roll as your AC against your opponent's attack. This technique can be used in a surprise round, even if you would normally be surprised. If you use this technique, you cannot be caught flat-footed until the beginning of your next turn.
Lotus Closes its Blossom
Expert Glass Assault
Required: Slash, Cleave, Spin, Low
Granted: Bash, Sheath, Spin, any Position
Action: Standard
One of the few offensive techniques in Glass style, the blade is whipped through the opponent's lower torso, intended to disembowel. In the same motion, blood is cleaned off with a flick of the blade, which is then sheathed with a flourish.
Make a single attack with your weapon against your opponent's touch AC, at your highest base attack bonus. If you hit, you gain 3 Bladecraft dice as bonus damage. After completing this attack, you sheath your weapon as part of the same action.
Oak Shakes its Branches
Expert Glass Form
Required: None
Granted: Any Gesture, Rend, Circle, Middle
Action: Swift
Often used by masters when training students, this Form deals non-lethal blows, and is effective against a large number of opponents wielding different types of weapons.
While in this Form, all attacks you make deal nonlethal damage (at no penalty); however, you gain a dodge bonus to AC equal to half your ranks in Bladecraft (rounded down, minimum +1).
River of Light
Expert Glass Assault
Required: Slash, Cleave, Stand, Middle
Granted: Thrust, Cleave, Stand, Middle
Action: Full-round
One of the few offensive techniques in Glass style, a vertical slash designed to remove an opponent's arm.
Make a single two-handed attack against your opponent with your weapon, at your highest base attack bonus, with a -4 penalty. The attack is automatically a critical threat, and deals 5 Bladecraft dice of extra damage. If the attack deals at least one quarter of the target's maximum hp (including any temporary hp the target has), one of the target's limbs is severed. (This technique cannot be used against a target with no discernable anatomy, or that has no limbs to remove.)
If you choose to target the opponent's arms or forelimbs, one of these is removed. The opponent cannot use that limb to hold equipment or make attacks. If you choose to target the opponent's wings, one of the wings is removed, and the opponent cannot use its wings to fly or glide, and cannot use the severed wing to make wing attacks. Otherwise, you can choose to target one of the opponent's legs, and one of these is removed, halving the opponent's base land speed. If the opponent was bipedal, it falls prone. Only limbs that fall under one of these categories (arms/forelimbs, wings, or legs) can be targeted by this technique.
The Swallow Rides the Air
Expert Glass Parry
Required: Thrust, Rend, Spin, Low
Granted: Thrust, Rend, Circle, Low
Action: Immediate
A technique intended to disrupt an opponent who attacks someone else.
Use this technique whenever an opponent you threaten attacks a target other than you. Until the beginning of your next turn, whenever that opponent attacks a target other than you, it provokes an attack of opportunity from you. You gain 1 Bladecraft die as a circumstance bonus to the attack roll, and 3 Bladecraft dice as bonus damage, when making these attacks of opportunity.
The Swallow Takes Flight
Expert Glass Parry
Required: Any Gesture, Rend, Circle, Middle
Granted: Thrust, Sheath, any Motion, High
Action: Immediate
A feinted slash to guard, then a strike to drive back the opponent. An excellent counter against attacks from below your guard.
Use this technique whenever an opponent attacks you. Make an attack roll with your weapon against your opponent, at your highest base attack bonus. Roll damage as normal; however, instead of taking damage, the opponent suffers a penalty to all attack rolls until the beginning of your next turn equal to half the damage you would have dealt (rounded down, minimum 0). You may sheathe your weapon as part of the same action.
Sun StyleThe Sun style has Expert complexity. Flashy and exciting, practitioners of Sun style are often master duelists or gladiators - warriors who know how to work a crowd, or leave a potential patron in awe. The techniques of Sun style are not substantially more complicated or difficult than those of other Expert styles, but they are as fancy as they are effective, and can sometimes cause a Blademaster to be over- or underestimated by their opponent.
The Creeper Climbs the Cliff
Expert Sun Form
Required: None
Granted: Any Gesture, Cleave, Stand, Low
Action: Immediate
Balance on the balls of your feet, blade held in both hands with the point lowered and to the dominant side. From this position, you can whip the point of the blade with incredible torque, lashing out in complicated patterns with lightning-fast strikes.
While in this Form, whenever you make a full attack and wield your weapon in two hands, you can make Bladecraft checks in place of attack rolls. This counts as a skill check instead of an attack roll, so that (for example) you do not automatically fail on a natural 1, or automatically succeed on a natural 20. However, you can still threaten a critical hit when you roll within your critical threat range (assuming that such an attack roll hits the opponent).
Dawn Breaches the Horizon
Expert Sun Assault
Required: Thrust, Cleave, Circle, Middle
Granted: Thrust, Sheath, Spin, High
Action: Full-round
You reflect light from your blade into your opponent's eyes, then attack while they are momentarily blinded, sheathing your blade with supreme nonchalance as they recover.
Make a Bladecraft check, opposed by your opponent's Fortitude save. Then, perform a two-handed full attack against your opponent, dealing two Bladecraft dice as extra damage. If your Bladecraft check was successful, resolve all attacks in the full attack sequence against the lower of your opponent's touch and flat-footed AC. Once the full attack sequence is complete, you sheath your weapon as part of the same action.
Meltwater Flooding the Banks
Expert Sun Parry
Required: Slash, Sheath, Stand, High
Granted: Slash, Rend, Stand, Low
Action: Immediate
Taunt your opponent into reckless anger and overconfidence, then draw your blade and strike when they come into range.
Use this technique whenever your weapon is sheathed, against an opponent who does not threaten you, but who has line of sight to you. Draw your weapon and make a Bladecraft check. Until the beginning of their next turn, the opponent must make a Will save (DC equal to your Bladecraft check result) to be able to attack anyone other than you. Until the beginning of your next turn, whenever the target attacks you, they provoke an opportunity from you.
The Petal Falls from the Flower
Expert Sun Assault
Required: Bash, Rend, Spin, High
Granted: Bash, Rend, Spin, Low
Action: Standard
Toss your off-hand weapon into the air, drawing your opponents' attention upward, then attack the exposed throats with the primary weapon, before catching the falling weapon again. Requires excellent timing and agility.
Make a Bladecraft check, and a single attack with your primary weapon against each opponent you threaten, at your highest base attack bonus. You deal 2 Bladecraft dice as bonus damage on the attacks. Each opponent to whom you deal damage must make a Reflex save (DC equal to your Bladecraft check result) or be stunned until the beginning of your next turn.
Sand in the Hourglass
Expert Sun Form
Required: None
Granted: Slash, Sheath, any Motion, Low
Action: Swift
You begin with slow, sure movements, then gradually increase your pace, forcing the enemy to keep to your tempo. An excellent Form for building tension in front of an audience, but it has practical value as well - unprepared opponents often fall behind, and can be destroyed with little effort.
While in this Form, your initiative count increases by 2 each round. In any round in which you do not use an Assault or Parry technique, you must sheathe your weapon to gain this benefit on the following round.
Scuttling Crab
Expert Sun Parry
Required: Slash, Rend, Circle, Low
Granted: Slash, Cleave, Spin, Low
Action: Immediate
You slash both blades at the opponent like the pincers, then dance away before they can retaliate.
Use this technique whenever you threaten an opponent while wielding at least two weapons. Your opponent provokes an attack of opportunity from you, during which you can make a single attack with each weapon you wield. As long as at least one of your attacks dealt damage to your opponent, you may then take a 5-foot step away from the opponent in any direction.
Thunder Behind Clouds
Expert Sun Assault
Required: Bash, Sheath, Spin, High
Granted: Bash, Rend, any Motion, Middle
Action: Full-round
Attack the opponent with your blade still in the sheath. While this rarely causes serious injury, it tends to enrage the opponent beyond reason or effective action.
Use this technique when your weapon is sheathed. Make a full attack against your opponent with your weapon, at your highest base attack bonus, without drawing it. This deals nonlethal damage instead of lethal; however, each successful attack against your opponent inflicts upon them a cumulative -2 penalty to attack rolls and skill checks, and a -1 penalty to Will saves, until the beginning of your next turn. Creatures immune to nonlethal damage still suffer the penalty.
The Whetstone Grinds the Knife
Expert Sun Form
Required: None
Granted: Bash, any Hand, Spin, Middle
Action: Immediate
An aggressive stance, from which one can begin many attacks meant to bruise or wound instead of kill. Intended to draw out a contest, chipping away at the opponent's stamina, control, and resolve.
While in this form, whenever you deal damage to an opponent, they must make a Will save or become fatigued until the beginning of your next turn. The DC begins at 10 for each opponent, but increases by 2 for a given opponent each time you deal damage to them while in this Form. This has no effect on a creature who is already fatigued.
Water StyleThe Water style has Expert complexity. Water style is the most versatile of all styles, granting its practitioners a means of adapting to their opponents' strengths and weaknesses. As water flows, it courses around obstacles and through barriers, cutting a channel through mountains, or flooding a rolling plain. Water style is perhaps the most utilized style by blademasters of sufficient skill and experience, as it is balanced for every situation, and attempts to turn weakness into strength.
Apple Blossoms in the Wind
Expert Water Form
Required: None
Granted: Slash, Cleave, Spin, Any
Action: Swift
A versatile Form, intended for use against an ambush by multiple opponents. The blade is held low, but ready for use in a number of strike techniques. Attacks usually start from above the waist - from here, you can move the blade diagonally down and to the right, with a pivot and thrust to the far left; or, a feint up and left, a short pivot right and finish with a strong vertical slash downwards. The key is to keep loose and move slowly. This Form is considered to be very difficult.
While in this Form, whenever you attack multiple opponents in the same action (such as with an Assault, or as a full attack action), you may roll all of your attacks before resolving any of them. If you do so, as long as any of your attack rolls hits the AC of any of your opponents, all of your attacks made during the sequence hit. However, you cannot confirm any critical threats while using this ability, and you cannot make more than one attack against each opponent.
The Heron Spreads its Wings
Expert Water Assault
Required: Slash, Cleave, Circle, Middle
Granted: Slash, Cleave, Circle, High
Action: Standard
The weapon is swung in an upward and circular slash to the flanks of the opponent. This is effectively used against an opponent who is not expecting an attack, and can be used to destroy an opponent's ability to retaliate.
Use this technique against an opponent who is flat-footed. Make a single two-handed attack against your opponent with your weapon, at your highest base attack bonus. You gain 2 Bladecraft dice as bonus damage on the attack. If you are successful, your opponent must make a Reflex save (DC equal to damage dealt) or become seriously hampered. An affected creature cannot make attacks of opportunity, or do anything which requires a swift or immediate action, until the end of your next turn.
The Moon Rises Over the Lakes
Expert Water Parry
Required: Thrust, Sheath, Circle, High
Granted: Thrust, Cleave, Circle, High
Action: Immediate
Designed to take an overconfident opponent off guard. Executed from a sheathed blade, you feint at the opponent's midsection before veering up in a lunging arc, burying your blade in their throat. Dangerous if it fails, as it tends to throw off your timing for much of the rest of the fight.
Use this technique whenever you are attacked by an opponent while flat-footed. Draw your weapon, and your opponent's attack provokes an attack of opportunity from you. On the attack, you may voluntarily lower your initiative count by any amount up to your base attack bonus. If you do, you gain Bladecraft dice as bonus damage on the attack equal to the amount by which you lowered your initiative. You remain flat-footed until the beginning of your turn (at the lowered initiative count). This technique can be used when you are flat-footed, or in a surprise round, even if you would normally be surprised.
Moon Rises Over the Water
Expert Water Parry
Required: Bash, Rend, Spin, Any
Granted: Bash, Rend, Circle, Middle
Action: Immediate
A vertical strike towards the eyes after a tentative, horizontal feint with the off-hand, not intended to make contact. The blade should begin and end near the waist. Used to distract an opponent who has the advantage over you.
Use this technique whenever an opponent's action forces you to make a save. You may make a Bladecraft check in place of your normal save. If you succeed on the save, you gain an additional immediate action, which you can only spend to use this technique. You still lose your swift action on your following turn, even if you do not spend the additional immediate action. This technique can be used when you are flat-footed, or in a surprise round, even if you would normally be surprised.
Shake Dew from the Branch
Expert Water Assault
Required: Thrust, Cleave, Spin, Middle
Granted: Slash, Rend, Spin, Middle
Action: Full-round
An attack used to deliver a flurry of sharp blows, which can be divided among multiple opponents.
Make a full attack action against any number of opponents. On the first attack of the sequence, and whenever you switch to a new opponent whom you have not yet attacked during the sequence, you make an extra attack against that opponent at the same attack bonus.
Water Flows Downhill
Expert Water Assault
Required: Bash, Cleave, Stand, High
Granted: Bash, Cleave, Stand, Middle
Action: Standard
The more complex version of The Boar Rushes Down the Mountain. A powerful diagonal blow, starting behind the right shoulder, which changes direction mid-swing to avoid the opponent's defenses, finding the easiest route from high to low. Only used by the most skilled combatants.
Make a single two-handed attack against an opponent with your weapon, at your highest base attack bonus. If the attack is successful, roll a Bladecraft check, opposed by your opponent's Bladecraft check (or an Intelligence check if your opponent has no ranks in Bladecraft). You gain a number of Bladecraft dice as bonus damage on the attack equal to the amount by which you succeeded at the Bladecraft roll (minimum 0 Bladecraft dice if the opponent's result is higher), to a maximum equal to your Base Attack Bonus.
Whirlwind on the Mountain
Expert Water Assault
Required: Slash, any Hand, Spin, Low
Granted: Slash, Rend, Spin, Low
Action: Standard
The more complex version of The Thistledown Floats on the Whirlwind. Crouching, the body rotates in place, spinning to add power to the slash, with the arms held low and extending out from the body. Can be used to disembowel, or to fend off multiple attackers. Particularly effective against armored opponents with longer reach than you (such as a squad of pikemen).
Use this technique against an opponent you do not threaten, but who threatens you (such as an enemy wielding a reach weapon, or who is at least one size category larger than you). Make a single attack against your opponent with your weapon, at your highest base attack bonus, even if you would not normally threaten them. If you are threatened by multiple such opponents, you may attack each of them as part of the same action, using the same attack roll; however, all attacks deal half damage. Any successful attacks you make as part of this technique gain 3 Bladecraft dice as bonus damage (before the damage is halved, if applicable). In addition, any creature you strike that is wearing armor, wielding a shield, or that has a natural armor bonus has their armor, shield, or natural armor bonus reduced by 2 (to a minimum of 0) for the remainder of the encounter. A creature with more than one of those bonuses to AC has all such bonuses reduced by 2.
Willow Embracing the Breeze
Expert Water Form
Required: None
Granted: Thrust, any Hand, Circle, High
Action: Swift
This form emphasizes movement, and is used to increase or decrease the distance to your opponent.
While in this Form, you may take one extra 5-foot step as a free action towards an opponent before using an Assault technique against them. You may also take one extra 5-foot step as a free action away from an opponent after using a Parry technique against them. Each time you make such a movement, you may change one of the tags granted by this Form to another tag, which you are granted when you return to the Form. All such modifications to the granted tags remain until you change to another Form.