Combat-based Prestige Classes

Sometimes circumstance or the desire for a more interesting life leads a warrior to devotions more diverse than those only of the sword. Some warriors find they need to learn the way of shipboard life; others desire to master the techniques of mounted combat; and some love the magic of combat technique over simple brawn. In such cases they stray from the simple path of the warrior, to become Pirates, Cavaliers or Duellists.

Dread Pirate

Not necessarily evil, a Dread Pirate is a captain of a privateering ship, renowned across the seas (or the sky) for his prowess in combat and the ruthless devotion of his crew. Such a man may give up some of the mastery of weaponry which his trade would usually teach, and instead learn the tricks of shipboard combat and leading men.

The Dread Pirate gains skills of leadership, navigation, and the special abilities required to fight in precarious places - on a pitching deck, in rigging, or even in the air. He also learns naval tactics, and some underhand fighting techniques such as the sneak attack. Even when swinging between aerial battleships under heavy arrow fire, the Dread Pirate is never afraid and always a threat.

The Dread Pirate suits roguish as well as fighter characters, since his skills focus on movement, balance and stealth as much as direct combat.

The Cavalier

The Cavalier is a fighter who has chosen to focus on fighting from the back of a chosen beast. She gains special combat bonusses when fighting mounted on this beast, and can use some special powers to do extra damage and to spur her mount to greater efforts. This class particularly suits the Paladin, but can also be used by anyone who has a special mount and wishes to focus on combat.

The Duellist

Sometimes a rogue, warrior or bard may decide they wish to forsake the life of the ordinary adventure to focus on the technical details of combat with a chosen weapon. Such a warrior becomes a duelist. The duelist chooses a particular weapon, and while fighting with that weapon gains many defensive and combative bonusses. The path of the duelist suits those who fight in no or light armour, who prefer light weapons, and fight clever rather than strong. Although the duelist may not do as much damage as a stronger fighter, he or she is defensively superior, and at higher levels the duelist's knowledge of anatomy makes his or her attacks more deadly.