Steam Blade

A steam blade is a specialized warrior focusing in the art of using his enhanced blade, cutting through enemies with ease and causing his enemies peril wherever they step. While their blades are bulky and unwieldy for those who do not typically practice the art of the steam blade, a master of these arts can prove to be one of the most threatening things to adventurers and monsters alike.

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the steam blade.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency

Steam blades are proficient with all simple and martial weapons, as well as Steam Blades. They are also proficient with all types of armor, but not shields.

Steam Blade

At 1st level, the player starts with a steam blade or two slim swords along with his regular starting gear. These steam blade(s) cannot be sold at character creation, however it can be sold later in the game. The initiative penalty on any steam blade is only active while it is being wielded, and applies once a steam blade is equipped (Example: If a steam blade rolls his initiative and then equips his weapon, the penalties apply to the initiative while the weapon is held.) The steam blade cannot be enchanted with any weapon special abilities, however it can be given an enchantment bonus to attack/damage rolls.

Cool Down: While in cool down, any of the steam blade’s “edge” abilities cannot be used (except for Cooling Edge), and imposes a -4 attack and damage while the blade is cooling down.

 

(Exotic) One-Handed Melee	Cost	Dmg (S)	Dmg (M)	Critical	Range	Weight1	Type2	Special
Slim Sword	500 gp	1d6	1d8	19-20/x2	—	5 lbs.	S	Cart: 1, Initiative: -1, Finesse

 

(Exotic) Two-Handed Melee	Cost	Dmg (S)	Dmg (M)	Critical	Range	Weight1	Type2	Special
Steam Blade	1,000 gp	1d8	1d10	x2	—	20 lb.	S	Cart: 2, Initiative: -2
Steam Axe	1,300 gp	1d10	1d12	x3	—	28 lbs.	S&B	Cart: 2, Initiative: -4, Deadly
Steam Lance	2,000 gp	1d8	2d6	x4	—	25 lbs.	P	Cart: 1, Initiative: -3, Reach, Brace
Titan Blade	3,000 gp	1d12	3d6	x4	—	40 lbs.	S	Cart: 3, Initiative: -6, Reach

 

(Exotic) Ranged Weapons	Cost	Dmg (S)	Dmg (M)	Critical	Range	Weight1	Type2	Special
Steam Bow, Composite	1,500 gp	1d8	1d10	x3	60 ft.	12 lbs.	P	Cart: 1, Initiative: -1

Cartridge (Su)

At 1st level a steam blade gains the ability to insert special cartridges into his steam blade. Steam blades start with one of the following cartridges: Corrosive, Flaming, Frost, Shock, or Thundering. A steam blade can spend money to buy a new cartridge that holds a magic weapon’s special ability. These cartridges cost 1,000 GP + the cost of the bonus. (Example: 1 cartridge of Ghost Touch costs 3,000 GP). Ranged and ammunition special abilities can be made and applied to Steam Bow cartridges.

Changing a cartridge is a swift action. With the Rapid Reload feat, it becomes a free action.

Heat Sink (Ex)

At 1st level the steam blade learns how to maintain his blade while in the midst of battle. As a standard action, the steam blade can reduce the cool down on his blade by 1 round. This ability increases to 2 rounds at 5th level, and every 4 levels thereafter heat sink’s cool down rate increases by 1 round. The steam blade can use this ability a number of times per day equal to his Charisma modifier.

Razor Edge (Ex)

At 1st level the steam blade can make a single melee attack as an attack action against an opponent at his highest attack bonus. If this attack hits, the steam blade doubles his strength modifier that is added onto the attack. This is not modified by two handing a blade (x1.5 from two handing a blade does not become x3 with Razor Edge). Doing this does not provoke attacks of opportunity, however his steam blade overheats and must cool down for 3 rounds. This ability can be combined with other “attack action” abilities such as Vital Strike.

Driven Techniques

At 2nd level and every even level thereafter, the steam blade may learn a special ability known as a driven technique. Any driven techniques that require a saving throw has the following DC: (10 + half Steam Blade level + charisma modifier).

Driven Techniques

Eagle Eye (Ex)

At 3rd level the steam blade can pinpoint the weakness and resistance of a single enemy. Doing such is a move equivalent action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity. If the enemy does not have a resistance or weakness, the steam blade still expends a use of this ability but retains their move action. They can use this a number of times per day equal to their Charisma modifier.

Bonus Feats

At 3rd level and every 4 levels thereafter, the steam blade gains a bonus combat feat.

Wings of Genesis (Su)

At 20th level the steam blade can sprout wings made from pure energy from his back a number of times per day equal to his Charisma modifier as a standard action. These wings give the steam blade a fly speed of 30 feet (poor maneuverability), and the energy from his wings boost his steam blade’s abilities, the wings allowing the steam blade to add his Charisma onto attack and damage rolls. Wings of Genesis last 10 rounds, and after the Wings of Genesis ability wears off, the steam blade’s steam blade must cool down for at least 1 hour.

Archetypes & Alternate Class Features

• Steam Gun
• Inspired Punisher