Samurai

Few warriors are more dedicated to honor and the code of the warrior than the samurai. Trained from an early age in the art of war and sworn to the service of a lord, the samurai holds a position of power and respect in many lands, often serving as the voice and justice of the local noble. The samurai takes on his training with zeal, learning the way of the blade (typically a katana), the bow, and the horse. Some even learn how to effectively use firearms, if they are available. The samurai is often the most trusted soldier in his lord’s employ. In him, the common folk see honor and sacrifice. He is an honorable warrior, dedicated to the realm and the leaders that guide it.

Role: While typically sworn to the service of a lord, a samurai is usually given free reign as to how he performs that service. As such, samurai can sometimes be found with other adventurers, taking the fight to the enemies of their masters. Other samurai become ronin, striving to serve an ideal without paying fealty to a lord. In either case, samurai make powerful allies, capable of withstanding nearly any harm while dispatching their foes with deadly precision.

Note: The samurai is an alternate class for the samurai base class.

Alignment: Any.

Hit Points: 10 per level

Starting Wealth 5d6 × 10 gp (average 175 gp.) In addition, each character begins play with an outfit worth 10 gp or less.

Class Skills

The samurai receives 1 rank in the following; Acrobatics, Artisan, Awareness, Bluff, Diplomacy, Feats of Strength, Endurance, Handle Animal, Knowledge (Nobility)*, Intimidate, and Ride.

* Knowledge (Nobility) is only gained if their Order does not give them Knowledge Nobility. If it does, they instead gain Knowledge (Local)

Skill Ranks per Level: 4 + Int modifier.

Table: Samurai

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save	Special
1st	+1	+2	+0	+0	Challenge, mount, order, resolve
2nd	+2	+3	+0	+0	Order ability
3rd	+3	+3	+1	+1	Weapon expertise
4th	+4	+4	+1	+1	Challenge technique, mounted archer
5th	+5	+4	+1	+1	Banner
6th	+6/+1	+5	+2	+2	Bonus feat
7th	+7/+2	+5	+2	+2	Challenge technique
8th	+8/+3	+6	+2	+2	Order ability
9th	+9/+4	+6	+3	+3	Greater resolve
10th	+10/+5	+7	+3	+3	Challenge technique
11th	+11/+6/+1	+7	+3	+3	Honorable stand
12th	+12/+7/+2	+8	+4	+4	Bonus feat, demanding challenge
13th	+13/+8/+3	+8	+4	+4	Challenge technique
14th	+14/+9/+4	+9	+4	+4	Greater banner
15th	+15/+10/+5	+9	+5	+5	Order ability
16th	+16/+11/+6/+1	+10	+5	+5	Challenge technique
17th	+17/+12/+7/+2	+10	+5	+5	True resolve
18th	+18/+13/+8/+3	+11	+6	+6	Bonus feat
19th	+19/+14/+9/+4	+11	+6	+6	Challenge technique
20th	+20/+15/+10/+5	+12	+6	+6	Last stand, indomitable spirit

Class Features

The following are the class features of the samurai.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency

Samurai receive proficiency with Simple weapons as well as Swords and any one weapon type (excluding Exotic) of their choice, and receive proficiency with all armor types (light, medium, heavy, and shields).

Challenge (Ex)

Once per day, a samurai can challenge a foe to combat. As a swift action, the samurai chooses one target within sight to challenge. The samurai’s melee attacks deal extra damage when made against the target of his challenge. This extra damage is equal to the samurai’s level. Challenge can be used as many times per day as the samurai wants, however it can only affect one target at a time, and a target cannot be affected by Challenge more than once per day.

Challenging a foe requires much of the samurai’s concentration. The samurai takes a –2 penalty to his Armor Class, except against attacks made by the target of his challenge.

The challenge remains in effect until the target is dead or unconscious, or until the combat ends. Each samurai’s challenge also includes another effect, which is listed in the section describing the samurai’s order.

Mount (Ex)

A samurai gains the service of a loyal and trusty steed to carry him into battle. This mount functions as a druid’s animal companion, using the samurai’s level as his effective druid level. The creature must be one that he is capable of riding and that is suitable as a mount. A Medium samurai can select a camel or a horse. A Small samurai can select a pony or a wolf, but can also select a boar or a dog if he is at least 4th level. The GM may approve other animals as suitable mounts.

A samurai does not take an armor check penalty on Ride checks while riding his mount. The mount is always considered combat trained and begins play with Light Armor Proficiency as a bonus feat. A samurai’s mount does not gain the share spells special ability.

A samurai’s bond with his mount is strong, with the pair learning to anticipate each other’s moods and moves. Should a samurai’s mount die, the samurai may find another mount to serve him after 1 week of mourning.

Order (Ex)

At 1st level, a samurai must pledge himself to a specific order, typically the order of the warrior. The order grants the samurai a number of bonuses, class skills, and special abilities. In addition, each order includes a number of edicts the samurai must follow. If he violates these edicts, he loses the benefits of his order’s challenge ability for 24 hours. The violation of an edict is subject to GM interpretation.

Most samurai belong to the order of the warrior and are dedicated to their lord. Those without a lord, or who chose to abandon their lord, are ronin. A samurai may instead elect to dedicate himself to one of the orders listed under the samurai description, but such samurai are rare.

A samurai who wishes to change his order must undertake a lengthy process to dedicate himself to a new cause. When this choice is made, he immediately loses all of the benefits from his old order. He must then follow the edicts of his new order for one entire level without gaining any benefits from that order. Once he has accomplished this, he gains all the bonuses from his new order. The only exception to this is when a samurai decides to become a ronin. A samurai can elect to become a ronin immediately, losing all the benefits from his old Classes order and replacing them with the new benefits from the ronin order. Once a ronin, however, the only way for the samurai to change to another order is through the method described above. Note that the names of these orders might vary depending upon the campaign setting or GM’s preference.

The following orders can be chosen by both samurais and samurai.

Samurai Orders

 

Resolve (Ex)

Starting at 1st level, the samurai gains resolve that he can call upon to endure even the most devastating wounds and afflictions. He can spend stamina points in order to active resolve abilities. Whenever the samurai defeats the target of his challenge, he regains one stamina point, up to his maximum stamina points. Defeating the target of his challenge usually involves reducing the target to 0 hit points or fewer, but the GM might rule that an enemy who surrenders or flees the battle is also defeated. He can use this resolve in a number of ways.

Weapon Expertise (Ex)

At 3rd level, a samurai gains an unparalleled expertise with his chosen weapons. At 3rd level, the samurai selects either the katana, longbow, naginata, or wakizashi. The samurai can draw the selected weapon as a free action as if he had the Quick Draw feat. In addition, whenever he threatens a critical hit with the selected weapon, he gains a +2 bonus on the confirmation roll. Finally, his samurai levels count as fighter levels and stack.

Mounted Archer (Ex)

At 4th level, the samurai becomes skilled at firing ranged weapons while mounted. A samurai takes no penalty on attack rolls with ranged weapons while his mount takes a double move. This penalty is only -2 while his mount is running.

Challenge Technique

At 4th level and every 3 levels thereafter the samurai learns a technique they can bring into fights against those they choose to challenge. Challenge techniques cannot be selected more than once unless otherwise specified. These abilities are only active so long as your challenge is active, and last for 1 round after your challenge ends.

• Honorable Combatant (Ex): So long as the samurai has at least 1 stamina point remaining and has not taken a “dishonorable” action in combat (stealth attacks, using the “Dirty Trick” combat maneuver, or using poison are some examples) they receive a +2 competence bonus on all Will Saves.
• Dominating Presence (Ex): By spending 1 stamina point the samurai can force the target of their challenge to focus on them and them alone on their turn. Using this ability is an immediate action. While active the target of their challenge, in order to resist this compulsion, must make a Will Save (DC 10 + 1/2 samurai’s level + samurai’s Charisma modifier). This is a mind-affecting compulsion effect. If they fail the save (or choose to willingly target the samurai instead) they must attempt to attack the samurai on their turn (if able).
• Spirit Flame (Su): If the target of the samurai’s challenge is incorporeal, his weapons are treated as having the ghost touch property so long as he has at least 1 stamina point remaining. In addition he can spend 1 stamina point after successfully dealing damage to an incorporeal creature in order to force the creature to become corporeal for 1 round. This does not affect invisibility.
• Honorable Defenses (Ex): Samurai with at least 1 stamina point remaining who haven’t taken any “dishonorable” actions in combat (see “Honorable Combatant” above) receives a +4 dodge bonus to AC and CMD against Dirty Trick attempts and attacks which would deal sneak attack damage. In addition to this they receive a +4 bonus to Fortitude saves against poisons if they are in combat.
• Slay the Foe (Su): When selected the samurai receives a once per day Smite, and costs 2 stamina points in order to activate. This smite functions as the Paladin’s Smite Good except that it works against the opponent regardless of their alignment, it can only be used against opponents who are currently being affected by your challenge instead.
• Shogun’s Grace (Ex): If the samurai has at least half hit points and 1 stamina point remaining, they are able to use their Dexterity for attack rolls and damage rolls with katanas and naginatas.
• Slice Through (Ex): When making an attack roll with a slashing weapon the samurai can spend 2 stamina points and if the attack would kill the opponent, any other adjacent foes must make a Will Save (DC 10 + 1/2 samurai level + charisma bonus) and on a failed save the adjacent foes are frightened for 1 round. In order to select this challenge technique the samurai must be at least 10th level.
• I am… (Ex): By spending 1 stamina point and announcing the samurai’s full name and titles, they can temporarily grant themselves Dazzling Display (if they didn’t possess it already) and a bonus to their Will saves equal to their Charisma bonus.

Banner (Ex)

At 5th level, a samurai’s banner becomes a symbol of inspiration to his allies and companions. As long as the samurai’s banner is clearly visible, all allies within 60 feet receive a +2 morale bonus on saving throws against fear and a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls made as part of a charge. At 10th level, and every five levels thereafter, these bonuses increase by +1. The banner must be at least Small or larger and must be carried or displayed by the samurai or his mount to function.

Samurai can choose to swap out their banner for a new one as a standard action, altering its benefits. The following alternate banners are available when switching.

• Fleet Standard (Ex): An ally who benefits from this standard increases her land speed by 5 feet and gains a +1 dodge bonus to AC during any round in which she moved at least 10 feet. This increase to land speed is an enhancement bonus. At 10th level and every 5 levels thereafter, the bonus to speed increases by 5 feet. At 14th level, an ally benefiting from the banner gains a +2 morale bonus on Reflex saving throws against effects that target an area, such as fireball or breath weapons. When the samurai waves this standard, each ally within 60 feet can move up to her speed as an immediate action.
• Jinx Standard (Ex): These grim fetishes are common among some samurais. An ally who benefits from this standard gains a +1 bonus on caster level checks to bypass spell resistance and a +1 bonus to the DC of her hexes and necromancy or enchantment spell she casts. At 10th level and every 5 levels thereafter, the bonus on caster level checks increases by 1. At 14th level, an ally benefiting from the banner gains a +2 morale bonus on saving throws against spells or effects that deal hit point damage. When the samurai waves this standard, a number of allies equal to the samurai’s Charisma modifier (minimum 1) within 60 feet can attempt an Intimidate check to demoralize a foe as an immediate action.
• Knave Standard (Ex): An ally who benefits from this standard gains a +2 dodge bonus to AC against attacks of opportunity provoked by movement and a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls that benefit from flanking. At 10th level and every 5 levels thereafter, the bonus to AC increases by 1. At 14th level, an ally benefiting from the banner gains sneak attack +1d6; this stacks with other sources of sneak attack. When the samurai waves this standard, a number of allies equal to the samurai’s Charisma modifier (minimum 1) within 60 feet can each attempt a feint against a foe she threatens as an immediate action.
• Stalwart Standard (Ex): An ally who benefits from this standard gains a +2 morale bonus to CMD and a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls to creatures threatening an ally. At 10th level and every 5 levels thereafter, the bonus to CMD increases by +1. At 14th level, an ally benefiting from the banner is treated as one size category larger for the purposes of determining which creatures can affect him with combat maneuvers. When the samurai waves this standard, each ally within 60 feet can move up to 10 feet without provoking attacks of opportunities and ignoring difficult terrain as an immediate action.

Bonus Feat

At 6th level, and every six levels thereafter, a samurai gains a bonus feat in addition to those gained from normal advancement. These bonus feats must be selected from those listed as Combat Feats. The samurai must meet the requirements of these bonus feats.

Greater Resolve (Ex)

At 9th level, a samurai can use his resolve to negate some of his most grievous wounds. After a critical hit is confirmed against him, the samurai can spend one stamina point as an immediate action to treat that critical hit as a normal hit. Effects that only trigger on a critical hit do not trigger when the samurai uses this ability.

Honorable Stand (Ex)

At 11th level, a samurai can make an honorable stand, deciding to fight the target of his challenge to the bitter end, no matter the cost. He can make an honorable stand once per day at 11th level, plus one additional time per day at 16th level. Declaring an honorable stand is a swift action. While making an honorable stand, the samurai is immune to the shaken, frightened, and panicked conditions. He does not fall unconscious while his hit point total is below 0. Finally, whenever a samurai making an honorable stand must make a saving throw, he can spend one stamina point to reroll the saving throw after the first roll is made, taking the better result. If a samurai making an honorable stand ever retreats from battle against his challenged foe, he loses the ability to make a challenge for 24 hours.

Demanding Challenge (Ex)

At 12th level, whenever a samurai declares a challenge, his target must pay attention to the threat he poses. As long as the target is within the threatened area of the samurai, it takes a –2 penalty to its AC on attacks made by anyone other than the samurai.

Greater Banner (Ex)

At 14th level, the samurai’s banner becomes a rallying call to his allies. All allies within 60 feet receive a +2 morale bonus on saving throws. In addition, while his banner is displayed, the samurai can spend a standard action to wave the banner through the air, granting all allies within 60 feet an additional saving throw against any one spell or effect that is targeting them. This save is made at the original DC minus the samurai’s Charisma modifier. Spells and effects that do not allow saving throws are unaffected by this ability. An ally cannot benefit from this ability more than once per day.

True Resolve (Ex)

At 17th level, a samurai can spend stamina to avoid death. If he has at least half or more of his stamina points remaining, he can spend all of his stamina points he has available to him to avoid death. Regardless of the source of the attack that would have killed him, he is left alive, at –1 hit points, unconscious, and stable.

Last Stand (Ex)

At 20th level, a samurai can make a last stand once per day whenever he makes a challenge. While this challenge is in effect, all melee and ranged weapons deal the minimum amount of damage to the samurai, unless the attack scored is a critical hit. In addition, the samurai remains conscious and is not staggered while he is below 0 hit points. While using this ability, the samurai cannot be killed by melee or ranged weapons unless they are wielded by the target of his challenge. Attacks made by opponents that are not the target of his challenge deal no damage when samurai has 0 or fewer hit points. This ability has no effect on spells, environmental effects, supernatural abilities, or any other source of damage other than melee and ranged weapons. Such sources of damage affect him normally and can kill him (although they do not cause him to fall unconscious or to become staggered if they reduce his hit points below 0). This effect lasts until the challenge ends or the samurai takes an offensive action against a target other than the target of his challenge.

Indomitable Spirit (Ex)

At 20th level, the sight of the samurai on the battlefield gives heart to even the most doomed force. The range of the samurai’s banner increases by 90 feet, the bonuses offered by the banner increase by 2, and the samurai can wave his banner to use its ability as a move action instead of a standard action.