Saints hail from lands where warriors are prevalent, and are often people who wander the world seeking new challenges to perfect their intricate style of swordplay.
The saint is an archetype of the sword saint class.
Limited Prowess
A saint’s base attack bonus decreases by one step (from Full BAB to 3/4 BAB). Also decreases saint’s hit dice from d10 to d8.
Weapon Proficiency
A saint gains proficiency in all power weapons, and can use them as long as he has at least 1 swordskill remaining instead of requiring MP. He uses Charisma as his casting modifier, and gains a caster level equal to his sword saint level, even though he cannot cast spells.
This ability modifies the sword saint’s standard weapon proficiencies.
Armor Proficiency
A saint loses all proficiency with light, medium, and heavy armor as well as all shields.
This ability replaces the sword saint’s standard armor proficiencies.
Swordskill Proficiency (Ex)
Saints are considered to have the Precise Shot feat while using swordskills.
Skilled Swordplay (Su)
This ability functions the same as the sword saint’s swordplay ability, except a saint gains more swordskills (see below). A saint no longer needs to craft a weapon to gain +1 DC, he automatically gets it. In addition, he may use any swordskill he knows without needing to ready them. Each swordskill can still only be used once per encounter but can be regained through the standard swordplay ability.
| Level | Swordskills Known |
|---|---|
| 1st | 4 |
| 2nd | 5 |
| 3rd | 5 |
| 4th | 5 |
| 5th | 6 |
| 6th | 6 |
| 7th | 6 |
| 8th | 7 |
| 9th | 7 |
| 10th | 7 |
| 11th | 8 |
| 12th | 8 |
| 13th | 8 |
| 14th | 9 |
| 15th | 9 |
| 16th | 9 |
| 17th | 10 |
| 18th | 10 |
| 19th | 10 |
| 20th | 11 |
This ability modifies swordplay.
Weaponless Swordskills (Su)
At 1st level, whenever a saint would deal focus sword damage, he instead deals his sword saint level + his Charisma modifier in damage. In addition, the saint no longer needs to wield a weapon to use their swordskills.
This ability modifies swordskills and replaces force of personality and steel defense.
AC Bonus (Ex)
When unarmored and unencumbered, the saint adds his Charisma bonus (if any) (this bonus is halved if he has a level in another non-prestige class and this is not his favored class) to his AC. He uses his fearless attitude and martial skill in battle to evade his foes’ attacks. In addition, a saint gains a +1 dodge bonus to AC and CMD at 5th level. This bonus increases by 1 for every five sword saint levels thereafter (+2 at 10th, +3 at 15th, and +4 at 20th level). This bonus reflects the saint’s intense training and martial skill he has developed upon the field of battle. These bonuses to AC and CMD apply even against touch attacks or when the saint is flat-footed. He loses these bonuses when he is immobilized or helpless, when he wears armor, when he carries a shield, or when he carries a medium or heavy load.
This ability replaces defensive focus.
Saint Talents
At 2nd level and higher, a saint gains access to the following sword saint talents:
Ambuscading Swordskill (Su): During a surprise round, the saint’s opponents that have not yet acted take a –2 penalty on saving throws against swordskills he performs. Creatures that have already acted take a –1 penalty during the surprise round.
Empowered Swordskill (Su): Once per day, a saint can perform a swordskill that all variable, numeric effects are increased by half including bonuses to those dice rolls. Saving throws and opposed rolls are not affected, nor are swordskills without random variables.
Fast Renewal (Su): It now only takes a saint a standard action to renew all his swordskills, or a move action to renew one swordskill.
Reach Swordskill (Su): Twice per day, a saint can perform a swordskill that have their range doubled.
Improved Swordplay (Ex)
At 7th level, a saint is able to produce an additional swordskill at a -5 penalty to attack rolls as a full-round action (if a swordskill doesn’t have an attack roll, it instead suffers a -1 to DCs).
This ability replaces armor training and doesn’t stack with the talent of the same name.
Advanced Swordplay (Ex)
At 12th level, a saint is able to produce a third swordskill at a -10 penalty to attack rolls (or -2 to DCs if no attack roll).
This ability replaces an advanced sword saint talent gained at 12th level and doesn’t stack with the talent of the same name.
Advanced Saint Talents
At 14th level and higher, a saint gains access to the following advanced sword saint talents:
Faster Renewal (Su): It now only takes a saint a move action to renew all his swordskills, or a swift action to renew one swordskill.
Greater Specialized Form (Ex): Select a swordskill form. The sword saint increases the DC of all swordskills of that form by 1. This talent can be selected multiple times. Each time it’s selected the sword saint chooses a different swordskill form. This bonus stacks with the bonus from Specialized Form. Prerequisite: A saint must have Specialized Form sword saint talent to get this talent.
Maximized Swordskill (Su): Once per day, a saint can perform a swordskill that all variable, numeric effects are maximized. Saving throws are not affected, nor are swordskills without random variables.
Quicken Swordskill (Su): Once per day, a saint can perform a swordskill as a swift action.
Superior Swordplay (Ex)
At 17th level, a saint is able to produce a fourth swordskill at a -15 penalty to attack rolls (or -3 to DCs if no attack roll).
This ability replaces born of steel.