Battle Mage
There are those who seek to master the art of magic, and there are those who
seek to master the art of combat. The battle mage seeks to master both, with
awe-inspiring results. With weapon in hand and arcane magic at his command, foes
cower and flee from the battle mage.
Making a Battle Mage
With a d8 hit die, medium base attack bonus, and moderate arcane magic, this
class isn't the best at any field, but it has range. A battle mage can stand up
as a secondary swordsman or archer when spellcasting isn't an option. Which is
good, because, with his limited number of spells, that's more likely to be the
case.
Abilities: Charisma is needed for spellcasting, and
is, therefore, is most important score for a battle mage. Constitution is
important for hit points and Concentration checks. Dexterity is useful for
better armor class. Strength is useful for a battle mage to making melee
attacks.
Races: There is no race that truly favors this class.
However, elves, half-elves, and humans are more likely to desire both arcane
magic and combat ability, and are, therefore, slightly more common among the
members of this class.
Alignment: Any
Starting Gold: 6d4 x 10 gp
|
Table: The
Battle Mage
Hit Die: d8 |
|
||||||||||||||||
Level |
Base |
Saving Throws |
|
Special |
Spells per Day |
|||||||||||||
Fort |
Ref |
Will |
Cur |
0 |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
5th |
6th |
7th |
8th |
9th |
|||||
1st |
+0 |
+0 |
+0 |
+2 |
+0 |
Animal Companion |
4 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
2nd |
+1 |
+0 |
+0 |
+3 |
+1 |
|
5 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
3rd |
+2 |
+1 |
+1 |
+3 |
+1 |
Bonus feat |
5 |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
4th |
+3 |
+1 |
+1 |
+4 |
+1 |
|
5 |
5 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
5th |
+3 |
+1 |
+1 |
+4 |
+2 |
Battle Form |
5 |
5 |
3 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
6th |
+4 |
+2 |
+2 |
+5 |
+2 |
Bonus Feat |
5 |
5 |
4 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
7th |
+5 |
+2 |
+2 |
+5 |
+2 |
Snap-Blade |
5 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
8th |
+6 |
+2 |
+2 |
+6 |
+3 |
|
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
||
9th |
+6 |
+3 |
+3 |
+6 |
+3 |
Bonus Feat |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
||
10th |
+7 |
+3 |
+3 |
+7 |
+3 |
Bio-Surge |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
||
11th |
+8 |
+3 |
+3 |
+7 |
+4 |
|
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
||
12th |
+9 |
+4 |
+4 |
+8 |
+4 |
Bonus Feat |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
2 |
|
|
|
||
13th |
+9 |
+4 |
+4 |
+8 |
+4 |
Lightning Blade |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
|
|
|
||
14th |
+10 |
+4 |
+4 |
+9 |
+5 |
|
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
2 |
|
|
||
15th |
+11 |
+5 |
+5 |
+9 |
+5 |
Bonus Feat |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
|
|
||
16th |
+12 |
+5 |
+5 |
+10 |
+5 |
Gravity Fold |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
2 |
|
||
17th |
+12 |
+5 |
+5 |
+10 |
+6 |
|
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
|
||
18th |
+13 |
+6 |
+6 |
+11 |
+6 |
Bonus Feat |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
2 |
||
19th |
+14 |
+6 |
+6 |
+11 |
+6 |
Swords of the
fallen |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
||
20th |
+15 |
+6 |
+6 |
+12 |
+7 |
|
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
||
|
Class Skills (2 + Int modifier per level, Χ4 at 1st level) |
|
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Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Battle Mage.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Battle Mages are
proficient with all simple weapons and any one martial weapon of the character's
choice. Battle Mages are proficient with light armor, but not with shields. A
Battle Mage can cast spells derived from his class levels of Battle Mage while
in light armor without the normal arcane spell failure chance.
Spells: A Battle Mage casts arcane spells which are
drawn primarily from the sorcerer/wizard spell list. He can cast any spell he
knows without preparing it ahead of time, the way a wizard or a cleric must (see
below).
To learn or cast a spell, a Battle Mage must have a Charisma score equal to at
least 10 + the spell level. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a
Battle Mage's spell is 10 + the spell level + the Battle Mage's Charisma
modifier.
Like other spellcasters, a Battle Mage can cast only a certain number of spells
of each spell level per day. His base daily spell allotment is given on Table:
The Battle Mage. In addition, he receives bonus spells per day if he has a high
Charisma score.
A Battle Mage's selection of spells is extremely limited. A Battle Mage begins
play knowing three 0-level spells and one 1st-level spells of your choice. At
each new Battle Mage level, he gains one or more new spells, as indicated on
Table: Battle Mage Spells Known. (Unlike spells per day, the number of spells a
Battle Mage knows is not affected by his Charisma score; the numbers on Table:
Battle Mage Spells Known are fixed.) These new spells can be common spells
chosen from the sorcerer/wizard spell list, or they can be unusual spells that
the Battle Mage has gained some understanding of by study. The Battle Mage can't
use this method of spell acquisition to learn spells at a faster rate, however.
Upon reaching 4th level, and at every even-numbered Battle Mage level after that
(6th, 8th, and so on), a Battle Mage can choose to learn a new spell in place of
one he already knows. In effect, the Battle Mage "loses" the old spell in
exchange for the new one. The new spell's level must be the same as that of the
spell being exchanged, and it must be at least two levels lower than the
highest-level Battle Mage spell the Battle Mage can cast. A Battle Mage may swap
only a single spell at any given level, and must choose whether or not to swap
the spell at the same time that he gains new spells known for the level.
Unlike a wizard or a cleric, a Battle Mage need not prepare his spells in
advance. He can cast any spell he knows at any time, assuming he has not yet
used up his spells per day for that spell level. He does not have to decide
ahead of time which spells he'll cast.
Table: Battle Mage Spells Known |
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Level |
Spells Known |
|
|||||||||
0 |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
5th |
6th |
7th |
8th |
9th |
|
|
1st |
2 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2nd |
3 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3rd |
4 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4th |
5 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5th |
5 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6th |
6 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7th |
6 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8th |
7 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
9th |
7 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
10th |
8 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
11th |
8 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
12th |
8 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
13th |
8 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
14th |
8 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
15th |
8 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
16th |
8 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
17th |
8 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
18th |
8 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
19th |
8 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
20th |
8 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Animal
Companion : A
Battle Mage may start with, or later gain, an animal companion selected from the
following list: badger, camel, dire rat, dog, riding dog, eagle, hawk, horse
(light or heavy), owl, pony, snake (Small or Medium viper), or wolf. If the
campaign takes place wholly or partly in an aquatic environment, the following
creatures may be added to the Battle Mages list of options: manta ray,
porpoise, Medium shark, and squid. This animal is a loyal companion that
accompanies the Battle Mage on his adventures as appropriate for its kind.
This ability functions like the druid ability of the same name, but uses the
character's Battle Mage level to determine bonuses based on class level. A
Battle Mage may select from the alternative lists of animal companions just as a
druid can. Like a druid, a Battle Mage cannot select an alternative animal if
the choice would reduce his effective druid level below 1st.
Battle Mage levels stack with levels of any other classes that are entitled to
an animal companion for the purpose of determining the companions abilities and
the alternative lists available to the character.
Bonus Feats: A Battle Mage may pick any Feat from
Fighter Bonus Feats, or any Metamagic Feat.
Battle Form: The Battle Mage steels himself with magic
increasing his physical abilities. +2 Dex, Con, Str modifier, 20% Projectile
miss chance, +1 to Dex, Con, Str every four class levels starting at level 8.
can be used a number of times equal to half Cha mod per day of caster usable
only on self.
Snap Blade: The Battle Mage summons a blade of lost
souls from wars long past creating a sword of ghostly cold dealing 4d6 cold
damage plus 1d6 every three Class levels, lasting for a number of rounds equal
to half Cha mod. half cha mod uses per day
Bio-Surge: A Battle Mage can seal up their wounds
using magic to create sutures healing the target for 1d6xCon mod, this cannot be
used on non-living targets. any wound healed by this spell leaves a permanent
suture scar on the flesh. this ability can be used = to the con modifier +2
Lightning Blade: By sheer force of will the Battle
Mage forces Lightning into their weapon of choice and strikes the enemy
unleashing a storm of ancient magics into the area around them. Does 1d6xCha mod
electricity damage to target and half damage to all enemies within 15ft of
target, ignores allies. DC 20 Reflex to avoid AOE. may be used three times per
day max.
Gravity Fold: An experienced Battle Mage can one a day
force the matter around him to collapse causing intense damage to everyone in
the area. 2d10+1d10xcon mod Force casting this spell requires the caster to pass
a DC20+Class level Concentration Check or fail the spell and take half damage he
would have dealt, everyone within 30ft of caster must pass a Reflex save
DC15+Class level of caster for half damage.
Sword of the Fallen: Years on the battle field have
left the Battle Mage a veteran of combat able to call upon the blades of
soldiers long gone once a day. Upon casting the spell 1d10 long swords with
dancing cast upon them burst from appear each dealing 1d8+cha of caster in Force
damage lasting 1/2 Cha mod of caster.
Epic Battle Mage
Table: The Epic Battle Mage
Hit Die: d8 |
|
Level |
Special |
21st |
|
22nd |
|
23rd |
Bonus Feat |
24th |
|
25th |
|
26th |
Bonus Feat |
27th |
|
28th |
|
29th |
Bonus Feat |
30th |
|
2 + Int modifier
skill points per level. |
Spells: The Battle Mages caster level is equal to his
class level. The Battle Mages number of spells per day does not increase after
20th level. The Battle Mage does not learn additional spells unless he selects
the Spell Knowledge feat.
Animal Companion: The epic Battle Mages animal
companion continues to increase in power. At every three levels higher than 18th
(21st, 24th, 27th, and so on), the companion gains +2 bonus Hit Dice, its
natural armor increases by 2, its Strength and Dexterity modifiers increase by
1, and it learns one additional bonus trick.
Bonus Feats: The epic Battle Mage gains a bonus feat
(selected from the list of epic Battle Mage bonus feats) every three levels
after 20th.
Epic
Battle Mage Bonus Feat List: Augmented Alchemy, Automatic Quicken Spell,
Automatic Silent Spell, Automatic Still Spell, Energy Resistance, Enhance Spell,
Epic Spell Focus, Epic Spell Penetration, Epic Spellcasting, Epic Toughness,
Ignore Material Components, Improved Combat Casting, Improved Heighten Spell,
Improved Metamagic, Improved Spell Capacity, Intensify Spell, Master Staff,
Master Wand, Multi-spell Perfect Health, Permanent Emanation, Spell Knowledge,
Spell Stowaway, Spell Opportunity.
Human Battle Mage Starting Package
Weapons: Scimitar, light crossbow.
Skill Selection: Pick a number of skills equal to 3
+ Int modifier.
Skill |
Ranks |
Ability |
Armor |
Concentration |
4 |
Con |
|
Spellcraft |
4 |
Int |
|
Knowledge (arcana) |
4 |
Int |
|
Intimidate |
4 |
Cha |
|
Diplomacy (cc) |
2 |
Cha |
|
Bluff (cc) |
2 |
Cha |
|
Feat: Weapon
Focus (scimitar).
Bonus Feats: Combat Casting (Human), Improved
Toughness (Battle Mage).
Spells
Known: 0-level
spells acid splash, resistance. 1st-level spell magic
missile.
Gear: Studded leather. Backpack with waterskin, one
days trail rations, bedroll, and sack. Flint and steel, hooded lantern, and 5
pints of oil. Spell component pouch. Case of 10 crossbow bolts.
Gold: 6d4 gp.
Campaign Information
Playing a Battle Mage
Religion: Battle mages are most likely to
favor either Lashanna or Vreeshan
(goddesses of
magic). Those that continuously serve as part of a particular army may revere
Adamus or Mykros (gods of war), Kyshaar or Endaris (gods of battle).
Battle mages that work as mercenaries sometimes worship Illystrin
(Goddess of Mercenaries). However, many simply worship whichever Father Lord or
Mother Lord is most common to their race or nation.
Other Classes: Battlemages can be found working with
any class, but they are most comfortable with wizards, and martial classes. An
interesting mix, for instance would be a party with a battlemage and a combat
mage or martial arcanist to back them up. Battlemages often band together in
their own units, and can unleash terrible destruction when working
co-operatively.
Combat: A battlemage's role in combat depends on the
magic they use, and to a lesser degree, the weapons and equipment they use. All
battlemages know the school of Evocation, so their primary role is that of an
arcane combatant. Secondary roles include defender (Abjuration),
intelligence-gatherer (Divination), summoner/tactician (Conjuration),
psychological warfare/control (Enchantment), demoralizing/undead control
(Necromancy), diversions/espionage (Illusion), and booster/troubleshooter
(Transmutation).
Advancement: A battlemage usually stays as a
battlemage, so as to enjoy all that a focused career in battle magic has to
offer. Those battlemages who do branch out, either take levels in a martial
class to boost their skill, a secondary casting class (which is rare, but it
happens), or a prestige class playing to their strengths.
Battlemages in the World
Battlemages can be found anywhere there is battle to be had, especially serving
in armies as a sort of advanced tactics and weaponry specialist.
Daily Life: A typical day for a battlemage involves
getting up early, exercising, studying his spell books, having breakfast, and
then some weapon practice. At the end of the day, he cleans his weapons, tends
to his armor (and mount if he has one), before going to bed.
Organizations: There are battle magic guilds in many
kingdoms, and often a college of magic will have a resident battle magic guild
as well.
NPC Reactions: How an NPC reacts to a battlemage
depends on how they view spellcasters, and to an extent, how they view the
military. Lands or peoples with a strong martial or magical tradition tend to
view a local battlemage with respect. Opposing lands will hate and fear them,
usually.
Battlemage Lore
Characters with ranks in Knowledge (War) or Knowledge (Arcana) can research
battlemages to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read
or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.
Knowledge (War), Knowledge (Arcana) |
|
DC |
Result |
5 |
Battlemages? Oh,
yeah, they work as the army's personal spellcasters. |
10 |
Battlemages use
magic typically only seen on the battlefield, and do more damage with
it. |
15 |
Battlemages can do
things like braiding or linking magic, and sometimes stranger things
like channeling spells through their weapons. |
20 |
Specific
information about a particular battlemage, including his whereabouts,
habits, etc. |