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The Scholar

In the midst of the battlefield, an elf clad in breastplate shouts orders to his troops. She smirks knowing that when the trap is sprung, it will surely award them a decisive victory.

A poison dart trap has just felled an ally and a halfling rushes to her aid. He's well versed in concocting anti-toxins and within a few short moments his friend is back in order.

A dwarf stands on a platform addressing the people around him, he knows these people and knows exactly what they need to hear to have them rally to his side, with their support he can do anything.

Scholars are master of the mundane arts, using methodical practices to turn the tables to their advantage. From years of study and testing, scholars take in the situation around them and quickly formulate the means to achieve whatever they have mind set to. Whatever pursuit they follow, a scholar will have a plan for anything that comes their way.

The Pursuit of Knowledge

A true scholar is never satisfied. They are always seeking out a new answer to a new question. This often goes hand-in-hand with seeking a life of adventure, to explore new, hidden areas, or accompany those that do. The life of a scholar often times begins in the mundane, as a teacher or sage. Sometimes they serve as members of the military or as doctors or diplomats.

But the mundane life is often too slow, and when life becomes stagnant or when an answer cannot be found, the call to adventure rings louder. Whether they're seeking some lost knowledge, want to test a new theory, or hoping to find new questions to ask, scholars often find themselves in ancient, lost, and often dangerous, places to find them.

Creating a Scholar

As you create a scholar, it's important to think of where you gained your knowledge. Did you serve as an apprentice under a master? Did you attend college or other formal education? Perhaps you gained it on your own, searching out and pouring over dusty tomes found in forgotten places. Where did your thirst of knowledge come from? Insatiable curiosity? Always wanting to know the right answer? Or maybe you have something to prove. Think about what field you wish to pursue and think of what would have driven you in that direction.

Quick Build

You can make a scholar quickly by following these suggestions. First make Intelligence your highest ability score. Your next-highest score should be Dexterity, or Charisma if you plan on following the Politician pursuit. Second choose the Sage background, or Noble background if you plan on following the Politician pursuit.

Class Features

As a scholar, you gain the following class features

 
The Scholar
Level Proficiency Bonus Features Discoveries
1st +2 Academic Superiority, Critical Analysis (d4)
2nd +2 Discover, Sage Advice (one use) 2
3rd +2 Expertise, Pursuit 2
4th +2 Ability Score Improvement 2
5th +3 Critical Analysis (d6), Improved Academic Superiority (d8) 3
6th +3 Pursuit Feature 3
7th +3 Unwavering Mind 4
8th +3 Ability Score Improvement 4
9th +4 Improved Academic Superiority (d10) 5
10th +4 Critical Analysis (d8), Expertise 5
11th +4 Pursuit Feature 5
12th +4 Ability Score Improvement 6
13th +5 Sage Advice (two uses) 6
14th +5 Calculated Defenses 6
15th +5 Critical Analysis (d10), Relentless 7
16th +5 Ability Score Improvement 7
17th +6 Pursuit Feature 7
18th +6 Lightning Execution 8
19th +6 Ability Score Improvement 8
20th +6 Genius Unbound 8

Hit Points


  • Hit Dice: 1d8 per scholar level
  • Hit Points at 1st Level: 8 + your Constitution modifier
  • Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d8 (or 5) + your Constitution modifier per scholar level after 1st

Proficiencies


  • Armor: Light armor
  • Weapons: simple weapons, hand crossbows, shortswords
  • Tools: Any two

  • Saving Throws: Dexterity, Intelligence
  • Skills: Choose three from Arcana, Deception, History, Insight, Intimidation, Investigation, Medicine, Nature, Persuasion, Religion, and Survival

Equipment

You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:

  • (a) any simple weapon or (b) a light crossbow and 20 bolts
  • (a) scholar's pack or (b) explorer's pack
  • any simple weapon
  • a set of leather armor
  • any two tools of your choice

Alternatively, you may start with 4d4 x 10 gp to buy your own equipment.

Academic Superiority

Beginning at 1st level, you know practical applications of your studies, called maneuvers. Your maneuvers are fueled by special dice called superiority dice.

Maneuvers. You know 2 maneuvers of your choice, which are detailed under “Maneuvers” below. You may only use a particular maneuver once per turn. Many of your maneuvers enhance an attack in some way, you can use only one maneuver per attack.

You learn two additional maneuvers of your choice at 3rd, 6th, 11th, and 17th level. Each time you learn new maneuvers, you can also replace one maneuver you know with a different one.

Superiority Dice. You have a number of superiority dice equal to 1 + your Intelligence modifier (minimum of one), which are d6s. A superiority die is expended when you use it. You regain all of your expended superiority dice when you finish a short or long rest.

Saving Throws. Some of your maneuvers require your target to make a saving throw to resist the maneuver’s effects. The saving throw DC is calculated as follows:

       Maneuver save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus +

                            your Intelligence modifier

Maneuvers

The maneuvers are presented in alphabetical order.

Administer Aid. As an action, you touch a creature and expend a superiority die. The creature regains a number of hit points equal to the number rolled + your Intelligence modifier.

Assess the Situation. You may expend one superiority dice to make a Wisdom (Perception) or Intelligence (Investigation) check as a bonus action, adding the superiority die to the check.

Deliberate Movement. You may expend one superiority dice to use the Disengage action as a bonus action and ignore nonmagical difficult terrain until the end of your turn.

Distracting Strike. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one superiority die to distract the creature, giving your allies an opening. You add the superiority die to the attack’s damage roll. The next attack roll against the target by an attack other than you has advantage if the attack is made before the start of your next turn.

Evasive Footwork. When you move, you can expend one superiority die, rolling the die and adding the number rolled to your AC until you stop moving.

Exploit Weakness. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you may expend a superiority die and deal additional damage equal to the number rolled. This damage cannot be reduced in any way.

Measured Action. As a reaction when you make a contested skill check, you may expend a superiority die and add the number rolled to your roll. You can wait to use this after the roll is made, but must be before the DM announces any success or failure.

One Step Ahead. As a reaction when you roll initiative, you may expend a superiority die and add the number rolled to your initiative.

Reasoned Defense. As a reaction when you are forced to make a saving throw against an effect you can see, you may expend a superiority die and add the number rolled to your saving throw. You can choose to use this maneuver after you’ve rolled the die, but must decide before the DM says if it succeeds or fails.

Critical Analysis

At 1st level, you are able to analyze a target, develop a plan on how to best overcome any potential obstacle, and execute that plan with ruthless efficiency. As a bonus action on your turn, you may analyze a target you can see within 60 feet of you. For the next minute, or until you analyze another target, attack rolls and damage rolls made with a finesse or ranged weapon may use your Intelligence modifier instead of Strength or Dexterity.

Additionally, once per turn when you use a maneuver targeting your analyzed target, you may roll an additional d4 and add the number rolled to the total.

The die increases to a d6 at 5th level, a d8 at 10th level, and a d10 at 15th level.

Discovery

As you adventure, your studies have helped you discover new practices you can apply to your skills.

At 2nd level, you master two discoveries of your choice. Your discovery options are detailed at the end of the class description. When you gain certain scholar levels, you gain additional discoveries of your choice, as shown in the Discoveries column of the Scholar table.

Additionally, when you gain a level in this class, you can choose one of the discoveries you know and replace it with another discovery that you could learn at that level.

Sage Advice

When you reach 2nd level, you may spread your knowledge and experience to those around you. You spend 1 minute advising your companions. When you do so, choose a skill or tool you are proficient with and a number of friendly creatures up to your Intelligence modifier within 30 feet of you who can hear you and who can understand you. Once within the next hour, the next time each creature would make a check of the chosen skill or tool, they may add their proficiency modifier to the roll, or double their proficiency if they are already proficient. A creature may only benefit from this feature once, if a creature is targeted by this feature again before using it, they can choose to retain the first benefit or replace it with the new skill or tool instead.

    Once you’ve used this feature, it cannot be used again until you complete a short or long rest. Starting at 13th level, you can use it twice before a rest.

Expertise

At 3rd level, choose two of your skill proficiencies, or one of your skill proficiencies and one of your tool proficiencies, or two of your tool proficiencies. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make that uses either of the chosen proficiencies.

At 10th level, you can choose another two proficiencies (in skills or tools) to gain this benefit.

Pursuit

At 3rd level, you dedicate your studies towards a particular pursuit of your choice: physician, politician, or tactician, detailed at the end of the class description. The pursuit you choose grants you features at 3rd level, and again at 6th, 11th, and 17th level.

Ability Score Improvement

When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 12th, 16th, and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two Ability Scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can’t increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.

Improved Academic Superiority

At 5th level, you gain one additional superiority die and your superiority dice turn into d8s. At 9th level, they turn into d10s.

Unwavering Mind

Starting at 7th level, you gain proficiency in Wisdom saving throws.

Calculated Defenses

Beginning at 14th level, whenever you must make a saving throw from an effect you can see, you gain a bonus to the saving throw equal to your Intelligence modifier.

Relentless

Starting at 15th level, when you roll initiative and have no superiority dice remaining, you regain 1 superiority die.

Lightning Execution

At 18th level, your mind works at incredible speeds, seconds turn into minutes allowing you ample time to react to any situation. You may take one additional reaction each round. You may only use one reaction per trigger.

Genius Unbound

When you reach 20th level, your genius is has no equal. Your Intelligence score increases by 4. Your maximum for that score is now 24.

 

Pursuits

Your pursuit is a representation of which fields you have studied or how you practically apply your knowledge.

Physician

The Physician pursuit reflects your studies into the medical, anatomical, and biological sciences. Those who follow this pursuit use their knowledge to patch up the allies on the field and deal crippling blows with surgical accuracy.

Bonus Proficiencies

Beginning at 3rd level when you select this pursuit, you gain proficiency in the Medicine and Nature skills, and with alchemist’s supplies.

Medical Practitioner

At 3rd level, you gain access to new maneuvers which reflect the progress of your studies into the medical arts. Whenever you learn a new maneuver, you can choose from any of the following as well. The maneuvers are listed in alphabetical order.

Dazing Strike. When you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you may expend a superiority die to temporarily daze the creature. Add the number rolled to the damage of the weapon attack and the creature must succeed a Constitution saving throw or be stunned until the end of their next turn.

Dull the Pain. You can use an action and expend one superiority die to dull the feeling of a creature. When you do so, a creature you can touch gains temporary hit points equal to the superiority die roll + your Intelligence modifier. These temporary hit points last 1 minute.

Hamstring. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one superiority die to cripple the creature. You add the superiority die to the attack's damage roll and the creature's speed is reduced by 10 feet until the end of their next turn.

Lacerate. When you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you may expend a superiority die to cause a lacerating wound. Add the number rolled to the damage of the weapon attack and the creature must succeed a Constitution saving throw or take 1d4 necrotic damage at the end of each of its turns for 1 minute or until it or another creature uses its action to stop the bleeding.

Neuroblock. When you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you may expend a superiority die to halt its ability to heal. Add the number rolled to the damage of the weapon attack and the creature cannot regain hit points until the end of your next turn.

Rapid Response. While moving, you may expend a superiority die and add 5 times the number rolled to your movement speed.

Reassure. As an action, you may call out to a creature within 60 feet that can hear or see you that has been charmed or frightened. When you do, expend a superiority die and the creature can immediately make another saving throw with advantage to end the effect.

    Remove Toxins. As an action, you may expend a superiority die to purge the toxins from a creature you can touch. The target regains hit points equal to the number rolled and is the target is cured of one disease or one poison affecting it.

Smelling Salts. As a bonus action, you may expend a superiority die to heal a creature you can touch a number of hit points equal to the number rolled.

Field Surgeon

At 6th level, whenever you expend superiority dice to restore hit points or grant temporary hit points, you can expend up to two dice instead of just one, adding both to the roll. Both dice are expended as normal. When you do, if the target regaining hit points is the analyzed target of your Critical Analysis feature, you may also roll the additional twice, adding both to the roll.

Resuscitate

Beginning at 11th level, your medical studies have taught on the ways of cheating death itself. If a creature that has died since the end of your last turn, as an action, you may touch the creature to bring the target back to life with 1 hit point remaining.

A creature can only regain hit points this way once before that creature finishes a short or long rest.

Panacea

When you reach 17th level, you develop a cure-all miracle solution: a panacea. Over the course of 10 minutes, you can expend rare medicinal herbs and oils worth 100 gp to create your panacea in a simple vial. The panacea retains its potency for 24 hours.

As an action, a creature may drink the elixir or administer it to another creature. The drinker has their exhaustion level reduced by one or has one of the following debilitating effects end:

  • One effect that petrified or cursed the target.
  • One magical effect afflicting the creature.
  • Any reduction to one of the target's ability scores.
  • One effect reducing the target's hit point maximum.

Once you create a panacea, you can't create another until you finish a short or long rest.

Politician

Scholars who choose to follow the Politician pursuit are those who study social & political sciences. They use their knowledge of the people to manipulate the masses into doing their bidding or allow them to carry out their business without being impeded.

Silver Tongue

Beginning at 3rd level you may add half your proficiency bonus to any Charisma skill check you are not already proficient in. Additionally, You learn one additional language of your choice.

 

Learned Diplomat

At 3rd level, you gain access to new maneuvers which reflect the progress of your studies into the political world. Whenever you learn a new maneuver, you can choose from any of the following as well. The maneuvers are listed in alphabetical order.

Call to Arms. If you are surprised at the beginning of combat and aren't incapacitated, you can expend one superiority die to use a bonus action before doing anything else on your turn to make a call to arms. When you do so, creatures you choose within 30 feet who can hear or see who haven't gone yet may act normally on their first turn.

Overwhelming Presence. As an action, you can make a Charisma (Persuasion) or Charisma (Intimidation) skill check and expend one superiority die to attempt to charm a humanoid creature who can see or hear you within 60 feet. Add the superiority die to the roll. The target makes a contested Wisdom (Insight) check. If your check succeeds, the target is charmed by you if you used Persuasion, or frightened of you if you used Intimidation, until the end of your next turn.

Charge. As a bonus action on your turn, you can expend one superiority die to spurn your allies to move. Until the start of your next turn, creatures you choose within 30 feet who can see or hear you, have their speed increased by 10 feet and ignore nonmagical difficult terrain.

Goading Attack. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one superiority die to attempt to goad the target into attack you. You add the superiority die to the attacks damage roll, and the target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the target has disadvantage on all attack rolls against targets other than you until the end of your next turn.

Inspiring Defense. As a reaction when an ally you can see within 30 feet who can hear or see you, makes a saving throw, you may expend a superiority die. Add the number rolled to the targets saving throw. You may use this reaction after the initial d20 has been rolled, but must be before the DM declares its effects.

Rally. On your turn, you can use a bonus action and expend one superiority die to bolster the resolve of one of your companions. When you do so, choose a friendly creature who can see or hear you. That creature gains temporary hit points equal to the superiority die roll + your Charisma modifier.

Targeted Feint. You can expend one superiority die and use a bonus action on your turn to feint, choosing one creature within 30 feet of you as your target. You have advantage on your next attack roll against that creature. If that attack hits, add the superiority die to the attacks damage roll.

Tyrannical Strike. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one superiority and issue a one-word command to a creature who can hear or see you. You add the superiority die to the attacks damage roll, and the target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the target must follow the command on its next turn. The target automatically succeeds if it is Undead, can't be charmed, it doesn’t understand your language, or if your command is directly harmful to it.

Force of Personality

At 6th level, as an action, you suggest a course of activity (limited to a sentence or two) to influence a creature you can see within range that can hear and understand you. Creatures that can’t be charmed are immune to this effect. The suggestion must be worded in such a manner as to make the course of action sound reasonable. Asking the creature to stab itself, throw itself onto a spear, immolate itself, or do some other obviously harmful act ends the effect.

The target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, it pursues the course of action you described to the best of its ability. The suggested course of action can continue for up to 24 hours. If the suggested activity can be completed in a shorter time, the effect ends when the subject finishes what it was asked to do.

You can also specify conditions that will trigger a special activity during the duration. For example, you might suggest that a knight give her warhorse to the first beggar she meets. If the condition isn’t met before the effect ends, the activity isn’t performed.

If you or any of your companions damage the target, the effect ends.

You may only use this feature once before finishing a short or long rest.

Beguiling Presence

Beginning at 11th level, humanoids within 30 feet are particularly susceptible to your presence. Humanoids within range have disadvantage on any saving throws against any charm or fear effects from you. Creatures who can’t be charmed are immune to this effect.

Call to Victory

Starting at 17th level, you can call out to your allies, beckoning them to victory. As an action, you may expend a number of superiority die, giving each to a creature of your choice within 60 feet who can hear or see you.

Once, within the next minute, a creature may roll their die and add the number rolled to one ability check, attack roll, or saving throw it makes. The creature can wait until after it rolls the d20 before deciding to use the superiority die, but must decide before the DM says whether the roll succeeds or fails. Once the superiority die is rolled, it is lost. A creature can have only one superiority die at a time.

Tactician

To a tactician, the ways of war is just another subject to be studied. They train themselves and their allies in combat maneuvers to deftly eliminate their foes through clever positioning and fierce, timely attacks.

Bonus Proficiencies

Beginning at 3rd level when you select this pursuit, you gain proficiency in martial weapons, medium armor, and shields.

 

Tactic Mastery

At 3rd level, you gain access to new maneuvers which reflect your mastery in the field of combat. You learn one additional maneuver of your choice. Whenever you learn a new maneuver, you can choose from any of the following as well. The maneuvers are listed in alphabetical order.

Commander's Strike. when you take the Attack action on your turn, you can forgo one of your attacks and use a bonus action to direct one of your companions to strike. When you do so, choose a friendly creature within 60 feet who can see or hear you and expend one superiority die. That creature can immediately use its reaction to make one weapon attack, adding your superiority die to the attack’s damage roll.

Disarming Attack. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one superiority die to attempt to disarm the target, forcing it to drop one item of your choice that it's holding. You add the superiority die to the attack's damage roll, and the target must make a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, it drops the object you choose. The object lands at its feet.

Lunging Attack. When you make a melee weapon attack on your turn, you can expend one superiority die to increase your reach for that attack by 5 feet. If you hit, you add the superiority die to the attack's damage roll.

Maneuvering Attack. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one superiority die to maneuver one of your comrades into a more advantageous position. You add the superiority die to the attack's damage roll, and you choose a friendly creature who can see or hear you. That creature can use its reaction to move up to half its speed without provoking opportunity attacks from the target of your attack.

Pushing Attack. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one superiority die to attempt to drive the target back. You add the superiority die to the attack's damage roll, and if the target is Large or small, it must make a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, you push the target up to 15 feet away from you.

Riposte. When a creature misses you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction and expend one superiority die to make a melee weapon attack against the creature. If you hit, you add the superiority die to the attack's damage roll.

Scholar's Parry. When another creature damages you with a weapon attack, you can use your reaction and expend one superiority die to reduce the damage by the number you roll on your superiority die + your Intelligence modifier.

Sweeping Attack. When you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you expend one superiority die to attempt to damage another creature with the same attack. Choose another creature within 5 feet of the original target and within your reach. If the original attack roll would hit the second creature, it takes equal to the number you rolled on your superiority die. The damage is of the same type dealt by the original attack.

Targeted Attack. When you make a weapon attack roll, you can expend one superiority die to add it to the roll. You can use this maneuver before or after making the attack roll, but before any effects of the attack are applied.

    Trip Attack. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one superiority die to attempt to knock the target down. You add the superiority die to the attack's damage roll, and if the target is Large or smaller, it must make a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, you knock the target prone.

Combat Survey

At 6th level, you can survey the field, allowing you a moment to formulate a plan. When you are in combat, you may use your action to survey the field and recover one expended superiority die.

You can use this feature once before finishing a short or long rest.

Multi-Target Analysis

At 11th level, when you use your Critical Analysis feature, you may analyze two targets within range at once and may have two analyzed targets at any one time.

All-Out Attack

At 17th level, you may use your action to initiate an all-out attack. Choose a number of allies up to your Intelligence modifier within 60 feet who can see or hear you. The chosen allies may then immediately use their reaction to make one weapon attack against a target of your choice. You may choose the target for each attack separately.

Once you use this feature, you cannot use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Discoveries

The discoveries are presented in alphabetical order. If a discovery requires a level, you must be that level in this class to learn the discovery.

Adaptive

Prerequisite: 7th level
When the target of your Critical Analysis feature is reduced to 0 hit points, you may use your reaction to change the target of your analysis to another creature within range.

Arcane Amateur

Choose one 1st-level spell from the Wizard spell list. You learn that spell and can cast it at its lowest level. Once you cast it, you must finish a long rest before you can cast it again. Your spellcasting ability for this spell is Intelligence. You can select this discovery multiple times. Each time you do so, you must choose a different spell.

Backstab

Prerequisite: 15th level, Politician Pursuit
When you hit a creature that is charmed or frightened of you, the attack is a critical hit. You can’t do so again until you finish a short or long rest.

Charming Feint

Prerequisite: 12th level, Politician Pursuit
You may add your Charisma modifier to melee attack rolls you make against a humanoid within 5 feet.

Clever Applications

You become proficient in Improvised Weapons. Additionally, when you make an attack with an improvised weapon, it deals 1d6 damage instead.

Cold Logic

Prerequisite: Politician Pursuit
You may use your Intelligence modifier instead of your Charisma modifier when you make an Intimidation skill check.

Contingency Plan

Prerequisite: 9th level, Tactician Pursuit
When the target of your Critical Analysis feature attacks you and scores a critical hit, you may expend a superiority die to treat the attack as a normal hit instead.

Once you use this feature, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest.

Developed Resistance

Prerequisite: 9th level
You gain resistance to poison damage and advantage on saving throws against poison.

Discerning Eyes

Prerequisite: 5th level
You have advantage on saving throws against illusions and on Intelligence checks to discern them from reality.

Dominating Presence

Prerequisite: 15th level, Politician Pursuit
As an action, you may call out to a humanoid that is charmed or frightened of you to direct their next action. The target must succeed a Wisdom saving throw (DC 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Intelligence modifier) or until the end of your next turn, the creature takes only the actions you choose, and doesn't do anything that you don't allow it to do.

During this time you can also cause the creature to use a reaction, but this requires you to use your own reaction as well.

Once you use this feature, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest.

Dungeoneer

You have advantage on Perception (Wisdom) checks and Investigation (Intelligence) checks to locate any secret doors or traps.

Explorer

When you make a Survival skill check, you may use your Intelligence modifier instead of your Wisdom modifier.

Extra Attack

Prerequisite: 5th level, Tactician Pursuit
You can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.

Fighting Style

Prerequisite: Tactician Pursuit
You adopt a particular style of fighting as your specialty. Choose one of the options available to the Fighter class. You can’t take a Fighting Style option more than once, even if you later get to choose again.

Hardened Mind

Prerequisite: 15th level
You gain resistance to Psychic damage.

Lifelong Learning

Gain proficiency in two skills or two tools, or one skill and one tool.

You can select this discovery multiple times, each time choosing two new skills or tools.

Lingering Advice

Prerequisite: 7th level
When you use your Sage Advice feature, the targeted creatures retain the benefit from your instruction for the full duration.

Linguist

You learn two additional languages.

You my choose this discovery multiple times, each time choosing two new languages.

Master's Advice

Prerequisite: 15th level
When you use your Sage Advice feature, the first time each targeted creature makes the chosen skill check, they gain an additional +10 bonus to the roll.

Medical Genius

Prerequisite: Physician Pursuit
When you make a Medicine skill check, you may use your Intelligence modifier instead of your Wisdom modifier.

Mortician

Prerequisite: Physician Pursuit
You may use your Critical Analysis feature to examine a body that has died within the last 7 days. At the DM’s discretion, you are able to accurately determine the cause of death. This may require additional checks, such as determining a spell, type of poison, or bite marks of a creature.

Perfect Maneuver

Prerequisite: 15th level
When you roll a superiority die, you can choose to take the maximum result. If you were to roll multiple die, it only applies to one. You can’t do so again until you finish a short or long rest.

Physical Conditioning

Your hit point maximum increases by 1 for every level you have in the scholar class, and increases by 1 again whenever you gain a level in this class.

Quick Analysis

Prerequisite: 7th level
When you roll initiative and aren't surprised, you may use your reaction to use your critical analysis feature.

Reliable Sources

Prerequisite: 12th level
When you make an Arcana, History, Nature, or Religion skill check and may add your proficiency bonus to the check, treat any roll of 9 or lower as if you had rolled a 10.

Reliable Words

Prerequisite: 12th Level, Politician Pursuit
When you make a social skill check in a skill you are proficient in, treat any roll 9 or lower as if you had rolled a 10.

Resolute

Prerequisite: 9th level
You have advantage against charm effects.

Reasoned Vigilance

You may add your Intelligence modifier to your Initiative roll.

Ruthless Execution

Prerequisite: 9th level
When you would expend one or more superiority die, you can expend one additional die, add the number rolled to the total.

Sound Reasoning

Prerequisite: Politician Pursuit
You may use your Intelligence modifier instead of your Charisma modifier when you make a Persuasion skill check.

Surgical Precision

Prerequisite: 5th Level, Physician Pursuit
When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, it takes additional damage equal to your Intelligence modifier.

Tactical Retreat

Prerequisite: Tactician Pursuit
When you take the dash action, opportunity attacks made against you are made at disadvantage.

Targeted Analysis

Attack rolls made against target of your Critical Analysis feature cannot suffer from disadvantage.

Tend the Wounded

Prerequisite: 5th level, Physician Pursuit
If you or any friendly creatures you can touch regain hit points by spending Hit Dice at the end of the Short Rest, each of those creatures regains an extra 1d8 hit points.

Theoretical Advice

Prerequisite: 12th level
When you use your Sage Advice feature, you may choose a skill you are not proficient in. When you do, targeted creatures add half their proficiency bonus (rounded down) instead.

Tyrant’s Ferocity

Prerequisite: Politician Pursuit
You have advantage on any attack against a creature that is charmed by you or frightened of you.

Unarmored Defense

While wearing no armor and not wielding a shield, your AC equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Intelligence modifier.

Universal Language

You can communicate simple ideas with any creature with an Intelligence of 6 or more through basic expressions and gestures.

Credits

The Scholar v4 - Created by /u/Charrmeleon

  • With thanks to the Reddit community at /r/UnearthedArcana and to my wife and gaming group for feedback.
  • Special shoutouts to /u/wdalright & /u/coolgamertagbro for their take on a Scholar class and inspiring my creation.

Changelog

Last Updated: 3/28/2018

  • Academic Superiority -- Reduced base die size from d8 to d6, improved die to d8 at 5th level and grant additional die
  • Critical Analysis -- Removed limit for how often it can be used, reduced bonus die size. Added ability to use INT for attack/damage rolls vs. analyzed target w/ ranged & finesse weapons.
  • Removed "Renewed Alacrity" no longer relevant with reworked Critical Analysis
  • Moved Lightning Execution to 18th level, replaced with Unwavering Mind at 7th level
  • Moved Unwavering Mind to 7th level, replaced with Calculated Defenses at 14th
  • Physician: Renamed "Bloodletting" to "Lacerate"
  • Politician: Changed Beguiling Presence function from improving behavior to giving disadvantage vs. charm/fear effects within range.
  • Politician: changed "Charming Presence" to "Overwhelming Presence" - added fear option and removed charming limitations
  • Politician: gave allies bonus speed on Charge maneuver
  • Minor alterations to reflect change of Critical Analysis
 

Multiclassing

Prerequisites

To qualify for a new class, you must mee the ability score prerequisites for both your current class and your new one, as shown in the Multiclassing Prerequisites table.

Multiclassing Prerequisites
Class Ability Score Minimum
Scholar Intelligence 13

Proficiencies

When you gain a level in a class other than your first, you only gain some of that class's starting proficiencies, as shown in the Multiclassing Proficiencies table.

Multiclassing Proficiencies
Class Proficiencies Gained
Scholar Light armor, one skill from the class's skill list.

Class Features

When you gain a new level in a class, you get its features for that level. A few features, however, have additional rules when you're multiclassing: Extra Attack, Superiority Die, and Unarmored Defence.

Extra Attack

If you gain the Extra Attack class feature from more than one class, the features don’t add together. You can’t make more than two attacks with this feature unless it says you do (as the fighter’s version of Extra Attack does). Similarly, the warlock’s eldritch invocation Thirsting Blade doesn’t give you additional attacks if you also have Extra Attack.

Superiority Die

If you gain superiority die from another class, you gain one additional die to your existing pool of dice.

Unarmored Defense

If you already have the Unarmored Defense feature, you can't gain it again from another class.