Dancer

Humming to herself to remember the first few steps and her line, a young elf wearing a regal tutu takes to the stage to perform for her recital. Her dance is accompanied by wind helping her leap, fire acting as her spotlight and lightning adding the trusty razzle dazzle to her spinning.

Mesmerizingly twirling and whirling with ribbons and colorful cloth, a half elf brings life to the tavern alongside a good song. Unfortunately for the crowd, he’s robbing them blind, cutting purses with an expertly hidden dagger up his sleeve. His fellow dancers are juggling swords and performing mock combat to help keep eyes off him.

Hurriedly, many small children find their seats in the town square, a traveling troupe is in town. Out comes a gnome and the story begins. Through the dance, the tale of the Great Ginevra the Good is told, behind stage, other dancers conjure up the scenery to enhance the performance.

Regardless of what kind of dance, movement unites these individuals as their performance aids them in their walk of life. A dancer is swift, coordinated and full of stamina, they dance for many different reasons that can range from hand to hand combat, to deception and distractions, to commanding the elements, to storytelling and anything in between.

Quick Build

You can make a dancer quickly by following these suggestions. First, Dexterity should be your highest ability score, followed by Constitution, followed by Charisma. Second, choose the entertainer background.

Class Features

As a Dancer, you gain the following class features

Dance Steps

Starting at level 2, you have practiced certain step patterns that compliment your dancing. These steps are fueled by special dice called rhythm dice.

You learn two steps of your choice, which are detailed under “Dance Steps” below. Many steps enhance an attack in some way. If you activate Signature Dance, you can use a step that requires a bonus action as part of the activation. You can use only one step per attack.

You learn additional steps of your choice as you gain dancer levels according to the Dancer table. Each time you learn a new step, you can also replace one step you know with a different one.

Rhythm Dice

At 2nd level, you get rhythm dice.

Rhythm Dice: You have three rhythm dice, which are d8s. A rhythm die is expended when you use it. You regain all of your expended rhythm dice when you finish a short or long rest.

You gain another rhythm die at 5th level, one at 7th level and one more at 15th level.

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

Step save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier

Dance Style

At 3rd level, you dedicate yourself to a dance style of your choice. You can find these options below. Your choice grants you features at 3rd level, and again at 6th, 10th, and 14th 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.

Using the optional feats rule, you can forgo taking this feature to take a feat of your choice instead.

Gracefulness

At Level 4, you have learned how to best keep your footing in any situation. You have advantage on ability checks and saving throws to avoid being knocked prone, and if an attack or effect would cause you to be knocked prone, you can use your reaction to immediately stand up.

Extra Attack

Beginning at 5th level, you can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.

Fast Movement

Starting at 5th level, your speed increases by 10 feet while you aren’t wearing heavy armor.

Magical Rhythm

At level 6, the damage dealt both by your rhythm dice is considered magical for the purpose of overcoming resistances. The bonus damage dealt by allies due to Signature Dance is also considered magical.

Unchainable

Your desire to dance cannot be restrained, starting at 7th level, you can cast Freedom of Movement on yourself once per long rest.

Evasion

Beginning at 9th level, you can nimbly dodge out of the way of certain area effects, such as an ancient white dragon’s icy breath or a Fireball spell. When you are subjected to an effect that allows you to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, you instead take no damage if you succeed on the saving throw, and only half damage if you fail.

Improved Rhythm Dice

At 11th level, your rhythm dice turn into d10s. At 18th level, they turn into d12s.

Life of the Party

At 13th level, your joy for your passion has increased to the point that other creatures cannot help but be enthused. Once per long rest, you can cast Otto’s irresistible dance at base level. The DC is equal to your Step save DC.

Persistent Performer

Starting at 15th level, when you roll initiative and have no rhythm dice remaining, you regain 2 rhythm dice.

True Dedication

At 17th level, your dedication to the art of dancing has become so potent, that you can perform your Signature Dance as many times as you like.

Master Performer

At 20th level, you have mastered the art of dancing, whenever you expend a rhythm die for a Dance Step, you can maximize one of the dice rolls.

Dance Style

Your choice of dance style reflects the reasons why you began to dance. Beginning to dedicate yourself to a certain style will help you carve out a niche you can make your own as you reach 3rd level. This does not mean you can now only dance a certain way, but you will endeavor to master the dance you have chosen until it is truly yours.

Dance of the Wandering Lorekeeper

Loredancers are in tune with world around them. Their wanderlust spurs them to travel to meet new people, see new sights, and collect new stories. All the world is a stage to them. Their abilities aid them in their theatrical storytelling and their interpretative dancing on stage grant them a touch of magic.

Hustle Dance

Beginning at level 3 when you choose this Style, you gain the ability to invigorate the weary and downtrodden, as an action you can ease the pain of your allies by expending hit dice equal to or less than your Dancer level, each creature of your choice that can hear or see you within 30 feet of you regains hit points equal to the amount rolled + your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1) if it has no more than half of its hit points.

Minor Spectacle

Additionally at 3rd level, your penchant for costumes and roleplay grant you proficiency with make-up kits, and you gain the ability to cast Thaumaturgy and Minor Illusion, including during your Signature Dance. You can also cast Silent Image a number of times per long rest equal to your Charisma modifier.

The Spell save DC to see through your illusion spells is equal to your Step save DC.

Dynamic Duo

At level 6, you can create an illusory doppelganger to assist your performances as an action. It has AC 10, 1 hit point, a Strength of 4, and it can't Attack. If it drops to 0 Hit Points, it disappears. If it is more than 120 feet away from you, it disappears.

It obeys your every command to the best of its abilities, and you can give it orders telepathically to speak or interact with an object as a bonus action once on each of your turns. It can perform simple tasks that a human servant could do, such as fetching things, cleaning, folding clothes, lighting fires, serving food, and pulling levers. Once it completes a task, it then waits for your next order.

You can cast Disguise Self and Alter Self on them at will, they can mimic any voice you have heard of before. You can only control one doppelganger at a time, they remain until dismissed or dispersed by external means.

Quick Change

At 6th level, you learn a magic that allows you to bring your wardrobe around with ease. You can select a number of outfits equal to your Dancer level, these outfits can also be single articles of clothing or accessories and other costumes (magical wear must be attuned to for this to work), you can swap what you are wearing with one of these selected outfits as a free action so long as they are on the same plane of existence as you and you have put them on before.

Major Spectacle

At 10th level, your showmanship and passion has improved to the point that you can bring your stories to life with more powerful illusion magic, you gain the ability to cast Major Image and Hallucinatory Terrain a number of times per long rest equal to your Charisma modifier, including during your Signature Dance.

Traveler's Tales

At 14th level your studies and journeys have granted you knowledge about the famous, you can cast Legend Lore once per long rest. You do not need material components, only verbal components.

Aura of Anti-Stage fright

Additionally, at level 14, while your Signature Dance is active, you cannot be frightened, and your allies have advantage on saving throws against spells and abilities that cause the frighten condition.

Dance of the Shifting Veil

Dancers of the Shifting Veil are swift, captivating dancers who train with special weapons to further woo the crowds. Shifting Veil style involves swinging with momentum, the best dancers of this style move so quickly spectators exclaim it is like watching three dancers move in perfect synchronization.

Master of Striking

You have mastered the art of blending dancing with weapon attacks, at level 14 you can cast Steel wind strike as a 5th level spell. Once you do so, you must complete a long rest before you can use this ability again.

War fan

1d4 slashing damage, Light, Finesse, Thrown (20/60), special: When thrown, this weapon acts like a boomerang and will return to your hand after a ranged attack.

Dance of the Elemental Ballet

Through extensive study of the elements, these dancers attune to the elemental planes and harness that power through sleek, subtle movements. They learn even to concentrate on spells while dancing, and they are as graceful as they are elegant.

Elemental Epitome

Upon reaching 14th level, the potency of your magic has been amplified to the max, you can cast one of the following spells: Investiture of Flame, Investiture of Ice, Investiture of Wind, or Investiture of Stone. You must complete a long rest before you can use this ability again.

Dance of Celestial Veneration

These dancers worship angelic beings and the Upper Planes, they can worship deities such as Elistraee who sponsor performative art, but normally they will take inspiration from all celestial beings of good nature. With solemn subtle movements and sudden arcs and twirls, Veneration dancers are blessed with divine energy as they praise and dance together in temples.

Vanquishing Light

At 14th level, you have been exalted for your dedication. As an action, you can choose to become a being of pure light for 1 minute, enhancing all your abilities. While in this form:

• You are immune to all status effects and to Necrotic damage.
• You shed bright light in a 60 foot radius.
• Any spell you know from the Dance of Celestial Veneration can be cast through your Orbs of Light.
• Your Healing Wave heals for twice the amount.
• All damage you deal becomes Radiant damage.

This form lasts for 1 minute. You must complete a long rest before you can use this ability again.

Dance of the Occult Ritualist

These dancers are known for their jerkish movements, ominous chanting, and grotesque accessories, Occult Ritualists dance to communicate with supernatural creatures such as demons, eldritch abominations, or spirits of the afterlife. They dabble in forbidden knowledge and with their sleek movements they can manipulate death, unlock secrets, and force the dead to dance with them.

Stolen Dead

You gain the ability to hijack other’s attempts at raising the dead through macabre movements. As a reaction to a creature you can see within 60 feet casting a spell to raise the dead, you can force them to make an intelligence saving throw vs. your Step Save DC. On a failure, the spell completes as if you had cast the spell, instead of your target. You can use this skill a number of times equal to your proficiency modifier and you regain spent uses at the end of a long rest.

Dance of Nature's Reverie

These dancers celebrate the beauty of nature, often wearing leaves, branches or flower crowns as a part of their outfit, their movements are serene, smooth and harmonious when dancing with others. Fey are amused by Reverie Dancers, who are often so lost in their dance that they do not notice their surroundings and how plants move with them, and they grant them boons.

Nature's Fury

When you reach 14th level, you gain the ability to instill a temporary connection to nature in others so that they can empathize and understand the wonders of nature. When damage would be caused to nature within 5 miles of you, the creature that caused the damage takes 8d6 psychic damage, you have advantage on all attacks against said creature, and animals in the area will become hostile to that creature.

Dance Steps

• Alluring tango: You dance with a willing individual; you can expend one rhythm die and add it to a persuasion check made during this dance.

• Take the stage: When you hit a creature with a weapon attack or an unarmed strike, you can expend one rhythm die to attempt to drive the target back. You add the rhythm 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 push the target up to 15 feet away from you.

• Swagger: When you hit a creature with a weapon attack or an unarmed strike, you can expend one rhythm die to attempt to goad the target into attacking you. You add the rhythm die to the attack's 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.

• Ring around the Rosy: When you hit a creature with a weapon attack or an unarmed strike, you can expend one rhythm die to maneuver one of your comrades into a more advantageous position. You add the rhythm 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.

• Dance Partner Swap: When an adjacent ally is damaged by an attack from a creature you can see, you can expend one rhythm die and use your reaction to interpose yourself in way of harm, taking the damage instead of them. Reduce that damage by the number you roll on your rhythm die.

• Evasive Footwork: When you move, you can expend one rhythm die, rolling the die and adding the number rolled to your AC until you stop moving. (Dancing in place does not count for this bonus to apply)

• Improvisation: By spending one rhythm die, you may take the Dodge action as a bonus action.

• Charming Serenade: With your action, you attempt to metaphorically sweep a creature off its feet. The target must succeed on a Charisma saving throw or be unable to willingly move or teleport away from you. At the end of each of its subsequent turns, it makes another Charisma saving throw to resist the effect.

• Set the Tempo: When you make an Initiative check, you can expend one rhythm die to add or subtract the number rolled on the die to your Initiative result. You can use this step before or after making the Initiative roll, but before the DM announces initiative order.

• Showstopper: When a creature makes an attack an ally within 30 feet of you, you can use your reaction to expend a rhythm die to impose disadvantage on the attack roll by providing a distraction.

• Sly Footwork: When you are attacked, you can spend a rhythm die as a reaction to gain a bonus to AC equal to the amount rolled until the start of your next turn, including against the triggering attack.

• Dancer’s Stamina: You can spend Rhythm dice to heal yourself as an action, you regain Hit Points equal to the amount rolled.

• Twirling strike: When a creature misses you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction to make a melee weapon attack or an unarmed strike against the creature and expend one rhythm die to increase the damage. If you hit, you add the rhythm die to the attack's damage roll.

  

Lorekeeper Dance Steps

• Stage Enter/Stage Exit: You spend one rhythm die and a bonus action to shroud yourself in silvery mist and teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space that you can see.

• Sobering Slap: You snap someone out of their stupor as an action by spending one rhythm die, ending the frighten status condition as well as the effects of charm and paralysis.

• Opening Flair: Through stylish, lithe movements, you may spend a rhythm die to take the Help action as a bonus action to assist an ally.

• Rallying Performance: On your turn, you can use an action and expend one rhythm die to bolster the resolve of your companions. When you do so, choose up to six friendly creatures who can see or hear you. They gain temporary hit points equal to the rhythm die roll + your proficiency modifier.

• Encore: You can use a bonus action to direct one of your companions to strike. When you do so, choose a friendly creature who can see or hear you and expend one rhythm die. That creature can immediately use its reaction to make one weapon attack, adding the rhythm die to the attack's damage roll.

Occult Ritualist Steps

• Vitality’s Twist: You sacrifice some of your health to mend another creature’s injuries. You expend as many rhythm dice as you wish as an action, you take necrotic damage equal to the total amount rolled, then one creature of your choice that you can see within range regains a number of hit points equal to twice the necrotic damage you take.

• Grasp of the Void: You expend a rhythm die as an action to force a creature within sight to make an Intelligence saving throw against your Step Save DC. On a failed save, the creature loses Spell Slots. The Spell Slots can have a combined level that is equal to or less than the rolled result. For example, if you roll a 2 and they fail the save, the creature must lose either a 2nd-level spell slot or two 1st-level Spell Slots.

• Vampiric Stride: When a creature within sight takes damage, you can spend your reaction and expend rhythm dice to further wound the creature, the target takes necrotic damage equal to the rolled result, and you regain Hit Points equal to half of the rolled result.

• Soul Lock: As a bonus action, you can stabilize a dying creature within 30 feet by expending 1 rhythm die.

• Cursed Waltz: When you commence your Signature Dance, you can spend a rhythm die as a free action and select one creature within 30 feet of you to curse for 1 minute, it takes necrotic damage equal to the rolled amount and cannot regain Hit Points for the duration of this ability. Also, choose one ability score: Until the curse ends, the target has disadvantage on ability checks made with the chosen ability.

Shifting Veil Dance Steps

• Feint: You can expend one rhythm die and use a bonus action on your turn to feint, choosing one creature within 5 feet of you as your target. You have advantage on your next attack roll against that creature before the end of your turn. If that attack hits, add the rhythm die to the attack's damage roll.

• Bewitching Burlesque: As an action, you may spend one rhythm die to force a number of creatures that can see you to make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save the creatures are distracted by your stylish dance, giving your allies an opening. The next attack roll against a target by an attacker other than you has advantage if the attack is made before the start of your next turn.

• Disarming Strike: When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one rhythm die to attempt to disarm the target, forcing it to drop one item of your choice that it's holding. You add the rhythm 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.

• Precision Attack: When you make a weapon attack roll against a creature, you can expend one rhythm 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.

• Parry: When another creature damages you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction and expend one rhythm die to reduce the damage by the number you roll on your rhythm die + your Dexterity modifier. You must be wielding a weapon to use this step.

• Shadetwirl: You can expend one rhythm die as an action to vanish from sight for one minute akin to the invisibility spell.

• Saber Dance: You can spend one action and roll as many rhythm dice as you wish spend to whirl around slashing and spinning, every creature within 5 feet of you must make a Dexterity saving throw or take slashing damage equal to the rolled total of your rhythm dice. You must be wielding a scimitar to use this step.

• Tangling Serpent Step: The reach of your whip extends to 30 ft until the start of your next turn, you can grapple a target within range with your whip as an action, expend a rhythm die and add it to the grapple check. You can use this to lasso onto objects such as poles, hooks, or tree branches.

• Trapeze Vault: With increased vigor you leap 30 ft into the air in an arc towards a target as an action by magically swinging off your polearm and striking from above, the target must succeed on a Dexterity Saving Throw, if they fail, they take an additional weapon’s die worth of damage and you may add a rhythm die to the damage roll. You must be wielding a glaive, halberd, pike, spear, or quarterstaff to use this Step.

• Flicker: While wielding a war fan, as an action you can attack and if you hit, expend a rhythm die and add it to the damage. This Step can be used immediately after having used another Dance Step that requires an attack roll other than Flicker.

  

Elemental Ballet Steps

• Electrifying pirouette: You spend an action spinning in place and expend one rhythm dice. A wave of thunderous force sweeps out from you. Each creature in a 15-foot cube originating from you must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes lightning damage equal to what you rolled and loses its ability to take a reaction, on a successful save, the creature takes half the amount of damage rolled and retains its ability to take reactions.

• Pointe Technique: By spending one rhythm die as a free action, you gain the ability to move across any liquid surface- such as water, acid, mud, snow, quicksand, or lava – as if it were harmless solid ground (creatures crossing molten lava can still take damage from the heat). Up to ten willing creatures you can see within range gain this ability for the duration of this effect, which is one hour. If you target a creature submerged in a liquid, the spell carries the target to the surface of the liquid of 60 feet per round.

• Fiery Jeté: As an action, you can expend one rhythm die to deal fire damage equal to the rolled result plus your dancer level to all creatures within a straight line (30 feet). They must make a dexterity saving throw, on a successful save they take half the amount of damage rolled.

• Arabesque of Earth: As a reaction, when you are damaged by an attack, you can use your reaction and spend rhythm dice to reduce the damage by the amount you rolled.

Celestial Veneration Steps

• Step of the Blessed: As an action, you touch one willing creature, expend a rhythm die, the target can add the number rolled to one ability check of its choice within the next minute. It can roll the die before or after making the ability check.

• Step of Illumination: As an action, when you hit a creature with a weapon attack or an unarmed strike, you can expend a rhythm die to deal radiant damage, and the target must make a Constitution Saving Throw or be blinded until the start of the it’s next turn. Additionally, you glow as if affected by the light cantrip for one minute.

• Angel's Flutter: As an action, you can expend a rhythm die to gain a flying speed of 30 feet via wings of light until the end of your turn. You cannot fly upwards or downwards.

• Kneeling Mercy: As an action, by kneeling down in prayer and ceasing all movement, you can expend a rhythm die to cast Sanctuary on an ally, additionally you gain resistance to all damage until the spell ends.

• Angelic Presence: As an action, you can expend a rhythm die to enchant your voice with the melody of angelic beings. Each Undead that can see or hear you within 30 feet of you must make a Wisdom saving throw. If the creature fails its saving throw, it is turned for 1 minute or until it takes any damage.

Nature's Reverie Steps

• Whimsical Step: You spend one rhythm die and a bonus action to shroud creatures within 60 feet of you up to your Charisma Modifier in silvery mist, the targets must make a Charisma saving throw, on a failed save you can have them switch places with another targeted creature who failed their saving throw or with yourself. Creatures can choose to automatically fail the save.
• Step of the Fey: You spend one rhythm die and a bonus action to shroud yourself in silvery mist and teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space that you can see.

• Leaf Petal Shake: As a bonus action you can expend a rhythm die to conjure up a vine that whips and binds a target within 30 feet of you, the target must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw against your Step Save DC, on a failed save the target takes bludgeoning damage equal to the rolled total and is considered grappled. On a successful save the target takes half as much damage and is not grappled.

• Ensnaring Hip Sway: When you make a weapon attack or unarmed strike, you can expend one rhythm die as an action to attempt to knock the target down as you conjure up vines to trip the target. You add the rhythm 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.