Sword Scholar
To Sword Scholars, battle is a subject to be studied,
like science or magic. No less diligent than a wizard,
Sword Scholars keep a book of their studies, to be
referred to and, if they're lucky, studied by future Sword Scholars.
Manual of Battle
3rd-level Sword Scholar feature
You gain a Manual of Battle, containing your notes on techniques you've learned from past battles.
Maneuvers. Your Manual of Battle contains five maneuvers of your choice from those available to the Battle Master in the Player's Handbook. At the end of each short or long rest, you prepare a list of three maneuvers available for you to use. You can use only one maneuver per attack. You can prepare one additional maneuver of your choice at 7th level (four maneuvers), 10th level (five maneuvers), and 15th level (six maneuvers).
Recording Maneuvers. When you find a description of a maneuver, or a teacher that knows a maneuver, you can add it to the list of maneuvers that you can prepare in your Manual of Battle. Recording a maneuver involves drawing pictures of positions and writing descriptions of movements, along with practice to understand its basics.
The process takes 2 hours and requires the use of calligrapher's supplies. Once you spend the necessary time and materials, you can prepare the maneuver just like your other maneuvers.
Additionally, you add two additional maneuvers of your choice to your Manual of Battle at 7th, 10th, and 15th level.
Replacing the Manual. You can copy a maneuver from your own Manual of Battle into another book. This is just like copying a new maneuver into your Manual of Battle, but faster and easier. The process requires only 1 hour.
If you lose your Manual of Battle, you can use the same procedure to transcribe the maneuvers you have prepared into a new book. Filling out the remainder of your Manual of Battle requires you to find new maneuvers to do so, as normal.
Superiority Dice. You have five superiority dice, which are d6s. A superiority dice is expended when you use it. You regain all of your expended superiority dice when you finish a short or long rest. You gain another superiority die at 7th level and one more 15th level.
Maneuver Save DC
Book Knowledge
3rd-level Sword Scholar feature
You gain proficiency with calligrapher's supplies. Additionally, if you can take a minute or more making a skill check that one of your maneuvers can apply to, you can use that maneuver without expending a superiority die, even if you do not have that maneuver prepared. When you do so, you roll a d4 instead of your superiority die.
You cannot use this feature while benefitting from another feature that would otherwise allow you to add an additional die to the roll, such as the guidance spell.
Student of Forms
7th-level Sword Scholar feature
You can now add fighting styles to your Manual of Battle. Any fighting styles you know are added to your Manual of Battle, and you add one additional fighting style of your choice. When you complete a short or long rest, you may exchange your current fighting style for another fighting style in your Manual of Battle. The rules for recording maneuvers in your Manual of Battle all apply to fighting styles.
At 15th level, you can add one additional fighting style of your choice to your Manual of Battle.
Improved Combat Superiority
7th-level Sword Scholar feature
Your superiority dice turn into d8s. At 15th level, they turn into d10s.
Tireless
10th-level Sword Scholar feature
You become as tireless in battle as you are in your studies. When you use your Second Wind feature, you regain one expended superiority die and you can exchange one of your maneuvers for another in your Manual of Battle.
Master of Forms
18th-level Sword Scholar feature
Once per turn, you can use one of your prepared maneuvers without expending a superiority die. When you do so, you roll a d4 instead of your superiority die.
Additionally, when you use your Second Wind feature, you may exchange your current fighting style for another fighting style in your Manual of Battle.
Additional Maneuvers
The following options are added to the list of maneuvers you can choose from when you add a new maneuver to your Manual of Battle.
Warding Maneuver
If you or a creature within 5 feet of you is hit by an attack, you can expend one superiority die as a reaction if you're wielding a weapon or shield. Roll the die, and add the number rolled to the target's AC against the attack. If the attack still hits, the target has resistance against the attack's damage.
Sword Scholar Items
The following items are examples for rewards that can be given to Sword Scholar players.
The Art of Battle
A treatise on battle and philosophy.
Maneuvers. The Art of Battle contains the following manevers: ambush and tactical assessment.
Improved Ambush. While you have the Art of Battle, you can use the ambush maneuver with your Book Knowledge feature without the minute required for its use. When you use Book Knowledge in this way, you roll a d4 instead of a d6.
On Defense
A manual of various defensive techniques.
Manevers. On Defense contains the following maneuvers: bait and switch, brace, and parry
Fighting Style. On defense contains the following version of the interception fighting style:
Improved Interception
When a creature you can see hits a target, other than you, within 5 feet of you with an attack, you can use your reaction to reduce the damage the target takes by 2d10 + your proficiency bonus (to a minimum of 0 damage). You must be wielding a shield or a simple or martial weapon to use this reaction.
The Rose of War
A treatise on various martial forms, with a focus on dueling.
Maneuvers. The Rose of War contains the following maneuvers: parry, riposte, and trip attack.
Fighting Style. The Rose of War contains the following version of the dueling fighting style:
Improved Dueling
When you are wielding a melee weapon in one hand and no other weapons, you gain a +3 bonus to damage rolls with that weapon.
Of Swords and Spells
A book that covers the introduction of spells into one's fighting style.
Maneuvers. Of Swords and Spells contains the following special maneuvers:
Spellbane Strike
When you damage a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one superiority die to add it to the damage roll. You can use this ability after rolling damage. If the attack causes the target to make a Constitution saving throw to maintain concentration, it has disadvantage on that save.
Zephyr Strike
You can expend one superiority die to cast zephyr strike.
Credits
Design
- Created by /u/Oranje_Guise. You can find more of my work here
- Warding Maneuver by Wizards of the Coast in Unearthed Arcana 40 - Revised Class Options
Art:
- Full Page Watercolor Stains by /u/flamableconcrete
- Faerie Duelist Art by Wizards of the Coast
Fan Content Policy
This work is unofficial Fan content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used ar property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.