View source for Skyward Sword (3.5e Prestige Class)

====Class Features====

All of the following are class features of the Skyward Sword.

'''Weapon and Armor Proficiency {{Ex}}:''' All skyward swords are proficient with martial weapons of the "light melee" and "one-handed melee" subtype. However, If you're ever carrying more than a light load, your flying mount loses a degree of maneuverability while flying with you on it, as well as 10% of its speed (rounding to the nearest 5).

'''{{Anchor|Monster Empathy}} {{Ex}}:''' You can use body language, vocalization, and demeanor to improve the attitude of a magical beast such as a chimera or pegasus. This ability functions like the druid's [[SRD:Druid#Wild_Empathy|wild empathy]] class feature, except that it affects magical beasts regardless of their Intelligence score.<br/> - You can also use this ability to influence an animal (such as a giant eagle) or an aberration that has an Intelligence score of 1 or 2, but you take a -4 penalty on the check.<br/> If you have the wild empathy ability from another class, add your levels in that class to your Skyward Sword level when influencing magical beasts or animals. In addition, you no longer take a penalty to your monster empathy check when influencing animals. If you have 5 or more ranks in the Handle Animal skill, you gain a +2 bonus on your monster empathy checks.

'''{{Anchor|Flying Mount}} {{Ex}}:''' At level one, you gain the assistance of a large flying creature to be your stalwart mount. The list of available creatures can be found in the first section "CR2-3" of the table "Flying Mounts by Challenge Rating" below. All of these creatures are typical of those found in the Monster Manual.<br/> - Each monster has an assigned alignment. You may not choose a monster with an alignment opposed to yours. For example, a lawful-good paladin may not choose a pegasus because a pegasus is chaotic. Neither may he choose a manticore because manticores are evil. A neutral character may only choose mounts that are in some aspect neutral (e.g., a giant owl, but not a pegasus).<br/> - Your mount gets to level-up with you and gain bonus HD, bonus tricks, special feats, and adjustments to natural armor, strength, and constitution.  For details, follow the table "Flying Mount Progression" below.

{| class="zebra d20"
|+ <div>{{Anchor|Flying Mounts by Challenge Rating (and alignment)}}</div><br/>
|-
! CR2-3
! CR4-5
! CR6-7
! CR8-9
! CR10-11
|- 
| class="left" | [[SRD:Dire_Bat|Dire Bat]] (N)<br/>[[SRD:Giant_Eagle|Giant Eagle]] (NG)<br/>[[SRD:Hippogriff|Hippogriff]] (N)<br/>[[SRD:Giant_Owl|Giant Owl]] (NG)<br/>[[SRD:Pegasus|Pegasus]] (CG)<br/>[[SRD:Giant_Wasp|Giant Wasp]] (N)
| class="left" | [[SRD:Griffon|Griffon]] (N)<br/>[[SRD:Manticore|Manticore]] (LE)<br/>[[Red_dragon|Dragon (red, very young)]] (CE)<br/>[[SRD:Hieracosphinx|Hieracosphinx]] (CE)
| class="left" | [[SRD:Chimera|Chimera]] (CE)<br/>[[SRD:Wyvern|Wyvern]] (N)<br/>[[Gold_Dragon|Dragon (gold, very young)]] (LG)<br/>[[SRD:Dragonne|Dragonne]] (N)<br/>[[SRD:Criosphinx|Criosphinx]] (N)
| class="left" | [[SRD:Lammasu|Lammasu]] (LG)<br/>[[SRD:Gynosphinx|Gynosphinx]] (N)<br/>[[SRD:Green_Dragon|Dragon (green, juvenile)]] (LE)<br/>[[SRD:Androsphinx|Androsphinx]] (CG)<br/>[[SRD:Yrthak|Yrthak]] (N)<br/>[[SRD:Elder_Arrowhawk|Arrowhawk (elder)]] (N)<br/>[[Black_Dragon|Dragon (black, young adult)]] (CE)<br/>[[Blue_Dragon|Dragon (blue, juvenile)]] (LE)<br/>[[White_Dragon|Dragon (white, young adult)]] (CE)<br/>[[Bronze_Dragon|Dragon (bronze, juvenile)]] (LG)<br/>[[SRD:Roc|Roc]] (N)
| class="left" | [[SRD:Couatl|Couatl]] (LG)<br/>[[Infernal_Couatl_(3.5e_Monster)|Infernal Couatl]] (LE)<br/>[[Brass_Dragon|Dragon (brass, young adult)]] (CG)<br/>[[Copper_Dragon|Dragon (copper, young adult)]] (CG)<br/>[[Silver_Dragon|Dragon (silver, juvenile)]] (LG)
|}
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{| class="zebra d20"
|+ <div>{{Anchor|Flying Mount Progression}}</div><br/>
|-
! Class<br/>Level
! Bonus<br/>HD
! Natural<br/>Armor
! Str/Con<br/>Adj.
! Bonus<br/>Tricks
! Special
|- 
| 1st || +0 || +0 || +0 || 1
| class="left" | [[Skyward_Sword_(3.5e_Prestige_Class)#Link|Link]]
|-
| 2nd || +1 || +1 || +1 || 1
| class="left" | -
|-
| 3rd || +2 || +2 || +2 || 2
| class="left" | [[Evasion#Evasion|Evasion]]
|-
| 4th || +3 || +3 || +3 || 2
| class="left" | -
|-
| 5th || +4 || +3 || +3 || 3
| class="left" | [[Skyward_Sword_(3.5e_Prestige_Class)#Devotion|Devotion +4]]
|-
| 6th || +5 || +4 || +4 || 3
| class="left" | -
|-
| 7th || +6 || +5 || +5 || 4
| class="left" | [[Evasion#Improved_Evasion|Improved Evasion]]
|-
| 8th || +7 || +6 || +6 || 4
| class="left" | -
|-
| 9th || +8 || +6 || +6 || 5
| class="left" | [[Damage_reduction|Damage Reduction 3/-]]
|-
| 10th || +9 || +7 || +7 || 5
| class="left" | -
|-
| 11th || +10 || +8 || +8 || 6
| class="left" | [[Skyward_Sword_(3.5e_Prestige_Class)#Devotion|Devotion +7]]
|-
| 12th || +11 || +9 || +9 || 6
| class="left" | -
|-
| 13th || +12 || +9 || +9 || 7
| class="left" | [[Damage_reduction|Damage Reduction 6/-]]
|}

'''{{Anchor|Eagle Eye}} {{Ex}}:''' At first level, you gain a very keen power of sight. You get a +5 class bonus to your Search and Spot skills.

'''{{Anchor|Magic Sword}} {{Sp}}:'''<br/>
'''Basics:''' At level 2, you receive a magic sword. There are many magic swords like it, but this one is yours. It is given to all members of the few, the proud, the Skyward Swords. You may give it a bad-ass name, if you wish. It is a long sword, typical in most respects for a sword of its kind. The difference, however, is that this one allows you to channel your energy into it as a magic ability.<br/>
'''Charge Sword +1D8:''' As a standard action, you may charge your sword with 1D8 power by passing a Concentration check of DC 14. If within striking range of an opponent, this provokes an attack of opportunity. A sword may only be charged once at a time, but the charge remains until the next time the sword is used in combat or if you are somehow disarmed. Upon a successful strike, the charged sword deals additional damage according to the strength of charge put into it. After the attack, whether it was successful or not, the charge immediately dissipates and you must use another standard action to recharge it.<br/> - For the purpose of magic effects, the energy of a charged sword is of the same alignment as you are. The sword also glows faintly with a color appropriate to such an alignment.<br/> - The potential charge improves at levels 5, 9, and 12.<br/>
'''Shoot Sword:''' As an attack action, you may shoot the energy stored in your sword. This counts as a ranged attack with a range of 50ft + 5ft/class level. The damage done is equal to the charge put into it (but the weapon's normal damage is not added).

'''{{Anchor|Whirlwind Attack}} {{Ex}}:''' At 3rd level, you gain [[Whirlwind_Attack|whirlwind attack]] as a bonus feat, even if you don't meet the prerequisites for it. If your sword is charged before the attack, the charge only affects the first opponent targeted.

'''{{Anchor|Alternate Mount (CR4-5)}} {{Ex}}:''' At level 4, you may choose to set your original flying mount free in exchange for a new mount of Challenge Rating 4-5. The new flying mount would begin progression at level one, according to the chart "Flying Mount Progression." The same restrictions on choosing your mount still apply.<br/> - Since dragons tend to be fiercely independent, if you don't speak Draconic, you take a -4 penalty on all Ride, Handle Animal, and Monster Empathy checks if you choose a dragon for your new mount.

'''{{Anchor|Charge Sword +1D12}} {{Ex}}:''' At 5th level, you attain the strength of will to charge your sword for the potential damage of 1D12 by passing a Concentration check of DC 16.

'''{{Anchor|Earthward Strike}} {{Ex}}:''' At 6th level, your astounding courage allows you to attempt a daring attack launched from high above an opponent's head as a full round action. This attack comes so fast, it does not provoke an attack of opportunity.<br/> - Once you have made the plunge and called the earthward strike, you must roll percentage dice for a successfully targeted fall with a miss chance of 5%/10 feet above the target. If this fails, you take full falling damage.<br/> - If targeting succeeds, roll one attack at your highest BAB. If this fails, you and your opponent both take 1/2 of your falling damage.<br/> - If attacking succeeds, your opponent takes your full falling damage plus weapon damage plus the charge of your sword (if any). Then you must roll a Tumble check of DC 10 + 1/10 feet fallen. If your tumble fails, you still take 1/4 falling damage.<br/>If you succeeded your tumble, you take no damage at all and come to rest on your feet 5 feet away from the target.

'''{{Anchor|Alternate Mount (CR6-7)}} {{Ex}}:''' At level 7, you may choose to set your last flying mount free in exchange for a new mount of Challenge Rating 6-7. The new flying mount would begin progression at level one, according to the chart "Flying Mount Progression." The same restrictions on choosing your mount still apply. The same penalties for a dragon mount also apply.

'''{{Anchor|Earthward Targeting}} {{Ex}}:''' Starting at level 7, when determining your miss chance for targeting in an Earthward Strike, you may ignore the first 10 feet of distance fallen. For example, if you're falling 70 feet above your opponent, consider your miss chance as if you were only falling 60 feet, giving you a 30% chance for missing the target. This improves by another 10 feet for every subsequent level in this class.

'''{{Anchor|Improved Charge}} {{Ex}}:''' At 8th level, the charge on your sword is more resilient and lasts for the duration of a full attack. Every strike made during this attack adds the damage of the charge. In a whirlwind attack, every opponent struck takes this additional damage.

'''{{Anchor|Charge Sword +2D8}} {{Ex}}:''' At 9th level, you gain the mental capacity to charge your sword for the potential damage of 2D8 by passing a Concentration check of DC 18.

'''{{Anchor|Alternate Mount (CR8-9)}} {{Ex}}:''' At level 10, you may choose to set your last flying mount free in exchange for a new mount of Challenge Rating 8-9. The new flying mount would begin progression at level one, according to the chart "Flying Mount Progression." The same restrictions on choosing your mount still apply. The same penalties for a dragon mount also apply.

'''{{Anchor|Charge Sword +2D10}} {{Ex}}:''' At 12th level, you have the power to charge your sword for the potential damage of 2D10 by passing a Concentration check of DC 20.

'''{{Anchor|Alternate Mount (CR10-11)}} {{Ex}}:''' At level 13, you may choose to set your last flying mount free in exchange for a new mount of Challenge Rating 10-11. The new flying mount would begin progression at level one, according to the chart "Flying Mount Progression." The same restrictions on choosing your mount still apply. The same penalties for a dragon mount also apply.
Article Balance	Moderate +
Author	Nolanf +
Base Attack Bonus Progression	Good +
Class Ability	Other +
Class Ability Progression	Other +
Identifier	3.5e Prestige Class +
Length	13 +
Minimum Level	6 +
Rating	Unrated +
Reflex Save Progression	Good +
Skill	Balance +, Concentration +, Craft +, Handle Animal +, Heal +, Knowledge +, Profession +, Ride +, Search +, Spot +, Tumble + and Use Magic Device +
Skill Points	3 +
Summary	A fighter specializing in aerial mounted combat (with almost any type of flyer from a giant eagle to a golden dragon) who can also charge his sword with power. +
Title	Skyward Sword +