Vindicator (3.5e Class)

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A vindicator is a good-aligned partial spontaneous spellcasting with martial might. A compromise between the Paladin and the Cleric.

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Spontaneous Divine Spellcasting Partial

Vindicator

The vindicator is a class of holy warriors empowered by powerful outsiders of the upper planes, gaining heightened martial abilities and innate spellcasting in the process. Unlike a paladin they do not follow a strict code of conduct, although many observe a personal code. A vindicator does not need to follow a particular deity, their power deriving from a wider group of weaker outsiders, although rarely a deity might be among them.

A vindicator can be a blessed child, destined to fight against evil. Alternatively contact with a powerful good outsider can lead one to become a vindicator through their blessings.

Making a Vindicator

A vindicator is both an effective caster although less than a cleric, and an effective combatant but less so than a paladin. They rely on several powerful class features to make their mark in the party. Their divine guidance and divine combat style abilities make each vindicator very different from each other.

Abilities: A vindicator is a combatant with spellcasting ability, their spellcasting and abilities require a high Charisma to take maximum advantage of them. A good Constitution is always useful for a melee combatant. Finally a high Strength or Dexterity dependent on the fighting style of the particular vindicator.

Races: Any.

Alignment: Any Good, although an existing vindicator may become neutral without losing her class abilities.

Starting Gold: As Cleric.

Starting Age: Moderate.

Table: The Vindicator

Hit Die: d10

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Special	Spells
		Fort	Ref	Will		0	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th
1st	+0	+2	+0	+2	Favored Weapon Focus, Holy Hand	2	—	—	—	—	—	—
2nd	+1	+3	+0	+3	Divine Guidance	3	1	—	—	—	—	—
3rd	+2	+3	+1	+3	Divine Combat Style	3	2	—	—	—	—	—
4th	+3	+4	+1	+4	Fighter Training, Divine Guidance	3	2	1	—	—	—	—
5th	+3	+4	+1	+4	Favored Weapon Focus +1	3	3	2	—	—	—	—
6th	+4	+5	+2	+5	Divine Combat Style	3	3	2	—	—	—	—
7th	+5	+5	+2	+5	Bonus Feat	3	3	3	1	—	—	—
8th	+6/+1	+6	+2	+6	Divine Guidance	3	3	3	2	—	—	—
9th	+6/+1	+6	+3	+6	Favored Weapon Focus +2	3	3	3	2	—	—	—
10th	+7/+2	+7	+3	+7	Improved Fighter Training	3	3	3	3	1	—	—
11th	+8/+3	+7	+3	+7	Guided Strike	3	3	3	3	2	—	—
12th	+9/+4	+8	+4	+8	Divine Combat Style, Divine Guidance	3	3	3	3	2	—	—
13th	+9/+4	+8	+4	+8	Favored Weapon Focus +3	3	3	3	3	3	1	—
14th	+10/+5	+9	+4	+9	Bonus Feat	4	3	3	3	3	2	—
15th	+11/+6/+1	+9	+5	+9	Angelic Ascension	4	4	3	3	3	2	1
16th	+12/+7/+2	+10	+5	+10	Divine Guidance	4	4	4	3	3	3	2
17th	+12/+7/+2	+10	+5	+10	Favored Weapon Focus +4	4	4	4	4	3	3	2
18th	+13/+8/+3	+11	+6	+11	Divine Combat Mastery	4	4	4	4	4	3	3
19th	+14/+9/+4	+11	+6	+11	Miraculous Intervention	4	4	4	4	4	4	3
20th	+15/+10/+5	+12	+6	+12	Ascended Soul, Divine Guidance	4	4	4	4	4	4	4
Class Skills (6 + Int modifier per level, ×4 at 1st level) Appraise (Int), Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Forgery (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (Religion) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Search (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Speak Language (None), Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), Swim (Str), Use Rope (Dex).

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the vindicator.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A vindicator is proficient with all simple and martial weapons as well as with all armors and shields (except tower shield).

Spells: A vindicator casts divine spell spontaneously from a list of spells known (see below) and uses her Charisma as her key spellcasting ability score. A vindicator learns and casts spells from the Cleric spell list. At 2nd level and each even level, a vindicator may change one of her spells known for any other spell of an equal level.

Table: Vindicator Spells Known

Level	Spells Known
	0	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th
1st	4	—	—	—	—	—	—
2nd	5	2	—	—	—	—	—
3rd	6	3	—	—	—	—	—
4th	6	3	—	—	—	—	—
5th	6	4	3	—	—	—	—
6th	6	4	3	—	—	—	—
7th	6	4	4	2	—	—	—
8th	6	4	4	3	—	—	—
9th	6	4	4	3	—	—	—
10th	6	4	4	4	2	—	—
11th	6	4	4	4	3	—	—
12th	6	4	4	4	3	—	—
13th	6	4	4	4	4	2	—
14th	6	4	4	4	4	3	—
15th	6	4	4	4	4	3	—
16th	6	5	4	4	4	4	2
17th	6	5	5	4	4	4	3
18th	6	5	5	5	4	4	3
19th	6	5	5	5	5	4	4
20th	6	5	5	5	5	5	4

Favored Weapon Focus (Ex): At 1st level, a vindicator chooses a single weapon she is proficient with, usually her deity's favored weapon, she gains the Weapon Focus feat for that weapon. That weapon is now known as her favored weapon. A vindicator can use her favored weapon as a divine symbol and may consider her hand wielding or holding them as free for the purpose of casting spells with somatic components.

At 5th level, whenever the vindicator is fighting with her favored weapon she gains a +1 sacred bonus to attack rolls and damage rolls. This bonus increases by +1 at 9th level and every 4 levels thereafter.

Holy Hand (Ex): A vindicator wields limited divine power to heal themselves and others. A number of times per day equal to 3 + half her class level + her Charisma modifier she may heal a creature she touches by 1d4 hit points. At 3rd level and each odd level thereafter her holy hand heals by an additional 1d4 hit points. She may use her holy hand to heal herself as a swift action. The healing from holy hand is positive energy, but does not harm undead creatures.

Alternatively, a vindicator may expend a use of her holy hand ability to charge her favored weapon as a swift action. The next attack she delivers with her favored weapon deals an additional 1d4 divine damages, which increase by +1d4 at 3rd level and each odd level thereafter. If she does not deliver and attack within 1 round, or drop the enhanced weapon the use is wasted.

Divine Guidance: At 2nd, 4th and each 4 levels thereafter a vindicator gains a powerful ability from the list below called a divine guidance. Once chosen, a divine guidance cannot be changed and she cannot choose a divine guidance more than once unless specified otherwise. If a divine guidance has prerequisites, the vindicator must meet those prerequisites. A divine guidance's DC is 10 + 1/2 class level + the vindicator's Charisma modifier.

• Ardent Fortitude (Ex): The vindicator gains the mettle ability, but only with fortitude saves. When subject to a fortitude save which allows a partial effect on a successful save, she instead takes no effect. You must be at least 8th level to select this ability.

• Ardent Will (Ex): The vindicator gains the mettle ability, but only with will saves. When subject to a fortitude save which allows a partial effect on a successful save, she instead takes no effect. You must be at least 8th level to select this ability.

• Baneful Hand (Ex): Upon taking this divine guidance, a vindicator chooses a single type (and subtype if necessary). Whenever she uses her holy hand ability to charge her favored weapon, she also adds Bane enhancement with the chosen type to her favored weapon. At the start of each day she may change the chosen type and subtype. You must be at least 4th level to select this ability

• Combat Guidance (Ex): A vindicator with this divine guidance gains a [Fighter] bonus feat she meets the prerequisites for. She cannot use this chosen feat for prerequisites purposes. At the start of each day she may change the feat for another feat she meets the prerequisites for.

• Divine Revelation: Upon taking this divine guidance, the vindicator chooses a single Oracle Mystery^Pathfinder. She selects a single revelation on that mystery list that a 1st level oracle could take. She uses her half po her vindicator level as her oracle level for the purposes of determining the effect of this revelation.

• Enhanced Spell (Ex): A vindicator with this divine guidance may expend a use of her holy hand as a swift action as she cast a spell. The spell becomes enhanced and gain a +1 bonus on it's caster level and to it's DC.

• Improved Holy Hand (Su): When this divine guidance is chosen, the vindicator's holy hand heals an additional hit point per dice rolled. This does not affect the amount of damage dealt by charging your weapon.

• Quickening (Ex): A vindicator who chooses this divine guidance may cast a spell which requires a standard action to cast as a swift action. However it’s range becomes personal and it may only affect yourself. You may use this ability once per encounter. You may take this divine guidance multiple times, gaining an additional use of this ability each time it is taken. You must be at least 4th level to select this ability

• Sacred Shield (Su): As a move action, a vindicator with this divine guidance can expend a use of her holy hand ability to enhance her shield. The vindicator's shield bonus to AC increases by her holy hand dice (maximum of +10 at 19th level). This bonus lasts for 1 round per level, until the vindicator is struck by a melee or ranged attack, or until a melee or ranged attack misses her by the extra bonus granted by this ability or less. If the vindicator is struck by an attack while this ability is active, she gains DR/Evil against this attack equal to her class level.

• Stigmata (Su): As a move action, a vindicator can start bleeding profusely doing so enhancing herself with holy magic. While under this effect, the vindicator loses a number of hit points per round up to half her class level, chosen when the stigmata is manifested. However as long as her stigmata persists, the vindicator becomes immune to any other forms of bleeding and gains a bonus to any d20 roll reach round equal to the amount of hit points she loses each round. She may divide her bonus between many d20 rolls as she chooses, any points not used are lost at the start of her next turn. She may stop her stigmata as a free action at the start of her turn and if she falls unconscious it automatically stops.

• Martyr (Su): When a vindicator with this divine guidance is brought to 0 hit points or below, she unleashes a wave of healing. All of her allies (except herself) within 30 feet are healed by the same amount her holy hand heals as well as the benefits of good hope. This divine guidance does not consume a daily use of holy hand and may only trigger at most once per encounter.

Divine Combat Style: At 3rd level, a vindicator chooses a single combat style to follow. She gains the benefits listed under that combat style when first taken at 3rd, then at 6th level and finally at 12th level. Once chosen, a vindicator cannot change her divine combat style. If a divine combat style grants a bonus feat and the vindicator already possesses that feat, she may choose another [Fighter] feat she meets the prerequisites of as a bonus feat. A vindicator chooses her divine combat style from the following list:

Crusader's Blade Style (Ex): A vindicator who chooses this style gains the Strike of the Believer feat as a bonus feat, even if she does not meet the prerequisites. At 6th level when she uses Strike of the Believer with her favored weapon, it gains the Holy enhancement which stacks with the actual enhancement for the attack. At 12th level she may refresh her uses of Strike of the Believer as a full-round action.

Duelist Strike Style (Ex): A vindicator who chooses this style gains the Weapon Finesse feat as a bonus feat, even if she does not meet the prerequisites. At 6th level, if she adds her Strength to damage with a light or finessable weapon while using her Dexterity for her attack roll, she adds half her class level as bonus damage. At 12th level, the first time an opponent misses her in melee in a round it provokes an attack of opportunity from her.

Kirin Fangs Style (Ex): A vindicator who chooses this style gains the Two-Weapon Fighting feat as a bonus feat, even if she does not meet the prerequisites. Additionally she may ignore the Dexterity prerequisites of any feat which has Two-Weapon Fighting listed as a prerequisite. At 6th level when wielding her favored weapon in one hand and another weapon in the other, she may add half her favored weapon bonus to attack and damage (minimum 1) to her secondary weapon. If she wields a double weapon, she instead increases the favored weapon bonus by +1 for one end of the weapon of her choice. At 12th level she may make one attack with both of her weapons when she makes a standard action attack.

Purifying Flame Style (Ex): A vindicator who chooses this style applies her favored weapon bonus (including Weapon Focus) to the War Torch, if this was already her favored weapon the sacred bonus to attack and damage increases by +1. At 6th level any fire damage she deals with her favored weapon is half fire half divine damage. At 12th level she deals an additional +2d6 fire damage when she strikes a foe with her favored weapon.

Redeemer Shield Style (Ex): A vindicator who chooses this style gains the Improved Shield Bash feat as a bonus feat. She also extend all bonus of her favored weapon (including Weapon Focus) to any shields she uses alongside her favored weapon. At 6th level she improves the shield bonus granted by her shield by +1. At 12th level she adds the Bashing enhancement to any shield she uses, this stack with the actual enhancement.

Sacred Bow Style (Ex): A vindicator who chooses this style gains the Sharpshooter feat as a bonus feat even if she does not meet the prerequisites. At 6th level she ignores her allies for the sake of determining if a foe has cover and no longer risks hitting an ally if she shoots in a grapple. At 12th level, the vindicator threaten in melee with her ranged weapon and no longer provokes for shooting in melee.

Fighter Training (Ex): At 4th level a vindicator counts as a fighter of her class level -3 for the purpose of meeting prerequisites. At 10th level her effective fighter level becomes equal to her class level.

Bonus Feat: At 7th level and 14th level a vindicator gains a [Fighter] feat she meets the prerequisites for.

Guided Strike (Su): When an 11th level vindicator uses her holy hand ability to enhance her weapon, her next attack with the weapon ignores concealment, miss chance and may strikes an incorporeal opponent as if it was corporeal.

Angelic Ascension (Su): At 15th level the vindicator is able to channel the might of powerful good outsiders as a swift action. While channeling this power, the vindicator grows feathered wings and takes on a celestial appearance. She gains a fly speed of 60 ft. (Good), all benefits of the angel subtype with the exception of Protective Aura ability and her base attack bonus become equal to her class level if better. She remains in that state for a number of rounds per day equal to her class level, uses need not to be consecutive. She may return to her normal state as a free action at the start of her turn.

Divine Combat Mastery (Ex): At 18th level, a vindicator has achieved an almost impossible level of combat expertise with her favored weapon. She gains the Weapon Supremacy^PHB2 feat for her favored weapon even if she does not meet the prerequisites.

Miraculous Intervention (Su): A 19th level vindicator is capable of channeling intense amounts of energy from her patrons. Once per day she may cast miracle as a supernatural ability, although she must provide all normal components in order to do so and any spells it replicates are treated as spell-like abilities. After using this ability the vindicator is left staggered for 1 round and exhausted.

Ascended Soul: A 20th level vindicator has become a direct conduit of the upper planes. Firstly she may now use her holy hand ability at-will. The vindicator becomes immortal and unaging, if she is slain she does not leave a body and instead vanish as if she was never there, leaving her equipment behind. She may still be raised or resurrected from the dead by anyone who knows her name, as if they possessed her intact body.

Finally and more worrisome, she now becomes her own source of power and thus can no longer lose her spellcasting and supernatural ability if her alignment changes.

Ex-vindicator

Unlike a paladin a vindicator is not tied to a strong code of conduct, and unlike a cleric they do not need the patronage of a deity. However if a vindicator turns to evil, she loses access to her spellcasting and any supernatural abilities granted by her class level as they rely on the power granted by beings of the upper planes. She retains all other class features granted by her class. If the vindicator returns to non-evil alignment she regains her spellcasting and supernatural abilities the next time she gains a class level. If she properly atone she automatically regains the uses of her spells and supernatural abilities.

Adaptation: The Despoiler

An evil version of the vindicator is quite possible, being empowered by evil outsiders to act on their behalf in the mortal realms. These vindicators gain a profane bonus instead of a sacred bonus from Favored Weapon. If one of their abilities grants the Holy enhancement it instead grants the Unholy enhancement.

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