Ronin (3.5e Class)

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Ronin

“

Bushido is but a tether for the weak. I was set adrift, a wave on the sea of life. And in travelling the world, I have grown strong. Now I entrust that strength to you. Use it well.

”

When a samurai is exiled from the service of his lord, he either commits seppuku or becomes a ronin. But this class is not for those ronin. Instead, this focuses on the progeny of the dishonorable warrior, who is recognized as a ronin himself, whether he has done anything dishonorable or not. Growing up in a harsh world, bearing the weight of their father's actions, and otherwise fending for himself has taught the ronin one thing: Clean fighters never win. As such, the ronin is a master of cheap shots and intimidation.

Making a Ronin

A ronin focuses on mobility and flanking. While he shares several abilities with that of the rogue and ranger, he is better at head on combat then either of them. Of course, he lacks the hit points of some of the more martially inclined classes.

Abilities: Charisma is the most important ability for a Ronin, followed by Dexterity and Strength. A ronin has little use for Wisdom or Intelligence, and Constitution is important if you want more hit points.

Races: Any race that can become a samurai can become a ronin. Still, most ronin are humans, elves, or hobgoblins.

Alignment: Ronins tend to be chaotic, simply to spite the lawful society that outsted them, but there is no reason that they cannot be lawful.

Starting Gold: 5d4×10 gp (125 gp).

Starting Age: Moderate.

Table: The Ronin

Hit Die: d8

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Special
		Fort	Ref	Will
1st	+1	+2	+2	+0	Cheap Shot +1d6, Confidence,
2nd	+2	+3	+3	+0	Evasion, Ronin's Ire
3rd	+3	+3	+3	+1	Cheap Shot +2d6, Kiai Smite 1/day
4th	+4	+4	+4	+1	Uncanny Dodge
5th	+5	+4	+4	+1	Cheap Shot +3d6, Ronin's Ire
6th	+6/+1	+5	+5	+2	Supreme Confidence
7th	+7/+2	+5	+5	+2	Cheap Shot +4d6, Kiai Smite 2/day
8th	+8/+3	+6	+6	+2	Improved Uncanny Dodge
9th	+9/+4	+6	+6	+3	Cheap Shot +5d6,
10th	+10/+5	+7	+7	+3	Ronin's Ire
11th	+11/+6/+6	+7	+7	+3	Cheap Shot +6d6
12th	+12/+7/+7	+8	+8	+4	Kiai Smite 3/day
13th	+13/+8/+8	+8	+8	+4	Cheap Shot +7d6
14th	+14/+9/+9	+9	+9	+4	This is Easy!
15th	+15/+10/+10	+9	+9	+5	Cheap Shot +8d6, Ronin's Ire
16th	+16/+11/+11/+11	+10	+10	+5	Kiai Smite 4/day
17th	+17/+12/+12/+12	+10	+10	+5	Cheap Shot +9d6
18th	+18/+13/+13/+13	+11	+11	+6	Frightful Presence
19th	+19/+14/+14/+14	+11	+11	+6	Cheap Shot +10d6
20th	+20/+15/+15/+15	+12	+12	+6	Ronin's Ire, Kiai Smite 5/day
Class Skills (4 + Int modifier per level, ×4 at 1st level) Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Gather Information (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (Int), Listen (Wis) Move Silently (Dex), Profession (Wis), Search (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Speak Language (None), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), Use Magic Device (Cha), Use Rope (Dex).

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the Ronin.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Ronin are proficient with all simple and martial weapons, and with one exotic weapon appropriate for their culture. Ronin are proficient with light and medium armor, but not with shields of any kind.

Cheap Shot (Ex): If a ronin can catch an opponent when he is unable to defend himself effectively from his attack, he can strike a vital spot for extra damage, thus taking a 'cheap shot.'

The ronin’s attack deals extra damage any time his target would be denied a Dexterity bonus to AC (whether the target actually has a Dexterity bonus or not), or when the ronin flanks her target. This extra damage is 1d6 at 1st level, and it increases by 1d6 every two ronin levels thereafter. Should the ronin score a critical hit with a cheap shot, this extra damage is not multiplied.

Ranged attacks can count as cheap only if the target is within 30 feet, because aiming with that good accuracy is hard.

With any weapon that can deal nonlethal damage with no penalty (ex: the sap), a ronin can make a cheap shot that deals nonlethal damage instead of lethal damage (but some opponents would argue that getting hit with a cheap shot hurts more then lethal damage, if you know what I mean). He cannot use a weapon that deals lethal damage to deal nonlethal damage in a cheap shot, not even with the usual –4 penalty.

A ronin can only cheap shot living creatures with discernible anatomies—undead, constructs, oozes, plants, and incorporeal creatures lack vital areas to take advantage of. Any creature that is immune to critical hits is not vulnerable to cheap shots. The ronin must be able to see the target well enough to pick out a vital spot and must be able to reach such a spot. A ronin cannot perform a cheap shot while striking a creature with concealment or striking the limbs of a creature whose vitals are beyond reach.

This ability is otherwise identical to the rogue's sneak attack, and is treated as such in regards to feat and prestige class prerequesites, and it stacks with sneak attack damage from other sources.

Confidence (Ex): A ronin is supremely confidant in his abilitis, and may add his Charisma bonus to his Dexterity bonus to modify his Armor Class. This only works when he is wearing armor lighter than heavy and not using a shield. As with normal Dexterity AC modifications, positive modifiers are lost when the ronin is flat-footed.

Evasion (Ex): At 2nd level and higher, a ronin can avoid even magical and unusual attacks with great agility. If he makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, he instead takes no damage. Evasion can be used only if the ronin is wearing medium, light, or no armor. A helpless ronin does not gain the benefit of evasion.

Ronin's Ire (Ex): A ronin can bring the wrath of his full hatred down upon his enemies. Starting at 2nd level, a ronin may designate one opponent as the receiver of his ire. The confers several benefits. First, a ronin automatically has the Edge on the subject of his rage, even if their base attack bonus is higher than his own. Additionally, he gains a +2 bonus to attack rolls and +1d6 bonus to all attacks (not spells) against any creature that is designated as the subject of his ire. This damage bonus increases by another d6 every time he gains the ability again, and stacks with any extra damage from Cheap Shot damage. Every time he gains this ability, he can select one additional creature to receive his ire, to a total of 4 receivers at one time at 20th level. Switching the subject(s) of his ire is a swift action.

Kiai Smite (Ex): Once per day, a ronin of 3rd level or higher can give a great cry during combat that invigorates him. When a ronin shouts (a free action that automatically ives away his position), his next attack gains a bonus on the attack roll and the damage roll equal to his Charisma bonus (minimum 1). As a ronin gains levels, he can make a kiai smite more often.

Uncanny Dodge (Ex): Starting at 4th level, a ronin can react to danger before his senses would normally allow him to do so. He retains his Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) even if he is caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker. However, she still loses her Dexterity bonus to AC if immobilized. This does not affect the Charisma bonus to AC gained from Confidence.

If a ronin already has uncanny dodge from a different class he automatically gains improved uncanny dodge (see below) instead.

Supreme Confidence (Ex): A ronin of 7th level gains weapon finesse as a bonus feat, except that it uses Charisma instead of Strength for attack rolls, rather then Dexterity. In addition, his confidence has increased so much that he no longer loses his Charisma bonus to AC when he is flat-footed.

Improved Uncanny Dodge (Ex): A ronin of 8th level or higher can no longer be flanked.

This defense denies others the ability to sneak attack the character by flanking him, unless the attacker has at least four more levels than the target does.

If a character already has uncanny dodge (see above) from a second class, the character automatically gains improved uncanny dodge instead, and the levels from the classes that grant uncanny dodge stack to determine the minimum level required to flank the character.

Frightful Presence (Ex): An 18th level ronin's confidence, superiority, and fighting prowess have become legendary. When the ronin draws his blade, opponents within 30 feet must succeed on a Will save (DC 20 + ronin's Cha modifier) or become panicked for 4d6 rounds if they have fewer Hit Dice then he does + his Cha modifier.

This is Easy! (Ex): At 14th level, a ronin gains the ability to bypass damage reduction, and, in addition, he gains Damage Reduction X/-, where X is half his ronin level, rounded down.

Cheap Shot (Ex):

<span id="<-spell-like class feature->"><-spell-like class feature-></span> (Sp): <-class feature game rule information->

<span id="<-supernatural class feature->"><-supernatural class feature-></span> (Su): <-class feature game rule information->

<span id="<-class feature->"><-class feature-></span>: <-class feature game rule information->

<span id="<-subclass feature->"><-subclass feature-></span> <-"(Ex)", "(Su)", "(Sp)", or "(Ps)" if applicable.->: <-subclass feature game rule information->

Epic Ronin

<span id="Table: The Epic <-class name->">Table: The Epic <-class name-></span>

Hit Die: d<-Die size for Hit Die->

Level	Special
21st	<-any improvements to class features gained at this level, including any bonus feats->
22nd	<-any improvements to class features gained at this level, including any bonus feats->
23rd	<-any improvements to class features gained at this level, including any bonus feats->
24th	<-any improvements to class features gained at this level, including any bonus feats->
25th	<-any improvements to class features gained at this level, including any bonus feats->
26th	<-any improvements to class features gained at this level, including any bonus feats->
27th	<-any improvements to class features gained at this level, including any bonus feats->
28th	<-any improvements to class features gained at this level, including any bonus feats->
29th	<-any improvements to class features gained at this level, including any bonus feats->
30th	<-any improvements to class features gained at this level, including any bonus feats->
<-number of skill points-> + Int modifier skill points per level.

<-existing class feature->: <-how this class feature increases or accumulates at epic levels->

<-another existing class feature->: <-how this class feature increases or accumulates at epic levels->

<-Lather, rinse...->

<-... repeat.->

Bonus Feats : The epic <-class name-> gains a bonus feat (selected from the list of epic <-class name-> bonus feats) every <-number of feats per level-> levels after 20th.

Epic <-class name-> Bonus Feat List: <-list of bonus epic feats->.

<-Sample race of your choice-> <-class name-> Starting Package

Weapons: <-Weapon selection for starting at 1st level with this class.->.

Skill Selection: Pick a number of skills equal to 4 + Int modifier.

Skill	Ranks	Ability	Armor Check Penalty
<-Skill name->	<-4 for class skills and 2 for cross-class skills->	<-Abbrieviated key ability->	<-armor check penalty based on starting armor. If innapplicable put "—"->
<-Skill name->	<-4 for class skills and 2 for cross-class skills->	<-Abbrieviated key ability->	<-armor check penalty based on starting armor. If innapplicable put "—"-> <-copy and paste the rows as necessary.->

Feat: <-1st-level feat selection->.

Bonus Feats: <-1st-level feat bonus feats due to class or sample race. remove this section if this sample doesn't get any bonus feats at 1st level. ->.

Gear: <-Starting armor and other equipment outside of weapons.->.

Gold: <-Starting gold using this package.->.

<nowiki>

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