Iaijutsu Master

Requirements

Base Attack Bonus: +6

Alignment: Any Lawful

Feats: Improved Initiative, Quick Draw, Weapon Focus (katana)

Summary

Iaijutsu is the martial art of drawing a weapon(almost always a katana) and attacking with it in the same fluid motion. It is the foundation of some forms of dueling in, and its masters are feared and respected throughout Rokugan and other lands where iaijutsu is practiced. Iaijutsu masters harness their ki energy to strike with blinding speed and devastating power. Your very intelligence allows you to more deftly dodge and your speed and grace allows your katana swings to be fluid and most graceful. You even have the ability to strike opponents flat-footed when they otherwise wouldn't be.

Role: DPS

Characteristics: Lightning quick katana duelists

Source: Oriental Adventures

Game Rule Information

The Iaijutsu Master has the following game statistics.

Abilities: Dexterity is needed for landing your katana strikes, intelligence for practicing your defense and ability to defend against your foes, and charisma for moving quicker to strike your foes

Alignment: Any Lawful

Hit Die: d10

Starting Gold: N/A

Class Skills

The Iaijutsu Master's class skills are Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Jump (Str), Listen (Wis), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Search (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Spot (Wis) and Tumble (Dex).

Skill Points at 1st Level: (2 + Int modifier) × 4

Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 2 + Int modifier

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the Iaijutsu Master.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A Iaijutsu Master is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, they gain no extra proficiency with any armor

Weapon Finesse Ex: At 1st level, an iaijutsu master may use her Dexterity modifier instead of her Strength modifier on attack rolls with her katana. This works like the Weapon Finesse feat, except that it applies to the katana, a weapon to which the feat cannot normally be applied.

Canny Defense Ex: When not wearing armor, iaijutsu masters add their Intelligence bonus to their Dexterity bonus to modify Armor Class while wielding a katana. As with normal Dexterity AC modifications, positive modifiers are lost when the iaijutsu master is caught flat-footed.

Lightning Blade Ex: An iaijutsu master of 2nd level or higher adds her Charisma modifier to her initiative checks, as well as her Dexterity modifier.

Bonus Feat Ex: At 4th level, then again at 9th level, the iaijutsu master gets a bonus feat in addition to her normal feat progression. These bonus feats must be drawn from the following list: Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack, Combat Expertise, Improved Disarm, Improved Trip, Whirlwind Attack, Skill Focus, and Toughness.

Strike from the Void Ex: An iaijutsu master of 5th level or higher adds her Charisma modifier to each damage die on their attack.

One Strike, Two Cuts Ex: At 8th level and above, an iaijutsu master can make two attacks with a katana as a standard action. This means she can strike twice and move in the same round.

Strike with No Thought Ex: If an iaijutsu master of 10th level begins combat (not an iaijutsu duel) within melee range of an opponent, she gains a free surprise round, even though her opponents are aware of her presence. The only action the iaijutsu master can take in this surprise round is an attack action using a katana. For example, if the iaijutsu master Kakita Timoshiko and Bayushi Koro are standing on the street hurling insults at each other and the situation erupts into combat, Timoshiko can attack with his katana before Koro even rolls initiative, catching his opponent flat-footed.

Table 1-1: Iaijutsu Master Progression

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save	Special
1st	+1	+0	+2	+0	Weapon finesse, canny defense
2nd	+2	+0	+3	+0	Lightning blade
3rd	+3	+1	+3	+1
4th	+4	+1	+4	+1	Bonus feat
5th	+5	+1	+4	+1	Strike from the Void
6th	+6	+2	+5	+2
7th	+7	+2	+5	+2
8th	+8	+2	+6	+2	One strike, two cuts
9th	+9	+3	+6	+3	Bonus feat
10th	+10	+3	+7	+3	Strike with no thought