The Swordsage at level 1 excels in adaptive styles of combat, focusing on quick strikes with improved unarmed attacks. They are already formidable, leveraging their Dexterity for agility in skirmishes. Specialized in Weapon Focus, they show a deep understanding of the iron disciplines.
Stat Block Level 1:
Unnamed: male, human Swordsage 1; CR 1; Medium humanoid (human); HD 1d8+1; hp 9; Init +5; Spd 30 ft.; AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 13; Base Atk +0; Grp +2; Atk rapier +1 melee (1d6+2/18-20) or unarmed strike +0 melee (1d4+2); Full Atk rapier +1 melee (1d6+2/18-20) or unarmed strike +0 melee (1d4+2); SA None; SQ Discipline Focus (Weapon Focus), Quick to Act +1, Wis to AC (if not wearing armor); AL N; SV Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +5; Str 14, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 8.
Quick to Act +1, Discipline Focus (Weapon Focus) allows Swordsage to gain bonuses with chosen weapons; Wis to AC grants wisdom bonus to Armor Class when not armored.
Possessions: Rapier, Chainshirt.
At level 5, the Swordsage of the nine schools[1] specializes in mobility skills and feats to improve combat reaction timing, resulting in a flexible martial artist[2] who focuses on evading attacks and delivering rapid strikes.
Stat Block Level 5:
[Unnamed Character]: male, Human Swordsage 5; CR 5; Medium Humanoid (Human); HD 5d8+5; hp 29; Init +5; Spd 30 ft.; AC 17, touch 14, flat-footed 13; Base Atk +3; Grp +5; Atk +6 melee (rapier +3,+1 weapon focus, 1d6+2); Full Atk +6 melee (rapier +3,+1 weapon focus, 1d6+2); SA Disciplines, Insightful Strike; SQ Quick to Act +2, AC Bonus, Adapt Style; AL Lawful Neutral; SV Fort +3, Ref +7, Will +7; Str 14, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 8.
Quick to Act grants faster action in combat, Insightful Strike allows weapon strength to be calculated from wisdom bonus.
Possessions: A rapier, a chainshirt.
At level 10, this Swordsage is a potent blend of magic and martial skills, proficient in navigating different combat techniques. By concentrating intensely on the Setting Sun and Shadow Hand disciplines, they can utilize both attacking and defensive techniques. The Master of Nine abilities, such as Perfect Form and Dual Stance, offer improved adaptability in situations.
Stat Block Level 10:
Unnamed Male, Human Swordsage 9/Master of Nine 1; CR 10; Medium Humanoid (Human); HD 9d8+1d8+10; hp 54; Init +7; Spd 30 ft.; AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 14; Base Atk +8; Grp +10; Atk Rapier +11 melee (1d6+2/18-20) or Unarmed Strike +11 melee (1d6+2); Full Atk Rapier +11/+6 melee (1d6+2/18-20) or Unarmed Strike +11/+6 melee (1d6+2); SA Adaptive Style, Power Attack; SQ Quick to Act +1, Discipline Focus (Weapon Focus), AC Bonus, Dual Stance, Perfect Form; AL Neutral; SV Fort +8, Ref +10, Will +9; Str 14, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 8.
Able to switch maneuvers rapidly using Adaptive Style; disciplines include use of Setting Sun and Shadow Hand techniques.
Possessions: Rapier, Chainshirt.
At Level 15, the Swordsage stands as a martial force capable of employing maneuvers from every one of the nine disciplines. Quick to Act offers superior mobility during combat, while abilities such as Adaptive Style and Improved Initiative guarantee they hit swiftly and accurately.
Stat Block Level 15:
Unnamed Character: male, human swordsage 15; CR 15; Medium humanoid (human); HD 15d8+15; hp 92; Init +3; Spd 30 ft.; AC 20, touch 13, flat-footed 17; Base Atk +11; Grp +13; Atk rapier +14 melee (1d6+2/18-20) or unarmed strike +13 melee (1d8+2); Full Atk rapier +14/+9/+4 melee (1d6+2/18-20) or unarmed strike +13/+8/+3 melee (1d8+2); SA maneuvers, Insightful Strike; SQ evasion, Quick to Act +3, AC Bonus (Wis), Discipline Focus (Defensive Stance, Weapon Focus); AL lawful neutral; SV Fort +6, Ref +11, Will +10; Str 14, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 8.
Access to all nine disciplines’ maneuvers, Insightful Strike for extra precision and damage.
Possessions: +1 rapier, chainshirt armor.
The Swordsage-Master of Nine is a human character focused on versatility and mastery over the nine martial disciplines, emphasizing fast action, strong strategic positioning, and effective strikes. It uses maneuverability and power to deliver high damage outputs, effectively play twice in a row, and provide support with abilities like casting Mass Heal.
Stat Block Level 20:
Swordsage-Master of Nine: male, Human Swordsage 15/Master of Nine 5; CR 20; Medium humanoid (human); HD 20d8+20; hp 130; Init +5; Spd 30 ft.; AC 18, touch 15, flat-footed 13; Base Atk +15; Grp +17; Atk +21 melee (1d6+2/18-20, rapier) or +17 ranged; Full Atk +21/+16/+11 melee (1d6+2/18-20, rapier) or +17 ranged; SA Maneuvers (all nine disciplines at maximum level); SQ Quick to Act +4, Discipline Focus (Weapon Focus, Insightful Strike, Defensive Stance), Dual Stance, Evasion, Sense Magic, AC Bonus (Wis), Perfect Form, Mastery of Nine; AL Neutral Good; SV Fort +9, Ref +15, Will +14; Str 14, Dex 20, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 8.
This character can use maneuvers and stances from all nine schools[1] of martial discipline, gaining bonuses to attacks, damage, and the ability to provide significant support to allies.
Possessions: Rapier, Chainshirt.
Milestones Of Character Development
Levels 1-5: Starts with Adaptive Style and Improved Initiative giving faster access to maneuvers. Gains the vital Dodge feat for AC and Quick to Act bonus for speed. Weapon Focus through Discipline Focus begins specialization in chosen schools.
Levels 6-10: Gains Weapon Finesse to excel with Dexterity weapons. Transition into Master of Nine grants access to Dual Stance for simultaneous stance benefits, enhancing combat versatility. Perfect Form emphasizes precise combat technique.
Levels 11-15: Leap Attack enhances damage potential with Power Attack. Mastery of Nine allows maneuver access from any school at will. Quick to Act continues to improve, and Mobility boosts maneuverability in combat.
Levels 16-20: Spring Attack drastically increases hit-and-run tactics potential. Continued Discipline Focus in Insightful Strike focuses on striking precision. Ends with further Quick to Act bonus and enhanced Dexterity, solidifying both offensive and defensive capabilities.
Core Abilities & Features
At the core of this build is the Adaptive Style feat, providing unmatched versatility. Picture swiftly altering your fighting technique during a fight, tapping into a new array of tactics in response to the ongoing battle. This accomplishment, combined with the Improved Unarmed Strike and Improved Initiative, guarantees that you frequently take action first and can deliver powerful strikes with just your hands
A hallmark of the Swordsage is the Discipline Focus feature. It bolsters your attack capabilities through Weapon Focus and Insightful Strike, aligning your Wisdom with your offensive potential. The addition of Quick to Act means brisker reflexes, an undeniable boon in turn-based, tabletop combat. The build gains mobility enhancements, such as Mobility and Spring Attack, which are crucial for tactically repositioning during battle.
At higher levels, coming into the Master of Nine class bestows truly transformational features like Dual Stance and Mastery of Nine. Dual Stance enables simultaneous stance usage, affording defensive and offensive benefits concurrently. Mastery of Nine turns you into a deadly virtuoso, commanding the battlefield with the combined might of all nine disciplines.
Feats like Power Attack and Leap Attack deepen your offensive capabilities, allowing you to sacrifice accuracy for sheer physical damage or transform leaps into vicious attacks. The Counter Stance offers a nuanced defensive posture, fortifying you against relentless assaults. The Evasion feature is a lifesaver, dodging out of harm’s way as you execute your martial maneuvers.
Equipment Progression
Level Range
Equipment
Details
L1-5
Rapier +1, Chainshirt +1
Initially equip a Rapier with a +1 enhancement for increased accuracy and damage. Don a Chainshirt with a +1 bonus to add to your Armor Class which complements the initial low-level Wisdom-based AC bonuses.
L6-10
Flame Tongue Rapier, Mithral Shirt
Upgrade to a Flame Tongue Rapier for added fire damage, useful for multi-type damage against varied foes. Switch to a Mithral Shirt to benefit from lower armor check penalties and higher max Dex bonus.
L11-15
Holy Avenger, Cloak of Resistance +3
By this level, the Holy Avenger Rapier offers a significant upgrade against evil opponents, ideal for maximized damage in your dual stances. Equip a Cloak of Resistance to bolster saving throws, critical for surviving higher-level magic and abilities.
L16-20
Vorpal Rapier, Celestial Armor
The Vorpal Rapier provides an extra threat against higher CR enemies, with instant kill potential on criticals. Celestial Armor offers exceptional AC and flight capabilities, key for mobility in complex battles during later stages.
Combat Scenarios
Dungeon Crawls:
In the dark, narrow passages of dungeon crawls, the Swordsage’s Adaptive Style allows quick maneuvering of available maneuvers, swapping them as needed. With Blind-Fight, maintain an edge against foes in dimly lit areas, nullifying surprises of unseen enemies. Leverage discipline focus for sneak encounters, implementing stealth attacks effectively.
Open Fields:
Here, mobility is key. Use Spring Attack to avoid enemies’ reach after striking. Dual Stances provide tactical flexibility; combine a defensive stance with Diamond Mind maneuvers to control the battlefield. Utilize Leap Attack for increased damage while advancing or retreating open terrain.
Ambushes:
For ambush scenarios, quick reactions are critical. Improved Initiative ensures you seize the first move, while Quick to Act grants additional speed for drawing weapons or casting spells. The Swordsage’s Evasion protects effectively against area attacks often used in ambushes.
Defensive Stands:
During defensive stands, activate Counter Stance and await foes. Use counters from Setting Sun to redirect enemy attacks. Perfect Form enhances defense, maintaining integrity under pressure. The Chainshirt assists in providing a sufficient armor class to hold ground against relentless attacks.
Urban Encounters:
In urban environments, utilize Tumble to navigate crowded spaces swiftly and effectively. Employ Insightful Strike from the Shadow Hand discipline to strike at vital spots of unsuspecting opponents. Quick to Act and high mobility support tactical retreats or strikes as the environment requires.
Weaknesses & Counters
Weakness
Counter
Flaws: Shaky
Use the Precise Shot feat for ranged attacks to mitigate the -2 penalty to ranged attack rolls due to the Shaky flaw.
Flaws: Murky Eyed
Equip Blindfold of True Darkness to negate the Murky Eyed flaw penalty by granting blindsight.
Low Charisma (Cha 8)
Focus on non-Charisma based skills and class features; use items like a Circlet of Persuasion if dealing with social encounters is necessary.
Heavy reliance on melee combat
Use Maneuvers like “Shadow Jaunt” to teleport and escape from ranged threats.
Limited AC with Chainshirt
Enhance the Chainshirt with magical bonuses or upgrade to better armor like Mithral Shirt with bonuses up to +5 for improved AC.
Potential lack of utility spells
Complement attacks with skillful use of items like Wands or Scrolls for additional magical effects.
Dependence on Adaptive Style
Use Magic Items that grant extra maneuvers or refreshes, such as the Crown of White Ravens, to reduce reliance on the Adaptive Style feat.
Roleplaying
Embodying the Swordsage – Master of Nine requires understanding not just your combat prowess, but the deep discipline and wisdom behind each of the nine schools[1]. Think of yourself as a humble teacher, much like the fabled master who steps back to observe the world thrive because of past instructions. Your journey isn’t about grand gestures or flashy victories, but one that shapes and molds others for future adventures.
Your character might carry the weight of knowing each battle, each victory, wasn’t yours alone but a testimony to your teachings. This humility can be woven into interactions with the world and NPCs. Within battle, balance swift movements of the Desert Wind with meditative stances from the Stone Dragon, letting your character’s emotions become a dance of blades and serenity. When roleplaying, reflect on how failures in combat drive the inner turmoil needing equilibrium, capturing the dramatic tension of mastering oneself before mastering the world.
FAQ
How does a Nine Schools[1] Swordsage utilize the Adaptive Style feat?
Adaptive Style allows reshuffling of readied maneuvers during combat. You can adapt to varying battlefield situations efficiently. This can lead to accessing the right moves as per the evolving scenario. It provides an unparalleled advantage if used strategically in fast-paced conflicts.
Discipline Focus offers proficiency with weapon and enhances specific strikes. It aligns your Wisdom with your martial techniques for maximum efficiency. It is crucial for specializing in chosen schools for combat effectiveness. Mastery of this feature can significantly change the battlefield outcomes.
This build may struggle with relying on melee combat only. Low constitution can be another concern, affecting survivability. Equipment like Amulet of Health and tactics like Shadow Jaunt can mitigate these flaws. Carefully choosing counters helps maintain balance and effectiveness in combat.
How does combat style vary for the Master of Nine Schools[1]?
It varies with use of multiple stances, offering versatility in tactics. Hybrid stances like Dual Stance allow combining defensive and offensive benefits. Adaptive Style ensures readiness across different martial disciplines. In each scenario, tactical adaptiveness defines your combat effectiveness.
What roleplaying aspects enhance a Nine Schools[1] Swordsage character?
Embrace humility and wisdom, reflecting a master of martial disciplines. Their journey isn’t flashy but influences others’ growth. Balance emotions like Desert Wind’s movements with calm like Stone Dragon’s stances. Failures and successes shape the dramatic narrative of the Swordsage.
Writer, Editor, GM, Technologist – Andrew’s been playing TTRPGs since as far back as he can recall… at least sometime in the nineties… or was it the early 2000s?
The Queen, finally adorned with the crown and taking the reigns of Fall, stood on the balcony above speaking to the gathered people. A lone man in the crowd smiled softly as his eyes appreciated the journey past.
“My student is so grown up,” he thought to himself in silence. The man shrugged and hefted to his shoulder his backpack. The walk would be a long one, his lonely road.
He had taught her well all of the nine secret disciplines, now it was up to her to defend the world against the evil of the Dark Empire of Nethervale. His job was done and, even as he was the strongest swordsman alive, his role was not to fight, but to teach the next generation of heroes…
Race
Human
Class
Swordsage 15/Master of Nine 5
Ability Scores
Str 14/Dex 16/Con 12/Int 10/Wis 16/Cha 8
Skills
Balance 10, Concentration 10, Jump 10, Tumble 10
Equipment
A rapier, a Chainshirt
Flaws
Shaky, Murky Eyed
Goal
This takes the concept of the nine disciplines explored in the Tome of Battle, and raises it to its natural conclusion. You can use all nine Disciplines at maximum level, pulling damage rolls of 4d20+23, or adding +100 to damage, or just straight up playing twice in a row, casting Mass Heal on your allies, you are the absolute master of the blade.
In his journey, the young Argent Fist had learned from various masters of vastly different martial arts, and his quest to find the dark figure who destroyed his monastery and killed his master led him to strange places indeed.
It still somehow was not beyond surprising him when he finally managed to find the Legendary Martial Artists simply known as the Dragon Wanderer.
She was a changeling living alone in a hill in the middle of the woods, feeding of small animals and spending most of her days lazing around in the forest or dancing at dusk and dawn. Still, she agreed to teach him what he wanted to learn. He was sure there were at least a few lessons to learn in her technique. After weeks of such frivolities, he was cooking for them both as she was staring at the setting sun from the top of her hill.
-“You still haven’t learned what you need too, have you?” She asked in her usual relaxed voice. Moving closer to stand next to her, trying to figure out what her eyes were looking out at as he gave the question some thought.
-“I suppose I do not.” He admitted.
She let out a laugh that echoed in the distance.
–“Of course you don’t.” She turned to him and pinched his nose playfully.
-“You have to let go silvery one. Let go of your hate, of your fears, of everything that doesn’t matter.”
She smiled and got dangerously close to the cliff.
-“Learn to let everything go.” The woman said as she let herself fall. The young man tried to grab her but couldn’t make it in time. As he got close to the cliff himself, he looked down, as she suddenly flew up by him, in the form of a majestic silver dragon, dancing in the skies, and as the beauty of the sight dawned on him, a single tear rolled down his cheek and at last, after all these years, his heart felt at peace.
Race
Changeling
Class
Monk 5/Initiate of the Draconic Mysteries 10/Warshaper 2/Fist of the Forest 3
Nothing. You need absolutely nothing to make this build work. So go buy whatever you fancy. If you absolutely, positively need to somehow still increase your unarmed damage, a Monk’s Belt, and get a Graft that allows you to get a Warforged Battle Fists to punch things for 12d8.
Goal
You are the epitome of a monk. Your AC is enhanced by three ability scores, you are ridiculously fast, and your unarmed strikes deal a bajillion damage. As if all that wasn’t enough, you can transform into a literal Dragon. I legitimately do not know what else you could want from this.
Level
Class
HD
Feat
Special
1
Monk
10
Improved Unarmed Strike, Stunning Strike, Cosmopolitan(Iaijutsu Focus), Alertness, Power Attack
Unarmed 1d6, Flurry of Blows, AC Bonus(Wis)
2
Monk
1d8+2
Combat Reflexes
Evasion
3
Monk
1d8+2
Weapon Finesse
Still Mind, +10 Speed
4
Monk
1d8+2
–
Ki Strike(Magic), Slow Fall 20ft., Unarmed 1d8, +1 Wis
5
Monk
1d8+2
–
Purity of Body, +1 AC
6
Initiate of the Draconic Mystery
1d8+2
Great Fortitude
–
7
Initiate of the Draconic Mystery
1d8+2
–
Claws of the Dragon
8
Initiate of the Draconic Mystery
1d8+2
–
Keen Senses, +1 Dex
9
Initiate of the Draconic Mystery
1d8+2
Superior Unarmed Strike
Increased Unarmed Damage, Unarmed 2d6
10
Warshaper
1d8+2
–
Morphic Immunities, Morphic Weapons, Unarmed 2d8
11
Fist of the Forest
1d10+2
–
AC Bonus(Con), Feral Trance 1/Day, Fast Movements, Primal Living, Unarmed 2d10
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