Saturday Potpourri: Estoc Master (Fighter Archetype)

Estoc Master

The estoc is a sword designed to penetrate mail and plate armor. It is not a blade as such, as it has no cutting edge. It often has a triangular or square cross-section. Its rigid design and tapered point maximize penetration. The estoc master can do more than just skewer his enemies. He learns the tricks of the old sword masters. Improvising with half-swording and clubbing, he sets up his enemies for the final thrust.

The estoc master is an archetype of the fighter class.

Estoc Training

At 1st level, an estoc master gains exotic weapon proficiency (estoc) as a bonus feat.

This ability replaces the 1st-level fighter bonus combat feat.

Clubbing Swat

At 2nd level, the estoc master may use his estoc as a club, inflicting bludgeoning damage instead of piercing.

This ability replaces bravery.

Weapon Training (Ex)

At 3rd level, an estoc master gains a +1 bonus on attack and damage rolls when wielding an estoc in one hand and leaving his other hand free. The bonus improves by +1 for every four levels beyond 3rd.

This ability replaces armor training 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Half-Swording Thrust (Ex)

At 5th level, when wielding an estoc in one hand and leaving his other hand free, an estoc master may, as a swift action, grab the middle of the estoc with his off-hand and make a half-swording thrust.  When used in this way, the estoc is considered a two-handed weapon and does 1d10 damage. The estoc master does not suffer a penalty on his attack if he is wielding a buckler. The estoc master still retains the benefit of the Weapon Finesse feat, when using this special ability.  He may release the blade from his off-hand as a free action.

This ability replaces weapon training 1.

Half-Swording Murder Stroke (Ex)

At 9th level, when wielding an estoc in one hand and leaving his other hand free, the estoc master may, as a swift action, reverse the estoc, grasping the blade and making a single, full round attack with the estoc swung like a hammer, using the hilt as the hammerhead.  A stricken enemy must make a Fortitude save at a DC of 10 +½ the estoc master’s level + the estoc master’s Strength modifier or by stunned for 1 round.

This ability replaces weapon training 2.

Perfect Half-Swording Thrust (Ex)

At 13th level, when wielding an estoc in one hand and leaving his other hand free, an estoc master may, as a full round attack, make a single half-swording thrust that ignores up to 10 points of damage reduction.

This ability replaces weapon training 3.

Bleeding Thrust

At 17th level, when wielding an estoc in one hand and leaving his other hand free, an estoc master inflicts bleed damage equal to half his strength modifier.  This bleed damage does not stack with itself.

This ability replaces weapon training 4.

Weapon Mastery (Ex)

An estoc master must choose estoc for his weapon mastery class feature.



About mmiller

Mike Miller first discovered RPG’s in the days of TSR. The mention of a beholder or mind flayer still twists his guts with nervous dread, though now with a tinge of nostalgia. He had no publishing experience prior to writing for the OGN, but has long enjoyed creating histories and legends for his homebrewed worlds.

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