Changes: Blackguard

Revision as of 03:34, 16 October 2018

Forgotten Realms Wiki has an article about: Blackguards

Blackguard is a prestige class in NWN2.

Blackguard

Description: The blackguard epitomizes evil. Consorting with demons and devils and serving dark deities, the blackguard is hated and feared by all. The blackguard has many options available to them -- sending forth dark minions and servants to do their bidding, attacking with stealth and honorless guile, or straightforward smiting of the forces of good that stand in their way. Therefore, almost any class is suited to take the blackguard prestige class.

Requirements

Alignment: Any evil.

Unlike Paladins, a Blackguard retains their dark powers should their alignment move to neutral or good, although they may no longer progress in this class unless they become evil once more.

Base attack bonus: +6

Skills: Hide 5 ranks

Feats: Cleave, Power attack

Class feature progression

Hit die: d10

Proficiencies: Weapons (simple, martial), armor (light, medium, heavy) and shields (except for tower shields).

Skill points: 2 + Int modifier

Class skills: Concentration, Craft armor, Craft trap, Craft weapon, Diplomacy, Heal, Hide, Intimidate, Lore, Parry

Base attack bonus progression: High

Saving throws	high:	Fortitude
	low:	Reflex, Will

Additional progressions

Level	Features Gained
1	Use Poison
2	Smite good x1, dark blessing, bull's strength x1
3	Aura of despair, turn undead, create undead x1
4	Sneak attack +1d6
5	Summon fiend x1
6	inflict serious wounds x1
7	Sneak attack +2d6, contagion x1
8	inflict critical wounds x1
9
10	Sneak attack +3d6

Use Poison

A blackguard can safely Poison his/her melee weapon without the need to make a dexterity check.

Smite good

Once a day, a blackguard of 2nd level or higher may attempt to smite a good-aligned enemy with one normal melee attack. The blackguard adds their Charisma bonus to the attack roll and adds 1 extra point of damage per class level.

Dark blessing

At 2nd level, the blackguard applies their Charisma modifier to all saving throws.

Aura of despair

Beginning at 3rd level, the blackguard radiates a malign aura that causes enemies within 10 feet of them to take a –2 penalty on all saving throws.

Turn undead

When a blackguard reaches 3rd level, he gains the supernatural ability to turn undead. He may use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + his Charisma modifier. He turns undead as a cleric of two levels lower would.

Create undead

This is not to be confused with the regular create undead spell.

BG Lvl	Skel. Lvl	HPs	Attack bonus	AC	Weapon	Unique abilities
3	10	110	+16 / +11	19	Halberd +1	Weapon Specialization, Improved Critical, Power Critical, Greater Weapon Focus, Dodge, Mobility, Great Cleave & Improved Power Attack
7	15	165	+23 / +17 / +13	22	Halberd +2	as above plus Greater Weapon Specialization and Spring Attack

Summon fiend

At 5th level, the blackguard can summon a fiendish animal servant (a dire rat).

Sneak attack

At 4th level, the blackguard gains the sneak attack ability. This ability functions exactly like the rogue ability of the same name. The bonus damage is +1d6 at 4th level, +2d6 at 7th level, and +3d6 at 10th level.

Spells

At 2nd level, the blackguard gains the ability to cast bull's strength once per day. At 6th level, they may also cast inflict serious wounds once per day. At 7th level, the blackguard gains the ability to cast contagion once per day, and at 8th level, they may cast inflict critical wounds once per day.

Inflict Serious Wounds and Inflict Critical Wounds are abilities for the Blackguard, so they add Blackguard level as bonus damage (to replace caster level they do not have)

NWN comparison

This class was introduced in the Shadows of Undrentide NWN expansion.
Blackguards didn't receive the aura of despair in NWN.
NWN did not have any features related to a paladin becoming a blackguard. However, paladins in NWN did not lose their class abilities if they strayed from their restrictions either.
The discipline skill that was created for NWN was removed in NWN2 and combat feats relating to it now function closer to 3.5 rules.

DnD 3.5 comparison

The parry skill was created by NWN and is not a feature of DnD 3.5. It has returned in NWN2 for the same reasons it was in NWN.
Blackguard in DnD 3.5 are proper spellcasters, with a spell list and associated rules, instead of limited to the handful of pre-chosen spells of NWN and NWN2.
Ex-Paladins in DnD 3.5 gained additional benefits based on their Paladin levels, and an ex-Paladin with 11 or more levels prior to becoming a Blackguard was allowed to "trade-in" levels of Paladin for levels of Blackguard.

External resources

NWNWiki:Blackguard
DnD 3.5 Blackguard

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{FRWiki article|Blackguards}}
-[[Image:DMG35_PG182_WEB.jpg|thumb|300x300px|Blackguard]]
+[[Image:DMG35_PG182_WEB.jpg|thumb|552x552px|Blackguard]]
-==Blackguard ([[prestige class|Prestige Class]])==
+'''Blackguard''' is a [[prestige class]] in [[NWN2]].
+==Blackguard==
 '''Description''': The blackguard epitomizes evil. Consorting with demons and devils and serving dark deities, the blackguard is hated and feared by all.  The blackguard has many options available to them -- sending forth dark minions and servants to do their bidding, attacking with stealth and honorless guile, or straightforward smiting of the forces of good that stand in their way.  Therefore, almost any class is suited to take the blackguard prestige class.
 ===Requirements===
-'''[[Alignment]]''': Any [[evil]]
+'''[[Alignment]]''': Any [[evil]].
+* Unlike [http://nwn2.wikia.com/wiki/Paladin#Paladin Paladins], a Blackguard retains their dark powers should their alignment move to neutral or good, although they may no longer progress in this class unless they become evil once more.
-'''[[Base attack bonus|Base Attack Bonus]]''': +6
+'''[[Base attack bonus]]''': +6
 '''[[Skill]]s''': [[Hide]] 5 ranks
-'''[[Feat]]s''': [[Cleave]], [[Power attack|Power Attack]]
+'''[[Feat]]s''': [[Cleave]], [[Power attack]]
-===Class Features===
+===Class feature progression===
 {{Class base features|hit die=d10
 |proficiencies=Weapons ([[weapon proficiency (simple)|simple]], [[weapon proficiency (martial)|martial]]), armor ([[armor proficiency (light)|light]], [[armor proficiency (medium)|medium]], [[armor proficiency (heavy)|heavy]]) and [[shield proficiency|shields]] (except for [[tower shield]]s).
 |skill pts=2
-|class skills=[[Concentration]], [[craft armor|Craft Armor]], [[craft trap|Craft Trap]], [[craft weapon|Craft Weapon]], [[Diplomacy]], [[Heal (skill)|Heal]], [[Hide]], [[Intimidate]], [[Lore]], [[Parry]]
+|class skills=[[Concentration]], [[Craft armor]], [[Craft trap]], [[Craft weapon]], [[Diplomacy]], [[Heal (skill)|Heal]], [[Hide]], [[Intimidate]], [[Lore]], [[Parry]]
 |BAB=High
 |high save=[[Fortitude]]
 |low save=[[Reflex]], [[Will]]
 }}
-====Smite Good====
-Once [[per day|a day]], a blackguard of 2nd level or higher may attempt to smite a good-aligned enemy with one normal melee attack.  The blackguard adds their [[Charisma]] bonus to the [[attack roll]] and adds 1 extra point of damage per class level.
-====Dark Blessing====
-At 2nd level, the blackguard applies their Charisma modifier to all [[saving throw]]s.
-====Aura of Despair====
+====Additional progressions====
-Beginning at 3rd level, the blackguard radiates a malign aura that causes enemies within 10 feet of them to take a –2 penalty on all saving throws.
-====Turn Undead====
-At 3rd level, the blackguard gains the ability to rebuke or destroy undead as a [[paladin]] of their class level.
-====Create Undead====
-At 3rd level, the blackguard can use ''[[create undead]]'' as a spell-like ability once per day.
-====Summon Fiend====
-At 5th level, the blackguard can summon a fiendish animal servant.
-====Sneak Attack====
-At 4th level, the blackguard gains the [[sneak attack]] ability.  This ability functions exactly like the rogue ability of the same name.  The bonus damage is +1d6 at 4th level, +2d6 at 7th level, and +3d6 at 9th level.
-====Spells====
-At 2nd level, the blackguard gains the ability to cast ''[[bull's strength]]'' once per day.  At 6th level, they may also cast ''[[inflict serious wounds]]'' once per day.  At 7th level, the blackguard gains the ability to cast ''[[contagion]]'' once per day, and at 8th level, they may cast ''[[inflict critical wounds]]'' once per day.
-===Class Progression===
 {| border="1" cellpadding="5"
 ! Level || Features Gained
 |- style="background:#efefef"
-| 1 ||
+| 1 || [[Use Poison]]
 |-
-| 2 || Smite good, dark blessing, ''bull's strength''
+| 2 || [[Smite good]] x1, [[dark blessing]], ''[[bull's strength]]'' x1
 |- style="background:#efefef"
-| 3 || Aura of despair, turn undead, ''create undead''
+| 3 || [[Aura of despair]], [[turn undead]], ''[[Create undead (Blackguard)|create undead]]'' x1
 |-
-| 4 || Sneak attack +1d6
+| 4 || [[Sneak attack]] +1d6
 |- style="background:#efefef"
-| 5 || Summon fiend
+| 5 || Summon fiend x1
 |-
-| 6 || ''inflict serious wounds''
+| 6 || ''[[inflict serious wounds]]'' x1
 |- style="background:#efefef"
-| 7 || Sneak attack +2d6, ''contagion''
+| 7 || Sneak attack +2d6, ''[[contagion]]'' x1
 |-
-| 8 || ''inflict critical wounds''
+| 8 || ''[[inflict critical wounds]]'' x1
 |- style="background:#efefef"
-| 9 || Sneak attack +3d6
+| 9 ||
 |-
-| 10 ||
+| 10 || Sneak attack +3d6
 |}
-==NWN Comparison==
+====Use Poison====
+A blackguard can safely [[Poison (item)|Poison]] his/her melee weapon without the need to make a dexterity check.
+====Smite good====
+Once [[per day|a day]], a blackguard of 2nd level or higher may attempt to smite a good-aligned enemy with one normal melee attack.  The blackguard adds their [[Charisma]] bonus to the [[attack roll]] and adds 1 extra point of damage per class level.
+====Dark blessing====
+At 2nd level, the blackguard applies their Charisma modifier to all [[saving throw]]s.
+====Aura of despair====
+Beginning at 3rd level, the blackguard radiates a malign aura that causes enemies within 10 feet of them to take a –2 penalty on all saving throws.
+====Turn undead====
+When a blackguard reaches 3rd level, he gains the supernatural ability to turn undead. He may use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + his Charisma modifier. He turns undead as a [[cleric]] of two levels lower would.
+====Create undead====
+This is not to be confused with the regular ''[[create undead]]'' spell.
+{| border=1 cellpadding=5 cellspacing=0
+|-
+|'''BG Lvl'''||'''Skel. Lvl'''||'''HPs'''||'''Attack bonus'''||'''AC'''||'''Weapon'''||'''Unique abilities'''
+|-
+|3||10||110||+16 / +11||19||Halberd +1||[[Weapon_specialization|Weapon Specialization]], [[Improved_critical|Improved Critical]], [[Power_critical|Power Critical]], <br>[[Greater_weapon_focus|Greater Weapon Focus]], [[Dodge]], [[Mobility]], <br>[[Great Cleave]] & [[Improved_power_attack|Improved Power Attack]]
+|-
+|7||15||165||+23 / +17 / +13||22||Halberd +2||as above plus [[Greater_weapon_specialization|Greater Weapon Specialization]] and [[Spring_attack|Spring Attack]]
+|-
+|}
+====Summon fiend====
+At 5th level, the blackguard can summon a fiendish animal servant (a dire rat).
+====Sneak attack====
+At 4th level, the blackguard gains the sneak attack ability.  This ability functions exactly like the rogue ability of the same name.  The bonus damage is +1d6 at 4th level, +2d6 at 7th level, and +3d6 at 10th level.
+====Spells====
+At 2nd level, the blackguard gains the ability to cast ''[[bull's strength]]'' once per day. At 6th level, they may also cast ''[[inflict serious wounds]]'' once per day. At 7th level, the blackguard gains the ability to cast ''[[contagion]]'' once per day, and at 8th level, they may cast ''[[inflict critical wounds]]'' once per day.
+*[[Inflict Serious Wounds]] and [[Inflict Critical Wounds]] are abilities for the Blackguard, so they add Blackguard level as bonus damage (to replace caster level they do not have)
+==NWN comparison==
 *This class was introduced in the [[Shadows of Undrentide]] NWN expansion.
-*'''Blackguards''' in NWN were not proper spellcasters, only able to use a few spells as basic feats.
 *'''Blackguards''' didn't receive the aura of despair in NWN.
 *NWN did not have any features related to a paladin becoming a blackguard. However, paladins in NWN did not lose their class abilities if they strayed from their restrictions either.
 *The '''discipline''' skill that was created for NWN was removed in NWN2 and combat feats relating to it now function closer to 3.5 rules.
-==3.5 Rules Comparison==
+==DnD 3.5 comparison==
 *The '''parry''' skill was created by NWN and is not a feature of [[DnD 3.5]]. It has returned in NWN2 for the same reasons it was in NWN.
+*'''Blackguard''' in DnD 3.5 are proper spellcasters, with a spell list and associated rules, instead of limited to the handful of pre-chosen spells of NWN and NWN2.
+*'''Ex-Paladins''' in DnD 3.5 gained additional benefits based on their Paladin levels, and an ex-Paladin with 11 or more levels prior to becoming a Blackguard was allowed to "trade-in" levels of Paladin for levels of Blackguard.
-==External Resources==
+==External resources==
 *[[NWNWiki:Blackguard]]
+*[http://www.d20srd.org/srd/prestigeClasses/blackguard.htm DnD 3.5 Blackguard]
-[[Category:Classes]]
 [[Category:Prestige classes]]
-[[Category:Spellcasting classes]]
+[[Category:Combat classes]]
-[[Category:Confirmed prestige classes]]