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{{FRWiki article|Blackguards}}
[[Image:DMG35_PG182_WEB.jpg|thumb|Blackguard]]
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[[Image:DMG35_PG182_WEB.jpg|thumb|552x552px|Blackguard]]
   
[[Obsidian]] has confirmed that the '''blackguard''' [[prestige class]] will be included in NWN2.
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'''Blackguard''' is a [[prestige class]] in [[NWN2]].
   
==DnD 3.5 Blackguard==
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==Blackguard==
   
'''Description''':A blackguard epitomizes evil. They are nothing short of a mortal fiend, a black knight with the foulest sort of reputation. Many refer to blackguards as anti-paladins due to their completely evil nature. No one class makes the best blackguard, all that is required is a willingness to serve the forces of darkness.
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'''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===
 
===Requirements===
'''[[Alignment]]''': Any [[evil]]
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'''[[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]]''': +6
 
'''[[Base attack bonus]]''': +6
   
'''[[Skill rank]]s''': [[Hide]] 5, [[Knowledge]] (religion) 2
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'''[[Skill]]s''': [[Hide]] 5 ranks
   
'''[[Feat]]s''': [[Cleave]], [[Improved sunder]], [[Power attack]].
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'''[[Feat]]s''': [[Cleave]], [[Power attack]]
   
 
===Class feature progression===
'''Special''': The character must have made peaceful contact with an evil outsider who was summoned by him or someone else.
 
 
===Class features progression===
 
 
{{Class base features|hit die=d10
 
{{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]].
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|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
 
|skill pts=2
|class skills=[[Concentration]], [[Craft]], [[Diplomacy]], [[Handle animal]], [[Heal (skill)|Heal]], [[Hide]], [[Intimidate]], [[Knowledge]] (religion), [[Profession]] and [[Ride]]
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|class skills=[[Concentration]], [[Craft armor]], [[Craft trap]], [[Craft weapon]], [[Diplomacy]], [[Heal (skill)|Heal]], [[Hide]], [[Intimidate]], [[Lore]], [[Parry]]
 
|BAB=High
 
|BAB=High
 
|high save=[[Fortitude]]
 
|high save=[[Fortitude]]
 
|low save=[[Reflex]], [[Will]]
 
|low save=[[Reflex]], [[Will]]
 
}}
 
}}
  +
 
====Additional progressions====
 
====Additional progressions====
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5"
{|
 
 
! Level || Features Gained
|- style="font-weight:bold"
 
  +
|- style="background:#efefef"
|Level ||Features gained
 
  +
| 1 || [[Use Poison]]
 
|-
 
|-
| 1||[[Aura of evil]], [[detect good]], [[poison use]]
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| 2 || [[Smite good]] x1, [[dark blessing]], ''[[bull's strength]]'' x1
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|- style="background:#efefef"
  +
| 3 || [[Aura of despair]], [[turn undead]], ''[[Create undead (Blackguard)|create undead]]'' x1
 
|-
 
|-
 
| 4 || [[Sneak attack]] +1d6
| 2||[[Dark blessing]], [[smite]] good 1[[per day|/day]]
 
  +
|- style="background:#efefef"
  +
| 5 || Summon fiend x1
 
|-
 
|-
 
| 6 || ''[[inflict serious wounds]]'' x1
| 3||[[Command undead]], [[aura of despair]]
 
  +
|- style="background:#efefef"
 
| 7 || Sneak attack +2d6, ''[[contagion]]'' x1
 
|-
 
|-
 
| 8 || ''[[inflict critical wounds]]'' x1
| 4||[[Sneak attack]] +1[[d6]]
 
  +
|- style="background:#efefef"
  +
| 9 ||
 
|-
 
|-
 
| 10 || Sneak attack +3d6
| 5||[[Fiendish servant]], smite good 2/day
 
|-
 
| 7||Sneak attack +2d6
 
|-
 
|10||Sneak attack +3d6, smite good 3/day
 
 
|}
 
|}
   
===Aura of evil===
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====Use Poison====
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A blackguard can safely [[Poison (item)|Poison]] his/her melee weapon without the need to make a dexterity check.
The power of a blackguard’s aura of evil (see the detect evil spell) is equal to his class level plus his cleric level, if any.
 
   
===Detect good===
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====Smite good====
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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.
At will, a blackguard can use detect good as a spell-like ability, duplicating the effect of the detect good spell.
 
   
===Dark blessing===
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====Dark blessing====
A blackguard applies his Charisma modifier (if positive) as a bonus on all saving throws.
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At 2nd level, the blackguard applies their Charisma modifier to all [[saving throw]]s.
   
===Spellcasting===
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====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====
A blackguard has the ability to cast a small number of divine spells. To cast a blackguard spell, a blackguard must have a Wisdom score of at least 10 + the spell’s level, so a blackguard with a Wisdom of 10 or lower cannot cast these spells.
 
 
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.
Blackguard bonus spells are based on Wisdom, and saving throws against these spells have a DC of 10 + spell level + the blackguard’s Wisdom modifier. When the blackguard gets 0 spells per day of a given spell level he gains only the bonus spells he would be entitled to based on his Wisdom score for that spell level. The blackguard’s spell list appears below. A blackguard has access to any spell on the list and can freely choose which to prepare, just as a cleric. A blackguard prepares and casts spells just as a cleric does (though a blackguard cannot spontaneously cast cure or inflict spells).
 
   
====Spell progression====
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====Create undead====
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This is not to be confused with the regular ''[[create undead]]'' spell.
   
{|border=1 style="text-align:center" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2
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{| border=1 cellpadding=5 cellspacing=0
 
|-
 
|-
  +
|'''BG Lvl'''||'''Skel. Lvl'''||'''HPs'''||'''Attack bonus'''||'''AC'''||'''Weapon'''||'''Unique abilities'''
|colspan=3|'''Levels'''||colspan=4|'''Spells per day'''
 
|- style="font-weight:bold"
 
|class||rowspan=11| ||spell|| 1 || 2 || 3 || 4 
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
|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]]
|1||rowspan=10| ||0||-||-||-
 
 
|-
 
|-
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|7||15||165||+23 / +17 / +13||22||Halberd +2||as above plus [[Greater_weapon_specialization|Greater Weapon Specialization]] and [[Spring_attack|Spring Attack]]
|2||1||-||-||-
 
 
|-
 
|-
|3||1||0||-||-
 
|-
 
|4||1||1||-||-
 
|-
 
|5||1||1||0||-
 
|-
 
|6||1||1||1||-
 
|-
 
|7||2||1||1||0
 
|-
 
|8||2||1||1||1
 
|-
 
|9||2||2||1||1
 
|-
 
|10||2||2||2||1
 
 
|}
 
|}
   
====Spell list====
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====Summon fiend====
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At 5th level, the blackguard can summon a fiendish animal servant (a dire rat).
Blackguards choose their spells from the following list:
 
=====1st level=====
 
*[[cause fear]]
 
*corrupt weapon
 
*[[cure light wounds]]
 
*[[doom]]
 
*[[inflict light wounds]]
 
*[[magic weapon]]
 
*[[summon monster I]]<nowiki>*</nowiki>
 
   
=====2nd level=====
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====Sneak attack====
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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.
*[[bull's strength]]
 
*[[cure moderate wounds]]
 
*[[darkness]]
 
*death knell
 
*[[eagle's splendor]]
 
*[[inflict moderate wounds]]
 
*shatter
 
*[[summon monster II]]<nowiki>*</nowiki>
 
   
=====3rd level=====
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====Spells====
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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.
*[[contagion]]
 
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*[[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)
*[[cure serious wounds]]
 
*deeper darkness
 
*[[inflict serious wounds]]
 
*[[protection from elements]]
 
*[[summon monster III]]<nowiki>*</nowiki>
 
   
=====4th Level=====
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==NWN comparison==
  +
*This class was introduced in the [[Shadows of Undrentide]] NWN expansion.
*[[cure critical wounds]]
 
  +
*'''Blackguards''' didn't receive the aura of despair in NWN.
*[[freedom of movement]]
 
 
*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.
*[[inflict critical wounds]]
 
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*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.
*[[Poison (spell)|poison]]
 
*[[summon monster IV]]<nowiki>*</nowiki>
 
   
 
==DnD 3.5 comparison==
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Evil creatures only.
 
  +
*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.
===Aura of Despair===
 
  +
*'''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.
Beginning at 3rd level, the blackguard radiates a malign aura that causes enemies within 10 feet of him to take a –2 penalty on all saving throws.
 
 
===Command Undead===
 
When a blackguard reaches 3rd level, he gains the supernatural ability to command and rebuke undead. He commands undead as would a cleric of two levels lower.
 
 
===Corrupt Weapon===
 
Blackguards have access to a special spell, corrupt weapon, which is the opposing counterpart of the paladin spell bless weapon. Instead of improving a weapon’s effectiveness against evil foes corrupt weapon makes a weapon more effective against good foes.
 
 
===Fallen Paladins===
 
Blackguards who have levels in the [[paladin]] class (that is to say, are now ex-paladins) gain extra abilities the more levels of paladin they have.
 
 
A fallen paladin who becomes a blackguard gains all of the following abilities that apply, according to the number of paladin levels the character has.
 
 
'''1–2''': Smite good 1/day. (This is in addition to the ability granted to all blackguards at 2nd level.
 
 
'''3–4''': Lay on hands. Once per day, the blackguard can use this supernatural ability to cure himself or his fiendish servant of damage equal to his Charisma bonus x his level.
 
 
'''5–6''': Sneak attack damage increased by +1d6. Smite good 2/day.
 
 
'''7–8''': Fiendish summoning. Once per day, the blackguard can use a summon monster I spell to call forth an evil creature. For this spell, the caster level is double the blackguard’s class level.
 
 
'''9–10''': Undead companion. In addition to the fiendish servant, the blackguard gains (at 5th level) a Medium-size skeleton or zombie as a companion. This companion cannot be turned or rebuked and gains all special bonuses as a fiendish servant when the blackguard gains levels. Smite good 3/day.
 
 
'''11 or more''': A fallen paladin of this stature immediately gains a blackguard level for each level of paladin he trades in.
 
The character level of the character does not change. With the loss of paladin levels, the character no longer gains as many extra abilities for being a fallen paladin.
 
 
===The Blackguard’s Fiendish Servant===
 
Upon or after reaching 5th level, a blackguard can call a fiendish bat, cat, dire rat, horse, pony, raven, or toad to serve him. The blackguard’s servant further gains HD and special abilities based on the blackguard’s character level (see the table below).
 
 
A blackguard may have only one fiendish servant at a time.
 
 
Should the blackguard’s servant die, he may call for another one after a year and a day. The new fiendish servant has all the accumulated abilities due a servant of the blackguard’s current level.
 
 
{| border =1, cellspacing=0, cellpadding=2
 
|- style="font-weight:bold"
 
|Character Level||Bonus HD||Natural Armor Adj.||Str Adj.||Int||Special
 
|-
 
|12th or lower||+2||+1||+1||6||Empathic link, [[improved evasion]], share saving throws, share spells
 
|-
 
|13th–15th||+4||+3||+2||7||Speak with blackguard
 
|-
 
|16th–18th||+6||+5||+3||8||Blood bond
 
|-
 
|19th–20th||+8||+7||+4||9||Spell resistance
 
|}
 
 
====Character Level====
 
The character level of the blackguard (his blackguard level plus his original class level).
 
 
====Bonus HD====
 
Extra eight-sided (d8) Hit Dice, each of which gains a Constitution modifier, as normal. Extra Hit Dice improve the servant’s base attack and base save bonuses, as normal.
 
====Natural Armor Adj.====
 
This is an improvement to the servant’s existing natural armor bonus.
 
 
====Str Adj.====
 
Add this figure to the servant’s Strength score.
 
 
====Int====
 
The servant’s Intelligence score. (A fiendish servant is smarter than normal animals of its kind.)
 
 
====Special====
 
The abilities mentioned in the “Special” column of the accompanying table are described below.
 
 
=====Empathic link=====
 
The blackguard has an empathic link with his servant out to a distance of up to 1 mile. The blackguard cannot see through the servant’s eyes, but they can communicate empathically. Because of the limited nature of the link, only general emotional content can be communicated.
 
Because of the empathic link between the servant and the blackguard, the blackguard has the same connection to a place or an item that the servant does.
 
 
=====Share saving throws=====
 
For each of its saving throws, the servant uses either its own base save bonus or the blackguard’s, whichever is higher. The servant applies its own ability modifiers to saves, and it doesn’t share any other bonuses on saves that the blackguard might have.
 
 
=====Share spells=====
 
At the blackguard’s option, he may have any spell (but not any spell-like ability) he casts on himself also affect his servant. The servant must be within 5 feet at the time of casting to receive the benefit. If the spell has a duration other than instantaneous, it stops affecting the servant if it moves farther than 5 feet away and will not affect the servant again even if the servant returns to the blackguard before the duration expires. Additionally, the blackguard may cast a spell with a target of “You” on his servant (as a touch range spell) instead of on himself. A blackguard and his servant can share spells even if the spells normally do not affect creatures of the servant’s type (magical beast).
 
 
=====Speak with blackguard=====
 
If the blackguard’s character level is 13th or higher, the blackguard and servant can communicate verbally as if they were using a common language. Other creatures do not understand the communication without magical help.
 
 
=====Blood bond=====
 
If the blackguard’s character level is 16th or higher, the servant gains a +2 bonus on all attack rolls, checks, and saves if it witnesses the blackguard being threatened or harmed.
 
 
This bonus lasts as long as the threat is immediate and apparent.
 
 
=====Spell resistance=====
 
If the blackguard’s character level is 19th or higher, the servant gains spell resistance equal to the blackguard’s level + 5. To affect the servant with a spell, another spellcaster must get a result on a caster level check (1d20 + caster level) that equals or exceeds the servant’s spell resistance.
 
 
==NWN comparison==
 
*Blackguards in NWN were not proper spellcasters, only able to use a few spells as basic feats.
 
*NWN did not have any features related to a paladin becoming a blackguard. However, paladins in NWN did not loose their class abilities if they strayed from their restrictions either.
 
   
 
==External resources==
 
==External resources==
 
*[[NWNWiki:Blackguard]]
 
*[[NWNWiki:Blackguard]]
  +
*[http://www.d20srd.org/srd/prestigeClasses/blackguard.htm DnD 3.5 Blackguard]
 
[[Category:Classes]]
 
 
[[Category:Prestige classes]]
 
[[Category:Prestige classes]]
[[Category:Confirmed prestige classes]]
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[[Category:Combat classes]]

Revision as of 03:34, 16 October 2018

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DMG35 PG182 WEB

Blackguard

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.

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