For some, darkness is not a hindrance, but a powerful ally. Quietly stepping between shadows, nightblades are experts of stealth and subtlety, blending agile combat with potent magic to outwit and overwhelm their foes. Nightblades excel at using shadow magic in innumerable ways, making them adaptable and unpredictable. The powers of darkness are not easily learned, however; the near limitless possibilities of shadow magic are instead divided into several teachings, each one as wildly different as the last. From overwhelming fear to convincing illusions, or from limitless creation to untold entropic destruction, each nightblade’s powers grant them the means to take on any challenge.
Role: Nightblades, if nothing else, are flexible, capable of adapting to situations as needed. Their skill with stealth, deception, and infiltration make all nightblades excellent scouts, spies, or assassins. Their chosen path allows a nightblade to excel in a certain area, making no two nightblades identical.
Alignment: Any
Hit Die: d8
Starting Age: Self-Taught
Starting Wealth: 4d6 × 10 gp (average 140 gp). In addition, each character begins play with an outfit worth 10 gp or less.
CLASS SKILLS: The nightblade’s class skills are Acrobatics (Dex), Appraise (Int), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disable Device (Dex), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Knowledge (local) (Int), Knowledge (planes), Linguistics (Int), Perception (Wis), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Spellcraft (Int), Stealth (Dex), and Use Magic Device (Cha).
Skill Ranks Per Level: 6 + Int modifier.
CLASS FEATURES[]
| Level | BAB | Fort | Ref | Will | Special | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | Cantrips, Path Power 1/day, Path Technique | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2nd | +1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | Evasion, Shadow Surge | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 3rd | +2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | Nightblade Art, Nighteye | 3 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 4th | +3 | 1 | 4 | 4 | Path Power 2/day | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
| 5th | +3 | 1 | 4 | 4 | Path Technique | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — |
| 6th | +4 | 2 | 5 | 5 | Nightblade Art | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | — |
| 7th | +5 | 2 | 5 | 5 | Path Power 3/day | 4 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — |
| 8th | +6/+1 | 2 | 6 | 6 | Hide in Plain Sight, Twin Surge | 4 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — |
| 9th | +6/+1 | 3 | 6 | 6 | Nightblade Art, Shadow Shift | 5 | 4 | 3 | — | — | — |
| 10th | +7/+2 | 3 | 7 | 7 | Path Power 4/day, Path Technique | 5 | 4 | 3 | 1 | — | — |
| 11th | +8/+3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | Improved Evasion | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | — | — |
| 12th | +9/+4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | Nightblade Art, Umbral Magic | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | — | — |
| 13th | +9/+4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | Path Power 5/day | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 14th | +10/+5 | 4 | 9 | 9 | See in Darkness | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | — |
| 15th | +11/+6/+1 | 5 | 9 | 9 | Nightblade Art, Path Technique | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | — |
| 16th | +12/+7/+2 | 5 | 10 | 10 | Path Power 6/day | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| 17th | +12/+7/+2 | 5 | 10 | 10 | Triple Surge | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| 18th | +13/+8/+3 | 6 | 11 | 11 | Nightblade Art, Umbral Magic | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| 19th | +14/+9/+4 | 6 | 11 | 11 | Path Power 7/day | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| 20th | +15/+10/+5 | 6 | 12 | 12 | Path Technique | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
All of the following are class features of the nightblade.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency[]
A nightblade is proficient with all simple weapons, plus the longsword, rapier, scythe, short sword, shortbow, and spiked chain. They are proficient with light armor, but not with shields. A nightblade can cast nightblade spells while wearing light armor without incurring the normal arcane spell failure chance. Like other arcane spellcasters, a nightblade wearing medium or heavy armor or wielding a shield incurs a chance of arcane spell failure if the spell in question has somatic components. A multiclass nightblade still incurs the normal arcane spell failure chance for arcane spells received from other classes.
| Level | 0 | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2nd | 5 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 3rd | 6 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 4th | 6 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — |
| 5th | 6 | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | — |
| 6th | 6 | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | — |
| 7th | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — |
| 8th | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | — | — | — |
| 9th | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | — | — | — |
| 10th | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | — | — |
| 11th | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | — | — |
| 12th | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | — | — |
| 13th | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | — |
| 14th | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | — |
| 15th | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | — |
| 16th | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
| 17th | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| 18th | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| 19th | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| 20th | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
Spells[]
A nightblade casts arcane spells drawn from the nightblade spell list. She can cast any spell she knows without preparing it ahead of time. To learn or cast a spell, a nightblade must have a Charisma score equal to at least 10 + the spell level. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a nightblade’s spell is 10 + the spell level + the nightblade’s Charisma modifier.
A nightblade can cast only a certain number of spells of each spell level each day. Her base daily spell allotment is given on Table: Nightblade. In addition, she receives bonus spells per day if she has a high Charisma score (see the Ability Scores section in Chapter 1 of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook).
A nightblade’s selection of spells is extremely limited. A nightblade begins play knowing four 0-level spells and two 1st-level spells of the nightblade’s choice. At each new nightblade level, she gains one or more new spells as indicated on Table: Nightblade Spells Known (Unlike spells per day, the number of spells a nightblade knows is not affected by her Charisma score. The numbers on Table: Nightblade Spells Known are fixed.). These new spells can be common spells chosen from the nightblade spell list, or they can be unusual spells that the nightblade has gained some understanding of through study.
Upon reaching 5th level, and at every third nightblade level thereafter (8th, 11th, and so on), a nightblade can choose to learn a new spell in place of one she already knows. In effect, the nightblade “loses” the old spell in exchange for the new one. The new spell’s level must be the same as that of the spell being exchanged, and it must be at least one level lower than the highest-level nightblade spell she can cast. A nightblade may swap out only a single spell at any given level and must choose whether or not to swap the spell at the same time that she gains new spells known for the level.
A nightblade need not prepare her spells in advance. She can cast any spell she knows at any time, assuming she has not used up her allotment of spells per day for the spell’s level.
Cantrips[]
Nightblades learn a number of cantrips, or 0-level spells, as noted on Table: Nightblade Spells Known under “Spells Known.” These spells are cast like any other spell, but they do not consume any slots and may be used again.
Path[]
The teachings of shadow magic are complex and diverse, but mastering all of its powers is nearly impossible. Instead, nightblades focus on a particular aspect of shadow magic, greatly enhancing their capabilities in that area. Each nightblade must choose a path at 1st level, representing the specialization of her shadow magic. Once chosen, it cannot be changed.
A nightblade gains a technique for her path at 1st level, 5th level, and every five levels thereafter. The techniques a nightblade gains are described in her chosen path. Each path also has an associated path power, which the nightblade can use once per day. The nightblade can use this power an additional time per day at 4th level and every three nightblade levels gained thereafter.
The nightblade’s path also grants her additional class features, including an ability that utilizes shadow surges (see below) and more choices when selecting nightblade arts. These features are described in the path’s entry.
The DC to save against any path powers, techniques, and so on is equal to 10 + 1/2 the nightblade’s level + her Charisma modifier, unless otherwise noted.
A full list of nightblade paths can be found here.
Evasion (Ex)[]
A nightblade of 2nd level can avoid even magical and unusual attacks with great agility. If she makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, she instead takes no damage. Evasion can be used only if the nightblade is wearing light armor or no armor. A helpless nightblade does not gain the benefit of evasion.
Shadow Surge (Su)[]
At 2nd level, the nightblade gains the ability to create a condensed reserve of energy from the Plane of Shadow. She can spend a standard action that provokes attacks of opportunity to gain a single shadow surge.
A shadow surge is a renewable resource that the nightblade can use to fuel her abilities. She cannot have more than one surge at a time, but there is otherwise no limitation on how many times a day the nightblade can create or use shadow surges. The nightblade has these surges indefinitely until she uses them, though she loses her surges if she is ever unconscious, asleep, or killed, or if she ever loses her shadow, such as from being turned into a vampire or due to a curse of the lightless* spell.
The nightblade can expend a shadow surge as a free action when making a Stealth check to enshroud herself in darkness, letting her roll twice and take the better result. In addition, the nightblade gains a method of expending her shadow surge based on her chosen nightblade path. This surge ability is described in the path’s entry. The nightblade can gain new ways to use shadow surges as she grows in skill, typically through gaining a nightblade art (see below).
Nightblade Art[]
As a nightblade gains experience, she learns a number of techniques and powers that enhance her combat skill and shadow magic. Starting at 3rd level, a nightblade gains one nightblade art. She gains an additional nightblade art for every three levels of nightblade attained after 3rd level. A nightblade cannot select a particular art more than once. If a nightblade art calls for a saving throw, the DC is equal to 10 + 1/2 the nightblade’s level + her Charisma modifier. A nightblade can choose from any of the following nightblade arts or from any of the arts listed for her chosen path.
A full list of nightblade arts can be found here.
Nighteye (Ex)[]
At 3rd level, the nightblade gains Blind-Fight as a bonus feat. If she already has this feat, she can choose any other feat she qualifies for. Additionally, she gains darkvision out to 30 feet. At 9th level, this distance increases to 60 feet. If the nightblade already has darkvision, its range is increased by these amounts instead.
Hide in Plain Sight (Su)[]
Starting at 8th level, a nightblade can use the Stealth skill even while being observed. As long as she is within 10 feet of an area of dim light (or darker), a nightblade can hide herself from view in the open without anything to actually hide behind. She cannot, however, hide in her own shadow.
Twin Surge (Su)[]
A nightblade of 8th level or higher can store up to two shadow surges at once. She can gain both surges with a single full-round action that provokes attacks of opportunity or gain one surge as a standard action as normal.
Shadow Shift (Su)[]
At 9th level, the nightblade gains the ability to travel between shadows as if by means of a dimension door spell. The teleportation must begin and end in an area with at least some dim light. The nightblade can shift 30 feet per level each day in this manner. This amount can be split among many shifts, but each one, no matter how small, counts as a 10-foot increment. This ability functions as if casting a dimension door spell for the purpose of qualifying for and using feats such as Dimensional AgilityUC. She cannot bring other creatures along, except her familiar (if she has one), and only if it is within arm’s reach. Bringing a familiar does not require additional uses of shadow shift.
Improved Evasion (Ex)[]
At 11th level, a nightblade’s evasion improves. This ability works like evasion, except that while the nightblade still takes no damage on a successful Reflex saving throw against attacks, she henceforth takes only half damage on a failed save. A helpless nightblade does not gain the benefit of improved evasion.
Umbral Magic (Su)[]
At 12th level, the nightblade’s shadow spells become more realistic. Any shadow spell or nightblade ability she uses whose realness is represented as a percentage, such as shadow conjuration or the shadow energy path technique, is 20% more real. At 18th level, the realness of these effects increases by an additional 20%. Other increases to the realness of shadow spells stack with these increases.
See in Darkness (Su)[]
At 14th level, a nightblade can see perfectly in natural or magical darkness out to any distance.
Triple Surge (Su)[]
A nightblade of 17th level or higher can store up to three shadow surges at once. She can gain all three surges with a single full-round action or can gain a single surge as a standard action.
Favored Class Bonuses[]
- Aasimar: Add +1/2 to the nightblade’s level for the purpose of determining the effects of one nightblade art.
- Catfolk: Increase the total distance the nightblade can use her shadow shift each day by 10 feet.
- Changeling: Gain 1/6 of a new nightblade art.
- Dhampir: Add +1/4 to the nightblade’s caster level when casting spells of the necromancy school.
- Drow: Add a +1/2 bonus on Stealth and Sleight of Hand checks made while in dim light or darkness.
- Duergar: Add +1/6 to the number of times per day the nightblade can use her path power.
- Dwarf: Any objects or structures created by illusion spells of the shadow subschool by the nightblade have their hardness increased by 1/2. If the spell’s realness is measured in a percent (such as shadow conjuration), the object or structure’s realness also increases by 1%.
- Elf: Gain 1/6 of a new nightblade art.
- Fetchling: When the nightblade casts a shadow spell that deals a percentage of its damage or effect against nonbelievers (such as shadow evocation), increase this amount by 2% (to a maximum of 100%).
- Gillmen: Add +1/2 to the nightblade’s level for the purpose of determining the effects of one nightblade art.
- Gnome: When casting nightblade illusion spells, add +1/3 to the effective caster level of the spell, but only to determine the spell’s duration.
- Goblin: Add one spell known from the nightblade spell list. This spell must be at least one level below the highest spell level the nightblade can cast.
- Grippli: Gain 1/6 of a new nightblade art.
- Half-Elf: Increase the total distance the nightblade can use her shadow shift each day by 10 feet.
- Half-Orcs: Add a +1 bonus on concentration checks made while casting nightblade spells.
- Halflings: Gain 1/6 of a new nightblade art.
- Hobgoblin: Add a +1 bonus on concentration checks made to cast nightblade spells.
- Human: Add one spell known from the nightblade spell list. This spell must be at least one level below the highest spell level the nightblade can cast.
- Ifrit: Add +1/2 to the nightblade’s level for the purpose of determining the effects of one nightblade art.
- Kitsune: Add +1/3 to damage rolls the nightblade makes with weapon attacks against an opponent that she is flanking or that is denied its Dexterity bonus to AC.
- Kobold: Add +1/2 to Survival checks to track and Perception checks made in dim light or darkness.
- Merfolk: Add one spell known from the nightblade spell list. This spell must be at least one level below the highest spell level the nightblade can cast.
- Nagaji: Add +1/6 to the number of times per day the nightblade can use her path power.
- Orc: Add one spell known from the nightblade spell list. This spell must be at least one level below the highest spell level the nightblade can cast.
- Oread: Increase the total distance the nightblade can use her shadow shift each day by 10 feet.
- Ratfolk: Add a +1/2 bonus on Escape Artist checks and on Acrobatics checks to move through or into threatened areas or a creature’s space.
- Samsaran: Gain 1/6 of a new nightblade art.
- Strix: Add +1/2 to Perception and Stealth checks made in dim light or darkness.
- Suli: Gain 1/6 of a new nightblade art.
- Svirfneblin: Add +1/2 point of damage to any illusion spells of the shadow subschool cast by the nightblade.
- Sylph: Add a +1/2 bonus on Stealth checks while motionless and on Perception checks.
- Tengu: Add +1/3 to damage rolls the nightblade makes with weapon attacks against an opponent that she is flanking or that is denied its Dexterity bonus to AC.
- Tiefling: Add a +1/2 bonus on Intimidate checks and Knowledge (planes) checks to identify creatures.
- Undine: Add a +1 bonus on concentration checks made while casting nightblade spells.
- Vanara: Add +1/2 to the nightblade’s level for the purpose of determining the effects of one nightblade art.
- Vishkanya: Increase the total distance the nightblade can use her shadow shift each day by 10 feet.
- Wayang: Add +1/2 point of damage to any illusion spells of the shadow subschool cast by the nightblade.