Battle Caster (Sorcerer/Fighter)

Battle casters are obsessed with the idea of personal combat. Although they possess innate talent with arcane magic, they engage in physical training to strengthen their bodies and reduce the inherent physical weakness that most sorcerers succumb to. Whether it’s a spell duel or a martial frenzy, the battle caster remains calm and focused in the heat of battle, waging war in the way he most sees fit and most surely ensures success. (Original Concept by Raiderrpg)

Primary Class: Sorcerer.

Secondary Class: Fighter.

Alignment: Any.

Hit Dice: d8.

Bonus Skills and Ranks: The battle caster may select three fighter skills to add to his class skills in addition to the normal sorcerer class skills. The battle caster gains a number of ranks at each level equal to 4 + Int modifier.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The battle caster is proficient with all simple weapons and one martial weapon of their choice. He is proficient with light armor, but not with shields. He can cast spells while wearing light armor without incurring the normal arcane spell failure chance. Like any other arcane spellcaster, a battle caster wearing medium armor, heavy armor, or a shield incurs a chance of arcane spell failure if the spell in question has a somatic component. A multiclass battle caster still incurs the normal arcane spell failure chance for arcane spells received from other classes.

Battle Focus: At 1st level, a battle caster forms a powerful bond that can take one of two forms: a bonded object or armor. A battle caster who chooses to form a bond with an object begins play with one at no cost, which must be a weapon. This weapon is always of masterwork quality, is not made of any special material, and otherwise functions a wizard’s bonded object as described in the wizard’s arcane bond entry.

Alternatively, a battle caster who chooses an armor bond begins play with a single suit of non-magical light armor. This armor is always of masterwork quality and is not made of any special material. A battle caster’s armor bond allows him to ignore an amount of arcane spell failure equal to his level while wearing the armor. Also, the armor’s maximum Dexterity bonus increases by 1 at 5th level and an additional 1 every five levels thereafter.

In addition, the battle caster can add additional magic abilities to his bonded armor as if he has the required item creation feats and if he meets the level prerequisites of the feat. This ability replaces bloodline power at 1st level.

Diminished Spellcasting: The battle caster casts arcane spells drawn from the sorcerer/wizards spell list, and both gains and knows one fewer spell of each spell level. If this reduces the number to 0 (minimum 1 for spells known), he may cast spells of that level only if his Charisma allows bonus spells of that level. He otherwise casts spells as a sorcerer of equal level.

Limited Cantrips: A battle caster learns detect magic, mending, light, and read magic as cantrips, and can use them at will. He learns no other cantrips as he gains levels. This ability replaces cantrips.

Bonded Focus: At 3rd level, a battle caster may select Arcane Armor Training, Arcane Strike, Combat Casting, or Weapon Focus as a bonus feat.

In addition, a battle caster counts 1/2 his total class level as his fighter level for the purpose of qualifying for feats. If he has a similar ability from another class, these abilities stack. This ability replaces bloodline power at 3rd level.

Combat Readiness (Ex): At 5th level, a battle caster can ignore the logic and the protests of learned spellcasters to will a spell into existence with supernatural speed. Whenever the battle caster rolls for initiative, he may cast a single spell of 1st level as a free action. This spell must have a target of “you”, and the battle caster must have any required focus or expensive material components in hand. At 11th level and at 17th level, the level of the spell increases by 1. This ability replaces bloodline power at 5th, 9th, and 15th level.

Bloodline Manifestation: At 7th level, and every six levels thereafter, a battle caster gains a bloodline power that he could have gained at a previous level. Alternatively, the battle caster may select a feat from his list of bloodline feats. This ability replaces bloodline feat at 7th, 13th, and 19th level.

Battlemancy: At 20th level, a battle caster's spells become more potent. Any spells with an attack roll automatically confirm their critical threats. Also, any time a target rolls a natural 1 on a saving throw against a battle caster's spells, the spell deals double damage. This ability replaces bloodline power at 20th level.

Table: Battle Caster

Table: Battle Caster Spells Known