Blackguard
The blackguard epitomizes evil. He is nothing short of a mortal fiend. The quintessential black knight, this villain carries a reputation of the foulest sort that is very well deserved. Consorting with demons and devils, or serving dark deities, the blackguard is hated and feared by all. A blackguard is an evil villain of the first order, equivalent in power to the righteous paladin, but devoted to the powers of darkness.
The blackguard has many options available to him - sending forth dark minions and servants to do his bidding, attacking with stealth and honorless guile, or straightforward smiting of the forces of good that stand in his way.
Alignment Restriction: Any Evil
Hit Die: d10
Proficiencies: Armor (Light, Medium, Heavy), Shields, Weapons (Simple, Martial)
Skill Points: 2 + INT
Class Skills: Concentration, Craft (all), Discipline, Heal, Intimidate, Knowledge (all), Lore, Parry, Persuade, Profession (all), Sense Motive, Taunt
Spells
| 1st level spells | 2nd level spells | 3rd level spells | 4th level spells |
|---|---|---|---|
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Level progression
| Lvl | BAB | Saves | Feats | HP range | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort | Ref | Will | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | ||||
| 1st | +1 | +2 | +0 | +0 | Use Poison, Lay on Hands | 5-10 | - | - | - | - |
| 2nd | +2 | +3 | +0 | +0 | Dark Blessing, Smite Good | 10-20 | - | - | - | - |
| 3rd | +3 | +3 | +1 | +1 | Turn Undead | 15-30 | - | - | - | - |
| 4th | +4 | +4 | +1 | +1 | 20-40 | 0 | - | - | - | |
| 5th | +5 | +4 | +1 | +1 | 25-50 | 0 | - | - | - | |
| 6th | +6 | +5 | +2 | +2 | 30-60 | 1 | - | - | - | |
| 7th | +7 | +5 | +2 | +2 | 35-70 | 1 | - | - | - | |
| 8th | +8 | +6 | +2 | +2 | 40-80 | 1 | 0 | - | - | |
| 9th | +9 | +6 | +3 | +3 | Divine Might | 45-90 | 1 | 0 | - | - |
| 10th | +10 | +7 | +3 | +3 | Depravities | 50-100 | 1 | 1 | - | - |
| 11th | +11/+6/+1 | +7 | +3 | +3 | 55-110 | 1 | 1 | 0 | - | |
| 12th | +12/+7/+2 | +8 | +4 | +4 | Extra Turning | 60-120 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - |
| 13th | +13/+8/+3 | +8 | +4 | +4 | 65-130 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | |
| 14th | +14/+9/+4 | +9 | +4 | +4 | 70-140 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| 15th | +15/+10/+5 | +9 | +5 | +5 | Divine Shield | 75-150 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 16th | +16/+11/+6/+1 | +10 | +5 | +5 | 80-160 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
| 17th | +17/+12/+7/+2 | +10 | +5 | +5 | 85-170 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
| 18th | +18/+13/+8/+3 | +11 | +6 | +6 | 90-180 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
| 19th | +19/+14/+9/+4 | +11 | +6 | +6 | 95-190 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | |
| 20th | +20/+15/+10/+5 | +12 | +6 | +6 | Vile Efficacies | 100-200 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Blackguards need sufficient wisdom to cast spells. This calculation is determined by 10 plus the blackguard's wisdom modifier.
Lay on Hands
For blackguads, this ability instead damages the living and heals the undead equal to their class level multiplied by their Charisma modifier. Unlimited uses with a 5-minute cooldown.
Desecrate Weapon
Desecrate targeted melee weapon, causing it to deal an additional 2d6 divine damage to outsiders.
Unholy Sword
This spell transforms the caster's melee weapon into a powerful Unholy Reaver, a specially blessed weapon that, when wielded by a blackguard, acts like a +5 unholy weapon that delivers an additional 1d6 divine damage against all creatures.
Divine Might/Shield
These are free actions.
Depravities
The Blackguard may choose one of the following Depravities to commit to.
Indulgence
The Blackguard commits to the Depravity of Indulgence, taking on a hedonistic lifestyle. Abusing drugs grants them +6 regeneration for 30 minutes.
Wrath
The Blackguard commits to the Depravity of Wrath, allowing rage to consume their actions. Dealing a killing blow to an enemy grants +5 AB and +2 APR for 3 rounds.
Greed
The Blackguard commits to the Depravity of Greed, becoming empowered as they hoard wealth. Maintaining above 50k gold per Blackguard level restores a Turn Undead use when they use Divine Might.
Discord
The Blackguard commits to the Depravity of Discord, spreading chaos in their wake. They gain +3 Chaos damage while Divine Might is active. This Depravity is for CE Blackguards only.
Vile Efficacies
The Blackguard may choose 2 of the following abilities at level 20, which may be used an unlimited number of times per day. Using an ability puts both on cooldown for the indicated duration.
Loyalty's Boon
The Blackguard's service is rewarded with the ability to call forth a powerful planar ally. They beckon forth a greater fiend for 4 hours. The summon type depends on the alignment of LE, NE, or CE. This ability puts Vile Efficacies on a 15-minute cooldown.
Desecration
The Blackguard slams their weapon against the ground, causing a burst of power that shakes the earth and infuses it with unholy energy. Enemies within take an initial burst of 8d6 Evil damage and 4d6 for each round that they remain within. The area remains desecrated for 5 rounds. This ability is a free action and puts Vile Efficacies on a 5-minute cooldown.
Fiendish Might
The Blackguard temporarily becomes a vessel for pure evil, perfectly embodying the ideals of their respective Lower Plane. They gain Haste, +2 AB, +5 Evil damage, and immunity to mind effects and knockdown for 5 rounds. This ability is a free action and puts Vile Efficacies on a 3-minute cooldown.
Shard of Malice
The Blackguard summons forth and wields a wicked greataxe that glows hot with unholy flames. The axe purges with but a touch, burning away the weak and helpless. The weapon persists for 5 minutes. This ability is a free action and puts Vile Efficacies on a 10-minute cooldown.
Dark Heart
The Blackguard's vile nature erupts forth from their core, fueled by their hatred and malevolence. The energy is blasted from the Blackguard's mouth like a dark beam at a single target. The blast deals 10d10 Evil damage and applies 15% physical vulnerability for 5 rounds. This ability is a free action and puts Vile Efficacies on a 3-minute cooldown.
Harbinger of Ruin
The Blackguard manifests their deepest depravities to produce an aura of destructive force around themselves. The unholy energy surrounds the blackguard and nearby allies, providing 20 temporary hit points and a 2d6 Entropic damage shield every round for 5 rounds. This ability is a free action and puts Vile Efficacies on a 3-minute cooldown.
Unyielding Depravity
The Blackguard is able to call upon their fiendish lord for aid, becoming surrounded by jagged symbols of their dark lord's dogma. The unholy scripture manifests as crimson runes that swirl around the Blackguard to wash away weakness and block any further damage for 2 rounds. This ability is a free action and puts Vile Efficacies on a 3-minute cooldown.
Epic Blackguard
Standing as a force to crush weakness and mercy in the world, the epic blackguard stands as a symbol of dread and terror to all.
| Lvl | Feats | HP range |
|---|---|---|
| 21st | 105-210 | |
| 22nd | 110-220 | |
| 23rd | bonus feat | 115-230 |
| 24th | 120-240 | |
| 25th | 125-250 | |
| 26th | bonus feat | 130-260 |
| 27th | 135-270 | |
| 28th | 140-280 | |
| 29th | bonus feat | 145-290 |
| 30th | 150-300 |