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
Animate Dead Bestow Curse Bless Contagion Darkness Scare Protection from Alignment Negative Energy Ray Infestation of Maggots Death Armor Desecrate Weapon Divine Favor	Monstrous Regeneration Wounding Whispers Bull's Strength Endurance Owl's Wisdom Eagle's Splendor Slay Living Doom Circle of Doom Ghostly Visage Prayer War Cry	Create Undead Finger of Death Hammer of the Gods Power Word Stun Harm Negative Energy Burst	Unholy Weapon Death Ward Enervation Word of Faith Destruction Creeping Doom Shadow Shield

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