Student of Kung Fu (3.5e Class)

Student of Kung Fu
The Student of Kung Fu is a new take on the Traditional DnD Martial Artist, combining aspects of the Ranger and Monk along with some potent supernatural abilities that make a deadly warrior in almost any situation. Although not as proficient in Unarmed Combat as the monk, the Student of Kung Fu Makes up for this with focused weapon specializations that gain in power as the Student of Kung Fu gains in experience.

Making a Student of Kung Fu
Like a Ranger, a Student of Kung Fu picks a Fighting Style that defines their abilities for their entire career. There are multiple styles to choose from, each with it's own strengths and weaknesses. More on these are discussed later.

Abilities: Wisdom is important to Students of Kung Fu, as it determines the effectiveness of some of their abilities and improves their AC. Strength is important for damage and chance to hit. Dexterity is needed to improve AC and Reflex Saves, and finally, Constitution helps make up for their smaller hit dice.

Races: Of the common races, Humans are the most likely to take up this class. Their natural adaptiveness combined with their unquenchable thirsts for studying new ways to kill eachother draw many to this class.

Alignment: Any

Starting Gold: 2d4&times;10 gp.

Starting Age: Simple

Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Student of Kung Fu.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Students of Kung Fu are Proficient with Weapons based upon their style. In addition to these, Students are Profficient with all Simple Weapons. Students are not Proficient with Armor or Shields of Any Kind

 (Ex): When unarmored and unencumbered, the Student of Kung Fu adds her Wisdom bonus (if any) to her AC. In addition, the Student of Kung Fu gains a +1 bonus to AC at 5th level. This bonus increases by 1 for every five Student of Kung Fu levels thereafter (+2 at 10th, +3 at 15th, and +4 at 20th level).

These bonuses to AC apply even against touch attacks or when the Student of Kung Fu is flat-footed. She loses these bonuses when she is immobilized or helpless, when she wears any armor, when she carries a shield, or when she carries a medium or heavy load.

 (Ex): When unarmored, a Student of Kung Fu may strike with a flurry of blows at the expense of accuracy. When doing so, she may make one extra attack in a round at her highest base attack bonus, but this attack takes a –2 penalty, as does each other attack made that round. The resulting modified base attack bonuses are shown in the Flurry of Blows Attack Bonus column on Table: The Student of Kung Fu. This penalty applies for 1 round, so it also affects attacks of opportunity the Student of Kung Fu might make before her next action. When a Student of Kung Fu reaches 5th level, the penalty lessens to –1, and at 9th level it disappears. A Student of Kung Fu must use a full attack action to strike with a flurry of blows.

When a Student of Kung Fu reaches 11th level, her flurry of blows ability improves. In addition to the standard single extra attack she gets from flurry of blows, she gets a second extra attack at her full base attack bonus.

 (Ex): At 1st level, a Student of Kung Fu must select one of four combat styles to pursue: Willow Form, Unyielding Spear, Dragon Fang, or Torrential Blades. This choice affects the character’s class features but does not restrict his selection of feats or special abilities in any way.

Willow Form: When wielding a Staff, a Student of Kung Fu gains a +1 Bonus to AC, At levels 5, 10, 15, and 20, he gains an additional +1 bonus to AC. Also, the Student of Kung Fu may use Staves in conjunction with (or instead of), unarmed strikes in a flurry of blows.

Unyielding Spear: When wielding a Short Spears, Spears, or Longspears, a Student of Kung Fu may add his Dexterity modifier to his damage instead of his strength if his dexterity is higher. In addition, the Student of Kung Fu becomes proficient with Short Spears, Spears, and Long Spears. Finally, the Student of Kung Fu may use Spears in conjunction with (or instead of), unarmed strikes in a flurry of blows.

Dragon Fang: When wielding a wielding a single bastard sword (Either Single Handed or Two Handed), and doesn't have a shield or other weapon equipped, the Student of Kung Fu gains a +1 Bonus to Attack Rolls. This bonus increases by an additional +1 at levels 5, 10, 15, and 20. In addition, the Student of Kung Fu becomes proficient with Bastard Swords, and gains Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Bastard Sword) as a feat. Finally, the Student of Kung Fu may use bastard sword in conjunction with (or instead of), unarmed strikes in a flurry of blows. This ability (And the Improved Versions) functions only if the Student of Kung Fu is using a single bastard sword. (The Student of Kung Fu may use their Bastard Sword Two-Handed and still gain the benefits of this ability).

Torrential Blades: When wielding two short swords, the Student of Kung Fu gains the Two Weapon Fighting Feat and becomes proficient in short swords. He may also use short swords in conjunction with (or instead of), unarmed strikes in a flurry of blows. The Student of Kung Fu's Two Weapon Fighting feat will only work with Short Swords, if he uses anything other than two short swords, he loses the benefit of this feat. At level 6, he gains Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, and at level 11, he gains Greater Two-Weapon Fighting.

 (Ex): At 2nd level, a Student of Kung Fu's fighting style begins to evolve and improve.He gains one of the following Secondary Combat Styles.

Iron Body: The Student of Kung Fu gains 2HP/Hit Die.

Unarmed Mastery: Gain Stunning Blow as a Feat (Even if you do not meet the prerequisites. For the Purposes of Stunning Blow, you are treated as a Monk.)

Weapon Mastery: Gain Weapon Focus with All Weapons you Are Proficient With.(Not including Unarmed Strike)

Spiritual Mastery: Gain a Bonus to all Saves equal to Wisdom Modifier

 (Ex): At 2nd level or higher if a Student of Kung Fu 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 a Student of Kung Fu is wearing light armor or no armor. A helpless Student of Kung Fu does not gain the benefit of evasion.

 (Ex): Starting at 3rd Level, the Student of Kung Fu gains one charge of Chi Focus, plus an additional Chi Focus charge for each point of Wisdom Bonus she possesses. While a Student of Kung Fu has at least one charge of Chi Focus left, he gains a +3 Bonus to Initiative Checks. A Student of Kung Fu Gains an Additional Chi Focus Charge at Levels 7, 12, and 16.

A Student of Kung Fu automatically recharges all Chi Focus charges at the end of an encounter. He may recharge one charge during combat as a full round action by making a DC 10 Wisdom Check. By increasing the DC by 5, he can attempt to recharge his Chi Focus as a Standard Action. By increasing the DC by 10, he can attempt to recharge his Chi Focus as a Move Action. Finally, by increasing the DC by 15, he can attempt to recharge his Chi Focus as a Swift Action.

 (Ex): At 3rd level, a Student of Kung Fu gains an enhancement bonus to her speed, as shown on Table: The Student of Kung Fu. A Student of Kung Fu in armor or carrying a medium or heavy load loses this extra speed.

 (Su): At 4th level, a Student of Kung Fu’s unarmed attacks are empowered with ki. Her unarmed attacks are treated as magic weapons for the purpose of dealing damage to creatures with damage reduction. Chi strike improves with the character’s Student of Kung Fu level. At 10th level, her unarmed attacks are also treated as lawful weapons for the purpose of dealing damage to creatures with damage reduction. At 16th level, her unarmed attacks bypass all alignment based damage reduction.

 (Su): By Expending one charge of his Chi Focus, a Student of Kung Fu lets out a powerful yell as a free action, dissuading his opponents from making attacks of opportunity against him for one round unless they make a Will Save with a DC equal to 10 + 1/2 Student of Kung Fu Level + Wisdom Mod. This is a mind-affecting fear effect and does not affect creatures who have no sense of hearing. Creatures must be able to hear and see the Student of Kung Fu for this ability to affect them.

 (Ex): At level 5, Based upon what combat style the Student of Kung Fu Chose at Level 1, he gains new abilities.

Willow Style: When Fighting Defensively (Or using the Total Defense Option) with a staff, A Student of Kung Fu gains Concealment against melee and ranged attacks, including ranged touch attacks and rays. At level 5 he Gains 20% Concealment. This Bonus improves by 10% at levels 10, 15, and 20.

Unyielding Spear: Any spear the Student of Kung Fu wields is treated as having an extra 5' of reach. He may also attack enemies that are adjacent to him (except in the case of the Longspear, which can attack at 10' and 15' respectively).

Dragon Fang: When wielding a single bastard sword, the Student of Kung Fu gains a +2 Bonus to Damage Rolls. This bonus increases by an additional +1 at Levels 10, 15, and 20.

Torrential Blades: When Wielding two Short Swords, the Student of Kung Fu adds his full strength bonus to attacks made with his off-hand.

 (Ex): At level 6, Based upon what combat style the Student of Kung Fu Chose at Level 2, he gains new abilities.

Iron Body: The Student of Kung Fu gains a Natural Armor Bonus equal to his Constitution Modifier.

Unarmed Mastery: Gain Improved Grapple as a Bonus Feat (Even if you do not meet the pre-requisites). She also gains a bonus to Unarmed Attacks rolls equal to 1/4 Character Level. Finally, the DC for her Stunning Blow increases by 2.

Weapon Mastery: The Student of Kung Fu gains Weapon Specialization for all the Weapons he is Proficient with. (Not including Unarmed Strike)

Spiritual Mastery: The Student of Kung Fu gains a Bonus to his Wisdom Checks to recover Chi Focus charges equal to his Class Level divided by 4 (rounded down).

 (Ex): By Expending a Chi Focus charge, the Student of Kung Fu may add 1/2 his Class Level to one damage roll in a round.

 (Ex): By expending a Chi Focus charge, the Student of Kung Fu may move up to his full movement speed up walls as though effected by a spider climb spell for one round. If at the start of his next turn, he is not on solid ground, he falls. However, if he has any Chi Focus charges remaining, he may expend another one and continue his movement along the wall.

 (Ex): At 9th level, a Student of Kung Fu’s evasion ability improves. She still takes no damage on a successful Reflex saving throw against attacks, but henceforth she takes only half damage on a failed save. A helpless Student of Kung Fu does not gain the benefit of improved evasion.

 (Ex): By expending a Chi Focus Charge as a free action, the Student of Kung Fu may attempt to walk across liquids as if they were solid ground. If he is not on solid ground by the start of his next turn, he falls in. However, if he has any Chi Focus Charges left, he may spend another one to continue his movement across the liquid surface.

 (Ex): By Expending a Chi Focus Charge, a Student of Kung Fu can not only prevent people from making attacks of opportunity if they fail the will save, but they are treated as being bullrushed. The Bull Rush Check is determined by the Student of Kung Fu's BAB + Wisdom Mod rather than Strength. Even if the creature would normally not be affected by the primary mind-affecting effect, all creatures are subject to the Bullrush, including incoporeal or ethereal creatures.

 (Ex): At level 11, Based upon what combat style the Student of Kung Fu Chose at Level 1, he gains new abilities.

Willow Form: Any staff the Student of Kung Fu wields is treated as having a hardness equal to his class level. It also bypasses hardness equal to his class level. Finally, it bypasses Material DR (Such as Adamantine or Silver) equal to 1/2 his class level.

Unyielding Spear: Any Short Spear, Spear, or Longspear the Student of Kung Fu wields pierces all Magical Concealment as if it wasn't there.

Dragon Fang: So long as the Student of Kung Fu is wielding a single bastard sword, he increases the sword's threat range by 1/4 his class level. This number is not multiplied by the effects of Keen or Improved Critical, instead, it is applied after.

Torrential Blades: So long as the Student of Kung Fu is wielding two short swords, he can no longer be flanked and gains a shield bonus to AC equal to 1/4 his class level. This bonus also applies to his reflex saves.



 (Ex): At level 13, Based upon what combat style the Student of Kung Fu Chose at Level 2, he gains new abilities.

Iron Body: Gain DR/- Equal to 1/4 Class Level

Unarmed Mastery: Gain a bonus to Damage Rolls equal to 1/4 Class Level to Unarmed Strikes. In addition, the Student of Kung Fu gains an additional +2 bonus to his Stunning Blow DC.

Weapon Mastery: Gain Greater Weapon Focus and Improved Critical with All Weapons you Are Proficient With. (Not including Unarmed Strike)

Spiritual Mastery: Gain a Bonus to AC equal to 1/4 Class Level as long as you have at least one Chi Focus Charge remaining

 (Su):By Expending a Chi Focus Charge, a Student of Kung Fu may take flight, able to fly with a speed equal to his land speed with Average Maneuvarability. If he is not on solid ground by the start of his next turn, he falls. However, he may spend another Chi Focus Charge to maintain his flight and continue moving.

 (Su): By expending a Chi Focus Charge, a Student of Kung Fu may add 1/2 his Class Level to all Attacks made in a single round.

 (Ex): At level 17, Based upon what combat style the Student of Kung Fu Chose at Level 1, he gains new abilities.

Willow Form: A practitioner of the Willow Form gains a Special Whirlwind Attack. He may attack all enemies within 10' with his Staff, and all Adjacent enemies take damage from his Unarmed Strike. Adjacent enemies are thus subject to the attack twice, once from the staff, and once from the Unarmed Strike.

Unyielding Spear: A practitioner of the Unyielding Spear gains a Special Attack. Once per round, he may designate any attack he desires as a Touch Attack.

Dragon Fang: A practitioner of the Dragon Fang gains a special ability. Any time he rolls a one on an attack roll with a Bastard Sword, it is not treated as an automatic miss. It is treated as a one. In addition, whenever he rolls a one on a damage roll with a Bastard Sword, he may reroll his damage roll.

Torrential Blades: Practitioners of Torrential Blades gain a +2 to attack and damage rolls when using two short swords, and gains the benefit of the Perfect Two Weapon Fighting Feat, even if he doesn't meet the pre-requisites.

 (Ex): At level 18, Based upon what combat style the Student of Kung Fu Chose at Level 2, he gains new abilities.

Iron Body: Gain Fast Healing Equal to 1/4 Class Level

Unarmed Mastery: Increase your Unarmed Strike Damage to 2d8. Any creature who fails their fortitude save on a Stunning blow is stunned for 1d4 rounds. Finally, the DC for your stunning blow increases by an additional 2.

Weapon Mastery: Gain Greater Weapon Focus, Greater Weapon Specialization Specialization, and Devastating Critical with All Weapons you Are Proficient With (Not including Unarmed Strike).

Spiritual Mastery: Gain a 5' bonus to your land speed for every 4 class levels you have as long as you have at least one Chi Focus Charge remaining

 (Su):By Expending a Chi Focus Charge, a Student of Kung Fu may take flight, able to fly with a speed equal to twice land speed with Perfect Maneuvarability for three rounds. If he is not on solid ground by the start of his fourth turn, he falls. However, he may spend another Chi Focus Charge to maintain his flight and continue moving.

 (Su): After 20 levels of adventuring, the Student of Kung Fu has learned one thing. There is no such thing as Perfect Kung Fu. This understanding of his grants him the following bonuses. He gains DR 10/- (If he has the Iron Body Secondary Combat Style, it stacks). In addition, he gains a permanent +2 Boost to his Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, and Wisdom Scores.

Human Student of Kung Fu Starting Package
Weapons: Staff.

Skill Selection: Jump, Tumble, Hide, Move Silently

Feat: Weapon Focus (Unarmed Strike)

Bonus Feats: Great Fortitude