Viewtiful Shogun (3.5e Prestige Class)

Viewtiful Warrior who fights like a samurai and could be better described as a warlord.]] Length::10 Minimum Level::8 Base Attack Bonus Progression::Good Fortitude Save Progression::Good Reflex Save Progression::Good Will Save Progression::Good Class Ability::VFX Class Ability Progression::Full



Viewtiful Shogun
"I am the hero!"

Some Viewtiful Warriors seek more than fame &mdash; they seek respect. They want to make people revel in their abilities. These Viewtiful Warriors become Viewtiful Shoguns.

Becoming a Viewtiful Shogun
The Viewtiful Shogun is a conquering samurai who seeks fame and glory, but more importantly, he seeks respect and honor. He invades entire worlds in order to build up his fearsome reputation. Those who step onto this path find that their abilities with VFX are greatly enhanced, to the point where they can actually use it in blistering direct assaults and to block almost any attack. But in practicing with the sword, they neglect their unarmed abilities. If deprived of their weapon, Viewtiful Shoguns find it difficult to keep up with standard Viewtiful Warriors.

Strength is a bit more important for a Viewtiful Shogun than it is for a Viewtiful Warrior, but Charisma is still his most important ability. Constitution is a little less important due to his better Fortitude save and Hit Die, not to mention his protective auras. Intelligence may be slightly more important, due to the fact that the Viewtiful Shogun gets fewer skill points per level than a Viewtiful Warrior does. Dexterity and Wisdom retain the same level of importance that they did before.

* A character must be lawful evil to take his or her first level in Viewtiful Shogun. Once a character is a Viewtiful Shogun, though, he or she is free to change his or her alignment to any other lawful alignment at any time, and may still continue advancing in the class. A Viewtiful Shogun must be lawful no matter what, though.

Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Viewtiful Shogun.

The VFX pool of a Viewtiful Shogun (as seen in the above tables) stacks with the VFX pool of any other VFX-using class to determine total VFX pool size. Thus, a Viewtiful Warrior who takes levels in Viewtiful Shogun will have more VFX available than one who doesn't; this is offset by the VFX costs of most of the Viewtiful Shogun's abilities causing him to burn through VFX more quickly. Just like any other Viewtiful Warrior, if a Viewtiful Shogun's VFX pool bottoms out, he loses most of his class features until his VFX pool has recharged to at least 4 VFX points.

Viewtiful Shogun levels stack with Viewtiful Warrior levels to influence numerical variables of VFX Slow, VFX Mach Speed, VFX Replay, and VFX Zoom; however, Viewtiful Shogun levels do not contribute to gaining more Mach Speed clones or enhancing critical hits in VFX Replay, nor do they contribute to developing more attributes of VFX Slow.

 : Viewtiful Shogun levels stack with Viewtiful Warrior levels (and levels in other Viewtiful classes) to determine the dodge bonus of Viewtiful Dodge.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Viewtiful Shogun levels do not stack with Viewtiful Warrior levels to influence unarmed strike damage or damage reduction bypassing, and they count equally to any other non-monk class to determine how many times per day Stunning Fist can be used (that is, 4 levels of Viewtiful Shogun allow one usage of Stunning Fist). In fact, the Viewtiful Shogun doesn't even have Stunning Fist unless he takes the feat or gains it from another class (such as monk or Viewtiful Warrior). He also can't use VFX to get extra uses of Stunning Fist in a day unless he has at least 10 levels of Viewtiful Warrior and/or Viewtiful Captain.

However, this ability is only useful if the Viewtiful Shogun actually has maneuvers, be it through feats, his race, or other classes. Sublime Viewty does not itself allow the Viewtiful Shogun to learn any maneuvers.

Sublime Viewty only allows the Viewtiful Shogun to contribute his Viewtiful Shogun levels to his initiator level. It does not actually grant him additional maneuvers known, additional maneuvers readied, additional maneuvers granted, or additional stances known as if his Viewtiful Shogun levels were levels in a martial adept class, nor does it grant or advance any class features of any martial adept class (except where those class features are shared with the Viewtiful Shogun).

 (Ps, VFX): As an attack action, the Viewtiful Shogun can pay 1 VFX point to launch a bubble-like orb-shaped missile of VFX. This bubble is a ranged touch attack with a range increment of 80 feet. (The bubble isn't inaccurate, but it is a little bit slow.) The bubble defies gravity, and thus has no maximum range, though it can only travel 10 range increments in a single round. On impact with anything, the bubble bursts into an explosion of raw VFX, dealing 2d6+Cha points of psionic and force damage to everything in that 5-foot square ("Cha" is the Viewtiful Shogun's Charisma modifier). All of the damage is both psionic and force, which means that it can only be resisted by a creature with force resistance and resistance to psychic powers. (Mightyena is a good example of a creature that resists psionic energy; however, it doesn't resist force.) Power resistance does apply to the VFX Bubble attack, and the Viewtiful Shogun uses his class level, plus his levels in Viewtiful Warrior and other VFX-granting classes, as his manifester level to overcome a creature's power resistance.

Because the VFX Bubble is an attack action, it can be used either as a standard action or as part of a full attack (however, due to being a ranged attack, it cannot be used as an attack of opportunity without Super Snipe or a similar ability). If part of a multiple-attack routine, VFX Bubble can be used any number of times up to the maximum number of attacks the Viewtiful Shogun is allowed in the round (as long as he has the VFX to pay for it), or he can use VFX Bubbles interchangeably with his other attacks.

The Viewtiful Shogun fires his VFX Bubbles from his open palm. However, if he is wielding his katana, bastard sword, longsword, or greatsword two-handed, he can hold the weapon one-handed while firing VFX Bubbles, even if he doesn't have any abilities that would normally allow him to wield such a weapon one-handed. After firing his VFX Bubble, the Viewtiful Shogun returns to holding his weapon in both hands automatically if he can't wield it in one hand (if he can, he chooses whether or not to hold it two-handed). This does not interfere with the Viewtiful Shogun's ability to interchange VFX Bubbles with his other attacks.

At every odd-numbered Viewtiful Shogun level except 5th and 11th, the damage dealt by the VFX Bubble increases by +1d6.

At 5th level, the Viewtiful Shogun gains an augmentation for his VFX bubble. By extending the manifesting time to a standard action and paying 1 extra point of VFX, he can release a  that does double the damage of an ordinary VFX Bubble (for example, a 4d6+4 VFX Bubble would become a 8d6+8 VFX Giga Bubble), has a 10-foot explosion radius, has a 60-foot range increment (due to being even slower than a standard VFX Bubble), gains a +1 bonus on the attack roll by virtue of its greater size making it harder to dodge, and quadruples its damage on a critical hit. The Viewtiful Shogun can generate a VFX Giga Bubble by swinging his sword, even at empty space, so it can be used in conjunction with a melee attack (potentially hitting a target with both the melee attack and the VFX Giga Bubble) and doesn't require the Viewtiful Shogun to adjust his grip on his weapon. However, as the VFX Giga Bubble requires a standard action to manifest, it cannot be used as part of a full attack. A Viewtiful Shogun is never injured by his own VFX Bubbles (or Giga Bubbles).

At 11th level, the VFX Bubble becomes the . Its behavior is mostly the same as before, except that it now explodes in a 20-foot radius on impact. All creatures other than the creature or object directly struck by the bubble (and not occupying its space) take ⅔ damage (ex. taking 4d6+4 damage from a 6d6+6 VFX Bubble) and are entitled to a Reflex save (DC = 20 + ½ of the Viewtiful Shogun's class levels after 10th + the Viewtiful Shogun's Charisma modifier) to halve the damage that they do take (reducing the damage they sustain to approximately ⅓ of the VFX Bubble's normal damage). The VFX Giga Bubble explodes in a 30-foot radius on impact, doesn't allow the creature/object it strikes directly or anything within 10 feet of it to attempt a Reflex save, does full damage to everything within said 10-foot radius, does ⅔ damage to creatures allowed to make a Reflex save even if they fail, and does ⅓ damage on a successful Reflex save. As before, the Viewtiful Shogun is not injured by his own VFX Bubbles.

 (Ps, VFX): As a standard action, the Viewtiful Shogun can pay 3 VFX points to summon a crescent-shaped blade of psionic force to circle around him and deter and harass attackers. This blade moves with the Viewtiful Shogun and otherwise orbits him at a distance of 10 feet, moving 10 feet per round in a clockwise direction. The blade passes through any solid objects in its way. Any creature struck by the blade takes 1d6 points of psionic force damage and is knocked 10 feet away from the Viewtiful Shogun with no save allowed. The blade is automatically considered to strike any creature whose space it enters (or vice-versa), unless said creature is able to use an ability to force the attack to miss (for example, a creature using VFX Slow will evade the orbitar by executing a narrow dodge (paying VFX and a move action for doing so); likewise, a creature with Elusive Target and a base attack bonus of at least 16 could use an immediate action to dodge the orbitar). An orbitar remains for 1 minute or until the Viewtiful Shogun moves more than 30 feet in a single round, after which it fades into nonexistence. VFX Orbitars are self-maintaining for the stated duration; the Viewtiful Shogun only needs to pay the VFX cost once, and having orbitars does not prevent him from regaining VFX. However, if his VFX runs out, his summoned orbitars immediately vanish and must be resummoned once his powers regenerate.

At 1st level, the Viewtiful Shogun may only have 1 orbitar at a time. At 4th, 7th, and 10th level, he gains an additional orbitar. The orbitar gained at 4th level maintains a distance of 20 feet and travels clockwise at 20 feet per round, otherwise moving with the Viewtiful Shogun. The orbitar gained at 7th level maintains a distance of 5 feet and travels counterclockwise at 5 feet per round. The orbitar gained at 10th level maintains a distance of 15 feet and travels counterclockwise at 15 feet per round. Each orbitar requires the expenditure of a standard action and 3 VFX points to manifest, and resets the duration of all already-manifested orbitars to 1 minute once manifested. Alternatively, the Viewtiful Shogun can refresh the duration of his existing orbitars by paying 1 VFX point as a swift action. All orbitars immediately expire if the Viewtiful Shogun moves more than 30 feet in a single round or if he runs out of VFX.

At 10th level, the Viewtiful Shogun may have up to two orbitars in each circuit, each on opposite sides of him and moving in the same direction. He may summon both orbitars for a single orbit with the same standard action by paying 6 VFX (the VFX cost for each orbitar remains the same). Also, if the Viewtiful Shogun cancels out his orbitars by moving, he can resummon all of them with a single standard action, paying 2 VFX per orbitar in order to do so. If he does not do so by the end of his next turn, he must summon his orbitars one or two at a time for 3 VFX each, as usual.

 (VFX): A Viewtiful Shogun may hover roughly 10 feet off the ground plus 5 more feet per point of Charisma bonus (Charisma penalty does not apply), moving at his base land or fly speed (whichever is higher) with perfect maneuverability. (This replaces the standard clause that a creature cannot hover higher than its natural reach.) This is treated as a VFX power (just like Slow, Mach Speed, Replay, and Zoom), and requires the expenditure of 1 VFX point every 2 rounds to maintain. As a long-term VFX power, VFX Hover stops VFX from recharging while in use.

The Knowledge (theatrics) or (psionics) DC to detect that VFX Hover is in use is only 5 &mdash; he's floating in the air, how much more obvious can you get...?

At 4th level, VFX Hover allows the Viewtiful Shogun to hover roughly 15 feet off the ground plus 5 more feet per point of Charisma bonus.


 *  (Su, VFX): Starting at 8th level, VFX Hover no longer costs any VFX points. The Viewtiful Shogun can literally hover for as long as he likes, and his maximum distance above the ground increases to 20 feet plus 5 more feet per point of Charisma bonus. VFX Hover also no longer stops VFX from recharging while in use. Not quite as good as a Viewtiful Captain, but still, he never has to touch the ground for as long as he can remain conscious and hold onto at least 1 point of VFX, and that's pretty awesome, right?

 (VFX): Starting at 2nd level, the Viewtful Shogun constantly has an aura, just like a divine mind. He only has access to the attack, defense, and perception auras, but his class level affects the reach and power of these auras just like it does for a divine mind. That is, the range starts at 5 feet, then increases by 5 feet at every even-numbered Viewtiful Shogun level after 2nd. Likewise, the aura bonuses increase by +1 for every five Viewtiful Shogun class levels after 2nd (7th, 12th, 17th, etc.). Viewtiful Shogun levels stack with divine mind levels for determining the range and power of these three basic auras (but not the power of any auras derived from a divine mind's mantles, as the Viewtiful Shogun lacks access to those, nor the specialized auras the Viewtiful Shogun develops later, as those are unavailable to the divine mind). Only 1 aura can be active at a time. The Viewtiful Shogun can spend 1 hour meditating to change his aura, just like a divine mind, but he has no reason to do so; he's also able to change his aura once every 5 rounds as a swift action by paying VFX. The cost of activating a divine mind aura as a swift action is 1 VFX point. The Viewtiful Shogun derives no benefit from his aura if he runs out of VFX (unless he also has levels in divine mind, in which case the strength of the aura is determined solely by divine mind levels until his VFX recharges). Regardless of how high the Viewtiful Shogun's level gets, he can only manifest one aura at a time (though he might be able to manifest multiple divine mind mantles if he has enough levels in divine mind).

 (VFX): From 2nd level onward, a Viewtiful Shogun can use VFX to alter gravity. He can alter the falling speed of everything within 100 feet per Viewtiful level (that is, levels in Viewtiful Warrior, Viewtiful Shogun, Viewtiful Monarch, and Viewtiful Captain) by a factor of X, where X is a number with no more than one decimal place per five class levels and an absolute value no greater than his class level, causing creatures and objects to fall that much faster or slower. (For example, a 2nd-level Viewtiful Shogun could make things fall up to two times faster or two times slower.) He can exclude himself and up to one other creature or object per class level from the effects if he wishes, or affect them differently than he's affecting everything else. (He can even individually tweak the effects of this ability on one creature or object per class level however he wants in addition to its effects on everything else, but this usually isn't worthwhile.) If creatures or objects other than the Viewtiful Shogun himself suffer falling damage due to VFX Gravity, the Viewtiful Shogun's Charisma modifier is added to it. This is treated as a VFX power (just like Slow, Mach Speed, Replay, and Zoom), and costs 1 VFX point per round to maintain. As a long-term VFX power, VFX Gravity stops VFX from recharging while in use.

The Knowledge (theatrics) or (psionics) DC to detect that VFX Gravity is in use is 15. Objects falling more or less quickly than they should tends to be a little obvious, but not so much so that a casual observer will readily catch on to what's happening.

 (VFX): Upon reaching 3rd level, the Viewtiful Shogun gains two other auras &mdash; a fire aura and a lightning aura. For the most part, these auras function exactly like the auras a Viewtiful Warrior gains through using Mach Speed or Replay, except that they can be raised with 1 hour of meditation or by paying 2 VFX points as a swift action, and doing so erases the effects of the Viewtiful Shogun's previous aura (that is, they are treated as being in the same group as the divine mind auras). There are two other important differences. First, these auras never fade on their own (though they do fade if the Viewtiful Shogun runs out of VFX, which also means that they can't be raised at all if the Viewtiful Shogun has 2 or fewer VFX points remaining; they also fade if the Viewtiful Shogun raises a divine mind aura). Instead, the Viewtiful Shogun gains 5 temporary hit points per class level by raising the aura, which override any other temporary hit points he has (even if he had more from his previous source). The temporary hit points from an aura never fade on their own. The Viewtiful Shogun cannot gain more temporary hit points while the aura is active, except for by activating the aura again (which he is required to wait for 5 rounds to do) or by his Reinforce Aura ability. (If it helps, you can think of the aura as being like a natural shield.) He also gains a deflection bonus to AC equal to ⅓ his class level. These auras also outright deflect weak physical attacks; they take no damage from any physical attack whose damage roll comes up as nothing but natural 1s. However, unlike a Viewtiful Warrior aura, the immunity granted by these auras does have one major flaw; they offer no protection from a Spiral Dragon Kick of the matching element (Red Hot Kick for fire/Mach Speed, Cool Blue Kick for electricity/Replay). Such an attack ignores the aura's deflection bonus to the Viewtiful Shogun's AC and instantly wipes out half the aura's temporary hit points the first time it's landed; the second Spiral Dragon Kick sets the Viewtiful Shogun's temporary hit points to 0, breaking the aura, and does its damage to his actual hit points. The Spiral Dragon Kick that breaks the aura also dazes the Viewtiful Shogun for 1 round unless he succeeds on a Fortitude save (DC = 10 + ½ the class level of the opposing Viewtiful Warrior + his/her Strength or Charisma modifier, whichever is higher). Unlike divine mind auras, the fire and lightning auras affect only the Viewtiful Shogun himself. Just like the divine mind auras, a fire or lightning aura can only be raised once every 5 rounds; if they are breached (through depleting their temporary hit points or by being hit twice with a matching Spiral Dragon Kick), the Viewtiful Shogun is left without an aura (not even a basic aura shared with the Divine Mind class) until he is next allowed to change his aura. None of these extra details apply to an aura raised via VFX Mach Speed or VFX Replay, and the Viewtiful Shogun can have an aura gained through Mach Speed/Replay coexisting with an aura from this ability (the effects of the auras stack).

 : As an attack action made while on the ground, a 3rd-level Viewtiful Shogun can perform a rising slash of such ferocity that it lifts him at least 20 feet into the air; he may also, at his option, make a Jump check as he performs this attack to increase the height by 1 foot for every point of his result. This attack does quadruple damage, has a quadrupled threat range, and if it hits, it knocks the target prone with no save allowed. Because it is performed as an attack action, the Tokusatsu Leap can be used as part of a full attack or as an attack of opportunity. Furthermore, the Viewtiful Shogun does not take falling damage as a result of using this attack. However, the Tokusatsu Leap does have a glaring drawback; it ends the Viewtiful Shogun's turn upon being used (even if he has attacks or actions remaining) and leaves the Viewtiful Shogun flat-footed at its conclusion.

 (Ps, VFX): From 4th level on, the Viewtiful Shogun can drain the VFX of any creature in his vicinity in order to replenish his own. As a standard action, the Viewtiful Shogun can take a number of VFX points from a creature with VFX within Medium range equal to or less than his class level and add the stolen points to his own VFX pool, where they remain indefinitely. These are not temporary VFX points, so any excess VFX points are lost. The Viewtiful Shogun cannot take more VFX from a creature than it actually has.

Alternatively, the Viewtiful Shogun may take a number of power points from a psionic character equal to or less than twice his class level (gaining 1 VFX point for every 2 power points drained), or he may take a spell slot or readied maneuver from a spellcaster or martial adept of a spell/maneuver level equal to or less than his class level (gaining 1 VFX point per level of the stolen spell slot/maneuver). Finally, he may take a number of bio-energy charges from a xenotheric creature equal to or less than his class level (gaining 1 VFX point per bio-energy charge stolen) or inflict an amount of essentia damage to a meldshaper (or other soulshaping creature) equal to or less than half his class level (rounded down), gaining 2 VFX points for each essentia point stolen. Limiting point types other than VFX, power points, bio-energy, or essentia cannot be stolen via VFX Drain, as they are not VFX-like enough for the Viewtiful Shogun to work with. A stolen spell slot or maneuver is expended as though cast or initiated; if the victim prepares spells or readies maneuvers, he chooses which spell or maneuver of the designated level is lost. (A crusader must choose a maneuver that is actually granted to him to be lost; if he has no currently granted maneuvers, he is unaffected by VFX Drain, even if he has readied maneuvers that are not yet granted to him.) Stolen bio-energy charges are treated as expended, not drained, and so return at a rate of 1 charge per minute. Essentia damage is resolved in the usual fashion described on page 50 of Magic of Incarnum, and heals at the default rate (treated as ability damage for the purpose of curative effects, lost essentia returns at a rate of 1 point for a night of rest or 2 points for a full day of rest). If the foe has more than one of VFX, power points, spell slots, readied maneuvers, bio-energy, or essentia, the Viewtiful Shogun must select one of these to steal when he uses VFX Drain.

Regardless of what the Viewtiful Shogun tries to take, the victim is entitled to a Will save (DC = 10 + Viewtiful Shogun's class levels up to 10 + ½ Viewtiful Shogun's class levels after 10 + Viewtiful Shogun's Charisma modifier) to halve the amount of VFX points, power points, bio-energy charges, or essentia lost (thereby halving the amount of VFX the Viewtiful Shogun gains) or negate the loss of a spell slot or maneuver (preventing the Viewtiful Shogun from gaining any VFX points at all). VFX Drain can only be used once every 2d4 rounds, regardless of its success or failure. However, it can be used while using a long-term VFX power, enabling the Viewtiful Shogun to prolong the effect.

VFX Drain automatically fails if the Viewtiful Shogun tries to take a resource that the target does not actually possess (such as trying to take bio-energy from a non-xenotheric creature). If the Viewtiful Shogun tries to take more of a resource than the target actually has (including a spell slot or maneuver of a higher level than the target possesses), he instead takes as much of the resource as he can (in the case of a spellcaster or martial adept, the highest-level spell slot or readied maneuver that the target possesses below the level of what he attempted to take; if no such spell slot or readied maneuver exists, VFX Drain simply fails).

 : Starting at 5th level, a Viewtiful Shogun becomes capable of deadly lunges. When he charges, he gains a bonus to attack rolls and damage rolls made with a katana, bastard sword, greatsword, or longsword equal to his Viewtiful Shogun class level. He also takes no penalty to AC for charging. This ability supplants the normal +2 bonus to charge attacks, as well as the bonus granted by Stinger.

Every 3 levels after 5th (8th, 11th, etc.) except for 20th, the Viewtiful Shogun gains a bonus effect for his Issen attack. Many of these bonus effects are debilitating status conditions of some sort, and the ones that aren't tend to catch opponents off-guard; thus, they have the blanket category name of . The following bonus effects are available:


 *  (Ex, Su): The Viewtiful Shogun's reach is extended by 10 feet when performing an Issen. This Disruptive Issen can be taken multiple times; each time increases his range by 10 feet, but reach increases beyond the first 10 feet are considered a supernatural effect.
 *  : The Viewtiful Shogun may move three times his speed when performing an Issen. This Disruptive Issen can be taken multiple times; each time after the first increases his movement speed multiplier by 1 (from three times to four times, for example).
 *  : The Viewtiful Shogun adds +1d6 to the damage inflicted from an Issen. This extra die is not multiplied for a critical hit unless the Viewtiful Shogun takes Stern Issen. It is not a sneak attack, sudden strike, skirmish, etc. die, and may not be used as such to qualify for or use feats (ambush or otherwise), prestige classes, etc. This Disruptive Issen can be taken multiple times; each time after the first adds an additional +1d6 damage.
 *  : The extra damage die/dice from Harsh Issen is/are multiplied by critical hits. This is a specific exception to the rule that extra damage dice aren't multiplied by critical hits. This Disruptive Issen can't be taken unless and until Harsh Issen has been taken at least once.
 *  : A creature struck by the Viewtiful Shogun's Issen is dazed for 1 round, Fortitude save negates (DC = 10 + Viewtiful Shogun's class level up to 10th + ½ of Viewtiful Shogun's class levels after 10th + Viewtiful Shogun's Strength or Charisma modifier, whichever is higher). The save DC is increased by 2 if the Viewtiful Shogun has a lightning aura active. This attack has no effect on creatures immune to dazing.
 *  : A creature struck by the Viewtiful Shogun's Issen is stunned for 1 round, Fortitude save negates (DC = 10 + Viewtiful Shogun's class level up to 10th + ½ of Viewtiful Shogun's class levels after 10th + Viewtiful Shogun's Strength or Charisma modifier, whichever is higher). The save DC is increased by 2 if the Viewtiful Shogun has a lightning aura active. Since stunning is strictly more powerful than dazing, this ability replaces Dazing Issen, and can't be taken until after Dazing Issen has been taken. A creature with immunity to stunning subjected to this attack is instead dazed. If it's immune to dazing as well, this attack has no effect.
 *  : A creature struck by the Viewtiful Shogun's Issen is paralyzed for 1 round, Fortitude save negates (DC = 10 + Viewtiful Shogun's class level up to 10th + ½ of Viewtiful Shogun's class levels after 10th + Viewtiful Shogun's Strength or Charisma modifier, whichever is higher). The save DC is increased by 2 if the Viewtiful Shogun has a lightning aura active. Since paralysis is strictly more powerful than stunning, this ability replaces Stunning Issen, and can't be taken until after Stunning Issen has been taken (though it does get downgraded to Stunning Issen if it connects within an antimagic field). A creature with immunity to paralysis subjected to this attack is instead stunned. If the creature is also immune to stunning, it is dazed instead. If it's immune to dazing as well, this attack has no effect.
 *  : A creature struck by the Viewtiful Shogun's Issen bleeds, losing 2 hit points per turn, until the end of the encounter or until it is healed, either magically or with a Heal check. The creature struck can negate the bleeding with a successful Fortitude save (DC = 10 + Viewtiful Shogun's class level up to 10th + ½ of Viewtiful Shogun's class levels after 10th + Viewtiful Shogun's Strength or Charisma modifier, whichever is higher). The DC is increased by 2 if the Viewtiful Shogun has a fire aura active. The Heal check DC to stop the bleeding is 3 points higher than the Fortitude save DC to not start bleeding in the first place. Alternatively, recieving at least 8 points of magical healing in one heal effect will stop the bleeding (so cure minor wounds won't stop the bleeding, but cure light wounds probably will). This cannot be used in conjunction with Dazing Issen or its more powerful variants, nor can it be used with its own more powerful variants, Burning Issen or Scalding Issen.
 *  : A creature struck by the Viewtiful Shogun's Issen is burned until it is healed, either magically, with a Heal check, or through natural healing (the burn is treated as 4 points of ability damage for this purpose). The creature struck can negate the burning with a successful Fortitude save (DC = 10 + Viewtiful Shogun's class level up to 10th + ½ of Viewtiful Shogun's class levels after 10th + Viewtiful Shogun's Strength or Charisma modifier, whichever is higher). The DC is increased by 2 if the Viewtiful Shogun has a fire aura active. The Heal check DC to heal the burn is 6 points higher than the Fortitude save DC to not sustain the burn in the first place. This cannot be used in conjunction with Bleeding Issen, Scalding Issen, or Dazing Issen or its more powerful variants. This cannot be taken until after Bleeding Issen has been taken, but does not replace Bleeding Issen.
 *  : A creature struck by the Viewtiful Shogun's Issen is set on fire until the end of the encounter or until it is put out, either magically or through an action to put out the flames (jumping into a body of water, activating VFX Mach Speed, rolling on the ground, etc.). The creature struck can negate being set on fire with a successful Reflex save (DC = 10 + Viewtiful Shogun's class level up to 10th + ½ of Viewtiful Shogun's class levels after 10th + Viewtiful Shogun's Strength or Charisma modifier, whichever is higher). The DC is increased by 2 if the Viewtiful Shogun has a fire aura active. This cannot be used in conjunction with Bleeding Issen, Burning Issen, or Dazing Issen or its more powerful variants. Scalding Issen cannot be taken until after Burning Issen has been taken, but does not replace Burning Issen.

 : From 5th level onwards, a Viewtiful Shogun may pay 3 VFX points to take his full attack routine as a standard action. Furthermore, he may pay 3 additional VFX points to take his full attack as a move action, and pay 3 additional VFX points after that to make all of his attacks touch attacks. He is only allowed to do this when wielding his chosen weapon (katana, bastard sword, longsword, or greatsword).

If the Viewtiful Shogun is already able to make a full attack as a standard action, he may skip the first VFX cost for this ability.

 (Ps, VFX): Starting at 6th level, a Viewtiful Shogun who currently has a fire or lightning aura active can release dragons of the corresponding element. These dragons travel in a straight 5-foot-wide line out to 500 feet or until they meet a solid obstacle, doing 2d10 fire or electricity damage per class level to everything in their path (Reflex half, DC = 10 + Viewtiful Shogun's class level up to 10th + ½ of Viewtiful Shogun's class levels after 10th + Viewtiful Shogun's Charisma modifier). The Viewtiful Shogun can summon up to 3 dragons as a standard action, sending each out at a different angle (0 degrees, 45 degrees, 90 degrees) in the same direction or as a 3-way spread at the same altitude, or he may summon 4 dragons at 0, 30, 60, and 90-degree angles along the vertical or horizontal plane in the same fashion. Each dragon costs 4 VFX points to summon.

 (VFX): At 7th level, the Viewtiful Shogun gains a sixth aura type &mdash; the dark aura. This functions like the fire and lightning auras in that it only affects the Viewtiful Shogun himself, grants him temporary hit points, and can be dispelled by depleting those hit points. The dark aura grants 20 temporary hit points per level, except that these temporary hit points behave more like stoneskin ' s damage reduction; it can only absorb up to 5 points of damage per class level per attack, and the remainder is sustained by the Viewtiful Shogun's hit points. However, the dark aura also grants damage reduction 1/- per class level, which subtracts damage from the attack as normal before the remainder is absorbed by the dark aura (or diverted to the Viewtiful Shogun's hit points). The dark aura also outright deflects weak physical attacks; it negates all damage from any physical attack whose damage roll comes up as nothing but natural 1s or natural 2s. Finally, the dark aura grants a deflection bonus to AC equal to the Viewtiful Shogun's class level. However, the dark aura grants no energy immunity (and also can't be instantaneously breached by anything). Raising the dark aura is a swift action (just like each of the other auras) and costs 4 VFX points. As before, a new aura may only be raised once every 5 rounds, and if the dark aura is broken before then, the Viewtiful Shogun has to go without an aura until he can raise a new one.

' (Ps, VFX):' At 8th level, the Viewtiful Shogun can use dimension door'' as the spell as a move action by paying 1 VFX point. His caster level is equal to twice his class level. Dimension door does not automatically end the Viewtiful Shogun's turn, though he becomes dazed for 1 round with no save if he uses it twice in the same turn (which means that the second use does automatically end his turn, among other things).

 (Ps, VFX): At 9th level, the Viewtiful Shogun may use his VFX Dragons attack in conjunction with his Dark Aura. When the attack is used this way, the dragons deal psionic and force damage (just like VFX Bubble), their range is extended to 800 feet, and each dragon costs 6 VFX points to manifest.

' (Ps, VFX):' At 10th level, the Viewtiful Shogun may pay 8 VFX points to use plane shift'', as the spell, with a caster level equal to twice his class level.

' (Ps, VFX):' At 10th level, the Viewtiful Shogun may pay 8 VFX points to use banishment'', as the spell, with a caster level equal to twice his class level.

 (VFX): At 12th level, the defensive efficacy of the Viewtiful Shogun's auras improves. Their temporary hit points are doubled, and the dark aura gains double damage reduction and can absorb twice as much damage per attack.

 : A Viewtiful Shogun of 12th level or higher adds his Charisma modifier to his maximum number of VFX points. This class feature can only be gained once from any source; it does not stack with itself.

 (VFX): At 13th level, the offensive efficacy of the Viewtiful Shogun's auras improves. He now adds 4d12 energy damage to all attacks when he has a fire or lightning aura active. This also applies to the Viewtiful Warrior fire and lightning auras activated by VFX Mach Speed and VFX Replay.

 (Ps, VFX): At 15th level, a Viewtiful Shogun may add temporary hit points to his fire, lightning, or dark aura at any time as an immediate action. To do so, he spends a number of VFX points up to ½ his class level plus his Charisma modifier and adds 5 temporary hit points to the aura for each VFX point spent in this way. This is an exception to the rule that temporary hit points can't be stacked onto each other (and also an exception to the rule that the auras can't be replaced with other temporary hit points once established... well, okay, it's more of a loophole than an exception, but the same principle applies).

' (Ps, VFX):' At 16th level, the Viewtiful Shogun can use dimension door'' as the spell as an immediate action by paying 1 VFX point. His caster level is equal to twice his class level. He can still use dimension door as a move action, as well. He is no longer dazed if he uses dimension door more than once in the same round.

 (Ps, VFX): As a swift action, a Viewtiful Shogun of level 17 or higher can spend a number of VFX points up to ½ his class level plus his Charisma modifier and heal himself or one other willing creature for 1d4 points of damage per VFX point spent. If healing another creature with this ability, the Viewtiful Shogun has to touch the creature in question, just like a paladin laying on hands (and just like a paladin laying on hands, he uses a standard action rather than a swift action to do so). He can also heal himself as a standard action in the same manner. A Viewtiful Shogun may not use VFX Heal more than once per round.

VFX Heal counts as an alternative prerequisite to the Azure Touch feat. Essentia invested into Azure Touch is added to the Viewtiful Shogun's class level to determine the maximum number of VFX points spendable on VFX Heal.

 (VFX): From 19th level onward, there is no cooldown period for aura switching. The Viewtiful Warrior can change his aura once per round if he really wants to (and can spare the VFX). It still costs a swift action to change auras, and the VFX cost for changing auras is not reduced.

 : At level 20, a Viewtiful Shogun gains a 4-point increase to his Charisma score. This increase is permanent and an actual increase to the ability score, just like the ability score increase gained at every 4th character level. (In other words, it's not an inherent bonus).

 (Su, VFX): Instead of a Disruptive Issen, a 20th-level Viewtiful Shogun gains the ability to kill instantly with his Issen. By paying 6 VFX points as he performs his Issen, the Viewtiful Shogun may force any target he strikes to succeed on a Fortitude save (DC = 20 + ½ of the Viewtiful Shogun's class levels after 10th + the Viewtiful Shogun's Strength or Charisma modifier, whichever is higher) or die instantly. The DC is increased by 2 if the Viewtiful Shogun has a dark aura active. This is a [Death] effect. It may not be performed at the same time as any Issen that inflicts a status condition (as doing so would be redundant).



He gains Weapon Specialization in his chosen weapon at 3rd level, Greater Weapon Focus at 4th level, and Greater Weapon Specialization at 6th level. He gains these feats and may enjoy their benefits even if he has no levels in fighter.

The epic Viewtiful Shogun gains a bonus feat (selected from the list of epic Viewtiful Shogun feats) every 4 levels after 10th level. He may select a Disruptive Issen instead of a bonus feat.

Epic Viewtiful Shogun Bonus Feat List: Armor Skin, Blinding Speed, Damage Reduction, Devastating Critical, Dire Charge, Energy Resistance, Epic Dodge*, Epic Endurance, Epic Fortitude, Epic Leadership, Epic Prowess, Epic Reflexes, Epic Reputation, Epic Toughness, Epic Weapon Focus**, Epic Weapon Specialization**, Epic Will, Exceptional Deflection, Improved Combat Reflexes, Improved Whirlwind Attack, Infinite Deflection, Legendary Commander, Legendary Leaper, Legendary Wrestler, Overwhelming Critical, Penetrate Damage Reduction, Reflect Arrows, Shattering Strike, Penetrate Damage Reduction, Perfect Health, Severing Strike, Spellcasting Harrier, Superior Initiative, Ultimate Find the Weak Spot, VFX Turbo Charger

* VFX Slow (more specifically, its narrow dodge ability) counts as the defensive roll class feature for the purpose of feat or prestige class prerequisites; however, all other prerequisites must be met as is. ** The Viewtiful Shogun may ignore the fighter level prerequisite for his chosen weapon. *** Death Issen counts as the death attack class feature for purposes of feat or prestige class prerequisites; however, all other prerequisites must be met as is.

Ex-Viewtiful Shogun
A Viewtiful Shogun who ceases to be Lawful may no longer advance in Viewtiful Shogun. He retains all of his Viewtiful Shogun abilities, but all numerical variables are shifted by 4 in the fashion that is least helpful for him (VFX costs increase by 4, all attack and damage rolls for VFX Bubbles and Issen take a &minus;4 penalty, save DCs are reduced by &minus;4, 4 class levels are no longer counted for determining the strength of his auras, etc.), due to losing the necessary ethical focus to use his talents. If his alignment becomes chaotic, his penalties are increased to weaken his abilities by a variable of 8. These penalties are lifted as soon as the Viewtiful Shogun regains a lawful alignment - he does not have to atone first.

Playing a Viewtiful Shogun
Combat: Just like a Viewtiful Warrior, a Viewtiful Shogun is a burst damage combatant. In fact, a Viewtiful Shogun takes the "burst damage" characterization even further, as his super-painful energy attacks require VFX to use. Even while recharging, he can still support his allies with his basic auras. A high-level Viewtiful Shogun is nigh-impossible to harm, let alone kill, unless he runs out of VFX... basically, he can outlast nearly any opponent that's unfortunate enough to not have some way of instantly incapacitating a foe. (Many Viewtiful Shoguns make themselves immune to as many instant-incapacitation effects as possible in order to avoid that problem.)

Advancement: Most of the advancement options for the regular Viewtiful Warrior, such as the Combo Maker, are also solid choices for the Viewtiful Shogun. However, due to his plethora of ranged attacks, Issens, and proficiency with swords, he can also do well in prestige classes focusing on the use of such weapons. However, a prestige class that focuses on unarmed strikes isn't a good idea unless the Viewtiful Shogun wants to make up for the unarmed attack ability he gave up by not advancing in Viewtiful Warrior... and even then, the choice is a questionable one.

Resources: As suggested by the class name, Viewtiful Shoguns tend to be at the top of any hierarchy they're found in. This means that the organization's resources are theirs to direct, but it also means that they have to put up with requests for financial aid, and if the organization they belong to goes belly-up, it's probably the Viewtiful Shogun's fault.

Viewtiful Shoguns in the World
"Happy ending, my big toe! I'll show you what real power is!"

The Viewtiful Shogun is the Big Bad, the Black Emperor, the Evil Overlord sitting upon the Onyx Throne, conquering the hapless hamlets, and ruling with an iron fist. At least, that's what he is by default. Once he has become a Viewtiful Shogun, there's absolutely nothing stopping him from becoming benevolent in the future, except maybe some blackness in his heart. Or that he keeps by his side. Legend has it that where a Viewtiful Shogun is wreaking havoc, the Black Film can be found also...

NPC Reactions: Viewtiful Shoguns are both feared and admired, but mostly feared. Then again, fear is probably the appropriate response, considering that he can use his VFX to quite literally fry you. NPCs will probably be unfriendly or hostile to the Viewtiful Shogun, but much too afraid of him to actually act on that hostility.

Viewtiful Shogun Lore
Characters with ranks in Knowledge (theatrics) or Knowledge (nobility and royalty) can research Viewtiful Shoguns to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

Viewtiful Shoguns in the Game
The Viewtiful Shogun works best as the final opponent the party has to confront in a campaign, with as many levels in the prestige class as he can get. His offensive ability is arguably weaker than a straight-up Viewtiful Warrior's, but his defensive abilities are nigh-unbreakable. If you really want to give the PCs headaches, give him levels in Boss as well!

Adaptation: The Viewtiful Shogun fits in just like the Viewtiful Warrior does. If VFX is treated as a subset of psionic power, that makes the Viewtiful Shogun a psionic character.