View source for Grimslayer (3.5e Class)

===Making a Grimslayer===

'''Abilities:''' A high Strength score is very important as it improves a Grimslayers attack and damage rolls which is important for his heavy roll in combat. Dexterity can be useful to augment the light and medium armors he wears and his sneaking ability. The more Constitution he has gives him more staying power in combat and decides how many times per day he can summon his Accomplice per day. Intelligence does the heavy lifting for this class as it controls the save DC against a Grimslayers Death Attack and Frightful Attack abilities. An Intelligence score of 14 is also require to cast the most powerful Grimslayer spells and an Intelligence of 11 or higher is required to even cast any Grimslayer spells at all.  Intelligence also gives him more skill points which can be used to expand his repertoire.

'''Characteristics:''' The Grimslayer is the foot soldier for the [[Grim_Legion_(3.5e_Class)|Grim Legion]] an order of mercenary assassins. Part melee warrior, part assassin his expertise with fighting with two magically summoned weapons and knowledge of how to hit where it hurts allows him to dish out incredible amounts of damage with sneak attack. As a Grimslayer levels and becomes better at critical hits and flanking with his Accomplice he can teleport across the battle field and take down enemies incredibly quickly. His skill selection, Accomplice, Shadow Step and access to arcane spells give him the ability to make an excellent scout or utility addition to any team. 

'''Races:''' Humans and Teiflings make the greatest Grimslayers. Dwarves and some of the more intelligence Half-Orcs are very common among Grimslayer ranks. Most Elves do not find themselves drawn to the class but can excel to the top of the ranks when they do. Half-Elves rarely chose the path of a Grimslayer, and Gnomes and Halflings tend to not find themselves suited to the job but a few members of their races have been seen among the ranks of the Grimslayers.   

'''Alignment:''' As one of the main job descriptions of a Grimslayer is to kill things, generally without regards for innocence of the creature being killed since the Grim Legion are mercenary assassins, most Grimslayers are not of a good alignment. Also because this is a tight knit organization its rare for a Chaotic creature to feel comfortable following all of the rules and regulations and to fall in line with what is expected of him. The majority of Grimslayers tend to be Lawful Neutral doing their job and following the code of the Grim Legion with little regard for what's right or wrong about it or True Neutral. Many high ranking members of this class are Lawful Evil or Neutral Evil.

'''Starting Gold:''' 6d4 times 10 gp (125 gp).

'''[[SRD:Race Descriptions#Starting Age|Starting Age]]:''' "Moderate" or "As [[fighter]]"

{| class="zebra d20"
|+
<div>{{Anchor|Table: The Grimslayer}}</div>
[[SRD:Hit Dice|Hit Die]]: d6
|-
! rowspan="2" | Level
! rowspan="2" | [[BAB|Base<br/>Attack Bonus]]
! colspan="3" | [[SRD:Saving Throw|Saving Throw]]s
! rowspan="2" | Special
! colspan="10" | [[#Spells|Spells per Day]]
|- 
! [[SRD:Saving Throw#Fortitude|Fort]] || [[SRD:Saving Throw#Reflex|Ref]] || [[SRD:Saving Throw#Will|Will]]
! 1<sup>st</sup> || 2<sup>nd</sup> || 3<sup>rd</sup> || 4<sup>th</sup>
|- 
|1st|| class="left" | +1 || +2 || +2 || +0
| class="left" | [[#Grim Path|Grim Path]], [[#Grimblade|Grimblade]], [[#Dual Wielding|Duel Wielding]], [[#Sneak Attack|Sneak Attack]] +1d6  
|—||—||—||—
|- 
|2nd|| class="left" | +2 || +3 || +3 || +0
| class="left" | [[#Accomplice|Accomplice]], [[#Poison Use|Poison Use]], [[#Parrying|Parrying]]
|—||—||—||—
|- 
|3rd|| class="left" | +3 || +3 || +3 || +1
| class="left" | [[#Ambidexterity|Ambidexterity (-1)]], Sneak Attack +2d6
|—||—||—||—
|- 
|4th||class="left" | +4 || +4 || +4 || +1
| class="left" | [[#Pin Shield|Pin Shield]], [[#Spells|Spells]]
|0||—||—||—
|- 
|5th||class="left" | +5 || +4 || +4 || +1
| class="left" | [[#Spellblade|Spellblade]], [[#Improved Flanking|Improved Flanking]],  Sneak Attack +3d6
|1||—||—||—
|- 
|6th||class="left" | +6/+1 || +5 || +5 || +2
| class="left" | [[#Death Attack|Death Attack]], [[#Critical Adept|Critical Adept]], Ambidexterity (-0) 
|1||0||—||—
|- 
|7th||class="left" | +7/+2 || +5 || +5 || +2
| class="left" | [[#Improved Poison Use|Improved Poison Use]], Sneak Attack +4d6
|1||1||—||—
|- 
|8th||class="left" | +8/+3 || +6 || +6 || +2
| class="left" | [[Improved Critical|Improved Critical]]
|1||1||0||—
|- 
|9th||class="left" | +9/+4 || +6 || +6 || +3
| class="left" | [[#Bleeding Strike|Bleeding Strike]], Sneak Attack +5d6
|1||1||1||—
|- 
|10th||class="left" | +10/+5 || +7 || +7 || +3
| class="left" | [[#Slice and Dice|Slice and Dice]] 1/day
|1||1||1||0
|- 
|11th||class="left" | +11/+6/+1 || +7 || +7 || +3
| class="left" | [[#Weakening Critical|Weakening Critical]], Sneak Attack +6d6
|1||1||1||1
|- 
|12th||class="left" | +12/+7/+2 || +8 || +8 || +4
| class="left" | [[#Frightful Attack|Frightful Attack]], Slice and Dice 2/day
|2||1||1||1
|- 
|13th||class="left" | +13/+8/+3 || +8 || +8 || +4
| class="left" | [[#Wounding Critical|Wounding Critical]], Sneak Attack +7d6
|2||2||1||1
|- 
|14th||class="left" | +14/+9/+4 || +9 || +9 || +4
| class="left" | [[#Critical Master|Critical Master]], Slice and Dice 3/day
|3||2||2||1
|- 
|15th||class="left" | +15/+10/+5 || +9 || +9 || +5
| class="left" | Sneak Attack +8d6
|3||3||2||2
|- 
|16th||class="left" | +16/+11/+6/+1 || +10 || +10 || +5
| class="left" | [[#Improved Slice and Dice|Improved Slice and Dice]] 4/day
|4||3||3||2
|- 
|17th||class="left" | +17/+12/+7/+2 || +10 || +10 || +5
| class="left" | [[#Pounce|Pounce]], Sneak Attack +9d6
|4||4||3||3
|- 
|18th||class="left" | +18/+13/+8/+3 || +11 || +11 || +6
| class="left" | Slice and Dice 5/day
|4||4||4||3
|- 
|19th||class="left" | +19/+14/+9/+4 || +11 || +11 || +6
| class="left" | [[#Sudden Strike|Sudden Strike]], Sneak Attack +10d6
|4||4||4||4
|- 
|20th||class="left" | +20/+15/+10/+5 || +12 || +12 || +6
| class="left" | [[#Perfect Slice and Dice|Perfect Slice and Dice]]
|5||5||5||5
|- class="noalt"
| colspan="42" class="skill" |
'''Class Skills ([[Skill Points::6]] + [[SRD:Intelligence|Int]] modifier per level, &times;4 at 1st level)'''<br/>
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Balance Skill|Balance}} ([[SRD:Dexterity|Dex]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Bluff Skill|Bluff}} ([[SRD:Charisma|Cha]]),
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Climb Skill|Climb}} ([[SRD:Strength|Str]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Concentration Skill|Concentration}} ([[SRD:Constitution|Con]]),
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Craft Skill|Craft}} ([[SRD:Intelligence|Int]]),
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Decipher Script Skill|Decipher Script}} ([[SRD:Intelligence|Int]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Disguise Skill|Disguise}} ([[SRD:Charisma|Cha]]),
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Escape Artist Skill|Escape Artist}} ([[SRD:Dexterity|Dex]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Hide Skill|Hide}}  ([[SRD:Dexterity|Dex]]),
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Intimidate Skill|Intimidate}} ([[SRD:Charisma|Cha]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Jump Skill|Jump}} ([[SRD:Strength|Str]]),
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Knowledge Skill|Knowledge}} (Local) ([[SRD:Intelligence|Int]])
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Listen Skill|Listen}} ([[SRD:Wisdom|Wis]])
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Move Silently Skill|Move Silently}} ([[SRD:Dexterity|Dex]]),
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Open Lock Skill|Open Lock}} ([[SRD:Dexterity|Dex]]),
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Profession Skill|Profession}} ([[SRD:Wisdom|Wis]]),
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Sense Motive Skill|Sense Motive}} ([[SRD:Wisdom|Wis]]),
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Sleight of Hand Skill|Sleight of Hand}} ([[SRD:Dexterity|Dex]]),  
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Spot Skill|Spot}} ([[SRD:Wisdom|Wis]]),
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Tumble Skill|Tumble}}  ([[SRD:Dexterity|Dex]]), 
|}

====Class Features====

All of the following are class features of the Grimslayer.

'''Weapon and Armor Proficiency:''' Grimslayers are proficient with all simple and martial weapons and also with Bastard Sword, Double Bladed Swords, Sai, and Shuriken as well as with all light and medium armors but not with any shields.

'''{{Anchor|Grimblade}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Supernatural|Su]]):''' Starting at 1st level, the Grimslayer may create melee weapons from a magical shadowy energy. This action uses the same action as drawing a weapon. He may create any light or one-handed melee weapon with which he is proficient and up to as many weapons as he has hands wield them (such as races with more than 2 arms). He may even create a different weapon in each hand and may change weapons each time he draws his Grimblade(s) including creating thrown weapons and projectiles. These weapons function exactly as their mundane counterparts except that they bypass damage reduction like they were magic, and are subject to spell resistance, can be dispelled. with an equivalent spell level equal to a [[SRD:Wizard|Wizard]]'s highest spell level (Minimum 1st, maximum 9th) of the Grimslayers current class level. 

A Grimblade vanishes within an [[SRD:Antimagic Field|''Antimagic Field'']] or similar effect, just like a Soulknife's Mind Blade. However, like the Soulknife, a Grimslayer may attempt a DC 20 Will save to hold his Grimblade together. If successful, he may maintain his Grimblade for a number of rounds equal to his class level before he must save again. On a failed save, he can attempt to manifest his Grimblade once more during his next turn, making another Will save if he is still within the magic-negating effect.

'''{{Anchor|Dual Wielding}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Extraordinary|Ex]]):''' Wielding two weapons simultaneously in combat is a core and essential key to a Grimslayers combat training. Beginning at 1st level a Grimslayer gains [[SRD:Two Weapon Fighting|Two-Weapon Fighting]] as a bonus feat even if he does not meet the prerequisites.

At 6th level the Grimslayer becomes an expert at his skill with his two weapons and gains [[SRD:Improved Two-Weapon Fighting|Improved Two-Weapon Fighting]] as a bonus feat even if he does not meet the prerequisites, granting him a second offhand attack.

At 11th level the Grimslayer becomes a master of his skills with his two weapons and gains the [[SRD:Greater Two-Weapon Fighting|Greater Two-Weapon Fighting]] feat as a bonus feat even if he does not meet the prerequisites, granting him a third offhand attack.

'''{{Anchor|Sneak Attack}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Extraordinary|Ex]]):''' As the [[SRD:Rogue#Sneak_Attack|Rogue]] feature of the same name, see page 50 of the players handbook.

'''{{Anchor|Accomplice}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Supernatural|Su]]):''' Starting at 2nd level number of times per day equal to his constitution modifier (minimum of once per day) a Grimslayer can bring his own shadow to life causing it to separate from him as a featureless 3 dimensional vague humanoid shaped undead shadow. This effect last indefinitely or until cancelled or until the Grimslayer is knocked unconscious, dies or goes to sleep, at which time the Accomplice ceases to exist and returns to being his normal shadow. Doing this causes the Grimslayer to no longer cast a shadow and this grants several unique abilities as he levels.  

An Accomplice cannot speak but the Grimslayer has a telepathic link with his shadowy Accomplice and can communicate with it telepathically at all times and direct the Accomplice mentally as a free action. A Grimslayer can also enter a focused state to be able to see and hear through the Accomplice as though he himself were standing where the Accomplice is. The Accomplice is [[Partial_Incorporeality_(3.5e_Creature_Ability)|partially incorporeal]] meaning that it is generally corporeal but acts as incorporeal in several ways. As a partially incorporeal shadow itself the Accomplice gains a +8 bonus on move silently checks and +20 bonus on hide checks in areas of at least shadowy illumination, but likewise in brightly lit areas other creatures gain a +10 bonus on spot checks to see it.

Starting at 4th level the Accomplice gains the ability to manifest itself completely incorporeally or even just parts of itself (such as just its torso) for a number of minutes per day equal to the Grimslayers class level, spent in 1 round intervals. Also starting at 4th level the Accomplice may create a singular Grimblade identical to the Grimslayers normal weapon choice and allows the Accomplice to assist the Grimslayer in combat. The Accomplice remains [[Partial_Incorporeality_(3.5e_Creature_Ability)|partially incorporeal]] while in combat giving it a 20% miss chance.

A Grimslayer can dismiss his Accomplice at any time as a free action, from any distance even across planar boundries, causing the Accomplice to immediately disappear from its current location and reappear as his normal shadow. Doing so causes the Accomplice to cease being a magical creature and as such resets any damage or adverse effects on the Accomplice for the next time it is summoned. If an Accomplice is killed or destroyed by any effect it returns to being the Grimslayers normal shadow and the Grimslayer becomes nauseated for 1 round and also sickened for 2d4 rounds. After this effect expires he may summon his Accomplice again if he has uses per day remaining as normal. (see [[#Grimslayers Accomplice|Accomplice below]]). 

'''{{Anchor|Poison Use}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Extraordinary|Ex]]):''' At 2nd level and higher, a Grimslayer never risks accidentally poisoning himself while applying poison to a weapon.

'''{{Anchor|Parrying}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Extraordinary|Ex]]):''' By using two weapons infront of himself the Grimslayer is more readily capable of parrying an attack. Beginning at 2nd level a Grimslayer automatically gains [[SRD:Two-Weapon Defense|Two-Weapon Defense]] and [[Reactive_Parry_(3.5e_Feat)|Reactive Parry]] as bonus feats even if he does not meet the prerequisites. (Two-Weapon Defense can be found in the Players Handbook on page 102).

This shield bonus to AC while wielding two weapons improves to +2 at 7th level and +3 at 11th level, however these bonuses do not stack with the Improved Two Weapon Defense and Greater Two Weapon Defense feats found in the Complete Warrior. 

'''{{Anchor|Ambidexterity}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Extraordinary|Ex]]):'''  A Grimslayer is such an expert at fighting with 2 weapons that at 3rd level and higher he gains [[Ambidexterity_(3.5e_Feat)|Ambidexterity]] as a bonus feat even if he doesn't meet the prerequisites. This allows him to gain his full strength bonus on attacks with his off-hand weapon and use one handed weapons as though they were light for penalties for two weapon fighting. In addition to this, a Grimslayer's attack penalties when fighting with two weapons are lessened by 1 for both his main hand and his offhand weapons. At 6th level the attack penalties are lessened by another 1 (down to a minimum of 0). See table 8-10: on page 160 of the players handbook.

'''{{Anchor|Pin Shield}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Extraordinary|Ex]]):'''  At 4th level a Grimslayer learns to make his opponents more vulnerable to his attacks by sacrificing his attacks with his offhand weapon to remove an opponents shield bonus from the fight for 1 round. A Grimslayer gains Pin Shield as a bonus feat even if he does not meet the prerequisites  (This feat can be found in the Complete Warrior on page 103). 

'''{{Anchor|Spells}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Spell-Like|Sp]]):''' Begining at 4th level, a Grimslayer gains the ability to cast a number of arcane spells from the Grimslayer spell list (see below). When a Grimslayer gains access to a new level of spells, he automatically knows all of the spells for that level on the Grimslayer spell list. He can cast any spell he knows without preparing it ahead of time. Essentially the Grimslayers spell list is the same as his spells known list. 

To cast a spell, a Grimslayer must have an Intelligence score of at least 10 + the spell's level, so a Grimslayer with an Intelligence of 10 or lower cannot cast these spells. His spells are based on Intelligence and saving throws against these spells have a DC of 15 + the spells level + the Grimslayer's Intelligence bonus (if any). When he gets 0 spells per day of a given spell level (for instance, 1st level spells for a 4th level Grimslayer), he gains only the bonus spells he would be entitled to based on his Intelligence score for that spell level. The Grimslayer's spell list appears below. 

1st&mdash; [[SRD:Alarm|Alarm]], [[SRD:Cause Fear|Cause Fear]], [[SRD:Delay Poison|Delay Poison]], [[SRD:Detect Magic|Detect Magic]], [[SRD:Detect Poison|Detect Poison]], [[SRD:Detect Secret Doors|Detect Secret Doors]], [[SRD:Disguise Self|Disguise Self]], [[SRD:Expeditious Retreat|Expeditious Retreat]], [[SRD:Feather Fall|Feather Fall]], [[SRD:Identify|Identify]], [[SRD:Light|Light]], [[SRD:Mount|Mount]], [[SRD:Magic Aura|Magic Aura]], [[SRD:Obscure Object|Obscure Object]], [[SRD:Obscuring Mist|Obscuring Mist]], [[SRD:Pass without Trace|Pass without Trace]], [[SRD:Sleep|Sleep]], [[SRD:Touch of Fatigue|Touch of Fatigue]], [[SRD:True Strike|True Strike]], [[SRD:Undetectable Alignment|Undetectable Alignment]].

2nd&mdash; [[SRD:Alter Self|Alter Self]], [[SRD:Arcane Lock|Arcane Lock]], [[SRD:Blur|Blur]], [[SRD:Darkness|Darkness]], [[SRD:Darkvision_(Spell)|Darkvision]], [[SRD:Death Knell|Death Knell]], [[SRD:Detect Thoughts|Detect Thoughts]], [[SRD:Find Traps|Find Traps]], [[SRD:Hold Person|Hold Person]], [[SRD:Knock|Knock]], [[SRD:Locate Object|Locate Object]], [[SRD:Misdirection|Misdirection]], [[SRD:Ray of Exhaustion|Ray of Exhaustion]], [[SRD:Remove Paralysis|Remove Paralysis]], [[SRD:Scare|Scare]], [[SRD:See Invisibility|See Invisibility]], [[SRD:Silence|Silence]], [[SRD:Snare|Snare]], [[SRD:Spider Climb|Spider Climb]], [[SRD:Suggestion|Suggestion]]. 

3rd&mdash; [[SRD:Arcane Sight|Arcane Sight]], [[SRD:Bestow Curse|Bestow Curse]], [[SRD:Blink|Blink]], [[SRD:Clairaudience/Clairvoyance|Clairaudience/Clairvoyance]], [[SRD:Contagion|Contagion]], [[SRD:Crushing Despair|Crushing Despair]], [[SRD:Deep Slumber|Deep Slumber]], [[SRD:Displacement|Displacement]], [[SRD:Fear_(Spell)|Fear]], [[SRD:Lesser Geas|Geas Lesser]], [[SRD:Glibness|Glibness]], [[SRD:Haste|Haste]], [[SRD:Neutralize Poison|Neutralize Poison]], [[SRD:Nondetection|Nondetection]], [[SRD:Poison_(Spell)|Poison]], [[SRD:Sepia Snake Sigil|Sepia Snake Sigil]], [[SRD:Scrying|Scrying]], [[SRD:Sculpt Sound|Sculpt Sound]], [[SRD:Slow|Slow]], [[SRD:Water Breathing|Water Breathing]]. 

4th&mdash; [[SRD:Cloudkill|Cloudkill]], [[SRD:Death Ward|Death Ward]], [[SRD:Detect Scrying|Detect Scrying]], [[SRD:Discern Lies|Discern Lies]], [[SRD:Dispel Magic|Dispel Magic]], [[SRD:Freedom of Movement|Freedom Of Movement]], [[SRD:Hold Monster|Hold Monster]], [[SRD:Greater Invisibility|Greater Invisibility]], [[SRD:Illusory Wall|Illusory Wall]], [[SRD:Locate Creature|Locate Creature]], [[SRD:Mass Suggestion|Mass Suggestion]], [[SRD:Mislead|Mislead]], [[SRD:Modify Memory|Modify Memory]], [[SRD:Passwall|Passwall]], [[SRD:Phantasmal Killer|Phantasmal Killer]], [[SRD:Rainbow Pattern|Rainbow Pattern]], [[SRD:Slay Living|Slay Living]], [[SRD:Solid Fog|Solid Fog]], [[SRD:Waves of Fatigue|Waves of Fatigue]], [[SRD:Zone of Silence|Zone of Silence]].

'''{{Anchor|Spellblade}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Supernatural|Su]]):''' At 5th level a Grimslayer can enchant his Grimblade, as though he possessed the Craft Magic Arms and Armor feat. However, he ignores all spell and feat prerequisites for each enchantment, but must still spend the time, gold and XP costs as required. His caster level for the purposes of enchanting his Grimblade is equal to his class level. When enchanting a Grimblade a Grimslayer must choose which version of his Grimblade he's enchanting and only this manifestation of the Grimblade receives the enchantment. A Grimslayer need only buy each enchantment once regardless of how many Grimblades he actually creates in combat with that enchantment. For example, a Thri-Kreen who enchants his Grimblade as a longsword with keen edge can still produce a short sword, but it wouldn't be keen, or he can create 4 keen longswords, one for each hand.

Also he may create talismans with religious and occult markings that are made out of special materials, such as adamantine, cold iron or silver. These talismans each weigh 1 pound and cost the same as the material's normal cost for a weapon. Such as silver weapons cost 90 GP to make, so a silver talisman would also cost 90 GP and an adamantine talisman would cost 3000 GP. With cold iron, its supposed to be double the cost of the weapon but since the Grimblade doesn't cost anything to make, the cost is treated as a longsword. So a cold iron talismans cost is 30 GP. Any time a Grimslayer forms his Grimblades, he has the option of making any or all of his Grimblades act as though they were made of the special material for any talisman(s) he wears.

'''{{Anchor|Improved Flanking}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Extraordinary|Ex]]):'''  A Grimslayer of 5th level or higher becomes an expert of taking advantage of a distracted opponent. Any time the Grimslayer is [[SRD:flanking|flanking]] an opponent he gains a +4 bonus on all attack rolls against his target instead of the normal +2 on attacks. (Other characters flanking with the Grimslayer do not gain this increased bonus, but an Accomplice does). This ability also allows for the Grimslayer to use sneak attacks or similar abilities on targets with Improved Uncanny Dodge as well, although he still gains no flanking bonus on his attack rolls.

'''{{Anchor|Death Attack:}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Supernatural|Su]]):''' If the Grimslayer studies an opponent for 3 rounds and then he makes a sneak attack with a melee weapon that successfully deals damage, the sneak attack has the additional effect of possibly either paralyzing or killing the target (Grimslayers choice). While studying the victim the Grimslayer can undertake no other actions so long as his attention says focused on the target and the target does not detect the Grimslayer or recognize him as an enemy. If the victim of such an attack fails a Fortitude save (DC = 10 + the Grimslayers class level + the Grimslayers Intelligence modifier) against the kill effect, it dies. If the saving throw fails against the paralysis effect the victims mind and body become enervated, rendering it helpless and unable to act for 1d6 rounds plus 1 round per Grimslayer class level. If the victim's saving throw succeeds, the attack is just a normal sneak attack. Once the Grimslayer has completed the 3 rounds of study, he must make the death attack within the next 3 rounds. If a death attack is attempted and fails (the victim makes its save) or he does not launch the attack within 3 rounds of completing the study, 3 new rounds of study are required before he can attempt another death attack.

'''{{Anchor|Critical Adept}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Extraordinary|Ex]]):''' Through rigorous study and careful and determined practice, Grimslayers have learned about previously unknown weak areas of various types of creatures. At 6th level a Grimslayer may make sneak attacks or other attacks that require critical hits against creatures of the Construct, Plant and Undead types, however he still cannot actually make critical hits against these creatures.

'''{{Anchor|Improved Poison Use}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Extraordinary|Ex]]):''' Starting at 7th level, a Grimslayer can apply poison to a weapon as a move action. (Normally applying poison to a weapon is a standard action, like applying an oil). The Grimslayers skill with manipulating poisons is such that he may still apply poison to a blade while holding a weapon in each hand, by using his thumb, index finger and middle finger to hold and manipulate the poison and his palms, ring fingers and pinkies to hold his weapons in place.

'''{{Anchor|Improved Critical}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Extraordinary|Ex]]):'''  A 8th level Grimslayer gains the [[SRD:Improved Critical|Improved Critical]] feat with any weapon with which he is proficient, as a bonus feat even if he does not meet the prerequisites.

'''{{Anchor|Bleeding Strike}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Extraordinary|Ex]]):'''  A Grimslayer of 9th level or higher learns to place his sneak attacks on vital areas of the body, causing a wound that continues to bleed over time. After 9th level a Grimslayer may choose to subtract dice damage from any sneak attack before rolling damage to do a Bleeding Strike. Such an attack deals normal damage plus any non-sacrificed sneak attack dice in the round when the attack hits. Thereafter, the wound caused by Bleeding Strike bleeds for 2 points of damage per round for every 1d6 damage sacrificed on the bleeding strike. Multiple Bleeding Strikes result in cumulative bleeding loss (two wounds for 4 points of damage a round and so on). The bleeding can only be stopped  by a DC 15 heal check or the application of any cure spell or other healing spell (such as heal, healing circle and so on). Creatures immune to sneak attack damage are immune to Bleeding Strike as well.

'''{{Anchor|Slice and Dice}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Extraordinary|Ex]]):''' Beginning at 10th level, a Grimslayer can enter a focused trance-like state and he may double the number of melee attacks he makes while preforming a full attack action in a single round. For example, if a 11th level Grimslayer makes a Slice and Dice attack, and normally has a +11/+6/+1 on a full attack action, during a Slice and Dice attack, his full attack action would be +11/+11/+6/+6/+1/+1. A Grimslayer may take a 5 foot movement between each attack but he is not required to move 5 feet at any point during a Slice and Dice attack unless he wants to. A Grimslayer does not gain any extra attack benefits from haste while in this trance. After a Slice and Dice attack a Grimslayer becomes fatigued for 30 minutes or until he can get complete rest for 5 minutes. If he preforms a Slice and Dice attack while fatigued he becomes exhausted until he is able to get 1 full hour of complete rest.

'''{{Anchor|Weakening Critical}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Supernatural|Su]]):'''  A Grimslayer of 11th level or higher who scores a critical hit against a creature, also deals 2 points of strength damage to the creature. Creatures immune to critical hits are immune to this effect. 

'''{{Anchor|Frightful attack}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Supernatural|Su]]):'''  At 12th level a Grimslayer can panic onlookers and even frighten her opponents to death with a death attack. Any time after he has completed his 3 rounds of study on an opponent in order to prepare for a death attack, he may instead designate that the attack he will make will be a frightful attack. If his sneak attack for his death strike successfully deals damage to the target the victim must make a will save (DC = 10 + 1/2 the Grimslayer's class level + the Grimslayer's intelligence modifier). If the victim succeeds he is shaken for 1 round per class level of the Grimslayer. If he fails this save, he instantly dies of fear. Creatures immune to mind affecting effects, immune to fear or with hit dice that exceed the Grimslayer's character level are immune to frightful attack. In addition all creatures who can see the frightful attack (other than the victim, the Grimslayer and his allies) become panicked (if they have fewer hit dice than the Grimslayer's class level) or shaken (if they have the same hit dice or more than the Grimslayer's class level) for 1 round per Grimslayer class level. A successful will save (DC 10 + the Grimslayers class level + the Grimslayers intelligence modifier) negates the effect.

'''{{Anchor|Wounding Critical}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Supernatural|Su]]):'''  A Grimslayer of 13th level or higher who scores a successful critical hit against a creature also deals 2 points of Constitution damage to the creature (this is in addition to the 2 points of strength damage dealt by the Grimslayers Weakening Critical class feature). Creatures immune to critical hits are immune to this effect. 

'''{{Anchor|Critical Master}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Extraordinary|Ex]]):''' Starting at 14th level against any creature that is normally not immune to precision damage, a Grimslayer's sneak attack damage is now multiplied on a successful confirmed critical hit.

'''{{Anchor|Improved Slice and Dice}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Extraordinary|Ex]]):''' At 16th level level a Grimslayer who uses Slice and Dice now only becomes fatigued for the rest of the current encounter and then is fine. If he uses Slice and Dice while fatigued he comes exhausted for the rest of the current encounter and then fatigued for 1 minute there after. A Grimslayer need not rest to remove the fatigued condition, it expires after 1 minute.

'''{{Anchor|Pounce}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Extraordinary|Ex]]):''' A Grimslayer of 17th level can still take a full attack action (for melee attacks only) and still move up to his full speed each round. A Grimslayer is subject to attacks of opportunity while moving as normal, but may also tumble normally as part of his move.

A Grimslayer cannot gain the benefits of this ability while wearing heavy armor or while carrying a heavy load, nor can he use skills or abilities that involve concentration or require him to stay still, such as Move Silently, Hide or Search.

'''{{Anchor|Sudden Strike}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Supernatural|Su]]):'''  At 19th level as one of his allowed attacks of opportunity for a round, a Grimslayer can declare one normal melee or ranged attack he makes (even as a part of a full attack action), to be a sneak attack (the target can be no more than 30 feet away if the Sudden Strike is a ranged attack) even on an aware target that is not currently flanked or losing their Dexterity bonus to AC. The target of a Sudden Strike loses any Dexterity bonus to AC, but only against that one attack. This ability can be used against any target, but creatures that are immune to a Grimslayers enhanced critical hits take no extra damage (though they still lose any Dexterity bonus to AC against the attack).

'''{{Anchor|Perfect Slice and Dice}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Extraordinary|Ex]]):''' At 20th level a Grimslayer has mastered his Slice and Dice technique and may not use a Slice and Dice attack as often per day as he would like and never becomes fatigued or exhausted after using a Slice and Dice attack.

====Epic Grimslayers====

{| class="zebra d20"
|+ class="epic" |
<div>{{Anchor|Table: The Epic Grimslayer}}</div>
Hit Die: d8
|-
! Level !! Special
|- 
| 21st || class="left" | [[#Perfect Two-Weapon Fighting|Perfect Two-Weapon Fighting]]
|- 
| 22nd || class="left" | [[#Bonus Feat|Bonus Feat]], Sneak Attack +11d6
|- 
| 23rd || class="left" | 
|- 
| 24th || class="left" | Bonus Feat, Sneak Attack +12d6
|- 
| 25th || class="left" | [[#Ghostly Accomplice|Ghostly Accomplice]]
|- 
| 26th || class="left" | Bonus Feat, Sneak Attack +13d6
|- 
| 27th || class="left" | 
|- class
| 28th || class="left" | Bonus Feat, Sneak Attack +14d6
|- class
| 29th || class="left" | [[#Shadow Leap|Shadow Leap]]
|- class=
| 30th || class="left" | Bonus Feat, Sneak Attack +15d6
|- class="noalt"
| colspan="42" class="skill" |
6 + [[SRD:Intelligence|Int]] modifier skill points per level.
|}

'''{{Anchor|Perfect Two-Weapon Fighting}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Extraordinary|Ex]]):''' At 21st level a Grimslayer gains [[SRD:Perfect_Two-Weapon_Fighting|Perfect Two-Weapon Fighting]] as a bonus feat even if he doesn't meet the prerequisites.

'''{{Anchor|Ghostly Accomplice}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Supernatural|Su]]):''' At 25th level an Accomplice's type changes and it becomes Undead (Incorporeal) and now is incorporeal as a default and may instead make itself corporeal a number of minutes per day equal to the number of minutes it could make itself incorporeal previously. In addition the Accomplices natural attack now deals 1d8 strength damage like a [[SRD:Greater_Shadow|Greater Shadow]] and an Accomplice may now create spawn from creatures it reduces to 0 Strength with its natural touch as described in the Greater Shadow description. 


====Human Grimslayer Starting Package====

'''Weapons:''' Bastard Sword.

'''Skill Selection:''' Pick a number of skills equal to 2 + [[Int]] modifier.

{| class="zebra d20"
|-
! class="left" | Skill || Ranks || Ability || Armor<br/>Check<br/>Penalty
|- class=
| class="left" | Intimidate || 4 || Cha || &mdash;
|- class=
| class="left" | Sense Motive || 4 || Wis || &mdash;
|}

'''Feat:''' Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Bastard Sword)

'''Bonus Feats:''' Weapon Focus (Bastard Sword) from class, and Improved Initiative for Human.

'''Gear:''' Breastplate.

'''Gold:''' 6d4 X 10.
Article Balance	High +
Author	The-Marksman + and Zhenra-Khal +
Identifier	3.5e Class +
Rating	Undiscussed +
Skill	Balance +, Bluff +, Climb +, Concentration +, Craft +, Decipher Script +, Disguise +, Escape Artist +, Hide +, Intimidate +, Jump +, Knowledge +, Listen +, Move Silently +, Open Lock +, Profession +, Sense Motive +, Sleight of Hand +, Spot + and Tumble +
Skill Points	6 +
Title	Grimslayer +