Thugs and Cutthroats in every port lay claim to the title “pirate”, but actually making a fortune through piracy is no easy task. A Dread Pirate, however, has mastered every aspect of larceny on the high seas. Her network of contacts tells her when a particularly valuable cargo is shipping out. After a flawless ambush at sea, she swings aboard the target ship on a rope, sword in hand. Once she and her shipmates have overpowered the prize vessel’s crew, they liberate the cargo and make their escape.

Some Dread Pirates accomplish their goals through fear, killing indiscriminately and ruling their ships at sword-point. Others minimise bloodshed and exhibit a curious breed of chivalry. Now and again a Dread Pirate takes his chivalric streak a step further and preys only on the ship of enemy nations, or even solely on other pirates.

Select this prestige class if you want your character to be known and feared across the seas.

The fastest path into this prestige class is from the strong, fast and charismatic hero basic classes, and then the Sailor advanced class, though other paths are possible.

Rules Version: d20 Modern

Requirements

• Base Attack Bonus: +5
• Skills: Balance 12 ranks, Climb 12 ranks, Gather Information 12 ranks, Sailing 12 ranks, Diplomacy or Intimidate 12 ranks, Use Rope 12 ranks
• Feats: Frightful Presence, Renown, Weapon Focus (any one)

Class Information

Hit Die: d8

Action Points: 7 + one-half character level, rounded down, every time the character attains a new level in this class.

Class Skills

Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Diplomacy (Cha), Gamble (Wis), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (current events, popular culture, streetwise, tactics) (Int), Navigate (Int), Profession (Wis), Read/Write Language (none), Sailing (Dex), Speak Language (none), Survival (Wis), Swim (Str), Use Rope (Dex).

Skill Points at Each Level: 5 + Int modifier.

Level	Base Attack	Fort	Ref	Will	Special Abilities	Defense	Reputation
1st	+0	+0	+2	+0	Fearsome Reputation	+1	+1
2nd	+1	+0	+3	+0	Ranged Disarm	+1	+1
3rd	+2	+1	+3	+1	Cheat Death	+2	+1
4th	+3	+1	+4	+1	Black Flag	+2	+2
5th	+3	+1	+4	+1	Dread Aura	+3	+2

Class Features

Fearsome Reputation

At 1st level, a Dread Pirate is already known in ports across the world, such that her reputation precedes her in dealings with others. She gains a circumstance bonus equal to her Reputation bonus when making skills checks that are directly involved with the Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate and Sailing skills.

Ranged Disarm

At 2nd level, the Dread Pirate can use ranged attacks to disarm opponents within 30 feet. Doing so doesn’t provoke attacks of opportunity from the defender unless a normal ranged attack would do so (if the Dread Pirate and the target are adjacent, for example). Regardless of the ranged weapon used, it counts as a one-handed, medium-sized weapon for the attack. She gains no bonus if her size is bigger than that of the target. The Dread Pirate cannot lose her weapon in such an attempt.

Cheat Death

At 3rd level, a Dread Pirate gains the extraordinary ability to avoid a fatal blow. When the Dread Pirate would be reduced to 0 hit points or less by damage by any effect except a failed massive damage save, the Dread Pirate can attempt to roll with the damage.
A Dread Pirate spends 1 action point to use this talent. Once the point is spent, she makes a Reflex saving throw (DC = damage dealt). If the save succeeds, she takes only half damage. She need not be aware of the attack or source of damage beforehand.
Since this effect would not normally allow a character to make a Reflex save for half damage, the Dread Pirate cannot use the evasion talent, if she possesses it, for this ability.

Black Flag

At 4th level, a Dread Pirate gains a unique insignia which is so well known that when it is displayed on a flag or banner, every ally within 50 feet of it gains a morale bonus on attacks equal to the Dread Pirate’s class level. This bonus lasts for a number of rounds equal to the Dread Pirate’s Reputation bonus or until the flag is destroyed or lowered (whichever occurs first). Using the Black Flag ability cost the Dread Pirate an action point, and she must either hoist the flag personally or hand it to an ally who then hoists it.

Dread Aura

At 5th level, a Dread Pirate becomes so feared that many cannot even attack her. When the Dread Pirate uses the Frightful Presence feat, she may choose to spend an action point to increase the penalty suffered by those who fail the save. If so, the penalty to attack rolls, saves and skill checks is equal to the Dread Pirate’s Reputation bonus.

Additional Ratings
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Clarity:	1 2 3 4 5 ( 0 Votes )