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New prestige class - Battle Mage

by Lord Deldain

Lvl	Atk	F	R	W	Special	Spells per Day
1	+1	+2	+0	+2	Combat Insight (1 target)	+1 level of existing class
2	+2	+3	+0	+3	Armoured Casting (5%)
3	+2	+3	+1	+3	Spell Accuracy	+1 level of existing class
4	+3	+4	+1	+4	Armoured Casting (10%)
5	+4	+4	+1	+4	Combat Insight (2 targets)	+1 level of existing class
6	+4	+5	+2	+5	Armoured Casting (15%)
7	+5	+5	+2	+5	Improved Spell Penetration	+1 level of existing class
8	+6	+6	+2	+6	Armoured Casting (20%)
9	+6	+6	+3	+6	Combat Insight (3 targets)	+1 level of existing class
10	+7	+7	+3	+7	Opportunity Casting

Skilled in both magical and military arts, the battle mage is master of tactical magic. Most battle mages come from militant cultures who seek magic as a tool for conquest and defence. To a battle mage, physical training is just as much a necessity as magical talent. It is this skill in combat that gives them the edge over most other spellcasters, and makes them a potent ally or a deadly foe.
Because of the focus on combat-oriented arcane spells, most battle mages are Wizards or Sorcerers. Though there is nothing preventing Bards from joining their ranks. Clerics and most other spellcasters won't be able to become a battle mage, due to the arcane spell requirements. However a Cleric of a god of magic might be allowed to become a battle mage under certain circumstances.
Battle mages seldom work together, most are leaders of their own army, military advisers to a powerful monarch, or mercenaries-for-hire who go where the money is. Yet those few who do join together are usually part of an elite military unit of some sort, used to intimidate rival nations and perform dangerous missions. One thing is for certain, when battle mages gather together things tend to get ugly.
Hit Die: d6

Requirements
To qualify to become a battle mage, a character must fulfil all the following criteria.
Spellcasting: Ability to cast arcane spells of at least 3rd level, and must know at least seven of the following spells Shield, Mount, Mage Armour, True Strike, Mage Armour, Protection from Arrows, Endurance, Bull's Strength, Cat's Grace, Phantom Steed, Greater Magical Weapon, Haste, Keen Edge, or Slow.
Base Attack Bonus: +3
Knowledge [Arcana]: 7 ranks
Knowledge [Tactics]: 7 ranks
Concentration : 7 ranks
Feats: Combat Casting, Spell Penetration, and any two metamagic feat.

Class Skills
The battle mage's class skills ( and the key ability for each skill) are Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Concentration (Con), Intimidate (Cha) Jump (Str), Knowledge [arcana] (Int), Knowledge [tactics] (Int), Ride (Dex), Spellcraft (Int).

Class Features
Weapons and Armour Proficiency: Battle mages are proficient with all simple weapons, and the following martial weapons: short sword, battleaxe, light lance, light flail, and halberd. Battle mages are proficient with all light armour, medium armour, and shields. Note that armour check penalties for armour heavier than leather apply to the skills Balance, Climb, Escape Artist, Hide, Jump, Move Silently, Pick Pocket, and Tumble.
Spells per Day: Battle mages continue to learn develop their spellcasting skills as well as their combat prowess. Thus at any level he gets the "+1 level of existing class" feature, the battle mage gains new spells per day as if he had gained a level in a spellcasting class he belonged to before he added the prestige class. He does not, however, get any additional benefits of progressing in that class, such as bonus metamagic or item-creation feats, etc.
Combat Insight: Battle mages are very perceptive in combat. At 1st level they gain the ability to anticipate and react to their opponents moves in battle before they happen. By watching an opponent fight for at least 1 round, a battle mage may gain either a +2 to hit the opponent, or a +2 to his AC vs. that opponent. One such opponent may be chosen for every four levels he gains as a battle mage. Thus he may pick two opponents at 5th level, and three opponents at 9th level.
Spell Accuracy: At 3rd level a battle mage gains the ability to better aim his spells in combat. This feature gives him a +4 to hit with any attack roll that must be made as part of a spell, such as a ranged touch attack needed hit with Melf's Acid Arrow.
Armoured Casting: As a battle mage progresses in level, he develops the ability to wear armour without it interfering with his somatic spells. Whenever this feature is gained, the battle mage reduces his Arcane Spell Failure chance by the amount listed.
Improved Combat Casting: At 7th level battle mages develop their skills at casting defensively further. The gain an over all bonus of +6 while casting on the defensive. As well, they may add their Intelligence bonus to their AC for the round, as they have perfected their ability to watch for attacks while casting.
Opportunity Casting: At 10th level a battle mage gains the ability to cast a spell when he could normally make an attack of opportunity. He may only cast a number of spells in this manner equal to his Intelligence modifier each day, and each spell must be of no higher than 3rd level. If he can make multiple attacks of opportunity, due to feats, magic, etc., only one may be used to cast a spell each round. The spell must have a casting time no greater than 1 round. Opportunity Casting is an extraordinary ability.