Prestige Classes
HAVOC MAGE
Combat magic is usually reserved for spellcasters in the second rank who are content to lob spells as if artillery from behind the cover of front-rank combatants. Not so the havoc mage, who shares as much in common with a fighter as with a wizard. The havoc mage has learned to toss off spells with such reckless abandon that he can fight head-to-head with both sword and spell without incurring the bitter consequences other spellcasters must contend with. A havoc mage is interested in maximum carnage in the shortest amount of time, by dint of a quick spell cast where an enemy least expects it. A havoc mage must first learn the ways of arcane magic, so those most likely to take up the sword (to complement the wand) are sorcerers and wizards. These normally sedate characters are drawn to the frenzy of battle, during which a flashing sword can be just as effective in their own hands as a well-timed spell. NPC havoc mages are more likely than other spellcasters to be lone adventurers, since they are adept both at arms and magic. However, the most successful havoc mages are those who join their talents with those of a balanced group of combatants and spellcasters. |
Hit Die: d8.
Requirements
To qualify to become a havoc mage, a character must fulfill all of the following criteria.
Base Attack Bonus: +4.
Skills: Knowledge (arcana) 5 ranks.
Spells: Able to cast 2nd-level arcane spells.
Class Skills
The havoc mage's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Ride (Dex), Spellcraft (Int), and Swim (Str).
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Table: The Havoc Mage
| Level | Base Attack Bonus |
Fort Save |
Ref Save |
Will Save |
Special | Spells per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +0 | +2 | +0 | +2 | Battlecast 2nd | — |
| 2nd | +1 | +3 | +0 | +3 | — | +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class |
| 3rd | +2 | +3 | +1 | +3 | Battlecast 4th | — |
| 4th | +3 | +4 | +1 | +4 | — | +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class |
| 5th | +3 | +4 | +1 | +4 | Battlecast 8th | +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class |
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the havoc mage prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Havoc mages gain no proficiency with any weapon or armor.
Spells per Day: At 2nd, 4th, and 5th level, a havoc mage gains new spells per day as if he had also gained a level in an arcane spellcasting class he belonged to before adding the prestige class. He does not, however, gain all the benefits a character of that class would have gained (metamagic or item creation feats, and so on), except for an increased effective level of spellcasting. If a character had more than one arcane spellcasting class before becoming a havoc mage, he must decide to which class he adds the new level for purposes of determining spells per day.
Battlecast (Ex): A havoc mage gains the ability to cast spells of a certain level or lower while making a weapon attack. He may take a full-round action to attack and cast a spell. The spell must be an arcane spell he knows of 2nd level or lower with a casting time of 1 standard action or less. When using his battlecast ability, a havoc mage may cast spells requiring somatic components even if he has no free hands. Using battlecast does not provoke attacks of opportunity.
At 3rd level and higher, a havoc mage can battlecast a spell of 4th level or lower. At 5th level, a havoc mage can battlecast a spell of 8th level or lower.
The battlecast ability does not grant a havoc mage any relief from the arcane spell failure chance imparted by armor.