Polearm Master
Controls reach with spears and polearms, shortening grip to strike adjacent foes and deflecting incoming blows.
- Class
- Fighter
- Kind
- Archetype
- Granted Spells
- —
- Replaces
- 4 features
The polearm master is schooled in the ancient wisdom that enemies are best faced at the end of long striking pole, lashing like a serpent before clumsy swords and axes can even be brought to bear.
Replaces
Archetype Features
Pole Fighting Level 2
At 2nd level, as an immediate action, a polearm master can shorten the grip on his spear or polearm with reach and use it against adjacent targets. This action results in a –4 penalty on attack rolls with that weapon until he spends another immediate action to return to the normal grip. The penalty is reduced by –1 for every four levels beyond 2nd. This ability replaces bravery.
Steadfast Pike Level 3
↪ builds on Armor Training (Fighter)
At 3rd level, a polearm master gains a +1 bonus on attack rolls with readied attacks and attacks of opportunity made with a spear or polearm. The bonus increases by +1 for every four levels beyond 3rd. This ability replaces armor training 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Polearm Training Level 5
↪ builds on Weapon Training (Fighter)
At 5th level, a polearm master gains a +1 bonus on attack and damage rolls with spears and polearms. The bonus increases by +1 for every four levels beyond 5th. This ability replaces weapon training 1.
Flexible Flanker Level 9
↪ builds on Weapon Training (Fighter)
At 9th level, a polearm master may choose any square adjacent to him and treat that square as his location for determining who he is flanking, even if that square is occupied by a creature, object, or solid barrier. This ability replaces weapon training 2.
Sweeping Fend Level 13
↪ builds on Weapon Training (Fighter)
At 13th level, a polearm master can use any spear or pole arm to make a bull rush or trip maneuver, though he takes a –4 penalty to his CMB when making such attempts. Weapons with the trip property do not incur this penalty on trip maneuvers. This ability replaces weapon training 3.
Step Aside Level 17
↪ builds on Weapon Training (Fighter)
At 17th level, when a creature threatened by a polearm master takes a 5-foot step into a square adjacent to him, he can take a 5-foot step as an immediate action. This 5-foot step must be subtracted from his movement on the next turn. He also gains a +2 dodge bonus to his AC against that opponent until the end of his next turn. This ability replaces weapon training 4.
Polearm Parry Level 19
↪ builds on Armor Mastery (Fighter)
At 19th level, when an opponent threatened by a polearm master makes a melee attack against an ally, he may take an immediate action to grant his ally a +2 shield bonus to AC and DR 5/— against that attack. He may use this ability to protect himself, but only if the attacking creature is not adjacent to him. This ability replaces armor mastery.
Weapon Mastery Level 20
A polearm master must choose a spear or polearm.