Coldblooded Killer (Rogue/Barbarian)

(Original Concept by Nihilakh)

Primary Class: Rogue.

Secondary Class: Barbarian.

Alignment: Any nonlawful.

Hit Die: d8.

Bonus Skills and Ranks: The coldblooded killer may select three barbarian skills to add to his class skills in addition to the normal rogue class skills. The coldblooded killer gains a number of ranks at each level equal to 6 + Int modifier.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The coldblooded killer is proficient with all simple and martial weapons plus the hand crossbow. They are proficient with light armor, but not with shields.

Cold Rage (Ex): Starting at 1st level, a coldblooded killer gains the barbarian’s rage ability, but with the following changes. When a coldblooded killer rages, she can only rage for a number of rounds equal to 2 rounds + her Constitution modifier. At each level after 1st, she can rage for 1 additional round. Also, instead of making a normal rage she may apply a +2 morale bonus to her Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution. This bonus increases to +4 when she gains greater cold rage. She may apply the full bonus to one ability score or may split the bonus between several scores in increments of +2. When using a cold rage, a coldblooded killer gains no bonus on Will saves, takes no penalties to AC, can still use Intelligence–, Dexterity–, and Charisma–based skills, and is not fatigued when the cold rage ends.

A cold rage is not easily ended. The coldblooded killer can end her cold rage as a full-round action. At 5th level, this improves to a standard action. A coldblooded killer can focus her mind and force her rage to end as a free action if she makes a successful concentration check. This check uses her coldblooded killer level as her caster level and Charisma as her casting ability. The DC for this check is equal to 15 +the number of rounds spent in cold rage. If the check fails, the coldblooded killer ends her cold rage as a full-round action or a standard action as normal. A coldblooded killer can enter a cold rage multiple times during a single encounter or combat. This ability replaces trapfinding.

Sneak Attack: This is exactly like the rogue ability of the same name, except that the extra damage is 1d6 at 1st level, and increases by 1d6 every three rogue levels thereafter, up to 7d6 at 19th level.

Rogue Talents: This is exactly like the rogue ability of the same name, except that the coldblooded killer gains a rogue talent at 2nd level and every three levels thereafter. In addition, whenever the coldblooded killer could choose a rogue talent, she can select a rage power she qualifies for instead.

Brutal Beating (Ex): At 3rd level, whenever a coldblooded killer deals sneak attack damage, she can choose to forgo 1d6 points of sneak attack damage to make the target sickened for a number of rounds equal to 1/2 her coldblooded killer level. This ability does not stack with itself—only the most recent duration applies. This ability replaces trap sense.

Hard to Kill: At 6th level a coldblooded killer gains Diehard as a bonus feat, even if she does not meet the prerequisites. This ability replaces the rogue talent gained at 6th level.

Greater Cold Rage (Ex): At 9th level, when a coldblooded killer enters cold rage, the morale bonus to her Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution increases to +4 and may split the bonus between several scores in increments of +2. In addition, a coldblooded killer can end her rage as a move action instead of a standard action. This ability replaces the rogue talent gained at 10th level.

Advanced Talents: At 11th level, whenever a coldblooded killer could choose a rogue talent, she can select an advanced talent that she qualifies for instead.

Damage Reduction (Ex): At 12th level, a coldblooded killer gains damage reduction. Subtract 1 from the damage the coldblooded killer takes each time she is dealt damage from a weapon or a natural attack. At 15th level and again at 18th level, this damage reduction rises by 1 point. Damage reduction can reduce damage to 0 but not below 0. This ability replaces sneak attack 2d6, 5d6, and 8d6.

Finality (Ex): At 14th level a coldblooded killer has honed her instincts to a razor's edge. Whenever the coldblooded killer makes a sneak attack while in a cold rage, she may extend her rage for one more round if the sneak attack is successful. This ability replaces the rogue talent gained at 14th level.

Table: Coldblooded Killer