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For weapon masters (kensei), the perfection of ki is found in the mastery of a single melee weapon. Weapon masters seek to unite this weapon of choice with the body, to make them one, and to use the weapon as naturally and without thought as any other limb.

Requirements

Class Features

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Weapon masters gain no additional weapon or armor proficiency.

Weapon of Choice (Ex): Weapon masters dedicate their lives to the study of a single melee weapon, often the katana or another type of sword. A weapon master must have the Weapon Focus feat with this weapon of choice. All of a weapon master's special abilities apply only when he is wielding that type of weapon. Once he has selected a weapon of choice, a weapon master cannot later change that weapon.

In order to qualify for the weapon master class, a character must own a masterwork weapon that is his weapon of choice. He does not necessarily need to continue using that same weapon throughout his career, and he gains the benefits of the class even if he is using a normal (not a masterwork) weapon, as long as it is his weapon of choice.

Ki Damage (Ex): After scoring a hit with his weapon of choice, a weapon master can choose not to roll dice to determine the damage. Instead, he figures the normal maximum damage (not a critical hit) he can inflict and deals that much damage to the target. A weapon master wielding a katana with a 17 Strength deals 13 points of damage (10 + 3 for Strength) when he chooses this option. Additional damage, such as from using the Power Attack feat (following all the rules for it normally), the sneak attack ability, or a weapon's special properties (such as flaming or honorable), is determined normally, not maximized. This ability cannot be used when you roll a successful critical hit. The weapon master can use this ability once per day per class level.

Increased Multiplier (Ex): A weapon master of 2nd level or higher can deal extra damage with a critical hit. The damage multiplier of the weapon master's favored weapon is increased by 1. For example, the katana has a critical multiplier of ×2. Using this ability, the weapon master can increase that multiplier to ×3 once per day at 2nd level. As a weapon master increases in level, he can use this ability more frequently. The weapon master must declare the use of this ability before rolling any damage dice.

Superior Weapon Focus (Ex): Stacking with any existing Weapon Focus bonus, a weapon master of 3rd level or higher adds an additional +1 to all attack rolls with his weapon of choice.

Superior Combat Reflexes (Ex): A weapon master of 5th level or higher can make a number of attacks of opportunity in a round equal to his Dexterity modifier plus his Wisdom modifier.

Ki Critical: When a weapon master reaches 7th level, he gains the "Improved Critical"feats/players-handbook-v35—6/improved-critical—1463/ feat for free. If he already possesses this feat, he adds an additional +2 to the threat range for his weapon of choice. This +2 bonus is applied last, after any multipliers, such as those given by the Improved Critical feat or by keen weapons.

Ki Whirlwind Attack (Ex): A weapon master of 9th level or higher can make a Whirlwind Attack as a standard action rather than a full-round action. Only one whirlwind attack can be made per round.

Advancement