“Might controls everything - and without strength, you cannot protect anything; let alone yourself.”
Vergil, to his brother Dante, Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening
Silver Blade Of Sparda, herein referred to as Silver Blade, is a pop culture archetype for the Samurai class based on Vergil from Devil May Cry.
Yamato and Beowulf
Silver Blades are only proficient with simple weapons, the Katana, Sword-cane and Gauntlets, and the Katana, Sword-cane and Gauntlets count as a weapon group called Silver Blades. Silver Blades are only proficient in wearing an Armored Jacket, Leather Jacket, Sleeveless Armored Jacket, Armored Coat or Heavy Dusters.
This replaces the default weapon and armor proficiencies.
Limit Break
Silver Blades gain access to a unique limit break:
Sin-Devil Trigger (Ex): As a swift action, the Silver Blade can embody their demonic heritage and enter a fully demonic form. The form lasts for one round per two stacks of limit break, and while in Sin-Devil Trigger form, the Silver Blade gains a fly speed of 40 feet with perfect maneuverability, and restores two points of Devil Trigger per turn, at the start of their turn. They also gain the benefits of Devil Form, regardless of level.
This replaces Shin-Zanzetsu.
Devil Trigger (Ex)
At 1st level, the Silver Blade gains a pool of demonic energy, known as the Devil Trigger, granted by his bloodline from the Legendary Demon Swordsman, Sparda, himself. This pool’s capacity is equal to half the samurai’s level in the class plus his focus modifier. For any use of Bushido not adjusted by the archetype, Devil Trigger can be expended in the same way.
The Silver Blade can expend points from his Devil Trigger to perform Kasha as per normal samurai, and the following action:
Mirage Blade: A Silver Blade can spend one Devil Trigger point to perform a single melee attack using a weapon from the Silver Blades group, at a range of 30 feet.
Silver Blades recover Devil Trigger using the Bonecrusher, Iai and Momentum methods in the normal samurai’s Bushido feature.
This replaces Bushido, but counts as it for class features, feats and prerequisites.
Mirage Shift (Su)
At 2nd level, when the Silver Blade is subject to an attack, they can perform an incredibly swift movement, often noted as teleporting. As an immediate action, when an enemy makes a melee or ranged attack against you, you can initiate this counter to oppose that attack by making an attack roll with any melee weapon you are holding from the Silver Blades Weapon Group. If your attack roll is higher than your AC, and the enemy’s attack roll result is between the two numbers, the attack misses and the Silver Blade may teleport up to half his movement in any direction. Attempting a use of this ability costs four Devil Trigger points, but restores one upon successful use.
This replaces Shiradori.
Dark Slayer Styling (Ex)
Armored Flexibility only applies to Armored Jackets, Sleeveless Armored Jackets, Leather Jackets, Armored Coats, and Heavy Dusters. In addition, every time it would increase the Maximum Dexterity Bonus, it also increases the AC bonus of the armor by one.
This modifies Armored Flexibility.
Armory of Sparda (Ex)
Blade And Body applies to the Silver Blades weapon group, but otherwise functions the same.
This modifies Blade And Body.
Way Of Sparda (Ex)
At 5th level, the Silver Blade gains a new way to spend, and a new way to restore, Devil Trigger.
Summoned Blades: The Silver Blade can, as a full attack, expend two devil trigger, plus one for each attack beyond the first, to perform each attack as if using Mirage Blade.
Overwhelm: Whenever the Silver Blade hits with every attack in a full attack action, he restores half of the number attacks made, rounded down, in his devil trigger pool.
This replaces Way of Life.
Doppelganger (Su)
At 7th level, when the Silver Blade uses Mirage Shift successfully, he leaves behind a doppelganger of demonic energy. On his turn, this doppelganger makes an attack against the foe that triggered Mirage Shift, if the foe is within the range to move and attack it, at the Silver Blade’s full attack bonus. If this attack hits, it restores one point of devil trigger. After the one attack is made, the Doppelganger vanishes. The Doppelganger has the same AC as the Silver Blade, but ¼ his current health.
This replaces Retaliate.
Wreath Of Blades (Su)
At 8th level, the Silver Blade can expend all his Devil Trigger pool (Minimum ½ his max) to conjure a circling aura of his signature blade, Yamato. Any creature within 5 feet immediately suffers an attack at the Silver Blade’s full bonus, but this cannot restore any points of Devil Trigger. This wreath, after the first turn, adds an additional attack to any full attack, at the Silver Blade’s second-highest attack modifier. This lasts for one round per two Devil Trigger expended, and the Silver Blade cannot restore any points of Devil Trigger off the attack granted by this feature.
This replaces Improved Way of Life
Improved Doppelganger (Su)
At 12th level, the Doppelganger lasts for a number of rounds equal to the Silver Blade’s focus modifier. He may only pursue and attack the triggering target. If both the Doppelganger and the Silver Blade attack the same target, they are treated as having the Outflank feat, and as flanking regardless of position. The Silver Blade may only have one Doppelganger.
This replaces Blocking Cuts.
Slayer Moon (Ex)
Slayer Moon functions as Darkmoon, except it triggers on use of Mirage Shift, applies where the Silver Blade teleports to, and does not affect allies or Doppelgangers.
This modifies Darkmoon.
Dark Eclipse (Ex)
Dark Eclipse functions as Eclipse, except it triggers on use of Mirage Shift, and the condition applies to either himself or the Doppelganger.
This modifies Eclipse.
Terrifying Presence (Ex)
At 18th level, the DC to intimidate a foe within 60 feet of the Silver Blade is decreased by ½ his focus modifier.
This replaces Inspirational Presence.
Devil Form (Su)
At 19th level, the Silver Blade may enter the true form granted by Devil Trigger. Doing so is a swift action, and costs two points per round to maintain it. While in this form, he uses his focus modifier to hit, for calculating damage in addition to his normal modifier, and may teleport whenever he moves. His AC from his Dark Slayer Styling increases by his focus modifier, as well. He cannot gain Devil Trigger points while in Devil Form
This replaces Bushido Master.
Devil May Cry (Ex)
At 20th level,the cost for all Devil Trigger expenditures decreases by 1 (minimum 0), including the sustained cost for Devil Form. In addition, Whenever the samurai rolls for initiative, his result is always treated as a natural 20 before adding modifiers and is never surprised.
This replaces Master Samurai.
