Stance-Master

A Tactical Versatility

Most warriors specialise in one fighting style, whereas the Stance-Dancer aims to reap the benefits of all disciplines. They are capable of honing in their focus on one style of combat at a time, shielding themselves and their allies, lashing out with adrenaline-fuelling blows, or pushing foes aside with sweeping strikes.

A Stance-Dancer applies this philosophy to all elements of their discipline. As they train further, a Stance-Dancer becomes able to weave between techniques mid-attack, surprising their foe and unbalancing them when they change tactics. This soon carries over to their choice of weapons, turning a Stance-Dancer into a walking armoury. Finally, they cover their last base and fatal flaw with rigid discipline, honing their focus like a blade upon a whetstone at will, becoming forces to be reckoned with whilst their willpower endures.

Stance Mastery

When you choose this Martial Archetype at 3rd level, your mastery over various fighting forms grants you an incredible versatility in combat.

When you take this feature at 3rd level, you gain an additional passive benefits, called stances. You may only be effected by one stance at a time. You do not gain the benefit of a stance if you are incapacitated or surprised.

You may enter a stance whenever you roll initiative. You may also enter or change your stance as a bonus action. In both cases, a stance lasts until the end of your next turn.

You may enter a stance twice before requiring a short or long rest to enter a stance again. You gain an additional use per short or long rest at 7th, 10th and 15th level.

The stances are as follows:

Defensive Stance. Once per turn when you hit a creature with a weapon attack whilst in your defensive stance, you may give them disadvantage on their next attack roll if the target of the attack is a creature other than you.

At 10th level, you may give a creature disadvantage on their next two attack rolls, if the target of the attack is a creature other than you.

Berserker Stance. Whilst in your berserker stance, your blood-lust empowers your blows.

Once per turn, if you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you may deal an additional 1d6 damage.

At 10th level, the additional damage granted by your berserker stance is increased to 1d8.

Battle Stance. Whilst in your battle stance, your weapon swings cleave your enemies.

Once per turn, if you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you may deal damage equal to your Strength or Dexterity modifier to a creature within 5ft of your target.

At 10th level, you may deal damage equal to your Strength or Dexterity modifier to up to two creatures who are within 5ft of your target.