Blackguard, also referred to by some as the antipaladin, is a specialized prestige class on Faerûn that epitomizes pure evil. Nothing short of a mortal fiend, they are quintessential black knights, carrying a reputation of the foulest sort. Consorting with demons and devils while serving dark deities, blackguards are hated and feared by all. They usually lead legions of undead, evil outsiders or other monsters to conquer under their own guide. Occasionally guards might end up as wandering purveyors of chaotic destruction, attacking with honorless guile or flat out smiting the forces of good that stand in their way.
Fighters, ex-paladins, rangers, monks, druids and barbarians make for forceful combat-oriented blackguards, while rogues and bards are more likely to stress the subtle aspects of their abilities and spells. Sorcerers, wizards and clerics who become blackguards favor dealing with fiends especially.
Alignment: Any evil
Base Attack Bonus: +6
Skills: Hide 5 ranks, Knowledge (Religion) 2 ranks
Feats: Cleave, Power attack
Hit die: d10
Proficiencies: Weapons (simple, martial), armor (light, medium, heavy) and shields (except for tower shields).
Skill points: 2 + Int modifier
Class skills: Concentration, Craft, Diplomacy, Handle Animal, Heal, Hide, Intimidate, Knowledge: Religion, Parry, Prefession, Ride.
Base attack bonus progression: High
Saving throws high: Fortitude
low: Reflex, Will
| Level | Features Gained |
|---|---|
| 1 | Use Poison |
| 2 | Smite good x1, dark blessing, bull's strength x1 |
| 3 | Aura of despair, turn undead, create undead x1 |
| 4 | Sneak attack +1d6 |
| 5 | Summon fiend x1 |
| 6 | inflict serious wounds x1 |
| 7 | Sneak attack +2d6, contagion x1 |
| 8 | inflict critical wounds x1 |
| 9 | |
| 10 | Sneak attack +3d6 |
Use Poison: A blackguard can safely Poison his/her melee weapon without the need to make a dexterity check.
Smite good: Once a day, a blackguard of 2nd level or higher may attempt to smite a good-aligned enemy with one normal melee attack. The blackguard adds their Charisma bonus to the attack roll and adds 1 extra point of damage per class level.
Dark blessing: At 2nd level, the blackguard applies their Charisma modifier to all saving throws.
Spells: At 2nd level, the blackguard gains the ability to cast bull's strength once per day. At 6th level, they may also cast inflict serious wounds once per day. At 7th level, the blackguard gains the ability to cast contagion once per day, and at 8th level, they may cast inflict critical wounds once per day. (Inflict Serious Wounds and Inflict Critical Wounds are abilities for the Blackguard, so they add Blackguard level as bonus damage (to replace caster level they do not have).
Aura of despair: Beginning at 3rd level, the blackguard radiates a malign aura that causes enemies within 10 feet of them to take a –2 penalty on all saving throws.
Turn undead: When a blackguard reaches 3rd level, he gains the supernatural ability to turn undead. He may use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + his Charisma modifier. He turns undead as a cleric of two levels lower would.
Create undead: This is not to be confused with the regular create undead spell, but instead functions as below:
| BG Lvl | Skel. Lvl | HPs | Attack bonus | AC | Weapon | Unique abilities |
| 3 | 10 | 110 | +16 / +11 | 19 | Halberd +1 | Weapon Specialization, Improved Critical, Power Critical, Greater Weapon Focus, Dodge, Mobility, Great Cleave & Improved Power Attack |
| 7 | 15 | 165 | +23 / +17 / +13 | 22 | Halberd +2 | as above plus Greater Weapon Specialization and Spring Attack |
Sneak attack: At 4th level, the blackguard gains the sneak attack ability. This ability functions exactly like the rogue ability of the same name. The bonus damage is +1d6 at 4th level, +2d6 at 7th level, and +3d6 at 10th level.
Summon fiend: At 5th level, the blackguard can summon a fiendish animal servant (a dire rat).
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