Tainted Warrior
Unearthed Arcana p193 / Oriental Adventures p236

The tained warrior is a combination of two classes published for the third edition game. The first is the Maho-Bujin from Oriental Adventures (a class specific to the Rokugan campaign setting) and the second is the Tainted Warrior from Unearthed Arcana which was an attempt to adapt the Maho-Bujin to generic D&D. While the Tainted Warrior's companion class (the Tainted Sorcerer aka Tainted Scholar) was given a 3.5 make-over in Heroes of Horror, the Tainted Warrior was not so lucky. These are therefore my own rules to align both published classes, and peg them to the taint rules.

The Tainted Warrior is a class for any non-spellcaster, not simply for warriors or for fighters. Even spellcasters can take levels in this class, but if they are following this path then they are more likely to prefer the obscene magical power than comes with the Tainted Scholar.

Game Rule Information

The following is the full text of the Tainted Warrior prestige class. This text supercedes any published source.

Class Features

Entry Requirements: The following minimum requirements must be made to become a Tainted Warrior. A character would normally be able to multiclass into the Tainted Warrior with sixth level.

• Alignment: Nongood
• Base Attack Bonus: +5
• Taint: Moderate or greater corruption.

Weapon and Armour Proficiency: Tainted Warriors do not gain any further proficiency in weapons or armour beyond that which they already possess.

Class Skills: The tainted warrior's class skills are Climb (Str), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis) and Swim (Str). They receive 2 skill points plus their Int Bonus each level.

Taint Suppression: Tainted warriors automatically gain the internal corruption ability that hides any outward sign of physical corruption. Having his ability still costs the tainted warrior -2 constitution, but he only pays this cost once regardless of how many physical manifestations of his corruption he has.

Crimson Road (Ex): Tainted warriors are far more proficient in the martial combat than other classes. The forces of darkness gifts them with more attacks per round with their weapons than even the most skilful fighters. At level two and every four levels thereafter, the tainted warrior gains an extra attack per round. This attack is made at the chararacter's highest base attack bonus. For example, a Fighter 11 usually makes three attacks per round at +11/+6/+1. A Fighter 8/Tainted Warrior 2 would make four attacks per round at +11/+11/+6/+1. The tainted warrior is able to make use of feats such as two-weapon fighting to further increase his number of attacks per round.

Damage Reduction (Ex): At 1st level the tainted warrior gains damage reduction of 1/good. This damage reduction increases by +1 at every odd numbered level.

Tainted Smite: Once per day per four levels (starting at 3rd level) the tainted warrior can make a tainted smite against his foe. He applies half his corruption score as a bonus to attack and damage roll. In addition to this damage, the target's taint score increases by 1 point unless they make a Fortitude saving throw against DC 16.

Bonus Vile Feat: At 4th level, and every four levels thereafter, the Tainted Warrior gains a bonus feat. This feat must be taken from the list of either Tainted Feats or Vile Feats. with the Vile Descriptor. A list of vile feats can be found in the section on Vile Damage, a list of Tainted Feats in the section on Taint.

The Tainted Warrior
(d12 HD; 2 skill points per level)

See Also:

• Taint
• Vile Damage
• Tainted Sorcerer