Class: Sage

Sage

The Sage is a master of knowledge, deduction, and intellectual precision, turning information into a weapon as potent as any blade or spell. Rather than relying on raw magical power, the Sage studies the world deeply, identifying weaknesses, predicting outcomes, and guiding allies through superior understanding. In the hands of a skilled player, a Sage becomes the mind behind victory, shaping the battlefield through insight alone.

Alignment: Any.

Hit Die: d6.

Abilities: Intelligence is the Sage’s most important ability, governing nearly all class features and knowledge-based abilities. Wisdom aids perception and insight, while Constitution helps compensate for the Sage’s low durability.

Class Skills: Appraise (Int), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Gather Information (Cha), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually) (Int), Listen (Wis), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Speak Language (—), Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis), Use Magic Device (Cha).

Skill Points at 1st Level: (6 + Int modifier) × 4
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 6 + Int modifier

To Hit: As per Wizard.
Saves: As per Wizard.

Class Features:

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Sages are proficient with all simple weapons. They are not proficient with any armor or shields. Armor interferes with many of their abilities.

Special Abilities:
• Scholarly Focus (Ex): At 1st level, a Sage selects one Knowledge skill. This becomes their Scholarly Focus. They gain a +2 bonus on checks with that skill. This bonus increases by +1 every 5 levels (5th, 10th, 15th, 20th). At 10th level, they may select a second Scholarly Focus.
• Lore (Ex): A Sage accumulates obscure knowledge. This functions like Bardic Knowledge, using Sage level + Int modifier.
• Analytical Insight (Ex): Beginning at 1st level, a Sage may make a Knowledge check (appropriate to the creature or situation) as a swift action. For every 5 points by which the result exceeds DC 10, the Sage gains a +1 insight bonus on attack rolls, AC, or saving throws against that target or effect for 1 minute. Maximum bonus equals Sage’s Int modifier.
• Exploit Weakness (Ex): At 2nd level, after successfully identifying a creature with a Knowledge check, the Sage may designate it as studied. Against studied targets, the Sage deals +1d6 precision damage. This increases by +1d6 every 4 levels (6th, 10th, 14th, 18th).
• Eidetic Memory (Ex): At 3rd level, a Sage may take 10 on any Knowledge check, even under stress. At 9th level, they may take 20 once per day without additional time. At 15th level, this becomes at-will.
• Quick Study (Ex): At 4th level, a Sage may attempt Knowledge checks as free actions once per round instead of swift actions.
• Forewarned (Ex): At 5th level, a Sage gains a +2 bonus on initiative checks and cannot be caught flat-footed unless physically immobilized or unaware of combat entirely.
• Tactical Prediction (Ex): At 6th level, once per encounter, the Sage may grant themselves or an ally within 30 feet an immediate reroll on an attack roll, saving throw, or skill check after seeing the result but before knowing the outcome.
• Expanded Lore (Ex): At 7th level and every 4 levels thereafter, the Sage gains a +2 bonus to all Knowledge checks.
• Mental Fortress (Ex): At 8th level, the Sage gains a +4 bonus on saves against mind-affecting effects.
• Perfect Recall (Ex): At 9th level, the Sage can perfectly remember anything they have seen or read. They gain a +4 bonus on Decipher Script and may retry failed checks without penalty.
• Exploit Vulnerability (Ex): At 10th level, Exploit Weakness also ignores damage reduction equal to the Sage’s Int modifier.
• Moment of Clarity (Ex): At 11th level, once per day, the Sage may treat any one d20 roll as if they had rolled a natural 15 before modifiers.
• Reactive Analysis (Ex): At 12th level, whenever the Sage is targeted by an attack or effect, they may immediately make a Knowledge check (free action) to gain Analytical Insight benefits against that source.
• Improved Forewarning (Ex): At 13th level, the Sage gains Uncanny Dodge and a +4 initiative bonus total.
• Unravel Magic (Su): At 14th level, as a standard action, the Sage may make a Spellcraft check (DC 15 + spell level) to suppress an ongoing magical effect for 1d4 rounds. Usable Int modifier times per day.
• Masterful Exploitation (Ex): At 15th level, Exploit Weakness damage applies to creatures normally immune to precision damage, though they take only half extra damage.
• Foresight (Su): At 16th level, the Sage gains a constant effect similar to the spell Foresight, but only for surprise and immediate danger awareness.
• Perfect Prediction (Ex): At 17th level, once per day, the Sage may declare the outcome of a single roll they can see. That roll is treated as a natural 20.
• Greater Tactical Insight (Ex): At 18th level, allies within 30 feet gain half of the Sage’s Analytical Insight bonuses.
• Unassailable Mind (Ex): At 19th level, the Sage becomes immune to mind-affecting effects.
• Living Library (Ex): At 20th level, the Sage embodies knowledge itself. They may treat any Knowledge check as if they rolled a natural 20. Additionally, once per encounter, they may automatically succeed on any one attack roll, saving throw, or skill check.