#stoneforge

image credit: Eric Deschamps

The Stoneforger is a fighter-spellcaster with unique abilities related to lithomancy, the magic of the earth. They gain an extra attack but require 2nd level spells as a prerequisite, making them best suited for a sorcerer or warlock base class. They cast spells in a similar way to warlocks in that they have much fewer spells with even less variety, but their slots are always maximum level and replenish after a rest. They make up for this with their magic weapon, imbue weapon abilities, extra attack, and their Blade Launch ability, which is sort of like their cantrip instead of Eldritch Blast. They make up for the main complaint about blade pact warlocks in that they can upgrade their personal weapon if they encounter a more powerful one, so it isn’t stuck as a +1 weapon while their allies are finding +2 and +3 weapons later in the game. Feel free to use this class as you wish and give me critique on where you think it could use balancing! Better yet, play with the class yourself and let me know how it went!

Requirements

As a prestige class, you must meet certain prerequisites before taking levels in this class.

CON 13

Able to cast 2nd level spells

Proficiency with longswords and shortswords

Smith’s Tools proficiency

Possible Requirement: The character must undergo an arduous ritual involving burning oneself with molten metal, long fasting periods in rocky areas, and forging a longsword or shortsword worth at least 500 gp in raw materials.

Progression

HD d8

Spellcasting: The Stoneforger has a few spell slots all of the same spell level which replenish whenever the Stoneforger finishes a short or long rest. The Stoneforger has their own spell list from which they may cast spells. The Stoneforger has all spells on the Stoneforger spell list available to them, but can only cast spells that they have the requisite spell slot level for. The Stoneforger uses WIS as their spellcasting ability modifier and their spells are divine in origin.

Stoneforged Blade: At first level, the Stoneforger forges a magic weapon for themselves. In anyone else’s hands, it is just a regular shortsword or longsword. in the hands of the Stoneforger, it becomes a +1 weapon. As a free action, the Stoneforger can heat the blade. This effect doesn’t harm the Stoneforger but can harm others attempting to wield the weapon (dealing 1d10 damage during each round of contact) or ignite flammable material it comes in contact with. If the Stoneforged Blade is lost or destroyed, a new one can be reforged using raw materials worth at least 500 gp. The Stoneforger can also drain the magic from a magic weapon more powerful than their blade to permanently increase its power using a ritual that takes a week to complete and magic reagents worth 1000 gp. The drained magic weapon becomes a nonmagical weapon once drained. If a Very Rare magic weapon is drained in this way, the Stoneforged Blade becomes a +2 weapon. If a Legendary weapon is drained, the Stoneforged Blade becomes a +3 weapon. At the DM’s discretion, an item might be immune to being drained of magic in this way, such as an item of immense power, godly origin, or unusual circumstances.

Mold Earth: At first level, the Stoneforger can cast the Mold Earth cantrip at will.

Imprison in Stone: At second level, the Stoneforger can choose a creature they can see within 60 ft. of them no larger than Large size within 5 feet of the earth or a stone structure. Stone erupts from the surrounding and attempts to hold the chosen creature in place. The creature must make a DEX saving throw or become restrained. The creature can attempt a DC 20 STR saving throw during each of its turns to attempt to break free. This ability requires concentration and lasts up to 1 minute. At the end of the duration, the stone crumbles apart, freeing the creature.

Extra Attack: At 3rd level, when the Stoneforger takes the Attack action, they can make an additional attack.

Ability Score Improvement: At levels 3 and 7, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can’t increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.

Blade Launch: At 4th level, you can cause a superheated blade to launch forth from a mass of stone at least 5 ft. in diameter. The blade surges toward a creature you can see within 45 ft. of the stone. You can make a ranged spell attack against the creature. If you hit, the creature takes 1d8 piercing and 1d10 fire damage. This fire damage increases to 2d10 at 7th level, and again to 3d10 at 10th level. 

Lesser Imbue Blade: At 5th level, you can superheat your Stoneforged Blade to deal +2d6 fire damage on hit for 1 minute as a bonus action. The weapon also sheds dim lit in a 30 ft. radius while imbued this way. Once you use this ability you cannot use it again until you finish a long rest.

Stone Tell: At 6th level, you can speak with a stone that you touch for 1 minute. The stone has INT 6 and is aware of everything within 5’ of it, and remembers everyone who has touched it within the past year. Once you use this ability you cannot use it again until you finish a long rest.

Imbue Blade: When you use Lesser Imbue Blade at 7th level, the damage increases to +3d6 and you can imbue it twice before needing a long rest to use it again.

Blade Eruption: At 8th level, when you use your Blade Launch ability, you may launch 4 additional blades targeting up to four additional targets. You may target the same creature with multiple blades. Once you use this ability you cannot use it again until you finish a long rest.

Greater Imbue Blade: At 9th level, the Stoneforged Blade is always imbued with power. The blade deals +3d6 damage with every attack and sheds dim light out to 30 ft.

Earthquake: At 10th level, you may expend a spell slot to cast Earthquake, as the spell. Once you use this ability, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.

Spell List

1st Level Spells: Absorb Elements (fire or cold only), Detect Magic, Earth Tremor (EE), Identify, Searing Smite

2nd Level Spells: Cloud of Daggers, Earthbind (EE), Heat Metal, Magic Weapon, Maximillian’s Earthen Grasp (EE), Shatter

3rd Level Spells: Conjure Barrage, Elemental Weapon (fire only), Erupting Earth (EE), Flame Arrows (EE), Meld Into Stone, Protection from Energy (fire or cold only)

4th Level Spells: Conjure Minor Elementals (mud mephit, magma mephit, fire snake, magmin, azer, or gargoyle only), Elemental Bane (fire only) (EE), Stone Shape

5th Level Spells: Conjure Elemental (stone elemental only), Conjure Volley, Transmute Rock, Wall of Stone

And how it’s gonna affect modern, with stoneforge and all that. And I see people saying that it will replace batterskull, as a “big living weapon.”

I don’t think this is a good batterskull replacement, at least in the current mono white Death and Taxes deck (what I play) because one of the most important things batterskull does is it just wins against aggro. I looked at this card and thought “yeah fun living weapon probably not viable.”

This week Kate continues her deck reviews with Death and Taxes.