Instinctive Warrior – Unchained Barbarian Archetype

Design Notes: This is adapted from the barbarian archetype in the Wrath of the Righteous computer RPG. The title of the archetype has been changed to “Instinctive,” in order to be grammatically correct, and lore has been edited to fit the setting.

The instinctive warrior is one who employs many techniques of mental and physical focus that would seem to liken them to monks, but these warriors have no need for monastic rites or customs; they may also be likened to brawlers, but they do not fight for show or spectacle. They are singly focused on battle, and this focus channels a fury that keens their senses to the point that they develop a sixth sense of the battle about them, and could even fight blind if they need.

Proficiencies: An instinctive warrior loses all armor proficiencies, and are not proficient with shields.

Saves: An instinctive warrior has good Fortitude and Will saves. This alters the barbarian’s saves.

Focused Fury (Ex): An instinctive warrior can call upon inner reserves of strength and ferocity, granting her additional combat prowess.

At 1st level, an instinctive warrior can enter this fury for a number of rounds per day equal to 4 + her Wisdom modifier. For each level after 1st she possesses, the barbarian can use this ability for 2 additional rounds per day. Temporary increases to Wisdom do not increase the total number of rounds that an instinctive warrior can use this ability per day. An instinctive warrior can enter a fury as a free action. The total number of rounds of fury per day is renewed after resting for 8 hours, although these hours need not be consecutive.

While in a fury, an instinctive warrior gains a +2 bonus on attack rolls, melee and thrown weapon damage rolls, Fort saves and Reflex saves. In addition, she gains 2 temporary hit points per Hit Die. These temporary hit points are lost first when a character takes damage, disappear when the fury ends, and are not replenished if the barbarian enters a fury again within 1 minute of her previous fury. While in a fury, an instinctive warrior cannot use skills or abilities that require thinking (including knowledge skills) patience, fine manipulation, or concentration (including spellcasting).

An instinctive warrior can end her fury as a free action, and is fatigued for 1 minute after a fury ends. An instinctive warrior can’t enter a new fury while fatigued or exhausted, but can otherwise enter a fury multiple times per day. If an instinctive warrior falls unconscious, her fury immediately ends. This ability replaces rage, and counts as rage for the purpose of prerequisites, and for effects, abilities and items that modify rage.

Fervent Reaction (Ex): At 1st level, an instinctive warrior adds her Wisdom bonus (if any) to her initiative rolls. This replaces the barbarian’s Fast Movement.

Instinctive Avoidance (Ex): At 2nd level, so long as she’s not wearing armor or carrying a shield, an instinctive warrior adds her Wisdom bonus (if any) as an insight bonus to her AC and CMD. Further, while she is in a focused fury, this bonus increases by +1 at 2nd level, and an additional +1 every 4 levels thereafter for a total of +5 at 18th level. This replaces the barbarian’s armor proficiencies, her 2nd-level rage power, and damage reduction.

Rage Powers: In addition to the barbarian’s rage powers, an instinctive warrior may choose any of the following monk powers as a rage power; while these powers do not cost Ki to operate, they are only active while the instinctive warrior is in a focused fury: Deflect Arrows, Diamond Body, Diamond Resilience, Diamond Soul, High Jump, Perfect Self, or Purity of Body. She treats her barbarian level as her monk level to determine when she may choose these monk powers. This alters the barbarian’s rage powers.

Blind Fight (Ex): At 6th level, the instinctive warrior gains blind fight as a bonus feat. This replaces the barbarian’s 6th-level rage power.

Improved Blind Fight (Ex): At 10th level, the instinctive warrior gains improved blind fight as a bonus feat. This replaces the barbarian’s 10th-level rage power.

Greater Focused Fury (Ex): At 11th level, an instinctive warrior’s bonuses while in a fury increases to +3. In addition, the amount of temporary hit points gained when entering a focused fury increases to 3 per hit die. This replaces greater rage.

Greater Blind Fight (Ex): At 14th level, the instinctive warrior gains greater blind fight as a bonus feat. This replaces the barbarian’s 14th-level rage power.

Tireless Fury (Ex): At 17th level, an instinctive warrior is no longer fatigued when ending a focused fury. This replaces tireless rage.

Unparalleled Senses (Ex): At 18th level, the extremely developed sixth sense of the instinctual warrior allows her to have blindsense to a range of 30 feet, and blindsight to a range of 15 feet. This replaces the barbarian’s 18th-level rage power.

Mighty Focused Fury (Ex): At 20th level, an instinctive warrior’s bonuses while in a fury increases to +4. In addition, the amount of temporary hit points gained when entering a focused fury increases to 4 per hit die. This replaces mighty rage.