Some tonkins focus upon their tonberry aspects to wield a knife with mastery. The knife master is a trained killer who specializes in close-up combat and the wave and weave of knife fighting. In its hands, daggers and other similar light blades become truly deadly instruments.
The knife master is an archetype of the thief class, available only to tonkin thieves.
Archetype Main Ability Scores:
The knife master mainly focuses on DEX for martial combat, CHA for his class features, and DEX, WIS, and CHA for optional class features.
Archetype Feature Replacements:
1st – Weapon Proficiencies, Mark, Sneak Attack. 2nd – Thief Talent. 3rd – Danger Sense, Measure the Mark. 4th – Thief Talent. 5th – Improved Theft. 6th – Thief Talent. 7th – Skilled Liar. 8th – Thief Talent. 10th – Mug, Thief Talent. 12th – Advanced Thief Talent. 14th – Advanced Thief Talent. 15th – Theft Mastery. 16th – Advanced Thief Talent. 18th – Advanced Thief Talent. 20th – Master Strike, Advanced Thief Talent.
Weapon Proficiencies
A knife master is only proficient with a brass knife, dagger, butterfly knife, deer horn knife, dueling dagger, kerambit, kukri, kunai, punching dagger, sea-knife, spring blade, starknife, switchblade knife, swordbreaker dagger, and war razor.
This ability modifies and replaces the thief’s starting weapon proficiencies.
Knifeplay (Su)
This ability functions the same as the sword saint’s swordplay ability, except a knife master gains less swordskills (see below) and may only choose swordskills from Universal forms and Knife forms (see below). In addition, he may use any swordskill/knifeskill he knows without needing to ready them. Each knifeskill can still only be used once per encounter. A knife master must use a brass knife, dagger, butterfly knife, deer horn knife, dueling dagger, kerambit, kukri, kunai, punching dagger, sea-knife, spring blade, starknife, switchblade knife, swordbreaker dagger, or war razor to use Knifeskills.
| Level | Swordskills Known |
| 1st | 1 |
| 2nd | 2 |
| 3rd | 2 |
| 4th | 2 |
| 5th | 3 |
| 6th | 3 |
| 7th | 3 |
| 8th | 4 |
| 9th | 4 |
| 10th | 4 |
| 11th | 5 |
| 12th | 5 |
| 13th | 5 |
| 14th | 6 |
| 15th | 6 |
| 16th | 6 |
| 17th | 7 |
| 18th | 7 |
| 19th | 7 |
| 20th | 8 |
This ability replaces mark and measure the mark.
Sneak Stab (Ex)
A knife master focuses its ability to deal sneak attack damage with daggers and similar weapons to such a degree that he can deal more sneak attack damage with those weapons at the expense of sneak attacks with other weapons. When he makes a sneak attack with a brass knife, dagger, butterfly knife, deer horn knife, dueling dagger, kerambit, kukri, kunai, punching dagger, sea-knife, spring blade, starknife, switchblade knife, swordbreaker dagger, or war razor, he uses d8s to roll sneak attack damage instead of d6s. For sneak attacks with all other weapons, he uses d4s instead of d6s.
This ability is identical in all other ways to sneak attack, and supplements that ability.
Sword Saint Training
At 2nd level, a knife master may take a sword saint talent that modifies swordplay in place of a thief talent. He uses his thief level as his sword saint level for qualifying for talents. Unless specifically noted in a sword saint talent’s description, a knife master cannot select a particular sword saint talent more than once. At 12th level, a knife master may select advanced sword saint talents that modify swordplay.
These abilities may replace thief talents.
Blade Sense (Ex)
At 3rd level, a knife master is so skilled in combat involving light bladed or piercing weapons that he gains a +1 dodge bonus to AC while wearing light or no armor. Anything that causes the knife master to lose his Dexterity bonus to AC also causes him to lose this dodge bonus. This bonus increases by +1 for every three levels, to a maximum of +6 at 18th level.
This ability replaces danger sense.
Knife Expert (Ex)
At 5th level, a knife master gains a +1 bonus on attack, damage, and combat maneuver checks with a brass knife, dagger, butterfly knife, deer horn knife, dueling dagger, kerambit, kukri, kunai, punching dagger, sea-knife, spring blade, starknife, switchblade knife, swordbreaker dagger, or war razor. This bonus increases by +1 for every four thief levels beyond 5th.
This ability replaces improved theft.
Hidden Blade (Ex)
At 7th level, a knife master adds half of his level on Sleight of Hand checks made to conceal a brass knife, dagger, butterfly knife, deer horn knife, dueling dagger, kerambit, kukri, kunai, punching dagger, sea-knife, spring blade, starknife, switchblade knife, swordbreaker dagger, or war razor.
This ability replaces skilled liar.
Practiced Skill (Ex)
When a knife master reaches 10th level, he has become so proficient in the basic skills that he can further his skill with that particular skill unlocking its true power, truly mastering his skills. He may select one basic sword/knifeskill he has learned and choose to gain its Practiced effect. The knife master may choose an additional sword/knifeskill at 12th level and 17th level.
This ability replaces mug.
Perfected Skill (Ex)
When a knife master reaches 15th level, he has become so extraordinarily adept in the basic skills and has perfected his power. He may choose a single sword/knifeskill that he has chosen to have practiced and now gain its Perfected effect. The knife master may choose an additional sword/knifeskill at 20th level.
This ability replaces theft mastery.
Chef’s Knife (Ex)
At 20th level, a knife master masters the technique of his ancestors. As a standard action, the knife master can make a single melee attack with a brass knife, dagger, butterfly knife, deer horn knife, dueling dagger, kerambit, kukri, kunai, punching dagger, sea-knife, spring blade, starknife, switchblade knife, swordbreaker dagger, or war razor. If struck, the target must make a Fortitude save (DC 20 + the knife master’s Charisma modifier) or be reduced to -1 hp, stabilized and unconscious. Those who are immune to critical hits are immune to this.
This ability replaces master strike.
Thief Talents
The following thief talents complement the knife master archetype: befuddling strike, deft swipe, offensive defense, surprise attack, and underhanded.
Advanced Thief Talents
The following advanced thief talents complement the knife master archetype: another day, confounding blades, deadly sneak, entanglement of blades, unwitting ally, and weapon snatcher.
Knife Forms
Mugstrike
Sword Skill Knife (Basic)
Element Non-Elemental
Range 15 ft.
Target One creature
Saving Throw Reflex partial
The knife master stabs the air, a phantom blade flying at and piercing his foe, then hooking one of their possessions on the way back. This attack deals focus sword damage, plus an additional 1d6 damage + 1d6 damage per every two thief levels after the 1st. A successful Reflex save halves this damage. Failing the save also allows the knife master to perform a steal combat maneuver that does not provoke attacks of opportunity. Any item stolen is transferred to the knife master’s person without an action needing to be spent to place it in his inventory.
Practiced: This skill, with practice, adds the knife master’s Charisma modifier as an equipment bonus to the steal combat maneuver.
Perfected: This skill, when perfected, can instead take the target’s weapon with a disarm combat maneuver. The knife master’s Charisma modifier is still added as an equipment bonus to this maneuver, and the weapon is placed on the knife master’s person if the maneuver is successful. Treat the weapon in all other ways as if it had been taken using a steal combat maneuver, except that creatures always immediately notice the theft of a wielded weapon.
Pinpoint Strike
Sword Skill Knife (Basic)
Element Non-Elemental
Range 30 ft.
Target One creature
Saving Throw Fortitude partial
The knife master strikes with such precision that an enemy’s defenses are rent asunder, leaving them exposed. This attack deals focus sword damage, plus an additional 1d6 + 1d6 damage for every four thief levels after the 1st. In addition, the target’s damage reduction is decreased by 1 + 1 for every four thief levels after the 1st (to a minimum of 0). This lasts for a number of rounds equal to the knife master’s Charisma modifier. A successful Fortitude save halves this damage and negates the damage reduction penalty.
Practiced: This skill, with practice, also reduces all of the target’s elemental resistances by 1 + 1 per every two thief levels after the 1st on a failed save (to a minimum of 0). Targets which nullify or absorb an element ignore this effect for that element type.
Perfected: This skill, when perfected, instead reduces the target’s damage reduction by half of the knife master’s thief level and reduces all of the target’s elemental resistances by the knife master’s thief level on a failed save (to a minimum of 0) instead of the normal values.
Shadow Weave
Sword Skill Knife (Basic)
Element Shadow
Range 30 ft. line
Target enemies in a 30 ft. long, 5 ft. wide line
Saving Throw Fortitude partial
The knife master dashes along a path, slicing up all enemies within his reach, before vanishing through the shadows back to his original position. He makes melee attacks at his highest BAB against each enemy within a 30 foot long, 5 foot wide line. The attack deals focus sword damage + an additional 1d6 damage for every four thief levels after the 1st. In addition, enemies he attacks suffer the blinded status effect for a number of rounds equal to the knife master’s Charisma modifier. A successful Fortitude save halves this damage and negates the status effect.
Practiced: This skill, with practice, allows the knife master to make a Stealth check after this attack at no penalty as a free action. To do so, the knife master must make this attack from a place where he has cover or concealment, or must be able to make Stealth checks without requiring cover or concealment. In addition, the affected area increases to a 15 feet wide line.
Perfected: This skill, once perfected, also inflicts the slow status effect in addition to blinded. In addition, the affected area increases to a 60 feet long line. The knife master can still sneak attack enemies in the area farther away than 30 feet.
Venomous Kiss
Sword Skill Knife (Basic)
Element Non-Elemental
Range melee
Target One creature
Saving Throw Fortitude partial
The knife master channels venomous hatred into his strike, wounding a target with a powerful poison. This attack deals focus sword damage, plus 1d6 + an additional 1d6 damage for every two thief levels after the 1st. In addition, the target suffers the poisoned status effect for 1d6 rounds. A successful Fortitude save halves this damage and negates the status effect. If the knife master uses this skill with a blade coated with poison, there is a 25% chance the poison dose is not expended in the attack and can be used to make an additional attack. A single dose of poison can be preserved by this property or the toxic special ability only once. These properties do not stack, the knife master takes the highest chance to avoid expending an applied poison.
Practiced: This skill, with practice, increases the duration of the poisoned status to 2d4 rounds. In addition, the knife master adds his Charisma modifier to the DC of any dose of poison used in this attack. This stacks with other increases to poison DC, but cannot raise it above 10 + his thief level.
Perfected: This skill, once perfected, increases the duration of the poisoned status to 3d3 rounds and the chance that a dose of poison is preserved to 50%.
Whisper Slash
Sword Skill Knife (Basic)
Element Non-Elemental
Range melee
Target One creature
Saving Throw none
The knife master holds unnaturally still, before lashing out with a slice that can’t be reacted to until it’s too late. He makes a melee attack against an enemy, dealing focus sword damage. The enemy is considered flat-footed against this attack, unless they have Uncanny Dodge.
Practiced: This skill, with practice, considers the enemy to be flat-footed against this attack unless they have Improved Uncanny Dodge.
Perfected: This skill, once perfected, considers the enemy to be flat-footed even if they have Improved Uncanny Dodge.
Cut the Path
Sword Skill Knife (Master)
Prerequisites 2 Knife Sword (Basic) skills known
Element Shadow
Range 30 ft.
Target One creature
Saving Throw Will partial
The knife master’s blade is covered in a dark temporal energy as he strikes a foe. The target takes focus sword damage + an additional 1d10 damage per four thief levels. In addition, the target is subjected to one of two effects:
- If the target’s initiative is greater than the knife master’s, the knife master and target switch initiative scores, as per switch fate.
- If the target’s initiative is lower than or equal to the knife master’s, lower the target’s initiative by 5. If the target has already taken their turn in the current round, they do not take a second turn.
A successful Will save negates this effect and halves the damage.
Everyone’s Karma
Sword Skill Knife (Master)
Prerequisites 3 Knife Sword (Basic) skills known and 1 Knife Sword (Master) skills known
Element Shadow
Range 30 ft.
Target enemies in a 30 ft. cone
Saving Throw Will partial
The ultimate Knife Sword swordskill. The knife master unleashes the anguish of slain tonberries upon their foes in a shadowy wave of torment, the point of their blade tapping into the knives wielded by their kin. Enemies in a 30 ft. cone take focus sword damage plus 1d10 damage per two thief levels + an additional 1d10 damage per tonberry/tonkin they have slain. Enemies hit by this attack are also frightened for 1 round and shaken for 1 round per thief level. A successful Will save halves this damage and negates the status effect. This is considered a fear effect.
Flurry of Blades
Sword Skill Knife (Master)
Prerequisites 3 Knife Sword (Basic) skills known
Element Non-Elemental
Range melee
Target One creature
Saving Throw None
The knife master’s blades harness a supernatural energy, his weapons becoming sharper and his strikes becoming faster. Activating this swordskill is a full-round action, and cannot be used with Improved Swordplay or Advanced Swordplay. The knife master makes a full attack action against a target within melee range, making a number of attacks allowed by his BAB. If he has additional attacks from effects such as haste or Two-Weapon Fighting, he makes those as well, but he cannot make secondary natural attacks. Each attack deals focus sword damage + 1d10 damage + an additional 1d10 damage per six thief levels. If the target dies and the knife master has additional attacks remaining, he may make them against another target within melee range.
Lantern Alight
Sword Skill Knife (Master)
Prerequisites 2 Knife Sword (Basic) skills known
Element Fire
Range personal
Target enemies within a 20 ft. radius burst
Saving Throw Reflex partial
The knife master’s blade flicks lantern oil all around him, which suddenly sparks and catches alight. Enemies within a 20 ft. radius burst around the knife master take focus sword damage + 1d10 damage per two thief levels. In addition, enemies hit by this attack are inflicted with burning for 1 round per level. A successful Reflex save halves this damage and negates the status effect.
Rancor Blade
Sword Skill Knife (Master)
Prerequisites 2 Knife Sword (Basic) skills known
Element Non-Elemental
Range 30 ft.
Target enemies within a 10 ft. radius burst
Saving Throw Will partial
The knife master harnesses the rancor of tonberries, driving into the very hearts of his foes with this unnatural rage. He strikes the ground, a spectral blade appearing within 30 feet, hitting enemies in a 10 ft. radius burst. Enemies take focus sword damage + 1d10 damage + an additional 1d10 damage per three thief levels. In addition, enemies are afflicted with the berserk status effect. A successful Will save halves this damage and negates the status effect.