The Blackguard

Hit Dice: 1d8 per level

Hit Points at 1st Level: 8 + 1d8 + CON

Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d8 + CON

• Armor: Light armor
• Weapons: Simple Weapons, Shortswords, Rapiers, Longswords, Hand Crossbows
• Saving Throws: Dexterity, Intelligence

Skills: 4 Lore: 1 + INT Tools: 1 + INT Survival: 1 + WIS Languages: 2 + CHA

You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:

• (a) a rapier or (b) a finesse weapon
• (a) a shortbow and quiver of 20 arrows or (b) a shortsword
• (a) a burglar's pack, (b) a dungeoneer's pack, or (c) an explorer's pack
• Leather armor, two daggers, and thieves' tools

The Blackguard

Every blackguard has a subclass, or a Craft, that defines them. Currently available are the Thief, Assassin, or Arcane Trickster, all detailed at the end of the class description. The Blackguard's Craft grants them features at 1st level, and then again at 3rd, 6th, 9th, 13th, and 17th level.

Choose two skills in the skills section. It the Blackguard already has this proficiency, they gain expertise with this skill. If they were not already proficient, they gain the skill chosen instead.

Blackguards can choose an additional skill in the skills section to gain this benefit at levels 6, 10, 14, and 18.

Once per turn, a Blackguard can deal an extra 1d6 damage to one creature they hit with an attack if either factor below applies:

• They have advantage
• An ally is within 5 feet of the target, and not incapacitated

The attack must be made with a finesse or ranged weapon, and not be at disadvantage.

This bonus d6 damage increases with level, as shown in the Blackguard class table.

Blackguards learn two Cunning Actions, which can be used for their Minor Action.
They learn an additional Cunning Action at levels 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, and 20.

The Blackguard table shows the amount ploys known by level as well as the amount of ploy dice and their strength. Most ploys require that you expend one of your ploy dice in order to use them. Additionally, only one ploy can be used per turn. All ploy dice are regained upon finishing a short or long rest.

Ploy dice begin as d4s, but they increase in size by level. View the Blackguard level table for your Ploy Dice amount/total known.
One Ploys is known at second level from the Ploys list. You gain an additional ploy at level levels 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20.

Gain the Level 3 feature under the Blackguard's Craft.

Blackguards can now use their Exploit Weakness ability during attacks of opportunity.

Choose an option from the Personal Journey section.

Choose an additional Ploys.

Choose an additional Cunning Action.

Before a Blackguard rolls Exploit Dice on an attack, they may use a ploy that can be used with a weapon attack, sacrificing an amount of dice equal to the degree of the ploy used, and only rolling the remaining dice. This ploy does not deal any additional damage covered in its effect when used in this way.

When an attacker that a Blackguard can see hits them with an attack, they can use their reaction to halve the attack's damage to them.

Gain the Level 6 feature under the Blackguard's Craft.

Choose an additional skill in the skills section, gaining the skill chosen, or expertise if already taken.

Choose an additional Ploys.

When a Blackguard is subjected to an effect that allows them to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, they can instead take no damage if you succeed on the saving throw, and only half damage if they fail.

Choose an additional Cunning Action.

Choose an option from the Personal Journey section.

Choose an additional Ploys.

Gain the Level 9 feature under the Blackguard's Craft.

Blackguards gain an additional Minor action during their turns.

Choose an additional skill in the skills section, gaining the skill chosen, or expertise if already taken.

Choose an additional Ploys.

Choose an additional Cunning Action.

Whenever a Blackguard makes an ability that adds their proficiency bonus, a d20 of 9 or lower can be counted as a 10.

Choose an option from the Personal Journey section.

Choose an additional Ploys.

Gain the Level 13 feature under the Blackguard's Craft.

As long as a blackguard can hear, they are aware of the location of any hidden or invisible creature within 10 feet of them.

Choose an additional Cunning Action.

Choose an additional skill in the skills section, gaining the skill chosen, or expertise if already taken.

Choose an additional Ploys.

Blackguards gain proficiency in Wisdom saving throws.

Choose an option from the Personal Journey section.

Choose an additional Ploys.

Gain the Level 17 feature under the Blackguard's Craft.

Choose an additional Cunning Action.

No attack roll has advantage against a Blackguard while they aren't incapacitated.

Choose an additional skill in the skills section, gaining the skill chosen, or expertise if already taken.

Choose an additional Ploys.

Choose an option from the Personal Journey section.

Choose an additional Cunning Action.

Choose an additional Ploys.

The pinacle of shadows, the Unparalleled Blackguard gains an +1 Proficiency bonus, as well as an additional reaction. Once per round, when an enemy you can see hits you with an attack, you can use your reaction to reduce the damage by an amount equal to your Dexterity modifier.