Indigo Tricksters combine skill, arcane magic, and deadly fighting technique to catch their opponents off-balance and capitalize their foes' lapse in defense to deliver a deadly flurry of blows. Indigo Tricksters love the challenges that adventure brings, and they relish finding unique and inventive ways to use their abilities. Their cunning use of illusion magic sets their opponents up, only to knock them down with a devastating onslaught of steel and arcane might.

GAME RULE INFORMATION
Indigo Tricksters have the following game statistics.
Abilities: High Dexterity is most important for an indigo trickster, as the AC, Initiative, and Reflex boosts all greatly synergize with class abilities. A good Intelligence makes your invocations harder to resist and also improves your AC. As usual, good Constitution greatly helps an otherwise squishy melee class.
Alignment: Any
Hit Die: d8
Starting Age: As rogue.
Starting Gold: As rogue.

Class Skills
The Indigo Trickster's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are: Appraise (Int), Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Escape Artist (Dex), Gather Information (Cha), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Knowledge (local) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Open Lock (Dex), Search (Int), Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), and Tumble (Dex).

Skill Points at First Level: (6 + Int modifier) x 4
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 6 + Int modifier

INDIGO TRICKSTER

Level	BAB	Fort	Ref	Will	Special	Invocations Known
1st	+1	+0	+2	+0	Arcane Surge, Invocation (least), Quick To Act +1	1
2nd	+2	+0	+3	+0	AC Bonus	2
3rd	+3	+1	+3	+1	Two-Weapon Fighting	3
4th	+4	+1	+4	+1	Lowered Guard -1	4
5th	+5	+1	+4	+1	Arcane Fission, Quick To Act +2	4
6th	+6/+1	+2	+5	+2	New Invocation (least or lesser), Improved Two-Weapon Fighting	5
7th	+7/+2	+2	+5	+2	Trickster's Savvy, Evasion	6
8th	+8/+3	+2	+6	+2	Lowered Guard -2	7
9th	+9/+4	+3	+6	+3	Uncanny Agility	8
10th	+10/+5	+3	+7	+3	Quick To Act +3	8
11th	+11/+6/+1	+3	+7	+3	New Invocation (least, lesser, or greater), Greater Two-Weapon Fighting	9
12th	+12/+7/+2	+4	+8	+4	Lowered Guard -3	10
13th	+13/+8/+3	+4	+8	+4	Impenetrable Illusions	11
14th	+14/+9/+4	+4	+9	+4	Improved Evasion	12
15th	+15/+10/+5	+5	+9	+5	Quick To Act +4	12
16th	+16/+11/+6/+1	+5	+10	+5	New Invocation (least, lesser, greater, or dark), Lowered Guard -4	13
17th	+17/+12/+7/+2	+5	+10	+5	Supreme Two-Weapon Fighting	14
18th	+18/+13/+8/+3	+6	+11	+6	Unseen Steps	15
19th	+19/+14/+9/+4	+6	+11	+6	Arcane Alarcity	16
20th	+20/+15/+10/+5	+6	+12	+6	Limit Break, Lowered Guard -5	16

CLASS FEATURES
All of the following are class features of the Indigo Trickster:

Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: As an indigo trickster, you are proficient with simple weapons, martial melee weapons (including those that can be used as thrown weapons), and light armor, but not with shields.

Invocations: You do not prepare or cast spells as other wielders of arcane magic do. Instead, you possess a repertoire of arcane-based attacks, defenses, and abilities known as invocations. You can use any invocation that you know at will. Unlike the invocations wielded by the warlock or dragonfire adept, your indigo trickster invocations are considered supernatural abilities unless otherwise noted in their description. They are not affected by spell resistance, and you do not provoke attacks of opportunity when you initiate one.

The save DC for an invocation (if it allows a save) is 10 + half your class level + your Intelligence modifier. Your caster level with invocations is equal to your class level. Each invocation has a spell level equal to half your class level.

The four grades of invocations, in order of their relative power, are least, lesser, greater, and dark. You begin with knowledge of one invocation, which must be of the lowest grade (least). As you gain levels in this class, you learn new invocations, as summarized on the Table and described below. A list of available invocations, along with their complete descriptions, can be found in the post following this class description.

At any level when you learn a new invocation, you can also replace an invocation you already know with another invocation of the same or a lower grade. At 6th level, you can replace a least invocation you know with a different least invocation. At 11th level, you can replace a least or lesser invocation you know with another invocation of the same or a lower grade. At 16th level, a you can replace a least, lesser, or greater invocation you know with another invocation of the same or a lower grade.

Arcane Surge: The faint blue glow surrounding your weapons begin to grow larger and brighter with each successful strike. As your weapons become engulfed with arcane energy, you suck in the power from them to fuel your devastating attack.

Some of the invocations have two versions: a regular form and a stronger "surge" version. The surge version of an invocation costs a number of surge points to use and adds an extra effect to the invocation. Invocations with a surge cost of X require that you spend a minimum of 1 surge point to activate.

You acquire a surge point with each successful attack that you make with a melee or thrown weapon, which you can then use to fuel your surge invocations. These points are stored until you either expend them or until the end of the encounter. The maximum number of surge points that you can store at a time is one per class level. Surge points disappear after five minutes.

Example: Ezreal is a level 6 indigo trickster and is fighting an orc. He is currently storing 4 surge points. He makes makes a full attack with two daggers against an orc. Three attacks hit, earning him 3 surge points, but he can only store up to 6 points at a time, so he only gains 2 to bring him to 6.

Quick To Act (Ex): You gain a +1 bonus on initiative checks. This bonus increases by 1 at 5th, 10th, and 15th level.

AC Bonus: Starting at 2nd level, you can add your Intelligence modifier as a bonus to Armor Class, so long as you wear light armor, are unencumbered, and do not use a shield. This bonus to AC applies even against touch attacks or when you are flat-footed. However, you lose this bonus when you are immobilized or helpless.

Two-Weapon Fighting (Ex): The path of the indigo tempest teaches how to effectively wield two weapons at once. At 3rd level, you gain Two-Weapon Fighting as a bonus feat even if you do not qualify for the feat. If you already have Two-Weapon Fighting, you may take a feat listed as a fighter bonus feat, so long as you meet all the prerequisites for that feat.

At 6th level, you gain Improved Two-Weapon Fighting as a bonus feat even if you do not qualify for the feat.

At 11th level, you gain Greater Two-Weapon Fighting as a bonus feat even if you do not qualify for the feat.

Lowered Guard (Ex): Cracks in your enemies' defenses appear when you surprise them, which you and your allies can further exploit. Starting at level 4, Enemies that are denied their dexterity bonus by you take a -1 penalty to their AC until the beginning of your next turn. This penalty increases by 1 at level 8, 12, 16, and 20.

Arcane Fission (Su): Your battle-focused arcane abilities allow you to wield your favored weapon in both hands by splitting it into two identical weapons. At level 5, if you're holding a melee or ranged weapon in one hand and nothing in an empty hand, you may create a duplicate of the weapon that forms in your empty hand. This duplicate is made of pure arcane energy but otherwise acts identically like the original weapon, including any enchantments and effects the original weapon has except for any limited use abilities. The weapon is treated as a light weapon when wielded in your off hand. The duplicate weapon dissolves into nothing if it's not in your hand by the end of your round, or immediately if anyone else holds it. Creating a duplicate weapon is a free action.

Trickster's Savvy (Ex): Starting a 7th level, your class level is equivalent to a rogue's for determining whether or not you can flank a creature with the Improved Uncanny Dodge ability (see barbarian PHB p26).

Evasion (Ex): At 7th level, you can avoid even magical and unusual attacks with great agility. If you make a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals damage on a successful save, you instead take no damage. Evasion can be used only if you are wearing light armor or no armor. If you are helpless, you do not gain the benefit of evasion.

Uncanny Agility (Ex): Beginning at 9th level, you may spend 2 surge points to take an additional swift or immediate action. You may only use this ability once per round.

Impenetrable Illusions (Su): At 13th level, you've developed such skill with the arcane arts that it's nearly impossible to detect your invocations with divination magic. When anyone employs a divination spell, spell-like ability, or magic item (such as detect magic) that may detect the magical aura of one of your invocations, the wielder must make a character level check (DC 11 + your class level) to successfully detect your invocations. Similarly, anyone attempting to use a divination such as see invisibility to reveal the effects of one of your invocations must make a level check to reveal your spell's effects. The divination user can only check once for each diviniation spell used, no matter how many of your invocations are operating in an area.

Improved Evasion (Ex): From 14th level on, you gain the benefit of improved evasion. You still take no damage if you make a successful Reflex save against an attack, and even if you fail the Reflex save, you take only half damage from the attack. If you are helpless, you do not gain the benefit of improved evasion.

Supreme Two-Weapon Fighting (Ex): Beginning at 17th level, you've reached the pinnacle of two-weapon fighting. You get a fourth attack with your offhand weapon, albeit at a -15 penalty.

Unseen Steps (Ex): As you near the end of your path, your arcane magics become so seamlessly tied to your fighting style that the mundane has become magic. Starting at 18th level, for every two successful attacks that you make in a round, you may teleport yourself 5 feet in any direction as by greater teleport at the end of the attack.

Arcane Alarcity (Su): Beginning at 19th level, you learn that energy and speed are one in the same, and apply that knowledge to your invocations. By spending an amount of surge points dependent on the invocation's grade, you may change the invocation's casting time to a free action. Least cost 4, Lesser 8, Greater 12, and Dark 16.

Limit Break (Ex): At 20th level, you can supercharge your nerves with arcane power, allowing you to react at unthinkable speed. You may activate this ability to take additional swift or immediate actions this round. The first additional swift or immediate action costs 2 surge points, with a cumulative cost of 1 surge point per further use of this ability (3 surge points for the second swift immediate action, 4 for the third, etc.).  You may only use this ability once per encounter.


MULTICLASS CHARACTERS




Designer's Notes:

Credits:

Sample Playtest:
You can check it out here.

Tips And Tricks:
- The feats Indigo Aptitude (new feat) and Extra Invocation (Complete Arcane) can greatly boost your versatility
- At the beginning of combat, enemies are flat-footed until their turn, so if you're before your target's initiative you can Indigo Jaunt to them
- Phantom Assailant only disappears when it successfully attacks, so you can choose for it not to attack immediately for different results
- Invocations like Bait n' Switch and Arcane Detonation (and combinations thereof) are begging to be used creatively for great results!
- Arcane Detonation can explode any figment you create, including Silent Image


Feats

Indigo Aptitude
You learn an additional least invocation.
Prerequisite: Ability to use least invocations.
Benefit: You learn one additional least invocation from the list available to you.
Special: You can gain this feat multiple times. Each time, you gain an extra least invocation.


Sample Encounter

Indigo Tricksters can be encountered anywhere, but are more likely to be found in large cities where their impressive stealth abilities can be used to great effect.

EL 9: The thief known as Ezreal plagues the wealthy and powerful citizens of Free City. It's rumored that there is no building that he cannot break into and, though many have tried, he can never be caught. His affiliation with the local thieves' guild has made the guild powerful players on the scene, with almost everyone paying them for "protection insurance."

Ezreal
Human Indigo Trickster 9
CN Medium Humanoid
Hit Dice: 9d8+18 (58hp)
Initiative: +9 (+3 DEX +2 Quick to Act, +4 Improved Initiative)
Speed: 30 ft
Armour Class: 22 (+3 Dex, +6 armor, +3 AC Bonus), touch 16, flat-footed 19
Base Attack Bonus/Grapple: +9/+11
Attack: +1 scimitar +12 (1d6+3, 18-20/x2)
Full Attack: +1 scimitar +10/+5 (1d6+3, 18-20/x2) and +1 scimitar +10/+5 (1d6+3, 18-20/x2)
Ranged Full Attack: +1 dart +11/+6 (1d4+3, x2) and +1 dart +11/+6 (1d4+3, x2)
Space/Reach: 5 ft/5 ft
Special Qualities: Invocations, AC Bonus, Quick to Act +2, Evasion, Lowered Guard -2, Arcane Fission, Uncanny Agility
Saves: Fort +5, Ref +9, Will +2
Abilities: Str 14, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 8, Cha 8 (28pb)
Skills: Bluff +4, Concentration +7, Disable Device +15, Escape Artist +8, Gather Information +4, Hide +15, Knowledge (arcana) +8, Knowledge (local) +8, Listen +11, Move Silently +15, Open Lock +6, Search +8, Sense Motive +4, Spellcraft +8, Spot +11, and Tumble +15
Feats: Improved Initiative (human), Indigo Aptitude (1), Quick Draw (3), Two Weapon Fighting (indigo trickster), Extra Invocation (6), Improved Two Weapon Fighting (indigo trickster), Extra Invocation (9)  
Treasure: +1 scimitar, +1 mithril breastplate, +1 darts (x50)

Invocation list: Least: 7 Lesser: 4 (DC 17 for all)

Least: Rogue's Cunning, Indigo Jaunt, Indigo Spark, Blur, See the Unseen, Sudden Opportunity, Silent Image

Lesser: Arcane Detonation, Bait n' Switch, Crashing Wave, Phantom Duo

Tactics:
Ezreal pre-buffs with Blur if given the opportunity. He prefers to ambush his target if possible, employing his impressive stealth skills to gain a surprise round.

Getting off full attacks for surge points is the name of the game. Ezreal usually starts combat with Sudden Opportunity activated if the target is denied their DEX (for example, if they haven't acted yet) and Crashing Wave for a pouncing full attack. If that's not possible, he'll use Indigo Jaunt to get a full attack off. If he has surge points available, he uses a surge'd Phantom Duo and move them adjacent to other opponents but not immediately attack (delaying until right before it expires works best).

Ezreal makes liberal use of Bait n' Switch to keep opponents guessing on his true location, to avoid attacks against him as an immediate action, or to get beside a target for a full attack. Whenever an opponent attacks one of his figments he'll try to punish it with an Arcane Detonation.

Could you please list the source for that image? I faved that artist over on DeviantArt, and it really irks me to see no credit to the original artist for that recoloring.

Ah, I missed that then. Carry on.

This is pretty neat.

Can anyone find a Homebrew Invocation advancing PrC this can qualify for? I've looked around, and I'll be playing one later, so...

I don't know about homebrew, but you could try the Shadow Pounce ability (from PrCs like Telflammar Shadowlord) and this class. With so many teleports, you're gonna full attack quite a bit every round

That's something I'm wondering: anything I need to add/change so that this class qualifies for PrC's like a warlock could?

Hmmm, I'm not sure if the invocations would qualify for Shadow Pounce, since technically it doesn't have the teleportation descriptor, does it? If not, I could change it so that it would work, since that's a really cool idea. Of course, I'd need to put in a 1/round limit to Indigo Blink, since unlimited free action teleports would be a tad crazy 


A shadow assassin PrC sounds awesome! Would love to see it.




Added two more invocations btw: Master of Disguise and Fool You Twice. I want a couple more invocations, specifically Greater / Dark ones, to round out the class and then it'll be pretty much done except for balance tweaks.

Done!

Changelog:
- added "Multiclassing Characters" section at the bottom of the class, explains PrC's and Arcane Surge limit
- Indigo Blink now has a 1/round limit to avoid abuse
- removed Sense Motive as class skill

The class table still has the old version with dead levels at 18th and 19th. Arcane Alacrity should say "By spending an amount of surge points dependent on the invocation's grade" instead of "By spending an amount of surge points equal to the invocation's grade".