Runesmith

Hit Points

At first level and every level thereafter, you increase your maximum hit points by 8 plus your constitution modifier.

Key Ability

At first level, you increase one of these ability scores by 2. Some of these options might be tied to subclasses (such as the rogue’s rackets).
Key Ability: Intelligence

Initial Proficiencies

Saves

Trained in Perception
Trained in Reflex Saves
Expert in Will Saves
Expert in Fortitude Saves

Weapons

Trained in unarmed attacks
Trained in simple weapons
Trained in martial weapons
Trained in Runesmith class DC

Armor

Trained in unarmored, light, and medium armor
Untrained in heavy armor

Skills

Trained in Crafting
Trained in your choice of Arcana
Trained in a number of skills equal to 2 plus your intelligence modifier

Class Features

Runic Repertoire Feature 1

The collection of runes that you know is called your runic repertoire. At 1st level, you learn four 1st-level runes of your choice. You choose these from the common runes on the rune list as well as any uncommon or rarer runes you have access to.

As you increase in level, you add more runes to your repertoire. You can add any rune to your repertoire as long as it is common (or you have access to it) and its level is equal to or less than your own.

Runesmith Runic Repertoire

Runes Feature 1

Through meticulous study, you have carved the knowledge of secret runes into your mind and body. You can apply special runesmith runes onto objects and creatures, which grant the bearer magical effects. You must know a rune to use it, and you learn runes via the runic repertoire class feature.

Applying Runes

All runes can be applied in one of two ways: a rune can be etched on or merely traced. An etched rune is carved, inked, or branded in; this application doesn't damage the creature or item. Etching runes requires an artisan's toolkit. Your magic can sustain up to two etched runes at a time, and this maximum increases as you go up in level. You can etch any number of runes up to your maximum during your daily preparations or by spending 10 minutes in exploration mode. Your etched runes remain indefinitely until they are expended or removed or until you etch more runes than your maximum, which causes your oldest rune to fade.

A traced rune is drawn lightly in dust, light, or a similar fleeting medium. You can trace a rune with the Trace Rune action.

Invoking Runes

Magic on your lips, you can pronounce the true name of a rune you have applied, calling it to power using invocation actions. You gain the Invoke Rune action.

Runic Magic

Runes are magical effects. Some runes have a specific tradition trait; for instance, the elemental ranshu, rune of thunder is a primal rune. If a rune has the magical trait, you can choose to replace the magical trait with a specific tradition trait, provided you're trained in the skill matching that tradition. For instance, you could create an arcane pluuna, rune of illumination if you were trained in Arcana.

Though runes aren't spells, some things that affect spells also affect runes. Abilities that restrict you from casting spells (such as being polymorphed into a battle form) or protect against spells (such as a spell that protects against other spells or a creature's bonus to saves against spells) also apply to tracing or invoking runes, though you can continue to benefit from the effects of a rune that's already applied.

Any runes that require a saving throw use your runesmith class DC. Rune you etch or trace have the same level as you, even if this would increase the rune's initial level. For instance, if you're 5th level, your runes would be 5th level (and their counteract rank would be 3rd rank), even if you gained the rune at 1st level. Similar to spells, many runes get more powerful as you increase in level. In these cases, the rune ends with one or more Level entries. This either lists the levels the rune gets an upgrade or has an entry with a plus sign that describes a benefit that increases on a regular basis. For instance, a 1st-level rune with a "Level (+4)" entry would get stronger at 5th, 9th, 13th, and 17th levels.

Shield Block Feature 1

You gain the Shield Block general feat, a reaction that lets you reduce damage with your shield.

Runic Crafter Feature 2

Your study of secret runes leaves you well practiced in crafting their more common cousins. You gain the Magical Crafting skill feat, even if you don't meet the prerequisites. You automatically learn the formulas for the fundamental armor runes (armor potency and resilient), fundamental shield rune (reinforcing), and fundamental weapon runes (weapon potency and striking) as soon as your level equals each item's. You practice your runes so thoroughly you can draw them by heart and thus do not need a formula book to record the formula of any runes you learn how to create.

At 4th level and every 2 levels thereafter, you learn the formula for an armor or weapon property rune of your choice. The rune must be of your level or lower, and can be a common rune or another rune to which you have access.

Weapon Expertise Feature 5

Champion, Exemplar, Investigator, Magus, Runesmith You've dedicated yourself to learning the intricacies of your weapons. Your proficiency ranks for simple weapons, martial weapons, and unarmed attacks increase to expert.

Druid, Kineticist You've improved your combat skill. Your proficiency rank for simple weapons and unarmed attacks increases to expert.

Guardian Sometimes, the best defense is a good offense. Your proficiency ranks for simple weapons, martial weapons, and unarmed attacks increase to expert.

Necromancer, Oracle You've dedicated yourself to learning the intricacies of your weapons. Your proficiency ranks for simple weapons and unarmed attacks increase to expert.

Psychic Training has improved your weapon technique, possibly enhanced by your occult magic. Your proficiency rank for simple weapons and unarmed attacks increases to expert.

Sorcerer You've improved your combat skill. Your proficiency ranks for simple weapons and unarmed attacks increase to expert.

Swashbuckler You've dedicated yourself to learning the intricacies of your weapons. Your proficiency ranks for simple weapons, martial weapons, and unarmed attacks increase to expert. You gain access to the critical specialization effects of all weapons for which you have expert proficiency.

Thaumaturge You've learned the secret ways your weapons work most effectively. Your proficiency ranks for unarmed attacks, simple weapons, and martial weapons increase to expert.

Witch, Wizard Through sheer experience, you've improved your technique with your weapons. Your proficiency ranks for simple weapons and unarmed attacks increase to expert.

Runic Optimization Feature 7

You've learned to draw upon the magic of weapon runes to deal greater damage. You deal 2 additional damage with weapons bearing a striking rune. This damage increases to 3 if the weapon bears a greater striking rune and 4 if it bears a major striking rune.

Reflex Expertise Feature 3

You've developed a knack for dodging danger. Your proficiency rank for Reflex saves increases to expert.

Guardian Even in the heaviest of armors, you can brace yourself against widespread effects. Your proficiency rank for Reflex saves increases to expert.

Expert Runes Feature 7

Your expertise in magical scripting lends further power to your runic magic. Your proficiency rank for your runesmith class DC increases to expert.

Assured Runic Crafter Feature 9

You're so used to tracing and etching runes in the field that when given the peace and quiet of a proper workshop, it's hard for things to go too astray. When you roll a check to Craft a magic item in downtime and that item is a permanent rune, you get the outcome one degree of success better than the result of your Crafting check.

Forged Endurance Feature 11

Your body is toughened by long days immersed in crafting, without break for food or drink. Your proficiency rank for Fortitude saves increases to master. When you roll a success on a Fortitude save, you get a critical success instead.

Perception Expertise Feature 3

You remain alert to threats around you. Your proficiency rank for Perception increases to expert.

Medium Armor Expertise Feature 11

You've learned to defend yourself better against attacks. Your proficiency ranks for light armor, medium armor, and unarmored defense increase to expert.

Inventor If you have a medium or heavy armor innovation, you gain access to the critical specialization effect with your armor innovation.

Weapon Mastery Feature 13

Barbarian Your rage makes you even more effective with the weapons you wield. Your proficiency ranks for simple weapons, martial weapons, and unarmed attacks increase to master.

Commander You've drilled extensively in your weapons. Your proficiency ranks for unarmed attacks, simple weapons, and martial weapons increase to master.

Guardian Your hours of battlefield experience grant you greater prowess. Your proficiency ranks for simple weapons, martial weapons, and unarmed attacks increase to master.

Magus, Runesmith, Thaumaturge You fully understand your weapons. Your proficiency ranks for simple weapons, martial weapons, and unarmed attacks increase to master.

Greater Runic Optimization Feature 15

Your weapon runes harmonize with your own innate magic, multiplying their damage even further. Your extra damage from runic optimization increases to 4 with weapons bearing a striking rune, 6 for a greater striking rune, and 8 for a major striking rune.

Masterful Runes Feature 15

You are a true master of the magical brush, quill, and engraver. Your proficiency rank for your runesmith class DC increases to master.

Medium Armor Mastery Feature 17

Your skill with light and medium armor improves, increasing your ability to avoid blows. Your proficiency ranks for light and medium armor, as well as for unarmored defense, increase to master.

Legendary Runes Feature 19

The runes you carve are drawn with a legendary hand—each character precise, yet a style distinctly your own. Your proficiency rank for your runesmith class DC increases to legendary.