Crusader (Dungeons & Dragons)
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| Base classes from Player's Handbook |
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Barbarian |
| Additional/Alternative base classes |
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Archivist |
| NPC Classes |
| Unearthed Arcana generic classes |
| Prestige classes |
The Crusader is a new base class introduced in the Tome of Battle. Like the Swordsage and Warblade, the Crusader is a martial adept class. This means that they utilize the various boosts, counters, strikes and stances available in that book. Crusaders draw from the Devoted Spirit, Stone Dragon and White Raven styles. Devoted Spirit is their exclusive school, meaning that neither swordsages nor warblades have access to it. Crusaders have a strong hit die (d10) and good skill points (4 + INT bonus per level).
Crusaders appear to be very similar to the Paladin character class from the Player's Handbook, however there are some very important differences: The crusader (obviously) uses martial maneuvers while the paladin uses magic; also the paladin can summon a warhorse and lay on hands. Overall, the paladin is a cross between a martial and mystic champion of his or her religion, while the crusader is a purely martial champion.
A unique feature of the Crusader is the random withholding of maneuvers during combat: the Crusader's patron deity only grants a certain number of maneuvers at the start of battle and one more each round until all readied maneuvers are available. Once all maneuvers are granted and expended, the Crusader starts this process over.
