Fighter Subclass: Ghostblade

The Ghostblade are masters of swift and elusive combat, harnessing the power of shadows and spirits to strike their foes with lightning-fast attacks. They excel in ambushing enemies, moving effortlessly between the physical and ethereal realms, making them formidable foes on the battlefield.

#### Ghost Step

At 3rd level, you gain the ability to step partially into the ethereal plane for a brief moment. As a bonus action, you can expend one use of your superiority dice to activate Ghoststep until the end of your turn. During this time, you can move through other creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. Additionally, you gain a +2 bonus to your AC against opportunity attacks triggered by your movement during Ghoststep.

#### Demonic Affinity

At 3rd level, you must choose one of the following Demonic Affinities: Sword Demon, Phantom Demon, or Hybrid.

##### Hybrid

If you choose the Hybrid affinity, you combine the strengths of both the Sword Demon and Phantom Demon, creating a versatile and deadly Ghostblade. You gain the following benefits:

* **Versatile Strikes:** When you hit a creature with a weapon attack during your Ghoststep, you can choose to either add your superiority dice to the damage roll (as per Demonic Blade Mastery) or deal additional force damage equal to the roll of the superiority dice (as per Ethereal Strikes).
* **Ethereal Resilience:** Your experience with both types of Demonic Affinities grants you superior defenses. While you are in Ghoststep, you have resistance to all damage.

##### Phantom Demon

If you choose the Phantom Demon affinity, your Ghostblade abilities emphasize stealth and misdirection. You gain the following benefits:

* **Ethereal Strikes:** When you hit a creature with a weapon attack during your Ghoststep, you can expend one use of your superiority dice to deal additional force damage equal to the roll of the superiority dice.
* **Ghostly Evasion:** Your connection to the ethereal plane grants you unparalleled evasive abilities. While you are in Ghoststep, you have advantage on Dexterity saving throws against effects that would cause you to take damage.

##### Sword Demon

If you choose the Sword Demon affinity, your Ghostblade abilities focus on mastering the art of the blade. You gain the following benefits:

* **Demonic Blade Mastery:** You can channel the essence of a Sword Demon into your weapon strikes. Whenever you hit a creature with a weapon attack during your Ghoststep, you can add your superiority dice to the damage roll.
* **Ethereal Parry:** You gain the ability to deflect incoming attacks with spectral precision. While you are wielding a melee weapon, you can use your reaction and expend one use of your superiority dice to gain a bonus to your AC against a single attack. The bonus is equal to your superiority dice roll plus your Dexterity modifier.

#### Demonic Technique

**Level 7: Demonic Techniques** At 7th level, your mastery of Demonic Affinities grants you access to advanced techniques based on your chosen path. Choose one of the following options based on your Demonic Affinity:

**Sword Demon:**

* *Demonic Flurry:* When you use your Action Surge, you can make an additional weapon attack on each of your turns during that action.

**Phantom Demon:**

* *Shadowmeld Assassination:* Once per short or long rest, you can attempt a deadly assassination from the ethereal plane. As a bonus action, while in Ghoststep, you can attempt to strike a surprised creature with a guaranteed critical hit. Make an attack roll, and the result is considered a natural 20, regardless of your roll or any modifiers. If the attack hits, it is an automatic critical hit.

**Hybrid:**

* *Soulreaver Strike:* Once per turn, when you hit a creature with a weapon attack during your Ghoststep, you can choose to deal force damage equal to your superiority dice roll instead of rolling for regular weapon damage.

##### Hybrid: Soulreaver Strike

Soulreaver Strike: Once per turn, when you hit a creature with a weapon attack during your Ghoststep, you can choose to deal force damage equal to double of your superiority dice roll instead of rolling for regular weapon damage.

##### Phantom Demon: Shadowmeld Assassination

*Shadowmeld Assassination:* Once per short or long rest, you can attempt a deadly assassination from the ethereal plane. As a bonus action, while in Ghoststep, you can attempt to strike a surprised creature with a guaranteed critical hit. Make an attack roll, and the result is considered a natural 20, regardless of your roll or any modifiers. If the attack hits, it is an automatic critical hit.

##### Sword Demon: Demonic Flurry

* *Demonic Flurry:* When you use your Action Surge, you can make an additional weapon attack on each of your turns during that action.

#### Ethereal Mastery

At 10th level, you have gained a deeper understanding of the ethereal realm and unlocked a new form of Ghoststep called "Ethereal Mastery." You can now use your Ghoststep ability three times before needing to finish a short or long rest. Additionally, when you enter Ethereal Mastery, you can choose one of the following forms:

**1. Phantom Stride:** Your mastery of the ethereal plane allows you to move with supernatural speed and grace. During Ethereal Mastery, your movement speed increases by an additional 20 feet, and you can move through other creatures and objects as if they were not there, without requiring difficult terrain movement.

**2. Shadow Veil:** You can wrap yourself in a shroud of shadows, making you incredibly elusive and hard to target. While in Ethereal Mastery, you have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks, and enemies have disadvantage on attack rolls against you until the end of your turn.

**3. Demonic Phalanx:** Calling upon the strength of the demons, you become an unyielding force on the battlefield. While in Ethereal Mastery, your AC increases by 2, and you have advantage on saving throws against being moved or knocked prone.

Once you use Ethereal Mastery, you must finish a short or long rest before you can use it again.

#### Phantom Veil

At 15th level, you gain the ability to shroud yourself in an impenetrable Phantom Veil. As an action, you can magically turn invisible for up to 1 minute. While invisible, you gain the following benefits:

* Your movement does not provoke opportunity attacks.
* You have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks to remain hidden.
* Creatures have disadvantage on attack rolls against you, and you have advantage on Dexterity saving throws against spells and other harmful effects.

Once you use Phantom Veil, you must finish a long rest before you can use it again.

#### Eternal Spirit

At 18th level, you attain the pinnacle of your Ghostblade abilities, embracing the essence of an Eternal Spirit. Your connection to the ethereal plane becomes profound, allowing you to harness the true power of a ghostly warrior.

**Phantom Form:** As an action, you can transform into a ghostly form for 1 minute. While in this form, you gain the following benefits:

1. **Ethereal Presence:** Your presence becomes otherworldly and intimidating. Any hostile creature that starts its turn within 30 feet of you must make a Wisdom saving throw against your Martial Save DC. On a failed save, the creature is frightened of you until the end of its next turn.
2. **Ghostly Strikes:** Your weapon attacks are infused with ethereal energy, dealing additional force damage equal to your Constitution modifier (minimum of 1) on a successful hit.
3. **Spectral Phalanx:** You can summon ghostly warriors to aid you in battle. As a bonus action, you can expend one use of your superiority dice to summon a spectral duplicate of yourself in an unoccupied space within 30 feet of you. The duplicate lasts for 1 minute or until it is reduced to 0 hit points. The spectral duplicate shares your statistics and can use the Attack action to make weapon attacks. On a hit, it deals damage as per your Ghostly Strikes. The duplicate is not visible to creatures unless they have true sight or similar abilities.
4. **Ethereal Dash:** Your movement speed increases by 30 feet, and you can move through other creatures and objects as if they were not there, without requiring difficult terrain movement.

Once you use Phantom Form, you must finish a long rest before you can use it again.

**Soul Connection:** Additionally, during your Phantom Form, your connection to your weapons becomes inseparable. You can summon any weapon you are proficient with to your hand as a bonus action, even if it is on a different plane of existence.

**Eternal Spirit's Resilience:** While you are in Phantom Form, you gain resistance to all damage, and you are immune to being charmed, frightened, or possessed.

**Martial Save DC:** 8 + Proficiency Bonus + Constitution Modifier