Lyrian Chronicles
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Class record

Iai Style

Striker

Tier
2
Difficulty
2 / 5
Main role
Striker
Secondary role
—

Rules reference

Class mechanics

Entry requirements and the complete level-by-level advancement path.

Entry

Requirements

Any class mastered. Proficient with Katana.

Advancement

Progression

  1. UnlockKey ability
    Iaijutsu
  2. Level 2Ability 1
    Iai Strike
  3. Level 3Skills
    You gain +5 skill points to spend on Athletics, Intimidation, History, Insight, Art, Perception or Common Knowledge. You can exchange any skill point for 2 expertise points, but must spend them in these skills.
  4. Level 4Ability 2
    Kiri-tsuke
  5. Level 5Heart
    You gain +1 to Awareness or Fitness.
  6. Level 6Ability 3
    Chiburi Noto
  7. Level 7Soul
    You gain +1 to Focus or Power.
  8. Level 8Ultimate ability
    Uke Nagashi

Identity & lore

Class overview

The art of Iai came from the Island of Kirara, a sword style utilizing Kiraran blades. The Youkai were known for their highly lethal speed and technique in preference over raw power. Iaidoka are quite rare, students of elusive Kiraran Masters who only train two students at a time.

Tactical guidance

Playing Iai Style

Masters of the Iaido style typically start the battle in one of two ways: They open with an Iai strike or wait for the enemy to strike, then counter with Uke Nagashi. Iaido centers around Iaijutsu and the sheathed state. Their most important abilities are locked behind this sheathed state and unless you fulfill conditions, its a once per battle thing.

Iai Strike is a powerful attack that not only has lock-on, it's also only 1 AP. Unless you are using a weapon other than a katana and mixing weapon fighting styles, this will most likely be your first action in combat. Because using it loses the sheathed state, it can not be used again unless you use Kiri-tsuke.

Kiri-tsuke is a heavy attack with the benefit of resetting your sheathed state when you score a kill with it. Depending on the battle, this may be an easy or hard thing to do, but you should always look for the opportunity for the reset.

Chiburi Noto is used at the end of the encounter and buffs you for your next one by maximizing your Iai strike damage. The benefit of this can be good, but if you are low on HP or mana it may be wise to use one of the basic options instead.

Uke Nagashi is a powerful counter move that has the condition that you must still be in the sheathed state. Because making any attack with a katana removes the sheathed state, this means you can not attack before using Uke Nagashi, unless you use a different type of weapon. This is a valid option. You can choose to attack with a normal sword, then drop it and prepare for your counter. If you'd rather only use a katana and still want to use this, then you can instead play very aggressive with your positioning. Use all your AP to move up, then when the enemy wants to attack you, unleash the counter. You can also choose to delay and hope the enemy moves up and attacks you.

Iai Style

Class features

Abilities unlocked

Complete rules for every ability granted by Iai Style.

Key ability

Iaijutsu

Class feature

Benefit 1

If you become the target of an attack while you're surprised, you may still react to it and any special properties of an attack that require you to be unaware of the attack (such as Killshot) do not apply to it.

Benefit 2

You may sheathe and draw katanas for 0 AP once per turn per katana.

Benefit 3

You start each battle in the 'Iai' state, which is used for Iai abilities. Making an attack with a katana removes the Iai state for that weapon. Using a skill that requires the Iai state requires the weapon to be sheathed and will remove the Iai state for ALL your weapons, unless specified otherwise.

Ability

Iai Strike

1 AP
Range
Melee Weapon Range
Keywords
Iaijutsu,Lock On

You draw your weapon and attack with lightning speed, making a Heavy Attack. You lose the Sheathed state afterwards.

Requirements

Katana only. Must be in the Iai state.

Ability

Kiri-tsuke

2 AP1 MP
Range
Melee Weapon Range
Keywords
Killing Blow

You may make a Heavy Attack against the target. On Killing Blow, you regain the Iai state.

Requirements

Katana only
No listed cost
Range
Self (Weapon)
Keywords
Encounter Conclusion

You clean the blood off your katana and sheath the blade. If your next Iai strike with this weapon during this arc is a hit, its Roll Damage is maximized.

Requirements

Must have used an ability with the Iaijutsu keyword with the chosen weapon this encounter.

1 RP
Range
Melee Weapon Range
Keywords
Counter,Iaijutsu

Roll Heavy Damage and treat that as your Block against the attack that’s targeting you. If you reduce the damage to 0, the attacker becomes Unbalanced. On hit effects and maces do not gain their effect if you reduce the damage to 0. After the attack is resolved, you may immediately make an Iai Strike against the attacker for 0 RP. This Iai Strike gains the Sure Hit keyword against an Unbalanced target. 

Requirements

Katana only, target of a melee attack and must be in the Iai state.