Mageslayers are dedicated to the eradication of destructive and reckless magic, especially arcane spellcasting. Why? Ask any Mageslayer. They will respond that many an errant and irresponsible mage has caused untold havoc in their home nation. Regardless of their origins all mageslayers are seen as bastardized cousins by the ranks of the Runelords who serve a very similar job, but loathe the methods of the mageslayer.

Relations with Casters: As implied the relation between any mageslayer and a caster is always a strained one, but this doesn’t mean that allies cannot be found among those who use magic. A mageslayer might find common ground with a wizard or cleric who believes in a similar goal or one that practices magic in a more controlled manner than others. Sorcerers and their more innate magic with wildly varied personalities however often conflict far more than others, so most mageslayers will keep a wary eye on a sorcerer companion that hasn’t proved themselves to be completely trustworthy.

Alignment: Most mageslayers are surprisingly lawful, with their mentality serving as a guideline morality. There are chaotic mageslayers who have learned their skills to merely be better equipped to murder casters and their like, however. Good and evil are a similar issue, since most mageslayers are good aligned crusaders hunting the wickedness of liches, demons, and the casters who serve them, but still exist the mageslayer that chooses to hunt down the holy scions of the world.

Hit Die: d10.

The Mageslayer’s class skills are: Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (Arcana, Dungeoneering, Nature, Religion, Planes)  Perception (Wis), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), Survival (Wis), and Swim (Str).

Skill Ranks per Level: 2 + Int modifier.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A Mageslayer is proficient with all simple and martial weapons. They are proficient with all armor and with shields (but not tower shields)

Occultist (Ex): A Mageslayer is an expert on dealing with those of arcane nature, from the average wizard to the most obscure outsider they have a wealth of knowledge on either. She automatically adds her mageslayer level to knowledge checks pertaining to magical forces or creatures, regardless of the knowledge check rolled.

Slayer’s Guile (Ex): Each mageslayer has learned the ability to use their own innate willpower mixed with the ancient mysteries of anti-magical combat, a constant exposure to hostile magic allowing them to use it’s energy against casters that would dare risk the world's order as they see it. This is represented by a pool of points called Slayers Guile. The maximum number of points that can be in this pool at any one time is always equal to the mageslayer’s class level + her Intelligence modifier. At the beginning of each day (after 8 hours of rest) the pool begins with only as  many points as the mageslayer’s Intelligence modifier, however it can be filled by using the Spell Thief and Beguiling Fuel class powers, and it is used to power most of her other class powers.

Spell Thief (Su): Masters of denial and magical suppression, a mageslayer at 1st level can sap the magical energies from creatures they deal damage to. She may name a single melee or ranged attack within 30ft of the target to use this ability, and if the attack succeeds the target must make a will save with a DC of 10 + ½ the mageslayer’s level (minimum 1) + her intelligence modifier. If they fail this save the mageslayer syphons off some of their power, removing a spell slot or prepared spell of 1d4 worth in level. Spell slots stolen from spontaneous casters cannot be used for 1 minute after being stolen. These spells are chosen at random. If the target has spell-like abilities it instead removes a random one’s usage, or if the spell-like ability was usable at will then it removes the creatures ability to use it for 1d4 rounds. The mageslayer adds a number of points to her Slayer’s Guile equal to the level of the spell removed. At level 6 the die used to determine the level of spell taken (and how long a spell-like cannot be used) becomes 1d6, at 12th level 1d8, and at 16th level 1d10. If the mageslayer rolls a 10 while using spell thief she may steal an additional spell of the highest spell level the target possesses. The mageslayer may use this on more than one spell, as long the total number of levels equal the number rolled and is not more than her class level in number (for example a 3rd level mageslayer could steal 3 spells at once but not 4). If the target of a spell thief attack doesn't possess any spells of the level rolled, the mageslayer instead steals the highest level spell the target does possess.

Record the Offence (Ex): From 1st level onward a mageslayer can keep very good tabs on what they have stolen. Whenever a mageslayer successfully uses her Spell Thief power against a caster, she records the exact spells she stole, their caster level, and any metamagic that they may have been prepared with. As long as she has these spells recorded, she gains a +2 on all related checks to avoid or resist the effects of these spells. She may hold a spell on record for no more than 1 minute per class level, and can hold a number of spells total equal to her class level.

Arcane Resistance (Ex): At 2nd level the mageslayer gains a bonus on saves made to resist spells and spell-like abilities equal to her intelligence modifier. At 8th level she gains Spell Resistance equal to 6 + her class level. At 14th level her spell resistance becomes 11+ her class level. At 16th level she no longer suffers a reduced effect from making her save against spells or spell-like abilities.

Slayer Art: At 2nd level and every 3rd level after that a mageslayer may choose from the following list of abilities that aid her in fighting off the forces of magic, allowing each to customize their approach to the task. Any associated save from a Art is alway 10 + ½ the mageslayer’s level + her intelligence modifier.

• Barrier Break (Su): By spending 1 point of guile, the mageslayer’s attacks ignores any deflection bonuses to AC the target may have from spells or spell-like abilities. This effect lasts for a number of rounds equal to the mageslayer’s Intelligence modifier.

• Shroud of Rebuttal (Su): By spending 1 point of guile as an immediate action the mageslayer can ready herself to confound a caster when they attempt to hit the mageslayer with a spell. Whether the mageslayer succeeds her saves against the spell or not she becomes invisible for one round per level of the spell used after being hit by it.

• Spell Reader (Su): When a mageslayer with this Art successfully uses Spell Thief she automatically learns the highest level spell or spell-like ability the target is capable of using. The mageslyaer learns this information before she chooses what spell levels to steal.

• Steal Swiftness (Su): The mageslayer can spend 1 point of guile as a standard action to make an attack against an opponent within 30ft, and if the attack deals damage the target has its speed halved for 1d4 rounds. A successful Fortitude saving throw negates this effect. Against creatures with multiple types of movement, the mageslayer must choose which movement type to affect. If the mageslayer affects a creature's flight movement, its maneuverability is reduced by one step; if it's airborne at the time, it falls unless it succeeds at a DC 10 Fly check. If the mageslayer targets a creature already affected by this ability, its speed and maneuverability are not further reduced; the mageslayer may either extend the duration of that effect by 1d4 rounds or choose another movement type to affect (keeping track of the duration of each affected movement separately). If this ability targets a creature with spellcasting ability or spell-like abilities, then the mageslayer gains a bonus to her own speed equal to the amount she stole from them.

• Take Them Alive (Ex): A mageslayer with this Art can deal nonlethal damage with her attacks without incurring the usual –4 penalty on attack rolls. In addition, this ability allows the mageslayer to spend 1 point of guile to make a nonlethal coup de grace against a creature with spellcasting or spell-like abilities if her target is helpless. If the target fails its saving throw against the mageslayer’s coup de grace attempt (using her DC for Arts  instead of the normal one), it is rendered unconscious for a number of minutes equal to the damage dealt by the coup de grace attempt instead of dying.

• Unflinching Resolve (Su): Once per encounter when the mageslayer fails a save against a spell or spell like ability, she can spend 2 points of guile as an immediate action to make another save.

• Grant Resistance (Su): As a move action the magehunter with this Art may spend 1 point of guile to give an ally within 30ft half the benefits of her Arcane Resistance for one minute. This ability can only be used on a single ally at a time, thus once it expires, a different or same ally can be chosen.

• Beat Them at Their Own Game (Su): When the mageslayer redirects a spell using guile, she may use extra points to increase that spells caster level by an equal amount. The mageslayer must have the Fire With Fire class ability to take this one.

• Steal Vigor (Su): The mageslayer can spend 2 points of guile as a standard action to make an attack against an opponent within 30ft, and if the attack deals damage the mageslayer heals half the damage dealt. A successful Fortitude saving throw negates this effect. If the target is a caster, instead if they know or have prepared a healing spell or spell-like ability, the mageslayer may instead use the same healing as that spell.

• Steal Sight (Su): The mageslayer may spend 2 points of guile as a standard action to make an attack against an opponent within 30ft, if the attack deals damage the opponent must succeed at a Reflex save or be blinded for a number of minutes equal to the mageslayer’s intelligence modifier. A successful saving throw reduces this to dazzled for 1d4 rounds. This Art has no effect on creatures that do not rely on eyes for sight or creatures with more than two eyes (although critical hits might cause blindness to such creatures, at the GM's discretion). Blindness can be cured by heal, regeneration, remove blindness/deafness, or similar abilities. If this Art steals the sight of a caster, the mageslayer gains Truesight for 1 round.

• Your Art Will Be Your End (Su): By spending 1 point of guile the mageslayer may add a +1 enhancement bonus to her weapon, plus an additional +1 for every 4 class level she possesses. This bonus lasts for 1 minute.

• Steal Knowledge (Su): Whenever the mageslayer scores a critical hit against an opponent with a Spell Thief attack, she can gain preternatural insight into her foe's strengths and weaknesses as though she had rolled a natural 20 on a Knowledge check to identify the creature struck. Any bonuses or penalties the mageslayer normally applies to such a Knowledge check are applied to this ability, including her Intelligence modifier, ranks in the requisite Knowledge skill, and other applicable modifiers. Depending on the final calculated outcome of this ability and the CR of the creature struck, the mageslayer may still be unable to glean information about her enemy. This ability works even if the mageslayer has already attempted a Knowledge check to identify the creature. The mageslayer must have the spell reader Art to take this one.

• Enhanced Records (Ex): The mageslayer may hold spell records for 1 hour per class level.

• Thieving Pain (Su): The mageslayer can expend 1 point of guile as she is making a Spell Thief attack. All damage from that attack is considered continuous damage for the purposes of any concentration checks made by the target prior to the beginning of the mageslayer’s next turn.

• Opportune Spell Thief  (Ex): The mageslayer may spend 1 point of guile to make an attack of opportunity into a Spell Thief attack.

• Bonus Feat: The mageslayer chooses a Combat feat they meet the prerequisites for and gain it as a bonus feat. She may also choose to take the Disruptive or Spellbreaker feats using this Art, and treat her mageslayer level as her fighter level for the purpose of prerequisites.

• Seek the Master (Su): By spending 1 point of guile the mageslayer may make an attack against a summoned creature within 30ft. If this attack is successful the mageslayer learns the location of the creature’s summoner as long as they are still within 1 mile of the mageslayer.

• Break Wardings (Ex): Instead of the normal Barrier Break effect instead ignores all a foe’s magic-based protections (Armor Class bonuses, stoneskin, and so on). The mageslayer cannot use this ability to ignore spells or effects that take effect when a foe is attacked, like fire shield. The mageslayer must have the Barrier Break or Disrupting Force Art to take this one.

• Blasting Rebuttal (Su): By spending 1 point of guile as an immediate action the mageslayer can ready herself to confound a caster when they attempt to hit the mageslayer with a spell. Whether the mageslayer succeeds her saves against the spell or not she deals 2d6 force damage to the caster after being hit by it.

• Taunt the Arcane (Su): By spending 1 point of guile the mageslayer may shout a challenging pulse at an enemy spellcaster within 60ft. The target must pass a will save or  focus only on the mageslayer out of fear for 1 round. If the mageslayer killed another spellcaster in the previous round, the target takes a -4 penalty on it’s save.

• Disrupting Force (Ex): As a standard action a number of times per day equal to her intelligence modifier, the mageslayer can spend 1 point of guile to make an attack that if it deals damage, it also dispels a magical effect that the target is currently being affected by such as Mage Armor. She must still succeed on the normal dispelling check (using class level as caster level) to do so.

• Selective Anti-Magic (Ex): When using her Anti-magic Barrier the mageslayer can select a number of individual items equal to her intelligence modifier with 30ft of her. These items are unaffected by her Anti-magic Field. She may add more items to this number by spending 2 points of guile per item when she activates her anti-magic field. The mageslayer must be at least level 12 to select this Art

Spellbane (Su): Due to the strength of their anti-magical skills a third level mageslayer’s weapons gain a particular hatred for spellcasters, more eagerly seeking out their end than others. Against creatures with the ability to cast spells or use spell-like abilities the mageslayer’s weapons  gain a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls. This bonus increases by 1 every 3 levels afterward.

Fire With Fire (Su): Purhaps the most iconic of a mageslayer’s tools is the ability to deny a caster their magic, but once stolen this arcane energy must be used somehow, or it will simply dissipate back into the world. As a caster will always use every tool they have, so too must a mageslayer, and at 3rd level they can use this against them. Once the mageslayer has a recorded spell, she may use an amount of guile equal to that spell’s level to hurl the captured magic back at them.  This is not actually casting the spell, merely using the stolen energy and removing it. This allows mageslayers to utilize effects normally denied to them, evening the odds against enemies who sometimes possess an answer to all problems. For the purposes of effects such as a Barbarian’s Rage that prevent them from casting spells, this still prohibits them from using spells with this ability unless otherwise stated (such as with the Raging Slayer feat).

Even when they happen to steal spells that aren’t particularly useful, the mageslayer can utilise the magical energies to hamper the minds and bodies of her enemies. As a standard action the mageslayer may target a single enemy within 30ft of her and discharge a spell she has stolen as a ranged touch attack, using her intelligence modifier in place of her dexterity modifier for the attack roll. On a successful hit that target has a single type of saving throw reduced by an amount equal to the discharged spell’s level for a number of rounds equal to the mageslayer’s intelligence modifier. This effect cannot stack on the same save multiple times, but can be used for each save type a target has.

Beguiling Fuel (Ex): Sometimes even casters are scarce, and in such cases a mageslayer may be at a loss with how to fuel their powers. In such a case from 4th level onward, a mageslayer can sacrifice 1d6 points of health as a swift action and gain 1 point of guile. She may do this a number of times per day equal to her 1/2 her class level.

Eldritch Sight (Ex): At 5th level the mageslayer is permanently under the effect of an Arcane Sight spell, but as an extraordinary ability. At 10th level it becomes Greater Arcane Sight.

Spell Purge (Su): At 7th level the mageslayer can pull all her focus into a truely devastating purge of arcane energy. Once per day the mageslayer can mimic the effect of a Mage’s Disjunction, but with a range of “touch” and only to a single enemy and lasting for a number of rounds equal to her intelligence modifier.

Shield of Anonymity (Ex): From 10th level onward even the magic of good and evil waft over the mageslayer’s powers of nullification. She is always treated as one step in any direction more beneficial for the effects of spells that rely on alignment.

Binding Strike (Su): At 11th level a mageslayer’s ability to deny caster’s their magic advances further, letting them halt magical movement for a short time.  Whenever the mageslayer successfully steals spells from a creature, that creature cannot use any spell or spell-like abilities with the Teleportation descriptor for 3 rounds.

Antimagic Barrier (Su): At 12th level the mageslayer is able to call up a nullifying field against magical assault. Once per day the mageslayer can mimic the effect of an antimagic field, lasting for 1 minute. At 16th level the mageslayer can use this ability twice per day.

Mind Shield (Ex): The 13th mageslayer has become so adept at negating magical powers that she is always somewhat prepared. The mageslayer becomes immune to mind-affecting abilities.

Two Way Door (Su): Instead of halting a spellcaster’s ability to travel, sometimes it’s best to know where they want to go, and how to follow. At 13th level the mageslayer can spend 1 point of guile when an enemy spellcaster uses a teleportation spell. Doing so immediately tells the mageslayer how far they traveled. Spending 3 points of guile allows her to instead teleport with the spellcaster unless they pass a Reflex save (DC 10 + ½ mage slayer level + Intelligence modifier), dragging any adjacent allies through with her if said allies desire.

Impervious Anonymity (Su): At 15th level the mageslayer’s resistance to alignment spells becomes impenetrable, and she always counts as the most beneficial alignment to her.

Improved Spell Purge (Su): At 17th level the mageslayer’s ability to blow the magic off of and individual expands. Instead of the normal effect the mageslayer can mimic the effect of a Mage’s Disjunction as the normal spell, but as a supernatural ability.

Final Sanction (Ex): At 19th level any magic used to restore to life a person the mageslayer kills must make a caster level check with a DC of 10 + mageslayer’s level. On a failed check, that magic from that source cannot restore the victim to life.

Immortal Enemy (Ex): As the final strength of the mageslayer, she takes an oath against ill used magic to the gods themselves, steeping herself in such an antimagical force of will that death himself will not claim them for long, eager to let them continue their work. After the mageslayer dies, if an act of irresponsible magic happens within 1 mile of the mageslayers resting place she rises from her slumber as if by a True Resurrection effect for 1 year or until the mage who committed the act is dead. After this point if no other irresponsible magic was used around her, she may return to her place of death until the event happens again. If the mageslayer is killed by a mage, instead she rises from death 24 hours later where she perished (or in the closest safe space to where she died if she was for example, telekinetically shoved into a volcano).

Additionally, the mageslayer is able to discharge her stored magical energies with greater clarity and force to bring death to those who would wield magic against the world. Once per day she may sacrifice any number of stolen spell levels to activate one of the following effects.

• The mageslayer may sacrifice her stolen spell levels as part of any attack roll to add a number of d6 equal to the total level of all spells sacrificed (Maximum 20d6) in raw untyped damage to the subject of her attack. If the subject of the attack is capable of casting spells or possesses spell-like abilities, the magical influx overwhelms the senses, stunning the target for one round.

• As a move action the mageslayer may transfer all the stored magical energies into a barrier of force to protect herself from harm. She may sacrifice any number of spell levels to provide an equal amount of Deflection AC (maximum +20) to herself for a number of rounds equal to her intelligence modifier.

• As a move action the mageslayer may absorb the stolen magical power to reinforce her body, growing in durability and causing hostile elements to wash over her. She may sacrifice an number of spell levels to provide an equal amount of DR/- and energy resistance to all energy types (maximum 20/- and resistance 20) for a number of rounds equal to her intelligence modifier.

New Feats

Extra Slayer Art 

Through your devotion and dedication, you have furthered your mastery of the art of mageslaying. 

Prerequisite: Slayer Art class feature

Benefit: You gain one additional mageslayer art. You must meet all of the prerequisites for this slayer art.

Special: You can take this feat multiple times. Each time you do, you may learn a new slayer art.

Extra Guile

Some mageslayers are particularly adept at using their cunning to weave the forces of their enemies.

Prerequisite: Slayer’s Guile class feature

Benefit: Your maximum amount of guile increases by 2, and you begin each day with an extra 2 points of guile.

Special: You can take this feat multiple times, it’s effects stack.

Efficient Fueling

By better understanding the way your body channels magical energies, you can better pull out power from seemingly nothing. 

Prerequisite: Beguiling Fuel class feature

Benefit: When you use your beguiling fuel ability, instead of regaining 1 point of guile you  instead regain an amount equal to the damage you suffer for activating the ability.

Mage Hatred

Your natural inclination for hating those that abuse magic has not just led you to knowing how to slay them easier, but able to mix the art of redirecting their craft and their hearts into a single purpose.

Prerequisite: Fire with Fire class feature, Favored Enemy class feature.

Benefit: If you target one of your favored enemies with a stolen spell that deals hit point damage, you may spend an additional 1 point of guile to increase all variable, numeric aspects of the spell by 50% as the Empower Spell metamagic feat.

Seething  Mage Hatred

You are a master of turning the spells of your despised foes back on them.

Prerequisite: Mage Hatred Feat, character level 8th.

Benefit: Whenever you target one of your favored enemies with a stolen spell that deals hit point damage, all variable, numeric aspects of the spell are automatically increased by 50% as per the Empower Spell metamagic feat. You can spend an additional 2 points of guile when using this spell to also maximize all variable, numeric aspects of the spell as per the Maximize Spell metamagic feat.

Raging Slayer

Melding the arts of brutal fury and tactical cunning, you can make use of your mageslayer training through instinct even when deeper thinking eludes you. 

Prerequisite: Fire with Fire class feature, Rage class feature

Benefit: While Raging you can still make use of your Fire with Fire class ability, and may spend 1 round of Rage to count as spending 2 points of Guile for using spells through Fire with Fire. Additionally while Raging the first attack you make in a full attack is always counted as a Spell Thief attack.