Iaijutsu Focus (Cha; trained only)

     You can channel you ki more effectively when making a surprise attack, as well as having a knack for reading your opponent in combat.

Special Requirement: This skill can only be used trained, and is only available as a class skill to eastern classes such as the samurai.  Characters who are not of eastern descent can only learn/take ranks in Iaijutsu Focus if they are exposed to the culture and taught by an eastern practitioner of this skill.

 Check: There are numerous benefits to making Iaijutsu Focus checks, the ability to increase damage, gaining the upper hand on an opponent, and entering a zen state in battle so your enemy cannot get the drop on you are just a few advantages.  Note that you can only use one aspect of this skill at a time in a single round (the exception to this being Iaijutsu Duels).

BONUS DAMAGE

     Whenever you are making an attack roll immediately after drawing a weapon and your target is flat-footed, you may make an Iaijutsu Focus check.  The results of the roll determine the amount of bonus damage done, as shown on the following table.

     This bonus damage is not cumulative with other additional damage bonuses such as the sneak attack class ability, if you have that as well.  Likewise, this bonus damage is not doubled in the result of a critical hit.

     This bonus damage can also be used when attacking inanimate objects or constructs (which are normally immune to bonus damage).  This is the martial artist summoning his ki to break through a wooden plank or a stack of bricks.

Retry: When being used to damage inanimate objects, yes.  When being used as part of an attack or against constructs, no, because it is part of an attack.  What you roll is what you have to attack with.

Special: You may take a 10 when making an Iaijutsu Focus check during an iaijutsu duel or against inanimate objects, but not when using it in combat.  You may never take a 20.

Time: Not applicable; Iaijutsu Focus checks are made at the beginning of a surprise round or as part of an attack, and are therefore not actions in and of themselves.

INITIATIVE

    In an iaijutsu duel, the results of a Iaijutsu Focus skill check replace the standard initiative checks.  In a combat situation, when you have the advantage of surprise and you catch an opponent flat-footed, you may, as a free action, make an Iaijutsu Focus skill check (DC 20).  A successful check allows you to make another Iaijutsu Focus check to use on your initiative roll.

Retry: No. If you fail the Iaijutsu Focus check, you must make a standard initiative roll.

Special: You cannot take a 10 or 20 when making an Iaijutsu Focus check to use for initiative.

Time: Not applicable, this is done as part of your standard initiative roll.

READING YOUR ENEMY

     You can use your Iaijutsu Focus skill to counter an opponent's Bluff check when in combat, rather than Sense Motive.

Retry: No.  You may attempt to counter further Bluff checks, but when you fail a check your opponent has the advantage.

Special: You cannot take a 10 or a 20 when using this ability in combat.  You may take a 10 when using this aspect of Iaijutsu Focus in the Stance round of an iaijutsu duel.

Time: Not applicable in combat, this is done as a reaction to an opponent's Bluff check.  In an iaijutsu duel it takes a full-round.

IAIJUTSU FOCUS UNCHAINED

     By taking the Signature Skill feat, you can unchain the following special bonuses:

• 5 Ranks: You may always take a 10 for any reason when making an Iaijutsu Focus check.
  
• 10 Ranks: You may roll for an initiative check whenever you are aware of being attacked.
  
• 15 Ranks: You may roll for bonus damage when making Attacks of Opportunity.
  
• 20 Ranks: When rolling for bonus damage, you may roll twice and use the higher roll.