Tricks of the Trade
Blackguards, like most classes, have a very limited selection of feats, so it's important that you choose the most effective ones — the sort that will allow the blackguard to survive longer and be a constant thorn in the PCs' side. Here are a few recommendations:
- Combat Casting
- Blackguards are a spellcasting class. This feat is absolutely essential if they wish to cast spells on the defensive with any degree of success.
- Extra Turning
- Blackguards gain the ability to rebuke and command undead. If they were formerly ex-paladins or clerics, then this ability is more pronounced. Giving them this feat increases their influence since they can make more attempts to command undead, hurling more enemies directly at the PCs.
- Great Cleave
- Blackguards are primarily a martial class, and since they have a combat style that relies exclusively on their Strength score, it's a good idea to develop it to its apotheosis.
- Improved Bull Rush
- Like Great Cleave (q.v.), Improved Bull Rush represents another development of the blackguard's 'might makes right' fighting style.
- Improved Overrun
- See Improved Bull Rush and Great Cleave.
- Leadership
- Blackguards come into their own when they are at the head of an army of thugs and ne'er-do-wells. Although their fiendish servant reduces the maximum level of the blackguard's cohort, and the blackguard might have cultivated a reputation for cruelty that affects the loyalty of her soldiers, a nice large body of followers is the ideal core for an evil cult or nation, and this feat provides that. The blackguard's cohort would make a great minor NPC in his own right, and could be a fiend, an evil spellcaster, or even a lower-level blackguard.
- Mounted Combat
- If the blackguard's fiendish servant is a horse or some other kind of steed, then the blackguard should strongly consider learning to fight from horseback if he has not yet done so.
- Persuasive
- Blackguards use every dirty trick that they can think of. When dealing with other people in a non-violent manner, chances are they'll resort to lies or threats. If you're stuck for ideas, this feat can help shore up their Bluff and Intimidate checks, even if they have not trained in those skills and are relying on their Charisma modifiers.
- Spell Penetration
- All blackguards can cast spells of some kind. If the blackguard has a stash of spells from one of her other classes, then taking this feat makes good sense, since it allows her to punch through the spell resistance of angels and other good outsiders and dragons.
Black Magic
Blackguards gain a modest number of spells as they advance. Since they cannot cast many each day, it is vital to prioritise. the main thing to do is to cast spells that aid one's ability to fight. Corrupt weapon is a spell all blackguards should prepare. Magic weapon is useful if the villain finds himself without a magic item, although by the time he qualifies for the prestige class he should have a magic sword of some kind. After this, consider spells that deal unpleasant and highly specific effects-- death knell is an excellent spell to take (every evil cleric ought to prepare it), while contagion and even poison are both excellent ways of softening the PCs up. Shatter can be used to blow up a single item, such as a spell component pouch, a weapon or a holy symbol. If the blackguard plans to escape from an encounter, then saving one of his highest-level spell slots for summon monster is a good idea. If in doubt, fill any remaining slots with cure spells: he'll need them!