# Academy of Schemes *[warlord](warlord.md): Academy of War* *Source: Warlord p. 7* > [!tldr] Class and Feature Progression > > <table class="class-progression"> > <thead> > <tr><th colspan='3'></th></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><th class"level">Level</th><th class"pb">PB</th><th class"feature">Features</th></tr> > </thead><tbody> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">1st</td><td class"pb">+2</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">2nd</td><td class"pb">+2</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">3rd</td><td class"pb">+2</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Academy of Schemes (Level 3)' class='internal-link'>Academy of Schemes</a></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">4th</td><td class"pb">+2</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">5th</td><td class"pb">+3</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">6th</td><td class"pb">+3</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Ruthless Focus (Level 6)' class='internal-link'>Ruthless Focus</a></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">7th</td><td class"pb">+3</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">8th</td><td class"pb">+3</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">9th</td><td class"pb">+4</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">10th</td><td class"pb">+4</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">11th</td><td class"pb">+4</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">12th</td><td class"pb">+4</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">13th</td><td class"pb">+5</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">14th</td><td class"pb">+5</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Devious Tactics (Level 14)' class='internal-link'>Devious Tactics</a></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">15th</td><td class"pb">+5</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">16th</td><td class"pb">+5</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">17th</td><td class"pb">+6</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">18th</td><td class"pb">+6</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Inscrutable Mind (Level 18)' class='internal-link'>Inscrutable Mind</a>, <a href='#Marked for Death (Level 18)' class='internal-link'>Marked for Death</a></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">19th</td><td class"pb">+6</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">20th</td><td class"pb">+6</td><td class"feature"></td></tr> > </tbody></table> ^class-progression ## Class Features ### Academy of Schemes (Level 3) Warlords that join an Academy of Schemes are committed to securing victory at any cost. They have no qualms about how they achieve their goals and are willing to cheat, deceive, and sacrifice whatever they believe is necessary to succeed. Often distrustful of strangers, these utilitarians will always have a backup plan should things not work out as they predicted. ### Scheming Exploits (Level 3) You learn certain Exploits at the Warlord levels noted in the table below. They don't count against your total number of Exploits Known and can't be switched upon gaining a level. | Warlord Level | Exploit | |---------------|---------| | 3rd | subtle con, insightful order | | 5th | exposing strike, surprise attack | | 9th | perilous gambit | ^warlord-level-exploit ### Dastardly Talents (Level 3) You will use any method necessary to achieve your aims. You gain proficiency in Deception, Disguise Kits, and Poisoner's Kits. You can make Leadership Ability (Deception) checks in place of the normal Charisma (Deception) check. ### Cheap Shot (Level 3) You are not above dishonorable tricks to secure your victory. Once per turn when you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can force it to make a Dexterity saving throw against your Exploit Save DC in addition to the damage of your attack. On a failure, the creature's speed is halved and it can't take reactions until the start of your next turn, and on its next turn it can only take one action or one bonus action, but not both. ### Ruthless Focus (Level 6) You encourage allies to prey upon the weak. Any creature you target with an Inspiring Word or a Tactical Exploit can add your Leadership modifier to the first attack it makes against a creature suffering from the effects of Cheap Shot before the start of your next turn. Also, whenever you use a Tactical Exploit as part of your action, you can take the Disengage or Hide action as a bonus action on that turn. ### Devious Tactics (Level 14) You have no qualms about leaving others in danger. When a creature you can see targets you with an attack, you can use your reaction to force another creature within 5 feet to make a Dexterity saving throw against your Exploit Save DC. On a failed save, you switch places with the creature and it becomes the target of the attack that triggered the reaction. A creature can willingly fail this saving throw. ### Inscrutable Mind (Level 18) Your thoughts and dreams cannot be read by magical means, unless you allow it. If a creature attempts to read your mind you can present false thoughts and motivations by making a Leadership Ability (Deception) check. ### Marked for Death (Level 18) You relentlessly pursue the destruction of your foes. When a creature fails its saving throw against Cheap Shot, you can choose to mark the creature for death. The first attack to hit that creature before the beginning of your next turn becomes an automatic critical hit. Once you mark a creature for death you must complete a short or long rest before you can use this feature again.