so, basic idea for the Generic Shikai Type, based on expanding the previous one we had ;D
Improved Ability ScoreActivation Cost: None
Prerequisites: None
You gain +2 to one ability score whilst your shikia is active. You may select this ability multiple times. It's effects stack
Change FormActivation Cost: None
Prerequisites: None
Your zanpakuto takes the form of a weapon other than a katana when it is released. For example, it might take the form of a double-weapon, a reach weapon, a lance, a spiked chain, etc. This gives it all of the properties of the weapon itself, including critical hit range and critical hit multiplier, as well as changing the damage type appropriately. This does not allow it to take the form of any ranged weapon.
This ability can be taken multiple times, though you must choose a different weapon. Each time you release your Shikai you choose the form it takes. You can change between forms as a swift action.
SkilfulActivation Cost: None
Prerequisites: 4 ranks in selected skill
Your Shikai spirit is well versed in one skill, and willing to aid you. Select one skill that you have at least four ranks in. Whilst your Shikai is active, you have a +10 competence bonus to that skill.
You can select this ability multiple times. It's effects do not stack. Each time you must select a different skill.
Special: If you have the spirit companion feat, this is active whilst your Shikai is sealed at ½ effectiveness.
SpeedActivation Cost: None
Prerequisites: None
You have an enhancement bonus to your base land speed equal to 10 ft, so long as your shikai is released, and you are not wearing any armour but light, or carrying more than a light load.
You may take this ability multiple times. The effects stack
Improved SpeedActivation Cost: None
Prerequisites: Speed, Shunpo (or equivalent)
Whenever you use Shunpo, you can sacrifice distance to gain a +1 dodge bonus to AC, and to reflex saves per 10 ft sacrificed. This lasts until the start of your next turn. This ability can be taken multiple times. Each time increases the AC/reflex bonus by 1
Special: This can be used as an immediate action.
Greater SpeedActivation Cost: None
Prerequisites: Improved Speed
Whenever you use Shunpo, you can sacrifice distance to gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls per 10 ft sacrificed. This lasts until the start of your next turn. This ability can be taken multiple times. Each time increases the AC/reflex bonus by 1
Special: This can be used as an immediate action.
FlightActivation Cost: None
Prerequisites: Speed
You gain the ability to fly at your base land speed, with average manoeuvrability, so long as your zanpakuto is active. This ability can be taken multiple times. Each time increases your manoeuvrability by one step.
Change The SourceActivation Cost: None
Prerequisites: Int, Wis, Cha or Dex 13+
Your Zanpakuto can be changed from a weapon of brute force to a precise scalpel or a function of mathematical accuracy. Choose an ability score other than Constitution; your Zanpakuto now functions as though that ability score were your Strength for the purpose of attack and damage modifiers and Shikai/Bankai abilities dependent on Strength
Spirit BlastActivation Cost: 3 sep
Prerequisites: None
Your zanpakuto can condense your spiritual energy and fire it at a foe. This is a ranged touch attack, with a range of 20 ft + 5ft per character level, that deals 2d8 untyped energy damage. Firing a spirit blast is a standard action that provokes an attack of opportunity.
This ability may be taken multiple times. Each time increases the damage by 2d8.
Rapid Spirit BlastActivation Cost: 3 sep per blast
Prerequisites: Spirit Blast, BaB 6+
As a full round action that provokes an attack of opportunity, you can launch a number of spirit blasts equal to the number of attacks you would make in a full-attack action, using the relevant to hit modifiers. You can choose to fire less blasts, if you so desire.
Greater Spirit BlastActivation Cost: As rapid spirit blast
Prerequisites: Spirit Blast, Rapid spirit blast, four other generic abilities.
When using rapid spirit blast, you can instead choose to combine all of the blasts into one great burst of spiritual energy. This blast has +1 to hit for each blast sacrificed, and causes damage equal to the combined damage of the spirit blasts
Spirit BladeActivation Cost: As Spirit Blast
Prerequisites: Spirit Blast, four other generic abilities
When making an attack with your Zanpakuto, you can channel a spirit blast or greater spirit blast into the first strike you make in that round. If the attack hits, then the target is also struck by the spirit blast.
When making a full attack action with your zanpakuto, you can channel either the above abilities into the first strike, or a rapid spirit blast into each attack.
Spirit WaveActivation Cost: As Spirit Blast + 2
Prerequisites: Spirit Blast, two other generic abilites.
When using spirit blast, you can use the attack as a cone with ½ the range. The victim is entitled to a reflex save for half damage.
Special: This can be used with rapid spirit blast or greater spirit blast. It increases the cost of each shot by 2 sep.
Attack Type Specialist Activation Cost None
Prerequisites: None
Your Zanpakuto's attacks change in form, shifting the focus needed to resist them. Choose a type of save. When you gain this ability, you can choose to change the saves of your abilities to this save. Each ability is altered individually. This choice is permanent.
Whenever you gain a new ability, you can choose to alter the save of that ability.
You can select this ability multiple times. Each time you must choose a different save.
Adaptive AttacksActivation Cost: 2 sep
Prerequisites: Attack Type Specialist, two other generic shikai abilities
When using an attack that has not been modified by Attack Type Specialist, you can pay to have it treated as if it was modified by Attack Type Specialist.
When using an attack modified by Attack Type Specialist, you can pay to have it use it's standard save in place of the modified save.
This is a swift action that does not provoke attacks of oportunity
Adaptive Attack SpecialistActivation Cost: 6 sep
Prerequisites: Attack type specialist for all three saves, Adaptive attacks, six other generic type shikai abilities
This is a swift action that does not provoke an attack of opportunity. When using any shikai ability that allows a save, you may activate this ability. The save for the ability becomes the targets lowest save. You do not learn what save this is.
PenetratingActivation Cost: none
Prerequisites: any shikai ability that allows a save.
The save DC of all your zanpakuto abilities is increased by 1. This ability can be taken multiple times. It's effects stack
Power or SpeedActivation Cost: none
Prerequisites: None
Whenever you attack, you can take a penalty to either to hit, damage or AC, to a maximum of your base attack bonis to gain a bonus to the one of the other attributes equal to ½ of the amount sacrificed. You can take a penalty to multiple attributes at once if you so desire, as well as split the bonus between multiple attributes. This lasts until the start of your next turn
You can take this ability a second time. It changes the exchange rate to 1:1
AwarenessActivation Cost: None
Prerequisites: None
You gain +4 to Spot, Listen, and Sense Motive so long as your zanpakuto is unsealed. You may take this ability multiple times; its effects stack.
Special: If you have the soul companion feat, this ability is active at ½ effectiveness even when your zanpakuto is sealed
Improved AwarenessActivation Cost: None
Prerequisites: Awareness
You gain +4 to Initiative checks. You may take this ability multiple times; its effects stack.
Special: If you have the soul companion feat, this ability is active at ½ effectiveness even when your zanpakuto is sealed
Greater AwarenessActivation Cost: None
Prerequisites: Improved Awareness, four other generic type abilities
Your zanpakuto keeps watch around you, warning you to danger and when to react. Improved Awareness. You gain the benefits of Uncanny Dodge and Improved Uncanny Dodge so long as your zanpakuto is unsealed. Due to the abilities coming from your swords warning and not superhuman senses, you retain these abilities whilst wearing armour or carrying more than a whatever-load uncanny dodge caps at.
Special: If you have the soul companion feat, you retain Uncanny Dodge even when your zanpakuto is sealed
Superior AwarenessActivation Cost: 5 sep
Prerequisites: Greater Awareness, six other generic type abilities
Your Zanpakuto spirit can sense the thoughts and feelings of those around you. You gain the ability to use Discern Lies and Detect Thoughts at the same time by concentrating on a subject; they are entitled to a Will save to resist, but do not become aware of this effect unless they have some means to detect scrying or simmilar effects.
You also gain Blindsight out to 5 feet as a passive ability, with no cost.
This ability can be taken multiple times; each time either increases the Will save DC by +2 or the range of your Blindsight by 5 feet.
True SeeingActivation Cost: 5 sep
Prerequisites: Awareness
Your zanpakuto allows you to use true seeing, as the spell, with a caster level equal to ½ character level. It can only be cast on yourself.
Change Log- as the majority of Shikais shown haven't been katana, I moved change form to generic. You still can't get a magic weapon without weapon type though, so I felt this was fair that specalised people don't need to have a boring weapon
- Added after-effects to attack type specalist, for a cost
- mildly changed the speed tree since it before made lots of references to maximum shunpo per day, which died a well deserved death.
- dropped perfect awareness because it was a crap version of true seeing
- modified power or speed so it can become a 1:1 exchange, not be stuck as a 2:1 exchange. Can now also sacrifice AC, for all you suicidal peoples out there.
- dropped change reitsu source because it should be a feat by all intents, due to the effect.
- Made It so spirit blast could be a doom wave, like Ichigo's Getsuga Tensho is (and lets not pretend that's not what the ability is ...), rather than a focused beam