The social ranks of the Kocha (Grand Master, Master, and Specialist) are not related to Kochan level. In order to become a Master, a Kochan must be at least 3rd level. To become a Grand Master, a Kochan must be at least 6th level. Having sufficient levels is not enough to be promoted, however. There must be an opening in the ranks. Typically, openings occur due to death or retirement, although a Grand Master or Master can choose to step down. Being a Master is something that many Kocha strive for, but very few wish to become Grand Masters, since they tend to have little time for taking contracts.

Hit Die: d8

To become a Kochan, a character must fulfill all of the following requirements:

Alignment: LE, NE, CE, or CN.

Base Attack Bonus: + 5

Skills: Climb (5), Concentration (5), Disguise (5), Hide (5), Move Silently (5), Open Lock (5), Persona Skill*(10)

*The Persona Skill can be Profession, Craft, or any other skill that can be used to earn a common living.

Feats: Alertness, Blind Fight, Improved Unarmed Strike, Iron Will

Special: The character must have been apprenticed to a Specialist while gaining two levels in any other class.

Balance (DEX; Armor Check Penalty), Bluff (CHA), Climb (STR; Armor Check Penalty), Concentration (CON), Craft (INT), Disable Device (INT; Trained Only), Disguise (CHA), Escape Artist (DEX; Armor Check Penalty), Forgery (INT), Gather Information (CHA), Hide (DEX; Armor Check Penalty), Innuendo (WIS; Trained Only), Intimidate (CHA), Intuit Direction (WIS; Trained Only), Jump (STR; Armor Check Penalty), Knowledge (INT; Trained Only), Listen (WIS), Move Silently (DEX; Armor Check Penalty), Open Lock (DEX; Trained Only), Perform (CHA), Profession (WIS; Trained Only), Read Lips (INT; Trained Only), Swim (STR), Use Rope (DEX).

Skill points per level: 4 + Int modifier.

All of the following are class features of the Kochan Prestige Class:

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: While the Kocha tend to use weapons that are especially suited for stealth and quick kills, they are taught to use a wide range of common weapons so that they may be more adaptable to unforeseen situations. They are, therefore, proficient with all simple and martial weapons. Kocha rarely (if ever) use armor or shields since they tend to interfere with mobility. Kocha are not proficient with any armor or shield.

Death Attack: As per the Assassin prestige class special ability. Note that Kocha do not automatically get the Sneak Attack Special Ability. In any case where the Kochan does not have the Sneak Attack special ability (from another class), then only a Death Attack can be resolved as a Sneak Attack. In other words, if a Kochan does not already possess the Sneak Attack special ability, then he cannot use a Sneak Attack unless it is to deliver a Death Attack.

Poison Use: As per the Assassin prestige class special ability.

Saving Throw Bonus vs. Poison: As per the Assassin prestige class special ability.

Evasion: As per the Rogue class special ability.

Improved Evasion: As per the Rogue class special ability.

Hard Strike: Starting at 2nd level, any attack by a Kochan can deal damage to a creature with damage reduction, such as a wight, as if the blow were made with a weapon with a +1 enhancement bonus. Note that this is not a bonus to attack, but simply enables the Kochan to attack creatures with damage reduction. Hard Strike improves with experience, allowing an additional effective +1 bonus every two levels (+2 at 4th, +3 at 6th, etc.). If the Kochan is using a magically enhanced weapon, only the higher bonus counts (ex: a 6th level Kochan using a dagger +2 ignores the damage reduction for any creature with damage reduction 3 or lower. Like wise, a 2nd level Kochan with a dagger +2 can ignore damage reduction on any creature with damage reduction 2 or lower.)

Alter Self: At 2nd level, the Kochan can Alter Self (as the spell) as a spell-like ability once per day. He gains an additional use every three levels after that (2/day at 5th level, 3/day at 8th level, etc.)

Spider Climb: At 3rd level, the Kochan can Spider Climb (as the spell) as a spell-like ability once per day. He gains an additional use every three levels after that (2/day at 6th level, 3/day at 9th level, etc.)

Dimension Door: At 7th level, the Kochan can Dimension Door (as the spell) as a spell-like ability once per day. He gains an additional use at 10th level.

Shadow Walk: At 9th level, the Kochan can Shadow Walk (as the spell) as a spell-like ability once per day.