Lither
2011-04-23, 08:09 AM
There are some who claim the best defence is a good offense. We know better. A good enough defence leaves no need for an effective offense.
The Runesponge is the class who, in simple terms, is extremely effective at taking solid hits but suffers all the more at being able to dish out any particularly solid hits.
Background:The Runesponge trains for years, enhancing their own iron constitution through a brutal training course, culminating in a ceremony where the initiates carve arcane runes into their flesh. The runes channel natural magic and twist it into a crude form of protection, which give them an ability to withstand hits that would drop a lesser mortal.
Abilities: Constitution is the stat to remember here. The Runesponge needs a high Constitution to be at their most effective. Strength is the second most important; to make sure the Runesponge can actually deal enough damage.
Role: As has already been mentioned, the Runesponge is the solid wall which takes the hits for the party.
Alignment: Any nonchaotic. A Runesponge usually believes that perfect focus is the path to power.
Hit Die: d12.
Class Skills: The Runesponge's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are as follows: Autohypnosis (Wis), Climb (Str), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Listen (Wis), Spot (Wis), Use Magic Device (Cha) and Swim (Str).
Skill Points at First Level: (2+ Int modifier) x 4
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 2+ Int modifier
Starting Age: As Fighter
Starting Gold: As Fighter
{table=head]Level|BAB|Fort|Ref|Will|Special
1|+0|+2|+0|+2|Minor Rune, Bonus feat: Endurance
2|+1|+3|+0|+3|Mettle
3|+2|+3|+1|+3|Minor Rune,
4|+3|+4|+1|+4|Damage Reduction 1/-
5|+3|+4|+1|+4|Minor Rune,
6|+4|+5|+2|+5|Bonus feat: Diehard
7|+5|+5|+2|+5|Major Rune,
8|+6/+1|+6|+2|+6|Precision Strike, Damage Reduction 2/-
9|+6/+1|+6|+3|+6|Last Combat
10|+7/+2|+7|+3|+7|Solid Frame
11|+8/+3|+7|+3|+7|Major Rune,
12|+9/+4|+8|+4|+8|Damage Reduction 3/-
13|+9/+4|+8|+4|+8|
14|+10/+5|+9|+4|+9|Improved Last Combat
15|+11/+6/+1|+9|+5|+9|Great Rune, Improved Precision Strike
16|+12/+7/+2|+10|+5|+10|Damage Reduction 4/-
17|+12/+7/+2|+10|+5|+10|
18|+13/+8/+3|+11|+6|+11|Master Last Combat
19|+14/+9/+4|+11|+6|+11|
20|+15/+10/+5|+12|+6|+12|Master Precision Strike, Damage Reduction 5/-
[/table]
Proficiencies: The Runesponge is proficient with all simple weapons and all single-handed martial weapons.
The Runesponge is also proficient with all armour and shields.
Specials:
Runes: At certain levels, a Runesponge either deliberately carves runes into themselves, or they grow. Each rune may only be taken once. The effects of the runes are as follows:
{table=head]Rune|Type|Prerequisites|Effects
Minor Rune of Barkskin|Minor Rune|14 CON|+1 bonus to Natural Armour
Minor Rune of Spell Resistance|Minor Rune|12 WIS|Spell Resistance equal to the character's total Runesponge levels +5 - does not stack
Minor Rune of Resilience|Minor Rune|12 CON|+2 to Fort saves
Minor Rune of Willpower|Minor Rune|12 WIS|+2 to Will saves
Minor Rune of Intimidation|Minor Rune|12 CHA|+2 to Intimidation checks
Rune of Health|Major Rune|16 CON, Minor Rune of Resiliance|+1 HP/ level
Rune of Toughness|Major Rune|14 CON|+5 bonus to Natural Armour
Rune of Wrath|Major Rune|14 STR|+2 to damage rolls
Rune of Focus|Major Rune|Minor Rune of Willpower|+5 to Will and Fort saves - does not stack with bonuses from other runes
Rune of Spell Resistance|Major Rune|Minor Rune of Spell Resistance|Spell Resistance equal to total levels of Runesponge +10 - does not stack
Indomitable Rune|Great Rune|Rune of Focus|Immunity to fear, paralysis and sleep effects.
Great Rune of Health|Great Rune|Rune of Health|+1 hp/level.
Great Rune of Spell Immunity|Great Rune|Rune of Spell Resistance|Spell Immunity
Great Rune of Ironskin|Great Rune|18 CON|+9 bonus to Natural Armour
[/table]
Unless otherwise noted, all bonuses stack.
Precision Strike: Starting at level 8, the Runesponge can choose to receive a +2 insight bonus to attack and damage rolls while making a full attack at the expense of sacrificing all of his/ her other attacks.
Last Combat: Starting at level 9, a Runesponge whose hitpoints would normally be reduced to 0 or lower can make a Willpower save (DC 15 + damage received). On a successful save, the damage taken is ignored and the Runesponge's hitpoints is increased to 1/3 of his/ her maximum for d4 rounds. Afterwards, if the Runesponge is still alive, the Runesponge dies instantly.
Solid Frame: At level 10, the Runesponge can choose to substitute their Constitution modifier for their Dexterity modifier to AC.
Improved Last Combat: As Last Combat, except temporary hitpoints increase to 2/3 of maximum for d6 rounds.
Improved Precision Strike: As Precision Strike, except it is a +4 insight bonus for two attacks.
Master Last Combat: As Improved Last Combat, except temporary hitpoints restored to the maximum for d10 rounds and no longer needs a Will save.
Master Precision Strike: As Improved Precision Strike, except that the Runesponge gains a +6 insight bonus for three attacks.
The Runesponge is the class who, in simple terms, is extremely effective at taking solid hits but suffers all the more at being able to dish out any particularly solid hits.
Background:The Runesponge trains for years, enhancing their own iron constitution through a brutal training course, culminating in a ceremony where the initiates carve arcane runes into their flesh. The runes channel natural magic and twist it into a crude form of protection, which give them an ability to withstand hits that would drop a lesser mortal.
Abilities: Constitution is the stat to remember here. The Runesponge needs a high Constitution to be at their most effective. Strength is the second most important; to make sure the Runesponge can actually deal enough damage.
Role: As has already been mentioned, the Runesponge is the solid wall which takes the hits for the party.
Alignment: Any nonchaotic. A Runesponge usually believes that perfect focus is the path to power.
Hit Die: d12.
Class Skills: The Runesponge's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are as follows: Autohypnosis (Wis), Climb (Str), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Listen (Wis), Spot (Wis), Use Magic Device (Cha) and Swim (Str).
Skill Points at First Level: (2+ Int modifier) x 4
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 2+ Int modifier
Starting Age: As Fighter
Starting Gold: As Fighter
{table=head]Level|BAB|Fort|Ref|Will|Special
1|+0|+2|+0|+2|Minor Rune, Bonus feat: Endurance
2|+1|+3|+0|+3|Mettle
3|+2|+3|+1|+3|Minor Rune,
4|+3|+4|+1|+4|Damage Reduction 1/-
5|+3|+4|+1|+4|Minor Rune,
6|+4|+5|+2|+5|Bonus feat: Diehard
7|+5|+5|+2|+5|Major Rune,
8|+6/+1|+6|+2|+6|Precision Strike, Damage Reduction 2/-
9|+6/+1|+6|+3|+6|Last Combat
10|+7/+2|+7|+3|+7|Solid Frame
11|+8/+3|+7|+3|+7|Major Rune,
12|+9/+4|+8|+4|+8|Damage Reduction 3/-
13|+9/+4|+8|+4|+8|
14|+10/+5|+9|+4|+9|Improved Last Combat
15|+11/+6/+1|+9|+5|+9|Great Rune, Improved Precision Strike
16|+12/+7/+2|+10|+5|+10|Damage Reduction 4/-
17|+12/+7/+2|+10|+5|+10|
18|+13/+8/+3|+11|+6|+11|Master Last Combat
19|+14/+9/+4|+11|+6|+11|
20|+15/+10/+5|+12|+6|+12|Master Precision Strike, Damage Reduction 5/-
[/table]
Proficiencies: The Runesponge is proficient with all simple weapons and all single-handed martial weapons.
The Runesponge is also proficient with all armour and shields.
Specials:
Runes: At certain levels, a Runesponge either deliberately carves runes into themselves, or they grow. Each rune may only be taken once. The effects of the runes are as follows:
{table=head]Rune|Type|Prerequisites|Effects
Minor Rune of Barkskin|Minor Rune|14 CON|+1 bonus to Natural Armour
Minor Rune of Spell Resistance|Minor Rune|12 WIS|Spell Resistance equal to the character's total Runesponge levels +5 - does not stack
Minor Rune of Resilience|Minor Rune|12 CON|+2 to Fort saves
Minor Rune of Willpower|Minor Rune|12 WIS|+2 to Will saves
Minor Rune of Intimidation|Minor Rune|12 CHA|+2 to Intimidation checks
Rune of Health|Major Rune|16 CON, Minor Rune of Resiliance|+1 HP/ level
Rune of Toughness|Major Rune|14 CON|+5 bonus to Natural Armour
Rune of Wrath|Major Rune|14 STR|+2 to damage rolls
Rune of Focus|Major Rune|Minor Rune of Willpower|+5 to Will and Fort saves - does not stack with bonuses from other runes
Rune of Spell Resistance|Major Rune|Minor Rune of Spell Resistance|Spell Resistance equal to total levels of Runesponge +10 - does not stack
Indomitable Rune|Great Rune|Rune of Focus|Immunity to fear, paralysis and sleep effects.
Great Rune of Health|Great Rune|Rune of Health|+1 hp/level.
Great Rune of Spell Immunity|Great Rune|Rune of Spell Resistance|Spell Immunity
Great Rune of Ironskin|Great Rune|18 CON|+9 bonus to Natural Armour
[/table]
Unless otherwise noted, all bonuses stack.
Precision Strike: Starting at level 8, the Runesponge can choose to receive a +2 insight bonus to attack and damage rolls while making a full attack at the expense of sacrificing all of his/ her other attacks.
Last Combat: Starting at level 9, a Runesponge whose hitpoints would normally be reduced to 0 or lower can make a Willpower save (DC 15 + damage received). On a successful save, the damage taken is ignored and the Runesponge's hitpoints is increased to 1/3 of his/ her maximum for d4 rounds. Afterwards, if the Runesponge is still alive, the Runesponge dies instantly.
Solid Frame: At level 10, the Runesponge can choose to substitute their Constitution modifier for their Dexterity modifier to AC.
Improved Last Combat: As Last Combat, except temporary hitpoints increase to 2/3 of maximum for d6 rounds.
Improved Precision Strike: As Precision Strike, except it is a +4 insight bonus for two attacks.
Master Last Combat: As Improved Last Combat, except temporary hitpoints restored to the maximum for d10 rounds and no longer needs a Will save.
Master Precision Strike: As Improved Precision Strike, except that the Runesponge gains a +6 insight bonus for three attacks.