Luka
2011-12-25, 12:13 PM
So I've seen around and game mechanics favour more having a Two-handed and Dual Wielding for being a Glass Cannon than just using the good ol' Sword-and-Board and having higher AC, and actually (specially in MMORPGs) shields turn people into Tanks, so some videogame players specialised into tanking (like me) would get frustrated.
So I've been searching around and found this PrC in DandD wiki (actually been asking around and everybody told me it was ok, so don't freak out) and would like to put it here since it makes using Tower Shields Worth it, and paired with Crusader can make an effective Party Tank. :smallwink:
It's Not made by me, just posing it here because it had no feedback and couldn't see what others though of it, tell me if it wring and I'll remove it, I'm new here so I don't know :smallsigh:
The Shieldmaster
A shield should be useful, and yet the traditional use bogs you down, denying you effective offense, and granting a defense which is poor and quickly outmatched. Indeed, when the most effective shield is an animated one, it is no shield at all. Show them how it's done.
Becoming a Shieldmaster
Requirements:
BAB: +5
Skills: Balance 5 Ranks
Feats: Shield Proficiency, Improved Shield Bash
Class Skills:
Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (nobility and royalty) (Int), Listen (Wis), Profession (Wis), Spot (Wis), Tumble (Dex).
{table=head]
Levels |
BAB |
Fort |
Ref |
Will |
Special
1st | +1 | +2 | +2 | +0 | Concealing Shield(10%/20%), Shield Fighting, Tower Bash
2nd | +2 | +3 | +3 | +0 | Powerfull arm, Shield Stance +1
3rd | +3 | +3 | +3 | +1 | Concealing shield(15%/35%), Impact Shield, Tower Charge
4th | +4 | +4 | +4 | +1 | Shield of the Heart, Shield Stance +2
5th | +5 | +4 | +4 | +1 | Concealing Shield(20%/50%), Evasion, Immediate Cover, Improved Shield Fighting
[/Table]
[/b]
Class Abilities
Concealing Shield (Ex): A shieldmaster knows a shield can provide a physical cover from the enemy's sights. At 1st level a shieldmaster may use a light or heavy shield, and gains a constant 10% miss chance from enemy attacks which require attack rolls. If using a tower shield, this miss chance is 20%. At 3rd level the miss chances rise to 15% and 35% respectively, and at 5th level 20% and 50%. The miss chance is not negated by True Seeing, but can be negated if the shieldmaster loses his shield bonus to AC. When using the total defense action, the miss chance doubles. At 50% chance, it instead adds 30% miss chance.
Shield Fighting (Ex): At 1st level a shieldmaster gains Two-Weapon Fighting when making attacks with his weapon and a shield. If the shieldmaster already possesses Two-Weapon Fighting, he reduces the penalties by 1 when attacking with his shield.
Note: You don't need the Dex 17 for it
Tower Bash (Ex): Even the bulk of a tower shield will not prevent a shieldmaster from using it as a weapon. At 1st level a shieldmaster can shield bash with a tower shield, which for medium characters deals 1d8 damage, 20/x2 crit, counts as a one-handed weapon with a Str requirement of 13, and is martial. You cannot use this feature if you are not proficient in tower shields.
Powerful Arm (Ex): Using such heavy tools in both arms makes one powerful, as they learn how to balance themselves and push thrust and momentum in their swings. At 2nd level any one-handed weapon wielded while using a shield is treated as a two-handed weapon for strength applies and power attack. Likewise a light weapon becomes one-handed for the same purposes.
Shield Stance (Ex): At 2nd level a shieldmaster is able to use his shield more effectively, gaining a +1 bonus to his shield AC when using any shield. At 4th level this becomes +2.
Tower Charge (Ex): Tower shields, in all their size, make it easier to shove around the enemy. A shieldmaster may perform a bull rush with a tower shield, gaining a +6 circumstance bonus to the bull rush thanks to the shield. You cannot use this feature if you are not proficient in tower shields.
Impact Shield (Ex): At 3rd level you gain two applications of the shield bash which are useful in combat. As an attack action you may make an attack with the shield, and deal no damage. Instead the opponent must make a Fortitude save, DC 10 + 1/2 character level + Str, or take a -4 penalty to attack, AC, and skills for 1 round as they are dazed from impact, save negates. Alternatively you may make a standard action and the save saving throw vs becoming flatfooted as well as the penalties above. A save negates the flatfooted, but not the penalty. Tower shields get +1 to the save DC.
Shield of the Heart (Su): At 4th level a shieldmaster has bonded to his shield on a more spiritual level, and it protects him from even supernatural harm. He gains his shield bonus to touch AC against spells and spell-like abilities. In addition, so long as he has his shield bonus he gains a +2 insight bonus on saving throws against spells and spell-like abilities.
Evasion (Ex): At 5th level a shieldmaster has mastered the art of dodging, weaving, and getting himself between danger and his defenses. He gains evasion. If he already possess evasion, he instead gains improved evasion, You need a shield to gain this benefit.
Immediate Cover (Ex): At 5th level the quick reflexes of a shieldmaster come into play when using a tower shield. As an immediate action he may take total cover behind his tower shield, which can prevent many a burst effect spells and obliterate an incoming blow. This uses up his actions in the upcoming round, hiding behind his tower shield, but ensures he survives. You cannot use this feature if you are not proficient in tower shields.
Improved Shield Fighting (Ex): At 5th level you gain Improved Two-Weapon Fighting for using a weapon and your shield. If you already have the actual Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, your penalties decrease by 1 again to a penalty of 0.
Feel free to give constructive critics since it seems to need some work.
The link to it is here (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Shieldmaster_%283.5e_Prestige_Class%29), posted it here because it had no feedback.
So I've been searching around and found this PrC in DandD wiki (actually been asking around and everybody told me it was ok, so don't freak out) and would like to put it here since it makes using Tower Shields Worth it, and paired with Crusader can make an effective Party Tank. :smallwink:
It's Not made by me, just posing it here because it had no feedback and couldn't see what others though of it, tell me if it wring and I'll remove it, I'm new here so I don't know :smallsigh:
The Shieldmaster
A shield should be useful, and yet the traditional use bogs you down, denying you effective offense, and granting a defense which is poor and quickly outmatched. Indeed, when the most effective shield is an animated one, it is no shield at all. Show them how it's done.
Becoming a Shieldmaster
Requirements:
BAB: +5
Skills: Balance 5 Ranks
Feats: Shield Proficiency, Improved Shield Bash
Class Skills:
Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (nobility and royalty) (Int), Listen (Wis), Profession (Wis), Spot (Wis), Tumble (Dex).
{table=head]
Levels |
BAB |
Fort |
Ref |
Will |
Special
1st | +1 | +2 | +2 | +0 | Concealing Shield(10%/20%), Shield Fighting, Tower Bash
2nd | +2 | +3 | +3 | +0 | Powerfull arm, Shield Stance +1
3rd | +3 | +3 | +3 | +1 | Concealing shield(15%/35%), Impact Shield, Tower Charge
4th | +4 | +4 | +4 | +1 | Shield of the Heart, Shield Stance +2
5th | +5 | +4 | +4 | +1 | Concealing Shield(20%/50%), Evasion, Immediate Cover, Improved Shield Fighting
[/Table]
[/b]
Class Abilities
Concealing Shield (Ex): A shieldmaster knows a shield can provide a physical cover from the enemy's sights. At 1st level a shieldmaster may use a light or heavy shield, and gains a constant 10% miss chance from enemy attacks which require attack rolls. If using a tower shield, this miss chance is 20%. At 3rd level the miss chances rise to 15% and 35% respectively, and at 5th level 20% and 50%. The miss chance is not negated by True Seeing, but can be negated if the shieldmaster loses his shield bonus to AC. When using the total defense action, the miss chance doubles. At 50% chance, it instead adds 30% miss chance.
Shield Fighting (Ex): At 1st level a shieldmaster gains Two-Weapon Fighting when making attacks with his weapon and a shield. If the shieldmaster already possesses Two-Weapon Fighting, he reduces the penalties by 1 when attacking with his shield.
Note: You don't need the Dex 17 for it
Tower Bash (Ex): Even the bulk of a tower shield will not prevent a shieldmaster from using it as a weapon. At 1st level a shieldmaster can shield bash with a tower shield, which for medium characters deals 1d8 damage, 20/x2 crit, counts as a one-handed weapon with a Str requirement of 13, and is martial. You cannot use this feature if you are not proficient in tower shields.
Powerful Arm (Ex): Using such heavy tools in both arms makes one powerful, as they learn how to balance themselves and push thrust and momentum in their swings. At 2nd level any one-handed weapon wielded while using a shield is treated as a two-handed weapon for strength applies and power attack. Likewise a light weapon becomes one-handed for the same purposes.
Shield Stance (Ex): At 2nd level a shieldmaster is able to use his shield more effectively, gaining a +1 bonus to his shield AC when using any shield. At 4th level this becomes +2.
Tower Charge (Ex): Tower shields, in all their size, make it easier to shove around the enemy. A shieldmaster may perform a bull rush with a tower shield, gaining a +6 circumstance bonus to the bull rush thanks to the shield. You cannot use this feature if you are not proficient in tower shields.
Impact Shield (Ex): At 3rd level you gain two applications of the shield bash which are useful in combat. As an attack action you may make an attack with the shield, and deal no damage. Instead the opponent must make a Fortitude save, DC 10 + 1/2 character level + Str, or take a -4 penalty to attack, AC, and skills for 1 round as they are dazed from impact, save negates. Alternatively you may make a standard action and the save saving throw vs becoming flatfooted as well as the penalties above. A save negates the flatfooted, but not the penalty. Tower shields get +1 to the save DC.
Shield of the Heart (Su): At 4th level a shieldmaster has bonded to his shield on a more spiritual level, and it protects him from even supernatural harm. He gains his shield bonus to touch AC against spells and spell-like abilities. In addition, so long as he has his shield bonus he gains a +2 insight bonus on saving throws against spells and spell-like abilities.
Evasion (Ex): At 5th level a shieldmaster has mastered the art of dodging, weaving, and getting himself between danger and his defenses. He gains evasion. If he already possess evasion, he instead gains improved evasion, You need a shield to gain this benefit.
Immediate Cover (Ex): At 5th level the quick reflexes of a shieldmaster come into play when using a tower shield. As an immediate action he may take total cover behind his tower shield, which can prevent many a burst effect spells and obliterate an incoming blow. This uses up his actions in the upcoming round, hiding behind his tower shield, but ensures he survives. You cannot use this feature if you are not proficient in tower shields.
Improved Shield Fighting (Ex): At 5th level you gain Improved Two-Weapon Fighting for using a weapon and your shield. If you already have the actual Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, your penalties decrease by 1 again to a penalty of 0.
Feel free to give constructive critics since it seems to need some work.
The link to it is here (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Shieldmaster_%283.5e_Prestige_Class%29), posted it here because it had no feedback.