mockingbyrd7
2007-03-03, 10:33 PM
Hiya all, this is my first homebrew here. Lemme start by saying that I love D&D and I love OotS, but I actually have only played 1st Edition. I've played DDO (Dungeons and Dragons Online) which uses revised 3.5 rules, and read through most of the junk in the handbook and Complete Warrior. But I am not clear on everything, and as such some things may be unintentionally overpowered or break the rules of 3.5, for example I have no idea what (Ex) and (Su) mean, or how to make a table. Nonetheless, I hope you find the Dwarven Shield Master a fun and intruiging class. Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Dwarven Shield Master
A dwarven shield master is a dwarf who has trained endlessly with the use of dual-wield shields and is nigh-unstoppable while using them. The character gains many offensive abilities with shields, too. This class best lends itself to dwarven fighters, though dwarven clerics and paladins may also find the class intruiging.
Hit Die: d10
Requirements
To become a dwarven shield master, a character must fulfill the following criteria.
Race: Dwarf
Base Attack Bonus: +5
Feats: Shield Proficiency, Improved Shield Bash, Two-Weapon Fighting
Class Features
Two-Shield Fighting: A dwarven shield master can wield one shield in each hand and wield them as with the Two-Weapon Fighting feat. (Tower Shields can't be dual-wielded, a small shield is a light weapon and a large shield is a one-handed weapon.) One of the shields is now considered a primary-hand weapon. He gets the bonuses and armor from both shields.
Damaging Bash +1d4: All shield bash attacks automatically deal an additional 1d4 damage. This increases by an additional 1d4 every odd level.
Two Shields as One: The armor check penalties only apply for one of the shield master's two shields; use the greater penalty.
Shield Bonus: While wielding 2 shields, the shield master's AC goes up by +1, and this bonus increases every odd level.
Protect: At level two, dwarven shield master can, for one round, give up all of the armor class given by his shields (including shield bonus) to a single ally.
Stunning Bash: Starting at level 3, 25% chance when struck by a shield master's shields that the opponent becomes stunned for 1 round.
Shield Throw: Starting at level 3, a dwarven shield master can throw one of his shields up to 20 feet as if it were a thrown weapon. The shield must be retrieved after being thrown, though.
Shield Charge: At level 3, a shield master gets the feat Shield Charge for free.
(NOTE: Shield Charge is in complete warrior, it allows for a free trip attack with a shield during a charge. I don't know the specifics because the page was ripped out of my book. :smallmad:)
Take Cover: (3rd level) The dwarven shield master may be barely medium-sized, but if one of his shields is a large shield, he's small enough to completely cover his body with his shields. Taking cover causes the shield master to become prone, but does not take the penalty against incoming melee attacks, and becomes immune to non-magical ranged attacks until he decides to come out of his cover. Also, he gains the effects of Evasion while taking cover.
Improved Two-Shield Fighting: At level 4, the shield master can use twin shields as if he had improved two-weapon fighting.
Shield Slide: Starting at level four, the shield master can drop one of his shields (free action) and then leap on it and skid across a slick or smooth surface (i.e. a dungeon corridor) as if on a modern-day skateboard. Basically, he gets a really nifty Tumble without the armor check penalty of either of his shields. He has to pick up his shield afterwards. Movement speed is increased by 10 (liable to change) while shield sliding, and if on an incline or slope, this bonus increases to 15. Note that you can continue a shield slide into the next round, and until you pick your shield up, you are still considered "sliding". For each round sliding down an incline or slope, you gain another +5 to movement speed. This is usable twice per day at 4th level, thrice per day at 6th level, four times a day at 8th, and five times a day at 10th level.
Enchant Shield: Starting at level 5, a shield-master's shields can be enchanted as if they were both weapons AND shields. For instance, it could be enchanted as a +1 shield and then as a +1 weapon (for a total of +2 for the item). They can also be given qualities such as Returning. Also, if a bonus is given to the weapon, it will also apply to shield throws.
EXAMPLE: +1 Large Shield/+1 Keen Returning Weapon, it would be considered a +1 Shield, a +1 Keen One-handed weapon, and a +1 Keen Returning throwing weapon.
Greater Two-Shield Fighting: At level 8... well, you get the picture.
Shield Perfection: By level 10, the dwarven shield master is a juggernaut on both offense and defense while wielding twin shields. He's, like, awesome. (I have no idea what this skill is going to be. But it'll be something.)
There ya go! Hope you enjoyed the dwarven shield master!
Dwarven Shield Master
A dwarven shield master is a dwarf who has trained endlessly with the use of dual-wield shields and is nigh-unstoppable while using them. The character gains many offensive abilities with shields, too. This class best lends itself to dwarven fighters, though dwarven clerics and paladins may also find the class intruiging.
Hit Die: d10
Requirements
To become a dwarven shield master, a character must fulfill the following criteria.
Race: Dwarf
Base Attack Bonus: +5
Feats: Shield Proficiency, Improved Shield Bash, Two-Weapon Fighting
Class Features
Two-Shield Fighting: A dwarven shield master can wield one shield in each hand and wield them as with the Two-Weapon Fighting feat. (Tower Shields can't be dual-wielded, a small shield is a light weapon and a large shield is a one-handed weapon.) One of the shields is now considered a primary-hand weapon. He gets the bonuses and armor from both shields.
Damaging Bash +1d4: All shield bash attacks automatically deal an additional 1d4 damage. This increases by an additional 1d4 every odd level.
Two Shields as One: The armor check penalties only apply for one of the shield master's two shields; use the greater penalty.
Shield Bonus: While wielding 2 shields, the shield master's AC goes up by +1, and this bonus increases every odd level.
Protect: At level two, dwarven shield master can, for one round, give up all of the armor class given by his shields (including shield bonus) to a single ally.
Stunning Bash: Starting at level 3, 25% chance when struck by a shield master's shields that the opponent becomes stunned for 1 round.
Shield Throw: Starting at level 3, a dwarven shield master can throw one of his shields up to 20 feet as if it were a thrown weapon. The shield must be retrieved after being thrown, though.
Shield Charge: At level 3, a shield master gets the feat Shield Charge for free.
(NOTE: Shield Charge is in complete warrior, it allows for a free trip attack with a shield during a charge. I don't know the specifics because the page was ripped out of my book. :smallmad:)
Take Cover: (3rd level) The dwarven shield master may be barely medium-sized, but if one of his shields is a large shield, he's small enough to completely cover his body with his shields. Taking cover causes the shield master to become prone, but does not take the penalty against incoming melee attacks, and becomes immune to non-magical ranged attacks until he decides to come out of his cover. Also, he gains the effects of Evasion while taking cover.
Improved Two-Shield Fighting: At level 4, the shield master can use twin shields as if he had improved two-weapon fighting.
Shield Slide: Starting at level four, the shield master can drop one of his shields (free action) and then leap on it and skid across a slick or smooth surface (i.e. a dungeon corridor) as if on a modern-day skateboard. Basically, he gets a really nifty Tumble without the armor check penalty of either of his shields. He has to pick up his shield afterwards. Movement speed is increased by 10 (liable to change) while shield sliding, and if on an incline or slope, this bonus increases to 15. Note that you can continue a shield slide into the next round, and until you pick your shield up, you are still considered "sliding". For each round sliding down an incline or slope, you gain another +5 to movement speed. This is usable twice per day at 4th level, thrice per day at 6th level, four times a day at 8th, and five times a day at 10th level.
Enchant Shield: Starting at level 5, a shield-master's shields can be enchanted as if they were both weapons AND shields. For instance, it could be enchanted as a +1 shield and then as a +1 weapon (for a total of +2 for the item). They can also be given qualities such as Returning. Also, if a bonus is given to the weapon, it will also apply to shield throws.
EXAMPLE: +1 Large Shield/+1 Keen Returning Weapon, it would be considered a +1 Shield, a +1 Keen One-handed weapon, and a +1 Keen Returning throwing weapon.
Greater Two-Shield Fighting: At level 8... well, you get the picture.
Shield Perfection: By level 10, the dwarven shield master is a juggernaut on both offense and defense while wielding twin shields. He's, like, awesome. (I have no idea what this skill is going to be. But it'll be something.)
There ya go! Hope you enjoyed the dwarven shield master!