The Aspistes (Bad Prestige Classes by the Flower, chapter 3 (I think))[Peach?]

[Metastachydium]

So, I've recently learned that the classic spear and shield combo is apparently not rules-legal. This cannot be! Therefore, I put together a little prestige class that remedies that (without admittedly doing much else). Gave'em good Will saves and 4+Int skill points too, because training and discipline and martial types need love.
As always, comments are welcome!

♣

Aspistes

Hit Die
d10.

Requirements
To qualify to become an aspistes, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.

Alignment
Any lawful.

Base Attack Bonus
+4.

Feats
Weapon Focus (spear, longspear or ranseur).

Special
The character must have trained with a unit of aspistai for at least a month.

Class Skills
The aspistes's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Intimidate (Cha), Listen (Wis), Perform (weapon drill) (Cha), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Search (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex), Use Rope (Dex).

Skill Points at Each Level
4+Int modifier

Table: The Aspistes

Level	BAB	Fort	Ref	Will	Special
1st	+1	+2	+0	+2	Firm grip -2, Improved Shield Bash, Weapon Specialization
2nd	+2	+3	+0	+3	Always ready, Hold the Line
3rd	+3	+3	+1	+3	Firm grip -1, Greater Weapon Focus
4th	+4	+4	+1	+4	Stand firm, Shield Ward
5th	+5	+4	+1	+4	Firm grip +0, impenetrable

Class Features
All of the following are class features of the aspistes prestige class.

Weapon and Armour Proficiency
Provocators are proficient with all shields, including extreme shields^RoS.

Firm Grip (Ex)
An aspistes can wield a spear, longspear or ranseur as a one-handed weapon, but doing so results in a -2 penalty to attack rolls. This penalty decreases to -1 at level 3 and disappears altogether at level 5.

Improved Shield Bash
At level 1, an aspistes receives Improved Shield Bash as a bonus feat, even if she does not meet the prerequisites.

Weapon Specialization
At level 1, an aspistes receives Weapon Specialization for the spear, longspear or ranseur (depending on which of the three she has Weapon Focus for) as a bonus feat, even if she does not meet the prerequisites.

Always Ready (Ex)
At level 2 and above, an aspistes can set a spear, longspear or ranseur against a charge as an immediate action.

Hold the Line
At level 2, an aspistes receives Hold the Line^CW as a bonus feat, even if she does not meet the prerequisites.

Greater Wepon Focus
At level 3, an aspistes receives Greater Weapon Focus for the spear, longspear or ranseur (depending on which of the three she has Weapon Focus for) as a bonus feat, even if she does not meet the prerequisites.

Stand Firm (Ex)
At level 4, an aspistes receives a +4 competence bonus on checks made to resist bull rush, overrun and trip attempts made against her.

Shield Ward
At level 4, an aspistes receives Shield Ward^{PHB II} as a bonus feat, even if she does not meet the prerequisites.

Impenetrable (Ex)
As long as she carries a shield, an aspistes has a 25% chance of negating a confirmed critical hit against herself or an adjacent ally.