| noldunar |
Hi all,
I know there are a few ways already to improve a character's AC while not wearing armor, but usually these are very specific and tied to certain classes.
I wanted something that anybody could get if the player does want to play an unarmored character because it fits the concept.
I borrowed the idea from 4th Edition D&D. A feat called Unarmored Agility.
Unarmored Agility (Combat Feat)
While others rely on armor for protection, you trust your wit, your keen senses and your natural agility to stay out of harm's way.
Prerequisite: Dex 17, Int or Wis 13, Dodge
Benefit: While you wear no armor you get a +2 dodge bonus to your AC. This bonus stacks with other dodge bonuses. If you are denied your Dex bonus to AC you also lose your dodge bonuses.
What do you think? Unnecessary? Overpowered?
Note: Edited after feedback.
My thoughts:
This feat can be pretty powerful since it stacks with other dodge bonuses, so for example with Dodge and Mobility you get +7 AC vs. Attacks of Opportunity while moving. Since you need Dodge also you get +3 AC while stationary (in addition to your normal Dex bonus).
However, the big tradeoff is that you can't wear any armor in order to use it, not even light armor. All other feats or abilities that let you improve your AC usually allow the use of light armor. Also, you don't want to get caught flat-footed ever, since then your effective AC would be 10 (unless you have some additional defensive items).
Then again, since you don't need armor you have other advantages: You can carry more stuff before becoming encumbered, you don't suffer any armor check penalties and from a role-playing point of view you might come across as harmless and people might underestimate you.
It is the perfect feat for swashbuckling archetypes or characters, but also for Wizards and such.
Since I don't know Pathfinder in and out I don't know if something similar already exists, so a heads up in that regard would be appreciated.