I'm looking for some feedback for this Prestige class that I put together, working with the Dragoon of Final Fantasy fame and adjusting it themeatically, though not too much in my opinion. I am going to be running the Kingmaker AP and a player wanted to try this out. Is it balanced and fun? Any thoughts are appreciated.
Dragon Warrior
Throughout history, some people have feared dragons, while some have held them in awe, sometimes to the point of worship. Originally an organization created to keep a watch on dragon-kind, especially the chromatic type, Dragon Warriors considered themselves a policing force to keep dragons in check, to balance their influence on civilization. More recently, this goal has fallen by the wayside due to a lack of leadership within the organization. More often, those trained in the ways of the dragon warrior can be found as bodyguards and sell-swords, seen as little better than the various warriors around them. Dragon Warriors know better.
Dragon warriors train with methods designed to be most effective against dragons' various modes of attack, but these methods are by no means weak against other creatures. Methods of training come from several schools scattered throughout the world, usually in remote locations, to self-study from manuals written from long-ago sages. Almost all classes, except for Paladins because of alignment issues, can potentially become a part of this organization, although Fighters and Rangers are naturals for the class.
Roll: Dragon warriors are focused force, doing greater damage than other classes in one shot, but paying for it with a harsher recovery time. While they can do a passable job as a fighter, it's when up against a dragon that they truly shine.
Alignment: Any neutral, as even now they still are striving for a sort of balance, though a balance of what is left up to the individual.
Hit Die: d10
Requirements:
To qualify to become a dragon warrior a character must fulfill the following criteria.
Alignment: Any neutral
Base Attack Bonus: +4
Skills: Knowledge (Arcana) 4 ranks, Acrobatics 4 ranks
Feats: Weapon Focus (any melee piercing weapon)
Level BAB Fort Ref Will Special
1 1 1 1 0 Dragon Specialization, Improved
Combat, Improved charge
2 2 1 1 1 Jumping Charge, Dragon's Gait (10 ft.)
3 3 2 2 1 Tactical Retreat, Dragonfear
4 4 2 2 1 Crushing Blow, Dragon Specialization, Evasion
5 5 3 3 2 Dragon's Gait (20 ft.), Greater Combat
6 6 3 3 2 Dragonfear, Vigorous Charge
7 7 4 4 2 Dragon Specialization
8 8 4 4 3 Death from Above, Dragon's Gait (30 ft.)
9 9 5 5 3 Dragonfear
10 10 5 5 3 Dragon Specialist
Class Skills
The dragon warriors class skills are Acrobatics(Dex), Craft (any)(Int), Fly(Dex), Intimidate(Cha), K(arcana)(Int), Perception(Wis), Sense Motive(Wis), Survival(Wis).
Skill ranks at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier
Class Features
Weapon and Armor Proficiency – A Dragon Warrior is proficient with all simple and martial weapons. Dragon Warriors are proficient with light armor, medium armor, heavy armor, and shields.
Dragon Specialization – At first level, the Dragon Warrior chooses the type of Dragon that is the focus of their studies. This gives a +1 bonus on Bluff, Knowledge, Perception, Sense Motive, and Survival checks involving dragons of this type, as well as a +2 to Will saves versus this type of dragons fear effect and spells, and a +1 versus other types of dragons. The Dragon Warrior also gets a +1 bonus on weapon attack and damage rolls against their chosen dragon types. Dragon Specialization does stack with the Favored Enemy class feature.
At 4th and 7th level, the Dragon Warrior may select an additional dragon specialization. Optionally they may again pick the same dragon type, as this effect does stack. This would give a dragon warrior the option of having the bonuses spread out amongst several different species of dragon, or on just focusing on a single type.
In addition, a dragon warrior is able cast Protection from Energy as the spell once per day to protect from the energy type of their specialization. Each time a new specialization is picked, a new use per day versus that energy type is allowed. Caster level is considered equal to a dragon warriors level. This is a swift action to activate and may be used to negate or partially negate an attack, such as from breath weapon.
Improved Combat – At 1st level, a dragon warrior may choose any combat feat with the word Improved in its name as a bonus feat regardless of whether they have the prerequisites.
Improved Charge – Dragon warriors specialize in the charge action to pierce the thick hide of a dragon, and this is where their main focus of their training is on. When doing a charge (see PFRPG p 198), a dragon warrior deals double damage with a piercing weapon, or triple damage with a lance.
Jumping Charge (Ex) – This feature is what has inspired fear of the dragon warrior throughout the known world. At 2nd level, a dragon warrior gains the ability to charge while disregarding any terrain penalties, as a dragon warrior jumps horizontally at the target. A dragon warrior is able to bypass all terrain and hindrances for a number of squares equal to half the dragon warriors ranks in Acrobatics . Vertical distance is determined as per normal by an Acrobatics check. A dragon warrior then gains the Staggered condition for 1 round.
Dragon's Gait (Ex) – At 2nd level, and every 3 levels afterward (5th,, and 8th), a dragon warrior's training enables her to move an additional 10 feet. In addition, falling damage is decreased by 10 feet as per the Monk's ability Slow Fall for every 3 levels.
Tactical Retreat (Ex) – A 3rd level dragon warrior can, after a successful Jumping Charge, retreat back exactly the way they came, up to what is left of their move. This does provoke an Attack of Opportunity, though this can be avoided with a successful Acrobatics check (see PFRPG p 88) as though moving through a threatened area.
Dragonfear (Ex) – Starting at 3rd level a dragon warrior can, as part of a Charge maneuver, seem so intimidating as to exude an aura that frightens all opponents of lesser Hit Dice around them. This causes all creatures within 10 feet per dragon warrior level to become shaken unless they make their Will saving throw (DC=10+1/2 dragon warrior level + Charisma modifier) This is a free action usable once per day. At 6th level the effect it is usable twice per day and all creatures who fail their save become frightened. At 9th level it is usable three times per day and all creatures who fail their save become panicked. Any who are successful in their will save cannot be affected by this ability for 24 hours.
Crushing Blow (Su) – At 4th level, a dragon warrior can imbue their weapon with magical energy for a short period. The weapon temporarily takes on the bane magical enhancement. Activating this ability is a standard action and requires the appropriate Knowledge check against the creature (see PFRPG p 99) by the character. This action can be sustained for a number of rounds equal to the character's total levels plus Constitution modifier per day.
Heavy Evasion (Ex): At 4th level and higher, a dragon warrior can avoid even magical and unusual attacks with great agility. If she makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, she instead takes no damage. Unlike other types, this Evasion can be used with whatever type of armor a dragon warrior is wearing. A helpless dragon warrior does not gain the benefit of evasion.
If Evasion is already a class feature from a previous class, this becomes Improved Evasion, as per the Monk's class ability (PFRPG p 59).
Greater Combat – At 5th level, as a bonus feat, a dragon warrior may choose a combat feat with the word Greater in it, for which they have the Improved version already.
Vigorous Charge (Ex) – At 6th level, a dragon warrior can attempt several extra Jumping Charges in a round, and suffer no penalty during this time. This action can be used against a single creature, or more than one, if the characters move allows. Each attack acts as moving 10 feet, like the minimum movement for a charge, even if against the same target or one 5 feet away. Afterward, a dragon warrior becomes fatigued for a number of rounds equal to the extra attacks she continued the Jumping Charge after the initial attack. If done while fatigued, a dragon warrior becomes exhausted, and can no longer do any charging
Death From Above (Su) – At 8th level, a dragon warrior gains the ability to fly, as per the spell, for a number of minutes per day equal to your dragon warriors' level, with a speed of 60 feet and good maneuverability. This duration does not need to be consecutive, but it must be used in 1 minute increments.
Dragon Specialist (Ex) – After much studying and trial and error a dragon warrior gains great knowledge on all dragon types. Any time a dragon warrior is dealing with a dragon, an inherent bonus +2 is added to all relevant rolls. This bonus is also added onto any static numbers such as Caster Level, CMD and saving throw DCs. This bonus stacks with Dragon Specialization.