I wanted to try continuing my streak of class creation with an attempt to create a class that gains the most out of heavy armor, and general Meat-Slabery.
Here is the Sentinel, our class in question.
Please go ahead and dissect it to your hearts content, everybody! But a few notes.
I would add Diehard as a bonus class feat instead of option to providing similar effect by using Iron Soul feature. This would be also beneficial to half-orcs opening for them their racial Diehard-based feats.
I don't think that Shield Expertise should give deflection bonus - instead I would make it either untyped bonus, dodge bonus or replace it with Shield Focus feat with additional bonus at higher levels.
I would consider moving DR to levels matching barbarian (7, 10, 13, 16 and 19) or maybe invulnerable barbarian (DR 1/- per two levels).
I might have some other thoughts later.
I would add Diehard as a bonus class feat instead of option to providing similar effect by using Iron Soul feature. This would be also beneficial to half-orcs opening for them their racial Diehard-based feats.
I don't think that Shield Expertise should give deflection bonus - instead I would make it either untyped bonus, dodge bonus or replace it with Shield Focus feat with additional bonus at higher levels.
I would consider moving DR to levels matching barbarian (7, 10, 13, 16 and 19) or maybe invulnerable barbarian (DR 1/- per two levels).
I might have some other thoughts later.
Diehard added, I was thinking about a way to add it in, but have been advised against using feats as class abilities repeatedly, I think this just fits well though. Shield Expertise was listed as deflection to alleviate the need for a ring of protection originally.
I would give demand earlier (at like level 5),make it easier to activate, and make it better.
I would let it be activated as part of a charge or as a move equivalent action rather than a standard. Why not have all of that enemy's attacks and spells take a negative to save DC and attack rolls against creatures other than the Sentinel? Or maybe just like within 15 feet of the sentinel?
A martial class without bonuses to attack is a little weaker than one might think and I think it gives a player a good reason to go to sentinel instead of a fighter (who can get all those bonus feats and more for defending anyways; compare this class to the power of phalanx soldier).
The reason why there aren't any defender classes is exactly because there is no good built-in mechanism for diverting attacks to the tank.
I would give demand earlier (at like level 5),make it easier to activate, and make it better.
I would let it be activated as part of a charge or as a move equivalent action rather than a standard. Why not have all of that enemy's attacks and spells take a negative to save DC and attack rolls against creatures other than the Sentinel? Or maybe just like within 15 feet of the sentinel?
A martial class without bonuses to attack is a little weaker than one might think and I think it gives a player a good reason to go to sentinel instead of a fighter (who can get all those bonus feats and more for defending anyways; compare this class to the power of phalanx soldier).
The reason why there aren't any defender classes is exactly because there is no good built-in mechanism for diverting attacks to the tank.
Demanding Combatant altered as recommended, I was thinking about the inherent issues with the idea of tanking in general when I thought of this ability. I will try to clear up some wording for now.
Looks pretty good. I still think the demand feature is probably not work a standard action, though. It makes you easier to hit and it uses up an action that you could be using for other defensive abilities (archon fighting style; combat patrol; etc.)
I will note that DR does not quite work the way you describe it. DR does not apply to spell damage.
Looks pretty good. I still think the demand feature is probably not work a standard action, though. It makes you easier to hit and it uses up an action that you could be using for other defensive abilities (archon fighting style; combat patrol; etc.)
I will note that DR does not quite work the way you describe it. DR does not apply to spell damage.
Wow, all I did for the dr was remove the word "melee" from the description the Barbarian gives, and what do you know? Made it not work instead of streamlining it. Also, I've reduced the amount of time demand requires. As for your earlier comment about the lack of offensive ability the class has, I considered giving it either weapon training or Challenge, but Challenge turned into Demand, and I didn't want to take even more from other classes.
I feel that the stalwart and archon style feats would synergize well with the Sentinel. Are there any others that function pretty well with it?
Would I be able to sneak Con to will saves in to Steel Body? Or, might that be too effective?
Added Con to will saves from Steel body.
If anyone else has any thoughts, ideas, etc. Please post them. Otherwise, I believe the Sentinel is just about done.