RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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I had a neat idea for a new feat, but I think it has a very narrow (and admittedly entirely cinematic) application. Check it out:
Sundering Defense (working title... probably not the best)
Prereqs: Dex 15+, Deflect Arrows, Combat Reflexes, Improved Sunder
Benefit: A character may make an attack of opportunity against any incoming ranged attack that he is aware of. These attacks are treated as sunder attempts against the ranged attack bonus of the attacker and follow all the other usual rules for attacks of opportunity (including the number of such attacks that can be made in a round). Unlike Deflect Arrows, this feat requires that a melee weapon be in the character's hand and does not require any hands to be free. Only ranged attacks with a physical substance (arrows, spears, sling bullets, etc.) can be sundered in this way.
What do you all think? It would allow a high-Dex character to defend against more ranged attacks per round than simply the one allowed by Deflect Arrows but it also requires opposed attack rolls instead of being 'guaranteed' like Deflect is. I'd like to see some feedback on this one.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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I think, with those prereqs, it's not overpowered really. I would consider dropping Improved Sunder, even, although I can see why you included it. Striking that makes it a little more accessible to stealthy characters (since, in my experience, they typically don't focus on sundering builds).
I understand your point, but really... this feat isn't designed for 'stealthy' characters. Stealthy characters won't usually find themselves subjected to a flurry of ranged attacks and can get by with just Deflect Arrows (since they usually have a free hand, too). Bear in mind that Improved Sunder has a prereq of Power Attack on its own. This feat is ideal for two-handed weapon lovers and two-weapon fighters (especially rangers and barbarians, since they wear lighter armor and tend to have higher Dex) who want some kind of protection against ranged attackers.
Hmm... Power Attack requires 13 STR. I might consider lowering the Dex requirement of this feat to 13 as well. Asking for a 13 in one stat and a 15 in another might be a bit much... Plus it would make the feat more accessible to heavy armor wearers like fighters, paladins, and clerics.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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The full "Berserker" build requires a Frenzied Berserker with levels in Ranger, for access to the feat "Favored Power Attack". In Conjunction with the Frenzied Berserker's "Supreme Power Attack", the trick is to max Use Magic Device and get a Wand of True Strike to counter the penalty you'll be taking on your attack rolls. I can't recall exactly what the crit multiplier becomes when you apply Maiming to a weapon with an x4 crit, but I believe it's something to the tune of 3d4, making it entirely possible (if a bit unlikely) that a successful crit against the chosen craeture type could deal 800 or more points of damage before calculating in damage from strength, enhancement bonuses, or the weapon itself.
By applying an appropriate combination of templates, it's also possible to create a Sorcerer-Flux Adept-Warforged Juggernaut who is completely untouchable. Regeneration, Immunity to Nonlethal Damage, Immunity to Mind-Affecting Effects, Negative Energy Effects, Death Effects. Problem is, it's the equivalent of playing a jar of peanut butter in Call of Cthulhu, just because entire party is allergic to peanuts -- sure, nobody's going to hurt you, but you won't be doing a whole lot either.
....I'm pretty sure you meant to post this to a different topic. :D
....I'm pretty sure you meant to post this to a different topic. :DThe full "Berserker" build requires a Frenzied Berserker with levels in Ranger, for access to the feat "Favored Power Attack". In Conjunction with the Frenzied Berserker's "Supreme Power Attack", the trick is to max Use Magic Device and get a Wand of True Strike to counter the penalty you'll be taking on your attack rolls. I can't recall exactly what the crit multiplier becomes when you apply Maiming to a weapon with an x4 crit, but I believe it's something to the tune of 3d4, making it entirely possible (if a bit unlikely) that a successful crit against the chosen craeture type could deal 800 or more points of damage before calculating in damage from strength, enhancement bonuses, or the weapon itself.
By applying an appropriate combination of templates, it's also possible to create a Sorcerer-Flux Adept-Warforged Juggernaut who is completely untouchable. Regeneration, Immunity to Nonlethal Damage, Immunity to Mind-Affecting Effects, Negative Energy Effects, Death Effects. Problem is, it's the equivalent of playing a jar of peanut butter in Call of Cthulhu, just because entire party is allergic to peanuts -- sure, nobody's going to hurt you, but you won't be doing a whole lot either.
Yep. The Paizo Boards get confused when I tell them that I'm posting in several threads at once, and I get confused when I get sidetracked while contemplating the possible completion of a post and then unthinkingly go to reply to another one. So I deleted it but you have doomed my error to remaining recorded and visible for all to see.
As for the feat, I'd still say to go ahead and strike Improved Sunder as well. To actually meet the prerequisites as they are currently written, you need: Str 13, Dex 15, Combat Reflexes, Deflect Arrows, Improved Unarmed Strike, Improved Sunder, and Power Attack. For characters who aren't fighters, that's an unthinkable number of feats. Dropping the dexterity requirement is really a nonissue, because a character who doesn't have at least a dexterity of 15 has no business taking this feat in the first place.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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I'd still say to go ahead and strike Improved Sunder as well. To actually meet the prerequisites as they are currently written, you need: Str 13, Dex 15, Combat Reflexes, Deflect Arrows, Improved Unarmed Strike, Improved Sunder, and Power Attack. For characters who aren't fighters, that's an unthinkable number of feats.
I agree with you on the fact that they are fairly steep prereqs (a human barbarian or ranger could finally qualify at level 9 but could not TAKE the feat until level 12 unless level 10 was a fighter level). A human monk could qualify quickly (unarmed strike at 1st, Power Attack and Imp. Sunder as 1st level 'discretionary' feats, Deflect Arrows at 2nd, Combat Reflexes at 3rd, this feat at 6th) and obviously, the human fighter would have the fastest access (Power Attack, Imp. Sunder, Imp. Unarmed Strike at 1st, Combat Reflexes at 2nd, Deflect Arrows at 3rd, and this feat at 4th).
Instead of striking Imp. Sunder, I'm thinking about striking Deflect Arrows (and Imp. Unarmed Strike by association). It's a very uncommon feat to take (in my experience) and I'm not sure if the benefit of this feat is enough to make up for needing to choose it. If I removed the Deflect Arrows prereq, however, I would definitely keep the Dex requirement at 15+ (and possibly require a BAB of +5). Otherwise, it would be too EASY to get. I originally included Deflect Arrows because it fit the 'theme' of the feat... but I guess Imp. Unarmed Strike is a silly prereq for something that doesn't even require bare hands to do (in fact, the whole idea is that you CAN use this feat while wielding a two-hander).
A Style (note Style not feat) came up in Dungeon #100
Sweeping Blade Mastery [Martial Arts Style]
you have mastered the combat style known as sweeping blade, emphasizing grand motions and intricate flourishes of a long-bladed weapon.
this is not a feat, it is a style, any character who has all of the prerequisite feats of this style gain it's benefits without spending an additional feat slot.
prerequisites: Combat Expertise, Dodge, Improved Disarm, Lightning Reflexes, Mobility, Weapon Focus (any slashing weapons), Balance 4 ranks
Benefit: You can use a slashing weapon that you have weapon focus in to deflect ranged attacks as though you had the deflect arrows feat. Unlike the normal use of this feat, you need not have a hand free; rather, you must be holding your blade. You cannot use this ability when wielding a light weapon, a weapon that is not slashing, or a simple weapon of any kind
With the removal of the final "you cannot use this ability" line it sounds remarkable similar to your suggested feat =)
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Sweeping Blade Mastery [Martial Arts Style]
...With the removal of the final "you cannot use this ability" line it sounds remarkable similar to your suggested feat =)
Similar, certainly, but Deflect Arrows only permits ONE ranged attack to be avoided. This feat is designed to provide defense against MULTIPLE attacks while removing the 'certainty' of Deflect Arrows (by requiring attack rolls). Plus, this feat is balanced by counting towards the character's AoOs for the round. If he uses his AoOs to cut down arrows, he's giving up the ability to attack the foe charging through his threatened zones to attack his allies.
I really like the idea FS, especially the unlimited sunders if you take a full round action. It has excellent flavor appeal. I don't really have any advice, but it's sounding great so far.
-Kurocyn
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Okay, revision:
Sundering Deflection (slightly better....)
Prereqs: Base attack bonus +5, Dex 15+, Combat Reflexes, Power Attack, Improved Sunder
Benefit: A character may make an attack of opportunity against any incoming ranged attack that he is aware of. These attacks are treated as sunder attempts against the ranged attack bonus of the attacker and follow all the other usual rules for attacks of opportunity (including the number of such attacks that can be made in a round). Unlike Deflect Arrows, this feat requires that a melee weapon be in the character's hand and does not require any hands to be free. Only ranged attacks with a physical substance (arrows, spears, sling bullets, etc.) can be sundered in this way.
Special: If a character chooses the full defense action, the number of sunders that may be attempted in this manner is not limited by the number of attacks of opportunity the character can make in a round. However, the character is not considered to threaten any squares and thusly cannot make other attacks of opportunity while using this option.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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I suppose I should include the fact that the reason I'm working on this feat is because the barbarian in my campaign is really tired of being eaten alive by archers. Barbarians tend to have lower ACs than fighters and paladins not only because of their lack of heavy armor but also because of the fact that using a shield means that they cannot make the most of their Strength bonuses from rage. Sure, the base speed bonus they get might help them catch things but a lot of monstrous humanoids have increased base speeds as well, not to mention spells like longstrider.
This feat is designed to prevent the greataxe-wielding rage machine from becoming a pincushion.