breachgnome PRC

[Hyme]

Could we get this in? Thoughts? Maybe just allow gnomes to take Dwarven Defender?

Requirements
Race

Gnome

Alignment

Lawful

Base Attack

+5

Skills

Balance 4+ ranks

Feats

Toughness
Combat Reflexes
Endurance
Heavy Armor Proficiency


Description: Gnomes tend to build their homes and communities within or beyond narrow caves or gullies that limit the ability for larger creatures, or large numbers of creatures, to pass through. Gnome fortresses are often built based on the same premise so that in times of great urgency, one solitary gnome may hold such a passageway long enough to allow others to seek help or evacuate by means of some secret egress.

The tradition of breach gnomes arose from this military and architectural feature of gnomish culture. These gnomes are trained to hold one spot against an onslaught of goblins, a rampaging ogre, or anything else that might threaten a gnome community. They are trained to use the close confines of an area against their opponent, redirecting attacks or pressing the enemy towards the walls. Dedicated breach gnomes persevere through raw will to defend their loved ones and do their duty.

Most breach gnomes understand that they will most likely sacrifice their lives in this endeavor, despite the best of their training. Breach gnomes have a saying they use to bid good-bye to one another: "Until everyone is safe." That is how they see their duty: to hold their position until everyone in their community is safe.

It is rare for breach gnomes to leave their communities, but sometimes they undertake quests for their people, often as guardians for priests.

Class Features
Hit Die: d10
Armor & Weapon Proficiencies: The breach gnome is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, and with light, medium and heavy armor and shields.

Influence: Breach gnomes gain 2 points of influence per level, modified by Charisma.

Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + INT modifier
Class Skills: Concentration, Climb, Balance, Escape Artist, Intimidate, Jump, Listen, Sense Motive.
Level
Base Attack
Base Defense
Fort Save
Reflex Save
Will Save
Reputation
Special
1
+1
+1
+2
+1
+2
+1
Defensive Stance (1/day)

2
+2
+1
+3
+2
+3
+1
Uncanny Dodge | Unshakeable

3
+3
+2
+3
+2
+3
+2
Hold the Line | Defensive Stance (2/day)

4
+4
+2
+4
+2
+4
+2
Damage Reduction 2/-

5
+5
+3
+4
+3
+4
+3
Improved Defensive Stance | Defensive Stance (3/day)
6
+6
+3
+5
+3
+5
+3
Improved Uncanny Dodge
7
+7
+4
+5
+4
+5
+4
Damage Reduction 4/- | Defensive Stance (4/day)
8
+8
+4
+6
+4
+6
+4
Mobile Defense

Defensive Stance: Breach gnomes excel at standing their ground to hold the narrow caves, passageways and gullies that lead into the areas where gnome villages are traditionally built. When adopting a defensive stance with a wall no further than five feet away, a breach gnome gains phenomenal strength and durability, but he cannot move from the spot he is defending. He gains +1 to Strength, +2 to Constitution, a +1 resistance bonus on all saves, and a +2 dodge bonus to AC. If adajcent to two walls on opposite sides of him, neither one of which is more than five feet away, these bonuses increase to +2 to Strength, +4 to Constitution, a +2 resistance bonus on all saves, and a +4 dodge bonus to AC. The breach gnome can maintain the defensive stance for a number of rounds equal to 10 + his new Constitution modifier. He may end the defensive stance prematurely if he so desires. When the stance ends (voluntarily or involuntarily), the breach gnome immediately loses all hit points gained from the increased Constitution and is fatigued for a number of minutes equal to the number of rounds he was in the stance. If already fatigued, he becomes exhausted instead. An exhausted breach gnome cannot adopt a defensive stance. Adopting the defensive stance is a free action. At first level, a breach gnome can adopt this stance once per day. He gains an additional use of this ability per day at every odd class level thereafter.
Uncanny Dodge: Starting at 2nd level, a breach gnome retains his Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) when caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker. (He still loses any Dexterity bonus to AC if immobilized.)
Unshakeable: At 2nd level, breach gnomes become immune to all fear effects.
Hold the Line: At 3rd level, breach gnomes gain the Hold the Line feat for free.
Damage Reduction: At 4th level, a breach gnome begins to shrug off small amounts of damage. The character gains DR 2/-. This increases to 4/- at 7th level.
Improved Defensive Stance: Beginning at 5th level, a breach gnome need only be no more than five feet from an ally that is no more than five feet from a wall (on the left or right, or both) to be able to adopt his defensive stance. Thus, a breach gnome and one ally could reasonably guard a 25 foot wide passageway, or a 35 foot wide hall if he stands between two allies. In addition, while in a defensive stance, he gains a +2 on attack rolls for attacks of opportunity against opponents that attempt to pass through his threatened area.
Improved Uncanny Dodge: At 6th level, a breach gnome can no longer be flanked. This defense denies rogues the ability to use flank attacks to sneak attack the breach gnome. The exception to this defense is that a rogue at least four levels higher than the breach gnome can flank him (and thus sneak attack him). If a character gains uncanny dodge (see above) from a second class, the character automatically gains improved uncanny dodge, and the levels from those classes stack to determine the minimum rogue level required to flank the character.
Mobile Defense: At 8th level, a breach gnome may move up to five feet a round and still maintain his defensive stance. His new position must still meet all requirements for maintaining such a stance.

http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Prestige+ ... each+Gnome

[Zelknolf]

We don't have the needed hooks to do the Breachgnome's defensive stance. Scripts just don't know where the walls are. Best case scenario is that "Near two walls" would be turned into "Near a door," but then Breachgnomes' horrible vulnerability will be that you can bash the door they're next to and nerf the defensive stance.

As a broader question, why not argue for the expansion of dwarven defender to include other races? It would be significantly less work, and seems like it would occupy this niche nicely.

[Blindhamsterman]

Isn't this almost identicle to a dwarven defender?

[Hyme]

Yes. I did ask if you should just let the gnomes take Dwarven Defender.

[Blindhamsterman]

Well, for what it's worth, I'd be in favour! (and it'd take one change to one 2da afaik so easy fix)

[hollyfant]

It's not quite the same, but I'd say opening Dwarven Defender to Gnomes would be the way to go.

[Blindhamsterman]

wouldnt be difficult to change dwarven defender feat requirements to FEATOR and have it check for either dwarven defender or breach gnome required feats if wanted to...

[Veilan]

It's not quite the same, but I'd say opening Dwarven Defender to Gnomes would be the way to go.

In fact, why not call it Defender and open it to anyone?

The less narrow a PrC = the better, in my book. PrCs should broaden the scope, not serve as filtres narrowing characters down to "builds".

[Blindhamsterman]

Id think it better to keep it to dwarves and Gnomes, it's thematically aimed at Dwarves, with Gnomes having a very similar class (hense the thread)

Opening PRCs to everyone still feels bad IMO. The idea is they are to represent racial archtypes. That is good. keep that!

(and add more base classes, theres lots of base classes we could add for variety for everyone!)

[hollyfant]

Aw, but I want to be a elven Red Wizard of Thay!

[Blindhamsterman]

red wizards are stated as not accepting non humans....

so no

[Rotku]

Then why need the technical requirements? I'm sure that there is occasionally going to be situations that warrant an exception, roleplay wise. I'm sort of with Veilan, philosophically speaking. But that's off topic - so please do ignore me

[Blindhamsterman]

are there any canon examples to prove the exceptions? Usually the best way to go...

I know of no non human red wizards in canon for example. I know of no non dwarf dwarven defenders in canon either, but this PRC and the Dwarven Defender PRC are very nearly identicle, so not a lot of harm.

[Rotku]

are there any canon examples to prove the exceptions? Usually the best way to go...

My point sort of is ALFA forges it's own canon. If we accept WotC canon for allowing weird paladins and the likes, we should accept ALFA canon (if it ever comes up) in allowing weird other things.

As an example, halfling adopted by dwarves. Growing up as one of them. Comes to be taught by a Dwarf Defender. But suddenly BANG! No, you can't do that. The rules say we can't.

It's a discussion I've had so many times, and I really don't see the point in having it again. It comes down to story vs rules - a philosophical difference, with none right nor wrong. In a multi-DM table though, I admit certain things have to trump others.

[hollyfant]

There's a world of difference between "honorary dwarf" and "any race whichsoever". But we could replace the technical requirement of "Dwarf" with an RP requirement of "strongly Dwarf- or Gnome-aligned".