Class Virtues of a Knight [Archive] - Wizards Community

Class Virtues of a Knight [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
zebulun
12-03-06, 12:28 AM Hi all,

I am most curious what you think about the Knight as character class? Is it under/overpowered? Also what feats for a human knight would any of the more advanced players reccomend?

Thanks
katarl
12-03-06, 03:33 PM At first glance it doesn't seem all that great, but upon closer inspection, and play, its quite nice.

It's probably the most defensive of all classes anywhere, getting full plate, shield bonuses and d12 hd, so you're unlikely to die, unless you play it properly, (protecting *everyone*) in which case your death is quite assured.

I like taking Dauntless with a human FR Knight. 20 hp at level 1 aint bad. Aside from that, anything that'll improve your dishing out damage, or taking it is good.
Sir Ferdinand
12-03-06, 03:53 PM Pretty much agree with katarl about Knights being probably the most defensive class. But it doesn't mean that they can't die. I've only had my 2nd level Knight in one battle so far, but it was a tough battle for the whole group. Mainly because my Knight wanted to take a straightforward style, no surprises and stuff (as is adviced in the class description). It meant that the party was split in half, and it weakened our group when we had two seperate groups battling, and no surprise attack was possible for our group.

My Knight has 22 hp, and as I said, he's 2nd level, and it's probably the most I've ever had for any 2nd level character. I also used the average hp instead of rolling for the 2nd level, so it could've been better as well (or worse). His AC isn't too good, as he has no money to buy a good armor yet (only 17, 18 against a single opponent). But all in all, I can see him becoming quite a strong combatant.

Now, the Knight's code makes it harder, but it adds lots of flavor for the character and makes it more interesting. Seems to be pretty balanced so far.
Roland the Crownbreaker
12-03-06, 04:36 PM The knight has 2 glaring flaws, IMO.

First, a weak fortitude save. The one story arc where we had a knight in the group left that player feeling pretty useless, as his rolls weren't that great on his fortitude save. (conversely, if fort had been a good save, he would have made all of them)

Second, by some brain fart of the designers, the bonuses provided by the Knight's Challenge are morale bonuses. Again making our knight player feel underpowered, as our group had a bard. This overwrote that morale bonus the knight gets, while the barbarian in the group got to keep her rage bonuses, and get the benefits of the bard song too.

If you want to play a knight, I am going to make two suggestions. One, get something to increase fortitude saves. No, something in addition to the Great Fortitude feat. Second, house rule the knight's challenge bonus into an unnamed bonus.
DM Zoc
12-03-06, 04:44 PM As for a feat, I would suggest Shield Specialization. As long as your who schtick is to make AC viable, this feat is a lot better than dodge. If you have the stats for it, also pick up Combat Expertise.
mostholy2
12-04-06, 11:50 AM I was playing a Knight/Pious templar in a game recently and found that it was quite playable. One of the most useful class abilities of the class is the "bulwark of defense" ability at Knight3. It makes any foe that starts movement in a space threatened by the knight treat all threatened spaces as difficult terrain. This means no 5'-stepping, thus no full-attack for 5'-reach opponents if you have reach.

The things I don't like about the class are the bonus feats progression. It makes a pure knight relatively feat starved, and the selection is poor as most of the bonus feats are mount combat based. I think that incorporating some of the shield specialization feats in the bonus feat list for knights would help the class and still retain the flavor of the class.
VonRichthofen
12-04-06, 12:58 PM I like taking Dauntless with a human FR Knight.

How nice for you. Too bad it's illegal.
dark_nony
12-04-06, 02:27 PM I playd him too, he ended out great.
My advice: Combat Expertise , Shield Specialization, try to get ride feat and use a lance (reach weapons will help a lot) get the best score to be con.

Just for fun, take the leadership feet.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
zebulun 12-03-06, 12:28 AM	Hi all, I am most curious what you think about the Knight as character class? Is it under/overpowered? Also what feats for a human knight would any of the more advanced players reccomend? Thanks
katarl 12-03-06, 03:33 PM	At first glance it doesn't seem all that great, but upon closer inspection, and play, its quite nice. It's probably the most defensive of all classes anywhere, getting full plate, shield bonuses and d12 hd, so you're unlikely to die, unless you play it properly, (protecting everyone) in which case your death is quite assured. I like taking Dauntless with a human FR Knight. 20 hp at level 1 aint bad. Aside from that, anything that'll improve your dishing out damage, or taking it is good.
Sir Ferdinand 12-03-06, 03:53 PM	Pretty much agree with katarl about Knights being probably the most defensive class. But it doesn't mean that they can't die. I've only had my 2nd level Knight in one battle so far, but it was a tough battle for the whole group. Mainly because my Knight wanted to take a straightforward style, no surprises and stuff (as is adviced in the class description). It meant that the party was split in half, and it weakened our group when we had two seperate groups battling, and no surprise attack was possible for our group. My Knight has 22 hp, and as I said, he's 2nd level, and it's probably the most I've ever had for any 2nd level character. I also used the average hp instead of rolling for the 2nd level, so it could've been better as well (or worse). His AC isn't too good, as he has no money to buy a good armor yet (only 17, 18 against a single opponent). But all in all, I can see him becoming quite a strong combatant. Now, the Knight's code makes it harder, but it adds lots of flavor for the character and makes it more interesting. Seems to be pretty balanced so far.
Roland the Crownbreaker 12-03-06, 04:36 PM	The knight has 2 glaring flaws, IMO. First, a weak fortitude save. The one story arc where we had a knight in the group left that player feeling pretty useless, as his rolls weren't that great on his fortitude save. (conversely, if fort had been a good save, he would have made all of them) Second, by some brain fart of the designers, the bonuses provided by the Knight's Challenge are morale bonuses. Again making our knight player feel underpowered, as our group had a bard. This overwrote that morale bonus the knight gets, while the barbarian in the group got to keep her rage bonuses, and get the benefits of the bard song too. If you want to play a knight, I am going to make two suggestions. One, get something to increase fortitude saves. No, something in addition to the Great Fortitude feat. Second, house rule the knight's challenge bonus into an unnamed bonus.
DM Zoc 12-03-06, 04:44 PM	As for a feat, I would suggest Shield Specialization. As long as your who schtick is to make AC viable, this feat is a lot better than dodge. If you have the stats for it, also pick up Combat Expertise.
mostholy2 12-04-06, 11:50 AM	I was playing a Knight/Pious templar in a game recently and found that it was quite playable. One of the most useful class abilities of the class is the "bulwark of defense" ability at Knight3. It makes any foe that starts movement in a space threatened by the knight treat all threatened spaces as difficult terrain. This means no 5'-stepping, thus no full-attack for 5'-reach opponents if you have reach. The things I don't like about the class are the bonus feats progression. It makes a pure knight relatively feat starved, and the selection is poor as most of the bonus feats are mount combat based. I think that incorporating some of the shield specialization feats in the bonus feat list for knights would help the class and still retain the flavor of the class.
VonRichthofen 12-04-06, 12:58 PM	I like taking Dauntless with a human FR Knight. How nice for you. Too bad it's illegal.
dark_nony 12-04-06, 02:27 PM	I playd him too, he ended out great. My advice: Combat Expertise , Shield Specialization, try to get ride feat and use a lance (reach weapons will help a lot) get the best score to be con. Just for fun, take the leadership feet.