Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sulaco 09-26-05, 10:54 AM	One of the PCs has hired a bodyguard - an NPC which will double as a make-do PC for me when I switch off DMing with one of the players every now and then - so I am looking for info on what combaintion of class(es) and feats from non-core D&D books would be best to build a highly focused and devoted bodyguard character. Currently he is a Ftr 2 with Shieldmate (DDM Handbook) but I really want to make him more specific to his niche. Until recently I didn't have a regular group (real life kept getting in the way) so I was reluctant to spend a lot of dosh on non-core D&D material but now that I am running a new campaign I need to bulk out my collection a little so I am willing to pick up stuff that I don't currently own in order to build this NPC. Cheers.
Zherog 09-26-05, 11:25 AM	Sticking with core first... You'll want skills like Spot, Listen, and Sense Motive. There's two decent options for picking those up that would fit the body guard "theme." First is some levels in rogue. This also gives you some interesting defensive abilities like Evasion and Uncanny Dodge. The second option would be Ranger. While Sense Motive isn't a class skill for Ranger, the favored enemy bonus applies to it. So if you think you'll face a lot of the same creature type (humans, for example), going with a ranger who has that creature as a favored enemy can help you out there. Other classes (such as bard) can give you those skills, though they don't quite feel like a "body guard" type theme to me. Some core feats you'll want to look into: Alertness boosts Spot and Listen. Blind Fighting allows you to fight in conditions others may not be able to handle. Combat Expertise allows you to raise your AC if needed, and also opens up Improved Trip and Improved Disarm - two good tactical feats that can be used by a bodyguard who wishes to disable rather than kill. Diehard allows you to keep fighting, even at negative hit points. This synergizes with Ranger, who gets Endurance (Diehard's pre-req) for free. Since it sounds like you're going for the "sword and board" style, Improved Shield Bash gives you a two-weapon fighting option that is interesting and not too bad, if you go the ranger path. The last core feat I'll mention is Iron Will. Generally, I don't like the save boosting feats. However, nothing is worse for a body guard than being dominated into attacking the person you're charged with protecting. Boosting your Will save should be something you consider. So that leaves level progressions, and prestige classes can fill in nicely here. Dwarven Defender is the obvious "bodyguard" prestige class, though of course it's limited to only dwarves. The assassin class can also grant some abilities a stereotypical bodyguard might possess. The other advantage to both of those classes is the flavor and requirements can be tweaked ever so slightly to fit the needs you're looking for it to fill. For example, alter Dwarven Defender to remove the racial requirement and simply call it "Bodyguard." Or alter the assassin to remove the evil requirement and take away Safe Poison Use, give it some flavor, and come up with a catchy name. Later on I'll look through some books and see what sort of "body guard" type feats and prestige classes jump out at me.
Staver 09-26-05, 11:38 AM	Sword and Fist had an even better PrC for what you are trying to do called Devoted Defender. There is errata for it, but it never made it to 3.5. Supposedly it's in Dragon 307 also, but 309 was the first 3.5 issue so that's no help. -HTH, Staver :D
PhaedrusXY 09-26-05, 05:06 PM	There are several links to threads discussing how to make effective "bodyguard" type characters in my signature.