Block skill [Archive] - Wizards Community

Block skill [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Thane26425
09-04-06, 03:28 PM There has been some about armor on this and other boards, as well as posts about how weak the fighter is.

What I have tried is borrowing from another game system and creating a Blocking skill for fighters, paladins, maybe clerics.

Block (DEX: trained only)
You can use you shield to great effect.

DC: Rather than a difficulty check, the skill has the following effects. When using full or total defense, and a shield of course, one half of the blocking skill applies as a bonus to the character's armor class. In normal combat, one third of the skill applies to armor class. Round down in both cases. The armor bonus applies only to melee and ranged attacks, including corporal spells that require an attack role. Incorporal attacks and other attacks that ignore armor do not apply to this skill either.

Tumble skill can also be used, however, armor check penalties do apply.

The Skill Focus feat may be taken for this skill.

--

This is pretty much what I have used before, but I don't recall all the details. At any rate, this does help balance the incredibly high BAB of higher level monsters.
Thelon Fairblade
09-05-06, 12:29 PM Problem... clerics and druids can use shields, as can any Fighter 1 / Other X multiclass. Picture a Rogue 9 / Fighter 1 with 13 ranks of "Block", a buckler, and Improved Buckler feat.
Thane26425
09-05-06, 06:08 PM Problem... clerics and druids can use shields, as can any Fighter 1 / Other X multiclass. Picture a Rogue 9 / Fighter 1 with 13 ranks of "Block", a buckler, and Improved Buckler feat.

Clerics and druids could take it as a cross class skill. The idea was to help fighters survive melee fights with the tougher enemies they will eventually face. A monster with a BAB of +30 or more is probably going to hit every time based on the RAW. When you reach epic levels, armor is almost useless except for any special enchantments on it. You could always rule that this skill doesn't apply to bucklers (too small) or tower shields (too big to effectively manuever about).
Thelon Fairblade
09-08-06, 10:43 AM Okay, same Rogue 9 / Fighter 1, with a mithril or darkwood Light Shield (still no penalty). or a "Lightweight" enchanted mithril heavy shield. 13 bonus AC for the rogue, because he level dipped in Fighter. Still a flaw in your system.

Yes, the high level monsters hit with their first strike. They are supposed to be fearsome. They someimtes hit with the second, and generally miss with third and fourth.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Thane26425 09-04-06, 03:28 PM	There has been some about armor on this and other boards, as well as posts about how weak the fighter is. What I have tried is borrowing from another game system and creating a Blocking skill for fighters, paladins, maybe clerics. Block (DEX: trained only) You can use you shield to great effect. DC: Rather than a difficulty check, the skill has the following effects. When using full or total defense, and a shield of course, one half of the blocking skill applies as a bonus to the character's armor class. In normal combat, one third of the skill applies to armor class. Round down in both cases. The armor bonus applies only to melee and ranged attacks, including corporal spells that require an attack role. Incorporal attacks and other attacks that ignore armor do not apply to this skill either. Tumble skill can also be used, however, armor check penalties do apply. The Skill Focus feat may be taken for this skill. -- This is pretty much what I have used before, but I don't recall all the details. At any rate, this does help balance the incredibly high BAB of higher level monsters.
Thelon Fairblade 09-05-06, 12:29 PM	Problem... clerics and druids can use shields, as can any Fighter 1 / Other X multiclass. Picture a Rogue 9 / Fighter 1 with 13 ranks of "Block", a buckler, and Improved Buckler feat.
Thane26425 09-05-06, 06:08 PM	Problem... clerics and druids can use shields, as can any Fighter 1 / Other X multiclass. Picture a Rogue 9 / Fighter 1 with 13 ranks of "Block", a buckler, and Improved Buckler feat. Clerics and druids could take it as a cross class skill. The idea was to help fighters survive melee fights with the tougher enemies they will eventually face. A monster with a BAB of +30 or more is probably going to hit every time based on the RAW. When you reach epic levels, armor is almost useless except for any special enchantments on it. You could always rule that this skill doesn't apply to bucklers (too small) or tower shields (too big to effectively manuever about).
Thelon Fairblade 09-08-06, 10:43 AM	Okay, same Rogue 9 / Fighter 1, with a mithril or darkwood Light Shield (still no penalty). or a "Lightweight" enchanted mithril heavy shield. 13 bonus AC for the rogue, because he level dipped in Fighter. Still a flaw in your system. Yes, the high level monsters hit with their first strike. They are supposed to be fearsome. They someimtes hit with the second, and generally miss with third and fourth.