Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Geddysciple 04-24-07, 11:55 AM	OK, searching the Wizards boards for threads is really hit and miss, so I don't know if there's already a thread somewhere else dedicated to new skill tricks, but I wanted to ask the houserule board if this idea is worth using. The basic idea is taking the d20 Modern Bodyguard class feature "Harm's Way" and adapting it to D&D. I couldn't find it as a feat or a class feature, but looking in the Complete Scoundrel got me to thinking that using it as a skill trick would be appropriate. It wouldn't be overpowered since it'd be usable once per encounter, unlike the class feature which is usable once per round. We came up with the idea after our party paladin/ranger (think the ultimate boy scout) became distressed at the sight of our lone female character critically wounded into negative hit points in back-to-back encounters. Here's how it would look: Harm's Way (Skill Trick): Prerequisites: Jump 5 ranks, Base Fortitude Save +4 Benefit: You may place yourself in the path of danger to protect a single ally. Once per encounter, if you are adjacent to an ally who is targeted by a direct melee or ranged attack (but not an area affect), you can subject yourself to the attack in the ally's stead. If the attack hits you, you take damage normally. If it misses, it also misses the ally. You must declare you intention to place yourself in harm's way before the attack roll is made. We're still debating the prereqs, and the exact mechanics of the bodyguard ability don't quite fit the skill trick flavor of "you suddenly pull an unexpected stunt." The text above is basically straight from the Modern SRD; it might be more appropriate to be able to decide to take the hit after a hit is confirmed but before damage is rolled, or something along those lines. In any event, I'd like a little feedback, either directing me to the board/thread where I should have posted this, or feedback on whether this is a feasible idea. Thanks!
Armendil 04-24-07, 04:43 PM	This is a fairly powerful ability if it lets the interposing PC use his own AC in place of the presumably weaker character's AC. I'm also not sure what the rationale would be for allowing a character to use this skill trick only once per encounter. Maybe you would consider something like this: Make it a feat called Harm's Way. No prerequisite. It allows a character with this feat to interpose himself in harm's way once per round. Any time a creature, or object in a square adjacent to the character's square takes damage from a targeted spell, melee attack or ranged attack, the character can choose to take the damage himself, and the protected creature or object takes no damage. The Character using this feat automatically takes the full damage that would have been inflicted on the protected creature or object, but may apply any resistance or damage reduction he has that is applicable to the attack. The creature or object to be protected may not be more than one size category larger than the character using this feat and the protected creature's resistance or damage reduction does not aid the character using this feat. Using this feat is an immediate action that uses up a move-equivalent action on the characters next turn. Thus a charcter who uses this feat may only take one move or standard action on his next turn.
TheBeardedElf 04-24-07, 05:17 PM	the attack against the user of the feat should be against a flatfooted AC, because the attack could be weak enough to glance of whatever armor or shield the defender is using
Geddysciple 04-24-07, 08:03 PM	I mentioned that it would usable once per encounter because that's one of the restrictions on skill tricks. But after revisiting the rules on skill tricks, I think the feat approach does make more sense. The idea popped up this morning, so I just copied the Bodyguard text without thinking how it would really apply in D&D; changing it to "take their damage" instead of "force somebody to hit you instead of the other person" makes it slightly less potent (appropriate for reducing something from a class feature to a feat available to anyone). Changing the target of the attack roll might still be acceptable if it's against the flat-footed AC as TheBeardedElf pointed out, but in either case, it might balance more effectively (and fit the flavor better) to run it as a feat that lets you just take someone else's damage.
Zankue 04-24-07, 08:14 PM	well the thing is that, that resembles a feat complete scoundrel called "Good Karma" which, if thats the only luck feat you have can only be used once per day and although if the enemy hit's you it's only half damage when using the feat that's still too powerful for a skill trick