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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Arkhandus" data-source="post: 2937171" data-attributes="member: 13966">If nothing else, the DC is a bit too high.I'll give two comparisons for example: 20th-level samurai against 20th-level monk.  Monk has +5 Cloak of Resistance, and 18 each in Dex, Con, and Wis, after magic items.  Monk has a total of +21 on all saving throws.  Samurai has +20 base attack, +5 magic katana, +1 weapon focus, and 22 Str after magic items, for a total attack bonus of +32.  Monk's chance of surviving this special ability is about 45% if my guessimate is correct.  Only monks, rogues, and bards (and rangers if playing 3.5) could really be expected to have that high of a Reflex save, though.  Enemy fighters, samurai, barbarians, and paladins (and rangers if playing 3.0) would stand very little chance, only about 15% or 10% maybe, and that's assuming they bothered with a high Dexterity score.  Chances are, if the samurai's foes are lucky, the samurai will kill one tough enemy every 2 or 4 rounds.Second comparison, 3rd-level samurai against 3rd-level monk.  Monk has +1 Cloak of Resistance and a score of 15 each in Dex, Con, and Wis, total of +6 on all saving throws.  Samurai has +3 base attack, +1 magic katana, +1 weapon focus, and 18 Str, total of +9 attack.  Monk's chance of surviving this special ability is around 85%.  Standard fighter, samurai, or whatever is likely to instead have a chance of about 70%.  Chances are, if the samurai's foes are lucky, the samurai will typically kill one tough enemy every 4 or 6 rounds.I'd suggest lowering the Reflex save DC by 2 or 4 points.  Also, I agree with Land Outcast that instead of insta-kill, the ability just deals quadruple damage similar to a critical hit.  However, alternatively, it may be fine to just have the ability be an automatic coup de grace attack, without provoking attacks of opportunity.  Either way, the Reflex save should stay.  If it does get used for a coup de grace rather than insta-kill or quad-damage, that would give foes 2 saves, one Reflex to avoid the extra effect and, if that fails, a Fortitude save to avoid insta-death from the coup de grace, but still taking critical hit damage if they fail the Reflex save.Also, clarify the 'not being hit' part.  Does it mean that the ability is interrupted if the samurai is hit while in the attack stance?  Or something else?  Depending on what exactly this part is supposed to mean, it may be enough of a liability as to negate any need to lower the save DC or whatnot, possibly....</blockquote>

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