Sonofapreacherman
Explorer
I'm curious if anybody knows why this ability was changed between versions 3.0 and 3.5.
In the original version of this ability (and abilities like it) the entire Intelligence bonus was factored in all at once. This makes sense to me. A prestige class with this ability (always gained at first level) has no incentive to use it for the first 4 levels of their progression. Light armor options (AC +1 to +4) offer infinitely superior protection, as their protective value is not lost when dodge bonuses are negated.
Moreover, unless your character is a wizard (and no wizard prestige classes I can name offers this ability) places so much emphasis on Intelligence that a score of 20 of higher would be common (thereby offering an AC bonus of +5). See what I mean? I'm not insulting the changes to this ability, but to be honest, the new description makes itself largely redunant (unless I've missed something crucial here).
It was said to me that Canny Defense was changed because player's could poach that ability from duelists (by only taking the first level of the prestige class). The way Canny Defense is written now prevents that kind of poaching.
I saw what they meant, but the unfortunate thing is ... the duelist is the one who suffers (especially early on in their career).
More importantly, to become a duelist you need to fulfill prerequisites. It's not like how characteres used to poach the ranger or bard at first level. Heck, any lawful character can poach a monk for 1 level right now (completely devoid of prerequisites) and not only add their entire Wisdom bonus to AC, but never lose that bonus when caught flat-footed.
If you can still do that with the monk, why does the duelist have to suffer, especially when the mechanics of the duelist have to be earned (unlike a monk)?
It's an imperfect solution and a blatant double standard. If anybody has a good explanation, please help me out.
