Defending Others

[celtonline]

Aid Another allows one to use assist another in combat. This would take up all of one's attacks for a round regardless of how many attacks one has in a round. This seems like a bit of a waste of a higher level character's multiple attacks. Are there any feats or Prestige Class abilities which allow someone to assist others in combat in defense?

 

[Celebrim]

Devoted Defender is an PrC whose abilities allow it to protect others.

The problem arrises when this skills are used in synergy with each other. A single Devoted Defender is not particularly powerful or 'broken'. However, when several Devoted Defenders begin devoting themselves to protecting one another, I have a suspicion that things would get out of hand in a hurry.

 

[Deadguy]

I can see what you mean, Celebrim. Particularly when they keep swapping places with each other and intercepting blows! Then again, the Devoted Defender is otherwise a fairly 'bland' class; all their powers are gained by level 3 - later they just get a little better at each of them. In other words, I can't see many groups deciding to get all their Fighters or Barbarians up to scratch for Devoted Defender, nor for maintaining that class for many levels. Not when there are classes out there with far funkier powers!

 

[Celebrim]

No, but I've always wanted to run a cheesy character who was the devoted defender of his wife (whose player was my wife) and whose wife was the devoted defender of him (me). It would be great for laughs with a lot of cheesy romance and angst thrown in.

But consider what bonuses we give each other at 10th level. IIRC, it is like +5 to each others AC, make AoO whenever someone attacks the partner, intercept blows against the other, etc. Plus the Devoted Defender has fighter BAB progress and good Reflex and Fort saves.

It may not be the most broken munchkiny thing I can think of, but it is the most broken munchkiny thing I can think of with a fun RP factor.

 

[DerianCypher]

Hey Celebrim,

There was a PrC on Monte's board awhile ago called the Guardian Angel which I snipped. As the name implies you basically protect the person you ward. If you want it email me at DerianCypher@yahoo.com

 

[hong]

Aid Another allows one to use assist another in combat. This would take up all of one's attacks for a round regardless of how many attacks one has in a round. This seems like a bit of a waste of a higher level character's multiple attacks.

Not necessarily. Sometimes you'll be in the situation of needing a really high roll to hit, even when your attack bonus is already +20 or +30. Our group came across this situation a few sessions ago, where we were fighting a pumped-up death slaad with AC of 40+. The tanks found it very difficult to hit him, and aid another came in very handy.

Besides which, standing still to make multiple attacks can be dangerous, because it lets the other guy make multiple attacks on you. When fighting things with lots of melee specials (improved grab, poison, ability drain, energy drain, etc), this is dicey.

I reckon melee PCS got teh shaft in high-level 3E.