Devoted Defender help

[yoritomoshomey]

Hello,

I am getting back into D&D and a friend has invited me into a 3.5e game he is playing in. I have played a Devoted Defender character in the past and was wanting to play one again. The DM is ok with me using a 3.0 PrC since it was not updated to 3.5. I have looked over the PrC from Shining South that is similar, but like the original version better (I can be swayed though if the argument is good).

That being said, can I get some help from the community on building this character. Any ideas will help as I'm VERY rusty with feats, races, etc. I guess I'm going for a hardy character with the best AC possible. I haven't joined the group yet, so I haven't rolled stats yet. Let me know if there is any other info I can provide.

I look forward to your suggestions. Thanks in advance,

Dave

 

[Dandu]

Can you include more information on the Devoted Defender's abilities, prerequisites, etc?

A word on AC optimization: if you are unable to do anything but stand in front of an enemy and absorb attacks, you're really narrowing your contributions to the party.

 

[yoritomoshomey]

Can you include more information on the Devoted Defender's abilities, prerequisites, etc?

Prerequisites

Base Attack Bonus: +5.
Feats: Alertness, Weapon Focus (any melee).
Search: 4 ranks.
Sense Motive: 4 ranks.​

Spot: 4 ranks.

Class Features

HD: d12
Skill Points: 2
Attack: Fighter
Good Save: Ref, Fort.
Weap: Simple, Martial​

Armor: All

Skills

Str: Climb, Jump.
Int: Profession, Search.
Wis: Innuendo,
Listen, Spot, Sense Motives​

A word on AC optimization: if you are unable to do anything but stand in front of an enemy and absorb attacks, you're really narrowing your contributions to the party.

For now, that's what I'm looking to do. Keep whatever party memeber needs the help alive.

This character will probably be starting in the 10-12th level range.

Thanks,

Dave

 

[Dandu]

For now, that's what I'm looking to do. Keep whatever party memeber needs the help alive.

Since there is no way to simply prevent the enemy from walking around you, you should probably get Combat Reflexes, Combat Expertise, and Improved Trip, along with a Spiked Chain so that you can at least make yourself some sort of obstacle.

You will probably want to take a first level in Rogue for the extra skill points at least. Alertness is a really crappy feat, but there's no other way to get it unless you want to take levels in Sorcerer or Wizard and get a familiar.

 

[yoritomoshomey]

Since there is no way to simply prevent the enemy from walking around you, you should probably get Combat Reflexes, Combat Expertise, and Improved Trip, along with a Spiked Chain so that you can at least make yourself some sort of obstacle.

You will probably want to take a first level in Rogue for the extra skill points at least. Alertness is a really crappy feat, but there's no other way to get it unless you want to take levels in Sorcerer or Wizard and get a familiar.

Ah, that's the best part of the Devoted Defender. The enemies HAVE to attack me if they attack my charge (i.e. - the person I am defending).

I didn't know if I could post class abilities, but here's the first level ability (which is what I am most interested in):

Harm's Way - Begining at 1st level, the devoted defender may elect to place (themself) in the path of danger in order to protect (their) single charge. Anytime you are within 5 feet of your charge, and your charge suffers an attack, you may switch places with your charge and receive the attack in (their) place. You must declare this before the attack roll is made. You select your charge when you roll initiative, and it is a free action to do so. You may not change your charge for the duration of combat.

So I guess what I'm looking for are feats that will help boost my defense (AC, HP, etc) and races that might be good for this build. Right now I am looking at Human and Whisper Gnome as possibilities. We can use level adjustment races/templates.

Thanks,

Dave

 

[Dandu]

Steadfast Determination from the PHB2 lets you add your Con modifier to will saves, which you will probably find useful.

 

[Dross]

There is 1-2 feats that allow you to use your shield bonus on touch attacks, maybe in PHB2

I'd see if using the tower shield as cover would work as it may provide better protection in some cases.

Besides AC, items that provide miss chances also good (i.e. blink).

Improved Toughness for HP.

MiniHP has:
Second Wind for minor healing,
Distracting Attack to help protect others (suffer a -1 to hit if they don't attack you). I'd talk to the DM about whether this -1 still occurs if you place yourself in harm's way though.