Eberron: Citadel Elite

[Balord]

I was just wondering what everyone thinks of this prestige class, called Citadel Elite, found in Sharn:City of towers (page 164). Do you think the Combat Sense abilities are too powerful, given the bonus feats and other abilities this class also gives you?

 

[Balord]

For those not familiar with the Citadel Elite class, read the following.
(Note - this is from memory, not copied from the book)

Hit Die d8
Skills 4 + int per level
Will saves large, Fort and Reflex small

Level Attack Special
1 1 +2 Diplomacy, Gather Info, Search, Sense Motive
2 2 Combat Sense (defense), Bonus Feat
3 3 Diplomatic Immunity, Royal Contact
4 4 Combat Senxe (offense), Bonus Feat
5 5 Disciplined Mind, Focused Smite 1/day

Combat Sense (defense) = +1 insight bonus to AC per level of this class. (+1 at 1st level, +2 at 2nd, +3 at 3rd, etc.)

Diplomatic Immunity and Royal Contact = Don't remember the exact wording. Basically, they are what they sound like. Diplomatic Immunity is almost like a liscence to kill, and a royal contact is someone you can contact who can give you info.

Combat Sense (offense) = When making attacks, you may ignore (up to a maximum number equal to your class level) the dex and dodge bonuses your foes apply to their AC. For example, if you are a 3rd level Citadel Elite, you may ignore UP TO 3 pts of your foes' dex and dodge bonuses to AC when making an attack against them. If your foe has a dex bonus of +2 and no other dodge bonuses, that foe's AC is essentially lowered by 2. If your foe has a dex bonus of +4, that foe's AC is essentially lowered by a maximum of 3. (I hope this is clear enough.)

Disciplined Mind = ignore fear effects, and add wis bonus to fortitude saves along with Con bonus.

Focused Smite = Once per day you may add your wis bonus to one attack roll, and if you succeed on your attack, add your character level to the damage dealt.

I don't remember all the requirements for this class, but I know they need a base attack of +7, along with 3 ranks in diplomacy and gather info.

What are your thoughts on this prestige class? The Citadel Elite are described as having been trained to be the best of the best, but are they too powerful? Is this class broken?

 

[Kast]

I don't think the PrC is overpowering.

The Citadel Elite is pretty much the James Bond of the Kingdom of Breland. There are a lot of IG requirements; you have to be an agent of the Citadel to begin with and be from Breland and be Lawful in AL. Also the character stat requirements to qualify fly in the face of each other making a quick build to this PrC difficult. It is mostly a defensive fighter designed for espionage and one-on-one combat encounters.

Furthermore, the Diplomatic Protection and Royal Contact abilities are dependent on the PC acting within a mandate ultimately determined by the DM, making it difficult to abuse by the player.