New Feat: Alert Allies

[gamecat]

Shoot bullet-holes in this feat. Prove to me it isn't broken, kindly? I'm afraid it weakens sneak-attackers, but have at it.

Alert Allies [General]
With a timely cry of alarm, you can protect your allies from being caught unawares.
Prerequisites: Cha 13+, Alertness, Improved Initiative..
Benefits: During a surprise round, you may spend your entire action to alert your allies. One ally per point of your charisma bonus is not considered flat-footed, even if they are unable to act during the surprise round.

 

[Ferret]

I would say that was ok, perhaps until quite a bit latter when you might have lots of Cha. You might have an 18 to start with it, which wouldn't be so balanced. If there is a neat way to take down the number you alert it might be better, but at the moment it is fine.

It would be nicer if there was a way it could scale though...

 

[Goolpsy]

isn't a player generally flat-footet until it is his turn..? Which this feat negate. but well since it only works during a suprise round, and there aint that many of them.. i would say its about ok (u still have to be faster than the rogue)

 

[ARandomGod]

isn't a player generally flat-footet until it is his turn..? Which this feat negate. but well since it only works during a suprise round, and there aint that many of them.. i would say its about ok (u still have to be faster than the rogue)

Yea, you can only do this during the surprise round, which means you have to get into the surprise round yourself... and you still have to beat the other participants in the surprise round. I think it's pretty balanced. A little on the strong side, but also giving up something for your character (a feat and an action in the surprise round) in exchange for helping the group. I'd allow it.

 

[Ferret]

In second thoughts it should be ok. Surprise rounds don't happen to ofter, and when they do you won't always know about it.

 

[the Jester]

Huh... interesting.

Good prereqs (one great feat, one feat generally considered poor), cool effect... I like it, but would have to closely examine it for brokenability...

Will mull this one over.

 

[Andre]

Shoot bullet-holes in this feat. Prove to me it isn't broken, kindly? I'm afraid it weakens sneak-attackers, but have at it.

Alert Allies [General]
With a timely cry of alarm, you can protect your allies from being caught unawares.
Prerequisites: Cha 13+, Alertness, Improved Initiative..
Benefits: During a surprise round, you may spend your entire action to alert your allies. One ally per point of your charisma bonus is not considered flat-footed, even if they are unable to act during the surprise round.

I wouldn't limit it to a surprise round. As has been pointed out, it requires two other feats. It's limited by the character's Cha mod. And it only affects allies who move after the character. Best of all, this is the kind of tactical, cooperative play I try to encourage in my players.

I would suggest making it a standard action and allow it to be used at any time (tho, realistically, it will only be used on a surprise round or on the first round of combat). Note, it should only negate flat-footed due to surprise/start of combat. Feats, skills, and abilities that consider a target as flat-footed would not be affected, e.g., Flick of the Wrist.

 

[ARandomGod]

I wouldn't limit it to a surprise round. As has been pointed out, it requires two other feats. It's limited by the character's Cha mod. And it only affects allies who move after the character. Best of all, this is the kind of tactical, cooperative play I try to encourage in my players.

I would suggest making it a standard action and allow it to be used at any time (tho, realistically, it will only be used on a surprise round or on the first round of combat). Note, it should only negate flat-footed due to surprise/start of combat. Feats, skills, and abilities that consider a target as flat-footed would not be affected, e.g., Flick of the Wrist.

Good points, and the text should be altered to reflect those restrictions on when it can remove flatfootedness. I agree that it shouldn't necessarily be limited to the surprise round, as it's quite possible that someone with this feat might not make the surprise round, but still might act first (or at least before someone else) at the start of combat.