New way to burn through action points

[Emirikol]

New way to burn through action points:

"Avert Critical: By spending one action point you can de-confirm a critical. You block the blow just enough to destroy your weapon, shield, or cause 2 armor class points. Repair of armor is by simple percentage."

We just started using it. My players love it. Now they REALLY have a reason to carry a shield or a parrying weapon (even if they aren't attacking with it!).

Thoughts?

jh

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

I have a similar HR.. altho a bit expanded...and generaly involves destroyed shields, but makes them much more likely be to found on the battlefield.

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You can spend an AoO or an Action point to block an attack with your shield *. The attack must first overcome the shields hardness and hit points before damaging you. The shield loses 1 point of AC protection and 2 points of hardness for each 10 points of damage done to it. If the shields hps are exceeded, it is completely destroyed.
Keep in mind that each plus of a magical shield adds +2 to the hardness and +10 hit points.

* You must announce this after the attack succeeds but before damage is rolled
* this means an object striking and dealing damage, not area effect spells, rays, etc..

{added}
Feat: Shield Expert
You have learned to better utilized your shield to defend yourself. You gain a dodge bonus equal to the number of attacks you may take in a normal full attack action.

Feat: Improved Shield Block [General/Fighter]
Prereq: BAB +4, Shield Expert
You excel at protecting your weak spots. When blocking an attack with your shield, the attacks critical multiplier is reduced by 1 and the shield gains +5 hardness against the attack.

Feat: Greater Improved Shield Block [General/Fighter]
Prereq: BAB +8, Improved Shield Block
You have mastered the defensive art of the shield. When blocking an attack with your shield, the attacks critical multiplier is further reduced by 1 {total of 2} and the shield gains +5 hardness against the attack {total of +10}

Feat: Deflecting Shield [General/Fighter]
Prereq: 5 ranks in Spellcraft, Shield Expert
You have learned to deflect energy attacks. You can perform a shield block against elemental energy attacks that offer a REF save, like draconic breath weapons, area affect spells, and rays. Additionally, you gain a +5 bonus to the REF save against the attack.

Feat: Improved Deflecting Shield [General/Fighter]
Prereq: Deflecting Shield
You have mastered the deflection of energy attacks. When blocking an energy attack with your shield, the shield gains +10 hardness and you gain a +5 bonus to the REF save against the attack. {total of +10}

 

[comrade raoul]

Awesome idea. Have you used this rule in higher-level games, where magic weapons and shields get super-expensive? (And where it's usually worth dying to save your magic sword?)

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

Sorry... I don't run high level campaigns altho my usual home setting is low magic items...
I think the rule fits better with 'expendable' shields, altho a simple mend spell after most fights would fix things right up...as long as they aren't complety destroyed...

 

[Bayonet_Chris]

Yoink

I like this a lot. I think I'll take it.

 

[Wolfspider]

I like the idea of spending an Action Point to nullify a crit, but I think having to sacrifice a weapon, shield, or armor quality is too much. The action point is enough of a payment.