Athasian Gladiator
Hit Die: d10
Requirements
To qualify to become a gladiator, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Base Attack: +5
Skills: Perform or Intimidate 4 ranks
Feats: Exotic Weapon (Any), Weapon Focus (Any)
Class Skills
Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Perform (Cha), Ride (Dex), Tumble (Dex)
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
lvl bab fort ref will Special
1 +1 +2 +0 +0 Unarmed Strike, Bonus Feat
2 +2 +3 +0 +0 Improvved Feint
3 +3 +3 +1 +1 Armor Optimization +1
4 +4 +4 +1 +1 Uncanny Dodge
5 +5 +4 +1 +1 Bonus Feat
6 +6 +5 +2 +2 Improvised Weapon, Armor Optimization +2
7 +7 +5 +2 +2 Improved Coup de Grace
8 +8 +6 +2 +2 Improved Uncanny Dodge
9 +9 +6 +3 +3 Bonus Feat, Armor Optimization +3
10 +10 +7 +3 +3 ?
Class Features
All of the following are Class Features of the gladiator prestige class.
Unarmed Strike: A gladiator fighting unarmed gains the benefit of the Improved Unarmed Strike feat.
Bonus Feat: The gladiator gains a bonus feat at 1st, 5th, and 9th level. These bonus feats must be chosen from either Exotic Weapon (Any), Weapon Focus (Any), or Weapon Specialization (Any).
Improved Feint: The gladiator has learned sneaky tactics such as kicking dirt in a foe’s face, pretending to be badly wounded, or forcing an opponent to stare into the sun. The gladiator can use the feinting in combat Bluff technique from the HPB as a move-equivalent action.
Armor Optimization: The gladiator receives a competence bonus while wearing any armor that they are proficient with. This bonus is lost anytime the gladiator is caught flat-footed, struck by an invisible attacker, or immobilized.
Uncanny Dodge (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, a gladiator retains his Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) regardless of being caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker. (He still loses any Dexterity bonus to AC if immobilized.)
If a character gains uncanny dodge from a second class the character automatically gains improved uncanny dodge (see below).
Here's the rest:
Improvised Weapons: At 6th level gladiators can use nearly anything at hand to attack his foes. Anything from a bone to a rock is a weapon with this ability. Regardless of the exact item, the weapon does 1d6 points of damage at your more advantageous number of attacks per round. Most items do bludgeoning damage, although a sharp piece of rock or obsidian would do slashing or piercing depending on the shape of the item. Long items (such as ladders) have reach according to their length, and items, and items with many protrusions (such as a chair) give a gladiator a +2 bonus on Disarm attempts. Finally, large items with broad, flat surfaces (such as tables) can be upended to become improvised tower shields.
Improved Coup de Grace: Beginning at 7th level gladiators can dispatch fallen foes quickly, or with great flair. The gladiator may use a melee weapon to deliver a coup de grace attacks as a standard action. If the character is being showy, they gladiator can take a full-round action to deliver the coup de grace attack, but gain a +2 morale bonus to attack for the rest of the combat.
Improved Uncanny Dodge (Ex): At 8th level, a gladiator can no longer be flanked, since he can react to opponents on opposite sides of him as easily as he can react to a single attacker. This defense denies rogues the ability to use flank attacks to sneak attack the gladiator. The exception to this defense is that a rogue at least four levels higher than the bard can flank him (and thus sneak attack him).
If a character gains uncanny dodge (see above) from a second class the character automatically gains improved uncanny dodge, and the levels from those classes stack to determine the minimum rogue level required to flank the character.
The improvised weapons should do the damage of what they are or {if they have no set damage}
1d3 if small(rock), 1d4 if medium(chair) or 1d6 if large(say a table)
That is all, move along.
maybe get 'Master Exotic Weapon' where the gladiator gets the benefits of weapon specialisation for a single exotic weapon.
But also the gladiator shouldnt get weapon spec as a bonus feat, hes not a straight fighter, and is getting bonuses a fighter doesnt.
and improved uncanny dodge says 'bard'
Originally posted by DracoChapel
and improved uncanny dodge says 'bard'
Not really. There's the Barbarian (Brute) and Rogue that have that ability. While the Athasian Bard and Rogue are similar in some respects, the Brute is probably closer to the Gladiator in many respects.
The exception to this defense is that a rogue at least four levels higher than the bard can flank him (and thus sneak attack him).
sorry i meant that it actually says bard
sorry i meant that it actually says bard
Yeah, my bad on the typo.
Other than the typos and the lack of a 10th level ability what do people think?
--Sysane, The Terror of Urik
But also the gladiator shouldnt get weapon spec as a bonus feat, hes not a straight fighter, and is getting bonuses a fighter doesnt.
Hence the PrC. You get abilities that the core classes don't with most PrC's. The gladiator will still need to have weapon focus inorder to get specialization in said weapon.
--Sysane, The Terror of Urik
I think you should grant some power to special attack options, like sunder and trip. Things like that seem perfect for a gladiator. Make the feats eligible for the bonus feats, or whatever, or make a separate ability where the gladiator can choose bonuses to certain special attacks.
My rationale for the weapon focus, exotic weapon, and weapon speciallization was that the old 2e gladiator were profencent in all weapons and had multi speciallizations.
I felt that giving a choice of either 3 as bonus feats best represented that ability.
I seriously at a loss was to give at 10th level though. I don't think two weapon fighting is the best choice.
I'm not to keen on the crowd goes wild ability do to it only being useful with scpectator's watching. That ability only seems usfel in the confines of the arena. And lets be honest, how often does that come up during a campaign especially at 10th level?
--Sysane, The Terror of Urik
--Sysane, The Terror of Urik
You could also have this PrC fork off into 3 types of Gladiators in a way similar to rangers, to cover some of the unique types of Gladiators.
-Exotic Weapons Master
-Matched Pair (which would naturally require a second gladiator)
-Jazst
just some thoughts.
What if at 10th level the Improved Coup de Grace gets bumped up to "Allies gain a +2 morale bonus to attack for the rest of the combat when they witness the gladiator preform a full-round coup de grace as well as the gladiator himself"?
--Sysane, The Terror of Urik
Originally posted by Sysane
Thoughts, comments? Especially on what to give as special ability at 10th level?
Ever thought of using SWRPG's martial arts feat system with this?
I'm considering it.
Ever thought of using SWRPG's martial arts feat system with this?
I'm not familiar with that system. Whats the skinny on it?
Originally posted by Sysane
I'm not familiar with that system. Whats the skinny on it?
Basic martial art feat basically replaces Improved Unarmed Combat. Your damage is 1d4 for medium, 1d3 for small, 1d6 for large, can crit on a 20 now, does not provoke AoO, etc.
Then there are three other feats: Defensive Martial Arts, Improved Martial Arts, and Advanced Martial Arts.
In the end, with all four feats, a medium character does 3d4 damage, threat range of 18-20, and a +2 bonus to AC.
I was planning on expanding this some and expand it into epic as well.
Its pretty good, but not what I'm looking for in an Athasian Gladiator. I dig the PrC I so far, but I'm iffy on the bonus feats and clueless what to give at 10th level.
I'm trying to keep the 2e feel but in 3.5 rule set.
Sorry, that's not very helpful, but I just see gladiator as a much more integral part of the game, and i think it ought to have it's own standard class... just my 2cp
the martial arts system in SWRPG sounds to me like the one in d20 modern, which you could also use, or look at the brawl unarmed combat tree (also from d20 modern) - can't remember the effects, but i think you end up doing lots of subdual damage
10 levels in a PrC with a blend of other classes (i.e. ranger, rouge, barbarian, fighter) better exemplify the varried types and flavors of gladiators than a standard class IMO.
Gladiator
Hit Die: d12
Requirements
To qualify to become Gladiator, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Base Attack Bonus: +5.
Skills: Intimidate 5 ranks, Bluff 3 ranks.
Feats: Exotic Weapon Prof (Any), and either Improved Sunder, Improved Disarm, or Improved Trip.
Class Skills
The gladiators class skills (and key ability for each skill) are Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), and Tumble (Dex).
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Class features
Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: Gladiators are proficient with all martial weapons and all light and medium armor.
Class
Level Base
Attack Bonus Fort
Save Ref
Save Will
Save Special
1st +1 +2 +0 +0 Unarmed Strike
2nd +2 +3 +0 +0 Mercy
3rd +3 +3 +1 +1 Armor Optimization +1
4th +4 +4 +1 +1 Signature Move +2
5th +5 +4 +1 +1 Weapon Mastery
6th +6 +5 +2 +2 Armor Optimization +2
7th +7 +5 +2 +2 Horrors of the Arena
8th +8 +6 +2 +2 Signature Move +4
9th +9 +6 +3 +3 Armor Optimization +3
10th +10 +7 +3 +3 No Mercy
Unarmed Strike: At 1st level, a Gladiator gains the Improved Unarmed Strike feat.
Mercy (Ex): The gladiator suffers no penalty to attack rolls for attacking with a weapon to inflict nonlethal damage.
Armor Optimization (Ex): The gladiator receives a competence bonus while wearing any armor that they are proficient with. This bonus is lost anytime the gladiator is caught flat-footed, struck by an invisible attacker, or immobilized.
Signature Move (Ex): The arena champion has developed a signature move. The exact technical nature of the move is up to the individual gladiator to develop, and it grants one of the following benefits. At 8th level, this bonus increases to +4.
A +2 competence bonus to opposed rolls concerning disarm attempts.
A +2 competence bonus to opposed rolls concerning trip attempts.
A +2 competence bonus to damage rolls concerning sunder attempts.
A +2 competence bonus to opposed Bluff and Sense Motive checks in combat.
Weapon Mastery (Ex): Gladiators are masters of all weapons, using anything that they can get their hands on. When using a weapon the Gladiator is not proficient with, the penalty on attack rolls is only -2 instead of the normal -4 penalty for wielding a weapon while not being proficient.
Horrors of the Arena (Ex): Because of long exposure to the vicious beasts and bloodsport of the arena, a gladiator gains a +2 morale bonus on saving throws against fear effects and a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm effects.
No Mercy (Ex): If an attack reduces an opponent below 0 hit points, the gladiator can attempt a coup de grace as a standard action rather than a full-round action.
Originally posted by Sysane
A gladiator really is just a specialty fighter in 3.5 terms. They honestly don't warrent a full 20 level progression as a standard class.
10 levels in a PrC with a blend of other classes (i.e. ranger, rouge, barbarian, fighter) better exemplify the varried types and flavors of gladiators than a standard class IMO.
I dont add my point of view often, but here it is.
Usually a PrC is a specialized type of a generic class, just as Sysane said. Then, since MOST gladiator are born in slaves pens, formed in the merchant house, and brought to the arena, how can they start with another class and then engage on the gladiator way?
I mean, a slave will not start as a fighter, ranger or anything else... He will start as a gladiator.
See?
Personnaly I want to see more gladiator PrCs like Jon's Arena Champion. Bring some on!
Put your creative energies not into a PrC that attempts to replace the core class, but into supporting PrCs that expand upon the basic abilities of the core class (if you don't like the core class, there's the chance of creating a PrC that answers some of your qualms and is so good no one will be able to refuse taking levels in it...).
No it's not official.
Originally posted by NytCrawlr
No it's not official.
I'm grieviously insulted by you knowing me so well. :D
Originally posted by Pennarin
I'm grieviously insulted by you knowing me so well. :D
LOL, that wasn't geared toward you, hehe.
It's all good.
Requirements... some mid level Gladiator ability.
It would feature a limited "telepathic" ability in combat... the two gladiators, as long as they were in combat, and knew the other was in combat, could anticipate the others moves to such an extent that the players can communicate with one another, as long as they have a general idea where the other is. This is not actual telepathy, so anti-psionics cannot break the bond.
They get a +1 bonus to aid another checks when working with their "match"
they can make an aid another check a move action instead of a standard. (or a standard instead of a full, if that is the case. Later becoming a move action to aid their match)
At higher levels they get the opportunist theif ability as long as it is their match making the attack, and they are adjacent to one another.
They can use their 5-foot step to switch places.
One could build upon the Assistance and Teamwork feats from DS3.
Perhaps using the Complete Warrior's idea of Tactical Feats (pg 110) to create a Matched-Pair feat...
But instead of "telepathy", it should be about preprogrammed moves that one or the other initiates. Maybe a class ability that allows you to reroll X/day when you see your partner is in trouble: say, it has failed what it wanted to do and only your anticipation of her every move allows you to be there in time (reroll).
I mean, a slave will not start as a fighter, ranger or anything else... He will start as a gladiator.
In most cases they would be trained as a fighter. Fighter after all being sort of a generic catch all "warrior" type class. As his career goes on he would take other classes based on the type of fighting style.
A gladiator which fights along side a beast would more than likely take some levels in ranger. One who fights with a partner could take a rogue level or two (i.e flanking and sneak attack).
A gladiator is someone who fights for the entertainment of others. So any being thrown in the area would be termed or coined a "gladiator".
Look at it this way. You could logical be called, and be, an assassin with out taking a level in the actual assassin PrC (i.e. some hires some else to kill for money). That is unless you think that assassin needs to be a core 20 level class it self as well?
Heh?
Another suggestion for the matched-pair prestige class: in Sword & Fist, there is a feat named "Dual strike". If both you and your partner have this feat and flank an opponent you don't get only +2 on attack rolls because of flanking, but +4! This would be a good prerequisite for the PrC.
Another suggestion for the matched-pair prestige class: in Sword & Fist, there is a feat named "Dual strike". If both you and your partner have this feat and flank an opponent you don't get only +2 on attack rolls because of flanking, but +4! This would be a good prerequisite for the PrC.
Theres a PrC from a old Dragon (don't remember the issue #). It was something to do with a group called the Splintered Mind that opposed the Scarlet Brotherhood in GH. The PrC had abilities that worked off partnering with someone (i.e. flank bonuses, improbed AC, shared BAB, etc).
I could dig it up if the demand is there for the exact details.
I'm not good at all on the mechanics of special attacks (overrun, grapple, etc), so if someone wants to tackle it, I'll be able to post a finished version of the PrC.
You can find examples of tactical feats in the Complete Warrior. They follow specific rules, among them that they provide 3 different combat tactics.
Here's what I'm looking for: A tactical feat that allows for the making of easier trip, disarm, feint, etc. One partner distracts or disables the opponent while the other makes the kill. Both partners must have the feat to receive its benefits.
Any volunteers?