I became a big fan of the
Knight Class a few months back. There is a lot of back-story involved, but the long and the short of it is that while I enjoy it, I feel the Knight's
problems are because they are too narrowly focused, and don't have much support.
So, I thought it might be a good idea to
give them at least a taste of the support other Classes have received over the course.
R1I'd like to brew up some Alternate Feat lists. I know a common fix is to give them access to the Fighter Feat list, but I think that steps on a Fighter's toes a little too much. I mean, a Fighter 9 and a Knight 5/Fighter 4 would have the same number & choices of Feats, but the Knight comes out ahead with more Hit Points & some other Class Feature goodies too.
Instead, I thought to just offer a few additional flavors, to add variety. I also want to key them to Ability Score prerequisites, to distinguish them from the "Generic Knight" from PH2. These are some I have so far:
Example Variant: "Brutal Commander"
Prerequisite: Str 13
2nd Level Bonus Feat: Replace Mounted Combat with Power Attack
Bonus Feat List: Replace former list with the following: Brutal Strike, Combat Brute, Greater Powerful Charge, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Shield Bash, Improved Sunder, Powerful Charge, Reckless Charge, Shield Charge, Shield Slam
Example Variant: "Unshakable Soldier"
Prerequisite: Dex 13
2nd Level Bonus Feat: Replace Mounted Combat with Combat Reflexes
Bonus Feat List: Replace former list with the following: Block Arrow, Bounding Assault, Dodge, Elusive Target, Expert Tactician, Heavy Armor Optimization, Improved Initiative, Mobility, Spring Attack, Stand Still
Example Variant: "Battle-Hardened Warrior"
Prerequisite: Wis 13
2nd Level Bonus Feat: Replace Mounted Combat with Combat Focus
Bonus Feat List: Replace former list with the following: Agile Shield Fighter, Blind-Fight, Combat Awareness, Combat Defense, Combat Stability, Combat Strike, Combat Vigor, Dodge, Improved Shield Bash, Shield Specialization
Example Variant: "Noble Leader"
Prerequisite: Cha 13
2nd Level Bonus Feat: Replace Mounted Combat with Battlefield Inspiration
Bonus Feat List: Replace former list with the following: Daunting Presence, Formation Expert, Frightful Presence, Goad, Improved Shieldmate, Intimidating Strike, Phalanx Fighting, Resounding Blow, Shieldmate, Shield Wall
I liked the way these 4 worked out, but I'm unsatisfied with the other variants I've tried so far. I still like how this concept has gone, so I'd like to stick with it. I could use some ideas for Constitution and Intelligence (I'm sure Combat Expertise would be involved with Int).
As an aside, I'd like to try to include Armor or Shield-related Feats in the mix.
R1aRacial variants would be a nice option to have also. Sadly, I only had ideas for two races, and I've never seen much love for Centaurs anywhere (I'm a big fan of them as a DM, though).
Example Variant: Dwarven Knight
A dwarven knight is known for his endurance and fortitude. Enemies and allies notice this relentless, indomitable spirit, which defines his presence on the battlefield.
Dwarven Racial Substitution Levels BAB Fort Ref Will Abilities
1 +1 +0 +0 +2 Fighting Challenge +1, Dwarven Knight's Challenge, Knight's Code
4 +4 +1 +1 +4 Dwarven Armor Proficiency, Test of Mettle
9 +9/+4 +3 +3 +6 Dwarven Armor Master
Dwarven Knight's Challenge: As Knight's Challenge, except a dwarven knight may use his Constitution modifier instead of his Charisma modifier for all abilities related to Knight's Challenge.
Dwarven Armor Proficiency: At 4th level, you gain Dwarven Armor Proficiency as a bonus feat.
Dwarven Armor Master (Ex): At 9th level, a dwarven knight ignores the speed reduction imposed by any exotic armor that affects even dwarves (such as mountain plate). You must have proficiency with the armor in order to gain this benefit.
Add the following to a dwarven knight's bonus feats list: Ancestral Knowledge, Battle Hardened, Clan Prestige, Moradin's Smile, and Titan Fighting.
Example Variant: Centaur Knight
The most successful mounted knights are defined by their horsemanship, but even the most adept riders are only trying to emulate the power and grace of centaur cavalry.
Prerequisite: Centaur
Lose: 2nd Level Bonus Feat
Gain: Starting at 2nd level, a centaur knight adds her hit dice to her knight level for the purposes of all knight's challenge related bonuses and Save DCs.
In addition, a centaur knight may always use a lance one-handed.
Replace former knight bonus feat list with the following: Bounding Assault, Centaur Charge, Centaur Trample, Combat Reflexes, Expeditious Dodge, Hold the Line, Mobility, Rapid Blitz, Sidestep Charge, and Spring Attack.
Centaur Charge [General]You're combination of power and mobility makes your charge attacks devastating.
Prerequisites: Centaur, Dodge, Mobility.
Benefit: When using the charge action, you deal double damage with a melee weapon (or triple damage with a lance).
When using Spring Attack, Bounding Assault, or Rapid Blitz, you may also make any or all of the attacks count as a charge. If you do, you can only make a single attack roll against any one opponent, and you must move a minimum of 10 ft in a straight line before you strike.
Special: A centaur fighter may select Centaur Charge as a bonus feat.
R2Somebody on another forum suggested Feats that work with Knight's Challenge the same way Divine Feats work with Turn Undead. The specific problem is scaling, as a 20th level Knight has
so many Knight's Challenges available. The items from MIC that work with the Knight's Challenges (the little support they
did get was neat) range from additional uses of Skill Tricks per encounter, to abbreviated-duration 5th level Spells (more or less).
I could see a Feat that simulates a Shield of Vigor, for example, that grants Fast Healing 5 for 3 rounds with a Swift Action use of Knight's Challenge, for example. The problem then would be when to let it become available. 9th level? Key it to BAB, or make it so you have to be a 9th level Knight specifically (maybe make Call to Battle a prerequisite, though that thematically makes no sense).
Perhaps you could spend multiple Knight's Challenges at once (like a Cleric can with DMM) to get a more potent effect, such as a Smite-like ability? Or let the bonuses to Fighting Challenge apply to Opposed Checks (Bull Rushes, Disarms, etc...that could be a low Prerequisite choice)?
Examples:
Defensive Challenge [Valor]You steel yourself against a specific enemy.
Prerequisite: Knight's Challenge class feature.
Benefit: Gain 2 additional daily uses of Knight's Challenge.
When making a Fighting Challenge, you may spend an additional 2 Knight's Challenges to have it also effect your defenses.
For the duration of your Fighting Challenge, your bonus applies as a Dodge bonus to AC in addition to its normal effects against that specific foe. You also gain Damage Reduction equal to your bonus against that specific foe. This stacks with any existing Damage Reduction you already possess.
Special: A Knight may choose Defensive Challenge as one of his bonus feats.
Facing the Many [Valor]Your presence influences groups as easily as individuals.
Prerequisite: Knight's Challenge class feature.
Benefit: Gain 2 additional daily uses of Knight's Challenge.
When making a Fighting Challenge, you may have your bonuses apply to more than one foe with the same action. For each additional opponent, you must spend 2 additional Knight's Challenges. These additional targets must also meet the requirements of Fighting Challenge.
When making a Call to Battle, you may grant a new Save to more than one ally with the same action. For each additional ally, you must spend 2 additional Knight's Challenges.
Special: A Knight may choose Facing the Many as one of his bonus feats.
Opposing Challenge [Valor]Inspired by a worthy foe, you act beyond your normal limits.
Prerequisites: Fighting Challenge +2 class feature.
Benefit: Gain 2 additional daily uses of Knight's Challenge.
When in a Fighting Challenge, you may spend 1 Knight's Challenge to gain a bonus on any opposed rolls (such as Bull Rush, Disarm, Grapple, Overrun, Sunder, and Trip attempts) equal to your Fighting Challenge bonus as an immediate action. This bonus lasts until the end of the turn.
Special: A Knight may choose Opposing Challenge as one of his bonus feats.
Radiance of Valor [Valor]A fearless demeanor strengthens the resolve in your allies, and the fear in your enemies.
Prerequisites: Daunting Challenge class feature.
Benefit: Gain 2 additional daily uses of Knight's Challenge.
Your Daunting Challenge affects foes once per encounter, instead of once per day.
When making a Daunting Challenge, you may spend 2 additional Knight's Challenges to make your opponents frightened, instead of shaken.
When making a Call to Battle, you may spend 2 additional Knight's Challenges to grant your allies a new save against any failed Will save, instead of a failed save against fear.
Special: A knight may choose Radiance of Valor as one of his bonus feats.
Rallying Champion [General]Your prowess inspires those following your direction, and they in turn motivate your efforts.
Prerequisites: Knight's Challenge class feature, Grant Move Action or Adrenaline Boost class feature.
Benefit: If you have levels in Knight and Marshal, those levels stack for the purposes of determining the bonuses you gain when using Fighting Challenge, and the bonus you grant with your Major Aura.
In addition, you may spend 2 Knight's Challenges to gain an additional use of Grant Move Action or Adrenaline Boost.
Special: A knight may choose Rallying Champion as one of his bonus feats.
I could use a lot of good ideas here too.
