[3.5 ToB] Modding the Ruby Knight Vindicator

[CharlesCS]

I'm presently playing a Crusader, with plans to go Crusader 4 / [Consecrated] Cleric 1 / Warblade 1, and thence to RKV.

However, my DM has some concerns about the class.

As background, the game world we're in uses the Forgotten Realms deities as a starting point, but doesn't hew to every twist and turn of the FR cosmology. The major deities are represented by cities or regions, which represent that deity's values. My character is from "Helm", the warrior city; others in our party are from Waukeen or Kushiel (from the Jacqueline Carey novels; there's nothing equivalent in FR and the cleric's concept closely fits that particular ethos).

Here's what he had to say:

Helm isn't particularly about speed, subtlety or stealth. If you wanted that class, but wanted to modify it a bit so it was more about defending, guarding, and vigilance, that would be great. I would call you a Stonewall Champion or something along those lines.

I don't like Armored Stealth or Divine Impetus as class abilities, and I suspect that I will have problems with the Shadow Hand discipline, but I'm not sure about that. I'll have to research disciplines a bit more.

Later he added:

The requisite skill will not be 'hide'. The discipline will be either Diamond Mind or Setting Sun, not Shadow Hand. You get to pick which, though my general feeling is that Setting Sun is slightly more appropriate.

If you are still interested, I would like you to come up with class abilities in place of Armored Stealth and Divine Impetus. Borrowing abilities from other classes that are granted at similar levels would be preferred, but if you can come up with some good abilities from scratch, that would be fine too.

So, two questions for the assembled multitude:

• Diamond Mind or Setting Sun?  (I think Diamond Mind is a better choice, but I could be convinced otherwise.)
• What should replace Armored Stealth and Divine Impetus?  One possibility I'm considering is two bonus feats: at 7th level, a tactical feat for any discipline to which the character has access; and at 4th, the prerequisite for the tactical feat, with the proviso that the character must meet all other prerequisites for either feat. For example, Devoted Bulwark and Faith Unswerving for the Devoted Spirit discipline.

Gentlebeings, the floor is yours.

[RobbyPants]

Diamond Mind or Setting Sun?  (I think Diamond Mind is a better choice, but I could be convinced otherwise.)

Diamond Mind, definately.  It's one of the best, if not the best, discipline.

What should replace Armored Stealth and Divine Impetus?  One possibility I'm considering is two bonus feats: at 7th level, a tactical feat for any discipline to which the character has access; and at 4th, the prerequisite for the tactical feat, with the proviso that the character must meet all other prerequisites for either feat. For example, Devoted Bulwark and Faith Unswerving for the Devoted Spirit discipline.

I don't have a good answer for you on that.  IIRC, Divine Impetus is a pretty potent ability, and it will be tough to convince a DM to give you something equally powerful.

Some feat or ability triggered off of Turn attempts or something that boosts turn attempts might be appropriate.

[CharlesCS]

Diamond Mind or Setting Sun?  (I think Diamond Mind is a better choice, but I could be convinced otherwise.)

Diamond Mind, definately.  It's one of the best, if not the best, discipline.

After further conversation with the DM, he agrees that Diamond Mind is a better fit than Setting Sun.   

What should replace Armored Stealth and Divine Impetus?  One possibility I'm considering is two bonus feats: at 7th level, a tactical feat for any discipline to which the character has access; and at 4th, the prerequisite for the tactical feat, with the proviso that the character must meet all other prerequisites for either feat. For example, Devoted Bulwark and Faith Unswerving for the Devoted Spirit discipline.

I don't have a good answer for you on that.  IIRC, Divine Impetus is a pretty potent ability, and it will be tough to convince a DM to give you something equally powerful.

Some feat or ability triggered off of Turn attempts or something that boosts turn attempts might be appropriate.

Haven't had much time to mull it over this weekend, but thank you for your suggestion.  I've also posted this question in The Other Place, but none of the 27 people who've viewed it had anything to day. 

[RobbyPants]

If I get a chance tonight, I can look over Armored Stealth and Divine Impetus more closely to see if I can find a good thematic fit.  I don't know anything about the FR setting or Helm, so I can't say my suggestion will be a better fit.

[Bozwevial]

Hmm. Divine Impetus could be replaced by, say, the ability to burn turn attempts to, say, act out of turn in order to fulfill the defense/vigilance motif. The precise mechanic is up to you, but you might not even have to change the name.

[RobbyPants]

If you use a shield, the Divine Shield feat from Complete Warrior might be nice thematically.  You spend a turn attempt to gain an AC bonus equal to your Cha mod for a bit.

[CharlesCS]

Back in The Other Place, it's been suggested that Armored Stealth be replaced with something like the Knight class's Armor Mastery features, which remove speed reductions from medium -- and later, heavy -- armor.  It won't improve stealth (which is all right, given its de-emphasis) but otherwise makes sense for a heavily-armored warrior.  This sounds like a reasonable substitution to me.

I think I'll ask my DM for details on his specific objections to the Divine Impetus class feature.  The suggestion from elsewhere is that if this is absolutely forbidden, then I should press for getting additional maneuvers or substantial competence bonuses on attacks and damage when using a particular discipline.

Thank you all for your suggestions so far.