Thief Acrobat

Description

Like any large guild, a thieves' guild has many specialists within its ranks - pickpockets, burglars, swindlers, and even highway robbers. None of these, however, have the prestige of a thief-acrobat - the superlative second-story burglar who is infamous for daring escapades across the city's rooftops.

The thief-acrobat excels at getting into and out of places no one else can. If every street-level entrance to the Jewelers' Guildhouse is locked and well guarded, the thief-acrobat simply jumps atop the building from the roof of a nearby inn, throws a grappling hook to the highest minaret, runs up the attached rope to a shuttered window, and quickly picks the lock. Should her escape go awry once she has the goods, her gymnastic combat style keeps her out of harm's way.

Most thief-acrobats began as rogues and worked their way up through the guild's ranks. Members of other classes - particularly the barbarian and illusionist - often find the acrobatics and climbing skills of the thief acrobat prestige class quite attractive as well.

Adventuring parties often encounter a thief-acrobat in the midst of some crime. Sometimes, however, a thief-acrobat hires adventurers to help with particularly dangerous capers, or even to create diversions while she works.

Requirements

Feats: Evasion, Dash, Skill Focus: Tumble or Skill Focus: Escape Artist

Skills: Acrobatics 10 ranks, Escape Artist 10 ranks

Class Features

Hit die: d6

Proficiencies: None

Skill points: 6 + Int modifier

Class skills: Acrobatics, Appraise, Athletics, Escape Artist, Hide, Move Silently, Open Lock, Perform, Search

Base attack bonus progression: High

Saving throws	high:	Reflex
	low:	Will, Fortitude

Class Progression

Level	Features Gained
1	Kip Up
2	Agile Fighting 1
3	Improved Knockdown
4	Agile Fighting 2, Springboard, Skill Mastery (Acrobatics)
5	Improved Evasion

Kip Up (Ex)

At 1th level, as a free action, a thief-acrobat may immediately stand up from any prone position. She may only do this if she is wearing light or no armor and is unencumbered.

Agile Fighting (Ex)

A whirling, spinning thief-acrobat is a devilishly difficult target. Starting at 2nd level, a thief-acrobat gains a +1 dodge bonus to Armor Class. After 4th level and when using combat expertise this bonus becomes +2. This bonus is only applied if she is wearing light or no armor and is unencumbered. At 4th level, Agile Fighting also grants Knockdown immunity.

Improved Knockdown (Ex)

At 3rd level, the thief-acrobat gains Improved Knockdown as a bonus feat.

Springboard (Ex)

The thief-acrobat somersaults into the air, bouncing off any foes in her way to pass beyond them nimbly and gaining a +4 Dodge Bonus to AC for 2 rounds. In addition, any foes she touches during these gymnastics must pass a fortitude save (DC 10 + TA level *2 + Dex mod) or be stunned for one rounds. The Thief Acrobat may use this ability as often as once per minute as long as she is wearing light or no armor and is unencumbered.

Skill Mastery (Acrobatics) (Ex)

At level 4, a character with skill mastery can't roll less than 5 for the selected skill, even in combat.

Improved Evasion (Ex)

A 5th-level thief-acrobat can avoid damage from certain attacks with a successful Reflex save and takes only half damage on a failed save. She may only do this if she is wearing light or no armor and is unencumbered.

Update:

• New feature: Skill Mastery (Acrobatics), level 4. A character with skill mastery can't roll less than 5 for the selected skills, , even in combat.
• Thief Acrobats can no longer use their abilities while using a shield heavier than light.

• Kip-up is now level 1, and only grants guaranteed success on kip-up checks (see Acrobatics skill in Skills section).

• Springboard is now a buff to the Acrobatics action rather than a separate action. The feat will have its cooldown triggered when Tumble is used, so the Springboard feat can still be used to monitor this, but Springboard cooldown only affects the springboard-specific effects. When you use Tumble, if you have Springboard available, it will perform its stun/AC boost and trigger the cooldown when using the Tumble action if the enemy fails their saving throw (DC 10 + TA level *2 + Dex mod). If Springboard is on CD, you can still use Tumble, but it will not perform the springboard effects until the CD is available again.