Description
Bodyguards are wardens with powers to shield others from harm and react to danger with equal parts focus and fury. Their abilities aren’t strictly defensive; they are trained to kill swiftly, not to endlessly absorb punishment until more help arrives. Bodyguards come from all walks of life, though the job is most suited for fighters, rangers, paladins, rogues, and monks who have the necessary mix of martial prowess and combat reflexes.
A character can achieve a maximum of 5 levels in the Bodyguard prestige class.
Requirements
Class Features
| Hit die: d8 |
| Proficiencies: none |
| Skill points: 4 + Int modifier |
| Class skills: Concentration, Diplomacy, Heal, Intimidate, Listen, Lore: History, Lore: Local, Lore: Nobility and Royalty, Search, Spot, Parry. |
| Base attack bonus progression: High |
| Saving throws | high: | Reflex, Will |
| low: | Fortitude |
Class Progression
| Level | Features Gained |
|---|---|
| 1 | Protective Aura I |
| 2 | Guarding the Lord x3 |
| 3 | Frantic Reactions |
| 4 | Protective aura II |
| 5 | All-Out Assault x1 |
Protective Aura
At 1st level, the Bodyguard gains an aura that grants +2 to all saving throws, +1 deflection bonus to armor class for all allies within 10 feet. This bonus does NOT apply to the Bodyguard, only to their allies. At 4th level, this bonus increases to +3 saving throws, +2 deflection bonus, and the protection extends to allies within 15 feet.
Guarding the Lord
Beginning at 2nd level, the Bodyguard can protect one selected ally within 30 feet. This protection acts as the Shield Other spell cast at the Bodyguard's character level. The only difference with the spell is that the target only takes 30% damage (instead of 50%), and the Bodyguard takes half the initial damage rounded down (instead of the remaining). This ability can be used three times per day.
Frantic Reactions
At 3rd level, the Bodyguard can rush across the battlefield and defeat the enemies plaguing their allies. This translates to a 10% increase in movement speed, +2 bonus to AC against attacks of opportunity provoked by movement and +2d6 sneak attack damage.
All-Out Assault
At 5th level, the Bodyguard can concentrate for a round and focus their strength, making all of their melee attacks for the next five rounds inflict maximum damage. However, at the end of every round except the first the Bodyguard takes 5 points of damage from the incredible strain. This ability can be used once every 5 minutes.
- The 5 points of damage are Magical, so a damage reduction of 5 Magical will prevent this 20 points of damage.
- Only some damage modifiers are maximized:
- Physical damage modifiers (additional bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing) are maximized.
- non-Physical damage modifiers (e.g. Cold, Magical, Acid) are not maximized.
- Sneak Attack damage is not maximized.