Threat (3.5e Class)

Author: Rithaniel (talk) Date Created: July 22, 2009 Status: Finished. Editing: Please discuss before editting.

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Elijah Dark, a Tiefling Threat.

Threat

A threat is someone who fights brutally, and does not back down from a challenge. They are steel-minded individuals who can destroy all in their path, breaking bones and shattering rock alike. A threat is a vicious warrior who can be compared to a pit fighter, considering that they pull no punches. Though, in the process of getting in the thick of a battle, they learn to turn off the pain receptors in their brain, and become numb to the harm that befalls them. A threat is exactly what their namesake implies, they are threatening.

Making a Threat

A threat is a front-line combatant above all else, one who can destroy his enemies with unsettling ease, and who can hold an enemy in their place with a force that few can muster. They are warriors who can crush fortifications and enemies alike, given they have enough time to do so. A threat is a feared force upon the battlefield, and rightfully so, for they can strike things with a force that is rarely ever seen.

Abilities: Strength is the first and most important ability score to a threat, since it determines the threat's ability to put out damage. Next in order of importance to a threat comes Constitution, so that the threat can have enough hit points to survive long enough to put out some major damage. Next comes Dexterity, so that the threat can up his AC, allowing himself to survive longer. Lastly, Wisdom, Intelligence, and Charisma all are of the least importance to a threat. Though, Wisdom could be favored to cover this class's bad Will save, and both Intelligence and Charisma could help a threat to have some skill-based ability.

Races: Any.

Alignment: Any.

Starting Gold: 3d6×10 gp (105 gp).

Starting Age: Simple, As rogue.

Table: The Threat

Hit Die: d12

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Special
		Fort	Ref	Will
1st	+1	+2	+2	+0	Fearless, Mighty Blow
2nd	+2	+3	+3	+0	Numb +1
3rd	+3	+3	+3	+1	Uncanny Dodge
4th	+4	+4	+4	+1	Numb +2
5th	+5	+4	+4	+1	Unnatural Force
6th	+6/+1	+5	+5	+2	Improved Uncanny Dodge, Numb +3
7th	+7/+2	+5	+5	+2	Titanic Strength
8th	+8/+3	+6	+6	+2	Numb +4
9th	+9/+4	+6	+6	+3	Merciless
10th	+10/+5	+7	+7	+3	Improved Unnatural Force, Numb +5
11th	+11/+6/+1	+7	+7	+3	Endure
12th	+12/+7/+2	+8	+8	+4	Numb +6
13th	+13/+8/+3	+8	+8	+4	Unnatural Dodge
14th	+14/+9/+4	+9	+9	+4	Great Titanic Strength, Numb +7
15th	+15/+10/+5	+9	+9	+5	Greater Unnatural Force
16th	+16/+11/+6/+1	+10	+10	+5	Numb +8
17th	+17/+12/+7/+2	+10	+10	+5	Stubborn
18th	+18/+13/+8/+3	+11	+11	+6	Numb +9
19th	+19/+14/+9/+4	+11	+11	+6	Unbreakable
20th	+20/+15/+10/+5	+12	+12	+6	Mighty Unnatural Force, Numb +10
Class Skills (4 + Int modifier per level, ×4 at 1st level) Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Diplomacy (Cha), Gather Information (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Listen (Wis), Ride (Dex), Search (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex).

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the threat.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A threat is proficient with all simple and martial weapons and with light, medium armor, and shields, but not tower shields.

Fearless: A threat is simply someone who doesn't flinch, no matter what they are faced with. A threat is immune to all fear effects.

Mighty Blow: Threats are dangerous warriors, who can devastate even the most resolute defense, and slaughter even far more practiced veterans. A number of times per day equal to twice his threat level, a threat may declare any single melee attack he makes to be a 'mighty blow'. A mighty blow is treated as a normal attack in all respects, except for the fact that it deals untyped bonus damage equal to the threat's Strength modifier; this bonus damage stacks with the normal damage that would be derived from the threat's Strength score. A threat may declare multiple attacks in a single round as mighty blows, but he cannot gain the benefit of a mighty blow more than once on a single attack.

Numb: As a threat grows more accustomed to battle, he begins to grow unfeeling, and numb to the things that seek to kill him. At second level, a threat gains a +1 resistance bonus to his Fortitude save and a +1 enhancement bonus to his natural armor (treat a character that has no natural armor as merely having +0 natural armor). This resistance bonus to the threat's Fortitude save and enhancement bonus to his natural armor increases by an additional +1 every even level after second (4^th, 6^th, 8^th, etc.).

Uncanny Dodge (Ex): A threat's heart rests upon the battlefield, and he can always be ready for something to come at him. Starting at third level, a threat can react to danger before his senses would normally allow him to do so. He retains his Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) even if he is caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker. However, he still loses his Dexterity bonus to AC if immobilized.

If a threat already has uncanny dodge from a different class, he automatically gains improved uncanny dodge (see below) instead.

Unnatural Force (Ex): Threats don't let things past them, now matter big they may be, or think they are. At fifth level, a threat is considered one size category larger for the purpose of opposed rolls on bull rush, grapple, overrun, and trip checks and for qualifying against special attacks that can only be used against opponents of a certain size category (such as improved grab or trample). If this ability increases the threat's effective size past colossal, then the threat gains an additional +4 to their opposed rolls on bull rush, grapple, overrun, and trip checks for each size category larger than colossal he is considered.

Improved Uncanny Dodge (Ex): A threat can feel the sway of a battlefield, and can feel when something is coming at him, no matter where it is coming from. A threat of sixth level or higher can no longer be flanked. This defense denies a rogue the ability to sneak attack the character by flanking him, unless the rogue has at least four more rogue levels than the threat.

Titanic Strength (Ex): A threat eventually grows so strong, that he can swing weapons with enough force to tear apart virtually anything with a single strike. At seventh level, any weapon a threat wields deals damage as though it were one size category larger. The weapon is not actually larger and therefore is still treated as a weapon of its original size category. This increase in damage only applies if the weapon is in the hands of the threat.

Merciless: Threats eventually learn to rip through their enemies with so much force, that they barely ever get back up. At ninth level, a threat gains the ability to, after declaring an attack to be a mighty blow, expend a single additional use of his mighty blow ability. If the threat chooses to do so, then that attack deals double damage, in addition to the normal benefit of an attack being a mighty blow.

Improved Unnatural Force (Ex): A threat can stop things that others would find impossible to so much as challenge. At tenth level, a threat is considered two size categories larger for the purpose of opposed rolls on bull rush, grapple, overrun, and trip checks and for qualifying against special attacks that can only be used against opponents of a certain size category (such as improved grab or trample). If this ability increases the threat's effective size past colossal, then the threat gains an additional +4 to their opposed rolls on bull rush, grapple, overrun, and trip checks for each size category larger than colossal he is considered.

Endure (Ex): As a threat grows, he slowly learns to ignore the extremes of existence, from the icy cold depths of the arctic, to the boiling heat of the desert. At eleventh level, a threat is considered always under the effect of an endure elements spell.

Unnatural Dodge (Ex): Threats are pit fighters, and to be a pit fighter, you must sometimes move in ways that few can manage. Starting at thirteenth level, any time that a threat is denied his Dexterity to his AC (such as he would be if he was stunned or blinded), he gains an instinct bonus to AC equal to his Dexterity modifier. He only gains this instinct bonus to AC if his Dexterity modifier is actually denied, and not if he manages to retain it to his AC. Take note that the threat is still considered as having been denied his Dexterity mod to his AC, seeing as he doesn't actually retain his Dexterity mod in all situations.

Great Titanic Strength (Ex): A threat's strength is nothing to trifle with, seeing as it can fell even the most veteran warriors in single blows. At fourteenth level, any weapon a threat wields deals damage as though it were two size categories larger. The weapon is not actually larger and therefore is still treated as a weapon of its original size category. This increase in damage only applies if the weapon is in the hands of the threat.

Greater Unnatural Force (Ex): A threat is someone who can, eventually, stop things that he shouldn't actually even be able to imagine he can stop. At fifteenth level, a threat is considered three size categories larger for the purpose of opposed rolls on bull rush, grapple, overrun, and trip checks and for qualifying against special attacks that can only be used against opponents of a certain size category (such as improved grab or trample). If this ability increases the threat's effective size past colossal, then the threat gains an additional +4 to their opposed rolls on bull rush, grapple, overrun, and trip checks for each size category larger than colossal he is considered.

Stubborn: At seventeenth level, a threat's mind becomes iron-clad, and it seems that nothing can penetrate his titanic force of will, making him immune to all mind-affecting effects.

Unbreakable (Ex): Threats are warriors who, at the higher end of their training, become nearly invincible, and gain the ability to mentally force themselves through any form of pain. At nineteenth level, a threat gains immunity to nonlethal damage, with only one exception: if a threat has regeneration of any kind, then he still takes nonlethal damage that would normally be lethal damage if it weren't for the regeneration.

Mighty Unnatural Force (Ex): A threat can stand up to anything, he can brawl with anything, he can tear down anything, no matter how massive it may be. At twentieth level, a threat is considered four size categories larger for the purpose of opposed rolls on bull rush, grapple, overrun, and trip checks and for qualifying against special attacks that can only be used against opponents of a certain size category (such as improved grab or trample). If this ability increases the threat's effective size past colossal, then the threat gains an additional +4 to their opposed rolls on bull rush, grapple, overrun, and trip checks for each size category larger than colossal he is considered.

Epic Threat

Table: The Epic Threat

Hit Die: d12

Level	Special
21st	Ideal Titanic Strength
22nd	Numb +11
23rd	Bonus Feat
24th	Numb +12
25th	Supreme Unnatural Force
26th	Bonus Feat, Numb +13
27th
28th	Supreme Titanic Strength, Numb +14
29th	Bonus Feat
30th	Almighty Unnatural Force, Numb +15, Titan
4 + Int modifier skill points per level.

Ideal Titanic Strength (Ex): A threat eventually grows so strong that he can tear down iron war machines, and even beings of myth in single attacks. At twenty-first level, any weapon a threat wields deals damage as though it were three size categories larger. The weapon is not actually larger and therefore is still treated as a weapon of its original size category. This increase in damage only applies if the weapon is in the hands of the threat.

Numb: The threats resistance bonus to his Fortitude save and enhancement bonus to his natural armor that he gains from the numb class feature increases by an additional +1 every even level after twentieth (22^nd, 24^th, 26^th, etc.).

Supreme Unnatural Force (Ex): As a threat begins to grow past the boundaries of normal combat, he learns to mock the titans of the world, knowing that they can hardly even harm him. At twenty-fifth level a threat is considered five size categories larger for the purpose of opposed rolls on bull rush, grapple, overrun, and trip checks and for qualifying against special attacks that can only be used against opponents of a certain size category (such as improved grab or trample). If this ability increases the threats effective size past colossal, then the threat gains an addition +4 to their opposed rolls on bull rush, grapple, overrun, and trip checks for each size category larger than colossal he is considered.

Supreme Titanic Strength (Ex): As a threat nears the apex of his skill, he eventually grows so strong that even a god might fear him. At twenty-eighth level, any weapon a threat wields deals damage as though it were four size categories larger. The weapon is not actually larger and therefore is still treated as a weapon of its original size category. This increase in damage only applies if the weapon is in the hands of the threat.

Almighty Unnatural Force (Ex): A threat who has truly mastered their brutal way of fighting cannot be forced out of the way, no matter what stands before them. At thirtieth level a threat is considered six size categories larger for the purpose of opposed rolls on bull rush, grapple, overrun, and trip checks and for qualifying against special attacks that can only be used against opponents of a certain size category (such as improved grab or trample). If this ability increases the threats effective size past colossal, then the threat gains an addition +4 to their opposed rolls on bull rush, grapple, overrun, and trip checks for each size category larger than colossal he is considered.

Titan (Ex): At 30^th level, a threat masters the relentless manner of fighting that he has practiced so brutally, and for so long, gaining the ability to ignore the Damage Reduction and hardness of anything he chooses to attack. Additionally, the threat gains a +6 inherent bonus to his Strength score, and immunity to exhaustion and fatigue.

Bonus Feats : The epic threat gains a bonus feat (selected from the list of epic threat bonus feats) every three levels after 20th.

Epic Threat Bonus Feat List: Armor Skin, Damage Reduction, Devastating Critical, Dire Charge, Energy Resistance, Epic Leadership, Epic Prowess, Epic Toughness, Epic Weapon Focus, Epic Weapon Specialization, Improved Combat Reflexes, Overwhelming Critical, Perfect Two-Weapon Fighting, Spellcasting Harrier, Superior Initiative, Two-Weapon Rend, Uncanny Accuracy.

Dwarf Threat Starting Package

Armor: Chainmail.

Weapons: Halberd.

Skill Selection: Pick a number of skills equal to 4 + Int modifier.

Skill	Ranks	Ability	Armor Check Penalty
Climb	4	Str	−5
Gather Information	4	Cha	—
Intimidate	4	Cha	—
Listen	4	Wis	—
Spot	4	Wis	—
Swim	4	Str	−5

Feat: Power Attack.

Gear: Backpack, bedroll, caltrops (x2 bags), flint and steel, hooded lantern, oil (x6 pints), tent, trail rations (x4 days worth), waterskin, winter blanket.

Gold: 25 gp.

Campaign Information

Playing a Threat

Religion: Threats are often described as worshiping the field of battle and the very act of fighting in the same way another would worship a god, or follow an idea. While this does paint a good picture of a threats mental state, it is far from true, threats have been known to worship gods of everything from nature and natural balance, to gods of honor and glory, and their views and personal beliefs can stretch across any of a thousand other paths.

Other Classes: Threats are most commonly the type of being to act first, and think about the problem later, this fact tends to lead a character to close connections with barbarians and rather rash fighters, and, at the same time, to less than friendly relationships with wizards and other, more calm and intellectual classes. At the same time though, threats could focus on the ins and outs of a battle, and actually befriend and choose to protect more intellectual characters, and peel away from their melee-based brethren.

Combat: A threat is someone who has an incredibly aggressive role in battle, tending to charge forward, ahead of other characters, and smashing into the enemies frontlines. They tend to rely on their high HD and their class features like numb to help them survive long enough to destroy whatever enemy they are faced with. At the same time, a threat could fill the role of an assassin, who is dropped behind the enemy lines, charges straight for the biggest danger, and lands a titanic blow upon it, virtually always taking whatever it may be out in a single shot. Truly, a threat can decimate his enemies in any given battle.

Advancement: Most commonly, someone who seeks to take levels in threat will tend to continue to take levels in the class, though, on occasion, a threat may wish to take levels in another class. Should they seek to do so, there are many avenues of advancement open to them. For example, a threat who finds himself traveling across many places may seek to take levels in horizon walker. Or, a threat may seek to take levels in assassin, in order to increase his damage output by an even greater margin. Further still, a threat who seeks to fight in unusual styles may seek to take levels in metahand, or, a threat who seeks to protect someone may take a one or two level dip into unworthy or impediment.

Threats in the World

“	Start running now, while you can still use your legs.	”
—Cheryl Gast, Half-elf Threat

Threats usually fit into the role of the destroyer, and find themselves being relied on to wipe the enemies clean from existence. They also can find themselves in the roles of guardians or ordinary distractions. Due to these facts, a threat is usually found in the front end of a battlefield, trading blows with his foes at a relentless rate. A threat can be found on any kind of battlefield, from the blood soaked ring of a gladiatorial arena, to the wind-swept flats of an extraplanar warground where angels and demons fight. Though, rarely, a threat may choose to leave the world of battle, and go away, attempt to settle down in a tranquil place. Even when this happens, a threat is still a dangerous foe, for they never forget the manner of battle that they dedicated their lives to.

Daily Life: Life on a day to day string for a threat can be rather more intense than for another entity, for they are the type to enjoy friendly brawls, and to refuse to back down from a challenge, granting them many scars, and a good few stories to tell. A paticular threat could not consider a person a friend until they have locked in battle, and this could make for some very interesting day to day events. Though, at the same time, a threat could view combat as something to be respected, to be reserved for things that truly mattered.

Notables: Uhis Galderan, Male Human Threat: during a single battle, struck the ground so hard that he caused a small earthquake that reached out for miles.

Tertari Uka, Female Centaur Threat: leveled an entire city in the process of fighting a battle that lasted only a few minutes.

Mathias Manasoly, Male Aasimar Threat: single handedly wrestled a god into submission.

Organizations: If a threat finds themselves inclined to go out and join into a particular organization, this organization is usually combat-oriented. For example, a threat could be interested in joining the militia of the town where they live, or adding their force to a prestigious fighters guild. Though, it isn't uncommon for a threat to find themselves not even wishing to join into an organization at all, and to wish to be a rogue element: an individual who works for themselves and themselves alone.

NPC Reactions: Threats aren't the easiest individuals to spot if they aren't locked in combat or showing off their abilities. Though, whenever one of these situations arise, they can be instantly picked out from others, since their unstoppable strength is unmistakable. When a person actually sees that a threat is what they are, their reactions can range anywhere from silent awe to reserved respect to outright fear.

Threat Lore

Characters with ranks in gather information can research threats to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

Gather Information

DC	Result
5	Threats are a kind of warrior that pulls no punches.
10	Threats are individuals who dedicate themselves to battle, and who revel in it.
15	Threats have been known to level buildings in single attacks.
20	Characters who get this result can know the name and location of a specific threat and any item related to them.

Threats in the Game

Threats can be found wherever there is a battle to be had, from the dank fighting pins in the underbelly of a sprawling city, to the blood soaked field of a world shattering battle. A particular thing that is true about threats is that they tend to be some of the most feared individuals in any given battle, compared to mythic beasts and war machines by those who survive their onslought. Though, it is also true that, unless they are part of some military organization, they will tend to move from place to place rather rapidily, always looking for a new fight, or a new foe to stomp on.

Adaptation: Threats can truly be rearranged to slide into any world, no matter how unique or inhospitable this world may be. For example, threats could only arise when a person is kicked out of a desert tribe, and must learn to fight in the desert, to survive. In another world, it could be that only monks have the discipline to truly master the brutal ways of fighting that the threat employs, and these monks rarely choose to show their technique to anyone.

Sample NPC: Imion had always been a roughian, and always found himself getting into fights with the others of his age, but, he never cared, they were all just fun, and he always won besides, that’s what he liked about those fights, the fact that no one could even come close to beating him. Though, as he grew older, he was taught to lead a respectable, reserved life, and not go out looking to get into brawls, since that was 'improper'. He never listened though, and always found himself going back out, sneaking to back alleys to get a few good fights in every night, and still, he always won. His guardians hated this fact, and always scolded him for coming home with ripped clothing, and new wounds to have healed by the local cleric. Still, he didn't care, he enjoyed fighting, and nothing would ever change that fact. Though, one thing would change the way he looked at fighting. One night, when Imion went out to get into a fight or two, he came to the usual place to find an old man there. This man asked Imion for a fight right off the bat. Naturally, Imion accepted. He was beaten within the first 30 seconds of the fight. This made Imion angry, and confused, he never lost, he was too good to lose, yet there was the old man, standing above him with that calm xpression on his face. Imion couldn't stand it, and after the fight was over, he demanded to know how the old man had beaten him. That's when the old man replied with something Imion didn't expect, "You should feel proud boy, I haven't had a fight that's lasted for more than 10 seconds for over a decade." He paused for a moment after that, before continuing with, "Tell you what, you come with me, and I'll teach you how to fight like I do." Imion didn't even pause to think about what he was being asked to do, and immediately forsook his family, leaving with the stranger that same night. Today they still travel together, though, Imion is much stronger now.

EL 19:

Imion Makrus

CR 19

	Male Human Threat 19
	N Medium Humanoid (Human)
Init/Senses	+6/Listen +25, Spot +25
Languages	Common, Infernal, Sylvan
AC	35, touch 16, flat-footed 33 (+10 armor, +4 deflection, +2 Dex, +9 natural)
hp	218 (19 HD)
Fort/Ref/Will	+25/+13/+9
Speed	30 ft. (6 squares)
Melee	+5 Flaming Burst Speed Adamantine Greataxe +34/+34/+29/+24/+19 (4d6+18/19-20/×3)
Space/Reach	5 ft./5 ft.
Base Atk/Grp	+19/+28
Atk Options	Merciless, Mighty Blow
Abilities	Str 29, Dex 14, Con 21, Int 15, Wis 16, Cha 14
SQ	Endure, Fearless, Great Titanic Strength, Greater Unnatural Force, Improved Uncanny Dodge, Numb +9, Stubborn, Unnatural Dodge, Unbreakable
Feats	Cleave, Diehard, Endurance, Great Cleave, Improved Critical (Greataxe), Improved Initiative, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (Greataxe)
Skills	Bluff +24, Intimidate +24, Jump +30, Listen +25, Sense Motive +25, Spot +25, Swim +30
Possessions	+5 Flaming Burst Speed Adamantine Greataxe, +5 Ghost Touch Light Fortification Mithral Breastplate, Belt of Giant Strength +6, Ring of Protection +4, Amulet of Health +6

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