Guardian Guide

## Role

\*\*\*Damage: You’re in a big guy in melee you should hit things hard

\*Debuff: Not much, Warder maybe 2 or 3 stars

\*\*\*\*Support: you keep the squishies alive

\*Utility: Not really anything to do

\*\*\*\*\*Tank: This is what you do better than anybody

## Ability Scores

\*\*\*\*Power: for pushin, punchin and stabbin

\*Finesse: not a priority, unless perhaps deflector

\*\*Grace: 12 is the highest you’ll want, but lower is ok

\*\*\*\*\*Vitality: You are going to get hit a LOT. You need this

\*\*\*\*Stature: It's your job to stand in the way of anybody

\*Intellect: 1 skill point per level is enough for spot and sense

\*\*\*Acumen: some skills but that’s it

\*\*\*Resolve: good for resistances

\*\*Ego: Not the biggest priority, good for intimidation builds though (except warden)

\*Charm: You don’t need to be a smooth-talker

## Basics

D12 HD: love it

2+I Skill Points: you can’t always get what you what

Class Skills: you get what you need

Good Resistances: That’s a good spread, grab Resistor if you’re worried about the others

Proficiencies: The whole enchilada

CB: The good one

## Features

\*\*\*AC Shift: This is what makes you a better target than your squishy friends, stay by them

\*\*\*\*Protector’s Prerogative: Fantastic means of being a human shield

\*\*\*\*Deflector: Forget AC, I’ll fight stabbin with stabbin

\*\*\*\*2nd level: parrying is a terrific means of defense that can make AC obsolete with some careful building. Get \*\*\*\*Push Through

\*\*\*\*\*8th level: tremendous for shutting down attacks when AC boosts fail

\*\*\*14th level: Kinda weird but ok

\*\*20th level: relatively weak sauce but the rest is great so that’s fair

\*\*\*Interceptor: Very strong, but centered around taking damage

\*\*\*2nd level: Help AC even more very fast

\*\*8th level: This stacks with AC Shift and will stop you from having to take so many hits yourself, but in the end is centered around taking damage, so suck it up.

\*\*\*\*14th level: Guard all your allies and take hits for all, reducing the damage

\*\*\*20th level: Taking hits gets a bit easier

\*\*\*Resolute: Meat shield with no protection mechanics, but turns you into a juggernaut

\*\*\*\*2nd level: Extra DR on the meatiest class yes please

\*\*\*8th level: even more reason to surround yourself with friends. Take \*\*\*\*Strength in Numbers to get even more out of the power of friendship

\*\*\*\*14th level: This makes sure you can’t be taken out with elemental boolsheet

\*\*\*20th level: really goddamn hard to kill

\*\*\*Deflector: turtle style for those who want classic AC and general protection

\*\*\*2nd level: bonus feats are nice

\*\*\*\*8th level: Stacking with AC Shift, this can bring allies AC incredibly high. Get an expensive tower shield to make the most of this.

\*\*\*14th level:A nice defensive ability, goes well with body shield

\*\*\*20th level: This miss chance is not from any kind of avoidable condition like darkness so it’s much harder to get around.

\*\*\*Warder: need to put in effort to an intimidation build outside of these features

\*\*\*2nd level: Get a paladin ability before them. P to intimidate is great

\*\*8th level: The death glare imagery is just too good.

\*\*\*14th level: AOE debuff is very useful

\*\*\*\*20th level: this can be debilitating to enemy forces

\*\*\*DR:Who doesnt love DR?

\*\*\*Bonus Feats: Not as many as a soldier, but enough to keep you useful

\*\*Wary: good when its surprise time, and for using all those quick action prerogative abilities.

\*\*\*Body Shield: Bro moment, take for the team, your resistances are good enough to eat that penalty.

\*\*Watch your Back: It’s alright, but you should be flanked by allies, not enemies.

\*\*Retreat: Niche, but a good escape option.

\*\*\*Total Shield: free DR is nice for squishies and frontliners alike

## Species

\*\*\*\*Human: Good stats and more feats make them well suited to most roles

\*\*\*\*Dwarf: Good stats and defensive abilities, they take well to armor

\*\*Elf: Doesn’t give too much of what you want but with war trained its possible

\*\*\*Half-Elf: +2 will help but their abilities are particularly well suited

\*\*\*\*Half-Orc: Good stats and abilities for pushing enemies and allies around

\*Halfling: Smaller folk will have a hard time protecting

\*Gnome: same issues as halfling, but the HP will help

\*Goblin: really not ideal

##### Easy build

Species: Half-Orc, +2 V, take Enduring. Gain proficiency with Orc Moonblade

Ability Scores: P > V > S > G > A > R > E > F > C > I

Feats: Tough, Weapon Focus, Armor Focus, Shield Focus, Weapon Speciality, Resistor, Improved Initiative, Defensive Training, Flee, Patient Combatant

Traits: Armor Expert, Mr. Tough Guy, Reactive, Stocky, Thick-skull, Retribution Initiate

Protector’s Prerogative: Resolute

Bonus Feats: Retribution, Improved Retribution, Greater Retribution, Master Retribution, True Retribution

Equipment: Plate Mail, Heavy Shield, Longsword

Playstyle: This is the tankiest class in the game, get into harm’s way instead of your friends. Stick close by them to protect them, and deal damage as a secondary priority after making sure they are safe.