This skill allows a warrior who is skilled with Large Shields to use his shield to defend a nearby target. The master defender can use his shield to defend himself, or another target, but not both until he reaches rank 10 with Master Defender skill. The target being defended must be involved in the same melee as the master defender, or otherwise within a few feet and the declaration to defend them must be made at the beginning of the round. The target being defended gains a bonus to his DEF based on the master defender's rank with this skill, and the type of shield being used:
Large Round Shield: Rank x 3
Kite Shield: Rank x 4
Tower Shield: Rank x 5
The warrior's rank with this skill cannot exceed his rank with Large Shields.
Magic Shields
Magic shields add their bonus directly. Thus, if the Master Defender is using a +5 DEF shield, the +5 DEF also adds to the defense when used to defend another target. If the Master Defender is using a magic shield that adds +1 DEF per rank, then he gets the +1 DEF per rank of Master Defender when defending another target.
Improved Defense
This skill also enhances the Master Defender's own skill with defense, giving him a +1 DEF per rank of this skill.
Ranged Defender
A Master Defender can throw his large round shield (not tower or kite shields) to defend a target at range from a single attack. Maximum range is equal to (STR - 15) + (DEX - 15) + (Rank x 2) feet. The Master Defender need not have a held action to perform this maneuver, but he must be aware of the attack that he is defending against. The Master Defender must roll equal to or less than (Rank x 6) on percentile dice and, if successful, the attack is deflected and misses the intended target.
Anti-Archer Maneuver
Someone skilled with shield can also employ their shield more effectively against archers and this is even more true for a Master Defender. The character cannot attack, or take any other action except movement (Walk or Run only, no Sprint or Fast Sprint). Bonus is 4% per rank for Large Round Shield, 5% for Kite Shield and 6% per rank for Kite and Tower Shield. This bonus applies to the Master Defender, and one additional person who is behind the Master Defender (the Master Defender must also desire to protect that person for them to get the bonus). Note that this bonus is in addition to normal shield bonus for defense.
A character cannot develop skill in more than one "master" skill. For example, if someone has Master Bowman skill, they cannot develop Master Defender or Master of Hurled Weapons skill. |