King's Hammer (3.5e Prestige Class)

King's Hammer

“	Where do ya think ya'r goin', scum?	”
—Dwain Ironfist, King's Hammer, before crushing an orc's head

The King's Hammers are the elite guard of Dwarven kings on the battlefield. They wield their hammers so effectively that they create a vacuum around their ruler, while their shields fly in defense of the king or companions when they are in danger. A King's Hammer would never let an enemy get close to their charge and, even if they find themselves in a critical state of health, will never fall to his knees in combat.

Becoming a King's Hammer

King's Hammers are usually nobles among the Dwarven society. They are selected among the finest warriors the clan has to offer and they protect their king until death. Usually Fighters, Knights, Paladins and Clerics are found among their ranks.

Entry Requirements

Base Attack Bonus:	+10.
Race:	Dwarf.
Feats:	Weapon Focus (Any two handed Warhammer), Weapon Specialization (Any two handed Warhammer), Melee Weapon Mastery (Bludgeoning), Block Arrow.
Special:	Must be a noble. Must use a two handed Warhammer and a shield with the Animated enchantment.

Table:1.1 The King's Hammer

Hit Die: d12

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Special
		Fort	Ref	Will
1st	+1	+2	+0	+2	One with the Hammer, Hammer's Weep 1/Day
2nd	+2	+2	+0	+2	Living Shield
3rd	+3	+3	+1	+3	Hammer's Weep 2/Day
4th	+4	+3	+1	+3	Insuperable Bastion
5th	+5	+4	+1	+4	Last Stand, Hammer of Kings, Hammer's Weep 3/Day
Class Skills (2 + Int modifier per level) Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Swim (Str).

Table:1.2 The Epic King's Hammer

Level	Special
6th	Bonus Feat
7th	Hammer's Weep 4/day
8th
9th	Hammer's Weep 5/Day
10th	Bonus Feat

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the King's Hammer.

One with the Hammer: Starting at the first level, the King's Hammer add his Wisdom modifier to damage with any weapon classified as a hammer.

Hammer's Weep: When using this special ability, the character is considered to have the Whirlwind Attack talent in order to execute a powerful swept attack around him. Opponents hit by this attack fall prone if they fail to pass a Reflex saving throw (DC 10 + 1/2 Amount of damage). The character can use these ability 1/day at the first level, 2/day at the third and 3/day from the fifth level.

Living Shield: The shield of a King's Hammer's bonus to AC is taken into consideration even against touch attacks. Moreover if the King's Hammer wants to, the shield can protect an ally adjacent to the character. Doing this, the shield grants his AC's bonus to the ally, but the King's Hammer loses the shield bonus until the start of his next turn.

Insuperable Bastion: Any time an enemy provokes an attack of opportunity by moving through or out of a King's Hammer's threatened range, must immediatly stop their move action, regardless of if the attack of opportunity hits. The enemy's move action for the turn is lost.

Last Stand: When a King's Hammer drops to 0 or fewer hit points, he is not incapacitated and can continue to act normally. However when he reaches -10 hit points, he must make a Fortitude saving throw of 25 +2 for each new turn in which that he is standing in spite of his wounds. At the end of the fight the King's hammer dies, unless he has been brought back above 0 hit points before the end of the fight.

Hammer of Kings: A King's Hammer has complete mastery over the hammers they wield in battle. Whenever a King's hammer attacks with his hammer, he adds double his strength and wisdom modifiers to his damage. This multiplication is applied after any other multipliers to damage, but not before the multiplier of critical hits.

Ex-King's Hammers

A King's Hammer who has been removed from his role doesn't lose any of his special abilities.

Playing a King's Hammer

Combat: When they're not by their king's side, King's Hammers are usually found in the heat of battle, preferring to stay on the front line, facing the enemy with their hammers and acting as an assault infantry.

Advancement After completing the prestige class' progression, the character should return to his base class so that he can reach the major special abilities of his starting class to round out his combat abilities. Fighter levels, and their bonus feats, are recommended.

Resources: A King's Hammer can usually count on the king and on his comrades to have support. A character of these class will be always welcomed in any Dwarven settlement belonging to his kingdom.

King's Hammer in the World

“

Come! Face ma hammer!

”

King's Hammers compose the Dwarven royal guard, and they are always found at the side of their king. If a member of this class should ever be seen alone, then that means that he has been driven away from his king, or that his sovereign entrusted him with a special mission.

NPC Reactions: All of the Dwarves hails a King's Hammer when they meet one. The royal guard is honored throughout the kingdom and any Dwarf would be more than happy to share their ale with a member of the royal guard.

King's Hammer Lore

Characters with ranks in Knowledge (Nobilty and Royalty) or Knowledge (History) can research King's Hammers to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

Knowledge (History or Nobility and Royalty)

DC	Result
10	King's Hammers are the Dwarven kings' elite guards.
15	King's Hammers have sworn to never give up and to stand in battle until the end.
20	They are able to use their shield to protect their king or their comrades in battle.
25	Information about a specific class member.

King's Hammers in the Game

Adaptation:

Sample Encounter:

EL whatever:

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