ARMOR MASTER

All fighters have two main tools of their trade — weapons and armor. While many fighters hone their weapon skills to a point of inescapable grace and lethality, there are those who live under the maxim that a good offense can be accomplished though an impenetrable defense. To these fighters, proper use of armor and shields ensures that they can fight another day, and that the frustration of enemies who can’t seem to crack an armor master’s superior defenses is just the first symptom of his foes’ eventual defeat.

Deflective Shield (Ex):

At 2nd level, an armor master specializes in using his shield to deflect attacks. He gains a +1 bonus to his touch AC, and this bonus increases for every four levels beyond 2nd (to a maximum of +6 at 20th level). This ability replaces conditioning.

Armored Defense (Ex):

At 5th level, an armored master gains DR 1/- when wearing light armor, DR 2/- when wearing medium armor, and DR 3/- when wearing heavy armor. This DR increases by 1 at 9th level and every 4 levels thereafter, to a maximum of DR 4/- when wearing light armor, DR 5/- when wearing medium armor, and DR 7/- when wearing heavy armor. This damage reduction stacks with that provided by the armor mastery class feature and adamantine armor, but not with other forms of damage reduction. Damage reduction from this ability is lost if the armor master is stunned, unconscious, or helpless.

An armor master does not gain a weapon training bonus on attack rolls and damage rolls made with weapons from his chosen fighter weapon group. This ability alters weapon training, and armor mastery.

Fortification (Ex):

At 9th level, an armor master can use his armor to shield critical areas from injury. He treats any armor he wears as if it had the light fortification special ability. At 13th level, his armor gains the moderate fortification special ability. This fortification does not stack in any way with armor that has these special abilities. In these cases the armor master takes the better of the two fortifications.

Indestructible (Ex):

At 20th level, an armor master gains complete immunity to critical hits and sneak attacks while he is wearing armor. In addition, unless his armor has the fragile armor quality, it cannot be sundered while he is wearing it. This ability replaces weapon mastery.