Bodyguard

Hit Die

d12.

Requirements

To qualify to become a bodyguard, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.

Skills

Perception 5 ranks, Sense Motive 5 ranks, Handle Animal 1 rank.

Feats

Alertness, Improved Unarmed Strike.

Class Skills

The bodyguard's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Acrobatics (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Perception (Wis), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), and Stealth (Dex).

Skill Points at Each Level

4 + Int modifier.

Class Features

All of the following are features of the bodyguard prestige class.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency

Bodyguards gain no proficiency with any weapon or armor.

Protect the Client (Ex)

A bodyguard must be concerned first and foremost with the safety of his client. He learns to shield his charge's body with his own body, taking blows that would otherwise be meant for the client. While the bodyguard is mobile and within 5 ft. of his client, he can transfer part of his armor class. The bodyguard can transfer up to his class level plus 3 points of his own armor class to his client. Attacks that would have struck the client if it weren't for the transferred armor class bonus automatically strike the bodyguard.

Transferring points of armor class is a free action, but the transfer must be declared before incoming attacks are rolled. Any factor that causes the bodyguard to lose his Dexterity bonus to his armor class negates the Protect the Client ability.

Drive (Ex)

The best way to keep your client out of trouble? Take him where the danger isn't. Bodyguards must be able to drive their clients to safety, which is often a dangerous task. Bodyguards receive a +4 competency bonus on all skill and ability checks made to control an animal or moving vehicle carrying the client.

Fast Movement (Ex)

Bodyguards don't gain anything by fighting—better to get the client out of harm's way. Constant training gives a 2nd-level bodyguard +10 to his land speed. This benefit applies only when he is wearing no armor, light armor, or medium armor and not carrying a heavy load. Apply this bonus before modifying the bodyguard's speed because of any load carried or armor worn.

Browbeat (Ex)

The mean look is a bodyguard's bread and butter. The best practice their intimidating appearance, hoping to end a situation before it begins. A 2nd-level bodyguard receives a +4 competency bonus to all Intimidate checks. In addition, the client receives a +4 circumstance bonus to all intimidation checks made in the presence of his bodyguard. Nothing discourages like having a man in your corner who can crush walnuts in his bare hands.

Assisted Sprint (Ex)

Fast running isn't very useful if you leave your slow-moving client in the dust. At 3rd level, a bodyguard can transfer half of his runaway bonus to his client, giving them both a +5 bonus to their movement rate. He must be in physical contact with his client at all times in order to transfer his Assisted Sprint bonus.

Spot the Bogie (Ex)

Laymen talk about a "sixth sense" that the best bodyguards develop, allowing them to spot trouble before it ever happens. At 3rd level, a bodyguard gains an automatic Perception roll whenever his client is put in immediate danger. The difficulty of this roll depends on the range to the incoming target:

Targets beyond 100 ft. can include snipers with crossbows. Crowds, distractions, and lighting can all affect the DC of this roll.

Hammer Lock (Ex)

Bodyguards practice combat techniques to maximize fighting in crowds. Grappling is a key maneuver for the bodyguard—it's always best to immobilize an opponent so he can't get at the client. If a bodyguard has an opponent grappled, he can go for a hammer lock. A hammer lock is a variant pin, and the attack is resolved exactly as a pin attempt. However, if the hammer lock is successful, the bodyguard gets a +2 circumstance bonus to all attempts to maintain the pin, and ignores the special size modifier for creatures up to one size larger than himself. In addition, he is considered to have one hand free, does not lose his Dexterity bonus to AC, and may make attacks normally at different targets within reach (including attacks of oppotunity).

Stature (Ex)

A few years at the bodyguard game tends to toughen one up. At 5th level, a bodyguard gains a +1 bonus to his Constitution. In addition, his size category is considered one step higher than normal for purposes of grappling checks only (i.e., a medium size bodyguard is considered a large creature when grappling).