Some idea for Acrobat III

[Morningfrost]

Some year ago, I used to play Heretic II for a while. It was one of the few games running on my Debian only linux box. Thinking about it, a couple of ideas come to my mind about an Acrobat III ehnacement.

All of this requires a quarterstaff equipped:

1. using your quarterstaff to leap. This is roughly the same as Abundant Step or Leap of Faith, except that you need to be on solid ground (not in air) to do this, but the jump is longer;
2. unbalancing strike: you can hit an opponent leaping on your staff, using your legs to strike. This will do some damage an has a great chance (strength or balance check with a penalty) to trip your opponent. Maybe an active clicky?

/discuss

[articwarrior]

I like the first one, but the second one sounds a little confusing. I think what you are saying is that the quarterstaff wielder is more experienced with a quarterstaff and has learned new techniques allowing them to use their feet to trip? Cant they trip with quarterstaffs anyhow?

Just some opinions

[Morningfrost]

I like the first one, but the second one sounds a little confusing. I think what you are saying is that the quarterstaff wielder is more experienced with a quarterstaff and has learned new techniques allowing them to use their feet to trip? Cant they trip with quarterstaffs anyhow?

My bad english The idea is that you make a leap toward an opponent, using the staff as a lever, with your feet ahead. Can't explain better than this, the idea is that trip DC is much higher this way, bacause you are using a lever (the staff) to throw yourself against the enemy.

[Trillea]

My bad english The idea is that you make a leap toward an opponent, using the staff as a lever, with your feet ahead. Can't explain better than this, the idea is that trip DC is much higher this way, bacause you are using a lever (the staff) to throw yourself against the enemy.

Basically a staff-powered dropkick. That would be hard to animate. But would be fun!

[Alabore]

My bad english The idea is that you make a leap toward an opponent, using the staff as a lever, with your feet ahead.

Basically a "pole-vaulting" kick.
Or, they could tweak it so you just balance on one tip of the staff, while smashing your legs into your foe.

...

If memory is serving me right the second option actually got animated in a really old C-64 game, Knight Games, as a "special" attack in the staff-fight sequence.

[Bacab]

I like both of these.

For the second one maybe allow Thief-Acrobats add their ROG level or give them a bonus to trip attacks?

Also a new animation would be cool.

[Asymetric_War]

I like bot hof those. the second actually has an in-game precedent since the acrobat ToD set gives a chance to proc a knockdown on enemies. more things that build on the acrobats incredible sense of balance and ability to unbalance others would be excellent.

[FuzzyDuck81]

Maybe vertigo+10 effect & and a clicky whirlwind-type attack with quarterstaff equipped? or possibly telekinetic weapon effect for chance of knockdown on every attack, with the DC boosted by the acrobat set?

[Ybbald]

meh

Abundant step for tier III of a prestige class that has to compete with Assassin? It's nice but not for that position. Maybe give it at tier I

and for the second, why not just make an automatic knockdown effect apply on all critical hits with the DC being higher if you're using a Q-staff (vs. using 2 rapiers)

Another option is make a Greater Evasion with no damage taken ever from anything with a reflex save (imp. evasion as a prerequisite)

[Chai]

Superior Evasion.

[AestorTheKnight]

Like both the OPs suggestions.

Superior Evasion would be overpowered. So dont agree with that one.