Deflect Arrows Feat (Modified)

[Felnar]

it seems likely this has been covered before, but here goes
basically, lets you block missles with a shield, using an existing feat

DEFLECT ARROWS [GENERAL]
Prerequisites: Dex 13
Benefit: You must have a shield readied (other than a buckler) to use this feat. Once per round when you would normally be hit with a ranged weapon, you may deflect it so that you take no damage from it. You must be aware of the attack and not flatfooted.
Attempting to deflect a ranged weapon doesn’t count as an action. Unusually massive ranged weapons and ranged attacks generated by spell effects can’t be deflected.
Special: If you have the Improved Unarmed Strike feat and have at least one free hand (holding nothing), you do not need to have a shield readied to use this feat.
A monk may select Deflect Arrows as a bonus feat at 2nd level, even if she does not meet the prerequisites.
A fighter may select Deflect Arrows as one of his fighter bonus feats.

 

[hong]

I personally don't see why there needs to be anything specific about how you deflect the arrow. Some people use their hands, some use a shield, others (like Aragorn) swing their sword at it.

Oh, and I'd change the auto-deflection thing to something else, because I hate auto-success mechanics with all of my body, including my pee-pee.

 

[Felnar]

I personally don't see why there needs to be anything specific about how you deflect the arrow. Some people use their hands, some use a shield, others (like Aragorn) swing their sword at it.

well, my goal was to stick to RAW as close as possible, just add in the ability to use a shield.
and i did think of allowing weapons to deflect, a la Jet Li in 'Hero', but didnt want to buff 2handed fighters

Oh, and I'd change the auto-deflection thing to something else, because I hate auto-success mechanics with all of my body, including my pee-pee.

that would be ideal, but i'm unsure how best to do that
flat DC a la tumble check?
scaling DC?
opposed check?

if someone came up with a good non-auto-success mechanic, i would like have this feat use your rounds AoO (then combat reflexes could deflect several a round)

 

[Campbell]

I personally don't see why there needs to be anything specific about how you deflect the arrow. Some people use their hands, some use a shield, others (like Aragorn) swing their sword at it.

I endorse this sentiment.

Oh, and I'd change the auto-deflection thing to something else, because I hate auto-success mechanics with all of my body, including my pee-pee.

I disagree with a unilateral disregard of automatic successes. In this case, deflecting a single ranged attack per round is not overtly strong, and not having to do anything special beyond saying "I use my Deflect Arrows feat to deflect that arrow" doesn't slow down play as much as rolling additional dice would.

 

[eamon]

I think you mean to simply modify the existing Deflect Arrows to allow shield-bearers to take it, right? Then I'ld stick Proficiency with shields in the prerequisites, and not use the wording "readied" when it comes to deflecting with a shield. That sounds like you need to take a ready action (a standard action) to gain any benefit from this feat.

 

[Christian]

Then I'ld stick Proficiency with shields in the prerequisites, and not use the wording "readied" when it comes to deflecting with a shield. That sounds like you need to take a ready action (a standard action) to gain any benefit from this feat.

I think it's pretty clear that it's requiring that the character has, on some past round, used the 'ready a shield' move-equivalent action ...

 

[Felnar]

I think it's pretty clear that it's requiring that the character has, on some past round, used the 'ready a shield' move-equivalent action ...

yep, thats why
but good catch on requiring shield proficiency, eamon

would changing to first line to this work?
"You must have a shield, you are proficient with, readied (other than a buckler) to use this feat."

I disagree with a unilateral disregard of automatic successes. In this case, deflecting a single ranged attack per round is not overtly strong, and not having to do anything special beyond saying "I use my Deflect Arrows feat to deflect that arrow" doesn't slow down play as much as rolling additional dice would.

what do you think of a burning AoO mechanic?
or maybe change the feat so you have to declare deflecting before the result of the attack is known?