Breach Guard (Gnome, Fighter Archetype)

At 2nd level, a breach guard becomes an expert at defending small spaces, such as the entrances of his gnomish warren. As a guardian of the breach, he learns and pursues the weapon and shield ranger’s combat style. The breach guards expertise in this combat style manifests in the form of bonus feats at 2nd, 6th, 10th, 14th, and 18th level. He can choose feats from the weapon and shield combat style, even if he does not have the normal prerequisites. The benefits of the weapon and shield style feats apply only when the breach guard wears medium or heavy armor, and uses a shield. He loses all benefits of his combat style feats when wearing light armor or no armor, or is not using a shield.

A breach guard can choose from the following list whenever he gains a guardian of the breach feat: Improved Shield Bash, Shield Focus, Shield Slam and Two-Weapon Fighting.

At 6th level, he adds Saving Shield and Shield Master to the list.

At 10th level, he adds Bashing Finish and Greater Shield Focus to the list.

This ability replaces the bonus feats gained at 2nd, 6th, 10th, 14th, and 18th level.

Stand Firm (Ex)

At 2nd level, a breach guard gains a +1 bonus to CMD against bull rush, drag, overrun, and trip attempts. This bonus also applies on saves against trample attacks. The bonus increases by +1 for every four levels beyond 2nd. This ability replaces bravery.

Shield Bulwark (Ex)

Starting at 3rd level, whenever a breach guard uses a shield, he gains an additional bonus on his CMD against any bull rush, overrun, pull, and push combat maneuvers, as well as grapple attempts to move him. This bonus depends on the type of shield used: +1 with a buckler, +2 with a light shield, +3 with a heavy shield, or +4 with a tower shield.

In addition, a breach guard can also move at his normal speed while wearing medium armor. At 7th level, a breach guard can move at his normal speed while wearing heavy armor. This ability replaces armor training 1

Weapon Training (Ex)

This is exactly like the fighter ability of the same name, except that a breach guard may only select from the axes, blades (heavy), blades (light), close, flails, hammers, and spears weapon groups.

Breach Defender (Ex)

At 7th level, a breach guard gains a bonuses to his Armor Class when he fights from a position with one or both flanks protected by either an ally, or solid objects such as trees, walls, or support beams. If the breach guard has an ally adjacent to him on one side or the other, he gains a +1 bonus to his AC; if both sides are protected by an ally in this way, the bonus increases to +2. If the breach guard has a solid object that is adjacent to him on one side or the other, he gains a +2 bonus to his AC; if both sides are protected in this way, the bonus increases to +4. This ability replaces armor training 2.

Greater Shield Bulwark (Ex)

At 11th level, whenever a breach guard uses a shield, the bonus granted by his shield bulwark ability doubles (+2 with a buckler, +4 with a light shield, +6 with a heavy shield, +8 with a tower shield). This ability replaces armor training 3.

Shielded Defense (Ex)

At 15th level, as a swift action, a breach guard may designate one square adjacent to him. He may designate two squares if using a heavy shield or three squares if using a tower shield, but these squares must be contiguous. Enemies in these squares cannot flank the breach guard and do not count for flanking with other creatures. This effect lasts until he moves from his position or uses another swift action to change the affected squares. This ability replaces armor training 4.

Shield Mastery (Ex)

At 19th level, a breach guard gains DR 5/— when wielding a shield. This ability replaces armor mastery.

Into the Breach (Ex)

At 20th level, a breach guard’s weapon and shield cannot be disarmed or sundered. He gains evasion (as a rogue) when using a shield (improved evasion when using a tower shield). As a move action, a breach guard can provide evasion to all adjacent allies until the beginning of his next turn. As an immediate action, he can provide improved evasion to an adjacent ally against one attack. This ability replaces weapon mastery.

Table: Breach Guard