Purple Dragon Knight Abilities (they need some major loving)

This could be a really great PrC, but what really holds it back are the subpar abilities, especially for the cost of the class (mounted combat feat, 8 skill points, and a BAB requirement... all for only 5 levels of class).

What could make the abilities better is better durations, and some beefing up of the bonuses given with the abilities.

Heroric Shield: This is a VERY nice ability. It gives +4 AC to a single ally. Unlimted uses per day... but it's also a total button-masher. It lasts 1 round. One. Extend the duration to 1 round/pdk level (5 rounds max, since PDK only goes to 5 levels). The fuction doesn't change... all this changes is it doesn't force the player to button-mash every single round.

Rallying Cry: This one also caps at.... 1 round. And all it does is give +1 attack bonus, and 20% movement speed increase... and it's only 3 uses per day (way to go bioware). 3 rounds of small movement increase and +1 AB... and that +1 AB doesn't stack with other sources such as the green prism ioun. Again... this ability would not be a complete waste if it was 1 round/pdk level.

Compare to Charge (which is unlimited uses, and grants a 50% movement increase, an AB bonus and small penalty.... rallying cry's limited use so it should at least give the same benefits as charge but minus the penalty)

Inspire Courage: Currently it offers +1 attack and damage, and +2 against mind affecting spells for 10 rounds. The duration isn't half bad (it's 1 use per day). But again, the +1 AB doesn't seem to stack with iouns or other similar sources. I would suggest scaling the bonuses with PDK level. +5 AB for 10 rounds 1 to 2 times a day is worth it, but far from unbalancing.

Final Stand: This one is pretty good duration wise (5+ cha mod rounds). The actual benefit though is subpar, especially for the "top/final" ability of the class.... 2d10 temp HP to 5+cha mod number of allies. My suggestion for this.... beef it up, and remove the silly cap on number of allies affected. 2d10 temp HP, + temporary immunity to mind affecting spells, +X AC, and maybe even temporary KD immunity. Powerful, yes, but also 1 use per day.

The last PDK ability, fear... is perfect as-is.

If these abilities could get a kick in the pants... they would totally make the PDK class worth it (And hey... the Amethyst Dragon Knight class SHOULD rock! It's already got really kickass visuals... it just needs some function to go with the flash!)

Wow. Fantastic Suggestions

Thanks. Good thoughts here.