Adamant Veteran (Fighter/Oracle)

Wars can be terrible thing; for it often leaves soldiers severely injured or maimed both body and soul. While many such warriors are left by the wayside, some survive to re-entering the fray. These adamant veterans view physical and mental challenges not as an excuse, but as an opportunity to adapt and overcome. It is the adamant veteran who defies the odds, becoming a masterful warrior despite of what might otherwise hold others back from achieving one’s dreams of victory or conquest. (Original Concept by Thomas, A.)

Primary: Fighter.

Secondary: Oracle.

Alignment: Any.

Hit Dice: d10.

Bonus Skills and Ranks: The adamant veteran selects three oracle skills to add to his class skills in addition to the normal fighter class skills. The adamant veteran gains a number of ranks at each level equal to 2 + Int modifier.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The adamant veteran is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, with light and medium armor, and with shields (except tower shields).

Warrior’s Curse (Ex): At 1st level, an adamant veteran must choose a warrior’s curse. Once this choice is made, it cannot be changed. Each curse is related to one of the oracle’s curses, but is the result of his experiences in battle, not a divine blessing. The adamant veteran uses his level for the purpose of determining the effects of all abilities granted by his warrior’s curse. This ability replaces the bonus feats gained at 1st, 2nd, 4th, 8th, 10th, 14th, 16th, and 20th level, armor training 2 and armor training 4.

Insightful Defense (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, an adamant veteran gains a +1 dodge bonus to AC. This bonus increases by +1 for every four levels beyond 2nd. Any condition that makes the adamant veteran lose his dexterity bonus to AC also makes him lose the benefits of this ability. This ability replaces bravery.

Battle Instinct (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, an adamant veteran gains a preternatural sense of danger. As an immediate action, the adamant warrior gains a +1 insight bonus on a single initiative check. This bonus increases by +1 at 5th level and every four levels thereafter, to a maximum of +5 at 20th level. At 3rd level, an adamant veteran can use this ability once per day, and one additional time per day at 11th and 17th level. This ability replaces armor training 1, armor training 3, and armor mastery.

Conquer All (Ex): At 20th level, an adamant veteran has the ability to overcome anything, even death. An adamant veteran can postpone any affliction or condition he is suffering, including death, as long as he has a body. He can do this for a number of rounds per day equal to his adamant veteran level. These rounds need not be consecutive. This ability replaces weapon mastery.

Table: Adamant Veteran