We’ve discussed the lore behind Hell Knights. But what are they mechanically?
They are a prestige class - you have to meet a number of requirements: be lawful, have a base attack bonus of at least +5, intimidation 5 and knowledge (planes) 2, proficient with heavy armor and slay
They are a prestige class - you have to meet a number of requirements: be lawful, have a base attack bonus of at least +5, intimidation 5 and knowledge (planes) 2, proficient with heavy armor and slay
a devil with Hit Dice greater than yours (should be witnessed by Hellknight). Easiest way is to take Armiger archetype for a Fighter - it puts you on the path to become a Hell Knight with some straightforward features (like additional skill points for Intimidate and Knowledge).
What becoming a Hell Knight will give you? Oh, some nifty bonuses.
Your first bonuses can be described as “paladin of the law” (“bureaucratic paladin” of sorts). One of your first level abilities, Smite Chaos, functions like paladin’s Smite Evil,
Your first bonuses can be described as “paladin of the law” (“bureaucratic paladin” of sorts). One of your first level abilities, Smite Chaos, functions like paladin’s Smite Evil,
but against chaotic-aligned enemies. Detect Chaos is similar to Detect Evil, but it allows you to detect aura of chaotic aligned creatures.
You will also have to choose an Order.
You will also have to choose an Order.
Mechanically, your order determines to what disciplines you have access. But it also adds some flavor: what tennants you should follow and what reckoning you practice. There are also some small additional things like preferred weapon, symbol, armor features and such like.
Soon you will also earn the right to wear the collection of spikes, known as Hell Knight Armor.
There is a class feature that improves it by increasing maximum Dexterity bonus and lowering Armor Check penalty, to the maximum of +3. It also doesn’t reduce your maximum speed.
There is a class feature that improves it by increasing maximum Dexterity bonus and lowering Armor Check penalty, to the maximum of +3. It also doesn’t reduce your maximum speed.
A nice bonus will be access to spell Discern Lies (you use it as a spell-like ability) - it allows to see when people lie
Then you gain access to disciplines. Some of them are available to all Hell Knights, some - only to specific orders. You will have three disciplines.
Then you gain access to disciplines. Some of them are available to all Hell Knights, some - only to specific orders. You will have three disciplines.
and first one must relate to your order. There are some nice ones, like Fearsomeness (Intimidate foes and make them frightened rather than shaken), or fun options like Trace (allow you to track a creature if you have something
On the same level you gain a bonus to your Will save against one of subschools, that affects emotions. Later it improves and you choose additional subschools.
One of the high-level features is Lawbringer! You treat all your attacks as Lawful for overcoming damage reduction.
One of the high-level features is Lawbringer! You treat all your attacks as Lawful for overcoming damage reduction.
Another feature gives Hell Knight armor some awesome bonuses: to Charisma checks, darkvision, HIGH resistance to fire (30) and smaller resistance to cold and acid (10)
And the 10 level feature is named Hell’s Knight. Character becomes immune to fire while wearing Hell Knight plate and can imbue one weapon with one ability: axiomatic, flaming burst or unholy. This ability stays on weapon while the Hell Knight is within 100 feet from it.
And, yes, you can touch your barbarians AXXE and give it this bonus. Unfortunately, you can maintain this buff only on one weapon at a time, so you can drink tea while barbarian wreaks havoc in enemy ranks.
But what about casters you might ask? Oh, there is Hell Knight Signifer for them. But this is a story for another #wrath_of_system
