Some mithra monks dedicate their graceful prowess to the defense of others, especially those dedicated to a similar ethos or who prove themselves as stalwart allies of the monk’s cause.
The nimble guardian is an archetype of the monk class, available only to mithra or ronso monks.
Archetype Main Ability Scores:
The nimble guardian mainly focuses on STR/DEX for martial combat and DEX and WIS for their class features.
Archetype Feature Replacements:
1st – Bodybuilding, Martial Wisdom. 2nd – Ascetic, Ki Pool, Monk Talent. 3rd – Boost. 4th – Style Flexibility. 5th – Zen. 8th – Diamond Body. 10th – Formless Strikes. 13th – Reinforced Fortitude. 19th – Inner Strength.
AC Bonus (Ex)
A nimble guardian is highly trained at dodging blows, and she has a sixth sense that lets her avoid even unanticipated attacks.
When unarmored and unencumbered, the nimble guardian adds her Wisdom bonus (if any) (this bonus is halved if she has a level in another non-prestige class and this is not her favored class) to her AC and her CMD. If the nimble guardian gains an attribute bonus to her AC or CMD from some other source, it does not stack.
In addition, a nimble guardian gains a +1 bonus to AC and CMD at 4th level. This bonus increases by 1 for every four monk levels thereafter, up to a maximum of +5 at 20th level. These bonuses to AC apply even against touch attacks or when the nimble guardian is flat-footed.
She loses these bonuses when she is immobilized or helpless, when she wears any armor, when she carries a shield, or when she carries a medium or heavy load.
This ability replaces bodybuilding and martial wisdom.
Defensive Aid (Ex)
At 2nd level, a number of times per day equal to her Wisdom bonus, a nimble guardian can interpose herself between one adjacent ally and an attack or damage dealt in an area of effect. If an adjacent ally is the target of the attack or is required to make a Reflex saving throw against a damaging effect, as an immediate action the nimble guardian can grant that ally a +4 circumstance bonus to AC or on the saving throw against the effect. The nimble guardian must use this ability before the attack roll or saving throw is made. The nimble guardian can’t use this ability if she wears any armor, carries a shield, or carries a medium or heavy load.
This ability replaces ascetic and a monk talent gained at 2nd level.
Ki Pool (Su)
A nimble guardian gains additional ki pool points from her Wisdom modifier instead of her Constitution modifier. Additionally, abilities that use her ki pool key off of her Wisdom instead of her Constitution.
This ability modifies ki pool.
Fast Movement (Ex)
At 3rd level, a nimble guardian gains a +10 foot enhancement bonus to her land speed. This bonus increases by an additional 10 feet at every third level past 3rd. A nimble guardian in armor or carrying a medium or heavy load loses this extra speed.
This ability replaces boost and zen.
Nimble Reflexes (Ex)
At 4th level, a nimble guardian gains a +2 bonus on all Reflex saving throws. A nimble guardian increases this bonus by 1 every four levels thereafter.
This ability replaces style flexibility.
Guardian Feline (Su)
At 10th level, a nimble guardian can transform herself into a feline creature by spending 1 ki point. The effect lasts for 1 hour or until the nimble guardian changes back. Changing form (to animal or back) is a standard action and does not provoke an attack of opportunity. The chosen form must be some form of feline (cheetah, lion, etc.). This ability allows the nimble guardian to assume the form of a Tiny or Large feline creature of the animal type. If the feline form she assumes has any of the following abilities, she gains the listed ability: climb 60 feet, swim 60 feet, darkvision 60 feet, low-light vision, scent, grab, pounce, and trip.
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Tiny animal: If the form the nimble guardian takes is that of a Tiny feline animal, she gains a +4 size bonus to her Dexterity, a -2 penalty to her Strength, and a +1 natural armor bonus.
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Large animal: If the form the nimble guardian takes is that of a Large feline animal, she gains a +4 size bonus to her Strength, a -2 penalty to her Dexterity, and a +4 natural armor bonus.
This ability replaces formless strikes.
Evasion (Ex)
At 13th level, a nimble guardian gains evasion.
This ability replaces reinforced fortitude.
Defensive Mastery (Ex)
At 19th level, a nimble guardian gains 3 additional uses of her defensive aid ability per day. Furthermore, if an ally that gained the benefit of a use of defensive aid succeeds her Reflex saving throw, and the effect still deals damage on a successful saving throw, the nimble guardian can spend 1 ki point to negate that damage. Doing so is not an action.
This ability replaces inner strength.
