Mongoose (3.5e Prestige Class)

The Mongoose

“	Don't let 'em finish casting their spell; you don't need to know what it is. Hit 'em as soon as they start twiddling their fingers, or before they do if ya' can.	”
—<-NPC name->, <-race-> <-class->

Spellcasters. They are the bane of warriors everywhere. No matter how good with a sword, a fighter or thief can be brought low by a single spell if he isn't lucky. And luck only goes so far. However, some chose not to accept this status quo. They chose to find the best ways to stop enemies from casting spells, and punish them if they do. Studying the mongoose, famous for its ability to outspeed a striking snake, this mongoose applies the same tactics to fighting spellcasters; striking lightning fast between when the caster starts his spell and when it finishes, like a mongoose striking between a cobra flaring it's hood and striking. In addition, just like the mongoose is resistant to the venom of the snakes it fights, these warriors have trained their resistance to spells.

Becoming a Mongoose

Those without magical talent are often at the mercy of those with it. Every non-mage has been at the mercy of a spell once. Those who choose to become a mongoose decide that they do not want this to happen again. Most mongooses are from the ranks of fighters, rogues, swashbucklers, and other martial classes. Rangers, despite having some spellcasting of their own, are also common.

Entry Requirements

Base Attack Bonus:	+4.
Skills:	Sense Motive 4 ranks, Spellcraft 4 ranks.
Feats:	Combat Reflexes, Dodge.

Table: The Mongoose

Hit Die: d8

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Special
		Fort	Ref	Will
1st	+0	+0	+2	+2	Cobra Dodge (+1), Staredown (15 feet)
2nd	+1	+0	+3	+3	Close the Distance (10 feet), Disruption
3rd	+2	+1	+3	+3	Evasion, Blindfight
4th	+3	+1	+4	+4	Cobra Dodge (+2), Staredown (20 feet)
5th	+3	+1	+4	+4	Close the Distance (15 feet)
6th	+4	+2	+5	+5	Slippery Mind, Spell Riposte
7th	+5	+2	+5	+5	Cobra Dodge (+3), Staredown (25 feet)
8th	+6	+2	+6	+6	Close the Distance (20 feet)
9th	+6	+3	+6	+6	Mettle, Pinpoint
10th	+7	+3	+7	+7	Cobra Dodge (+4), Staredown (30 feet), Spell Resistance
Class Skills (4 + Int modifier per level) <-list of class skills->.

Table: The Epic Mongoose

Level	Special
11th	Close the Distance (25 feet), Disruption
12th	Bonus Feat
13th	Cobra Dodge (+5), Staredown (35 feet)
14th	Close the Distance (30 feet)
15th	Bonus Feat
16th	Cobra Dodge (+6), Staredown (40 feet)
17th	Close the Distance (35 feet)
18th	Bonus Feat
19th	Cobra Dodge (+7), Staredown (45 feet)
20th	Close the Distance (40 feet)

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the mongoose.

Staredown (Ex): The mongoose may designate one spellcaster (or manifester) within 10 feet, who must also be the mongoose's dodge target. That caster may not cast defensively unless its caster level exceeds the mongoose's Sense Motive bonus. The distance this is usable from increases by 5 feet at 4th level and every 3 levels thereafter.

Cobra Dodge (Ex): The mongoose is a master of prediction. When focused on a single target he can dodge an attack almost before it begins. The mongoose gets a bonus to AC and reflex saves against his dodge target. At 1st level this is a +1 dodge bonus to touch AC and reflex saves. At 4th level this is a +1 dodge bonus to regular AC and reflex saves (for a total of +2 touch AC, +1 regular AC, and +2 reflex saves). At 7th level and every 6 levels thereafter, the touch AC bonus increases by one. At 10th level and every 6 levels thereafter the regular AC bonus improves by one. At 7th level and every 3 levels thereafter, the reflex save bonus increases by one.

Close the Distance (Ex): The mongoose is very proficient at preventing a spellcaster from escaping him. When the mongoose's dodge target casts a spell while 10 feet or less away from the mongoose, a 2nd level or higher mongoose may expend on attack of oportunity to move adjacent to the target. This movement does not provoke attacks of opportunity, and cannot exceed one half of the mongoose's normal movement speed. At 5th level every three levels thereafter, the range the mongoose can use this at increases by an additional 5 feet. After closing the distance, the mongoose can make an attack of opportunity to disrupt spellcasting.

Disruption (Ex): The mongoose add his class level to damage when attacking someone casting a spell.

Evasion (Ex): At 3rd level, a mongoose can avoid even magical and unusual attacks with great agility. If he makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, he instead takes no damage. Evasion can be used only if the mongoose is wearing light armor or no armor. A helpless mongoose does not gain the benefit of evasion.

Blindfight (Ex): The mongoose often fights beings that are capable of masking themselves from sight. The mongoose gains Blindfight as a bonus feat at 3rd level.

Slippery Mind (Ex): This ability represents the mongoose’s ability to wriggle free from magical effects that would otherwise control or compel her. If a mongoose 6th level or higher is affected by an enchantment spell or effect and fails her saving throw, she can attempt it again 1 round later at the same DC. She gets only this one extra chance to succeed on her saving throw.

Spell Riposte (Ex): When a spell successfully cast by a 6th level or higher mongoose's dodge target fails against him, whether because of spell resistance, the mongoose making his save, or the caster missing with an attack to deliver it (or any other reason, as long as the spell was attempting to effect the mongoose), the mongoose may make an attack of opportunity against the spellcaster.

Mettle (Ex): Starting at 9th level , a mongoose's determination allows him to shrug off magical effects that would otherwise harm him. If a mongoose makes a successfully Will or Fortitude save that would normally reduce the spell’s effect (such as a spell with entry Will partial or Fortitude half) he instead negates the effects.

Pinpoint (Ex): The mongoose is very good at predicting the location of a spellcaster, even if he cannot see it. If mongoose 9th level or higher is aware of the presence of another creature that he cannot see, he may make a sense motive check to determine which square the creature is in.

Spell Resistance (Ex): At 10th level, the mongoose gains spell resistance equal to twice his class level, up to a maximum of his character level +10.

The epic Mongoose gains a bonus feat (selected from the list of epic Mongoose feats) every 3 levels after 9th level.

Epic Mongoose Bonus Feat List: Feel free to add any you think fit.

Campaign Information

Playing a Mongoose

The mongoose is an anti-caster specialist. They are generally little different in demeanor from the normal members of the classes they were a part of before becoming a mongoose.

Combat: In combat, the mongoose will identify any spellcasters, and will attempt to lock down the most powerful one. Using dodge and staredown on the target helps protect the mongoose from the enemies spells, and close the distance prevents them from simply backing away to cast their spell. A target the mongoose has moved next to will scarcely be able to escape him; 5 foot-stepping out of reach will not protect the caster due to close the distance. Trying to move away provokes an attack of opportunity, and at higher levels will still not protect the caster from close the distance, especially if the target tries to tumble.

If there are not spellcasters to fight, a mongoose's Cobra Dodge can help his defenses against the most dangerous target all the same.

Advancement: The Occult Slayer is a great pairing with the mongoose, providing more options for caster-hate. Improved Trip can put a spellcaster on his back, hindering him further in his attempts to move away, and making it harder for him to cast spells.

Resources: There is no overarching organization for mongooses; most are self-taught, and they have little in common besides skill at fighting spellcasters.

Mongooses in the World

“

I don't hate spellcasters. I just hate one's trying to kill me.

”

Mongooses are little different from the base classes they started in. Despite their skill at fighting spellcasters, they do not all hate them with the passion that occult slayers do; the mongoose simply wishes to broaden their abilities to counter a dangerous adversary.

NPC Reactions: Most NPCs will not know the difference between a mongoose and another fighter or rogue or whichever class the mongoose hails from. Spellcasters, especially enemy spellcasters, who know of the specific characters abilities, may rightly fear him.

Mongoose Lore

Characters with ranks in Knowledge (arcana) can research mongoose's to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

Knowledge (arcana)

DC	Result
11	Mongooses excel at fighting spellcasters.
16	Mongooses are very hard to effect with spells, often shaking effects that seemed to hold them, and often escaping unscathed from powerful attacks.
21	Casting a spell near a mongoose is not a good idea, his reach is greater than it looks!
26	Specific campaign related information, such as important mongooses in the game.

Mongooses in the Game

Mongooses are nearly indistinguishable from other adventures, except when fighting a spellcaster. A thieves guild enforcer or a bodyguard could have been a mongoose the entire time.

Adaptation: The mongoose could be restricted to a specific religion, race, or nation, such as a race with low talent for magic, as their way of countering spellcasters.

Sample Encounter: <-DM placement for NPC of this class->

EL whatever: <-Encounter scenario and character info on sample NPC including stat block. The CR of the NPC is typically the same as the EL for the encounter->

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