View source for Autoplate Pilot, Variant (3.5e Class)

{{author
|author_name=Eiji-kun
|date_created=2/22/08
|adopter=Viatos
|date_adopted=03/19/10
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|editing= Formatting, PLEASE. It is a hideous mass of roiling text I know not how to combat.
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{{3.5e Class Semantic
|description=Master craftsman and tinkerers whose intelligence is turned to martial bent, in the form of a wondrous suit of mechanical armor.
}}


==Autoplate Pilot==

{{quote
|''All systems active. ENGAGE!''|size=20px}}

Autoplate pilots are frontline melee combatants whose prowess is supplemented by the fantastic abilities of their eponymous suits of armor. Driven (by ambition, by pride, by honor, even by love) to exceed the known limits of enchantment, transmutation, and artifice in the field of martial technology, every pilot has managed to design and construct an autoplate, a magical device superficially similar to armor but combining powerful abilities of protection, destruction, and utility within a compact mechanical frame. 

===Making an Autoplate Pilot===

Autoplate pilots are generally dedicated melee combatants, but they fight with discipline and keen intellectual awareness of the rigors of combat.

'''Abilities:''' Autoplate pilots are powerful melee warriors, and as such benefit from high Strength and Constitution. Intelligence is the controlling attribute for most of the autoplate pilot's class features and several important skills, and in some cases may replace Strength as dominant ability score. Dexterity is largely replaced by the many benefits of the autoplate, and Charisma and Wisdom also tend to fall to the wayside of a focused pilot's advancement.

'''Races:''' Humans and gnomes are the most common autoplate pilots, possessing naturally the arcanomechanical skill, ambition, and love of creation necessary for the construction of autoplate, as well as the adventurous predisposition that drives a pilot to martial excellence.  Unconventional dwarves may also complete and implement autoplate designs. Elves, while magically talented, rarely develop the advanced craftsmanship required in the creation of autoplate. Other races generally lack some combination of the martial, technical, and magical aptitudes essential to an autoplate pilot's progression. Exceptional individuals, of course, are what all the greatest stories are made of.

'''Alignment:''' Any.

'''Starting Gold:''' 5d4&times;10 GP (125 GP).

'''[[SRD:Race Descriptions#Starting Age|Starting Age]]:''' As [[wizard]].

{| class="zebra d20"
|+
<div>{{Anchor|Table 1-1: The Autoplate Pilot}}</div>
Hit Die: d8
|-
! rowspan="2" | Level
! rowspan="2" | [[BAB|Base<br/>Attack Bonus]]
! colspan="3" | [[SRD:Saving Throw|Saving Throw]]s
! rowspan="2" | Special
! rowspan="2" | Energy
! rowspan="2" | Maneuvers Known/Readied
! rowspan="2" | Stances Known
|-
! [[SRD:Saving Throw#Fortitude|Fort]] || [[SRD:Saving Throw#Reflex|Ref]] || [[SRD:Saving Throw#Will|Will]]
|- 
|1st|| class="left" | +0 || +2 || +0 || +0
| class="left" | [[#Arcane Armorer|Arcane Armorer (Novice)]], ''+1 Autoplate'', [[#Core Ignition|Core Ignition]] || 1 || 2/2 || 1
|- 
|2nd|| class="left" | +1 || +3 || +0 || +0
| class="left" | [[#Expansion|Expansion]] || 2 || 3/3 || 1
|- 
|3rd|| class="left" | +2 || +3 || +1 || +1
| class="left" | [[#Upgrade|Upgrade]] || 2 || 3/3 || 1
|- 
|4th||class="left" | +3 || +4 || +1 || +1
| class="left" | ''+2 Autoplate'', [[#Progressive Design|Progressive Design]] || 3 || 4/3 || 1
|- 
|5th||class="left" | +3 || +4 || +1 || +1
| class="left" | [[#Expansion|Expansion]] || 3 || 4/3 || 1
|- 
|6th||class="left" | +4 || +5 || +2 || +2
| class="left" | [[#Upgrade|Upgrade]] || 4 || 4/3 || 1
|- 
|7th||class="left" | +5 || +5 || +2 || +2
| class="left" | [[#Arcane Armorer|Arcane Armorer (Adept)]] || 4 || 5/3 || 1
|- 
|8th||class="left" | +6/+1 || +6 || +2 || +2
| class="left" | ''+3 Autoplate'', [[#Expansion|Expansion]] || 5 || 5/3 || 2
|- 
|9th||class="left" | +6/+1 || +6 || +3 || +3
| class="left" | [[#Upgrade|Upgrade]] || 5 || 6/3 || 2
|- 
|10th||class="left" | +7/+2 || +7 || +3 || +3
| class="left" | [[#Red Zone|Red Zone]] || 6 || 6/4 || 2
|- 
|11th||class="left" | +8/+3 || +7 || +3 || +3
| class="left" | [[#Expansion|Expansion]], [[#Core Awakening|Core Awakening]] || 6 || 6/4 || 2
|- 
|12th||class="left" | +9/+4 || +8 || +4 || +4
| class="left" | ''+4 Autoplate'', [[#Upgrade|Upgrade]] || 7 || 7/4 || 2
|- 
|13th||class="left" | +9/+4 || +8 || +4 || +4
| class="left" | [[#Arcane Armorer|Arcane Armorer (Master)]] || 7 || 7/4 || 2
|- 
|14th||class="left" | +10/+5 || +9 || +4 || +4
| class="left" | [[#Expansion|Expansion]] || 8 || 8/4 || 2
|- 
|15th||class="left" | +11/+6/+1 || +9 || +5 || +5
| class="left" | [[#Upgrade|Upgrade]] || 8 || 8/4 || 2
|- 
|16th||class="left" | +12/+7/+2 || +10 || +5 || +5
| class="left" | ''+5 Autoplate'', [[#Compartmentalization|Compartmentalization]] || 9 || 8/4 || 3
|- 
|17th||class="left" | +12/+7/+2 || +10 || +5 || +5
| class="left" | [[#Expansion|Expansion]] || 9 || 9/4 || 3
|- 
|18th||class="left" | +13/+8/+3 || +11 || +6 || +6
| class="left" | [[#Upgrade|Upgrade]] || 10 || 9/4 || 3
|- 
|19th||class="left" | +14/+9/+4 || +11 || +6 || +6
| class="left" | [[#Not Even The Sky|Not Even The Sky]] || 10 || 10/4 || 3
|- 
|20th||class="left" | +15/+10/+5 || +12 || +6 || +6
| class="left" | ''+6 Autoplate'', [[#Vita Ex Machina|Vita Ex Machina]] || 10 || 10/5 || 3
|- class="noalt"
| colspan="42" class="skill" |
'''Class Skills (4 + [[SRD:Intelligence|Int]] modifier per level, &times;4 at 1st level)'''<br/>
The autoplate pilot’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Appraise ([[Int]]), Balance ([[Dex]]), Concentration ([[Con]]), Craft ([[Int]]), Diplomacy ([[Cha]]), Disable Device ([[Int]]), Jump ([[Str]]), Knowledge (all skills) ([[Int]]), Profession ([[Wis]]), Search ([[Int]]), and Spot ([[Wis]]).
|}

====Class Features====

All of the following are class features of the autoplate pilot.

'''Weapon and Armor Proficiency:''' An autoplate pilot is proficient with all simple weapons, light hammers, warhammers, gnome hooked hammers*, dwarven urgroshes*, and with light and medium armor and light and heavy shields.

*Only if the weapon is a martial weapon for the character.

'''Maneuvers:''' An autoplate pilot begins his career with two maneuvers chosen from the Iron Heart, Stone Dragon, and White Raven disciplines. Once he knows a maneuver, he must ready it before he can use it (see Maneuvers Readied, below). A maneuver usable by autoplate pilots is considered an extraordinary ability unless otherwise noted in its description. Maneuvers are not affected by spell resistance, and do not provoke attacks of opportunity when initiated.

An autoplate pilot learns additional maneuvers at higher levels, as shown on [[#Table 1-1: The Autoplate Pilot|Table 1-1: The Autoplate Pilot]]. An autoplate pilot counts his full class levels towards his initiator level, rather then half as normal. 

Upon reaching 6th level, and at every two pilot levels after that (8th, 10th, 12th and so on), a pilot can choose to learn a new maneuver in place of one he already knows. In effect, he loses the old maneuver in exchange for the new one. He can choose a new maneuver of any level he wishes, as long as it is not greater than his highest maneuver level known. For example, upon reaching 11th level, an autoplate pilot could trade in a single 1st-, 2nd-, 3rd- or 4th-level maneuver for a maneuver of 5th level or lower, as long as he meets the prerequisite of the new maneuver. Only a single maneuver can be swapped at any given level.

'''Maneuvers Readied:''' An autoplate pilot can ready both of the maneuvers he knows at 1st level, but as he advances in level and learns more maneuvers, he must choose which maneuvers to ready. A pilot readies maneuvers by practicing katas and meditating on the nature of his disciplines, a process that takes 1 hour and must be done unarmored. Maneuvers chosen to be readied remain readied until the pilot decides to retrain his muscles with another session of practice and contemplation. Rest is not required to ready maneuvers; any time a pilot can practice katas unarmored, he can change his readied maneuvers.

A pilot begins an encounter with all his readied maneuvers unexpended, regardless of how many times he might have already used them since he chose them. When he initiates a maneuver, he expends it for the current encounter, so each of his readied maneuvers can be used once per encounter (unless he recovers them, as described below).

An autoplate pilot recovers maneuvers by recalling the movements of mind and body he used to ready them; he can spend a full-round making a DC 20 Concentration check that provokes attacks of opportunity. Success on this check recovers all maneuvers he had readied. Alternatively, he can use the synchronized nature of the autoplate to help him repeat previous attacks and expend its energy to supplement and revitalize tired muscles; by spending Energy equal to the level of a maneuver as a swift action, he may recover that maneuver.

'''Stances Known:''' A pilot begins play with knowledge of one 1st-level stance from any discipline open to him. At 8th and 16th level, he can choose additional stances. Unlike maneuvers, stances are not expended, and the pilot does not have to ready them. All the stances he knows are available to him at all times, and he can change the stance he is currently using as a swift action. A stance is an extraordinary ability unless otherwise stated in the stance description.

Unlike with maneuvers, a pilot cannot learn a new stance at higher levels in place of one he already knows.

'''{{Anchor|Arcane Armorer}}:''' Smiths and tinkerers first of all, autoplate pilots possess superlative skills of crafting and design, especially when it comes to armor. At first level, an autoplate pilot gains the ability to add half his class level as a competence bonus to Craft checks to repair items and to repair or craft armor. He may also cast ''[[SRD:Mending|mending]]'', ''[[SRD:Identify|identify]]'' and ''[[SRD:Magic Weapon|magic weapon]]'' as at-will supernatural abilities with a range of touch and a casting time of 1 minute. His caster level for these abilities is his class level.

At seventh level, an autoplate pilot makes all Craft checks with the highest Craft skill he possesses as long as he has at least 1 rank in the original Craft skill required. He gains Craft Wondrous Item as a bonus feat even if he does not meet the prerequisities, and may cast ''[[SRD:Make Whole|make whole]]'', ''[[SRD:Dispel Magic|dispel magic]]'',  ''[[SRD:Shatter|shatter]]'', and ''[[SRD:Stone Shape|stone shape]]'' as at-will supernatural abilities with a range of touch and a casting time of 1 minute. His caster level for these abilities is his class level.

At thirteenth level, an autoplate pilot gains Craft Magic Arms and Armor and Craft Construct as bonus feats even if he does not meet the prerequisities. He may cast ''[[SRD:Greater Magic Weapon|greater magic weapon]]'', ''[[SRD:Fabricate|fabricate]]'', and ''[[SRD:Greater Dispel Magic|greater dispel magic]]'' as at-will supernatural abilities with a range of touch and a casting time of 1 minute or the original casting time, whichever is greater. His caster level for these abilities is his class level.

'''{{Anchor|Core Ignition}}:''' At first level, the autoplate pilot has successfully built and activated the signature item of his class - a full suit of autoplate. Each autoplate is a unique suit of masterwork light armor with an AC bonus of +2, a maximum Dexterity bonus of +8, hardness equal to 20 + your Intelligence modifier, hitpoints equal to 10 per class level, and no armor check penalty. When donned by an autoplate pilot, it becomes a ''+1 autoplate'' that has no maximum Dexterity bonus and does not encumber the wearer. The autoplate's enhancement bonus increases by 1 every fourth level after first, as shown on the [[#Table 1-1: The Autoplate Pilot|chart]].

Additionally, at first level, the autoplate pilot gains access to the suit's energy core and its pool of Energy, which is used to power his class abilities. An autoplate's maximum Energy is equal to the amount specified in [[#Table 1-1: The Autoplate Pilot|Table 1-1: The Autoplate Pilot]] plus your Intelligence bonus, and regenerates an amount of Energy equal to half its maximum (rounded down; minimum 1) at the end of your turn. Energy and abilities that require access to an Energy pool are not accessible when not wearing autoplate.

If a pilot's autoplate is ever destroyed, he can rebuild it with material components costing 100gp per class level + 100gp per Expansion + 100gp per Upgrade; doing so takes 1 week + 1 day per Expansion + 1 day per Upgrade. He may make a DC 20 Craft (Armorsmithing) check to cut the time and cost in half, or a DC 30 check to reduce the time to 3 days and negate the cost, although failure at either check means he must use the full time and material expenditure to restore his armor. If it is ever deactivated or rendered nonmagical by a dispelling effect such as [[SRD:Mage's Disjunction|mage's disjunction]], he may reactivate it with a DC 20 Knowledge (Arcana) check that takes 10 minutes to resolve.

'''{{Anchor|Expansion}}:''' Starting at 2nd level and every third level after that, you gain an Expansion from the below list. Each Expansion provides a passive bonus as well as a secondary mode that requires Energy investment each round. Expansions, including their passive bonus, do not function when not wearing autoplate. It takes 4 hours and a DC 15 Craft check to apply an Expansion; once chosen, an Expansion may never be changed. The caster level of Expansion effects is equal to your class level unless otherwise noted.

When you commit Energy to an Expansion, you lose its passive benefits and gain the secondary mode's listed benefits until the start of your next turn. If you choose to commit the necessary Energy again, the effect is continuous and unbroken until a round occurs where you stop committing Energy to that Expansion. Some Expansions allow variable amounts of Energy to active their secondary modes; in this case, you may choose to dial the effects up or down as you choose round by round. As long as you commit the minimum Energy needed for the Expansion's secondary mode, any basic benefits (benefits unaffected by Energy investiture beyond the minimum) are continuous and unbroken.
 
Committing Energy to an inactive secondary mode or changing Energy investment is a swift action (you can commit Energy and change Energy investment for all your Expansions with the same action), but choosing to maintain Energy committed in a previous round is a free action. Each Expansion may only be taken once unless otherwise stated.

:'''Combat Algorithms:''' You may use either your Intelligence or Strength modifiers for melee attack and damage rolls and your Intelligence or Dexterity modifier for ranged attack rolls; for attacks using your Intelligence, you gain a +1 insight bonus to damage for every instance of the Assault Upgrade you possess.

:''Alternatively, by committing 1 Energy to this Expansion, you may add your Intelligence and your Dexterity modifier to ranged attack rolls.''

:''Alternatively, by committing 2 Energy to this Expansion, you may add your Intelligence and your Strength modifiers to melee attack and damage rolls.'' This secondary mode cannot be used by an autoplate pilot of less then 5th level.

:'''Entertainment Package:''' You gain the benefits of a constant ''[[SRD:Prestidigitation|prestidigitation]]'' spell and a +5 insight bonus to Perform and Sleight of Hand checks. You gain the ability to use ''[[SRD:Mage Hand|mage hand]]'' and ''[[SRD:Ghost Sound|ghost sound]]'' as at-will spell-like abilities but your caster level for these effects is your class level or your Intelligence modifier, whichever is lower.

:''Alternatively, by committing 1 Energy to this Expansion, you gain the ability to use ''[[SRD:Obscuring Mist|obscuring mist]]'', ''[[SRD:Silent Image|silent image]]'', and ''[[SRD:Unseen Servant|unseen servant]]'' as spell-like abilities usable once per encounter.''

:''Alternatively, by committing 3 Energy to this Expansion, you gain the ability to use ''[[SRD:Fog Cloud|fog cloud]]'', ''[[SRD:Levitate|levitate]]'', ''[[SRD:Mirror Image|mirror image]]'', or ''[[SRD:Pyrotechnics|pyrotechnics]]'' as spell-like abilities usable once per counter.'' This secondary mode cannot be used by an autoplate pilot of less then 5th level.

:'''Environmental Package:''' You gain the benefits of constant ''[[SRD:Endure Elements|endure elements]]'' and ''[[SRD:Water Breathing|water breathing]]'' spells and a +5 alchemical bonus to saves against poisons and diseases.

:''Alternatively, by committing 3 Energy to this Expansion, you gain the benefits of constant ''[[SRD:Freedom of Movement|freedom of movement]]'', ''[[SRD:Endure Elements|endure elements]]'' and ''[[SRD:Water Breathing|water breathing]]'' spells, immunity to poisons and diseases, and resist 15 acid, cold, electricity and fire.'' This secondary mode cannot be used by an autoplate pilot of less then 5th level.

:'''Energistic Design Package:''' Your maximum Energy increases by 1, and you regenerate an extra Energy at the end of your turn. Choose a damage type from acid, cold, electricity, or fire. At your option, attacks made using Progressive Design weapons or spell-like abilities deal damage of that type instead of their normal damage. This passive benefit is not suppressed by activating the secondary modes of Evolved Energy Core.

:''Alternatively, you may commit 3 Energy to this Expansion to give your Progressive Design weapon the effects of a ''caustic/fiery/freezing/shocking burst'' enchantment corresponding to your Energistic Design Package (or any one of those enchantments, if you also have the Scintillating Design Advancement feat).'' This secondary mode cannot be used by an autoplate pilot of less then 5th level.

:''Alternatively, you may commit 3 or more Energy to this Expansion to overcharge your Progressive Design spell-like ability. Doing so maximizes its damage, but your Energy does not regenerate for the next round. By committing 5 Energy the spell-like ability is also empowered, but your Energy does not regenerate for 1d4+1 rounds and you take damage equal to your maximum Energy.'' This secondary mode cannot be used by an autoplate pilot of less then 10th level.

:'''Martial Enhancement Package:''' You add Diamond Mind to your list of disciplines known. You learn one stance from the Diamond Mind discipline and one maneuver plus one per five levels from the Diamond Mind discipline. This passive benefit is not suppressed by activating the secondary modes of Martial Enhancement Package.

:''Alternatively, by committing 3 or more Energy to this Expansion, the save DCs of all your martial maneuvers increase by 1 plus 1 for each 3 Energy beyond the initial 3 committed.''

:''Alternatively, by committing 5 Energy to this Expansion, you can recover any maneuver you know as a free action once per round.'' This secondary mode cannot be used by an autoplate pilot of less then 5th level.

:'''Sensor Package:''' You gain low-light vision if you did not already possess it, the effects of a constant ''[[SRD:Detect Magic|detect magic]]'' spell, and a +5 insight bonus to Spot and Listen checks.

:''Alternatively, by committing 1 or more Energy to this Expansion, you gain 10' of darkvision and a +2 insight bonus to Spot and Listen checks (stacks with itself) for each Energy committed. You gain the benefits of a constant ''[[SRD:Arcane Sight|arcane sight]]'' spell, but its effects extend 10' from you for each Energy committed instead of a base 120'.''

:''Alternatively, by committing 5 Energy to this Expansion, you gain the benefits of a constant ''[[SRD:True Seeing|true seeing]] spell and a +20 insight bonus to Spot and Listen checks.'' This secondary mode cannot be used by an autoplate pilot of less then 10th level.

:'''Stealth Package:''' You gain the ability to use ''[[SRD:Darkness|darkness]]'' as an at-will spell-like ability, and gain a +5 insight bonus to Hide and Move Silently checks.

:''Alternatively, by committing 3 Energy to this Expansion, you gain the benefits of a constant ''[[SRD:Invisibility|invisibility]]'' spell and a +10 insight bonus to Move Silently checks. Breaking invisibility ends the spell effect for 1d4+1 rounds.'' This secondary mode cannot be used by an autoplate pilot of less then 5th level.

:''Alternatively, by committing 5 Energy to this Expansion, you gain the benefits of constant ''[[SRD:Greater Invisibility|greater invisibilty]]'' and ''[[SRD:Silence|silence]] spells.'' This secondary mode cannot be used by an autoplate pilot of less then 10th level.

:'''Travel Package:''' You can hustle indefinitely without taking nonlethal damage. You can run for the same period of time you would normally be able to hustle; after this period you begin taking nonlethal damage at a rate of 1 per hour, with the damage doubling every third hour. You can walk for 12 hours before you are considered to be making a forced march. Terrain modifiers to overland distance are improved by one category to a maximum of 1 1/2.

:''Alternatively, by committing 1 or more Energy to this Expansion, your base land speed increases by 10 feet and you gain a +2 competence bonus to Jump checks for each Energy committed. While this secondary mode is active, you retain the passive benefits of Travel Package.''

:''Alternatively, by committing 3 or more Energy to this Expansion, you gain a fly speed of 30 feet (clumsy) and a swim speed of 30 feet. Each Energy over 3 committed to this Expansion increases your base, fly, and swim speeds by 10 feet, and every 3 Energy over the minimum first 3 increases your flight maneuverability by one grade to a maximum of perfect.'' This secondary mode cannot be used by an autoplate pilot of less then 10th level.

'''{{Anchor|Upgrade}}:''' Starting at 3rd level and every 2nd level beyond that, the autoplate pilot gains an Upgrade from the list below. To apply an Upgrade, a pilot must succeed at a DC 20 Craft (armorsmithing) check that takes 4 hours to resolve. Once applied, an Upgrade can be changed to another with a DC 30 Craft check that takes 8 hours to resolve. Upgrades confer their passive benefits while the pilot is wearing his autoplate. All Upgrades may be taken multiple times and stack with themselves, with Expansions, and with each other unless otherwise specified.

:''Assault Upgrade:'' You gain a +1 enhancement bonus to Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution.

:''Energy Upgrade:'' You gain 1 additional maximum Energy, and you regenerate an extra 1 Energy at the end of your turn.

:''Guardian Upgrade:'' Your autoplate gains +2 AC and confers 20% fortification. Each round, it regains 5 hitpoints.

:''Medical Upgrade:'' You gain fast healing 1 and a +2 alchemical bonus to Heal and Constitution checks.

:''Mobility Upgrade:'' You gain a +10 feet enhancement bonus to your base land speed and a +1 enhancement bonus to Initiative.

:''Resistance Upgrade:'' You gain a +1 bonus to Fortitude, Reflex, and Will saves, as well as resist 2 acid, cold, electricity and fire.

:''Weapons Upgrade:'' Your Progressive Design melee weapon ignores 2 points of DR. Your Progressive Design ranged touch attack increases its range increments by 50 feet. All your Progressive Design weapons gain a +1 damage bonus per die.

'''{{Anchor|Progressive Design}}:''' At 4th level, an autoplate pilot knows that a good defense is rarely the best offense. As a move action, he can spend 1 Energy to create or dismiss a custom melee weapon treated as a greatsword sized for him. It deals slashing, bludgeoning, or piercing damage as he chooses and has hardness, hitpoints, and enhancement bonus equal to his autoplate's. If destroyed, it cannot be reformed for 1 minute.

As a standard action, he can spend Energy to make a ranged touch attack that does 1d8 damage per Energy spent, with a range increment of 50 feet. Treat this as a spell-like ability with a caster level equal to his class level.

'''{{Anchor|Red Zone}}:''' Starting at 10th level, once per day an autoplate pilot can push the limits of his armor - and himself - into the Red Zone. As a full-round action, the pilot enters a state similar to a barbarian's rage. In this state he gains a +2 alchemical bonus to Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution, his BAB increases to full, and he receives the benefits of a constant ''[[SRD:Haste|haste]]'' spell. His Energy regenerates to its maximum value at the end of his turn. A pilot can operate in the Red Zone for up to 3 + his Intelligence bonus rounds. Upon exiting the Red Zone, an autoplate pilot is immediately fatigued and takes 1 point of temporary Intelligence damage.

'''{{Anchor|Core Awakening}}:''' Starting at 11th level, the complexity and magical saturation of a pilot's armor reaches some unknown threshold, and his autoplate awakens. It becomes an intelligent item with an alignment of the player's choosing, Empathy communication, vision and hearing out to 120 feet, and mental ability scores of 10, 10, and 8 (arranged as the player chooses). It knows any language its creator knows. It never confers negative levels on its creator for differing alignment and never forces a personality conflict unless its Ego exceeds its creator's class levels.

Despite its seeming benevolence and built-to-spec personality, an awakened autoplate occasionally seems to be...more then the sum of its components. Choose two skills corresponding to Charisma, Intelligence, or Wisdom. When wearing the autoplate, an autoplate pilot is treated as having 10 ranks (or his own ranks, whichever is higher) in those skills.

Finally, if an autoplate pilot is reduced to negative hitpoints while wearing his autoplate, he is automatically stabilized and knocked unconscious, and the autoplate takes over for 1d10 rounds. Treat it exactly as if it were the character operating in the Red Zone for the duration of its control, except that it is an NPC with its own alignment and mental ability scores. After this period, the autoplate becomes both unresponsive and impossible to remove until the pilot regains consciousness.

'''{{Anchor|Compartmentalization}}:''' The autoplate pilot and his equipment have become difficult to distinguish from each other, and benefit from a kind of cosmic displacement. While wearing his autoplate, a pilot is considered to be under the effect of a constant ''[[SRD:Mind Blank||mind blank]]'' spell, and gains SR equal to his class level + his Intelligence bonus.

'''{{Anchor|Not Even The Sky}}:''' At 19th level, an autoplate pilot no longer acknowledges the limits of his own ability. While operating in the Red Zone, his alchemical bonus to his physical ability scores increases to +4. He may enter the Red Zone once per encounter, and upon exiting may make a DC20 Concentration check. If he succeeds, he is not fatigued and does not take Intelligence damage.

'''{{Anchor|Vitae Ex Machina}}:''' At 20th level, the autoplate pilot and his autoplate are no longer separate entities. They have transcending the physical and become something beyond anticipation. 

The autoplate pilot becomes a construct with the living construct subtype. His alignment changes to a new alignment between his original alignment and the alignment of his autoplate, and his mental ability scores are his own or the autoplate's, whichever are higher. The autoplate is no longer an NPC as a consequence of [[#Core Awakening|Core Awakening]] when the character reaches negative hitpoints, and its control always last for 10 rounds rather then being rolled. 

Finally, while the autoplate can no longer be removed, the autoplate pilot can absorb it into his being as a move action to appear as a normal humanoid of his original subtype, losing access to his class abilities (but not his maneuvers or stances) and the autoplate equipment until he chooses to release it as a swift action.

====Epic Autoplate Pilots====

{| class="zebra d20"
|+ class="epic" |
<div>{{Anchor|Table 1-2: The Epic Autoplate Pilot}}</div>
Hit Die: d8
|-
! Level !! Special
|- 
| 21st || class="left" | Upgrade
|- 
| 22nd || class="left" |  Bonus Feat
|- 
| 23rd || class="left" | ''Autoplate +7''
|- 
| 24th || class="left" | Upgrade
|- 
| 25th || class="left" | ''Autoplate +8''
|- 
| 26th || class="left" | Bonus Feat
|- 
| 27th || class="left" | ''Autoplate +9'', Upgrade
|- 
| 28th || class="left" | Bonus Feat
|- 
| 29th || class="left" | ''Autoplate +10'' 
|- 
| 30th || class="left" | Upgrade, Bonus Feat
|- class="noalt"
| colspan="42" class="skill" |
4 + [[SRD:Intelligence|Int]] modifier skill points per level.
|}

====Gnome Autoplate Pilot Starting Package====

{{Section Description Needed}}

'''Weapons:''' Warhammer.

'''Skill Selection:''' Pick a number of skills equal to 4 + [[Int]] modifier.

{| class="zebra d20"
|-
! class="left" | Skill || Ranks || Ability || Armor<br/>Check<br/>Penalty
|- 
| class="left" | Balance || 4 || Dex || &mdash
|- 
| class="left" | Concentration || 4 || Con || &mdash;
|- 
| class="left" | Craft (Armorsmithing) || 4 || Int || &mdash
|- 
| class="left" | Disable Device || 4 || Int || &mdash
|}

'''Feat:''' [[Extra Upgrade (3.5e Feat)|Extra Upgrade]]

'''Gear:''' Autoplate, masterwork artisan's tools, thieves' tools, assorted mundane equipment.

'''Gold:''' None.

===Campaign Information===

====Playing an Autoplate Pilot====

'''Religion:''' Most autoplate pilots worship deities of craftsmanship or warfare; those of appropriate race or culture may seek out deities who emblemize both, such as Flandal Steelskin. Other pilots send their prayers to deities of strength; a few choose divine patrons of the arcane, although non-Chaotic deities of magic are unlikely to appreciate the gesture.

'''Other Classes:''' Autoplate pilots tend to have mixed relations with other classes, to the extent that it's difficult to categorize their relationships: while characters such as paladins or more open-minded martial adepts are likely to respect and value a pilot's contribution to the party, traditional warriors and mages both tend to disdain the autoplate pilot's reliance on magic-enhanced equipment, seeing it as a crutch rather then an advancement. They are most likely to get along with characters who appreciate strong martial abilities and utility contributions in a companion, and least likely to get along with characters who highly value personal development or spellcasting.

'''Combat:''' The autoplate pilot's role in combat is initiation and overwhelming offense. Autoplate pilots have access to great direct offensive and defensive abilities, meaning they should always be right in the middle of the action. If you choose to focus on your Progressive Design melee weapon, take feats and Upgrades that capitalize on your melee potential and make you more dangerous to ignore. As a full martial initiator you've got plenty of options, get in there and hack 'em up!

If you choose to focus on your Progressive Design ranged weapon, you'll likely want to focus on Intelligence and take Upgrades that increase your available Energy and mobility - since your defense will still be strong with a good Dexterity and mobility options, spend time in the first few rounds positioning yourself AWAY from weaker party members and forcing enemies to choose between your high damage or a more vulnerable target. If they still pick your allies, you can always use your mobility options to switch back to a more defensive position.

'''Advancement:''' Autoplate pilots do fine just sticking it out as autoplate pilots, and have a plethora of class features and in-class advancement options to make that a desirable choice. However, they can also obtain significant benefit by pursuing the training of other martial specialists (particularly warblades, whose abilities synchronize nicely with their own). If they wish to keep their autoplate up to snuff, they'll need to devote at least a few feats to Extra Upgrade, or their levels in autoplate pilot may end up wasted as better magic armor and weapons become available.

They gain limited benefit from pursuing spellcasting classes, as spellcasting advancement is so important and certain [[#Expansion|Expansions]] grant numerous utility spells (the only kind they can make full use of in a competitive environment where enemies will likely be able to save against their offensive effects). However, their high Intelligence focus may be attractive if they intend to focus more on the career of a Psion or Wizard then on advancing their autoplate, although arcane spellcasting carries the additional headache of spell failure chance.

====Autoplate Pilots in the World====

{{quote|"The autoplate defends me, strengthens me...but most of all, it gives me the chance to spend that strength defending the things that really matter." |orig=Antonio Exuperry, gnome autoplate pilot}}

Autoplate pilots often find service as bodyguards, escorts, or mercenaries, similar to many fighting classes; like other martial adepts, they also tend to disdain purely materialistic lives and follow the tenets of their own personal codes, however honorable or random it may be. They are more likely even then swordsages to retreat into lengthy bouts of contemplation and invention, on par with the wizard's tendency to self-isolate - a desire to test their skills and the loneliness of living without even a familiar for companionship bring them back into view as part of a regular cycle.

When it comes to those pilots destined to take up the mantle of adventurer, of course, all bets are off.

'''Daily Life:''' An autoplate pilot's life is practice, contemplation, and invention. Much of her free time is taken up by maintaining and perfecting her autoplate, or by maintaining and perfecting her own martial abilities. She might share a kinship with the monk in this way, if she pursues her path with regimented discipline and an established tradition of development, or else resemble the habits of the wizard, always haphazardly tinkering or trying out a new theory of combat on unsuspecting haysacks, scarecrows, and inattentive party members.

'''Notables:''' The whisper gnome mercenary, referred to by bards and fearful commoners as the Adamant Ghost, stalks the lowlands and seeks out barbarian tribes to offer her services to. With her strength and their numbers, few communities can stand against the ensuing assaults on civilization - and even the king's military has been unable to stem the slow creep of annexation. While the savage hordes show little tactical ability or interest in cooperation, it is clear that the Adamant Ghost has a master plan involving the piecemeal acquisition of the entire kingdom by barbarians - what she plans to do next is a matter of dark speculation.

The Invincible Triad, three human paragons of the northern reaches, recently disappeared on a mission to root out a lich haunting a recently thawed glacier, said to be riddled with the tombs of long-dead arctic dwarves; despite the danger, their service to the community has been all that keeps it from succumbing to despair and destruction for years, and some say this was in part due to a new martial discipline they created, focused around use of heavy armor to draw in and crush their opponents. If they are lost, this secret art will be buried under ice along with them.

Everyone knows the Knights of Celestial Vestment: ruthless champions of St. Cuthbert, appointed by the high priest and taught how to pursue and demolish the church's enemies without hesitation or mercy. The gnomish inventor Namfoodle Oneshoe suspects the high priest is in reality a servant of Asmodeus, but none except an armored Knight would have the authority to question church servants and investigate the truth of the matter. Namfoodle believes he could customize any existing suit of autoplate to pass for that of a Knight, but first a suit must be obtained - or offered by a sympathetic pilot in the party...

'''Organizations:''' Organizations of autoplate pilots are rare; it's a very specialized skill spanning multiple disciplines, and tends not to manifest too often in a given generation. ''Lineages'' of pilots, on the other hand, are quite common; many pilots begin their path upon discovery of the notes or tales of pilots past, or even examination of a heirloom suit of plate. Autoplate requires extraordinary levels of maintenance, so such discarded suits are rarely more valuable then ''+1 autoplate'', but their obvious complexity drives many to understand and replicate. When organizations do occur, they are often among gnomish or human university-like communities of arcane craftsman, taking the form of special task forces or tradition-based community guardians. On occasion, these organizations instead appear as gangs or warbands with a truly frightening potential for destruction and tyranny.

'''NPC Reactions:''' Autoplate pilots are neither rare nor common, occupying a semi-legendary position as mad inventors playing with cursed and demon-bound armor, undying warriors who trade their souls for construct powers, or potent martial adepts who took to artifice almost as a form of martial discipline. Assuming they do not display overtly supernatural abilities, they're unlikely to cause a fuss; upon doing so, they tend to be relegated to the category of wizards and warlocks, with all the attendant suspicion and fearful respect. Actual wizards, and additionally monks, rogues with an interest in magical items, and other martial adepts are likely to sit up and take notice, and may react with varying degrees of curiousity, jealousy, greed, camaraderie, or even malice.

====Autoplate Pilot Lore====

Characters with ranks in Martial Lore or Knowledge (Arcana) can research autoplate pilots to learn more about them.  When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

{| class="zebra d20"
|+ Martial Lore or Knowledge (Arcana)
! DC || class="left" | Result
|- 
| 10 || class="left" | Autoplate pilots do battle in mystical suits of armor with potent enhancements.
|- 
| 15 || class="left" | An autoplate pilot's skill comes not only from his equipment, but his mastery of martial disciplines.
|- 
| 20 || class="left" | Autoplate can provide its pilot with weaponry, utility, and superlative defense - as well as enhancing his natural abilities to preternatural levels.  The disciplines available to an autoplate pilot are Iron Heart, Stone Dragon, and White Raven.
|- 
| 30 || class="left" | Autoplate is powered by a magical energy core whose function is essential to almost all a pilot's class abilities. This core is vulnerable to antimagic fields and powerful dispelling effects, as well as theft or even Disable Device checks. Without it, a pilot is reduced to a subpar martial adept.
|}

====Autoplate Pilots in the Game====

{{Section Description Needed}}

<-How characters of this class fit in the game (PC and NPC) and what roles they play.->

'''Adaptation:''' <-Possible variant conceptions of this class.->.

'''Sample Encounter:''' <-DM placement for NPCs of this class.->.

''EL 10:'' <-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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{{3.5e Base Classes Breadcrumb}}
[[Category:3.5e]]
[[Category:User]]
[[Category:Class]]
[[Category:Base Class]]
[[Category:User Viatos]]
Adopter	Viatos +
Allowed Alignments	Lawful Good +, Lawful Neutral +, Lawful Evil +, Neutral Good +, Neutral +, Neutral Evil +, Chaotic Good +, Chaotic Neutral + and Chaotic Evil +
Article Balance	High +
Author	Eiji-kun +
Base Attack Bonus Progression	Moderate +
Class Ability	Other +
Class Ability Progression	Full +
Fortitude Save Progression	Good +
Identifier	3.5e Class +
Length	20 +
Minimum Level	1 +
Rating	Unrated +
Reflex Save Progression	Poor +
Skill	Appraise +, Balance +, Concentration +, Craft +, Diplomacy +, Disable Device +, Jump +, Knowledge +, Profession +, Search + and Spot +
Summary	Master craftsman and tinkerers whose intelligence is turned to martial bent, in the form of a wondrous suit of mechanical armor. +
Title	Autoplate Pilot, Variant +
Will Save Progression	Poor +