| Crane Style | |
|---|---|
| |
| Details | |
Prerequisites |
Dodge, Improved Unarmed Strike and Monk level 1 or Base Attack Bonus 2 |
Effect(s) |
You take only a –2 penalty on attack rolls for fighting defensively. While using this style and fighting defensively, you gain an additional +1 dodge bonus to your Armor Class. |
Crane Style is a feat in Pathfinder: Kingmaker.
Effects[]
You take only a –2 penalty on attack rolls for fighting defensively. While using this style and fighting defensively, you gain an additional +1 dodge bonus to your Armor Class.
Needed For[]
Crane Wing, along with Base Attack Bonus of 5.
Notes[]
Monks (any archetype) can take this feat as early as level 1. They may also choose it as one of their Bonus Feats.
Strategy[]
Kingmaker[]
A must-have feat for optimizing Armor Class via Fighting Defensively stance. By default, Fighting Defensively provides a +2 dodge AC bonus at the expense of -4 attack bonus, so the net effect of using it is questionable. This feat alone halves the otherwise extreme attack penalty, while also increases the total dodge AC bonus granted to +3, providing some nice net benefits. The best part is that dodge AC stacks, so considering that Dodge (+1 dodge AC bonus) is a requirement for this feat, the total dodge bonus comes to +4 AC at the expense of -2 Attack. The stance can be further upgraded via Crane Wing and Crane Riposte.
All things considered, this feat is a no-brainer for Monks who lack any Armor and Shield Proficiencies and have limited protection early in the game. Other martial classes would also benefit from this feat, but should carefully consider the requirement costs: Improved Unarmed Strike in particular is virtually useless to anyone that uses a weapon in combat. Taking a single level of Monk is probably the best way to get this feat, as Monks can choose Crane Style as a bonus feat at level 1 and will also also get Improved Unarmed Strike for free. Planning ahead, one should note that only Lawful characters can get Monk levels.
Wrath of the Righteous[]
Satisfying the requirements for Crane Style has been made easier via the Martial Disciple Oblate Background which provides free Improved Unarmed Strike during character creation. This significantly reduces the feat cost. However, Crane Style's usefulness has diminished since its upgrades (Crane Wing and Crane Riposte) now only work if the character has a free hand and does not stack with Shileds. Shield's AC bonus has also been largely improved thanks to the Mythic Shield line of feats.