The Tough hero uses his Constitution score to best advantage. Taking a level in this class provides improved health and physical stamina. Better hit points, good fortitude, and the ability to shrug off some amount of damage combine to define the Tough hero. A Tough hero might be built like a truck or possess a great amount of endurance. He can take a lot of physical punishment, rarely gets sick, and often is hard to move. A Tough hero usually succeeds because he stays in the contest long after others have crumbled.

Stunt people, bodyguards, enforcers, wrestlers, and athletes who demand extreme staying power or must withstand a lot of physical punishment all fall within the purview of the Tough hero.

Ability Scores: Constitution is the ability most associated with this class. The Tough hero also often puts good scores in Strength and Wisdom.

The following information pertains to the Hero character class.

Hit Die: Strong heroes gain 1d10 vitality points per level, and Constitution modifier applies. A 1st-level Tough hero receives vitality points equal to 10 + his Constitution modifier.

Action Points: 5 + one-half character level, rounded down, every time the Hero attains a new level in this class.

The Hero’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are:

Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Drive (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Ride (Dex), Spot (Wis), and Survival (Wis)

The species, origin, and occupation you choose may provide you with additional class skills to choose from.

Skill Points at 1st Level: (2 + Int modifier) X 4

Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier

The following features pertain to the Tough Hero character class.

At each odd-numbered class level, the hero selects a talent from the following talent trees. Some trees have a set order that must be followed, while others provide a list to choose from. As long as the hero qualifies, he can select freely from any and all talent trees. No talent can be selected more than once unless expressly stated.

Beginning Talents: A 1st-Level Tough hero can choose from any of the talents on the Energy Resistance Talent Tree, Remain Conscious, Robust, or Second Wind from the Unbreakable Talent Tree.

The Tough hero has an innate talent to ignore a set amount of damage from most weapons, but not from energy or special attack forms. Before the hero can select a talent from this tree he must have at least one talent from either the Energy Resistance or Unbreakable talent tree.

• Damage Reduction 1/- : The Tough hero ignores 1 point of damage from melee and ranged attacks. Prerequisite: One talent from either the Energy Resistance or Unbreakable talent tree
• Damage Reduction 2/- : The Tough hero ignores 1 additional point of damage from melee and ranged attacks (DR 2/- total) Prerequisite: Damage Reduction 1/- , one talent from either the Energy Resistance or Unbreakable talent tree
• Damage Reduction 3/- : The Tough hero ignores 1 additional point of damage from melee and ranged attacks (DR 3/- total) Prerequisite: Damage Reduction 1/-, Damage Reduction 2/- , one talent from either the Energy Resistance or Unbreakable talent tree

The Tough hero is particularly resistant to certain kinds of deadly energy effects. These talents can be selected in any order.

• Acid Resistance: The Tough hero ignores an amount of acid damage equal to his Constitution modifier.
• Cold Resistance: The Tough hero ignores an amount of cold damage equal to his Constitution modifier.
• Electricity Resistance: The Tough hero ignores an amount of electricity damage equal to his Constitution modifier.
• Fire Resistance: The Tough hero ignores an amount of fire damage equal to his Constitution modifier.
• Sonic/Concussion Resistance: The Tough hero ignores an amount of sonic or concussion damage equal to his Constitution modifier.

The Tough hero is particularly resilient thanks to the following talents.

• Remain Conscious: The Tough hero gains the ability to continue to perform actions when he would otherwise be unconscious and dying. When the hero’s wound points reach his Dying Threshold, he can perform as though he were disabled, making either an attack action or a move action every round until he dies or his hit points return to 1 or higher. The hero can choose to succumb to unconsciousness instead of using this ability.
• Robust: The Tough hero becomes especially robust, gaining a number of hit points equal to his Tough level when he selects this talent, and gains an additional +1 hit point with each further Tough level he gains.
• Second Wind: The Tough hero can spend 1 action point to gain a second wind. Doing so allows him to recover a number of Vitality points equal to his Constitution modifier. Using this talent cannot bring the hero’s current vitality point higher than his normal maximum.
• Stamina: The Tough hero recovers twice as fast as normal. So, he recovers 2 hit points and 2 points of ability damage per character level from resting, and awakens from unconsciousness in half the normal time. Prerequisite: Robust

At each even-numbered class level, the Tough hero gains a bonus feat. This feat must be selected from the following list, and the hero must meet any prerequisites.

Alertness, Athletic, Brawl, Confident, Endurance, Great Fortitude, Improved Brawl, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Feint, Knockout Punch, Power Attack, Streetfighting, Toughness, Vehicle Expert.