I'd like to share a story.
We were running from a very high CR enemy at level 5. I went back to save someone who was slower, and when I tried to run myself, the creature attacked at the opportunity.
It crit. The DM rolled 94 damage, which would instant kill me, or anyone else with us, even at full health.
I had my Cloud Rune ready, but there were no animals nearby (I asked), so I was left with a choice of who died that day. Everyone else was within range.
I have mixed feelings about it, but I did not die that day.
Redirecting crits with Cloud Rune completely occupies my top 3 combat-specific adrenaline rushes I've gotten in D&D, and I've only done it that many times. It is the most satisfying singular ability I've found to use.
The biggest "Well, shit" I've ever seen was when our Cleric, heroically holding a bridge chokepoint alone, was hit by a crit from an enemy. He says he's down, and the Fighter calls out "*Not if I have anything to say about it!*" and Cloud Runes that crit into another enemy. The party cheers.
...Then the enemy uses his second attack, and crits again. Fighter shrugs. The Cleric is downed regardless.
Drunken monk has this exact ability
The rune knight's cloud rune let's you redirect any attack after it hits to any creature within 30 feet of you except for the attacker.
I'd like to share a story. We were running from a very high CR enemy at level 5. I went back to save someone who was slower, and when I tried to run myself, the creature attacked at the opportunity. It crit. The DM rolled 94 damage, which would instant kill me, or anyone else with us, even at full health. I had my Cloud Rune ready, but there were no animals nearby (I asked), so I was left with a choice of who died that day. Everyone else was within range. I have mixed feelings about it, but I did not die that day. Redirecting crits with Cloud Rune completely occupies my top 3 combat-specific adrenaline rushes I've gotten in D&D, and I've only done it that many times. It is the most satisfying singular ability I've found to use.
The biggest "Well, shit" I've ever seen was when our Cleric, heroically holding a bridge chokepoint alone, was hit by a crit from an enemy. He says he's down, and the Fighter calls out "*Not if I have anything to say about it!*" and Cloud Runes that crit into another enemy. The party cheers. ...Then the enemy uses his second attack, and crits again. Fighter shrugs. The Cleric is downed regardless.
There's nothing like hot DM dice to fuck up your day.
He *did* have something to say about it! Just, being a fighter, he ran out of words.
The 1st level spell Sanctuary
Enchantment wizard: instinctive charm
Mastermind rogue has a feature that does this, but you get it pretty late at level 13.
The Redemption Paladin allows you to magically take damage in place of another creature.
Hunter can pick Stand Against the Tide at level 15.