Well Zero, the idea is that you use the shield to keep whatever's trying to hit you away, whether it's that Disintegrate (the shield takes it for you, most DMs have teh shield take the damage too) or that dude there and his energy draining touch.

Shield specalization - Sounds like a plan

Brian's comments - No Martyrs is worded that way for a very specific reason. I realize it might be a little confusing sometimes, but it exists as a sense of their tenacity and determination, and because extending the dying condition =/= equal adding H.P., though it's close. The one thing that a lot of people miss about the feat Diehard (WHICH, I would like to remind those of who who didn't read, IS A PRE-REQ FOR THIS CLASS) is that you're still, well, DYING. You don't automatically stabalize. You're -bleeding to death- while you fight. No Martyrs has the same weakness.

Do you mean 10% below max health on Whipping Boy, because your suggestion of for every 10 HP below is exactly what it does right now...

Vengence - Hmmm.....think I must, Brian-sama.