The back alley grifter gains the tension and tension technique class features, using her casting modifier in place of her Constitution modifier (if it would be different) when determining the amount of tension she can possess and the effects of her tension techniques.

From Striker:

A striker is at home in battle, thriving on the raw energy of combat to fuel her attacks. A striker begins the day with no tension, but can gain tension in the following ways (a striker cannot gain tension from each of these more than once per round and a striker must be in combat to gain tension):

Offensive Pressure: Whenever the striker successfully damages a creature with an unarmed strike or makes successful combat maneuver check against a creature to initiate a combat maneuver, she gains 1 tension.

Defensive Determination: Whenever the striker takes damage from an attack originating from a creature (including spells, spell-like abilities, and supernatural abilities), she gains 1 tension. A striker does not gain tension from attacks made against her while she is flat-footed or unaware.

Maneuvering Momentum: Whenever the striker moves 10 ft. or more during her turn (this cannot be forced movement), she gains 1 tension.

Her tension goes up or down throughout the day, but usually cannot go higher than her Constitution modifier (minimum 1), though some feats, abilities, and magic items may affect this maximum. At 3rd level and every three levels afterward, her maximum tension increases by 1. If a striker spends 1 minute or longer outside of combat, she loses all tension she possesses.

Tension Techniques (Ex)

A striker can spend tension in order to accomplish incredible feats and each tension technique can only be used once per round (if an ability does not have an associated action listed, using it is a free action which can be done during anyone’s turn). Unless stated otherwise, you must activate a tension technique before any applicable rolls are made. For example, if you activate Expert Guard, you must do so before making a saving throw.

Appears In : Lost Champions: Mountebank