Halfling Staff-using Slayer help

[MrGrenadine]

Hello! I'm using the CB to roll up a staff-specialist halfling slayer. The concept is that the guy is a happy-go-lucky former acrobat/circus performer of some sort, a dangerous and fast fighter who can zip around the battlefield and strike for considerable damage. Think Yoda fighting Dooku--thats the kind of battle vibe I'm going for.

In particular I'm thinking there should be some good synergy with the Staff Slayer and the Stout Handed Staff feat, but the problem I'm having is figuring out how the character would ever get to knock anyone prone to utilize the feat's shifting property. I'm open to the possibility that Fighter might be a better class for this character, since I could take the Knockdown Strike At-Will, but I really like the Slayer and would like to make it work.

So, just looking to brainstorm if anyone has any ideas for the concept. Anyone know how a Slayer could take Knockdown Strike? Or maybe there's a weapon or weapon type that would make sense? I know the Staff of Earthen Might knocks prone on a crit, but waiting on a crit to be able to shift feels like I'll be waiting a long time. The Staff of Wind might be a good choice, too, though I'm not sure if there's a weapon vs. implement incompatibility there.

Anyway, any thoughts welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

[Saagael]

I'm not sure how to do it with a Slayer, but two ideas come to mind right off the bat:

As a Knight you can use the Defend the Line stance to slow enemies, then grab the World Serpent's Grasp feat to knock then prone.

Or if you still want to stay a Striker, you could change to a monk and use grab the Dragon's Tail at-will, which knocks prone on a hit.

There's also the Thief, with Unbalancing Trick that lets you shift 2, attack and knock prone, then shift away with that Stout Handed Staff feat. This has the issue of requiring the Sneaky Staff feat so you can use it as with weapon finesse and sneak attack.