Making a good fighter

[Storminator]

Well tastes differ, but here's one idea, using only the phb:

Human Fighter (need 13+ in Str, Int, Dex). Skills: Jump, Climb, Swim, Intimidate (max out all four)

1st P. attack, Cleave, exotic w. prof: Bastard Sword
2nd w. focus: Bastard sword
3rd Iron Will
4th W. Spec: Bastard sword
6th Quickdraw, Dodge
8th I. Crit: Bastard Sword
9th Great Fortitude
10th G. W. Focus: Bastard Sword
12th Mobility, Spring Attack
14th Expertise
15th Lightning Reflexes
16th Whirlwind Attack
18th G. W. Specialization: Bastard Sword, Combat Reflexes
20th Great Cleave

Hope that helps. Note that Great Cleave doesn't stack with Whirlwind attack, but the former can be used with Aoo's, Spring attack's, etc., while the latter does not require a dropped foe to get the other attacks.

Note also that if you switch to Dwarf with the Dwarven War Ax, you get crunchier. You don't lose the exotic weap. feat since that is part of the race package, and dwarves don't swim anyway.

This is exactly the type of fighter I don't like to play. He's good at what he does, but he's not very interesting. I prefer:

1st Power Attack, EWP Bastard Sword, TWF

2nd Point Blank Shot

3rd Quick Draw

4th Rapid Shot

6th Combat Expertise, Combat Reflexes

8th ITWF

9th Precise Shot

10th Cleave

12th WF: BS, WS: BS
.
.
.

Then use a bastard sword, a buckler, and throwing daggers. You can use the sword 2 handed (power attack), use sword and board (expertise), throw daggers (QD, PBS & RS), or use the dagger in the off hand for TWF. And you're reasonably able to do these things at fairly low levels.

I think it's a much more fun guy to play.

PS

 

[ForceUser]

Dwarven barbarian 1/fighter 12/ranger 1

Feats
Level 1 - Fighter 1

• Weapon Focus (falchion)
• Power Attack

Level 2 - Fighter 2

• Cleave

Level 3 - Fighter 3

• Improved Toughness

Level 4 - Fighter 4

• Weapon Specialization (falchion)

Level 5 - Fighter 5

Level 6 - Fighter 6

• Resounding Blow (from the Book of Exalted Deeds)
• Great Cleave

Level 7 - Fighter 7

Level 8 - Fighter 8

• Improved Critical (falchion)

Level 9 - Barbarian 1/Fighter 8 (perhaps with the whirling frenzy rage variant from Unearthed Arcana)

• Extra Rage

Level 10 - Barbarian 1/Fighter 9

Level 11 - Barbarian 1/Fighter 10

• Greater Weapon Focus (falchion)

Level 12 - Barbarian 1/Fighter 11

• Extend Rage

Level 13 - Barbarian 1/Fighter 12

• Greater Weapon Specialization (falchion)

Level 14 - Barbarian 1/Fighter 12/Ranger 1

• Track
• Favored Enemy (giants)

Level 15 - Barbarian 1/Fighter 13/Ranger 1

• Improved Favored Enemy (from Complete Warrior)