Alternate Fighter

[Ahrimon]

I was wondering if anyone had tinkered with the fighter class. I want to play a lightly armored fighter with a greatsword. So the free feats for heavy armor and tower shield are moderately pointless. I didn't want to cut it too far down and say that medium armor and shields are pointless, because I would still like some flexablity with the character. And I don't want to make it look like I'm going for the ultimate cheesy class that caters to my characters every strength.

That said, has anyone considered what would be fair to give the class in exchange for the two feats? I know two feats that are given to you are not as valuable as two feats that you get to choose.
I was thinking of a couple of options:
A: Replace HA and TS with Dodge and Mobility - Fits, but might be considered power gaming.
B: Replace HA and TS with one feat of choice.
C: Quit whining, take my nearly useless(for the character concept) abilities and be happy that I even get that.
D: Something else?

Anyone have any experience with this?

Ahrimon

 

[CRGreathouse]

A: Replace HA and TS with Dodge and Mobility - Fits, but might be considered power gaming.
B: Replace HA and TS with one feat of choice.
C: Quit whining, take my nearly useless(for the character concept) abilities and be happy that I even get that.

In general, heavier armors are less useful in higher-stat campaigns. If you are in a low-ability score group (20 point buy, 3d6 x7 drop low score, or maybe 4d6 drop low die in order) I'd give you option B as a DM. Otherwise, I'd go with C: you get nothing for dropping the two. Honestly, heavy armor isn't that much better... especially if you can afford good Dex.

 

[Li Shenron]

There is no character who gets to exploit all of her proficiencies, and in general I have always played so that if you don't use them, you get nothing in exchange.

However, if you really wanted I would allow you to get ax extra bonus Fighter feat at first level in exchange for both Heavy Armor Prof. and Tower Shield Prof. I think it would be already generous, since very few PCs use Tower Shields at all, and only low-Dex Fighters use Heavy Armor.

 

[Norfleet]

There is no character who gets to exploit all of her proficiencies

Not true, not true. Rogues are ideal for maximal exploitation of abilities, because all of the rogue's abilities are useful and exploitable....or you can pick something else, instead!

 

[Greg K]

The PHB (3.0 p.94 and I think it is p.110 in 3.5) provides the following example for customizing a fighter who was a thieve's guild enforcer wanting to go legit:

1. reduce weapon proficiency to that of a Rogue
2. Give up Medium Armor, Heavy Armor and Shields
3. Gain 2 skill points per level
4. Gain 2 skills as class skills (Innuendo and Sense Motive in the example)
5. The character is a fighter in all other respects.

You are not reducing your weapon proficiency; therefore, I would say you could choose 2 skill points per level or 2 class skills as a starting point. Furthermore you are not giving up Medium Armor and Shields so I would probably say either 1 skill point per level, 1 skill as a class skill or something that is the equivalent.

 

[Xorial]

Here is a possible fix. I did this on the WotC boards.

Or maybe this Variant Fighter . It doesnt substitute anything out, but has some stuff that could help with a lightly armored fighter.

I would try the first one if I were you.

 

[Ahrimon]

Thanks for all of the suggestions everyone. Sorry for not getting back to the thread for so long. I've had DNS errors for the boards.

Greg -
While I would personally have no problem dropping the medium armor and shields, since my character concept doesn't include them. I didn't want to because I don't want the class to be a min/maxed perfect fit for my character. I wanted to try and find something that was a better concept match for my character while still being a viable option for many differenc character concepts. If that makes any sense(It's early).

Xorial -
I'll take a look at your fix and the variant fighter. I appreciate the information.

I guess what it comes down to, is I'm asking for oppinions on what you think is adequate compensation for dropping two given feats.

Ahrimon

 

[Xorial]

Xorial -
I'll take a look at your fix and the variant fighter. I appreciate the information.

I guess what it comes down to, is I'm asking for oppinions on what you think is adequate compensation for dropping two given feats.

Ahrimon

Actually, I guess the idea I had for you, but in my mentally deprived state forgot to get across , was maybe to look at the Special Abilities and see if there was on that you could pitch to your DM as a reasonable substitute. Maybe get an idea fron one of them in place of your armor & tower shield.

 

[Hollywood]

A: Replace HA and TS with Dodge and Mobility - Fits, but might be

Well, somewhat A. I'd allow you to replace the Heavy Armor ability with another feat since Heavy Armor IS a feat. Not being able to use Tower Shields, well, um, nothing there unless you want to drop the Shields ability as again it IS a feat.

For your character concept, Dodge and Mobility would fit well since you'd have not trained to use heavy armor and shields effectively in combat.

 

[Terath Ninir]

What you need to do is buy Dragon 310 (the August issue). It has a kick-ass article on variant fighter classes. One class in there sound good for your character concept: the Kensai. A run down of abilities:

The are proficient in simple weapons, light armour, and a single martial or exotic weapon (greatsword, in your case) that is the kensai's chosen weapon.

At 1st level, you don't get a bonus feat. Instead, you get a +1 bonus to attack and damage with your chosen weapon. The bonus increases by +1 at 5th level and every 5 levels after that -- so it'd be +5 to attack and damage at 20th level. It also stacks with stuff like Weapon Focus and Weapon Specialization.

The kensai have a slightly different list of skills: balance, concentration, craft, jump, tumble, and swim.

The kensai has a slightly different list of feats that they can choose from for their Bonus feats (2nd level and higher). It's too long to post here, which is why you should get the magazine. If you can't get the magazine, just use the standard list; it isn't too different for this variant class.

They also have access to two special abilities that they can take as bonus feats.

Rain of blows: On a full attack, you get one extra attack at your highest attack bonus. All attacks suffer a -3 penalty.

Storm of blows: Requires "rain of blows". You get two extra attacks at your highest attack bonus when you make a full attack. All attacks suffer a -6 penalty.


The class works well. I used it for an NPC attached to the PC group. She is very badass with her longsword. Forget missile combat, though. Or using anything that isn't a longsword.