An Elegant Fighter Fix

[airwalkrr]

It is almost universally accepted that the fighter in the core rules is a somewhat weak class, good for dips, but not usually worthwhile in the long run. Some people have suggested more bonus feats as a way of helping giving a little more incentive to play the class, usually to the tune of one bonus feat each level. We also had the WotC article on Dead Levels delivered to us by Kolja Raven Liquette. I have often felt that while the suggestion of a bonus feat every level is a bit too much, Liquette's solution did not go quite far enough. Well, I just now hit upon a great idea that finds a happy medium between the two. Take a look and tell me what you think.

 

[Bayonet_Chris]

Fighter

Not bad. I would consider adding some additional prowess abilities to reflect other aspects of the fighter. It doesn't all have to be physical. For example:

Stalwart (Ex): The fighter is used to the horrors of combat and can steel himself against fear. The fighter gains a +1 on saving throws against fear effects.
Imposing (Ex): The fighter carries death with him at all times, adding his Strength modifier to his Intimidation score. Each additional time this is taken, add +1 to Intimidate.
Authority (Ex): The fighter's conviction makes other people stand up and listen. Add +1 to the fighter's leadership score and to Diplomacy.

I just came up with these off the top of my head. Also consider some of the formation bonus abilities in the Soldier class from the Conan RPG. These formation abilities give bonuses to the soldier (fighter) when fighting with 2 or more allies with that feat. So, three fighters with the skirmisher formation ability would get bonuses when fighting together. The same thing applies to heavy infantry, light cavalry, and heavy cavalry.

 

[Nifft]

Nice thread title! I'm totally stealing that for my new "Sexy Tome of Battle Natural Male Enhancement" thread.

Thanks, -- N

 

[airwalkrr]

Authority (Ex): The fighter's conviction makes other people stand up and listen. Add +1 to the fighter's leadership score and to Diplomacy.

The first two I felt were a bit overpowered. But this one I really like. More ideas would certainly be welcome.

 

[Li Shenron]

It is almost universally accepted that the fighter in the core rules is a somewhat weak class, good for dips, but not usually worthwhile in the long run.

First a small critique: I would have personally preferred that you used a more balanced wording. "Almost universally accepted" based on what? If you think about it, you can't honestly deny that there are many many gaming groups which play with the core rules and don't have any problems with that. Are we casual gamers? Maybe yes But also there's *lots* of gamers which aren't so casual and give game balance some dedicated thoughts, and still don't agree that the core FTR is weak. Actually there are even people in this forum which believe the opposite. Maybe you're even right, maybe really the majority think it's weak, but please don't try to boost your opinion with such an expression...

Please don't take this personally

Some people have suggested more bonus feats as a way of helping giving a little more incentive to play the class, usually to the tune of one bonus feat each level.

It's obviously an incentive to take some levels of FTR, but I am not sure how good an incentive is on the long run. For a "dipper" it could be an incentive to continue as FTR, but for someone else it could even be an incentive for dipping, if they were planning NOT to dip.

Well, I just now hit upon a great idea that finds a happy medium between the two. Take a look and tell me what you think.

Definitely a great idea, these bonuses are not as large as feats but they are indeed useful to either specialize your FTR or "round it out". I think you nailed the issue: to make it attractive to stay within a class, the class must offer something unique and otherwise unavailable to the other classes.

Keep posting other example benefits as soon as they come to your mind. Maybe for inspiration you could check out d20 Modern, where I think that every class has something similar called Talens (tho honestly I don't know if they are really compatible in terms of balance...).

 

[Vrecknidj]

I'm one of those weirdos who thinks that the fighter doesn't need any fixing. That said, I do know that when I get to play, and I multiclass with something else, there are some pretty boring levels.

The adjustments here don't offer too much, and so aren't going in the wrong direction (i.e. turning every fighter level into a "must have" level). I'm not sure that these little boosts here and there are enough to persuade the multiclass character's player to stick with more fighter levels, but, they're not a bad way to go.

Dave

 

[maggot]

I like the two feats every three levels thing. Makes the first four levels the same while giving out power later. I'm not sure about the every 3rd level bonuses, they seem either very limited and weak, or very powerful.

I've found the that Thug variant from Unearthed Arcana has made fighter a bit more popular. Basically 4 skill points and some new skills in exchange for heavier armor and one bonus feat. Something along that line might help too. The problem with fighter isn't necessarily power, but that combat is all they can do and thus they are very boring.

 

[Nifft]

Authority (Ex): The fighter's conviction makes other people stand up and listen. Add +1 to the fighter's leadership score and to Diplomacy.

Roy!

-- N

 

[sirwmholder]

If you want to get people to stick with the fighter make a few feats that get better the more fighter levels you take.

Most people dipping into Fighter do it for either 1 level or they hang around until level 4. Greater Weapon Focus and Great Weapon Specialization are not attractive enough Fighter only options... one solution either bump up those abilities the other add more abilities.

If you are going to add abilities I would suggest they be something along the lines of...

Combat Prowess ~ Once per day you may add your Fighter Level to damage.*Damage must be dealt using weapon you are Specialized in.

Luck of the Draw ~ Once per day you may add your Fighter Level to your Initiative.*Must have Quick Draw to use this ability.

Heroes Resolve ~ Once per day you may add your Fighter Level to a failed Will Save and try again the following round.*Must have Iron Will to use this ability.

By adding your Fighter Level you discourage dipping and have something special for those who stick with the Fighter Class. It is a bit more powerful than adding +1 so limit it's uses to once per day and it can be bought multiple times.

Thank you for your time,
William Holder

EDIT: If using this I probably would change Weapon Specialization to be add +1 to damage every two Fighter levels with choosen weapon. I would also make a similiar change to Greater Weapon Specialization.

 

[Quartz]

How about making it rather simpler: simply give a +1 to one of the physical attributes at 3rd, 7th, 11th, 15th, and 19th levels? At other levels you get feats.