Best Feats for Greatsword Fighter?

[Aaron L]

That depends on whether the DM allows it to work with a two-handed weapon, or not.

Bye
Thanee

Bucklers explicitly allow the use of a two handed weapon with them.

 

[Beckett]

Bucklers explicitly allow the use of a two handed weapon with them.

Huh. I think I'd noticed the same problem with Improved Buckler Defense that Thanee had. But, looking at the description of the buckler, it says:

You can also use your shield arm to wield a weapon (whether you are using an off-hand weapon or using your off hand to help wield a two-handed weapon), but you take a -1 penalty on attack rolls while doing so. This penalty stacks with those that may apply for fighting with your off hand and for fighting with two weapons. In any case, if you use a weapon in your off hand, you don’t get the buckler’s AC bonus for the rest of the round.

So, is using a two handed weapon using a weapon in your off-hand? Or does that only apply for two weapon fighting.

Although a 25th level character should probably be using an animated shield.

 

[Iku Rex]

I don't especially like Defensive Sweep. Opponents tend to move around a lot in battle. Works well with the combo I'm suggesting below though. Improved Sunder isn't that great either, but I suppose it can be useful if you don't mind destroying your loot. Lightening Reflexes is not that important. If you're worried about area attacks hit points Improved Toughness [CW] is a more reliable defense.

Suggestions:

Overwhelming Attack (fighter alternate class feature from PHBII - replaces 16th level fighter feat) + Robilar's Gambit (PHBII) = Nasty. Overwhelming attack lets you deal double damage on one attack as a full round action and keep doing double damage on further attacks until your next turn. Robilar's Gambit ensures that you get plenty of AoOs or that you're left alone. Karmic Strike (CW) would make it truly ugly (yet another AoO of they hit you), but requires Combat Expertise and Dodge. Deft Opportunist (CAdv, +4 on AoOs) is also worth considering for an AoO expert.

As has been pointed out, Improved Buckler Defense (CW) is handy if you don't plan on getting a floaty shield.

Close Quarters Fighting is almost a must-have for any high level fighter type. As written it requires the grappler to be within your reach though - a potential problem. (A problem with all AoO based tactics.)

I'm not all that impressed by the maneuvers. Some extra damage/no DR is nice, but I don't think it will matter much to an Epic character. I'd pick Burning Brand or Burning Blade, Searing Charge and Leaping Flame from Desert Wind. Leaping Flame is the main reason to go with Desert Wind.

Or, if you like the AoO master concept you could go with Defensive Rebuke, Foehammer (prereq) and Thicket of Blades from Devoted Spirit. If the opponent moves he suffers an AoO (Thicket of Blades). If he doesn't move he suffers an AoO (Defensive Sweep). If he attacks you he suffers an AoO (Robilar's Gambit). If he attacks someone else he suffers an AoO (Defensive Rebuke boost - only once/encounter, so not that useful).


My (AoO) version:
Human Fighter 25

1. Power Attack {H}
1. Weapon Focus (greatsword)
1. Combat Reflexes {F}
2. Cleave {F}
3. Iron Will
4. Weapon Spec (greatsword) {F}
6. Lightning Reflexes Improved Toughness [CW]
6. Improved Sunder Close Quarters Fighting {F}
8. Greater Weapon Focus (greatsword) {F}
9. Melee Weapon Mastery (slashing) [PHB2]
10. Improved Critical (greatsword) {F}
12. Armor Specialization (heavy) [PHB2]
12. Greater Weapon Spec (greatsword) {F}
14. Slashing Flurry Robilar's Gambit {F} [PHB2]
15. Defensive Sweep [PHB2]
16. Martial Study (mountain hammer) [BO9S] Overwhelming Attack [AFCF PHB2] {F}
18. Martial Study (elder mountain hammer) [BO9S] Martial Study (foehammer) [BO9S, DS]
18. Weapon Supremacy (greatsword) [PHB2] {F}
20. Martial Study (elder mountain hammer) [BO9S] Martial Stance (thicket of blades) [BO9S, DS] {F}
21. Epic Weapon Focus (greatsword) {E} [CW]
22. Epic Weapon Spec (greatsword) {EF} [ELH]
24. Epic Toughness {E} [CW]

 

[Iku Rex]

So, is using a two handed weapon using a weapon in your off-hand? Or does that only apply for two weapon fighting.

Look at the text you quoted: "In any case, if you use a weapon in your off hand, you don’t get the buckler’s AC bonus for the rest of the round." If using a two-handed weapon isn't "using a weapon in your off-hand" you don't even need the feat to benefit from the buckler's AC bonus.

Edit: Did I just repeat the point you were making?

 

[drdevoid]

re:THF+Imp Buckler Defense=cheesy AC

Look at the text you quoted: "In any case, if you use a weapon in your off hand, you don’t get the buckler’s AC bonus for the rest of the round." If using a two-handed weapon isn't "using a weapon in your off-hand" you don't even need the feat to benefit from the buckler's AC bonus.

Edit: Did I just repeat the point you were making?

I played a small sized greatsword wielder, and I can say without hesitation that it was gross- and unintentional.

I would go against this unless it was a "no-holds-barred" style campaign and everything was assumed to be high powered (and had a very system-comfortable DM.)

 

[Beckett]

Look at the text you quoted: "In any case, if you use a weapon in your off hand, you don’t get the buckler’s AC bonus for the rest of the round." If using a two-handed weapon isn't "using a weapon in your off-hand" you don't even need the feat to benefit from the buckler's AC bonus.

Edit: Did I just repeat the point you were making?

I think you repeated my point (although I had a bit of confusion going on while I made it). I recently was plotting out feats for a polearm user, and I had wanted the little extra protection a buckler would give me. When I was skimming over rules before, I was left with the impression that I'd need Improved Buckler Defense to use a buckler with a two-handed weapon. But, having just read over the description of a buckler, I guess I don't need it (unless my on-hand and off-hand both being on a single two handed weapon means I'm using a weapon in my off-hand- which I don't think it does).

 

[Darklone]

4th edition help me... I add the buckler confusion (no bash with a historical bash weapon, when to use it how) to my wish list.

IMHO: IBucklerDefense is pretty much borderline strong. Same goes for me for armor spikes and a two-handed weapon. Or bashing shields and two -weapon fighting... whatever.

Some stuff like this just doesn't sit right with my guts.

 

[Iku Rex]

... (unless my on-hand and off-hand both being on a single two handed weapon means I'm using a weapon in my off-hand- which I don't think it does).

Then we don't agree.

IMO "using your off hand to help wield a two-handed weapon" (buckler description) is the same as "[using] a weapon in your off hand" (buckler description). This is "logically correct", it makes sense and I think it's fairly clear that it's the intent.

That's why it makes a good example when people argue that you can't "attack with a weapon in your off-hand" (Improved Buckler Defense) if you're using a two-handed weapon.

 

[Thanee]

Bucklers explicitly allow the use of a two handed weapon with them.

Bucklers do. Improved Buckler Defense does not.

It's the question whether using a weapon in your off-hand only applies to one-handed weapons or also to two-handed weapons.

Just to note... I would allow it, my point was, that others might not.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Darklone]

I think it's similar to the wording of Haste. One says it gives you an extra attack with all weapons you're holding (wording: extra attack with any weapon), others say just with one weapon...

I prefer sound ruling over semantics.