Bullrush build - viable?

[Krud]

Hi guys,

I'm currently playing a goliath barbarian fighter with the following feats (amogst others, some from races of stone):

Improved Bullrush
Knockback
Rampaging Bullrush

With these feats if I score a hit while using the power attack feat, I get a free bullrush attempt where I don't move with the target. With rampaging bullrush if I take a -4 on the strength check and the oppenent is knocked prone. You need powerful build and rage ability, but this seems like a rather neat combo. With rage, powerful build and improved bullrush and the fact I get 2 for one on my power attack included as a bonus to the bullrush check (due to using a twohanded weapon and listed under the knockback feat) it seems like there won't be many who can stand up to me.

I was just wondering if anyone else has had experiences with either this chain or bullrush in general. It seems a nice alternative to combat reflexes/improved trip/reach/knockdown, but without any MAD needed for dexterity. Its all strength which means little impact on damage output (I've had to delay weapon specialisation greatclub at this point, but I'm headed towards shocktrooper and 3 mountain style from CW).

I wonder if they're going to give overrun a makeover sometime....

 

[Dross]

It would seem viable in most cases, as long as the target isn't a couple of size categories larger than you (at which point you just hit it really hard ).

You just need to be weary of things greatly stronger than you.

Jst make sure to run it by your DM as it might be interpreted differently.

 

[Deset Gled]

IMO, bullrush builds works best when you use it to generate AoOs with your allies. This requires as many support melee fighters as possible, and makes mobility important.

 

[Krud]

Yeah... the main benefit I've found is having support fighters. Currently our party is playing Red Hand of Doom:

[sblock]

We've just done the bridge where we took out a green dragon called ozzy-something. Due to a lucky critical with a bow I managed to get the dragon to attack me in a charge. Then it landed for a full attack (which I somehow survived). A warforged fighter and goblin rogue were nearby luckily and I managed to bullrush the dragon to prone. AOO+Flanking+Rogue=dead dragon.

[/sblock]

So anyway, it wasn't just me that made this tactic effective. It was the free attacks by my party members. I'm hoping the DM doesn't thinking its over powered because of the teamwork it promotes in that sense.

 

[Iku Rex]

Looks good to me. It would work well with a reach weapon and combat reflexes - swat your opponent away and then swat him again if he tries to close with you. Three Mountains style is tempting though.

Another good combo would be to throw in some charge feats like Leap Attack (CAdv). Use Shock Trooper, Power Attack and Leap Attack to get in one big hit, then push your opponent back before he can retaliate with a full attack.

Equipment suggestions:
Armbands of Might (CAdv, 4100 gp). +2 bonus on Str checks and better Power Attack damage.

The Brutal Surge weapon ability from DMG2 would normally have been a good idea for a bull rusher, but Knockback does much the same. Still, it's only +2000 gp.

The Ring of Growth from Savage Species is 18000 gp but the added Str and increased size would be a great help. (The psionic expansion power can also increase a monstrous humanoid's size, if you can get some PsyWar levels.)

 

[Krud]

Yep nice suggestions. I've already thought of a few of them. Next feat I'm getting is shock trooper, but then I'm gearing towards the occult slayer PRC for RP reasons, but also to shore up the pitiful will save from Barb2/Fighter4. I'm using a large greatclub at the moment, so I was thinking of grabbing 3 mountain style. The event of getting a full a attack could mean leaving someone nauseated and prone 10 feet away (or more) so they will spend their move action to get up and thats them for the round. Or they can lie there retching. Thats fine too..

Shocktrooper is obivously great for dumping your power attack penalty to your AC, which doesn't hurt if they can't retaliate. I think the large weakness at them moment is if the enemy gang up on you, or through the achilles heel, the Will save. Besides that, against single targets in melee this combo seems to be doing quite well. I've just gotten some boots of striding and springing, so Im checking out leap attack. Maybe I'll end up franticly running around charging different people on the battlefield