Combat Classes

[deathMetal4tw]

Is there anything that prevents classes like the fighter and barbarian from getting boring? When I played Neverwinter Nights I, all a fighter did was a standard attack, and sometimes a knockdown. It got incredibly boring.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Barbarian has the Rage mechanic to keep track of, so that's something...

I think the combat maneuvers and the faster system of dealing with them is meant to give the fighter types something interesting to do. If you don't want to invest feats in those...multiclassing a dip into something like Bard or a full caster could help you stave off boredom a little with occasional tricks to help in combat. Otherwise...being very descriptive of your attacks might help.

I do have to say, I'm playing a Paladin at level 1 right now, and aside from his 1/day smite evil (4-5 sessions now and not a single evil creature ), all he can do is attack and damage, it's also pretty boring. I wish there were some fun offensive feats for him, but Intimidate isn't a class skill, so the whole Dazzling Display idea is out (I know I still could, but missing out on that +3 class skill bonus would just eat at me everytime I intimidated), and I just want a basic sword & board build, no shield bashing TWF. So, with those options out, the only things that still seem available that are much good are healing feats -- Extra Lay on Hands, Extra/Selective Channeling, Extra Mercy...

 

[Grymar]

It all depends on your play style. Some are bored with melee combat. I enjoy it, especially once you get the improved CMB feats, or mobility/spring attack, or vital strike...there are a lot of options out there.

3.5 - a 7th level fighter full attacks (rather than trying to look up the rules for an odd attack)

PF - a 7th level fighter can full attack, vital strike, trip, disarm, sunder...all with just one attack roll. Simple and effective.

 

[Mentat55]

Towards the end of 3.5e, I started to realize something with fighters, which remains quite applicable in Pathfinder -- that while intense feat specialization leads to extremely potent, one-trick pony characters, a fighter with flexibility is more fun to play (for me).

What that means is -- have a few different feats or feat trees going. Power Attack for when an opponent has DR, low AC, or is vulnerable for a round (prone, stunned, etc). Combat Expertise when you need to go toe-to-toe with a really tough monster. Mobility to soak attacks of opportunity for the rest of your party, and Spring Attack to avoid them, and to keep a monster with lots of attacks from making a full attack action. Disarm against weapon users, Step Up against melee spellcasters.

I've started to build fighters more in that vein, and found they remain interesting for many levels.

As for classes like barbarians and rogues, the introduction of rage powers and rogue talents is intended to add power, versatility, and options other than "rage" or "flank and sneak attack".

 

[slwoyach]

The honest truth of the matter is that you just have to like playing fighters. I love fighters, 75% of my characters are fighters. They're never boring if you like playing them.

I like playing wizards too, but they don't hold the special place in my heart that fighters have despite their uber-power.

 

[Grimstaff]

Is there anything that prevents classes like the fighter and barbarian from getting boring? When I played Neverwinter Nights I, all a fighter did was a standard attack, and sometimes a knockdown. It got incredibly boring.

Role Play?

 

[ruemere]

Is there anything that prevents classes like the fighter and barbarian from getting boring? When I played Neverwinter Nights I, all a fighter did was a standard attack, and sometimes a knockdown. It got incredibly boring.

Invest into feats to secure tactical advantage. Use CMB (Combat Maneuver Bonus). Get Step Up.

If you expect facing humanoids using weapons, get Improved Disarm.
If your GM's a lazy git and drops single big bad monsters, get Combat Expertise, Combat Reflexes and Stand Still.
Get Toughness, several times if possible.

Interesting opportunities guaranteed.

Regards,
Ruemere

 

[Chronologist]

Roleplaying. I like to focus on who my character is, not what he can do.

Why trained your character? Where is he from? Why is he a fighter and not something else? What has he been doing since his training ended (before he met the party)? What is he skilled in and why? Does he have personality quirks or a catch phrase? Does he curse? Why is he the alignment he currently is and was he ever a different alignment?

If you can answer these questions, I think you'll enjoy playing your character a lot more.

In combat, I think you may want to find the roles the other characters play and complement them (flanking with rogues, defending mages, etc.).

Just a few ideas.

 

[pawsplay]

Is there anything that prevents classes like the fighter and barbarian from getting boring?

The combat chapter is shorter than the spell list. Read it, love it, live it. Apart from the fact that fighters have zillions of feats and barbarians have their powers, there are many cool options lurking in the combat section, in the combat maneuvers section particularly. In addition to the full attack, at the least you should acquaint yourself with the readied action, charge, trip, and disarm. Readied actions alone can be game changers.

Some people think of fighters and barbarians as melee guys. With full BAB, they can be quite credible at a range, too, even with few or no feats invested. Get a good composite bow or carry some throwing weapons.

 

[billd91]

There are some good comments already but I'd like to add a bit. One element that I've seen players use to keep fighters fresh is description.

Yes, many of a fighter's primary actions are pretty much the same - your basic attacks are all mechanically the same. For some people, the fun is in the description. You can pretty much describe your attacks any way you want that generally fits. This is generally true of any combat action and good interaction with the DM can help make the whole thing memorable.