critique my drow fighter

[Chun-tzu]

eventually i am going for the prestige class tempest, so feats are needed, hence no multi-classing out of fighter, unless there is a decent reason.

any more suggestions/questions?

I'd go with something like this for the feat progression:
1) 2-weapon fighting, ambidexterity
2) weapon finesse
3) dodge
4) mobility
5) ---
6) spring attack, weapon focus
7) ---
8) weapon specialization
9) twin sword style

Tempest has a lot of requirements, so that doesn't leave you a lot of wiggle room (assuming you want to take Tempest ASAP). Since you need Dodge anyway, take it earlier instead of later. Weapon Finesse is much more valuable with your stats than Weapon Focus. Personally, I wouldn't even bother with Weapon Focus, except that it's required for Weapon Specialization.

I'd switch your Con and Int scores, and boost Int to 13 when you can, to qualify for Expertise. Since you need to get the Spring Attack chain anyway, Whirlwind Attack is pretty "cheap", but it requires Expertise. And Expertise is a good feat anyway. If you do that, I'd drop Twin Sword Style for Expertise, and maybe take Expertise earlier (moving the other feats later back).

 

[Darkness]

Hmm... This is more of a Rogues' Gallery topic...

Moved.

 

[Enforcer]

If you're going Tempest, then Whirlwind Attack will be pretty useless. The whole idea of that prestige class is getting 8 bizillion attacks, why sacrifice all of them to get one attack in a round?

I do agree that Weapon Finesse is much better for you than Weapon Focus. Weapon Finesse gives you an additional +3 to hit, Weapon Focus only an additional +1. But, Weapon Specialization is good for you, since you're not very strong and you're using shortswords.

I'd go:
1st--Ambidexterity, Two-Weapon Fighting
2nd--Weapon Finesse
3rd--Dodge
4th--Mobility
6th--Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization
8th--Spring Attack
9th--Improved Critical

Remember, Tempest gives you Improved Two-Weapon Fighting for free. As for Expertise, Tempest gives you the crazy Off-Hand Parry bonuses, you probably won't need it. But, don't forget that you need Quick Draw to use all your attacks in the first round of a fight (assuming that the fight starts without you expecting it, that is).

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

Spring attack doesn't really combine too well with two weapon fighting. Spring attack depends upon standard attack actions while TWF requires a full attack.

Given your character, what I'd consider:
1. Ambi/TWF
2. Weapon Finesse
3. Weapon Focus
4. Weapon Specialization
6. Twin Sword Style, Power Attack
8. Improved Critical
9. Improved Two Weapon Fighting
10. Cleave

For a two weapon fighter, your ability to deal out damage will depend upon the number of non-strength bonusses you can get to damage and maximizing your number of attacks. Weapon Specialization and improved two weapon fighting are critical feats for your character--I'd get both of them within at most 1 level of qualifying for them. Power attack will be really useful for you as well since power attacking for one point adds damage to both your primary and off hand attacks.

Ordinarily, I'd recommend Iron Will, but since you're a drow, you may be able to get by on the strength of your spell resistance. Considering the number of feats your style will require, you can't really afford iron will.

Re: Ability scores--switch your strength and your charisma unless you want an unusually charismatic character for some reason. The 12 strength will really hurt when it comes to dishing out damage. Going to a 14 will give you an extra point on both your primary and off hand attacks. That'll add up.

Also, I would put all of my attribute increases towards dexterity. You're clearly focussing on dexterity to hit and for armor class, so that will do much more good for your character than any other score.

I'd go with something like this for the feat progression:
1) 2-weapon fighting, ambidexterity
2) weapon finesse
3) dodge
4) mobility
5) ---
6) spring attack, weapon focus
7) ---
8) weapon specialization
9) twin sword style

Tempest has a lot of requirements, so that doesn't leave you a lot of wiggle room (assuming you want to take Tempest ASAP). Since you need Dodge anyway, take it earlier instead of later. Weapon Finesse is much more valuable with your stats than Weapon Focus. Personally, I wouldn't even bother with Weapon Focus, except that it's required for Weapon Specialization.

I'd switch your Con and Int scores, and boost Int to 13 when you can, to qualify for Expertise. Since you need to get the Spring Attack chain anyway, Whirlwind Attack is pretty "cheap", but it requires Expertise. And Expertise is a good feat anyway. If you do that, I'd drop Twin Sword Style for Expertise, and maybe take Expertise earlier (moving the other feats later back).

 

[chillwindhaven69]

the problem is that spring attack is required for tempest, dodge and mobility are useful, but if it wasnt for the prerequisite for tempest i wouldnt take spring attack. i may switch my str and cha around, to make it:

str 14
dex 18
con 12
int 10
wis 8
cha 12

 

[Chun-tzu]

If you're going Tempest, then Whirlwind Attack will be pretty useless. The whole idea of that prestige class is getting 8 bizillion attacks, why sacrifice all of them to get one attack in a round?

[snip]

Remember, Tempest gives you Improved Two-Weapon Fighting for free. As for Expertise, Tempest gives you the crazy Off-Hand Parry bonuses, you probably won't need it. But, don't forget that you need Quick Draw to use all your attacks in the first round of a fight (assuming that the fight starts without you expecting it, that is).

No, Whirlwind Attack is still VERY useful to a Tempest. First, you're getting more than one attack that round. You get one attack against each foe within 5 feet AT FULL BAB, PLUS all your off-hand attacks (check the D&D FAQ, first question under "General Feats"). And because you need the Spring Attack chain anyway, you get it for only one more useful feat (more on Expertise below).

The overall usefulness of Whirlwind Attack will vary from campaign to campaign, depending on how often the Tempest is fighting multiple opponents on his own. A Tempest does not get Absolute Ambidexterity until level 8, which is character level 17 minimum (and level 19 for a drow). Until then, the Tempest fighting 2+ opponents with good armor classes, he may be better off using one weapon to whirlwind attack, getting full BAB against all his foes. He has to sacrifice his iterative attacks, but if they are likely to miss anyway, then it's no sacrifice.

So, Whirlwind Attack is still a useful option for a Tempest. Whether or not it's more useful than, say, Improved Critical (which is also a great feat), that's harder to say. It's highly situational; sometimes, WWA is better, and others, Improved Critical is better. But some gamers prefer feats that give you more options (like WWA) rather than simple bonuses (like Improved Critical).

And, Off-Hand Parry is not necessarily a good substitute for Expertise. To gain that AC bonus with Off-Hand Parry, you have to give up ALL your off-hand attacks, which is a less attractive option for the Tempest. You can still gain an AC bonus using Expertise without making that sacrifice.