D&D 3E/3.5 D&D 3.5 - Ways to increase the range of a meele weapon?

[RUMBLETiGER]

The Burning Brand boost from Desert Wind increases your reach by 5 ft.

Also, replace levels of Samurai with levels of Warblade. Same fluff, better mechanics.

DO this.

The problem with Thicket of Blades is you need to either be a level 5 Crusader to get the Stance (which is an amazing Stance, by the way, you are right in taking interest in it), or take the Martial Stance feat. Since Martial Stance feat requires you to first take Martial Study feat, and since Thicket of Blades requires you to know one Devoted Spirit Maneuver to qualify, consider Crusader's Strike, Vanguard Strike or Foe Hammer. You'll need to be a level 10 non-Crusader to qualify to take the Martial Maneuver feat for Thicket of Blades. Take this into consideration when designing your build.

 

[Conhail]

Well, I've decided to go for Inhuman Reach. It's just what I need and the fluff can be changed. I'll just say that I have normal with which I can reach very far due to my unbeliveable fast reaction time or something like that.

DO this.

The problem with Thicket of Blades is you need to either be a level 5 Crusader to get the Stance (which is an amazing Stance, by the way, you are right in taking interest in it), or take the Martial Stance feat. Since Martial Stance feat requires you to first take Martial Study feat, and since Thicket of Blades requires you to know one Devoted Spirit Maneuver to qualify, consider Crusader's Strike, Vanguard Strike or Foe Hammer. You'll need to be a level 10 non-Crusader to qualify to take the Martial Maneuver feat for Thicket of Blades. Take this into consideration when designing your build.

Jup, I considered to take two classes in Crusader. It helps me to increase my initiator level by 2 so that I only need another 6 non-martial adepet level to reach an initiator level of 5 in order to qualify for Thicket of Blades. Furthermore I can save a feat point as I don't have to get Martial Study (as I already have a Devoted Spirit maneveuer) and can go for Martial Stance. Crusader level two is a nice addition anyway, because I can add my charisma modifier to my Will saves, and well, charisma is my main attribute because of Iaijutsu Focus. That synergizes quite fine.


Oh, and speaking of Ticket of Blades. Does the opponent only provoke an AoO if he takes a movement action or 5-foot step while he's in weapon range or does it even provoke an AoO if he has started his move action outside my range and then stops inside my range? Normally, it wouldn't as entering a threatend square does not provoke an AoO - but in order to get into meele range he has to pass through two threatend squares (10 ft. reach!). So would that trigger Thicket of Blades or would'nt it, because he took the movement action before he came into threat range?

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

Well, I've decided to go for Inhuman Reach. It's just what I need and the fluff can be changed. I'll just say that I have normal with which I can reach very far due to my unbeliveable fast reaction time or something like that.



Jup, I considered to take two classes in Crusader. It helps me to increase my initiator level by 2 so that I only need another 6 non-martial adepet level to reach an initiator level of 5 in order to qualify for Thicket of Blades. Furthermore I can save a feat point as I don't have to get Martial Study (as I already have a Devoted Spirit maneveuer) and can go for Martial Stance. Crusader level two is a nice addition anyway, because I can add my charisma modifier to my Will saves, and well, charisma is my main attribute because of Iaijutsu Focus. That synergizes quite fine.


Oh, and speaking of Ticket of Blades. Does the opponent only provoke an AoO if he takes a movement action or 5-foot step while he's in weapon range or does it even provoke an AoO if he has started his move action outside my range and then stops inside my range? Normally, it wouldn't as entering a threatend square does not provoke an AoO - but in order to get into meele range he has to pass through two threatend squares (10 ft. reach!). So would that trigger Thicket of Blades or would'nt it, because he took the movement action before he came into threat range?

Thicket of Blades reads, "...any opponent you threaten that takes any sort of movement..." So 5' step, moving into range, moving out or range when starting round within range, anything short of standing still within the range of your weapon triggers your ability to use this stance.

If you take your second Crusader level at character level 8, you'll be able to pickup Thicket of Blades as your Crusader level 2 second stance without burning any feats.

You might want to take up @Dandu 's suggestion about the Burning Brand Maneuver if you do have the feat available to spend. this will add a 6th Maneuver to your selection as a 2nd level Crusader, and so with a limited Maneuver selection, you're likely to cycle through quickly.

As a Crusader level 2, a few possible maneuvers that may compliment your build might be Level 2 Devoted Spirit's Foehammer and Level 2 Stone Dragon's Mountain Hammer to overcome DR with your attacks and add 2d6, Level 1 Stone Dragon's Minotaur Charge and Level 2 White Raven's Battle Leader's Charge to allow you to charge through a battlefield without provoking A.. yourself. You'll want to take Crusader at level 5 to automatically qualify for level 2 Maneuvers.

So, your build may be looking like:
1-Samurai
2-Samurai
3-Samurai
4-Samurai
5-Crusader
6-Samurai
7-Iaijitsu Master
8-Crusader
9-Iaijitsu Master
...and so on.

 

[emoplato]

Thanks for all the tips so far, even though most of them (unfortunately) seem to deform my character in one or another way. Of course I could come up with nifty explanations why my Samurai looks like some sort of freak, but that's not what I was planning for. The Warshaper stuff might be an option, though - I mean, at least I look human, even though I was still hoping there might be some other, less clumsy way, but mechanic-wise its the best option so far.



I've already thought about increasing my weapons size but if I remember correctly, the size of the weapon doesn't increase its range? Otherweise I'd just take Sizing (Complete Adventurer) but I don't think a large Katana would do the job - it'll just deal more damage and give a -2 attack but that's all. Unless I'm mistaken, of course!

No, it will increase its range by five feet, plus you are thinking about monkey grip which is a horrible feat. Powerful build allows to consider yourself one size larger than you are when it comes to encumbrance, CMB, and weapon size, so no penalty. Though it would be a good idea for you to get sizing right off the bat so aren't cramped up with a huge weapon in smaller spaces.

 

[emoplato]

There is also possibly another way you could increase your strike range. If you dip into warblade, obtain two iron heart maneuvers, and point-blank shot you could get a PrC called the bloodstorm blade for maybe 3 or 4 levels. This class essentially allows you to bring melee hurt at a ranged level. Then get Robilar's Gambit, it is an ability that while adds +4 to attack and damage rolls against you, any attack they make provokes an AoO from you. I would say just remember to get quick sheath and you will be dishing out Iajitsu strikes at almost anyone so long as you have the range increment to do so.