Dextrous Fighters?

[drnuncheon]

A lot of people doing this take a few levels in rogue to get useful abilities like evasion and sneak attack, as well as skill ranks in Tumble and other mobility-related skills. In fact, I'm usually inclined to take Rogue as the first level just for the skill ranks.

J

 

[Ruvion]

I would have to agree with the above poster that finessed fighter in general (as in 3rd edition and d20) do not work very well as a primary fighter: as a second string warrior he is excellent or at least adequate. I wish there is a class/Pclass out there that would place the finessed fighter up there with the regular tank and damage dealing barbarian.

 

[reanjr]

1st level
Dex 16
Str 10
Shortswords x2
Two-Weapon Fighting
Weapon Finesse

+2/+2 1d6 dmg (Avg 7 for both attacks)

1st level Str 16
Greatsword
Weapon Focus
Power Attack
(with power attack to reduce to same attack bonus)
+2 2d6+12 dmg (Avg 19)

Same chances of hitting. Wildly differing damage potentials. I ignored the -1 limit on Power Attack for illustrative purposes. Here it is following the rules to the letter:

+4 2d6+8 dmg (Avg 15)

Here we have 10% greater chance of hitting, and still twice the average damage.

Dextrous fighters in D&D are useless. It's just a limitation of the system (at least core).

 

[reanjr]

I would have to agree with the above poster that finessed fighter in general (as in 3rd edition and d20) do not work very well as a primary fighter: as a second string warrior he is excellent or at least adequate. I wish there is a class/Pclass out there that would place the finessed fighter up there with the regular tank and damage dealing barbarian.

If you were looking for something unofficial, I've got one.

 

[Sammael]

Dextrous fighters in D&D are useless. It's just a limitation of the system (at least core).

You neglect to mention that, at higher levels, both weapons can have damage-increasing enhancements (flaming, etc.), and, with a few levels of rogue, decent sneak attack potential.

All things considered, though, sword and board fighters remain the most optimal choice.

 

[reanjr]

You neglect to mention that, at higher levels, both weapons can have damage-increasing enhancements (flaming, etc.), and, with a few levels of rogue, decent sneak attack potential.

All things considered, though, sword and board fighters remain the most optimal choice.

By taking levels of rogue, you are decreasing your versatility (due to feat loss) and your damage potential (due to loss of BAB). In additiona, to take advantage of magical enhancements, you are now required to have twice as much treasure tied up in your weapons to keep pace with two-handed fighters.

Sneak attacks are only useful at the beginning of combat or if you are able to position yourself appropriately. Positioning yourself appropriately often takes a move action, thus skipping out on extra attacks at higher levels, again limiting your damage potential. They don't offset the benefits of fighter feats, BAB, and higher damage. If they did, then rogues would be better fighters than fighters.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Dextrous fighters in D&D are useless. It's just a limitation of the system (at least core).

Yeah, if you are a power gamer. I'm not. I enjoy a challenge.

 

[DarkMaster]

By taking levels of rogue, you are decreasing your versatility (due to feat loss) and your damage potential (due to loss of BAB). In additiona, to take advantage of magical enhancements, you are now required to have twice as much treasure tied up in your weapons to keep pace with two-handed fighters.

Sneak attacks are only useful at the beginning of combat or if you are able to position yourself appropriately. Positioning yourself appropriately often takes a move action, thus skipping out on extra attacks at higher levels, again limiting your damage potential. They don't offset the benefits of fighter feats, BAB, and higher damage. If they did, then rogues would be better fighters than fighters.

I guess you never saw a tank and a 4/4 rogue/fighter twf fighting togheter. In some combat the rogue/figther was allowed sneak attack on all his attack due to flanking, the results were deadly 4 attack potentially doing 4d6+3 each(3d6+2+1str+1d6energy) . Don't forget that D&D is a team based game.

Also the rogue/fighter had more skills, evasion, and others ability which offsets the loss of pure combat ability. IMC BAB and DMG are not the only thing that counts. Often spot, tumble and other skill can save the day.