Essential Feats?

[JoeGKushner]

Assuming a player would get all those sudden MM, above the must-haves (Improved Init et al), he will be epic. With 3 epic feats, you get the equivalent of sudden quicken AT WILL, WITH ALL YOUR SPELLS.

I was intrigued by the notion of must-have feats and say Improved Initiative.

The only time I've ever taken that feat was when I was playing a rogue who had maximized ranks in hide and move silently and almost always got surprise and followed up by almost always gettining initiative.

It may just be because I've seen too many feats ala Ultimate Feats by Mongoose and Feats by AEG, but I don't know of any must-haves.

What's other peoples take on it?

 

[Sammael]

I absolutely loathe Improved Initiative, because my players always take it, to the exclusion of feats that would make more sense and/or be more beneficial for their characters.

IMO, must-have feats heavily depend on character stereotype. There are no feats that I consider must-have for all characters.

 

[Klaus]

Improved Initiative is a must have for rogues, who benefit from the flat-footed opponents. Weapon Finesse is desirable as well. Power Attack is a must have for two-handed weapon wielders.

Point Blank Shot for archers and Two-Weapon Fighting for dual-weapon wielders are a given.

Other than that, I dunno...

 

[JoeGKushner]

Well, if you want to start breaking off into different 'types' of characters...

I allow Two-Handed Power Strike. It's from either AEG or Mongoose's collection of feats. It allows you to double your strength bonus when using a two handed weapon. Is it powerful? Yes. It it too powerful? Hmm...

Anyway, whenever I allow that, you can bet it's Power Attack, Two-Handed Power Strike, Cleave, and Great Cleave. Pretty much a feat tree at that point.

 

[fusangite]

I agree. Improved Initiative is an inexplicably overrated feat that primarily benefits rogues.

I have, however, thought a lot about essential feats for spellcasters. I am of the opinion that either Combat Casting or Skill Focus (Concentration) is necessary for any serious spellcaster, especially healers who have to rush in and heal frontline fighters. Even with Combat Casting, spells in melee still have a 25% chance of going awry at first level (assuming a Con of 14), and it's not until 11th level that the failure chance is wholly eliminated.

 

[Doug McCrae]

Improved Initiative becomes more important at higher levels, when the outcome of fights is practically determined by the initiative roll. That said, it's best for rogues and spellcasters.

 

[charlesatan]

Actually in the end, it depends on what you envision your character to be. I'd go for Sammael's answer that it really depends on what your character is and what he/she is supposed to excel in.

And it also depends on the level of the character. I mean fusangite mentions Combat Casting; at high levels (where you usually have enough skill ranks), Combat Casting isn't a "must have" feat for me although it is helpful at low-levels (and even then, I have second doubts getting it or not because of its short-lived use, unless I'm a Gish-type spellcaster that involves going into melee often).

So far, the only "essential feat" (in the sense that anyone can benefit from it) I can think of right now is Improved Toughness (since everyone can always benefit from more hit points). Of course it's not always a no-brainer since the feat slot you spent getting Improved Toughness, for example, might have been better spent in a more offensive feat.

 

[Thanee]

Improved Initiative is not a must-have, but it's close for high level spellcasters.

And the requirements on Sudden Quicken are completely nuts!

Bye
Thanee

 

[The Amazing Dingo]

As mentioned, it depends on your character idea.

One Feat I have noticed that is very handy at high levels is the Spell Penetration to get through that nasty Spell Resistance. Of course, this again depends on the campaign, but most higher level heroes always seem to run up against outsiders and such with SR.

Oh, and of course you have to pick up that Quicken Spell Feat at third level. No questions asked...

 

[Synchronicity]

Ah, Combat Casting. Forgive me; I'm just going to rant for a moment. Combat Casting is a terrible feat. I loathe it with a burning passion. I mean, look at the mechanics; it's a feat which gives you a +4 to Concentration checks for casting defensively.

...Hmm. Yes, I could take that...or I could take Skill Focus [Concentration], which gives a +3 to Concentration checks all the time. That's universally better. I really wish they'd errata Combat Casting to make it any good. I like the idea of the feat, but as it stands, it's horrible.

Rant over. Sorry about that. As for must-haves, I think it depends on the class, but I find myself taking Improved Toughness from Complete Warrior for almost every character I play. +1hp/level is never something to sneeze at.

Synch.