Feat selection for a two-handed weapon fighter

[comareddin]

Well I did my selection for the first 6 levels. I thank all of you for your wonderful inputs.

1. Power Attack, Two-Handed Power Strike (From Mongoose Book *2 STR modifier)
2. Weapon Focus
3. Combat Expertise
4. Weapon Spec
6. Improved Disarm, Ironwill

The remaining I am undecided about but of course I have yet to play those levels

 

[reveal]

I have allowed this in a one-shot but, looking at them again, I don't think Powerful Build and Monkey Grip stack.

Goliaths are Medium creatures.

Monkey Grip states that "[y]ou can use melee weapons one size category larger than you are with a -2 penalty on the attack roll..." (Emphasis added)

Powerful Build states that "[a] goliath can use weapons designed for a creature one size larger without penalty." It does not actually state that the goliath is considered a size category larger when it comes to weapons, only when it comes to size modifiers on opposed checks and on special attacks made against the goliath.

So, technically, it looks like Monkey Grip is a wasted feat for the Goliath. He/she can already use a Large weapon without penalty.

 

[JoeGKushner]

That's a good interpetation.

I never thought of it like that.

 

[Shin Okada]

Should it definitely be a greatsword? With a level of Exotic Weapon Master class, a bastard sword tend to inflict more damages. For example, your Gliath with strength 20 will inflict 3d6+7 damages (average 17.5) with a greatsword, and 2d8+10 damages (average 19) with a bastard sword if he is an Exotic Weapon Master with Uncanny Blow trick.

 

[Thanee]

So, technically, it looks like Monkey Grip is a wasted feat for the Goliath. He/she can already use a Large weapon without penalty.

Yeah, that's exactly the reason. They both are based on the size of the creature, not the size of weapon it can wield, therefore they both give exactly the same benefit, which does not do anything additional, if you have it twice. Can use large weapons + can use large weapons = can use large weapons.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Blacklamb]

Shin Beat me to the Exotic Weapon Master/Uncanny Blow Idea, but it's really a must have IMO.


Blacklamb

 

[R-Hero]

Check out Jollydoc's Shackled City in Story Hour, I was playing a goliath fighter/goliath liberator. I just posted his stats. Might be a good reference.

Consider burning a feat for exotic weapon prof and use a (Large) Goliath Greathammer. (exotic weapon in races of stone)

3d6+str bonus+magic bonus, Crits are x4

17 level Ganguokia was toting,

3d6+ 2d6+17 Damage +3 Holy Adamantine Goliath Greathammer (Large)
Critical 19-20x4 +2 to Sunder Attacks

Awesome power coupled with power attack and the adamatine bypassed hardness on object smashing.

 

[Trainz]

Improved Buckler Defense (does work with a two handed weapon according to errata I saw on Wizards boards). If you don’t want to mess with that, then just buy an animated shield to up your armor class.

I couldn't find it, but would very much like to see that errata. Link please ?

 

[dagger]

After 10 minutes of searching I can't find it, found this:

CruelDM
Member Join Date: Oct 2004



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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3.5 PHB pg. 124
Buckler: This small shield is worn strapped to your forearm. You can use a bow or crossbow without penalty while carrying it. You can also use your shield arm to wield a weapon (whether you are using an off-hand weapon or using your off-hand to help wield a two-handed weapon), but you take a -1 penalty on attack rolls while doing so because of the extra weight on your arm. This penalty stacks with those that may apply for fighting with your off-hand or fighting with two weapons. In any case, if you use a weapon in your off-hand, you dont get the bucklers AC bonus for the rest of the round.


So, as we can all clearly see, by the RAW, you can use a buckler when wielding a two-handed weapon, but if you do you suffer a -1 to attack with any weapon in your off-hand (including a two-handed weapon other than a bow) and lose the AC benefit for the rest of the round.

Improved Buckler Defense feat allows you to retain the AC benefit even if you use the off-hand to attack (yes even when attacking with a two-handed weapon).

 

[Trainz]

Thanks, good enough for me.

I mean, I always felt that it would make as much sense (if not more) on a two hander than on a two weapon. You say it's errata, I beleive it.

Or want to anyway...