Feats for one handed fighting

[kitcik]

I really like it. I agree, though, that Blade Flurry needs some clarification.

 

[Dandu]

I basically copied the Sweeping Strike ability from Warmind...

Now, how Sweeping Strike works, to the best of my know-age, is:

1. Make an attack against X.
2. Choose square adjacent to X that you threaten. If there is Y in it, then it sucks to be him. Or her. Or it.
3. Make your attacks, say, +12/+7, at X.
4. You may also apply your +12/+7 attacks at Y for free.

I have reworded it to more closely resemble the text of Sweeping Strike. Hopefully that will either remove the issue or, at least, make it no more confusing than the source material...

 

[cjosephs1s]

Now it makes sense and no confusion. Also just for reference if you'd like another wording for it check out the Warhulk prestige class feature Great Swing and its progression (miniatures handbook). It does something similar to this but without as many restrictions.

 

[Dandu]

Thanks!
Now, would [MENTION=35909]StreamOfTheSky[/MENTION] care to leave his final thoughts, and maybe make a dashing swordsman with the feats so we can see how it works in practice?

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Sure...

[sblock]

En Garde
[General], [Fighter], [Tactical]
Prerequisite: BAB +3, Dodge
The En Garde feat allows for two tactical maneuvers.

Lash Out: To use this maneuver, you must wield a weapon in one hand without benefiting from a weapon or shield wielded in your other hand. When you make an attack action (including a standard attack, full attack, combat maneuver, or even a strike maneuver, but not an attack of opportunity), you can make an additional attack at your highest bonus with a -5 penalty. This attack uses your weapon and deals damage as normal.
Dynamic Entry: In order to use this feat, you must make a dashing entrance of the type that would make ladies swoon, such as swinging on board an adjacent ship via rope, crashing through a stained glass window into a church, blowing up a prison door to free the inmates, or dropping into a ballroom from atop a chandelier. When doing so, you take no damage from falling or debris incurred by your actions. All opponents who see your arrival receive a -5 penalty to initiative.

Derring-do
[General], [Fighter], [Tactical]
Prerequisite: BAB +6, Dodge, Mobility, En Garde

The Derring-Do feat feat enables you to perform three tactical maneuvers.

Fence Like A Devil: To use this maneuver, you must wield a weapon in one hand without benefiting from a weapon or shield wielded in your other hand. You may, as a swift action, reduce your movement speed by half and gain an extra 5 feet of reach with your weapon.
Parry Like A Fiend: To use this maneuver, you must reduce the number of attacks you make every round by at least one. This allows you apply the Dodge feat to as many enemies as you desire.
Dance Like An Angel: In order to use this feat, you must take a full round action to display your skill with your weapon. All onlookers within a hundred feet must make a Will saving throw (DC 10 + 1/2 your character level + your Dex modifier) or be fascinated for 1 round, as the spell. You may extend the effect for an additional 1 round per point of BAB you possess, but must spend a standard action each round to do so.

Singlehanded Victory
[General], [Fighter], [Tactical]
Prerequisite: BAB +9, Dodge, Mobility, En Garde, Derring-Do
The Singlehanded Victory feat enables three tactical maneuvers.

Riposte: To use this maneuver, you must designate an opponent with the Dodge feat. Whenever this opponent misses you, you may make an attack of opportunity against him.
Not Left Handed: To use this maneuver, you must wield a weapon in one hand without benefiting from a weapon or shield wielded in your other hand, and forgo your Strength bonus to weapon damage. In return, you may apply your Dexterity bonus to your weapon damage and combat maneuver rolls.
Blade Flurry: To use this maneuver, you must wield a weapon in one hand without benefiting from a weapon or shield wielded in your other hand, and have designated a target with your Dodge feat. On each melee attack you make, you may choose squares that you threatens that are adjacent to each other, and apply your attacks to targets in those two squares equally. This ability may be used on any attack, except for cleave attempts, but only if you have not moved more than 10 feet since the end of your last turn.

[/sblock]

En Guard: I see you got rid of Sure Strike. Feel free to add it back in here cleaned up, if you want. Otherwise, this is fine.

Derring-do:
Fence Like a Devil: Should be reduce your speed by half for one round, yes?
Parry Like a Fiend: Ok, so you went a completely new direction with it...again... Seems alright, needs to be better worded. Is this on a full attack only? Any attack action where you make more than one? On an action action where you're making only one attack (and thus not getting any, and probably just using the Dodge to fuel Riposte)? Again, I suggest just saying something like "When you make any kind of attack action, you can choose to forfeit your first attack in order to designate every foe as the target of your Dodge feat until the start of your next turn. You can use this even if you would only have had one attack from the attacking action (meaning you make no actual attacks, just a flourish with your weapon)." Or however you want to do it. Just make sure it's cleaned up and not vague.

Singlehanded Victory: Fine, except for a grammatical error.
Blade Flurry: "...that you threatens..."


The build: I'll probably just do something simple like Swashbuckler 3 / Fighter 6.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Raphael
Human Swashbuckler 3 / Fighter 6 (Actual progression was Swash 1, then Fighter 3, then Swash +1, then Fighter +3, then Swash +1. Ah, 3E skill point rules...)

Str 14, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 8, Cha 12 (initial, 32 PB)
Str 14, Dex 18 (20), Con 14 (16), Int 14, Wis 8, Cha 12 (final)

Alt. Class Features: Arcane Stunt (Use Blur as a swift action for 1 round each time; replaces Grace +1), Hit and Run Fighter (+2 initiative, +Dex to damage vs. flat-footed foes, lose heavy armor and tower shield proficiency), Zhentarim Fighter (Makes Intimidate useful; loses nothing)

Feats (11):
1 Weapon Finesse [Swashbuckler 1]
1 Weapon Focus (Rapier)
1 Dodge [Human]
2 Mobility [Fighter 1]
3 Combat Reflexes
3 En Guard [Fighter 2]
6 Elusive Target
6 Derring-do [Fighter 4]
8 Weapon Specialization (Rapier) [Fighter 6]
9 Singlehanded Victory

Heh, actually ran out of feats, especially at higher levels. Wanted to have Melee Weapon Mastery, but couldn't fit it. If he drops Focus and Specialization, could do Deadly Defense + Combat Expertise instead. Could try to raise cha enough to qualify for Imperious Command, too, but I was trying to just make a fencer.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Slightly more complex/cheesier (ECL 15 build):

Whisper Gnome Martial Rogue 8 / Swashbuckler 3/ Unarmed Swordsage 2 / Hit and Run Fighter 2
Progression: Rogue 1, Swash 3, Rogue +2, SS 2, Rogue +1, Fighter 2, Rogue +4

Str 12, Dex 18, Con 16, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 8 (32 PB)
Str 12 (14), Dex 21 (27), Con 16 (18), Int 14 (16), Wis 10 (14), Cha 8 (10) (final)

Alt. Class Features: Martial Rogue (replace SA w/ Fighter feat progression), Arcane Stunt (Use Blur as a swift action for 1 round each time; replaces Grace +1), Penetrating Strike (replace Trapsense for 1/2 SA damage to those immune), Unarmed Swordsage (Lose proficiencies you have anyway for Monk unarmed strike progression), Hit and Run Fighter (+2 initiative, +Dex to damage vs. flat-footed foes, lose heavy armor and tower shield proficiency)

Feats:
Mobility (from +1 armor enhancement; MIC)
1 Dodge
1 Combat Reflexes [flaw]
1 Deft Opportunist [flaw]
1 Titan Fighting [Rogue 1]
2 Weapon Finesse [Swash 1]
3 Combat Expertise
5 Backstab [Rogue 2]
6 Opportunistic Tactician (or Sidestep...same benefit)
7 Weapon Focus (Shadow Hand) [Swordsage 1]
7 Improved Unarmed Strike [Swordsage 1]
9 Shadow Blade
9 Derring-do [Rogue 4]
10 Elusive Target [Fighter 1]
11 Singlehanded Victory [Fighter 2]
12 Staggering Strike
13 Adaptive Style [Rogue 6]
15 Craven
15 Expert Tactician [Rogue 8]
Flaws: pick 2

[sblock]Feats explained
Deft Opportunist: +4 to hit on AoOs
Titan Fighting: Dodge feat is +4 vs. anything larger than you
Backstab: If you flank a foe and he doesn't attack you, he provokes an AoO
Opportunistic Tactician: Free 5' step after each AoO
Elusive Target: Just read... Elusive target - Feat - D&D Toolshop
Shadow Blade: +Dex to damage w/ SH weapons
Staggering Strike: Anyone hit by your melee SA must fort save (DC ) or be staggered for 1 round
Adaptive Style: Refresh and change readied maneuvers as full round action
Craven: +HD damage with sneak attack, -2 saves vs. fear
Expert Tactician: You and allies have +2 circumstance to attack/damage for 1 round vs. any foe you hit with AoO
[/sblock]

Maneuvers (IL 8):
1 Distracting Ember R
1 Counter Charge R
2 Cloak of Deception R
2 Flashing Sun
2 Mountain Hammer
3 Soaring Raptor Strike R (note: use novice TC item to qualify)

Stances:
1 Island of Blades (Flank with allies on any enemy you are both adjacent to)
3 Assassin's Stance (+2d6 SA)

[sblock]MAD enough?
Basically, base weapon damage is crap, but he adds a lot to it. And once he gets into a flank, whether you attack and miss him or go after someone else, you're pretty hosed. Unarmed Swordsage is not at all necessary, it's just free bonuses, and...should you lose your weapon, unarmed strike IS a finesseable "one-handed" shadow hand weapon, so good back up...[/sblock]

 

[Dandu]

Derring-do:
Fence Like a Devil: Should be reduce your speed by half for one round, yes?

Yes.

Parry Like a Fiend: Ok, so you went a completely new direction with it...again... Seems alright, needs to be better worded. Is this on a full attack only? Any attack action where you make more than one? On an action action where you're making only one attack (and thus not getting any, and probably just using the Dodge to fuel Riposte)? Again, I suggest just saying something like "When you make any kind of attack action, you can choose to forfeit your first attack in order to designate every foe as the target of your Dodge feat until the start of your next turn. You can use this even if you would only have had one attack from the attacking action (meaning you make no actual attacks, just a flourish with your weapon)." Or however you want to do it. Just make sure it's cleaned up and not vague.

My main concern is that eliminating your highest attack is too severe a penalty.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Might be. It is a powerful AoO whoring build once you also get Riposte, though. Don't make it be the first attack then, but still specify exactly when you can use it (full attack only, any attack action, or other?).

How are my builds? Especially the 2nd one, which I actually put a lot of thought into. Also for the 2nd build, considering using Spell Reflection even though it's weaker than Evasion, just so you can literally parry everything.

 

[Dandu]

I think it is perfectly justifiable to trade Evasion for Spell Reflection if you can pick up Evasion some other way. Such as by using the ring.