Fighter Feats Character Creation
- Thread starter Twiddle
- Start date
Dump all the riding feats. You won't get to use them all that much IMO.
(fighter 1) Power Attack
(Character 1) Cleave (this feat is AWESOME at low levels)
(human) Weapon Focus - Greatsword
(fighter 2) Combat Reflexes - extra attacks are more damage. You get to make them while you are flat footed, so I prefer this over improved initiative, it doesn't matter if you win or lose the initiative, if enemies who beat your initiative try stuff on, you still get to make AoO against them. With your high dex you get up to +3 attacks every round, so you could in theory get 4 a round.
(character 3) Iron Will - with wis of 8, your will saves totally suck, I think you really need a help here. I might go for BlindFighting instead, and just accept that you will be held etc, blindfighting really helps land those hits against hard to target opponents.
(fighter 4) Weapon Spec - Greatsword. Obvious really.
With your stats, I would personally swap the Dex and Con. Unless you get mithril armour your high Dex will be mostly wasted (you won't get to make that many extra attacks of opportunity generally). Who knows what magical armour you will be picking up as the campaign continues, high con give you more HP all the time, no matter what.
(fighter 1) Power Attack
(Character 1) Cleave (this feat is AWESOME at low levels)
(human) Weapon Focus - Greatsword
(fighter 2) Combat Reflexes - extra attacks are more damage. You get to make them while you are flat footed, so I prefer this over improved initiative, it doesn't matter if you win or lose the initiative, if enemies who beat your initiative try stuff on, you still get to make AoO against them. With your high dex you get up to +3 attacks every round, so you could in theory get 4 a round.
(character 3) Iron Will - with wis of 8, your will saves totally suck, I think you really need a help here. I might go for BlindFighting instead, and just accept that you will be held etc, blindfighting really helps land those hits against hard to target opponents.
(fighter 4) Weapon Spec - Greatsword. Obvious really.
With your stats, I would personally swap the Dex and Con. Unless you get mithril armour your high Dex will be mostly wasted (you won't get to make that many extra attacks of opportunity generally). Who knows what magical armour you will be picking up as the campaign continues, high con give you more HP all the time, no matter what.
Will Saves:
With so many feats over a 20 level career I honestly consider it a crime not to take Iron will. If you look at the rolls; a +2 DOES make a difference between success and failure (I can tell you from experience.
Bad guys love smacking will save type stuff onto fighter types; it is a lot easier than trying to wear down all those hit points.
Mounted Feats:
Before you start investing in mounted feats; know your campaign. If it is underground most of the time then get those later if you want; at lower levels get what gives you the most utility (like weapon focus, cleave, etc.) - you live longer that way.
Dexterity:
If your going to have a high Dex then go with medium armor; Breastplate gives you that +3 Max Dexterity and the +5 to AC (my personal favorite). This gives you a base of a +8 to AC and you get all the other benefits of a higher Dex as well (reflex saves, certain checks, riding, ranged combat, etc.). But if you do this also take the Endurance feat so you can sleep in he armor without being fatigued the next day (that comes in very handy at night - trust me). It won't work with heavy armor however.
Sure you can get mitheral heavy armor later on; but at the moment you can't.
Shields:
Think about this; you have "out-damage" versus staying power. Using a sword and shield is pretty much the "norm". Two handed weapons and Two Weapon fighting deviate off of that.
You are using a greatsword: The advantage of a two handed weapon is more damage; at the expense of a higher AC. As such taking any and all feats that allow you to inflict more damage is far more important than anything else. Now of course it may simply be that you want those anyways…
Using a shield allows you to have a higher AC and thus the bad guy hits you less but it costs you nothing - you can use your feats wherever you like.
And with "shields are for pussies" - when you start getting low on hit points some day you will probably think twice about that.
Ability Scores and feats:
If your ability scores are shoved into a few things then you will be limited in the eat choices (no combat expertise types of things). There are however tons of other feats out there. Improved Bulrush and Overrun are "fun" feats to use. Plus overrun allows you to knock someone prone (as in replacing the Improved trip feat) and get bonuses to do so; of course it is not as good as Imp Trip seeing as you don't also get that Melee attack - but then again the trade off for a lower Intelligence score - but you still get the AoO when he stands up!
There are tons of other non Intelligence feats out there.
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I have a 15th level human fighter with a 16 Dex and 20 (un-enhanced) Strength (A high powered campaign with a 46 point, 8 base, point-buy system). He wears breastplate and wields a heavy shield and longsword
Weapon Focus - Long Sword
Greater Weapon Focus - Long Sword
Weapon Specialization - Long Sword
Greater Weapon Specialization - Long Sword
Improved Critical - Long Sword
Iron Will
Endurance
Combat Reflexes
Power Attack
Cleave
Great Cleave
Improved Overrun
Improved Bull Rush
Shock Trooper (From complete warrior)
Quick Draw
I also took 2 flaws to get two more feats:
Improved Sunder
Combat Brute
Leap attack will be the next feat taken at 16th level
Sure he can't ride or shoot; but I designed him as (quoted from the PHB) an "elite foot soldier".
Just my opinion…it has worked for me
With so many feats over a 20 level career I honestly consider it a crime not to take Iron will. If you look at the rolls; a +2 DOES make a difference between success and failure (I can tell you from experience.
Bad guys love smacking will save type stuff onto fighter types; it is a lot easier than trying to wear down all those hit points.
Mounted Feats:
Before you start investing in mounted feats; know your campaign. If it is underground most of the time then get those later if you want; at lower levels get what gives you the most utility (like weapon focus, cleave, etc.) - you live longer that way.
Dexterity:
If your going to have a high Dex then go with medium armor; Breastplate gives you that +3 Max Dexterity and the +5 to AC (my personal favorite). This gives you a base of a +8 to AC and you get all the other benefits of a higher Dex as well (reflex saves, certain checks, riding, ranged combat, etc.). But if you do this also take the Endurance feat so you can sleep in he armor without being fatigued the next day (that comes in very handy at night - trust me). It won't work with heavy armor however.
Sure you can get mitheral heavy armor later on; but at the moment you can't.
Shields:
Think about this; you have "out-damage" versus staying power. Using a sword and shield is pretty much the "norm". Two handed weapons and Two Weapon fighting deviate off of that.
You are using a greatsword: The advantage of a two handed weapon is more damage; at the expense of a higher AC. As such taking any and all feats that allow you to inflict more damage is far more important than anything else. Now of course it may simply be that you want those anyways…
Using a shield allows you to have a higher AC and thus the bad guy hits you less but it costs you nothing - you can use your feats wherever you like.
And with "shields are for pussies" - when you start getting low on hit points some day you will probably think twice about that.
Ability Scores and feats:
If your ability scores are shoved into a few things then you will be limited in the eat choices (no combat expertise types of things). There are however tons of other feats out there. Improved Bulrush and Overrun are "fun" feats to use. Plus overrun allows you to knock someone prone (as in replacing the Improved trip feat) and get bonuses to do so; of course it is not as good as Imp Trip seeing as you don't also get that Melee attack - but then again the trade off for a lower Intelligence score - but you still get the AoO when he stands up!
There are tons of other non Intelligence feats out there.
----------------------------------------------------------
I have a 15th level human fighter with a 16 Dex and 20 (un-enhanced) Strength (A high powered campaign with a 46 point, 8 base, point-buy system). He wears breastplate and wields a heavy shield and longsword
Weapon Focus - Long Sword
Greater Weapon Focus - Long Sword
Weapon Specialization - Long Sword
Greater Weapon Specialization - Long Sword
Improved Critical - Long Sword
Iron Will
Endurance
Combat Reflexes
Power Attack
Cleave
Great Cleave
Improved Overrun
Improved Bull Rush
Shock Trooper (From complete warrior)
Quick Draw
I also took 2 flaws to get two more feats:
Improved Sunder
Combat Brute
Leap attack will be the next feat taken at 16th level
Sure he can't ride or shoot; but I designed him as (quoted from the PHB) an "elite foot soldier".
Just my opinion…it has worked for me
Question about combat reflexes
Even if I get alot of extra attacks, what will make me get so many AoOs, I understand what makes me get AoOs but I don't see how Im going to get so many chances of AoOs. When I'm in a battle alot of the times its like smack smack smack, how am I going to get 3 AoO's in one round of combat?
Also I don't mind shields, Im just playing my character, i.e young, brash, stubborn, brave
Even if I get alot of extra attacks, what will make me get so many AoOs, I understand what makes me get AoOs but I don't see how Im going to get so many chances of AoOs. When I'm in a battle alot of the times its like smack smack smack, how am I going to get 3 AoO's in one round of combat?
Also I don't mind shields, Im just playing my character, i.e young, brash, stubborn, brave
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combat expertiese lets you get extra AoO on opponents based on your Dex. Modifier.
You normally get 1 AoO during a round. If you have a 15 DEX ( +2) (( I think)) that would give you a total of 3 AoO's during that round but not against the same target.
Usually if 3 opponents enter your threatned square at the same time you can only choose to attack 1 of them. With Combat Reflexes, you are allowed an AoO on ALL 3 OF THEM!!
THATS AWESOME!!!!
Also i know know that Cleave is awesome at lower levels. Unfortunantly(from my experiences) cleave DOES NOT work when you get into higher levels. I would also take Endurance and Diehard. Diehard makes it to where you dont fall unconscience if you drop below -1 HP. this has saved me MANY TIMES!!!!
You normally get 1 AoO during a round. If you have a 15 DEX ( +2) (( I think)) that would give you a total of 3 AoO's during that round but not against the same target.
Usually if 3 opponents enter your threatned square at the same time you can only choose to attack 1 of them. With Combat Reflexes, you are allowed an AoO on ALL 3 OF THEM!!
THATS AWESOME!!!!
Also i know know that Cleave is awesome at lower levels. Unfortunantly(from my experiences) cleave DOES NOT work when you get into higher levels. I would also take Endurance and Diehard. Diehard makes it to where you dont fall unconscience if you drop below -1 HP. this has saved me MANY TIMES!!!!
nittanytbone
First Post
Twiddle said:
Try using a reach weapon. You don't threaten the squares 5' away from you, but you DO threaten the squares 10' away from you. If you chug a potion of "enlarge person" then your reach would be a fantastic 15 to 20 feet. Thus, anyone closing to battle must take an attack of opportunity. If you add a spiked gauntlet then you can throw down the reach weapon and take an attack of opportunity vs someone right next to you as well without needing to draw a weapon. Additionally, the reach weapons are all two-handers which should work nicely for your power attacking high strength character.
This strategy is particularly nice when combined with the "quick draw" feat: When the opportunity presents itself, throw down the longspear, quickdraw the sword and whack someone.
Crosshair
First Post
Rule 0. Know your DM, if you've never played with your DM it's going to be hard to pick proper feats.
These are my opinions on feats.
IRON WILL- Worst mistake not taking this. Dominated fighter kills party.(Know your DM.--Hack 'n slash only with goblins -no)
Weapon Focus--Good bonus
Weapon Specilization --Definite bonus at any level
Greater Weapon Focus
Greater Weapon Spec. --If you're really trying to squeez out damage, then they're worth it
Quick Draw-Favorite of mine
Power Attack(Tree)--good choice
Cleave-Even better
Great Cleave-I'd take it, but if you're always fighting one equal CR baddy, it's not worth it's weight. Probably still worth taking on the off chance of using it.
Throw Anything--Throwing a greatsword is really fun.(Still get str damage and weapon specilization, works well in surprise round, charge first round.) Secondary choice.
Improved Crit--saves space on your weapon--worth it
Endurance-Depends on setting
Run--Your choice, other feats may be better choices
Improved init-If you're fighting one big baddy, first hit counts
These are my opinions on feats.
IRON WILL- Worst mistake not taking this. Dominated fighter kills party.(Know your DM.--Hack 'n slash only with goblins -no)
Weapon Focus--Good bonus
Weapon Specilization --Definite bonus at any level
Greater Weapon Focus
Greater Weapon Spec. --If you're really trying to squeez out damage, then they're worth it
Quick Draw-Favorite of mine
Power Attack(Tree)--good choice
Cleave-Even better
Great Cleave-I'd take it, but if you're always fighting one equal CR baddy, it's not worth it's weight. Probably still worth taking on the off chance of using it.
Throw Anything--Throwing a greatsword is really fun.(Still get str damage and weapon specilization, works well in surprise round, charge first round.) Secondary choice.
Improved Crit--saves space on your weapon--worth it
Endurance-Depends on setting
Run--Your choice, other feats may be better choices
Improved init-If you're fighting one big baddy, first hit counts
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