Fighter Question

[B4cchus]

A good will save is more of a luxury than anything else in a gladiator style arena battle.
I also think you don't really need those skillpoints either in such a situation.
You really need those feats, so imp. initiative sounds like a too expensive investment (then again, high dex AND imp. initiative sound really nice).

If you're going to wear heavy armor, i'd rather spend a feat on armor optimisation than imp. initiative (since you'll also improve your movement rate and reduce armor check penalties). But i'd go for 16 dex and a breastplate.

 

[Bront]

In an odd thought, go 2 weapon AND sword and Board. with Improved shield bash, you can attack with your shield while still retaining it's bonuses, so get a nice spiked shield and a good 1 handed weapon, bulk up on a few 2 weapon fighting feats, you only need one specialization for the one weapon, and you can get a lot of attacks, even if some of them aren't that spectacular (Shield damage isn't that great). You'll have a great AC, loads of attacks, and probably be fairly unique.

 

[nimisgod]

A good will save is more of a luxury than anything else in a gladiator style arena battle.

I disagree. At mid to high levels of play, having a good Will save modifier can save you from a lot of grief. There are a ton of spells and effects that paralyze, charm, dominate, frighten or otherwise screw you over by then. Hell, even a CR 5 Mummy has a Paralyzing fear aura which can spell doom for anyone with a low will save.

 

[B4cchus]

I thought we where building an arena-style gladiator. Not much mummies on ancient rome...

If you'd be building an adventuring style fighter, many of my above statements are invalid.
I'd still dump the int score, though, right after cha.

-edit- and update that sig! Wilhelm is bashing snakes with Hulgyr

 

[Rhun]

I believe there is a Gladiator prestige class in Sword and Fist.

 

[werk]

I thought we where building an arena-style gladiator. Not much mummies on ancient rome...

I guess it really depends on if he's fighting other gladiators. Fantasy settings have been know to throw just about anything in the ring.

 

[Yig]

There is also a shield in a Complete book (sorry, don't remember which one) that gives more AC when fighting only one foe.

 

[Murrdox]

I LOVE the Trident / Net idea that was brought up earlier. Great concept for a Gladiator fighter.

I think just for FLAVOR, you should definitely go Sword /Shield, and stick with medium armor. Your AC won't be optimal, but how many Gladiators walk around in Full Plate?

Have a Flail and Net, and a Spiked Shield ready.

When you're in combat, Ready an action to throw the net as soon as the enemy closes to 10'. Then ready your shield, and close in for the kill, using the flail to Disarm your opponent. Use a Spiked Shield to bash your opponent.

Feat Progression for this build I envision as follows: (I don't know what level you're starting at, or what race you will be, so I'm assuming level 1, Human).

Level 1: Combat Expertise, Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Net
Level 2: Improved Disarm
Level 3: Two Weapon Fighting
Level 4: Improved Shield Bash
Level 5:
Level 6: Dodge, Mobility
Level 7:
Level 8: Spring Attack

I'm not an expert min/maxer, and this character isn't going to be the most DAMAGING nor is it going to be the best TANK... but it's a Gladiator that might be a lot of fun to play.

I didn't work Improved Two Weapon Fighting into the progression because from your stats, it seems unlikely you're going to end up with the required 17 in Dex. If you put your "15" score in Dex though, and put both your points into it, then you could get Improved Two Weapon Fighting at level 8 instead of Spring Attack.

 

[Shape D.]

What about a bastard sword, 1 or 2 handed? dropping a shield is a free action. you'd need to take an exotic weapon proficiency to use it one handed though.

 

[Jhulae]

A good will save is more of a luxury than anything else in a gladiator style arena battle.
I also think you don't really need those skillpoints either in such a situation.
You really need those feats, so imp. initiative sounds like a too expensive investment (then again, high dex AND imp. initiative sound really nice).

If you're going to wear heavy armor, i'd rather spend a feat on armor optimisation than imp. initiative (since you'll also improve your movement rate and reduce armor check penalties). But i'd go for 16 dex and a breastplate.

No, read the OP again. He's building a gladiator type. He's not going to be doing a lot of gladiatorial combat any more. He's an ex-gladiator. He is going to be the party's front line fighter.

Skill points (for intimidate, climb, jump, even handle animal) would be nice to have. Also, again, as a frontline fighter, he should have a decent will save or he'll be in trouble a lot.