Fighter Question

[Elder-Basilisk]

Reason 1: more skill points (Int) or better will save (wis).
Reason 2: Dex doesn't improve AC once you max out the max dex bonus of the armor you're wearing. If you're going for a tank fighter, get yourself a suit of fullplate and anything more than a 13 dex is overkill. (13 is good for the Dodge line of feats).

As for initiative--it's nice, but it's not all it's cracked up to be--especially for a tank fighter. If you win initiative, you often have to move and attack or ready an attack anyway and consequently don't get key full round attacks in early. (In a party situation, doing a FRA in round one is often better than doing a single attack in round 1 and then a full round attack in round 2 because, even if you would get the single attack in before your opponent's first FRA, the possibility of dealing an FRA worth of damage to the enemy in round 1 and then having your allies finish him off is more likely to remove an enemy from the battle as early as possible.

You lost me there. Why are you investing a 15 in int/wis instead of dex. Dex is by far more important for such a fighter since it not only improves ac, but also gives you initiative! and in my book winning initiative counts as getting an extra round of attack.

 

[Jhulae]

That's exactly the same thing I said, Elder-Basilisk, 11 posts earlier..

 

[B4cchus]

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.

Neither. Why would you invest a feat in that?

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.

Yes, i got that by now.

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.

If you're so worried about those skills, why are you taking that -6 apc from a fullplate?

I still think a front line fighter doesn't need to invest in those skills. His strength is high anough to help his jum, swim etc.
A high will save is indeed never a luxury for a front line fighter (my remark before was only applying to a real gladiator).

 

[Bloodweaver1]

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.

A human figther gets 3 feats at first level.
1 - Human
2 - 1st Level
3 - Being a fighter

My 2 cents... Check out the Gladiator class mentioned above or check out the one in Dark Sun 3.5 (www.athas.com) good stuff. I would also recommend investing skill points in bluff, sense motive and perform. Making someone flat-flooted can only help you, while at the sametime you don't want it to happen to you. Finally check out the Complete warrior, I am fairly certain there are some guidlines for gladiator combat in there. Might be able to get a few ideas from there.

Def go Net and sword/axe/mace/spikechain or something..