Khopesh: HBO plus Deadly Axe

[cmbarona]

So I'm making a fighter for our next campaign. Looking ahead in my build, I've been curious about focusing on my OAs, namely through the Khopesh in AV (one-handed, military, +2 prof, 1d8, axe and heavy blade). I hear that High Crit is a fantastic quality to have, and that Heavy Blade Opportunity is a very good feat as well (assuming you get OAs every now and then, which our DM will tactically risk).

What's the general feeling about this combo?

 

[Danceofmasks]

Well, for the price of 2 feats, what do you get for it?
Let's say you take weapon proficiency (bastard sword) instead of deadly axe ..

I'd say the benefits of both are equivalent .. actually, in favour of the bastard sword (but I may be biased in favour of hitroll).

It's not weak, nor is it overpowered, so if you're after the khopesh for the cool factor (or the vorpal khopesh crit of doom), go for it.

 

[evilgenius8000]

Actually, the Khopesh doesn't have High Crit. Instead, it has Brutal 1.

The scimitar is the sword with High Crit, and is found in the PHB.

 

[boolean]

Actually, the Khopesh doesn't have High Crit. Instead, it has Brutal 1.

The scimitar is the sword with High Crit, and is found in the PHB.

The OP is considering using the Deadly Axe feat, which gives all axes High Crit (including the Khopesh, which is both an axe and a heavy blade.)

 

[cmbarona]

I've also looked ahead a bit with this build. I should mention that I'm making a Dwarf. With only investing enough Dex to get feats by paragon tier, I can instead focus on building Con for axe-boosting feats and such. In addition, I'll qualify for the Swordmaster paragon path benefits.

 

[Larrin]

This combo is more or less what the khopesh was designed for. If you aren't using both heavy blade AND axe feats, you're probably better off using one or the other.

It is brutal 1, which is almost a reason to take it, but its the dual heritage that makes it a viable choice. IMHO

 

[cmbarona]

So aside from the one suggested by Danceofmasks (seriously, Vorpal + Brutal = ZOMGBBQFTW!!!), can anyone recommend some interesting combos I might look into? I'm already looking at combining fantastic OAs with an axe's damage output, mainly capitalizing on crits whenever possible. Are there any items, feats, etc. which are particularly useful for this build? I'm already planning on these feats:

Dwarven Weapon Training switched to Weapon Focus at epic
Blade Opportunist
Combat Reflexes
Distracting Shield
Potent Challenge

HBO and DA (and Swordmaster PP) as mentioned earlier
Devastating Critical

Epic Resurgence
Triumphant Attack.

Suggestions?

 

[James McMurray]

At epic get a radiant weapon and Font of Radiance. Each crit turns them into a walking bonfire that lets you see invisible creatures around them.

 

[WalterKovacs]

One other reason I would consider the weapon:

Axe weilding swordmage. A swordmage is going to be pumping STR and CON more than DEX, so the axe feats are easier to pull off.

 

[cmbarona]

Ooh, wow. I hadn't considered that. Well, the game starts on Saturday and I've got a busy week... Maybe some other time.