looking for advice on a 5th level fighter

[Barbariansdmb]

I realized I probably posted this in the wrong forum, so I've reposted here, where it shoud be appropriate. Apologies if necessary.

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I'm still somewhat new to playing D&D 3.5, so I figured I'd ask for some input on character development.

I've got a 5th level human fighter in an adventure with a gnome fighter/thief. It's mostly dungeon crawling alternating with overland travel, so even though he has a warhorse he doesn't use it much, except for occasional wandering encounters. We also get free and easy access to healing when we get out of a dungeon, and we can always find healing potions.

Here's what he is now:
S:16, D: 14, C: 15, I: 14, W:12, Ch: 10
Masterwork Longsword, Mighty Composite Shortbow, Mithral Armor +1, Light Steel Shield

Feats: Power Attack, Cleave, WP Focus: Longsword, Endurance, Die Hard, Iron Will

What I want to know is, what you would do with this character? I'm thinking of making him as much of a 'brick' as possible, but I'm not really sure what the best way of doing that is. I know there are dozens of prestige classes out there, but I barely know what they are! Is there a particular prestige class you'd aim for, or would you stick with the fighter class? (My DM will let me alter some feats after the fact, which is cool.)

Thanks in advance for the advice!

 

[Telperion]

The basic fighter isn't bad, but it hasn't been given enough special attention in 3.x. With the basic idea of "hoard of feats" available to the fighter the best bet is to go with feat-chains. There are a plethora of prestige classes out there if you want to specialize in a certain mode of combat, and given the basic rule of D&D that is probably what you want to do. Specialize.

So, you want to be a heavy hitter with the capability to take a lot of damage? How about multiclassing as a barbarian/fighter? Want some healing powers to go along with that fighter? How about a paladin/fighter?
Nature and dungeons are your thing? Welcome to ranger/fighter combination. The fighter is, IMO, the best platform when we are talking about multiclassing. The class offers a huge jump in feats from the start. You also get plenty of hp and the best BAB.

The bad things about the fighter is that the temptation to multiclass, either into another core class or into a prestige class, grows exponentially as you gain fighter levels. IMO the fighter has very little to offer after 6 - 8 levels, and that is when most characters can get their first levels of a prestige class anyway...

The thing is that only you have the final answer. What is your character concept? Forget everything else. Just think about that one single word that defines your character and start from there.

 

[Darklone]

Going for a brickwall and for helping your "group" out, taking one or two levels of cleric would be nice... then have a look at the human paragon class in UA

 

[Thanee]

Some random ideas...

Weapon Specialization for your longsword.

Combat Expertise / Improved Trip / Improved Disarm - those are some nice feats.

Swap your shield for a buckler. Less AC, but allows you to fight with your longsword two-handed, if you need to deal mighty damage with Power Attack. Combined with Combat Expertise you can quickly switch between highly offensive and highly defensive stances in combat.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Plane Sailing]

What I want to know is, what you would do with this character? I'm thinking of making him as much of a 'brick' as possible, but I'm not really sure what the best way of doing that is.

One way of doing this is to try to swap your mithril armour for adamantine armour (for the neat DR... 3/- if it is heavy armour) and then possibly multiclass into Barbarian in order to gain the barbarian DR which (I think) stacks.

If you get your Dex to 15 you could take Two Weapon Fighting and Improved Shield Bash (or whatever it got called in Complete Warrior) to enable you to make shield bashes with your shield while still retaining its AC bonus.

 

[Barbariansdmb]

then have a look at the human paragon class in UA

Unfortunately no one in our group has Unearthed Arcana. Can you give me a synopsis?

And while it seems like people like Barbarians, I don't know if flying into a Rage really fits the character concept I had in mind. He's more of an aspiring knight, or a solo adventurer righting wrongs, without really be a paladin do-gooder, or a ranger.

Perhaps "ruthlessly efficient" best describes what I have in mind. (without being evil)

 

[Thanee]

There are some nice fighter PrC out there. I'm sure there's something that fits your concept.

Anyways, I'd make use of your fighter feats and learn some effective combat styles, so you get some options during combat and do not simply have to attack, attack, attack.

As I said up there... Trip, Disarm, stuff like that.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Barbariansdmb]

There are some nice fighter PrC out there. I'm sure there's something that fits your concept.

Does anything come to mind? I haven't read through the entirety of the Player's, so I don't really know what exists...

 

[Darklone]

Just stay pure fighter and become the best swordmaster of your age.

 

[Thanee]

Just take a look at Complete Warrior, there are a lot of fighter PrC in one place.

Bye
Thanee