Low level Crusader Feat selection

[XCorvis]

I don't have my book, but IIRC, blade meditation increases your initiator level by one when using a strike with a school's favored weapons. Also adds +1 damage with that weapon.

 

[Arkhandus]

If I recall, Blade Meditation adds +1 to damage with one discipline's weapons, and +1 on checks with that discipline's key skill (I don't remember if these are limited to 'when using a maneuver from that discipline' or not).

You were thinking of a different feat, Souljourner. Vital Recovery or something like that.

 

[Geoff Watson]

Stone Power is a must.

Don't bother with Agile Shield Fighter. You'll be using Strikes most
of the time and you won't be using the off-hand attacks.

Shield Ward is good; the only reason to take Shield Spec IMO.

Geoff.

 

[Diirk]

Yes. Agile shield fighter specifically replaces whatever penalties you have for fighting with two weapons with a flat -2 to hit with all attacks. That means you don't have to have a light weapon in your offhand (you can use a large shield). Plus, it has no dex requirement, which is nice for guys in full plate.

Ahh, I see.. I misread it. Still I'm not sure its worth it if you have a high enough dex to take TWF, as that leads potentially to its followups for more attacks (if you have a high enough dex anyway... 15+, ugh)

 

[Vysirez]

Ahh, I see.. I misread it. Still I'm not sure its worth it if you have a high enough dex to take TWF, as that leads potentially to its followups for more attacks (if you have a high enough dex anyway... 15+, ugh)

IMO, thats actually the point of the feat. It allows you to get an extra attack with your shield even if you don't have enough Dex for TWF. Donno if it's worth it, but thats how I view it.

 

[The Souljourner]

I think it's great (if only it had been combined with improved shield bash, since that feat is worthless on its own). The rest of the two weapon fighting chain is just a bunch of feats that get worse and worse and more and more difficult to qualify for. Screw that. One free attack with your shield? I'll take it... it's like rapid shot but for melee

 

[lukelightning]

I can't wait for you to get an animated shield. Imagine the craziness!

 

[Nifft]

Stone Power is a must.

Don't bother with Agile Shield Fighter. You'll be using Strikes most
of the time and you won't be using the off-hand attacks.

Shield Ward is good; the only reason to take Shield Spec IMO.

These thoughts mirror my own.

QFT, -- N

 

[The Souljourner]

I can't wait for you to get an animated shield. Imagine the craziness!

Bah, Luke, I don't believe in animated shields. I think they're just too cheesy to be used... sure, here's a free +7 ac for no good reason. I think not.

It does sound like I'll be abandoning agile shield fighter.... too bad. I like the idea, but I can't really support the feat requirements (if only ASF were combined with improved shield bash).

Not sure about shield spec... my DM is letting it work with tower shields, which might be fun, especially with shield ward.... maybe if I can convince him to allow a feat to negate the -2 to hit from the tower shield or something along those lines....

Sounds like probably EGM, Shield Spec, Stone Power at 1st, take Shield Ward at 3rd, and umm... dunno what at 6th. Maybe a custom feat of some sort.

-Nate

 

[blargney the second]

I had been thinking (briefly) about dodge and mobility, but wasn't sure they were strong enough to take. It's essentially two dump feats so I can get Elusive Target... which is almost good enough to make it worth it.

Dodge & Mobility mean your crusader can move around to get to wherever he's needed the most. Surgical strikes are where martial initiators are at, and it just gets better once Elusive Target is stacked on top. I can rely on my crusader's defenses to keep him alive when he puts himself in the midst of enemies to set up flanks for my allies. It's really fun.

Slightly tangentially, I've come to realize that abilities get rated based on how much they increase damage per round, so defensive feats get a bum rap.
-blarg

ps - For more extra mileage from Elusive Target than you would expect, you can take Midnight Dodge in Magic of Incarnum.