Need help building a dwarf fighter for a friend?

[Squnk]

A friend of mine started playing with my group. He is fairly new to D&D and is having a hard time building his character to deal large amounts of damage to compete with the rest of us. One guy in our group is a duskblade, another a strong magic user, and myself a scout, so we can deal out some pretty big damage. And he gets frustrated that his level six dwarf fighter can't keep up.

I remember the same frustration from when I first played. spite being the same level as everyone else, they were able to cause a bloodbath and I would be picking away at the same guy only through the whole battle. So I want to try and help him build up his fighter. I was hoping to get some advise, since you guys have always helped me.

 

[Dandu]

Ah yes, dwarves. Shall I introduce you to the legendary dwarf warrior Fistbeard Beardfist?

 

[Squnk]

Ah yes, dwarves. Shall I introduce you to the legendary dwarf warrior Fistbeard Beardfist?

Yes please do

 

[Dandu]

Behold, the ultimate dwarven warrior!

 

[Squnk]

Very hilarious. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Rampant]

Well simply put pure fighters, IME, have trouble keeping up with the damage dice other classes throw around.

Frankly fighters are better at harassing and hindering than pure damage output.

IF you really wanna deal damage the first thing to do is specialize in and get an enchanted version of a weapon. Follow up with power attack for two-handers, dual weapons for lights, rapid shot for thrown/range, expertise for disarm/trip weapons, and spring attack if nothing else fits.

 

[Squnk]

Ah yes, dwarves. Shall I introduce you to the legendary dwarf warrior Fistbeard Beardfist?

Yes please do

 

[Dandu]

Well simply put pure fighters, IME, have trouble keeping up with the damage dice other classes throw around.

Frankly fighters are better at harassing and hindering than pure damage output.

Harassing often means poking them for a trivial amount of damage. Hindering is an issue as you are smaller than many enemies and thus cannot keep up with grapple or trip checks. And Kord help you if a fire giant tries to bull rush you out of the way...

IF you really wanna deal damage the first thing to do is specialize in and get an enchanted version of a weapon. Follow up with power attack for two-handers, dual weapons for lights, rapid shot for thrown/range, expertise for disarm/trip weapons, and spring attack if nothing else fits.

Note that TWF is a poor choice for fighters, being more beneficial to rogues as Sneak Attack damage dice are added for every hit, while fighters are stuck with a lower bonus to damage from strength. Spring attacking is not very useful as you cannot full attack when using it, which kills your DPS and makes you irrelevant in combat. Archery has issues with dealing damage, as you have to focus on buffing 3 physical stats for health, damage, and accuracy.

The easiest way for a melee character to keep up would be to build something out of Tome of Battle.

 

[Rampant]

Two-weapon is the fastest way to accelerate your potential full attack damage. Especially if you dual wield your specialized weapon.

Spring attack is taken so you can pick up the bounding feats that let you full attack with spring attack.

Without knowledge of the usual monster mix I'm assuming that they at least occasionally fight opponents that are disarmable/trippable.

Range weapon specialists don't need to worry so much about Con, or even str if they have the right feats.

The OP asked for help with a fighter, didn't mention multi-classing or PrCs. That said there are some nice feats from the To9S that everybody with a perfect bab should take, use the feats to pick up the desert or tiger maneuvers that will work best for your weapon choice, or stone dragon even been a while since I looked them over so I don't recall how SD stacks up damage wise.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Why don't you tell use more about the current character & game?

What is his current weapon of choice? What books can you use?