Plain ol' Fighters: Likes & Dislikes?

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Fighters are extremely competent warriors.
If you specialise them in a certain fighting style (or weapon), they will probably become deadlier than any other class or character trying to specialise in that style (or weapon).
If you give them a broad array of abilities (feats), they can contribute in any combat situation and seriously wreck their foes plans and tactics. (One trick pony enemies might easily lose their "one trick" to a succesful disarm, sunder or grapple attempt by the fighter)

Unfortunately, they seriously lack in the non-combat area. I think their social skills are fine (Intimidate should be sufficient for Fighters), but a few more knowledge skills would make a lot of sense.
(That they suffer from a lack of skill points is not a fighter-specific dislike for me - most classes suffer from this problem).

What I dislike is that their are only very few fighter-specific prestige classes. The Wizard has the Archmage and the Loremaster in the DMG, but where are the Fighter PrCs there? I think the only Fighter PrC that I liked (and that mostly for flavour) was the Ronin in the Complete Adventurer. There are especially little options for Fighters that refrain from taking the Weapon Focus/Weapon Specialisation route, and I have made good experience with fighters not going that route. (Simply because in a "natural" game, it takes several levels until you have found the right (and magic) weapo, and in the mean time, combat maneuvers give you a lot better options usable at any time)

 

[Jdvn1]

Yeah, EN World has definitly helped my game too. There are also many people (heck, even you Jdvn1) who I consider to be buddies from EN World

Aww, you're making me blush. You're not getting my bud lite.

Out of the 'fixes' I listed above, treating a fighters ability scores as if it were two points higher when choosing fighte feats is probably my favourite fix, with the Floating Bonus Feat a close second

I have to agree with that, though, the Warrior's Spirit adds some interesting flavor that makes Fighters seem a bit cooler.

 

[Hussar]

I loves me the fighter. Sure, the feats are boring on paper, but, it's what you do with them that makes it interesting.

Such as the halfling fighter mounted on a dog dishing out high double digit damages at 6th level.

The combat expertise fighter going with a reach weapon and improved trip. Sweet.

Sure, I'm not going to find secret doors, but, meh, I'm the fighter. I just wanna beat stuff into a bloody pulp.

 

[Bagpuss]

Like: Feats, BAB
Dislike: Level's 5,7, 11, etc. The dead levels where you don't get a bonus feat or a character level feat. 2+Int Skill points. The fact you need Dex 13+ and Int 13+ to actually get half of the bonus feats available, it's like they give you class abilities with one hand then take them away if you don't have great stats so if you have poor starting character they actually get worse as they miss out on feats better stat characters can get, it's a double wammy.

 

[Nyaricus]

Aww, you're making me blush. You're not getting my bud lite.

I see your bud lite and raise you a Molson Canadian

I have to agree with that, though, the Warrior's Spirit adds some interesting flavor that makes Fighters seem a bit cooler.

Yeah, it was an interesting suggestion in my WDYDfF thread, and I have to admit I am partial to it. Those three suggestions were awesome, in any case *thanks EN World*

 

[Jdvn1]

I see your bud lite and raise you a Molson Canadian

Honestly, I probably wouldn't drink either. I tend to only drink local beers, preferably if they're made on location. I can't stand beer otherwise.

Yeah, it was an interesting suggestion in my WDYDfF thread, and I have to admit I am partial to it. Those three suggestions were awesome, in any case *thanks EN World*

... I should go over to HR more often... I can never think of ideas when I go there, though. I have to be playing to come up with ideas.

 

[Nyaricus]

Honestly, I probably wouldn't drink either. I tend to only drink local beers, preferably if they're made on location. I can't stand beer otherwise.

LoL, I actually don't drink beer either. Sleeman's is the only one I've found to be nice, but it is hard to find outside of a pub here....

... I should go over to HR more often... I can never think of ideas when I go there, though. I have to be playing to come up with ideas.

Well, just check out my Tasty Bits thread (in my sig) and check out someof the stuff I think is cool in HR. There are enough of ideas there for a start, anyways

 

[Mercule]

Good: They do what they do well.

Bad: Wish that swashbuckler or martial artist was included in what they did well.

 

[brehobit]

Actually, this gave me an idea: let fighters either have heavy and medium armours and tower shields, ***or*** light armours, Tumble and Balance and 4 skill points a level.

Profession is class for both.

What do folks think of that?

I'd throw in shields for the light fighter too (or at least a buckler).

Nice and simple, I like it.

 

[Steverooo]

Bad: Wish that swashbuckler or martial artist was included in what they did well.

A couple of General Feats would do this:

Uncanny Defense (General Feat)
You are trained in defending yourself, without armor or shield.
Description: When fighting without armor or shield (only), the PC's WIS Bonus (as well as DEX Bonus) is added as a Dodge Bonus to AC, just like a Monk.
Normal: Only a PC's DEX Bonus is added to AC.
Note: A Fighter may select this as one of their Bonus Feats. Copyright SteveC, 2005-6. (To make this Feat as good as the Monk's, a bonus of +1/5 levels or so, after taking this Feat, should also be added. As it stands, this Feat is weaker than the Monk Class, as some GMs like it!)

Slam (General Feat)
You are better trained in Unarmed Martial Arts.
Prerequisites: Improved Unarmed Strike.
Description: Unarmed Strikes increase two places on the damage table (from 1D3 to 1D6 for Medium-sized characters, or from 1D2 to 1D4 for Small-sized).
Normal: Unarmed Strikes do 1D2 for size Small PCs, and 1D3 for size Medium, in addition to STR Bonus.
Note: A Fighter may select this as one of their Bonus Feats. Copyright SteveC, 2005-6.

Improved Slam (General Feat)
You are better trained in Unarmed Martial Arts.
Prerequisites: Improved Unarmed Strike, Slam.
Description: Unarmed Strikes increase one ADDITIONAL place on the damage table (from 1D6 to 1D8 for Medium-sized characters, or from 1D4 to 1D6 for Small-sized).
Normal: Unarmed Strikes do 1D2 for size Small PCs, and 1D3 for size Medium, in addition to STR Bonus.
Note: A Fighter may select this as one of their Bonus Feats. This Feat may be taken additional times, until 1D20 damage is reached (or whatever maximum the GM sets). Copyright SteveC, 2005-6.