Proposed Fighter "fix"

[RisnDevil]

I just now finally leafed through a copy of Iron Heroes (I know I am behind the curve by a significant amount, but whatever).

The most common "fix" I have heard it to give the Fighter a feat every level. That could still be done, but I was thinking of giving them the Excellent Base Attack Bonus progression. Does this seem ok? I would allow them as the only class in a standard 3.x game with that save, and I think that would help set them apart from all the other fighting classes.

So what do people think? Would they need more than that, or is that good on its own? Please feel free to post any criticisms.

Thanks,
RisnDevil

 

[the Jester]

Every time the topic of 'fixing' the fighter comes up, I say the same thing: imho all the fighter really needs is a good selection of high-level fighter feats. The PHB2 goes a long, long way to meeting that need. I also have dozens of high-level fighter feats for my campaign.

Really, I think bumping their BAB is excessive. A high-level fighter already hardly ever misses anything on his first attack or two.

 

[RisnDevil]

While I agree with the assertion about hardly missing with the first attack or two, I make the proposition partially on the basis that the Barbarian, Paladin, Ranger, Hexblade, Samurai, and Swashbuckler all get the same BAB, and with whole hosts of other abilities, many of which cannot be replicated by feats. I think this would truly show the Fighter as the "master of fighting" that he should be.

I also agree that the Fighter can use more high-level feats, though I do not think that would be enough because of the aforementioned abilities many other full-BAB classes get. Though I would be very interested in seeing your high-level fighter feats. You can post them here or email me at RisnDevil@yahoo.com

Thanks for the fast reply, too!

 

[Kunimatyu]

Honestly, some Player's Handbook 2 feats should really be enough.

 

[Enforcer]

I too just got the PHB II and not only do I think the feats in there make the Fighter more playable beyond 2 or 4 levels, but I want to play a Fighter all the way up to 20 in someone's game. I especially like the Combat Focus feat chain--replicates the Zen warrior quite nicely.

 

[comrade raoul]

Yep. To chime in: the post-PHB2 fighter is a completely different animal than his earlier incarnation, to the point that any discussion about changing or improving the fighter needs to take place in the context of those feats (either explicitly ruling them out or adjusting for them). Believe me, they're enough, and the ability to get a lot of them, which is unique to the fighter, is absolutely as good as the unique abilities other fighting classes get.

 

[the Jester]

If you're interested in checking out my feats document, go here and check out the files section. I believe you need to join the group to do so, however, but there's no downside attached.

 

[airwalkrr]

I have to agree with most of the others here. Simply add more high-level fighter feats to your campaign. You can either create them yourself or use sourcebooks like the PH2, which several have already mentioned.

 

[Tequila Sunrise]

Superior Weapon Focus
Required Fighter Level 16
Benefit: +1 attack

Superior Weapon Specialization
Required Fighter Level 20
Benefit: +2 damage

 

[IndyPendant]

I made two primary changes that might have balanced the fighter; unfortunately, no one played the class before I switched to AE, so it has not yet been playtested. I anticipate no problems with it, however.

1) When filling a Fighter Bonus Feat, any feat that requires a specific weapon to be chosen can be applied to a group of weaons intead. The groups are: Light and Finessable Weapons (including thrown versions); One-Handed Weapons (including thrown); Two-Handed Weapons (including 1h weapons used 2h); and Ranged Weapons. Alternatively, a fighter can select a weapon group from Unearthed Arcana. If any weapon overlaps two or more groups (i.e. Rapier) and both feats are selected, they do not stack.

2) At 10th class level, the Fighter can ignore all attribute and feat prerequisites for any feat he selects with his Fighter Bonus Feats.