Rapier wielder, what feats, books, would you recommend?

[Arravis]

My next character is going to be a fighter/sorcerer, using either a rapier or elven thin blade. Anyway, I'm wanting to see what feats, classes, etc, you guys recommend for such a character, especially combat-wise. I'm looking for interesting and flavorful special maneuvers via feats, prestige classes (I really like Asgard magazine's Edgemaster prestige class and the use of Perform and weapons), and such. I'm not looking for stuff to make the character more poweful, just stuff to add interest . Thanks guys!

 

[BiggusGeekus@Work]

Sorceror - I'd lean toward abjuration, divination, and transmutation spells. Stuff that will augment your character. Most of your opponents will be making their saving throws and as a sorceror (as opposed to wizard) you can't afford to be wasting your spell choices.

Fighter - weapon finesse, specialization, et. al. Maybe dodge/mobility. You'll be wearing light or no armor so don't expect to tank for anyone. Look at mithirl-based armor instead of the standard stuff.

Happy gaming!

 

[Robbert Raets]

Duelist!!

 

[L0rd_Dark0n]

What you need is the Quintessential Fighter from Mongoose Publishing. It's excellant. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fighter types. They have a new take on prestige classes in that they are different fighting styles. You'll want to check out the Rain of Blades style. Dual weilding combo of a rapier and dagger. Very nice.

 

[Ravellion]

Dragon 301 is a swashbuckling issue and could be very useful to you. It has feats, Main Gauche stats, roleplaying advice and nice portraits mixed in with the article which you could photocopy and use quite easily.

I find Quintessential Fighter to have poor design with interesting ideas. Those books are the worst for DMs because players will enjoy the good ideas, but the DM will ahve to shoot down the concept most of the times because of serious balance issues.

 

[Arravis]

Yeah I was thinking about that... but so many of the WoTC prestige classes seem flavorless. It's a good one though .

I also plan to use Perform (Weapon Tricks), or something like that... not really for combat, but doing tricks with a rapier for entertainment, etc... just flashy stuff.

P.S.: this character will only use one blade... the other hand needs to be free for spell-casting .

 

[Apok]

Check out Path of the Sword for some neat Acrobatic Combat maneuvers. The Duelist PrC is excellent, probably the best choice for a light-armored fencer. The White Rose PrC from Path of Shadows is also nice, but IIRC there is a racial requirement Elf or Half-Elf. Another good choice if you don't mind being an Elf is the Bladesinger, one of the most effective mixings of spells & swords I've ever seen.

Spellwise, I'd follow BiggusGeekus's advice and grab as many self-buffs as I could get my hands on. Mage Armor, Shield, Stat-boosting spells, Haste, Expeditious Retreat, Jump, Blur, etc.

Featwise, Weapon Focus & Specialization are a must, as is Improved Critical once you qualify. Dodge, Mobility, and Spring Attack will also be very usefull. Beyond those, go with feats that have a high coolness factor. You want your character to kick-butt, but in style with massive ammounts of flare and embellishment.

 

[gariig]

I'd suggest the bladesinger, you can get it from Wizard's site from the Tome and Blood Web Enhancement. It says you must use a longsword but it has been reprinted to allow a rapier too. The other reprint is the Song of Celerity(the ability that lets you ignore Arcane Spell Failure) says it works for all Wizard spells. That last ability you might have trouble convincing your DM to do.

Gariig

 

[Ace]

There is an Arcane Duelist PRC on the wizards site that might help you out

 

[Ron]

Weapon finesse is a must if you really want the D&D rapier to behave as a rapier. Other than that, I would recommend improved critical, although it may take sometime to your character achieve the minimum BAB.