readying a charge

[calighis]

Are there an items or feats that allow you to ready a weapon for a charge as a swift or immediate action?

I'm looking to build something nasty with a Halberd, combat reflexes hold the line and stand still kind of deal....
basically battle field control.
If not that is there is some compulsion effect I can use to make others charge me while readying a charge...
Looking to scrape some deep cheese.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Don't know of anything to do it as a swift action. However, I really like combining Steadfast Boots (MIC) with Cometary Collision feat (PH2).

The boots give you +4 stability and let you set vs. charge for double damage with any weapon (the idea being to use a bludgeoning weapon + greater mighty whallop for massive damage dice). It actually says you're always readied against a charge, but I don't quite know what that means, I always just assume it means you can ready with any weapon, cause the literal reading is...crazy.

The feat lets you ready to charge as a standard action (this is key, I know of no other way besides being action limited to get a partial charge), the trigger being an enemy charging. Not necessarily at you, just charging, in a direction or from a position such that you could intercept him.

So...you use the feat, readying against a charge...with a charge. When it triggers, you get your double damage. What makes it nasty is tacking on things like pounce (Barb 1) for a full attack, Leap Attack (2-handed PA is now a 4-1 trade in, AND you're about to double that), Shock Trooper (take PA penalty to AC instead of attack), and Stand Still or Knockback, depending on what criteria you can meet (so they can't retaliate afterwards).

I like this set up because it covers a MUCH larger range than the typical Hold the Line build; protects basically all allies against charges, instead of just you and those near you; and does scary high damage. It's also more feat intensive, of course.

 

[calighis]

Wow...
Steadfast boots are pretty sick combined with reach weapon
combat reflexes and hold the line.
The problem with me taking cometary collision is that I chose stone power and combat reflexes as my starting feats for this human crusader.
I'm not so sure about stone power being a good selection, but I thought I might try something new.
Any suggestions on build...
I'm considering fighter for the next two level just for the feats.(probably hold the line, but after that I'm not so sure.)

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

If you're a Crusader, really the main thing to do is muticlass around to get Thicket of Blades stance as early as possible. Course, if you're already Crusader 2+, it's already too late for that...

In your first post, you mentioned a compulsion effect to make people charge you. If you want to try a fighter-mage build, you could do Crusader/Sorc/Jade Pheonix Mage perhaps. The reason is a level 2 enchanment spell in Spell Compendium called Mindless Rage. Check it out.

And if you want to retain combat-roiented as much as possible, make it a Battle Sorcerer. There's also a nice Sorcerer variant in Complete Mage, I think it's called Stalwart Sorcerer. When you combine both of these variants, since they both trim your highest level spells known, the effects of both take an extra level or so to kick in, delaying the pain a bit. I saw a friend make a Paladin/Sorc with those variants. Guy was pretty tough and had very good hp.

 

[calighis]

Why would it be too late if i was a 2nd level crusader already? it seems like the fast track to thicket of blades would be to simply level crusader directly to the proper initiator level. In this case 5th.

Incidentally I am only 1st level.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

I meant if you wanted to get it from the class, instead of spending a feat. Crusaders get stances at annoying levels, especially the latter ones.

I suppose it depends, but if you plan to do significant multiclassing, it's best to do [something else] 6 / Crusader 2, and use the second level stance on Thicket of Blades. Granted, this is no earlier than just going Crusader 8, so if you're fine going straight Crusader, it doesn't matter. Now that I look at Crusader stance progression, wow, they couldn't have been more annoyingly perfect in the "if you don't want to wait 3 levels*, you're gonna need a feat" system. Even with the 6 / x build progression, you're basically getting the maneuvers at the same ECL. Huh. So ok, ignore what I said if you have no need to go beyond Crusader.

*You need to wait till level 8 for level 3 stances you qualify for at 5; level 14 for the awesome level 6 DS ones you qualify for at 11