Sword & Shield Fighter build

[Settembrini]

I´d like to play a human fighter, with sword and shield.
I don´t like the power attack tree, and "two handed" is harsh on the DEX needed. Which other ways are there to make an effective Sword&Shield Fighter?
Improved Shield Bash is a no brainer, but is there somethign else? What can I aspire to?
Where to go for in Levels 10+?

Any help appreciated.

 

[Klaus]

I´d like to play a human fighter, with sword and shield.
I don´t like the power attack tree, and "two handed" is harsh on the DEX needed. Which other ways are there to make an effective Sword&Shield Fighter?
Improved Shield Bash is a no brainer, but is there somethign else? What can I aspire to?
Where to go for in Levels 10+?

Any help appreciated.

Player's Handbook II.

Hum Improved Shield Bash
Ftr1 Shield Specialization (heavy), Agile Shield Fighter

Ftr2 Shield Ward

Ftr3 Weapon Focus (your main weapon)

Ftr4 Weapon Specialization (your main weapon)

Ftr6 Active Shield Defense, Quick Draw

Ftr8 Melee Weapon Mastery (your main weapon)

Ftr9 Greater Weapon Focus (your main weapon)

Ftr10 Improved Critical (your main weapon)

Ftr12 Shield Charge, Greater Weapon Specialization

Ftr14 choose one that matches your main weapon's type: Crushing Strike (bludgeoning), Driving Attack (piercing) or Slashing Flurry (slashing)

Ftr15 Armor Specialization (medium or heavy)

Ftr16 Improved Toughness

Ftr18 Weapon Supremacy (your main weapon), Shield Slam

Ftr20 Power Attack

 

[Legildur]

Speaking of PHBII, don't neglect the new feat tree (Combat Focus?) that relies on a Wis 13+. One of the feats allows you to add your shield bonus against a whole range of special attacks, such as grapple, disarm, trip etc.

 

[EyeontheMountain]

Speaking of PHBII, don't neglect the new feat tree (Combat Focus?) that relies on a Wis 13+. One of the feats allows you to add your shield bonus against a whole range of special attacks, such as grapple, disarm, trip etc.

Shield ward as Klaus said above.

Really an excellent sword and board feat, nearly as required as Natural spell for a druid.

 

[Settembrini]

Cool Stuff! All this is in the PHB II? Seems the Shieldfighter finally got some lovin`

 

[Legildur]

Shield ward as Klaus said above.

Oh yeah, right... I'm mixing up my feats here. The Combat Form feat I was confusing Shield Ward with is Combat Stability: +4 bonus (+8 if 3 or more Combat Form feats) on checks or rolls to resist bull rush, disarm, grapple, overrun, and trip attempts.

 

[nittanytbone]

Without PHBII don't expect much love.

THF is VERY superior in terms of damage output.

Skip improved shield bash unless you're willing to invest in the TWF tree (high dex) AND have bonus damage on each hand (sneak attack, favored enemy, bard song, etc).

Complete Warrior has some shield stuff, but its kind of overwhelming. I guess if you have a cohort or buddy and can convince them to take Phalanx Fighting that could be interesting.

 

[Settembrini]

So would a non TWF shielded Fighter be very ineffective?
Is there any way to have an effective fighter who fights with a one handed weapon? I´m really sick of the Power Attack Game.

High damage output surely is needed, as we will play STAP.

 

[TheGogmagog]

In PHII also consider the classes. Knight For defense, Duskblade for damage. Both make good sword and board builds.

The shild spec and shield ward feats are exceptional as is, and even better for the knight who gets bonuses applied to the shield anyway.

Outside duskblade, I haven't seen much damage output unless you go with two handed weapons and power attack.

 

[Settembrini]

Knight is not an option, as I´m aiming for a run down mercenary type. Same for Duskblade. Thanks for the pointers, though.