Viable non-monk hand-to-hand/grappler fighter?

[dreaded_beast]

I like the idea of playing a hand-to-hand combat expert: always armed and no need to use weapons in extreme cases. Add that with Improved Grapple and I'm pretty much set.

However, I don't really feel the monk concept or abilities would fit in with the type of character I would want to play. I'm thinking about playing a ranger/rogue/fighter (not necessarily a multi-class, just that "concept").

I don't plan on making Improved Unarmed Combat and Improved Grapple my "weapon of choice" and I don't plan on getting any PrC that specialize in that area (unless the PrC is really good ) I see it more as a nice fall-back tactic and a good surprise attack. Plus, I like the concept. Something along the lines of "Batman".

So, do you think getting the Improved Unarmed Combat and Improved Grapple feats would be useful to a non-monk character? Even if I don't go the "unarmed combat/grapple" PrC route? Have you ever played one and what are you experiences (PrC and non-PrC)?

 

[Mouseferatu]

Have you checked out the pugilist from the alternate fighters article in Dragon #310? He's still got nearly all the fighter's capabilities--so you can still use heavy weapons and the like--but he's got some nifty hand-to-hand options which make solid fallback techniques.

 

[Victim]

Well, Imp Grapple actually makes for a strong defense against other grapplers. My half orc monk was nearly defeated by an enemy fighter/rogue because Imp Grapple made his bonus the same as mine. It gives you a nice trick against enemy spellcasters.

Another thing to consider is that, at higher levels, a fighter type can do better than a monk in grapples because his BaB will be higher.

 

[Sejs]

Tellin' ya - Shou Disciple.

5 level PrC, 2d6 unarmed strike damage by the end of it.

So very worth while.

 

[dreaded_beast]

Tellin' ya - Shou Disciple.

5 level PrC, 2d6 unarmed strike damage by the end of it.

So very worth while.

Yeah, I thought this was a cool PrC, but I was confused about "flurry of blows". It says that Shou Disciple can use it, but it's not listed as one of it's class features.

Is there any eratta on this?

 

[Darmanicus]

Check out Complete Warrior, there's a grappler PrC in there that truly rocks, as well as a few grappling feats.

The PrC is called the Reaping Mauler.