Warblade AoO build

[Darkghost316]

Hi all, I am currently in a 3.5 game being run in the forgotten realms setting and I chose to be one of the main melee characters. Right now, we have a rogue, a sorceress, and a dervish fighter. I liked the concept of the skilled and trained warrior, and I became a Human Warblade. I chose to be a tactical character and went the AoO/Lockdown approach.

My question is I am about to level to 6 and I wanted to get thicket of blades and I am not sure which route I should go.

I could go Warblade 6/ Crusader 2/ WarbladeXX and obtain the stance through Crusader but I have to wait at least level 8.

Or i could go Warblade 5/ Fighter 2/ WarbladeXX and obtain the stance through feats from the fighter and lvl 6 feat and it would net me the stance two levels early.

Which route would be better in retrospect? Which one would benefit the AoO build more?

Human Warblade Lvl 5
HP: 62
AC: 20

Str: 18
Dex: 16
Con: 16
Int: 14
Wis: 12
Cha: 11

Weapon: +1 Spiked chain
Feats: combat reflexes, combat expertise, improved trip, jotunburd, standstill, and EWP(Spiked chain).
Flaws: Shaky

Maneuvers: steel wind, moment of perfect mind, leading the attack, emerald razor, wall of blades, and Iron heart surge.

What other feats besides robilars gambit and defensive sweep would be good to obtain? What maneuvers compliment this build well?

Thanks for any suggestions

 

[Dandu]

I hope this helps.

 

[Nezkrul]

If you can stand to wait to get thicket of blades until 10th level, just go straight fighter 20 ~ infinity;

focus on getting attacks of opportunity when you normally wouldn't get them in addition to the movement thing

if more reach is your bag, you can have +5' natural reach for 2 feats (lords of madness) which is doubled by a spiked chain (medium creature would have 20' reach with spiked chain)

16th level fighter alternate feature from PHB2 - take a full round action to swing once for double damage; and then all your attacks until the start of your next turn deal double damage (AoO's)

Robilar's Gambit, Deft Opportunist, Close Quarters Fighting, Defensive Sweep, Mage Slayer, Stand Still, Hold The Line, Evasive Reflexes, Side Step, etc... feats

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

I'd support Warblade/Crusader/Warblade.

Gain a few additional maneuvers. Great HD.

Consider another Crusader dip at a much,much higher level, using the (all other classes are 1/2 initiator" rule to snag something higher level snazzy.

If you have the choice between a Tome of Battle class and a Fighter, always choose the Tome of Battle class. They simply can do so much more.

 

[Jackinthegreen]

if more reach is your bag, you can have +5' natural reach for 2 feats (lords of madness) which is doubled by a spiked chain (medium creature would have 20' reach with spiked chain)

The good news for this is the feat itself (Inhuman Reach) says that the doubled natural reach allows for reach weapons to double the extended reach too. However, it might be advisable to chat with the DM about it beforehand to make sure it does work like that since some will look at that and call BS on account of the weapon not actually being big enough to get an extra five feet from.

If the DM will allow a larger weapon to increase the natural reach then you'll want to get Strongarm Bracers from the MiC page 139 to wield a larger weapon.


As for the build itself, I'd recommend Warblade/Crusader over fighter or martial rogue levels since ToB classes tend to be better.

You might also be inclined to dip into Psychic Warrior to get bonus feats and the Expansion power. Since it's a first level power you can manifest it with your 12 Wis, but because of how few PP you'll get with two levels you might only be able to use it once or twice a day.

 

[Darkghost316]

About going the whole 20 levels of fighter.....I actually want to have some versatility with my character and I made a background story about him being a skilled and tactical warrior in the sublime way. I do need the feats and thought fighter 2 would be good.

However, crusader is just as good and better, but I actually took fighter instead before I even saw these replies......sigh =/ lmao.

The reason is because I can get the thicket of blades stance sooner at level 6 with martial study(crusader's strike) and martial stance(Thicket of blades). So i don't have to wait until level 8 to get the stance. Isn't that a good thing to meet up my combo quicker?

 

[Nezkrul]

the stance progression for Crusader is typo'd, you need to bump the levels that you acquire new stances down 1 level; reason being is a straight 20 crusader can never learn Immortal Fortitude stance from Divine Spirit discipline without taking a feat to get it. -He learns his last stance at level 14, which is 1 level too low to learn a level 8 stance from his class-specific discipline

 

[Nezkrul]

the reason I say straight 20 fighter is because your thread states AoO build - it doesn't say "multi-purpose able to do more than just AoO, AoO build"

a Fighter 20 with appropriate feat selection and stat focus will achieve better results in the AoO department than a combo of Crusader/Swordsage/Warblade levels.