Warrior Vambraces

[Alpha Polaris]

I've shuffled through a pile of books and magazines in order to build a character for our next campaign (a barbarian 2/ fighter 3/ frenzied berserker wanabee), and at some point I saw these Warrior Vambraces (approximative spelling, give improved Bull Rush and/or +5 to the opposed strength check) and dismissed them because I did not intend to bull rush that much. But now I've read the tactical feats in Complete Warrior, I'd like to be able to use advancing blows (an option from the Combat Brute tactical feat) without risking an AoO, and I can't remember where I first saw the vambraces, could someone help me ?

While you're at it, does this object allow me to take a feat with improved bull rush as a prerequisite ?

 

[James McMurray]

Don't know where the object is from, but it would allow you to get a feat with IBR as a prereq. Of couse, whenever you're witout your vambraces, you'll also be without your IBR, and thus unable to use the feat base off it.

 

[Eltern]

Not a complete hijack, but can you explain to me how effective this bull rushing is, ever? The only times I've ever thought to push somebody was when they were on a cliff or next to a wall of spikes. Why would you want to bull rush, other than for advancing blows?

Eltern

 

[Vysirez]

Not a complete hijack, but can you explain to me how effective this bull rushing is, ever? The only times I've ever thought to push somebody was when they were on a cliff or next to a wall of spikes. Why would you want to bull rush, other than for advancing blows?

Eltern

Assuming you have space to move around it can be used to deny an opponent a full attack. You are right next to him and you do your full attack. The last one you hit with is a shield bash which does a bull rush. This pushes the enemy back 5'. You then take your 5' step back. This creates a 10' gap between you and him. In order to attack you he has to move more then 5' and so only gets 1 attack.

 

[Caliban]

Not a complete hijack, but can you explain to me how effective this bull rushing is, ever? The only times I've ever thought to push somebody was when they were on a cliff or next to a wall of spikes. Why would you want to bull rush, other than for advancing blows?

Eltern

You have a high-damage melee opponent near your friend the wizard, and he can't move in time. You bull rush him away from your friend, giving him the room he needs.

An opponent is blocking a bottleneck (top of stairs, entrance to a room) and you need more than one person fighting him to beat him. Bull rush him into the room so that your friends can go into the room and you can surround him.

Anytime you need someone to be in a different spot than the one they are in.

 

[Alpha Polaris]

Not a complete hijack, but can you explain to me how effective this bull rushing is, ever? The only times I've ever thought to push somebody was when they were on a cliff or next to a wall of spikes. Why would you want to bull rush, other than for advancing blows?

Well, advancing blows is already a good reason to do so. Check the options in shock trooper (were you can push your opponent in the direction you want, and pile several of them in the same square for added fun) for more. Like it has been said before, anytime you need to change the combat topology without killing someone outright (because you can't do this quick enough, or you don't want to), bull rush is the way to go. Need to stop this BBEG invocation, and can't kill the caster ? Bull Rush him out of the pentacle. Can't seem to beat your undead opponent, though he's vulnerable to light ? Bull rush him into the spot of sunlight your DM gracefully placed in the center of the room, where the roof is broken. Bull rush is in my opinion better than a number of damage dealing options, because it allows you to change the tactical setting of a fight, to do something spectacular (throw the frost giant into the volcano) and generally, change the fight in a very cinematic way.

That being said, I reply to myself, since I found the magic item: it is in Relics and Rituals, volume 2, and not only does it grants improved bull rush with a +5 bonus to strength, but charging a door has the same effect as a great knock spell (destroy the door and damage those behind it, R&R). Thanks all.