What 3.5 feats would you use to duplicate 4E's monster roles?

[Runestar]

Is there anything aggro in core?

Closest thing I can think of would be reach, but even an AoO may not be enough to convince the fighter to want to attack you over the squishier class cannon at the back.

XPH has stand still. Few monsters have the int necessary to qualify for improved trip (though they can trip just fine with their natural weapons).

Not much in the form of 4e'style marks though.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Mark-like mechanics exist little, but reach, Combat Reflexes and Improved Trip seem to be good ways to "encourage" people to stay close to you. Disarm and Sunder can also help a lot - you really hate the guy that tries to take away your weapon(s) and will want to take him down first. Grapple might help, too, though I feel that's also a little "Bruteish" and maybe even "Lurkerish". (In 4E, there is a "Bugbear Strangler" with a special ability to grab a foe and use him as shield against attacks - I think that one is a Lurker.) Maybe it's a tool for multiple roles.
Grapple to pin down: Soldier
Grapple to use as shield: Lurker
Grapple to move foe: Controller
Grapple to swallow whole: Brute
Artillery and Skirmishers don't like to grapple. Artillery will hate it (hitting the wrong guy), Skirmishers might exploit other people being grappled (sneak attack), but certainly wouldn't want to pin themselves down like that.

For Brutes, a feat like Awesome Blow is nice.

To an earlier question, monsters with typically weak defenses are mostly Brutes and Artillery monsters.

 

[Runestar]

On a side note, has anyone tried to have a monster switch roles? For example, a giant is normally a brute, but could it be rebuilt as an artillery role, say by bringing in ranged attack feats? I know there is this feat which lets you use str to determine attack rolls for thrown weapons rather than dex, for instance. Penetrating shot lets you attack all enemies in a line. I am sure there are other fun throwing feats I can't recall offhand.

A stone giant warblade/bloodstorm blade could be really scary.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Don't Giants already get bonuses for their "Rock Throwing" ability? I am not sure if the feat you mention would work with that (it's probably not intended to, and might lead to ... overpowered results when the bonuses stack.)

Changing a role might not be so easy - adding a second role might work. I mean, those ranged combat feats you give the Giant will not really lessen his melee prowess so he'd still be a great brute. (Though if you sacrifice Cleave and Power Attack, it might make a difference...)

Turning a Beholder into a Soldier probably can't just be covered with some feats boosting his melee attacks and opportunity attacks. You'd preferably have a different selection of eye rays, too.

 

[Runestar]

Don't Giants already get bonuses for their "Rock Throwing" ability?

It is just a +1 racial bonus to hit, which barely makes up for their abysmal dex score. Maybe it was intended, but I don't think you are hitting anyone with a crappy +8 to-hit at cr7.

Found the feat - brutal throw from complete adventurer. I seriously think any monster who relies on thrown weapons, and has a str score much higher than their dex should take this feat. Unless of course, you don't intend to have it throw anything in the first place.

 

[Noumenon]

Few monsters have the int necessary to qualify for improved trip (though they can trip just fine with their natural weapons).

My new 4E-influenced view of is that "Improved Trip" means "the feat where your attack knocks them prone." I always thought it was kind of silly to picture a wolf "tripping" someone or for a monk to have to hook his leg behind the other guy's leg like some kid on a playground. "Improved Trip" is now my mechanical implementation for "his hammer blow knocks you flat," "your judo throw drops him on his back," "his clutching hands drag you to the ground." I am not going to let some stupid Int requirement or feat tree shut all that off -- like I said, I never got the "clever" vibe off that feat tree anyway.

Grapple to pin down: Soldier

Improved Grab is like it was made to say "you can't just ignore me and waltz on by!" Very soldier. It's too bad it usually does so much damage and shuts you off from doing anything fun -- wonder if that could be fixed.

I mean, those ranged combat feats you give the Giant will not really lessen his melee prowess so he'd still be a great brute.

Not your first choice, but if you're thinking of him as artillery you're half done -- he'll play much different with Quick Draw than Power Attack, you can take away his great club (maybe give him a Thor's Hammer kind of thing?) and he'll still do what artillery does -- threaten the whole party instead of just the front lines, and provide a reason for the party to get forwardly mobile.

If he remains a bit of a brute, well, that'll just make sure this encounter feels like "giants" instead of "soldiers 'n' archers."