Jergmo
2009-09-10, 04:41 PM
This involves some variant character building options. Say "Sucks to the standard fighter skill set!" and go with a stealthier finesse-build of, say...Balance, Bluff, Hide, Move Silently, Sense Motive, Survival, and Tumble. I just went with Survival because the character I have in mind has a Sherwood-forest like settlement. The stealth part can also be skipped, I guess, but it helps with the other part of the deal, the variant that allows a fighter to sacrifice bonus feats for Sneak Attack progression.
Feats: Combat Expertise, Improved Disarm, Improved Combat Expertise, and Defensive Strike. Defensive Strike, after a successful avoidance of attack while using the Total Defense action, gives you a +4 bonus on your next attack roll.
5 ranks in Balance and full ranks in Sense Motive, and the character will rarely be flat-footed, 5 ranks in Tumble and Total Defense increases to +6 dodge.
+6 from Total Defense
+ Armor bonus
+ Improved Combat Expertise bonus
/etc.
Now, arm your fighter with a greatsword.
Improved Disarm: +4
Two-handed weapon: +4
Defensive Strike +4
You have a good chance of avoiding your opponent's initial attacks, followed by a good chance of disarming them, after which, you can apply your sneak attack bonus to your heart's content.
Feats: Combat Expertise, Improved Disarm, Improved Combat Expertise, and Defensive Strike. Defensive Strike, after a successful avoidance of attack while using the Total Defense action, gives you a +4 bonus on your next attack roll.
5 ranks in Balance and full ranks in Sense Motive, and the character will rarely be flat-footed, 5 ranks in Tumble and Total Defense increases to +6 dodge.
+6 from Total Defense
+ Armor bonus
+ Improved Combat Expertise bonus
/etc.
Now, arm your fighter with a greatsword.
Improved Disarm: +4
Two-handed weapon: +4
Defensive Strike +4
You have a good chance of avoiding your opponent's initial attacks, followed by a good chance of disarming them, after which, you can apply your sneak attack bonus to your heart's content.