Two-Handed Fighter

[rmaunus]

Are there any feats other than Power Attack that may be crucial to a successful Two-Handed Weapon fighter? I just want to be able to hit as many times or as hard as possible. We're playing Pathfinder.

[eggs]

In PF, you'll typically want to maximize the number of attacks you can generate, as well as adding on control elements where possible.

Combat Reflexes+AoO-forcers, the Greater Beast Totem rage power (Pounce) and Spirited Charge are the easy sources of cranking the damage up.

[Gwendol]

Bull rush and shock trooper come to mind, coupled with leap attack. Also at least one level of barbarian.

[FMArthur]

Is 3.5 material acceptable? Charging with two-handed weaponry is so well-supported in 3.5 that it's the main example of overwhelming damage when talking about the game. If 3.5 isn't allowed, everything that follows this does not apply.

Power Attack, Shock Trooper, Leap Attack, Valorous enhancement are all pretty simple to put together to produce it, and there are tons of other ways. A single level of Barbarian puts a bunch of great stuff into the mix: the Spiritual Totem alternate feature that gives you pounce, the Whirling Frenzy alternate feature that makes Rage give you another attack and add to Dex instead of Con, and just the strength bonus from Rage itself helps. There's not much need to improve damage beyond this (you'll just wind up fighting beefier critters...), so Extra Rage and options that improve your mobility and usefulness when not charging are probably the best paths from there.

[rmaunus]

In PF, you'll typically want to maximize the number of attacks you can generate, as well as adding on control elements where possible.

Combat Reflexes+AoO-forcers, the Greater Beast Totem rage power (Pounce) and Spirited Charge are the easy sources of cranking the damage up.

What are some of those AoO forcers?

[Eldariel]

What are some of those AoO forcers?

Come and Get Me (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/barbarian/rage-powers/paizo---rage-powers/come-and-get-me-ex) is basically a Barbarian-only version of 3.5 feat Robilar's Gambit; excellent. Unexpected Strike (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/barbarian/rage-powers/paizo---rage-powers/unexpected-strike-ex) is also decent though being limited to once per Rage is kind of a downer. Great against single tough targets, less useful against hordes (but good for self-preservation).

Trip (or any combat maneuver) feats also enable you to get "extra" attacks of opportunity (replacement attack for the action wasted, really) and you probably want one of those. Vicious Stomp (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/vicious-stomp-combat) goes nicely with tripping though it being limited to an UA Strike is kind of a downer. Still, a Barbarian's UA Strikes can still hurt.


As you might notice, what was basically a Fighter/Barbarian build in 3.5 must pretty much be straight Barbarian to get the key toys in PF. So...yeah, Fighter is basically obsolete until at least Barb 12.

[rmaunus]

Is there anything else that you guys can suggest? I don't want to become a barbarian, and I'm looking for feats for 2nd and 3rd level choices. Anything useful is fine to suggest.

[rmaunus]

Anything at all?

[Eldariel]

Anything at all?

Combat Reflexes, any of the Improved Maneuver-lines (Improved Trip is personal preference) & Mounted Combat-line are good anyways.

[KnightOfV]

A glaive as a weapon, Power Attack, Combat Reflexes, 18+ STR and a 14+ DEX is really, really good through much of the game. Anytime a medium/small creature wants to attack you in melee, they have to move into your threatened reach, then out of it which provokes an AoO. The above listed stats makes it so the first three things that melee you each round draw an attack for 1d10+9 damage or so, low levels. Not much can outdamage you for number of attacks/ damage early on.

Here is a fun build I'm using at the moment


Lv4 Human Fighter
18+ STR 15+ DEX rest of stats adjust to taste
1.Combat Reflexes, Power Attack, Dodge
2. Weapon Focus: Glaive
3. Mobility
4. Weapon Specialization: Glaive

He can move full speed in Medium armor, good DEX, breastlate, plus dodge gives him a solid AC of 20, and if he gets overwhelmed in melee because some of the things that provoked attacks survived, he can move 30 ft back using mobility to dodge the monsters Attacks and force them to charge him again. Does 1d10+15 damage with a +1 glaive.



If you don't like the polearm concept, there is always the classic Greatsword with Cleave for situational multiple attacks, Step Up to force casters and ranged attackers to provoke AoO, Dodge for AC, and later Vital Strike, Lunge, Improved critical to get more damage in.

[Ravens_cry]

If you are charging without Pounce and don't want to go the AoO route, perhaps try Furious Focus (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/furious-focus-combat), it basically allows you to use Power Attack without penalty on your first attack.