[3.P] Intelligent Fighter

[Novawurmson]

Looking through a premade adventure I'm running, I see that my party will be facing what should be one of the hardest encounters of their adventure soon: The chosen warrior of the BBEG. It's a level 20 18 Fighter with pretty much core-only feats. Sword and board. Yeah. I want to kick it up a notch.

Still going to stick with sword and board for now. What are a few feats, prestige classes, or classes you would use for a swoard and board build? Found this handbook (http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=10232), but I'd like more suggestions if you have any.

What are a few feats, prestige classes, or classes you would use for an intelligent fighter? I'm already planning on using Warblade and a third-party prestige class (Adaptive Warrior, from Psionics Expanded), but I'm open to ideas otherwise.

[Abandoned Arts]

If third-party material is on the table, check out the lasher (http://paizo.com/products/btpy8tzp?Class-Acts-Fighter-Archetypes). It's got a definite villainy streak. The Hurling Disarm feats from this (http://paizo.com/products/btpy8tdg?Class-Acts-Fighters) product can improve a BBEG's economy of actions problems, too. Plus, they work well with the whip (which is a one-handed weapon that fits into most weapon-and-shield builds).

Daron Woodson
Abandoned Arts (http://paizo.com/store/byCompany/a/abandonedArts)

[RFLS]

Inb4 Crusader/Warblade.

Seriously, though, Warblades are GREAT for the intelligent fighter type. Sword and board works pretty damn well with (I think) White Raven and Stone Dragon.

[The Redwolf]

I really expected to click on this and see something about trying to build Roy.

[Novawurmson]

CURRENT BUILD

Feel free to make suggestions.

Old build(s)

Psion (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/psionics-unleashed/classes/psion) (Egoist) 2/Warblade 4/Adaptive Warrior 10/Kensai 2

QUESTION 1: What do you think about dropping to Kensai 1 for Warblade +1 or altogether for Warblade +2? I really like the flavor of Kensai, though - it fits her backstory perfectly.
QUESTION 2: I'm strangely feeling a little feat starved and considering dropping Warblade for Lore Warden (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/fighter/archetypes/paizo---fighter-archetypes/lore-warden) Fighter 4. Combat Expertise for free, +3 Fighter feats. Maybe drop Warblade in the beginning for just a one level dip at the end of the build (when her initiator level will be higher anyway)?

Build version 0.2

LE Female Human 18

Psion (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/psionics-unleashed/classes/psion) (Egoist) 2/Lore Warden (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/fighter/archetypes/paizo---fighter-archetypes/lore-warden)Fighter 4/Adaptive Warrior 10/Kensai 1 Warblade 1

Feats

Human - Weapon Focus (Scimitar) (prerequisite for Kensai)
Level 1 - Improved Feint (prerequisite for Adaptive Warrior)
Bonus (Psion) - Psicrystal Affinity (could be exchanged; probably picking Nimble for the initiative boost)
Level 3 Bonus (Fighter 1) - Combat Reflexes (prerequisite for Rolbilar's Gambit)
Level 3 - Power Attack
Level 4 Bonus (Lore Warden 2) - Combat Expertise (prerequisite for Adaptive Warrior)
Level 4 Bonus (Fighter 2) - Two-Weapon Fighting
Level 5 -
Level 6 Bonus (Fighter 6) - Improved Shield Bash
Level 7 - Shield Slam (PF version)
Level 9 -
Level 11 -
Level 13 - Robilar's Gambit
Level 15 - Shield Master
Level 17 - Bashing Finish

Class features:
-Proficient with all simple and martial weapons, and all armor and shields (except tower shields)
-Manifests as a 10th level Psion (mostly to be used for self-buffs, with some left over for Hustle and friends); Metabolic Healing is nice.
-Int to reflex saves
-Minor initiating
-Examine enemies with a swift action for +5 to attack and damage rolls against them for 1 minute or until psionic focus is expended
-Block an enemy attack with an immediate action
-Mimic an opponent's combat feat
-Treat an opponent flat footed for one round with a swift action 4+Int/day
- +1 enhancement bonus to a weapon
- +2 to CMB/CMD
- Giving her the trait Psionic Knack for free; ML 11 is pretty important
- +1 to max dex/ -1 to ACP in armor, can move full speed in medium armor loses armor training 1. Derp.

Other feats I'm considering if they'll fit:


Instant Clarity (ToB)
Psicrystal Containment (PsiUn)
Close-Quarters Fighting (CW)
Defensive Throw (CW)
Hold the Line (CW)
Shield Charge (CW)
Shield Slam (CW)
Shield Ward (CW)
Agile Shield Fighter (CW)
Combat Brute (CW) - low priority
Shock Trooper (CW) - interesting, mainly for Domino Rush
Improved/Greater Trip (CRB)
Improved Sunder (CRB; prerequisite for something)
Improved Bullrush (CRB; for Combat Brute/Shock Trooper)
Vital Strike/Improved/Greater (CRB)
Improved Shield Bash -> Shield Slam->Shield Master (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/shield-master-combat---final) ->Bashing Finish (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/bashing-finish-combat) (already has a keen scimitar; could be quite a few free attacks).
TWF (CRB; prereq to a lot of shield-bashin' goodness)


More as thoughts come.

[ThiagoMartell]

Treat an opponent flat footed for one round with a swift action 4+Int/day
Hm, where did you get that ability? Sounds cool.

[Novawurmson]

From Adaptive Warrior; it's the capstone. Relevant text:



Combine Fighting Styles (Su): Upon achieving 10th level, an adaptive warrior is able to combine the different fighting styles he has examined in the past hour, creating an unpredictable, yet highly effective technique that baffles his opponents. As long as the adaptive warrior maintains psionic focus, has used his Examine Technique ability on at least two creatures in the past hour, and has not expended his psionic focus since using his Examine Technique, he can, as a swift action, treat his opponents as flat-footed when making attacks against them until the start of his next turn. This ability may be used a number of times per day equal to 4 + the adaptive warrior’s Intelligence modifier.

Also, upon further inspection, it seems to be any opponent. Even better.

[Feralventas]

Your thread title says 3.P; Have you considered the skill and support-based fighter archetype ?

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/fighter/archetypes/paizo---fighter-archetypes/tactician

4+int mod skilles per level.
A bunch of extra class skills.
Take Skill or Teamwork feats in addition to Combat feats as bonuses.
Initiative bonus.
Tactician ability as per Cavalier; grant team-mates your Teamwork feats for a few rounds at a time even if they don't qualify for them.
Use Aid-Another action on multiple targets (maximum of your Int mod)
3+int-mod times per day, grant allies Insight bonus= Int mod on an ally's attack roll.

It's not quite a warblade, but it's a Very nice structure to focus on in combination with Warblade dips for combat utility when alone or spent on your Tactician ability, Especially in combination with White Raven.

[Novawurmson]

I like the Tactician fighter, but if I'm going to go Fighter, I'm going to go Lore Warden. Tactician gives up a feat while Lore Warden gets Combat Expertise for Bravery (and I need Combat Expertise for Adaptive Warrior), so I'll open up 4 feat slots with Lore Warden.

Edit: @Abandoned Arts - Figured what the hay, it'd be better for me to spend $1 on a pdf of feats than a candy bar and bought Class Acts: Fighters. Hurling Disarm seems really cool, but it's got two feat prerequisites in a pretty tight build.

[StreamOfTheSky]

Actually, Lore Warden gives up Bravery 1 for Combat Expertise. :smallbiggrin:

Not that Braverty 2-6, or 1-6 for that matter is anything to be terribly excited about having.

[Novawurmson]

Well, it'd most likely be only 4 levels of Fighter, so Bravey 1 is the same as losing ALL OF MY BRAVERY.

...never mind that anyone with a decent Will save will be "braver" than a Fighter with Bravery.

Edit: After some more thought, I think I want the bonus feats more than the trinkets from Warblade 4; I'll drop one level of Kensai at the end for a warblade dip when it's more useful.

Old build: Psion 2/Warblade 4/Adaptive Warrior 10/Kensai 2

New Build: Psion 2/Loremaster Fighter 4/Adaptive Warrior 10/Kensai 1/Warblade 1