Feat-based builds

[Kazyan]

I'll be joining a level 3 Evil game and I'm not interested in generic handbook class optimization at the moment. What sorts of feats are there out there that can either A) define your character or B) change the way a class is played? Things like the Aberration Blood tree.

[Tantum Umbra]

Bind Vestige

[eggynack]

Vow of poverty defines pretty much any build it's applied to, though in the vast majority of cases, the big change is how crippled the character is.

[Kennisiou]

The luck feats from complete scoundrel, kinda, in that they define how you want to take your other feats in order to maximize their usefulness.

Two Weapon Fighting, kind of, in that if you want to use it well you're forced to model your class and feat selection around making best use of the combat style.

[Doc_Maynot]

If you are a spontaneous caster there are the Bloodline feats from Dragon Magazine Compendium

[dascarletm]

Any of the heritage feats as you mentioned.


Tactical feats/combat style feats from various books like Complete Warrior and PHB2 (and others) define a certain way of fighting.

Regional/ancestral feats (if you are in a setting that features those) define a character.

The Combat Form feats, while not the best, are one of my favorites. They tend to define a character in a way. Though I'm biased on that one.

[nedz]

There are roughly 3500 1st party Feats, many of which do what you want.

It would be useful if you could refine your desired character concept a little just to narrow down the field.

[ben-zayb]

The Ubercharger essentials (Power Attack, Shock Trooper, Leap Attack, etc) seems like the most obvious line.

Rapid/Many- shot and other archery feats define a whole playstyle.

Fonts of Inspiration would expand a factotum's playstyle, but that might not be what you are looking for.

[zingbobco000]

Dragonwrought… 'nuff said


You want more?: it removes aging penalties but keeps benefits allows you to take loredrake and a bunch of other good archetypes. It also allows you take the psychosis spellhoarding so you can take battle sorcerer, and stalwart sorcerer and not lose any spd or sk because you use the wizard spd.

[mabriss lethe]

The most commonly mentioned ones.

-Various heritage feats: fey, fiendish, illithid, abyssal, and aberrant.
-Draconic aura
-Bind Vestige feat chain
-Shape soulmeld/incarnum feats
-Martial Study/Stance

[Piggy Knowles]

Here is a build I've put together that is pretty much solely feat/skill based. It's a level 20 thug fighter (NOT the sneak attack version), with the Zhentarim sub levels.

1- Midnight Dodge, Shape Soulmeld (Shedu Crown)
2- Combat Expertise
3- Shape Soulmeld (Phase Cloak), Skill Focus (Intimidate)
4- Improved Trip
6- Open Least Chakra (Crown), Mobility
8- Spring Attack
9- Mindsight
10- Power Attack
12- Open Lesser Chakra (Shoulders), Elusive Target
14- Urban Tracking
15- Master Pickpocket
16- Bounding Assault
18- Imperious Command
20- Rapid Blitz

Basically, it plays as a skill monkey and skirmisher. It tracks enemies by Mindsight and Urban Tracking, then uses Phase Cloak to spring attack in through a wall or floor, attack three times, rob them of everything they own as a free action via Sleight of Hand, and spring away to safety behind another wall or barrier, tripping them as it leaves thanks to Cause Overreach from Elusive Target.

Shape Soulmeld (Phase Cloak) and Open Lesser Chakra might be the single most disruptive two feat combo in all of 3.5...

[DarkSonic1337]

If you want character defining feats, you should check out dragonmarks http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=1072.0

[NotScaryBats]

ABYSSAL HERITOR FEATS!!

From the Fiendish Codex

[Shining Wrath]

Born of the Three Thunders = Lightning Mage.
Ask your DM if you can take a Bloodline (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/races/bloodlines.htm)from UA. For an evil campaign, maybe you want Demon or Devil - or for conflict, Celestial.
Knowledge Devotion = Fighter who wins by knowing the weak spots of his foes.
Silent Spell + Still Spell + Deceptive Spell + Invisible Spell = Magic coming from nowhere.