Best Fighter Build

[SpicyBoi_Nezu]

I am the most basic ***** when it comes to playing d&d, therefore, the class I have played the most is the Fighter. I was wondering what everyone's favorite fighter build is.

Because fighters are so versatile, there is an endless number of combinations to choose from, therefore, I want to know what everyone thinks is best.

Straight fighter is good, but my favorite build eventually hit a prestige class at around level 9.

[MeimuHakurei]

You take the Dungeoncrasher ACF, add a lot of Strength and Large size and finally take Awesome Blow while making sure to have a lot of skill ranks in Jump. You can now ground pound your enemies for massive damage.

[Eldariel]

Let's see, a Dungeoncrasher would probably be the best. The combination of Shock Trooper, Knockback, Improved Bull Rush, Knock-Down and company is just insanely good. Though you definitely want at least one level of Barbarian; Rampaging Bull Rush & Pounce are both very key additions to all that. Add Dead Levels (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/cwc/20061013a9) and you'll become insanely good at breaking things, and then Zhentarim Fighter Subs and Imperious Command + Instantaneous Rage + Cunning Legacy Weapon for your own out-of-initiative "Cower all enemies".

Other heavily Fighter-builds I enjoy are the area controller (actually makes use of some of the Fighter stuff higher up such as Overwhelming Attack) and the archer (you can make use of all your feats though towards the end most of them become rather marginal).

[Kaleph]

If you dip barbarian one level (for pounce, whirling frenzy and intimidating rage), and you are able to cover the basics of lockdown (e.g. improved trip, plus some way to increase size), übercharger (leap attack + shocktrooper) and intima-tank (imperious command, possibly zentharim fighter), you're good to go. Which is more or less what most people will answer / has answered you already.

[Darrin]

Jack B. Quick (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=17031211&postcount=30) is probably the most well-known "Fighter 20" build.

I'm also fond of the GREAT Club (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?49522-Not-called-GREAT-Club-for-nothing) build.

This inspired my own Three Mountain Morningstars (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=18367975&postcount=68) build.

[liquidformat]

Let's see, a Dungeoncrasher would probably be the best. The combination of Shock Trooper, Knockback, Improved Bull Rush, Knock-Down and company is just insanely good. Though you definitely want at least one level of Barbarian; Rampaging Bull Rush & Pounce are both very key additions to all that..

Note above build needs 2 levels of barbarian or combat expertise+improved trip to get knock-down.

I honestly rarely do more than a 1 or 2 level fighter dip. The long range archer build is awesome in theory but you have to be in a game where you can actually take advantage of being able to start attacking enemies while they are a mile away or it is pretty subpar.

[Falontani]

Fighter is usually a seasoning rather than the entree. When I use fighter as the entree its generally for the same things as most people have pointed out above. When used as a seasoning I start using:
Hit and Run fighter
Sneak Attack fighter (sometimes)
fighter 2 for bonus feats
and once I even used Sneak Attack Thug Fighter because I needed a specific thug skill as a class skill and a full bab class!

Fighter is very versatile, but for entering prestige classes that aren't feat heavy, fighter usually takes a position in the back.

[Particle_Man]

It partly depends what one means by “best”. A player that wants something dead simple might have me build for them a fighter that incorporates bonuses into the calculations as much as possible (weapon focus, iron will, improved initiative, etc.).

It also depends what books are available and how many levels of fighter minimum are needed to still count for the OP as a fighter build. For example, I like the core only horizon tripper build.

[Cygnia]

It partly depends what one means by “best”. A player that wants something dead simple might have me build for them a fighter that incorporates bonuses into the calculations as much as possible (weapon focus, iron will, improved initiative, etc.).

It also depends what books are available and how many levels of fighter minimum are needed to still count for the OP as a fighter build.

Exactly.

What's your role or vision? Do you wanna be a sword & shield tank? Dual-wield or Big Honkin' 2Hander? Death by many cuts or one big thwomp? Do you like feinting, tripping, sundering or disarming?

[Bphill561]

If you are not big on tactics, going big abilities scores makes things easy. Something like

Anthropomorphic Baleen Whale 3 HD, Template Class Half-Dragon 1, Barbarian 1 (Pounce Totem), Fighter 3, Uncanny Trickster 3, Fighter 9

Use Uncanny Trickster to advance the half-dragon template class.

+16 Str, +4 Dex, +6 Con, +2 Int, +4 Wis, +2 Cha, +13 NA, Wings, 18 BAB, Immunity based on Dragon type

Pick up Large and In Charge, Steadfast Determination (Con for Will saves)

Then pick any Fighter Tactic feats that interest you.


http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/sp/20030912a

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

Get large size or effectively large (powerful build). There are a few ways:

+0 LA: Half-Giant Racial Class, Complete Psionic p148. This is absolutely garbage and should only ever be used if you can't have any level adjustment and can't reasonably expect to get an alternative.
+0 LA: Enlarge Person + Permanency, comes online later but is better than the other choice at this level.

+1 LA: Half-Minotaur template, Dragon 313. This is too good, broken even, and shouldn't be allowed. Put it on a race that doesn't have a Cha or Int penalty.
+1 LA: Goliath, Races of Stone. Not a bad choice if you want something reasonably strong.

+2 LA: Half-Ogre, Races of Destiny. Much better strength bonus than Goliath, and you're actually large so you get reach, but it takes a lot longer to buy off the level adjustment.

+4 LA: Half-Goristro (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20060630a) variant of Half-Fiend. Use this if you get 'free' level adjustment, or if you're playing E6. Put it on a race that doesn't have a Cha or Int penalty.


Class Features:

Dungeoncrasher ACF in Dungeonscape is a must-have.
Zhentarim Soldier (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20060327a) substitution levels, reflavor it to a generic bully if you want.
Dead Levels (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/cwc/20061013a), it's completely free.
Skilled City-Dweller (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20070228a) if you want Tumble or Gather Information.


Feats:

Power Attack, Improved Bull Rush, and Knock-Back (Races of Stone). Definitely get this, it has amazing synergy with Dungeoncrasher.
Combat Reflexes if you have Dex 14+. Wear armor spikes so you threaten adjacent squares, and use a martial reach weapon.
Combat Expertise, Improved Trip, Knock-Down (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/divine/divineAbilitiesFeats.htm#knockDown) if your Int score is high enough.
Imperious Command (Drow of the Underdark) is a must-have, make sure your Cha score is high enough by 9th level. Also the Never Outnumbered skill trick.
Exotic Weapon Proficiency if you want, and have the feat to spare. Spiked Chain is a favorite, but a Greathorn Minotaur Greathammer or Kaorti Resin Falchion is also fantastic.
Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization, Melee Weapon Mastery if you reasonably expect to hit 20th level, or just run out of other feats to pick. Plan to get the other prerequisites for Weapon Supremacy.
Iron Will from the Otyugh Hole in Complete Scoundrel for 4,000 gp.


Classes:

Fighter 9/ Warblade 10/ Fighter 1, and you can spend your Fighter 10 bonus feat at 20th level to get Weapon Supremacy if you have the other required feats.


Items:

Wrathful Healing from Enemies and Allies p20 on your primary weapon. It costs a +3 bonus, but heals you for half the total damage you deal with the weapon.
Armbands of Might, MIC. Bonus to Str checks and Power Attack damage.
Fearsome armor enchantment, Drow of the Underdark. It was published more recently than MIC, and is thus the current source for that item.
Animated shield.
Necklace of Adaptation.
Necessary Magic Items (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?187851-3-5-Lists-of-Necessary-Magic-Items).

[Thurbane]

Off the top of my head:

Thug Fighter (4 skill points level) Dungeon Crasher. Zhentarim sub-levels for Intimidate lock-down.

Either be an Elf for the Aereni Focus feat, or take the Apprentice (spellcaster) feat to get UMD as a class skill. If you are human, take Able Learner, so you can purchase cross class skills (like Iaijutsu Focus) on a 1 for 1 basis.

Spend as many of of your Fighter bonus feats as you can on Martial Study (usually 3), and pick up at least one Martial Stance feat. The higher level you take the feats, the better Maneuvers/Stances you can get.

Imperious Command feat if you are going for Intimidate lock-down, and the Never Outnumbered skill trick.

Get pounce, somehow, if you can. If LA buy-off is allowed, be a Catfolk and take the Catfolk Pounce feat.