Character Build Help 3.5

[Soonerdj]

so does it still hold that if i am not attempting a trip, but i do 10 or more damage to any single character, that i get a free trip attempt?

Correct you just don't get the free attack that the Improved Trip gives you normally when you succeed on a trip attempt.

I.e you get
Attack - (10 damage)
Knockdown Trip (Free)

Not
Attack (10)
Knockdown (Free)
Improved Trip regular melee attack (free)

Comes from this:

Improved Trip [General]
Prerequisites
Int 13, Combat Expertise.

Benefit
You do not provoke an attack of opportunity when you attempt to trip an opponent while you are unarmed. You also gain a +4 bonus on your Strength check to trip your opponent.

If you trip an opponent in melee combat, you immediately get a melee attack against that opponent as if you hadn’t used your attack for the trip attempt.