Fighter Help 3.5

[Noedig]

Im sure this is somewhere on the boards, but my search-fu is weak.

Anyway, I need help with the fighter Im playing. How do I make him more viable, and lets face it, interesting, at higher levels? Im currently a 5th level human fighter with the Dodge/Mobility/Spring Attack chain Exotic Weap Prof. (Spiked Chain) and Combat Expertise/Improved Trip chain. He wears a +1 Mithril Chain Shirt, a masterwork buckler, a +3 STR Composite Longbow, and a +1 Spiked Chain.

I've picked my 6th level feats as Combat Reflexes and Power Attack.

I'm totally lost after that though. Was thinking about Leap Attack for the next feat or maybe some of the flanking feats. Suggestions?

I've got about 90% of the 3.5 books out there, and my only stipulation for building the character is no classes or maneuvers from ToB (feats are acceptable), or Dragon Magazine.

[Yorrin]

The short answer: multiclass. or get a PrC. or both.

In terms of multiclassing a one level dip in Barbarian for Pounce would be nice. Beyond that, perhaps some Psychic Warrior for better offense or a few levels in Knight for better field control.

PrCs- there's a lot of ways to go here. I'd say start with the fluff you want and find a PrC to fit. What is your character concept here?

[Eldariel]

{Scrubbed}


Zhentarim Fighter Subs would make you a decent intimidator, especially with Imperious Command [Drow of the Underdark] giving you another aspect of ability in combat. You'll definitely want to consider leveling Ranger instead and picking up Archery-style for free Rapid Shot. More importantly though, you'd get skill points which may enable you to not fail at everything and allow you to actually do something. Oh, and Robilar's Gambit later on; if you could pick up Thicket of Blades-stance through Martial Stance-feat, that'd be great since it'd make you an excellent Lockdown specialist. That way, Defensive Sweep could be an interesting option later on.

Overall, you'll want tactical feats and feats that expand your options. But really, the reason maneuvers even exist is they make fighting interesting. Removing them takes the whole point away. Meh.

[ranagrande]

Multiclassing is your best bet. After that sixth level, there is really no reason at all to remain a fighter. Since you're a spring attacker, I might look into adding skirmish.

[Noedig]

Hes built around being highly mobile in combat, and its proven to be awesome in conjunction with our rogue. He's got a 21 AC when you factor in Dodge, and a 24 AC against AoO's from movement, which is basically out of the range of a good portion of the things we fight. He also specializes in tripping, which has proved completely invaluable in many of the encounters. He has to wear light armor to get the full benefit of the Spring Attack, but hes got 52hp at 5th lvl, so it kind of balances out.

Knight doesn't quite fit his personality, and I'll have to ask about using Psy Warrior.

As to a Barbarian dip, does Pounce function like Spring Attack? Or does it allow move and full attack. I can't remember.

Edit: Edit was Ninja'd

[Eldariel]

Hes built around being highly mobile in combat, and its proven to be awesome in conjunction with our rogue. He's got a 21 AC when you factor in Dodge, and a 24 AC against AoO's from movement, which is basically out of the range of a good portion of the things we fight. He also specializes in tripping, which has proved completely invaluable in many of the encounters. He has to wear light armor to get the full benefit of the Spring Attack, but hes got 52hp at 5th lvl, so it kind of balances out.

Knight doesn't quite fit his personality, and I'll have to ask about using Psy Warrior.

Your AC is low, your HP is decent, but tripping makes up for that. Good news is that tripping makes your AC mostly irrelevant, really. Of course he's fine with your Rogue but thing is, you aren't on the levels where you'll get Haste and iteratives yet. Those things suddenly make Spring Attack awful as you give up tons and tons of attacks and damage; Bounding Assault and Rapid Blitz help somewhat but still gives up a ton.

As to a Barbarian dip, does Pounce function like Spring Attack? Or does it allow move and full attack. I can't remember.

It allows you to charge (double move) and full attack at the end of the charge. Can't move after attacks though. It'd be an alternative, one you might want to consider.

But yeah, tactical feats would get you more options. That's the way I'd go. And dips in more skilled classes for interesting abilities. And if you have any Dex, Ranger-dip for Rapid Shot to be decent at archery too.

[Yorrin]

As to a Barbarian dip, does Pounce function like Spring Attack? Or does it allow move and full attack. I can't remember.

Pounce = full attack on a charge.

ranagrande had a good point with Skirmish. You could start something of a (late) Swift Hunter. Normally I think of Swift Hunters as a bow build, but a mobile fighter can pull it off well too. Or just a straight Scout. Mechanically inferior, but still viable.

[Paladineyddi]

PrCs- there's a lot of ways to go here. I'd say start with the fluff you want and find a PrC to fit. What is your character concept here?

Can i like
pay you to beat this into my group?:Þ

[Noedig]

@Yorin: Ok I see how Swift Hunter could be cool, but how would I get it? Im already 5 levels into fighter, and I'd like to get 6. Take scout at 7th?

[Yorrin]

Can i like
pay you to beat this into my group?:Þ

Definitely. I charge $10 per player per hour, plus travel fees

@Yorin: Ok I see how Swift Hunter could be cool, but how would I get it? Im already 5 levels into fighter, and I'd like to get 6. Take scout at 7th?

Sure, a Fighter 6/Scout 4/Ranger 10 is how I'd do it.

[Lhurgyof]

Exotic Weapon Master? Seeing as you use one, the tricks would be interesting to pick up.

[Mongoose87]

Find something that will let you increase your size. Size = bonuses to trip + greatly increased reach. This is win.

[herrhauptmann]

If you've already started playing, and can't remake your character, ignore this advice.


The feat Jotunbrud (Players guide to Faerun I think, can never remember), lets a human count as if he's large sized IF it's beneficial when doing an opposed d20 roll. Trip, disarm, grapple... All those.
It does not grant you powerful build, it does not affect your weapon size. (Minor benefit, you count as large sized when determining if a creature can eat you alive)

I'm also pretty it does not stack with various methods of enlargement. So if you're going to have an eternal wand of enlarge person, or psionic expansion, this feat would also be useless.

Vexing flanker helps you when flanking, adaptable flanker can greatly help your party. Choose one enemy, then any square you threaten, can be used by your allies to give them flanking. (Some say you can use this to grant yourself flanking, but I disagree with that idea. Regardless of phrasing, I don't think it's how the rule was intended.)

[Person_Man]

Dodge and Mobility provide minor static bonuses, and Spring Attack is limited to 1 attack per round. By 6th level you should be making 2-4+ attacks per round, not counting attacks of opportunity.

Ask your DM if you can retrain your feats to stronger options. There are rules for doing this in the Player's Handbook II.

You can read through the Melee Combo Guide for ideas. My advice is to look at Dungonscape for the Dungeoncrasher alternate class ability, which gives you massive damage when you Bull Rush an enemy into a wall or solid object. You can also get free Bull Rush attempts from the Shield of the Severed Hand (Complete Divine pg 102 or Magic Item Compendium) and/or Brutal Surge weapons (MIC) and/or the Knockback feat (Races of Stone). It's also worth mentioning that Dungeoncrasher damage is so high that even a single mundane Bull Rush per turn can kill most enemies. Eldariel's Fear suggestion is also a very good one.

Your magic weapon is your most expensive investment. You should only have 1, and it should be your primary weapon (in your case your melee weapon). Splitting it between a Longbow and Spiked Chain is a huge waste of resources. Also, special properties (Speed, Wounding, etc) are more powerful then enhancement bonuses, which can be duplicated by the Greater Magic Weapon spell. So instead of a +3 Longbow and a +1 Spiked Chain, consider a +1 Paralyzing (Book of Exalted Deeds), Explosive (Complete Warrior), Speed (DMG), Subjugating (Heroes of Battle), Vampiric (Unapproachable East), Valorous (also Unapproachable East), or some similar weapon.

And you can get rid of your buckler (and it's To-Hit penalty) in favor of a Gnome Battle Cloak (Races of Stone), which is essentially a free Animated Shield. You can get proficiency for free by trading away your Tower Shield proficiency.

[Greenish]

I'm also pretty it does not stack with various methods of enlargement. So if you're going to have an eternal wand of enlarge person, or psionic expansion, this feat would also be useless.

Meh, it's badly worded. Proper Powerful Build works with size increases though.