Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Asilomar 04-10-07, 06:24 PM	I am just rolling a new fighter for a game coming up, my character is as follows: Goliath Str: 22 Dex: 10 Con: 16 Int: 10 Wis: 10 Chr: 10 Nothing else, not even equipment, is done. I am brand new to D&D 3.5 and fighters...I have some of the basics down but if someone would be so kind as to give me advice on the best build for a fighter in order to lead into a good prestige class that would be great. Thanks...
The_Shaman 04-10-07, 07:08 PM	Well, it depends on what campaign you're in and what books there are available (for PrCs and feats) - right now there are a lot of ideas and probably most of them won't fit your game. I'm guessing that your character might go for power attacking and heavier armors, and maybe boost power attack with other related feats (improved sunder might be quite effective in your paws). As far as a prestige class is concerned, your stats make me wonder if you shouldn't multiclass or enter a PrC that can boost your saves - your fortitude is quite good, but in terms of reflex or will, you can have a lot of trouble. Still, practically any multiclassing except for sorcerer or wizard can be quite useful for a level or two. Barbarian's good for the rage and uncanny dodge (and goliath rage isn't half bad), ranger for reflex saves, skills and various other goodies, etc. What's your character's alignment, btw? Edit: I was wondering about the Weapon Master, but the stats don't fit. Ravager and blackguard are evil-only, and blackguard relies a bit on charisma and wisdom. Frenzied berserker could make your power attacking even sweeter, but the chaotic frenzy is a problem. OA has some interesting ideas, too, and I think a character heavy on the damage like this one can wreak some havoc as a singh rager or shiba protector. Something like Pious templar could be a good fit, too, but as it is you can't cast the spells - although the other abilities might still be worth a bit.
mookster75 04-10-07, 07:14 PM	Well it lloks like your going to build a str char. I would go the Frenzied Berzerker route. By taking this you hamaximize your damage and your att rating will be awesome . To do this you have to take one level barbarian for the rage. If you do it this way and you have the Races of Stone book take the Mountain rage substition for the bonus str and con.then fighter until you meet prereq's of the Berserker. i would also take the extra rage featbecause it works for frenzy also. so when you do go into the Prestige Class (Prc) and you power att first then berserk then frenzy ( must be in this order you can't PA after) you should have like +12 str and +4-6 con for lots of damage since when you power attack with a 2handede weapon you get a -1att/+2 damage normally but when you go into the Frenz berk it can go to -1att/+3 then -1/+4( I Think ) so you do Huge damage and if i have done them math right your rage/frenzy will counter act your power attack minuses. so if i have done it right goliath ......lvl1 fighter ......lvl2 Barb......lvl fighter til feat prereq's are met then Frenz Berk Math( don't qoute me but i think this is right ) 22str+Mount Rage 6STR+Frenz STR6= 34 str 16con+MR4+F STR0=20/22 con PLEASE BE BICE GUYS MY FIRST POST
Verbal_Violence 04-10-07, 07:40 PM	My character is currently CG, though any non-evil is available. As for the books...any book that is not d20 system or Eberron is available to me.
The_Shaman 04-10-07, 09:50 PM	Aha. Do you want to have rage or is it something you don't want to bother with? That might be an important consideration, all in all.
Asilomar 04-10-07, 10:20 PM	Sorry for switching back and forth on accounts ... this one is my friend's ... and he is going to be the DM .... he would like to see a character without the Rage (well, especially without the Frenzy).
The_Shaman 04-11-07, 09:53 AM	Hmm, then I'd say 4 levels of fighters (weapon specialization, later weapon mastery) could be enough. You could get more, if you don't like a particular PrC, but you could diversify. Since you don't have the other scores for minor spellcasting or additional abilities, it might be better to go either for mounted combat (basically the Goliath version of a Knight - whether on a land or flying mount)or heavy melee. I would probably go for Pious Templar (would work best with a slight boost to wisdom later on), or any "knight of X" PrC that accepts chaotic characters. If you have ToB, consider putting a few levels in Crusader, too.
mookster75 04-11-07, 12:43 PM	well ok i thought you wanted a munckin for your str build my apologies. ok then take the biggest weapon you can get (Huge Greatsword 4d6 I think ) and a Buckler then start gettting feats for a WM, Kensai if you want BTW DC 20 for Frenzy ending :rolleyes:
Krusk 04-11-07, 01:08 PM	he is a goliath, so monkey grip does him no good. Do not take it as it does not stack with powerful build. it is an either or type thing. My suggestion would be to browse complete warrior and look for a prestige class that looks appealing to you. Build your fighter to prestige into it as soon as possible. Feats like the weapon focus tree are also very useful. Power attack will be your friend as will two handed fighting due to your str. Take improved buckler defense, and i believe it lets you use a buckler and two handed weapon. Buy a magic buckler and now you get some nice AC. A greatsword is a good weapon, but for goliaths i would say grab a large goliath great hammer. My level one build for your chacter looks like this. possibly swap out power attack for improved sunder if you want. fighter 1 fighter feat- power attack level 1 feat-exotic weapon prof- goliath great hammer weapon large great hammer- 30 gp/45gp? for some reason i think you multiply the cost of bigger weapons by 3/2. not sure. composite long bow as backup. armor splint mail. Until you can affor mountian plate or full plate. id go mountian plate personally.
StevenO 04-11-07, 02:07 PM	How were/are your character stats generated? All those 10s with two high scores looks like a terribly sub-optimal point buy which you may find hurts you later. Those stats indicate PB 32 which I think could be better spent on your fighter; pre-Goliath adjustments I'd start with these stats: Str 17, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 13, Wis 10, Cha 8 and would seriously consider giving up a point of Str to benefit the rest of my stats. The bonus in Dex should help you stay alive and the improved Int allows you to qualify for some feats that may be interesting (Combat Expertise - Improved Trip) and provides extra skill points which can easily compensate for a slight reduction in CHA.
Asilomar 04-11-07, 02:47 PM	Awesome ... I will revise my stats and check out a PrC. Thank you!
mookster75 04-11-07, 03:21 PM	the hammer has no crit range tho and the greatsword will be easy to find in treasure. Therefore you don't waste a feat and you ability to find one of magic with be better. id rather have 19-20 x2 than 20 x4 espially with a keen weapon or taken the feat of IMP Crit.
The_Shaman 04-11-07, 06:20 PM	x4 might be worth it, but you really should think if it's worth a feat. OTOH, the combat style from CW that focused on heavy bludgeoning weapons might look quite nice on the goliath, though - but it sure will eat up a few valuable feats, too. Still, I'd suggest either a bit higher wisdom or PrCs with better will save. Reflex saves are usually to reduce HP loss, which is usually not such a big problem for warriors, but will saves are often more dangerous.
Krusk 04-11-07, 11:40 PM	Im a little partial to giant hammers, so that could be part of it. but improved crit on one of those guys gives you 19-20x4. Pretty amazing for when it works, and if it dosnt, your still smacking for 3d6+ridicilus str. I dunno, i go for instant kill when i land the crit over critting often and a bit more damage. More exciting than "op i crit again". If your DM knows you use this weapon, you might find more of it in loot, and can always pawn all those swords for hammers.
mookster75 04-12-07, 11:18 AM	you can have the great sword made giant so i does 4d6 thus still better than the hammer. yes i know you can make the hammer just as big but i still say go for the Crit range
mookster75 04-12-07, 11:26 AM	if you can get your DM to let you take the hammer beacuase of Racial you might not need to take a feat.
Krusk 04-12-07, 11:38 AM	how can you make the item larger than large? monkey grip does not stack with powerful build.