Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Riplox 04-15-07, 10:35 PM	I need some help coming up with a feat path for my fighter who's focusing on defense as I need and tend to be the main tank/meatshield. I'd like to not just focus on physical defense but against spells and CONDITIONS (which are my main peeve). I also need to focus on offense some so I don't become relatively useless at higher levels. He's a level 7 CG human ftr 4/ barb 2/ rog 1 with fullplate, axe,and shield. Stats are: Str 18, Dex 16, Con 18, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 14. I also have about twice the HP of every other character in our group (currently at 82hp) which consists of me, a monk, rouge, and cleric. Retraining class levels is not really an option, but feats are fine. My current feats are as follows: Weapon Focus (Battleaxe) Combat Expertise Combat Reflexes Improved Trip Shield Specialization (Heavy) Agile Shield Fighter Shield Ward I'm thinking of trading out Improved Trip for something more potent like Dodge, Blind-Fight, or Iron Will and getting rid of Agile Shield Fighter and replacing it with Extend Rage or Extra Rage. Can anyone help me in making the most of the available feats? Thanks.
Krusk 04-16-07, 12:34 AM	extra rage is a great feat for characters with a low number of levels in barbarian. I would suggest goad honestly. complete adventurer. It forces the enemy to only attack you, meaning your wizards and rogue buddies are plenty safe. I would suggest against dodge, as its pretty useless compared to other feats. defensive sweep from phb2 is good, but you cant get it till level 16 if you stick to full bab classes. I would also consider going back into fighter and taking more from the weapon focus tree. check out some of the heavy armor feats from races of stone, they can lower the armor check and let you apply more of your dex mod to AC in your fullplate.
Someone 04-16-07, 01:25 AM	If I may suggest equipment, try to get some mithril fullplate. It being medium armor let's your barb speed bonus work, so that it's easier for you to be in the right place at the right time.
Brendan Candries 04-16-07, 10:06 AM	PHB Iron Will PHBII Combat Focus Combat Stability Blind-Fight + Combat Awareness Complete Arcana Mage Slayer A lot of feats. So fighter levels needed prolly.
Riplox 04-16-07, 10:45 AM	I can't find Combat Focus, Stability, and Awareness in the PHB II. Are you sure it's there? EDIT: Nevermind...all I had to do was look a little farther. Geez. Thanks for pointing out Mage Slayer. I'll be getting that feat, Pierce Magical Concealment, and Pierce Magical Protection. :D Oh, and I'm going to be going straight fighter unless I can convince my DM to let me use this PrC I'm coming up with that focuses on being the perfect tank (I'll be posting it soon).
tyrecian 04-17-07, 07:08 PM	yes those comp arc feats are nice against casters (and potion guzzling minions... argh!) also though, i would suggest going ahead and taking POWER ATTACK on your way up the feats in fighter. Nothing beats that for pure offensive power, so you retain at least a little bit of the kick arse fighter strength if you ever need to go 2-handed to take out that enemy. also i would not lose trip. While it has its failings (against say a basilisk) it is nice agianst the things you can use it against, because it gives you 2 attack at +4 (one when you get your AoO and anther if they try to rise, still +4 cause they are still prone, hence no eternal trip chain)... Blind fight is good though for a trade out. also i would consider quick-draw. As main tank, i find that having the tool essential for the task is incredibly helpful at all times. If you want to protect the party from that large creature with reach, maybe you should have reach too, quickdraw that polearm... maybe you are firing with a bow and the darn bee flies faster than you thought it could, its ok, quickdraw your battle axe =) Someone trying to run from you... but you cant leave your party tankless, quickdraw that spear, dagger, throwing axe, loaded pistol, bow, whatever =) If you still need attack power, monkey grip is a fine feat for a sword and board tank. It allows you to use big gun weapons (one size larger) giving a higher damage roll, always a plus when you are 1-handed =) also for a tank (this one might get some groans) i suggest the TOWER SHIELD. Yes i know the -2 to attacks hurts, BUT the +4 to AC is impressive, especially coupled with expertise. Let your glass cannons and specialists deal out the damage while you casually miss every round meanwhile attacking defensively, expertising, and getting the TS bonus =) It sure does help when that big boy cant get by you (of course that is tactical, sometimes they can, but thats how you play the battlefield). At any rate, it is helpful to have the tower option.... not to mention, your concern with spells. Every fighter has em, but the Tower Shield allows for Total Cover... You can still be targetted (they target the shield... sad, but a brooch of shielding can negate those magic missiles anyways =) but you have total cover nonetheless, and when using the TS in this manner, emanations dont effect you... This is nice for a fighter. This can protect you from all manner of weird science that enemy caster has planned for you. Mithral Full Plate is a great idea. Don't forget Natural Armor. Also if you have a cleric invest in a 50gp plat non-magical ring, and work with Shield Other. Before lvl 12, this spell can be a very effective way of both reminding the party to stay tactically near, as well as having your damage... very nice to keep the random big whacks from dropping you altogehter (though i should warn you, i was the shield other casting cleric once, and while me and main tank were awesome, eventually a mind flayer took us down with a series of lightning bolts straight down the line of us =) sorry i remeber you said feats. I am core only, so expertise is what i usually use, you already have it. Dodge isnt really the power you are looking for, but mobility is nothing to scoff at in the higher levels. Moving to save someone, or to simply grab em and retreat can be a HUGE issue in terms of attacks of opportunity (say from that 9-headed hydra)... Endurance leads to Diehard, but it can also be great in terms of your ability to not die from swimming. Depending on how harsh your DM is (mine is by the book) drowning can be the deadliest thing in D&D, especially if the DM is seeking to own you... a giant octopus and a fighter walkin on the bottom of a bay, this is a ticket to drownsville. At least you get the added bonuses... might not be what you are exactly looking for, but a prepared tank is a badass one.
Riplox 04-17-07, 10:19 PM	Hey. Thanks for the good long response. You had a lot to say and it all is good. I'll be taking a lot of that into consideration when I advance my character further. :)