Post/Author/DateTime	Post
jaelis 04-14-07, 02:38 PM	People debate a lot about what feats are "best," but I'm curious to know what feats actually get used the most. So I thought I'd take an unscientific poll of the message boards. If you're willing, could you please respond and list your last two character's feats? To keep it a little organized, here's some guidelines: - One-off and drawing-board characters don't count. Only count a character if you actually played it in a game for three levels or more. - Bonus feats from a class count only if you had a choice of three or more feats to pick from. - Indicate any feats from a non-WotC source (including ones from Dragon magazine). - Feel free to comment on your feats that you liked best and least, but to avoid arguments, let's not discuss anyone else's choices. You can always start another thread for that purpose! I'll try to keep a running count here. Thanks for participating! Some statistics, as of post 57: total # of feats recorded: 460 # of different feats: 177 # taken once: 104 (59% of 177 different feats, representing 23% of 460 total) # taken twice: 39 (20% of feats, representing 17% of total) # taken 3-5 times: 20 (11% of feats, representing 17% of total) # taken 6+ times: 18 (10% of feats, representing 27% of total) # from PHB: 69 (39% of feats, representing 67% of total) # of feats in PHB: 109 Statistically, chances that your next feat will be Improved Initiative: 1 in 16 Through post 81: Weapon Focus - 45 Improved Initiative - 38 Power attack - 25 Dodge - 23 Weapon Finesse - 18 Point Blank Shot - 17 Weapon Specialization - 17 Combat Expertise - 16 Combat Reflexes - 16 Two Weapon Fighting - 15 Mobility - 15 Skill focus - 14 Practiced Spellcaster - 12 Precise Shot - 13 Leadership - 11 Quick Draw - 11 Spell Focus - 11 Cleave - 10 Exotic Weapon Proficiency - 10 Improved Critical - 10 Spring Attack - 9 Craft Wondrous Item - 8 Craft Wand - 7 Improved Toughness - 7 Combat Casting - 6 Improved Two-Weapon Fighting - 6 Spell Penetration - 6 Endurance - 5 Improved Grapple - 5 Leap Attack - 5 Alertness - 4 Empower spell - 4 Extend spell - 4 Greater Spell Focus - 4 Greater Spell Penetration - 4 Improved Buckler Defense - 4 Improved Trip - 4 Maximize spell - 4 Quicken spell - 4 Rapid Shot - 4 Scribe scroll - 4 True Believer - 4 Brew Potion - 3 Close-Quarters Fighting - 3 Craft Magic Arms and Armor - 3 Craven - 3 Extra Music - 3 Extra Turning - 3 Force of Personality - 3 Great Cleave - 3 Greater Two-Weapon Fighting - 3 Greater Weapon Focus - 3 Improved Bull Rush - 3 Iron Will - 3 Nymph's Kiss - 3 Silent Spell - 3 Snap Kick - 3 Stunning Fist - 3 Track - 3 Acrobatic Strike - 2 Adaptable Style - 2 Arcane Strike - 2 Arena Blood* - 2 Augmented Healing - 2 Battle Caster - 2 Blindfight - 2 Cunning Evasion - 2 Daylight Adaptation - 2 Deadly Defense - 2 Defensive Archery - 2 Elusive Target - 2 Extra rage - 2 Extraordinary artisan - 2 Improved Disarm - 2 Improved Natural Attack - 2 Improved Shield Bash - 2 Improved Unarmed Strike - 2 Intuitive Strike - 2 Luck of Heroes - 2 Mage Slayer - 2 Many Shot - 2 Martial weapon proficiency - 2 Mithral body - 2 Mounted Combat - 2 Nimble Fingers - 2 Persistent spell - 2 Powerful Charge - 2 Rapid Metamagic - 2 Rapid Reload - 2 Shadow Weave Caster - 2 Shield Specialization - 2 Shield Ward - 2 Shock Trooper - 2 Shrug Off* - 2 Sudden Empower - 2 Sudden Maximize - 2 Superior Unarmed Strike - 2 Team Flanking* - 2 Telling Blow - 2 Twin spell - 2 Versatile Spellcaster - 2 Whirlwind Attack - 2 Ability Focus Academy Graduate* Acidic Splatter Adamantine Body Adaptive Style Agile Shield Fighter Ancestral Relic Arcane Thesis Arterial strike Ascetic Knight Assemble the Horde Attune magic weapon Augment Summoning Battle Blessing Battle Casting Battle Dancer Blade Meditation Block Arrow Blood Spiked Charger Breadth of Knowledge Brutal Throw Carmedine Monk Chain spell Channel Charge City Magic Combat Brute Consecrate Spell Corpsecrafter Cuthbert's Smite Daring Outlaw Darkstalker Dash Deadeye Shot Deadly Precision Deceptive Spell Deflect Arrows Destructive Rage Die Hard Dirty fighting Dirty Rat Divine Metamagic (Quicken Spell) Divine Spell Power Divine Vigor Domain Spontaneity Draconic Breath Draconic Heritage Draconic Power Dragontouched Educated Elven Spell Lore Energy Affinity Eschew Materials Evasive Reflexes Exceptional Artisan Expeditious Dodge Extra Followers Extra rings Far Shot Fiery burst Flick of the Wrist Gith Psychology* Great Fortitude Greater Weapon Specialization Hamstring Heavy Hitting Heighten spell Hold the Line Improved Binding Improved Familiar Improved Feint Improved Flight Improved Precise Shot Improved Rapid Shot Improved Smiting Improved Sunder Initiate of Kord* Initiate of Olidammara* Initiate of Tamara Insightful Reflexes Instant rage Intimidating Rage Invisible needle Iron Heart Aura Knowledge Devotion Kung Fu Genius Landlord Large and in Charge Law Devotion Legendary artisan Lingering song Magic of the Land* Mind Over Body Natural Bond Necropotent Nimbus of Light Oversized TWF Pierce Magical Protection Pious Soul Planar Familiar Purify Spell Pyro* Racial Weapon Proficiency Ranged Disarm Ranged Weapon Mastery Rapid infusion Reach Spell Repeat spell Retributive Spell Ride by Attack Right of Council Roll with it Run Sacred Boost Sacred healing Sacred Vow Sanctify Ki Strike Savvy Rogue Searing Spell Serenity* Shadow Blade Shadow Striker Shape Soulmeld Shield Wall Spell Mastery Spell Rehearsal Spellcasting prodigy Split Ray Spontaneous Healing Staggering Strike Steadfast Determination Stealthy Still Spell Storm Bolt Stormguard Warrior Subsonics Sudden Enlarge Thug Touchstone: City of the Dead Touch of Golden Ice Toughness Two-Weapon Defense Versatile performer Versatile Unarmed Strike Vexing Flanker Vow of Poverty woodland archer Zen Archery Skill Focus (Speak Language) - 0
jaelis 04-14-07, 02:40 PM	Here's mine to start: Mithral body Extend spell Skill focus (UMD) Extraordinary artisan Battle Dancer Combat Reflexes Dodge Extra Music Improved Grapple Mobility Two Weapon Fighting Weapon Focus (glaive) Combat Expertise Weapon Specialization (glaive)
gullas 04-14-07, 02:56 PM	Power attack cleave :P Sacred healing (well I have to use this turning in something) weapon focus (yes there is someone always in my group who takes this feat for his weapon) Dirty fighting ( my half orc monk did ridiculusly much damage:)) two weapon fighting yup ....those are the feats I always see used :)
bloodtalon 04-14-07, 06:24 PM	extra rage instant rage thoughness roll with it scribe scroll those are what my groups use the most
Nadaka 04-14-07, 06:53 PM	improved initiative dodge both of those get used in every encounter in nearly every game I have played in.
jaelis 04-14-07, 08:44 PM	But unless you play 1st level a lot, you must have more feats than that. I'd like to see not just which one are popular, but how often the unpopular ones are taken. So it would be great if you could actually list all your current (and maybe previous) character's feats. If it's not too much trouble and all!
Dheran 04-14-07, 09:15 PM	Quick Draw Weapon Finesse Craven Telling Blow Savvy Rogue Expeditious Dodge Spring Attack Superior Unarmed Strike Snap Kick Feats granted by items: * Improved Unarmed Strike (from Fanged Ring) * Improved Natural Attack (unarmed strike) (from Fanged Ring) * Alertness (from Ioun stone) * Improved Initiative (from Dragonfly Medallion) * Far Shot (from Horizon Goggles) * Combat Reflexes (from Serpent Armor) * Mobility (armor ability) * Two-Weapon Fighting (from Gloves of the Balanced Hands) Virtual Feats: * Point Blank Shot (from Clerical Elf Domain)
TheCanadian 04-14-07, 09:19 PM	The current character I'm playing, Fandango Libromortis, is a Wizard 4/Rogue 2 and he has the following feats: Scribe Scroll Combat Casting Weapon Finesse Sudden Maximize Practiced Spellcaster The Scribe Scroll came from the Wizard class and I haven't used it yet so I can't say how handy it is. Combat Casting I think I used once, I haven't really been caught in the situation where I need it. Weapon Finesse I chose because Fandango has a rapier and I wanted to actually be able to hit with it. Practiced Spellcaster is good for the Spell DC bump and for making the level based die damage spells a little better. Sudden Maximize is the feat I have used the most. Seriously, this is an awesome feat. Combine it with something like Scorching Ray, and you have yourself a great attack. I practically fried a Winter Wolf by myself at level 5 with one Sudden Maximized Scorching Ray. Hope I've helped.
Nadaka 04-15-07, 04:04 AM	But unless you play 1st level a lot, you must have more feats than that. I'd like to see not just which one are popular, but how often the unpopular ones are taken. So it would be great if you could actually list all your current (and maybe previous) character's feats. If it's not too much trouble and all! Its not that I don't have more feats than that, its just that those two are always in use because Improved Init shows up in probably 75% of the characters I see and at least 1 person in any given party is going to want spring attack. I am making a swordsage/fighter with EWP: spike chain, improved initiative, (weapon focus SC, class ability), Blade meditation: Shadow Hand, Shadow Blade, expertise, improved trip and combat reflexes. I should also get 3 more feats eventually, but I haven't picked them out yet. But I have not really gotten to use him though.
antsterr 04-15-07, 09:49 AM	My group, the ones I always see: Power Attack Combat Expertise Point Blank Shot Dodge anything that's a major prerequisite Others Brew Potion, most casters will always get this. It's and amazing feat to have in a low magic world improved initiative Cleave Eschew Materials Exotic Weapon Proficiency
Malvoi 04-15-07, 10:01 AM	My last character (Goliath barbarian) I used: Power Attack Cleave Leap Attack (*kick ass @ lower levels*) Intimidating Rage Destructive Rage (the latter 2 for Frenzied Berserker) What particular character model do you have in mind, so we can make suggestions?
jaelis 04-15-07, 12:35 PM	I'd like to see as many different characters as possible. Mostly I'm just curious, though I think this will also be helpful for me and other real feat designers, to know what kinds of feats get used and what don't outside of our own groups.
jaelis 04-16-07, 10:54 AM	Any other takers?
Zherog 04-16-07, 01:08 PM	My current character only just hit 4th level. Here's the feats he currently has (not counting his Scribe Scroll bonus feat, since he had no choices there): Mind Over Body (Player's Guide to Faerun) Shadow Weave Caster (Player's Guide to Faerun) I know some of the other feats he will be taking up through level 9. So while he doesn't have these right now, he will sometime in the future: Craft Wand Spell Focus (enchantment) Greater Spell Focus (enchantment) *** My character previous to this one was a paladin-monk with the Vow of Poverty feat. So he has a bunch of feats, given that VoP grants all those bonuses. I'm also going to include his monk bonus feats in the list below, because while the core monk only has two options, there's plenty of alternate class abilities out there that provide other choices. However, I'll mark them so you can exclude them if you like. Ascetic Knight (Complete Adventurer) Combat Reflexes (monk bonus) Dodge Improved Disarm (monk bonus) Intuitive Strike (BoED) Leadership Nimbus of Light (BoED) Nymph's Kiss (BoED) Sanctify Ki Strike (BoED) Sacred Vow (Book of Exalted Deeds) Stunning Fist (monk bonus) Touch of Golden Ice (BoED) Vow of Poverty (BoED) So, there's my two most current characters.
Cincinnati 04-16-07, 01:14 PM	But unless you play 1st level a lot, you must have more feats than that. I'd like to see not just which one are popular, but how often the unpopular ones are taken. So it would be great if you could actually list all your current (and maybe previous) character's feats. If it's not too much trouble and all! 1st level Barbarian: Improved Initiative Weapon Focus 6th level Bard: Improved Initiative Skill Focus (Perform-Wind) Extra Music Force of Personality 12 level Monk: Improved Grapple Improved Initiative Combat Reflexes Weapon Focus Improved Natural Attack Dodge Mobility Spring Attack
Zherog 04-16-07, 01:19 PM	I'll also give you the characters in the group I DM, with a brief note on what the character is. halfling rogue/cleric of Olidammara/homebrewed prestige class, 10th level character Extend Spell Initiate of Olidammara (Dragon 341, in an article I wrote :D ) Two-Weapon Fighting Weapon Finesse halfling rogue/illusionist/homebrewed prestige class similar to Arcane Trickster, 10th level character Craft Wand Greater Spell Focus (illusion) Improved Initiative Nimble Fingers Spell Focus (illusion) human marshal 8/bard 1/legendary leader 1, 10th level character Alertness Ancestral Relic (Book of Exalted Deeds) Leadership Weapon Focus (longsword) Weapon Focus (longbow) elf ranger (archery path) 9, 9th level character Improved Initiative Point Blank Shot Precise Shot Weapon Focus (long bow) dwarf fighter 7/dwarven defender 2, 9th level character Dodge Endurance Improved Critical (dwarven waraxe) Improved Initiative Improved Shield Bash Improved Toughness (Complete Warrior) [note: I allowed this to be substituted for the Toughness pre-req of dwarven defender] Weapon Focus (dwarven waraxe) Weapon Specialization (dwarven waraxe) *** So there's a look at five more characters...
jaelis 04-16-07, 02:28 PM	Wow, that's awesome! :tiphat:
Zherog 04-16-07, 03:03 PM	I can give you NPCs, too, if you want 'em. For example, the marshal with Leadership? I could give you his two cohorts (he's replaced him once for story reasons). Aw, what the hell - here's the two cohorts' feats. human swashbuckler 8 Combat Reflexes Dodge Mobility Spring Attack dwarven warcaster 9 Skill Focus (Concentration) Weapon Focus (heavy crossbow) Weapon Focus (ranged touch) Do you have any interest in NPC villains? I have a bunch of character sheets for those laying around, too. :D
jaelis 04-16-07, 03:11 PM	Heh, let's stick to PC choices for now. DM feats could be a whole 'nother poll!
Zherog 04-16-07, 03:43 PM	Alrighty. Those two cohorts were both designed by the player, so I suppose they more or less count for your unofficial poll.
RobbyPants 04-16-07, 05:39 PM	I have a tendancy to play a lot of rogue or fighter types. Most casters I've played won't meet this thread's criterea so: Power Attack Weapon Finesse Improved Initiative Weapon Focus
Joesph_kurr 04-17-07, 01:45 AM	I really like this thread and I'll try to pop back in alittle latter to add to it.
ibayboy 04-17-07, 04:06 AM	We currently run two characters each in the Savage Tide Adventure Path. Mine are... Goliath Warblade5/Monk2(Denying Stance var.)/Warblade3 Arena Blood (campaign Bonus) Cleave Combat Reflexes (Mnk B) Imp. Crit: Greatsword Imp. Grapple (Mnk B) Imp. Unarmed Strike (Mnk B) Iron Will (WrBld B) Leap Attack Power Attack Power Attack and Leap Attack get the most use, at the start of each fight most times. I don't regret taking Imp. Crit, i've lost count how many 17's i rolled since he got it! Aasimar Warmage8/Swordsage2 Academy Graduate (campaign Bonus) Imp. Initiative Practiced Spellcaster Skill Focus: Concentration Storm Bolt Sudden Empower (WrMge B) Imp. Init. has kept him first in the order almost every fight. Storm Bolt reserve feat was great at lower levels but is starting to loose its effectiveness since his spell level stopped going up due to Swordsage levels, but Jade Phoenix Mage next level will change that i hope. Concentration focus tied in well with the Diamond Mind counters he took.
ibayboy 04-17-07, 04:31 AM	Also two each in our previous homebrew campaign. Mine were Duergar twin brothers, both Unearthed Arcana var Warrior10/Nightsong Enforcer8 Ingmar Assemble the Horde Combat Expertise Daylight Adaptation (regional) Extra Followers Imp. Feint Imp. Initiative Imp. Two-Weapon Fighting Leadership Team Flanking Two-Weapon Fighting He became Leadership-centric, and the feats followed that course. They both have 8D6 of SA so i took Imp. Feint, but didn't use it much. Team Flanking is third party material, but there is now a WotC feat that does exactly the same thing. Angmar Craven Daylight Adaptation (R) Deadly Precision Dirty Rat Greater Two-Weapon Fighting Imp. Initiative Imp. Two-Weapon Fighting Staggering Strike Team Flanking Two-Weapon Fighting Deadly Precision is one of those feats that seems better than it really is.
armnaxis 04-17-07, 04:58 AM	Telben (Wiz6/Divine Oracle 8/Archmage2 in Age of Worms) Elven Lore [Greyhawk Regional Feat, Campaign Bonus Feat] Spell Focus: Evocation Spell Focus: Divination Skill Focus: Spellcraft Skill Focus: Knowledge (Religion) Spell Penetration Greater Spell Penetration [Campaign Bonus Feat] Craft Wondrous Item Freigar (Favored Soul of Kord 7 in Savage Tide) Arena Blood [Savage Tide Bonus Feat] Power Attack Cleave [Human Bonus Feat] Improved Initiative Initiate of Kord [Found in Dungeon Magazine]
IonizedChicken 04-17-07, 06:53 AM	My other characters are too low level for me to write anything good: Swordsage 10/Fighter 1/Warblade 1/Bloodclaw Master 3 Two Weapon Fighting Iron Heart Aura (ToB) Adaptible Style (ToB) Shadow Blade (ToB) I. Natural Attack (U. Strike) (MM) I. Two Weapon Fighting Stormguard Warrior (ToB) Snap Kick (ToB) G. Two Weapon Fighting The feats I think are the best are: Snap Kick, Shadow Blade, Stormguard Warrior and maybe Adaptive Style. Really awesome stuff.
D-Dus 04-17-07, 08:37 AM	Current character (see sig): - Dragontouched - Extra Turning - Augmented Healing - Initiate of Tamara - Domain Spontaneity (Healing) Previous character (Fighter/Stonelord) - Weapon Focus - Weapon Specilization - Combat Expertise - Improved Initiative - Improved Toughness - Endurance - Die Hard
Werebat 04-17-07, 09:20 AM	OK, here's my feats for my current character: Krass the Chainfighter: 1. Combat Expertise 2. Combat Reflexes 3. XWP: Spiked Chain 4. Improved Trip 5. WF: Spiked Chain 6. WS: Spiked Chain 7. Force of Personality 8. Iron Will 9. Power Attack 10.Cleave 11.Great Cleave
Zherog 04-17-07, 10:59 AM	Initiate of Kord [Found in Dungeon Magazine] I believe you mean Dragon, and if so... SWEET! I wrote that article! It's so cool to know somebody is using it (other than my wife).
elondir 04-17-07, 11:12 AM	Arranged by type: GENERAL: attune magic weapon battle caster (coupled with armored wizard fighter substitution level) extra rings leadership landlord practised spellcaster rapid infusion martial weapon proficiency (greatsword) FIGHTER: power attack cleave point blank shot precise shot weapon finesse weapon focus (greatsword) METAMAGIC: empower spell twin spell repeat spell extend spell persistent spell maximize spell heighten spell ITEM CREATION: craft wondrous item craft magic arms and armor extraordinary artisan legendary artisan RESERVE: fiery burst EPIC: epic spellcasting EXALTED: Nymph's Kiss
ArchonJohn 04-17-07, 11:54 AM	Four of the greatest Feats... Luck of Heroes Improved Toughness Craven Telling Blow
jaelis 04-17-07, 12:02 PM	Four of the greatest Feats... Luck of Heroes Improved Toughness Craven Telling Blow OK, but just to be clear... you played a character that actually took those feats?
AllisterH 04-17-07, 12:26 PM	I've played a fair number of characters since the initial release of 3.0 and this is what I remember. 1) General Improved Initative - didn't matter if it was a spellcasting or a non-spellcasting class. I always took this as my first feat. I just like going first in the order and pretty much EVERY combat, this feat gets used so I consider it a great investment on my part. 2)Spellcasting Skill Focus (concentration) - Be it divine or arcane, when I play a spellcaster, this is my second feat that I pick up.Hell, I've taken this even for my paladin when I first started a 3.5 campaign. After that, it really comes down to what type of spellcaster and there have been different considerations. The only thing I remember for sure is that any preparation spellcaster I played, I always took Scribe Scroll This is worth its weight in gold I've found. 3)Non-spellcaster I don'tplay archers (my characters have a bow but unless I'm a fighter with feats to spare, I don't use any feats on it) Weapon Focus Power Attack/Weapon Finesse Combat Reflexes As to how common do I use them, pretty much every battle, they get used even combat reflexes since we rarely have a BBEG without major backup.
jaelis 04-17-07, 12:51 PM	Well, I know you'll remember the feats you like best. But I'd like a list of all the feats people take, even ones they just needed for prereqs or that they ended up regretting. So I get a snapshot of what feats are used, not just what people like. So I'd rather see a list of what your one current character has, rather than a summary of your favorites from many previous characters.
armnaxis 04-17-07, 03:17 PM	I believe you mean Dragon, and if so... SWEET! I wrote that article! It's so cool to know somebody is using it (other than my wife). um yeah, Dragon. You wrote that article? A nice one, for sure. I always wondered why clerics of so different alignments and causes all knew the same spells and had similar abilities...
Zherog 04-17-07, 04:42 PM	um yeah, Dragon. You wrote that article? A nice one, for sure. I always wondered why clerics of so different alignments and causes all knew the same spells and had similar abilities... Yes I did, and thank you. I pretty much agree, and the whole Initiate Feat concept really solved the issue (at least in a "patching" sort of way) by giving each deity specific spells. Glad you liked the article. Like I said, it's always nice to hear somebody is using the stuff I've designed. :)
Joesph_kurr 04-18-07, 01:28 PM	I've used any of the fallowing feats for a chacter at one time or another weapon finnese dodge im. unarmed strike im. trip stunning fist combat ref. mobility spring attack 2-wep. fighting(Improved/greater) stealthy rapid reload im. grapple hamstring arteral strike pyro shadow weave magic empower spell combat expertise power attack snap kick quicken spell chain spell im. familar leadership brew potion inviz. needle that's all the ones I remember useing and being really usefull. I'm sure there are others I've forgotten.
Bjorn Borg 04-19-07, 11:29 AM	I am currently playing a halfling wizard3/rogue3. I plan on making him an arcane trickster. He has the following: Improved Initiative Quick Draw (due to a flaw) Flick of the Wrist (due to a flaw) (song and silence) Point Blank Shot Precise Shot I am planning for him to have these below as he levels (Wiz5/Rog4/AT10): Practiced Spellcaster (complete arcane) Craft Wand or Extend Spell (haven't decided yet) Deadeye Shot (ph2) Shadow Striker (ph2) Cunning Evasion (ph2)
ibayboy 04-23-07, 03:19 AM	:bump: I was enjoying this thread.
Zippis 04-23-07, 09:57 AM	Half-Orc Rogue 2/Monk2/Swordsage 1/Warblade 1 heading for Master of Nine PrC Improved Initiative Dodge (monk1 UA style) Two-Weapon Fighting Combat Reflexes (monk2) Adaptive Style
jaelis 04-24-07, 09:47 AM	With about 300 feats from 22 different posters, that's probably a big enough sample to make some observations. A few things jump out: - A really popular feat gets taken about about 5% of the time. If you figure an average of 10 feats total for a character, that suggests about half of all characters take it. (Which seems roughly right from Imp Init and Weapon Focus in my sample, though I didn't count.) That's pretty impressive. - There are a handful of popular feats. But most people take a wide variety. 80% of the feats on my list were taken by only one or two people. Of course, there are about 3000 feats listed on the WotC consolidated list, so my sample probably already represents the most popular 5%. Anyway, a bigger sample would be better. I'll keep tabulating if people keep posting. And thanks again to all who have participated!
Big_Mac 04-24-07, 03:09 PM	This is for My Fighter 8 / Devish 4 Dodge Improved Initiative Mobility Run Spring Attack Weapon Focus (Greatsword) Weapon Specialization (Greatsword) Whirlwind Attack Close-Quarters Fighting Combat Expertise Dash Improved Toughness AC Bonus (Der) Dervish Dance (Der) Movement Mastery (Der) Slashing Blades (Der) Fast Movement (Der) Dance of Death (Der) Wizard 12 in the campaign I am in. Craft Magic Arms and Armor Craft Wand Craft Wondrous Item Improved Initiative Point Blank Shot Precise Shot Scribe Scroll Silent Spell Spell Mastery Rapid Reload Fighter 1 / cleric 11 Cleave Great Cleave Improved Critical Improved Initiative Power Attack Quicken Spell Weapon Focus Domain War (Clr) Improved Toughness Domain Retribution (Clr) Rogue 7 /Ranger 5 Endurance Point Blank Shot Precise Shot Rapid Shot Track Two-Weapon Fighting Weapon Finesse Favored Enemy (Rgr) Sneak Attack (Rog) Evasion (Rog) Uncanny Dodge (Rog) Nimble Fingers Wild Empathy (Rgr) Combat Style (Rgr) Animal Companion (Rgr) Trapfinding (Rog) Trap Sense (Rog) Improved Buckler Defense Sorcerer 8 / Dragon Disciple 4 Combat Casting Improved Initiative Draconic Breath Draconic Heritage Draconic Power Practiced Spellcaster Spell Rehearsal That the whole party and all of the feat selected.
Joesph_kurr 04-24-07, 06:02 PM	It's good to see this thread has not died I like stuff like this and will return latter to add more:D
Yue Ryong 04-24-07, 06:12 PM	I habitually play rogues, so I tend to skew towards 'sneaky' feats. The big ones for my characters are (in approximate order of regularity): Combat Expertise & Weapon Finesse Evasive Reflexes (ToB), Dodge & Mobility (if only to qualify for Shadowdancer & HiPS) Cunning Evasion And, if I pull my usual trick & grab a Monk's Belt - Deflect Arrows
Chimaera2000 04-24-07, 07:24 PM	My gestalt warforged artificer//swordsage/warblade took: * Mithril Body (Eberron Campaign Setting, Monster Manual III) * Carmedine Monk (adapted for swordsage; Champions of Valor) * Exceptional Artisan (Eberron Campaign Setting) * Shape Soulmeld (Mage Spectacles; Magic of Incarnum) My paladin/cleric/Church Inquisitor is taking: * Intuitive Attack (Book of Exalted Deeds) * Serenity (Dragon Magazine #306, I believe) * Practiced Spellcaster (Complete Arcane, Divine) * Divine Spell Power (Complete Divine) * Craft Wondrous Item * Craft Magic Arms & Armor Yes, I'm an on-again, off-again powergamer; what can I say?
Astron the Wizard 06-27-07, 10:03 PM	Latest Character: Weapon Finnesse (is that how you spell it?) 2nd latest character: quick draw
jaelis 06-27-07, 10:38 PM	Updated the list, thanks again for the posts!
NeueRegel 06-27-07, 10:57 PM	Improved Initiative Combat Reflexes Combat Expertise Dodge Mobility Spring Attack Whirlwind Attack Power Attack Great Cleave Weapon Finesse Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Thinblade, elven Greater Weapon Focus: Thinblade, elven Greater Weapon Specialization: Thinblade, elven Improved Critical: Thinblade, elven (In this one, to clarify, she took all of the prereqs too, I just cut and pasted from the sheet the ones that count, so of course she has "normal cleave" and "normal weapon focus", etc.) ============================== Improved Initiative Arcane Strike Spell Penetration Greater Spell Penetration Combat Expertise Power Attack Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Sword, bastard Weapon Focus: Sword, bastard Weapon Specialization: Sword, bastard Improved Critical: Sword, bastard ============================== Martial Wpn Prof Rapier Wpn Finesse Improved Initiative Combat Expertise Improved Disarm Wpn Focus, Rapier Arcane Strike Improved Crit, Rapier
runestar 06-27-07, 11:03 PM	I know there is a feat which no one would ever take... Skill focus: speak language...:P
Avatar of Kokusho 06-28-07, 07:56 AM	Hmm Combat Casting Spell Focus (whatever) Quicken Spell Maximize Spell Silent Spell Still Spell Skill Focus (Spellcraft) Twin Spell Split Ray Empower Spell Spell Penentration Persistent Spell Divine Metamagic (Quicken Spell) Then later... Improved Metamagic Improved Spell Capacity Epic Spellcasting Epic Spell Penetration Intensify Spell Multispell
DragonDan 06-28-07, 08:42 AM	Currently playing a Rog2/Wiz5/SWS5/AC1 lvl13. Feats: Point Blank (1st lvl) Scribe Scroll (free) Practiced Spellcaster (3rd lvl) Acidic Splatter (free at Wiz5, character lvl6) Combat casting (yes, unfortunately it's needed for Abjurant Champ, which is a great PrC; 6th lvl) Precise Shot (free at SWS 3) Craft Wonderous Item (9th lvl) Improved Init (12 lvl; got tired of going last, now with this feat + Dagger of Warning + Bracers of Blinding Strike + Dex of 20 = my init is +16; still not the highest in my group :( ). I don't know what to take at lvl 15 :confused: Dan.
spyderfreek 06-28-07, 10:42 AM	See Sig for Character, the last two feats on the list are the next ones I will be using. Point Blank Precise Shot WF: Longbow Rapid Shot Improved Rapid Shot Improved Precise Shot Many Shot Defensive Archery Improved Initiative WS: Longbow Ranged Weapon Mastery
Orenmir 06-28-07, 11:15 AM	Half Frost Giant -- Fighter 8/Occult Slayer 1 current feats: Power Attack Dodge Weapon Focus Weapon Specialization Improved Initiative (always best to get the 1st move on a caster) Endurance Steadfast Determination (a must for any PC with high Con and low Wis) Cleave Improved Critical Large and in Charge (a must for any large melee PC -- and, boy is it fun!) future feats: mage slayer (combined with Large and in Charge -- death trap for casters) melee weapon mastery occult opportunist improved toughness lightning reflexes (in case I keep getting hit by fireballs!) Luck of Heroes
GatorBurf 07-05-07, 04:43 PM	My Half-Orc Fighter 9/ Beastmaster 2: Improved Initiative Two Weapon Fighting Improved Two Weapon Fighting Quick Draw Exotic Weapon Prof. (orc double axe) Weapon Focus (orc double axe) Weapon Spec. (orc double axe) Necropotent Skill Focus (Handle Animal) And my gestalt Gnome Warlock/Dragon Shaman Lvl. 10: Ability Focus (Breath weapon) Battle Caster Weapon Focus (Eldritch Blast) Point Blank Shot
ibayboy 07-09-07, 06:08 AM	We currently run two characters each in the Savage Tide Adventure Path. Mine are... Goliath Warblade5/Monk2(Denying Stance var.)/Warblade3 Arena Blood (campaign Bonus) Cleave Combat Reflexes (Mnk B) Imp. Crit: Greatsword Imp. Grapple (Mnk B) Imp. Unarmed Strike (Mnk B) Iron Will (WrBld B) Leap Attack Power Attack Power Attack and Leap Attack get the most use, at the start of each fight most times. I don't regret taking Imp. Crit, i've lost count how many 17's i rolled since he got it! Aasimar Warmage8/Swordsage2 Academy Graduate (campaign Bonus) Imp. Initiative Practiced Spellcaster Skill Focus: Concentration Storm Bolt Sudden Empower (WrMge B) Imp. Init. has kept him first in the order almost every fight. Storm Bolt reserve feat was great at lower levels but is starting to loose its effectiveness since his spell level stopped going up due to Swordsage levels, but Jade Phoenix Mage next level will change that i hope. Concentration focus tied in well with the Diamond Mind counters he took. Both characters have levelled-up repeatedly since i posted so the Warblade now has... Blade Meditation (B) Close Quarters Fighting and the Warmage now has levels in Jade Phoenix Mage with... Spell Penetration
animus 08-21-07, 10:32 PM	power attack practiced spellcaster quick draw battle blessing augment healing
Zyphus 08-21-07, 11:06 PM	No named Warforged, 1 Rogue/2 Cleric/2 Fighter/2 Exorcist of the Silver Flame: Adamantine Body Power Attack Improved Bull Rush (the ones required for Warforged Juggernaut) Dawn, Human, 6 Monk Gith Psychology (DM made) Blind Fighting Breadth of Knowledge (FR? +1 skill point per level, 4 at 1st) Stunning Fist (DM allowed loose requirement for Monk) so the Monk ones were the other choices :) Windar, Dwarf, 1 Rogue/3 Druid (Hunter variant) Combat Reflexes Mounted Combat Luceum, Human, 3 Cleric/3 Wizard/1 True Necromancer Spell Focus:Necromancy Corpsecrafter Practiced Spellcaster: Wizard Practiced Spellcaster: Cleric
jaelis 08-22-07, 12:41 AM	Thanks for the posts, see updates on OP.
ibayboy 08-22-07, 03:19 AM	Originally Posted by ibayboy We currently run two characters each in the Savage Tide Adventure Path. Mine are... Goliath Warblade5/Monk2(Denying Stance var.)/Warblade3 Arena Blood (campaign Bonus) Cleave Combat Reflexes (Mnk B) Imp. Crit: Greatsword Imp. Grapple (Mnk B) Imp. Unarmed Strike (Mnk B) Iron Will (WrBld B) Leap Attack Power Attack Power Attack and Leap Attack get the most use, at the start of each fight most times. I don't regret taking Imp. Crit, i've lost count how many 17's i rolled since he got it! Aasimar Warmage8/Swordsage2 Academy Graduate (campaign Bonus) Imp. Initiative Practiced Spellcaster Skill Focus: Concentration Storm Bolt Sudden Empower (WrMge B) Imp. Init. has kept him first in the order almost every fight. Storm Bolt reserve feat was great at lower levels but is starting to loose its effectiveness since his spell level stopped going up due to Swordsage levels, but Jade Phoenix Mage next level will change that i hope. Concentration focus tied in well with the Diamond Mind counters he took. Both characters have levelled-up repeatedly since i posted so the Warblade now has... Blade Meditation (B) Close Quarters Fighting and the Warmage now has levels in Jade Phoenix Mage with... Spell Penetration Still playing these two. Now the Warmage8/Swordsage2/Jade Phoenix Mage5 has added... Retributive Spell. This feat lets you prepare a spell that you can cast as an immediate action, when someone hits you in melee. So far it has only gone off once but the dude suffered. and the Warblade13/Monk2 has added... Blind-Fight (B) Vexing Flanker
AtsuiShoto 08-23-07, 02:32 AM	Weapon Focus x2 Improved Shield Bash Shield Specialization Agile Shield Fighter Power Attack Leap Attack Shield Ward Blood Spiked Charger Extra Rage Weapon Specialization
Dyax 10-16-07, 07:35 AM	4 lvls of feats every human fighter should have unless there weapon is a bow,then ignore what you are about read 1st weapons focus 1st power attack-need it to get cleave 1st cleave-this is a must have for all mellee fighters 2nd dodge or two weapon fighting 3rd mobility or improved two weapon fighting 4th weapon special its just that simple
Dog_O_War 10-16-07, 12:10 PM	Yeager Stormhold - Human Fighter 4 Educated (faerun CS) E.W.P. Bastard sword Improved Unarmed Strike Two-Weapon Fighting Improved Grapple Improved Initiative Derrick Blackwood - Half-Elf Ranger (Complete Champion Variant - Champion of the Wild) 8 E.W.P. Bastard sword Dodge Combat Relfexes Mobility Natural Bond Barrok - Half-Orc Fighter 8 Weapon Focus Orc Double-Axe Two-Weapon Fighting Improved Initiative Alertness Weapon Specialization Orc Double-Axe Two-Weapon Defence Dodge Mobility Jack - Human Bard 4/Ranger 3/Shadow Dancer 3 Dodge Mobility E.W.P. Bastard sword Combat Reflexes Sub-Vocal Song (or whatever the feat is called) Sir Drake Kiev - Human Paladin 7/ Fist of Raziel 2 Weapon Focus Longsword Endurance Extra Turning Pious Soul (or whatever it was called from the BoED; I was originally going for Pious Templar but DM said no - so I changed the feat) Divine Vigor Crezskul - Half-Orc Rogue 4/Fighter(Unearthed Arcana variant - Thug) 4 Thug (faerun) Improved Initiative Weapon Focus Falchion Skill Focus Intimidate Quickdraw Sir Raevin Kilborn - Human Fighter 2/Wizard-Diviner 3 Weapon Focus Longsword Quickdraw Point Blank Shot E.W.P. Firearms (as per the renaisance weapons from the DMG) Two-Weapon Fighting Some of the feats may not be the "exact" one listed; I will edit this when I have my character sheets in front of me (slacking at work right now) I love the bastard sword incase you can't tell. I also tend to make characters that have a focus in combat (usually TWF), but sometimes I will stack initiative or speed to my advantage (as is the case with Crezskul and Drake). Crezskul tends to get sneak attack alot from going first in combat, (not to mention criticals from a keen falchion). Drake is a paladin with charging smite (from PHBII) and has a 40ft move with divine vigor.
Operation_Shoestring 10-17-07, 03:10 AM	Your method has one flaw. Personally i consider Dodge to be a lousy feat. however, i need dodge to gain access to many other feats which are much more useful and may thus take dodge even though i think it's sucky. Thus dodge will show popularity out of sync with it's actual usefulness.
ShadowF 10-17-07, 03:57 AM	Level 9 Human Ninja H: Dodge 1: Mobility 3: Combat reflexes 6: Spring attack 9: Elusive Target [Tactical feat] level 8 fighter H: power attack 1: point blank 1: Improved Sunder 2: precise shot 3: Improved Bull Rush 4: Powerful Charge 6: Shock Trooper 6: woodland archer 8: Combat Brute Aasimar 9 Level Knight 1: Shield Profiecency 3: Shield Wall 6: Shield Ward 9: Block Arrow
ShadowF 10-17-07, 04:20 AM	Human 2 Fighter/ 8 Wizard/ 10 spellsword. H: Improved toughness 1: Insightful Reflexes F1: Combat expertise F2: Weapon focus(ls or gs) 3: Battle Casting 6: Combat Casting W5: Maximize spell 9: Deceptive Spell 12: Energy Affinity SS2: Improved Crit(ls or gs) 15: Weapon Special(ls or gs) 18: Improved WF(ls or gs)
The_Sentin3l 10-17-07, 04:29 AM	Half-Elf Swashbuckler 10 / Ronin 1 Racial Weapon Proficency (houseruled so it would apply to elf weapons, even though I'm only a half-elf) TWF (Favourite feat so far) Quick Draw Oversized TWF Great character so far.
jaelis 10-17-07, 09:39 AM	Your method has one flaw. Personally i consider Dodge to be a lousy feat. however, i need dodge to gain access to many other feats which are much more useful and may thus take dodge even though i think it's sucky. Thus dodge will show popularity out of sync with it's actual usefulness. You're certainly right that you can't use the survey numbers as a measure of a feat's usefulness. Your dodge example is correct, and also there are cases like natural spell, where a feat is extremely useful but only to a limited number of characters. As compared perhaps to Improved Initiative, which is maybe less powerful in absolute terms, but is of some use for any character. But like my OP says, I'm not trying to use this as a gauge of feat power, but just as a gauge of what feats get taken. It's still a flawed measure since it is a self-selected survey of a non-representative population, but I think it still provides some interesting results.
ibayboy 10-17-07, 03:18 PM	We currently run two characters each in the Savage Tide Adventure Path. Mine are... Goliath Warblade5/Monk2(Denying Stance var.)/Warblade3 Arena Blood (campaign Bonus) Cleave Combat Reflexes (Mnk B) Imp. Crit: Greatsword Imp. Grapple (Mnk B) Imp. Unarmed Strike (Mnk B) Iron Will (WrBld B) Leap Attack Power Attack Power Attack and Leap Attack get the most use, at the start of each fight most times. I don't regret taking Imp. Crit, i've lost count how many 17's i rolled since he got it! Aasimar Warmage8/Swordsage2 Academy Graduate (campaign Bonus) Imp. Initiative Practiced Spellcaster Skill Focus: Concentration Storm Bolt Sudden Empower (WrMge B) Imp. Init. has kept him first in the order almost every fight. Storm Bolt reserve feat was great at lower levels but is starting to loose its effectiveness since his spell level stopped going up due to Swordsage levels, but Jade Phoenix Mage next level will change that i hope. Concentration focus tied in well with the Diamond Mind counters he took. .... Both characters have levelled-up repeatedly since i posted so the Warblade now has... Blade Meditation (B) Close Quarters Fighting and the Warmage now has levels in Jade Phoenix Mage with... Spell Penetration .... Still playing these two. Now the Warmage8/Swordsage2/Jade Phoenix Mage5 has added... Retributive Spell. This feat lets you prepare a spell that you can cast as an immediate action, when someone hits you in melee. So far it has only gone off once but the dude suffered. and the Warblade13/Monk2 has added... Blind-Fight (B) Vexing Flanker More levels, only 2 more chapters to go... The Warblade16/Mnk2 has... Adaptive Style and the Warmage11/Swordsage2/JadePhoenixMage5 has... Searing Spell
tyrecian 10-18-07, 01:55 AM	Sivan the Cleric of Heironious Scribe Scroll (cleric) Improved Initiative (did me no good, as i was a healbot/buffbot PC, i ended up being totally reactionary, preferred low end of the init order) Brew Potion (totally wasted in retrospect, but we lvled slowly at every 5 weeks, and i could make potions of the wizzy's spells for the rogue, since he didnt believe in buffing and i didnt have enough rounds to heal anyways, should have taken craft wond. item) Craft Wand (i love wands for beefing up PCs, and in the end i had a wand of Bull's Str., Bear's End, Lesser Vigor, Cat's Grace, & Heal Mod wounds) Spell Focus [Conjuration] (was going Thermaturgist route, TPK at lvl 9 though) The replacement Wizard Xanis the Gray Elven Wizard Improved Initiative (worked great with this PC) Craft Wand (always a drag for some, but highly useful for healing and buffing, and cheap; my party HATES the fact that i make wands. They argue against wands retardedly, once the ex-Navy caster (mystic thurge) actually told me that his X-bow was better than a wand of magic missiles. The DM was always totally neutral and never gave advice, but even he laughed at that one) Craft Wondrous Item (took down prices, since was replacement for entire party's starting treasure, DM boon) Leadership (got an archer Cleric to assist, buffbot/healer) Empower Spell Metamagic (always great, combined with scorching ray at 7th level caster to make a wand at 4th level spell, turned out to be a nice wand indeed) Sudden Maximize Metamagic (worked great with ball of lightning, from the Spell Compendium, which another PC bought and we were able to use late in campaign) (last two PCs were played in core only games, with the exception of the tail end of the wizard, where i got the Comp Arcane in the mail :) and was able to get sudden maximize and some spells; and another PC got the Spell Compendium... Both PCs were playing the Age of Worms Adventure Path)
Colmarr 10-18-07, 02:38 AM	Jamven Chorster - Wizard (Necro)/Rogue (heading for Arcane Trickster) Jamven focused on rays, thus his heavy investment in "ranged attack feats". Weapon Focus (Ray) Point Blank Shot Precise Shoot Spell Focus (Necromancy) Skill Focus (Concentration) Jerome Trevallian - Fighter (halberdier) Jerome was a tripper and the party tank in a swashbuckling campaign. He didn't really fit in with the flair of the rest of the group, but they all paid attention when those crits landed. Weapon Focus (Halberd) Dodge Power Attack Combat Expertise Improved Trip Weapon Specialisation (Halberd) Greater Weapon Focus (Halberd) Mobility Spring Attack Iron Will Improved Critical (Halberd)
risner 10-18-07, 04:35 PM	Spirit Shaman: Alertness (=Spirit Shaman) Nymph's Kiss (=1st level) Craft Wondrous Item (=3rd level) Zen Archery (=+1BAB; DEX=WIS; =6th level) Versatile Spellcaster (2 for 1; =9th level) Magic of the Land (K.Nat DC15+SL = Cure 2hp/SL WillNeg) Monk/Fighter: Improved Unarmed Strike (Free Pugilist fighter class from Dragon, no choice) Endurance (Free Pugilist, no choice) Weapon Focus (Unarmed) Kung Fu Genius (DR319 p71) Heavy Hitting (+2 nonlethal unarmed, Pugilist specialist fighter only feat) Superior Unarmed Strike Dodge Weapon Specialization (unarmed) Versatile Unarmed Strike (swift for B, P, or S) Paladin: Dodge Mobility Improved Buckler Defense {CWar100} Two Weapon Fighting Combat Expertise (-5 Atk = +5 AC) Weapon Focus Longsword Weapon Finesse (Light Weapons & Rapier use DEX instead of STR) Leadership (Pegasus) True Believer (single deity +2 insight bonus to a save 1/day) Improved 2 Weapon Fighting Crusader: Skill Focus Knowledge Religion Great Fortitude Point Blank Shot Precise Shot Weapon Focus Javelin Quickdraw (free, no choice) Endurance Brutal Throw Leadership
jaelis 03-08-08, 01:06 AM	I updated the survey again. Any new takers? Guess I'll be giving up the effort come June, but maybe one more pass would be worthwhile.
Jaxgaret 03-08-08, 01:53 AM	Marshal2 / Fighter2 / Crusader6 / MythicExemplarOfCuthbert2: Power Attack Improved Bull Rush Shock Trooper Force of Personality Powerful Charge Leap Attack True Believer [Cudgel That Never Forgets] Warmage6 / ExaltedArcanist5 / Fatespinner4 / HolyScourge5 heading into Loremaster: Purify Spell Consecrate Spell Luck of Heroes Channel Charge Practiced Spellcaster Spell Focus (Good) Greater Spell Focus (Good) Rapid Metamagic Versatile Spellcaster Skill Focus: Knowledge (Arcana)
ibayboy 03-08-08, 06:33 AM	More levels, only 2 more chapters to go... The Warblade16/Mnk2 has... Adaptive Style and the Warmage11/Swordsage2/JadePhoenixMage5 has... Searing Spell Great to see this thread revived. Well we finished the Savage Tide campaign, and both my guys lived to 22nd ECL... Warblade19/Monk2 Added Acrobatic Strike and (despite the lure of an Epic feat), Imp. Initiative. Warmage13/SwordSage2/Jade Phoenix Mage6 Added Greater Spell Penetration.
ibayboy 03-08-08, 06:39 AM	And now the new game .. Tiefling Rogue4/Swashbuckler7/ThiefAcrobat2/Fighter2 Combat Reflexes Exotic Weap Prof: Spiked Chain Daring Outlaw Weapon Finesse (B) Deadly Defense Combat Expertise Imp. Trip Mage Slayer Acrobatic Strike Human (Half-Fey) Warmage13/SandShaper1 Imp. Flight Skill Focus: Concentration Spell Penetration Touchstone: City of the Dead Sudden Empower (B) Farshot (Item) City Magic Rapid Metamagic Sudden Enlarge (B)
SilverFoxKnows 03-08-08, 01:13 PM	Desert Dwarf (UA) Barbarian 15 Track Weapon Focus- Dwarven Waraxe Improved Initiative Improved Critical Shrug Off- 3rd party book- raise DR by 2 vs. B Shrug Off- raise DR by 2 vs S
DerelictDroid 03-08-08, 02:41 PM	Char #1: Straight up Wizard (shock!): Specialist: Transmuter Combat Casting (I know, I know, Skill focus: Concentration...too late) Improved Initiative Maximize Spell Silent Spell Spell Focus: Transmutation Greater Spell Focus Quicken Spell Spell Penetration Greater Spell Penetration Leadership (Moon Dog) Arcane Thesis (Disintigrate) Char #2: Fighter Point Blank Shot Rapid Shot Weapon Focus (Longbow) Precise Shot Weapon Specialization (Longbow) Weapon Finesse Leadership (Char #3 below) Defensive Archery Ranged Disarm Many Shot Char #3: Cleric/Sacred Exorcist Sacred Boost Extra Turning Reach Spell Right of Council Char #4: Druid Track Spontaneous Healing Mounted Combat Ride by Attack Char #5: Paladin Improved Smiting Improved Toughness Weapon Focus (longsword) True Believer
beepaladin 03-08-08, 08:09 PM	Char 1, a gestalted Paladin/Marshal True Believer (PrC requirement) Law Devotion Weapon focus Cuthbert's Smite Second Character, a Knight Close Quarters Defense Combat Reflexes Improved Buckler Defense Hold the Line
mplindustries 03-09-08, 01:40 AM	Most recently, a Binder/Knight of the Sacred Seal: Improved Binding Knowledge Devotion Mageslayer Pierce Magical Protection Power Attack Weapon Focus Point Blank Shot Precise Shot [From the Vestiges I bound, I frequently got Weapon Finesse and Combat Reflexes. It was a homebrew game and I chose a race that gave proficiency in a "Warbow" which did 1d12 damage. I think the DM realized after I started using it that it was overpowered, but apparently nobody every played an archer before... Anyway, my strategy was to use the aforementioned warbow and/or Otiax's Wind Blasts. I was going to take Two Weapon Fighting eventually so I could use both at once. My wind damage got pretty high with full power attacks + maxed knowledge skills with Knowledge Devotion] Before that, I played a Warblade: Combat Expertise Deadly Defense Improved Buckler Defense Power Attack Weapon Focus Weapon Specialization [It was the same homebrew setting and I chose a race that gave me proficiency in a setting specific weapon that was functionally identical to the Elven Courtblade [A two-handed finesse weapon]. I generally used Punishing Stance + Expertise + Deadly Defense to get +2d6 damage for effectively -2 to hit, then either power attack the rest, or full expertise and tank. It didn't last long though (only until level 8 (I think?) because I got a little bored. I hated the strikes for the most part because they don't work with Combat Expertise. I really just took warblade for the stances and extra skills.] I just want to mention briefly that I see Improved Initiative is very common, but to be honest, I really think its a horrible feat. If I lose initiative, big deal...if I can't survive one action in a combat, I think I have problems other than my initiative. Likewise, if I can kill my enemies or cripple them so badly they can't hurt me just by winning initiative, I don't think they're worth worrying about in the first place. +4 when you have 20 points of variance just doesn't seem worth it.
gixanthrax 03-09-08, 10:26 AM	broderik( Shadow Whispergnome rogue 8) dodge mobility spring attack darkstalker(for next level) hallimasch( human bard 6): lingering song extra music versatile performer spellcasting prodigy bork (feral Half-ogre Fighter 2/ Barbarian 3) Power attack cleave weapon focus greataxe leap attack boris frienndly (halfling rogue 6/ Ranger 2) twf quick draw point blank shot
Tallia 03-10-08, 09:25 AM	Rogue 3 / Wizard (Illusionist) 8 / Fighter 2 / Mindbender 1 / Duelist 1 / Arcane Trickster 1 Improved Initiative Alertness Weapon Finesse Dodge Craft Magic Arms and Armour Mobility Leadership Quick Draw Craft Wondrous Item Elusive Target Rogue 2 / Fighter 5 / Deepwood Sniper 2 Point Blank Shot Precise Shot Quick Draw Weapon Finesse Dodge Weapon Focus Far Shot Rapid Shot Wizard (Conjurer) 5 / Cleric 3 / Mystic Theurge 1 Spell Focus (conjuration) Practiced Caster (wizard) Augment Summoning Craft Wand Planar Familiar