Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Kragar's Shadow 11-20-07, 08:14 AM	Hello all, I'm currently playing a 5th level Hexblade about to reach 6th and I'm looking for some feat suggestions. Here's a little background: Garvwyn Weo (Hexblade 5, Juran [homebrewed race]) Str 14; Dex 14; Con 12; Int 12; Wis 10; Cha 18 AC 20 (+1 chain shirt, +2 ring, +1 natural armour amulet) Feats: Ability Focus (Curse), Combat Reflexes, Spell Focus Enchantment The character uses a ranseur in combat as it's the race's favoured weapon and they get racial bonuses to piercing weapons. The party: Dwarf Warmage Human Scout (archery based) NPC cloistered cleric (mostly just heals and does knowledge checks) Human fighter, deceased (Taking pretty much everything on the Power Attack chain) The Fighter just went out in a blaze of glory and that player is looking at doing something different. The last build I think he mentioned was Swashbuckler/Wizard. This means we're short one tank and my hexblade starts to look like the closest thing. So my question is what feat should I take? Suggestions for later feats are also appreciated. I may also look into multiclassing in the next few levels to fill out the party, but I want to take my 6th level in Hexblade for the extra +1 to the curse DC. Considerations: Leadership so I could bring in a heavy armour, tower shield dwarf to stand behind. Power Attack to help out my damage potential and for future feats. Expert Tactitian (CAdv) would give more bonuses after AOO but there's not as much melee presence in the party. Thank you in advance for the suggestions.
RobbyPants 11-20-07, 09:09 AM	Well, if you're looking for multiclassing, the Dragon Disciple (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/prestigeClasses/dragonDisciple.htm) is actually not a bad choice for a melee-oriented hexblade. You'll need 8 ranks in Knowledge(Arcana), but there are no feat requirements. As for feats, I would guess you'll want to focus on something melee oriented, if you're replacing the fighter. One option is to start wearing heavier armor. With the Battle Caster feat, you can cast in medium armor (allowing for mithril fullplate even). The only problem with this is you also need proficiency in medium armor, which means you either have to spend two feats or multiclass out. If you're not too worried about your spellcasting, you could dip one level into fighter. Another option (if your DM allows it) is to play one of the evil paladin variants. Two levels of that would allow you to add your nice +4 Cha bonus to your saves and grant you better armor proficiency. Another thing to consider is a way to increase your size. The easiest is to get the ability to cast (or use items to cast) Enlarge Person on yourself. If you use a ransuer and you're the only fighter, hitting guys further back can only be a good thing. Although, as to specific feats, I guess I'm sort of drawing a blank right now. If you wanted to go the reach route, you could always take Combat Expertise and Improved Disarm (as ransuers get bonuses to disarm). Tripping is also nice, but you need the right weapon to be able to do it. Saddly, your ransuer won't work. Although, if you're willing to blow yet another feat, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Spiked Chain) can be good. You said the homebrew race gets bonuses on piercing weapons? I'd be a nice way to add some tactical elements to your fighting.
The_Shaman 11-20-07, 09:40 AM	Power attack is good, get it whenever possible. I would also point you in the direction of the Draconomicon Frightful Presence feat, which gives you an area-based debuff similar to a dragon's FP. It requires high charisma, which you have, and iirc 9? ranks in intimidate.
RobbyPants 11-20-07, 10:01 AM	Power attack is good, get it whenever possible. I would also point you in the direction of the Draconomicon Frightful Presence feat, which gives you an area-based debuff similar to a dragon's FP. It requires high charisma, which you have, and iirc 9? ranks in intimidate. I'm hitting myself right now for not thinking about Power Attack. :P Full BAB + two handed weapon + Power Attack = win Frightful presence sounds like it could be cool to, especially for a debuff-focused fighter.
VulcanStormwrath 11-20-07, 10:15 AM	One level of Warlock lets you use the same main stat, gives you a ranged attack and with Hideous Blow adds a d6 to your weapon damage. Battle Caster allows you to tank up armor-wise. Necropolis born gives you Cause Fear, Ghost Sound and Touch of Fatigue as SLA's which really works for a creepy debuffing pitchfork weilding guy.
Darth Sephiroth 11-20-07, 10:19 AM	The Hex feats from Dragon can be a very useful thing to choose.
Dog_O_War 11-20-07, 12:49 PM	Take leadership. Bring in another Hexblade. Have him get the Dark companion from the PHBII. Have him use a guisarme (reach weapon capable of tripping), and have him learn invisibility when he get's the appropriate spell level. His AoO are very useful for breaking charges, as well as giving you the greatest advantage when engauged in a melee fight; an opponent at your feet. That, and when he's invised, it adds a chaos element to the enemies' plans, giving you the tactical advantage of unpredictability while being able to retain your own strategies. Hell, if you wanted to, you could both take cooperative casting to get even higher DC's (though, this is often just a waste).