Fighter/Sorcerer Feat Advice Please [Archive] - Wizards Community

Fighter/Sorcerer Feat Advice Please [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Stuntman
03-28-05, 10:05 PM I'll be playing a fighter 2/sorcerer 3 in a new campaign. I've completed it except I'm undecided on which feat to take for the fighter level 2 bonus feat. My character is more of a melee type who uses 2-handed and reach weapons. I have Power Attack, Cleave, Combat Reflexes and Combat Casting. I plan on taking Still Spell at level 6 and becoming a Spellsword at level 7.

I was thinking of either Improved Bull Rush, Improved Overrun, Improved Toughness, Improved Initiative or Dodge. Any other suggestions are welcome. Remember this is a fighter bonus feat, so I'm limited in what I can take.

Thanks, in advance.
Nom
03-28-05, 10:27 PM I'll be playing a fighter 2/sorcerer 3 in a new campaign. I've completed it except I'm undecided on which feat to take for the fighter level 2 bonus feat. My character is more of a melee type who uses 2-handed and reach weapons. I have Power Attack, Cleave, Combat Reflexes and Combat Casting. I plan on taking Still Spell at level 6 and becoming a Spellsword at level 7.

I was thinking of either Improved Bull Rush, Improved Overrun, Improved Toughness, Improved Initiative or Dodge. Any other suggestions are welcome. Remember this is a fighter bonus feat, so I'm limited in what I can take.Side comment: Skill Focus (Concentration) is generally better than Combat Casting (+3 to all Concentration checks vs +4 to Cast Defensively checks), unless you need it as a pre-req for something else.

I'd avoid Improved Bull Rush and Improved Overrun - you're a reach weapon fighter so you do not want to be close enough to use these feats. Improved Init could be useful to get first shot at casting. Dodge is not overly useful by itself, but picking up Mobility and Spring Attack gets you quite a bit of advantage if you are happy to hit and fade, forcing the opponent to provoke AoOs to reach you. If that's not where you're at, there's always the back-up option of Weapon Focus.
krichaiushii
03-28-05, 10:45 PM I second the comments regarding Skill Focus: Concentration vs Combat Casting.

That said, I would recommend Improved Initiative - as going first is always useful.
Daoud
03-28-05, 10:54 PM Improved Initative is the way to go for three reasons:

1) It will help you in every combat situation instead of just some like improved overrun
2) On the fighter side you get to smack down the enemy spellcaster/archer before they shoot you or hit you with a spell
3)On the Sorcerer side you get to lay the big nasty enemy fighter low with a will save

My two copper pieces

-son of Keep on the Borderlands
ehrin
03-28-05, 11:11 PM Yup, skill focus concentration (not combat casting), and always get improved initiative. It works in every situation!
Stuntman
03-28-05, 11:11 PM Side comment: Skill Focus (Concentration) is generally better than Combat Casting (+3 to all Concentration checks vs +4 to Cast Defensively checks), unless you need it as a pre-req for something else.
Good point. I forgot that Skill Focus gives you +3 in 3.5. :thumbsup:

I'd avoid Improved Bull Rush and Improved Overrun - you're a reach weapon fighter so you do not want to be close enough to use these feats.
I do use both reach and 2-handed weapons. I figured that I will be in positions where the reach weapon may not be that useful that I would need to switch in mid battle. I don't see being able to stay away all the time, so Improved Overrun and to a lesser extent, Improved Bull Rush may be useful.

Improved Init could be useful to get first shot at casting.
I was thinking the same.

Dodge is not overly useful by itself, but picking up Mobility and Spring Attack gets you quite a bit of advantage if you are happy to hit and fade, forcing the opponent to provoke AoOs to reach you. If that's not where you're at, there's always the back-up option of Weapon Focus.
I was looking for a way to get some better AC. I'm wearing breastplate instead of full plate because of the lower ASF and ACP. I was thinking of Dodge or Improved Toughness as a defensive feat. I don't plan on taking Mobility or Spring Attack at all.

Anyway, keep your comments coming. This is really helping. Thanks.
mikevw2
03-29-05, 08:51 AM Definately Improved Initiative. Have you considered Warmage or Battle wizard. I know Warmage can eventually wear up to medium armor with no ASF.
Stuntman
03-29-05, 06:26 PM Have you considered Warmage or Battle wizard. I know Warmage can eventually wear up to medium armor with no ASF.
I don't like the Warmage because there is only one spell on the Warmage's list that I am interested in learning. All of the other spells that I want are not in the Warmage list.

I don't know what a Battle Wizard is.
Yoho1.5
03-30-05, 11:05 AM What does the rest of your party consist of? What role does your Ftr/Sor have to fill? If your a secondary frontline fighter perhaps you should concider PBS & Precise Shot for some rays. OTOH you mentioned switching weapons so quick draw maybe a good idea, also if you do find that your using the reach weapon most, Improved Trip deserves some consideration. Lastly without knowing your campaign and party composition I'd have to agree with the other posters and go with Improved Intiative, it is one of those Feats that is is a good choice for any situation, and Skill Focus (concentration) is the best combat casting choice.
Stuntman
03-30-05, 11:28 AM There are three PC's. I know one guy is a rogue who will be a ranged combat type. I don't know about the other. We may have an NPC tank. I expect to be either a primary or secondary front line guy. That is why I anticipate having to switch weapons.

I do plan to take Quick Draw, but later when I get my second iterative attack. At this point, I don't think that Quick Draw is as useful as perhaps some other feats.

Also, what about Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Spiked Chain? If I take that, I won't need to worry about switching weapons. The only thing is the damage is less.

From the feedback, I'm leaning towards Improved Initiative.

I cannot take Improved Trip since I do not have Combat Expertise.
DM_Erik
03-30-05, 12:09 PM I think what mikevw2 meant was Battle Sorcerer. A core class from Unhearted Arcana that you might want to check out.. It offers a few bonuses of fighters in exchange for 1 less spell per level I believe...

Check it out..
DrMorganes
03-30-05, 01:13 PM I second the Battle Sorceror over a Fighter/Sorceror. Shoot me a Private Message and I'll send you a spreadsheet comparison of the two. If memory serves, the Battle Sorceror actually has more HP potential with the same BAB progression as the multiclass Ftr/Sor.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Stuntman 03-28-05, 10:05 PM	I'll be playing a fighter 2/sorcerer 3 in a new campaign. I've completed it except I'm undecided on which feat to take for the fighter level 2 bonus feat. My character is more of a melee type who uses 2-handed and reach weapons. I have Power Attack, Cleave, Combat Reflexes and Combat Casting. I plan on taking Still Spell at level 6 and becoming a Spellsword at level 7. I was thinking of either Improved Bull Rush, Improved Overrun, Improved Toughness, Improved Initiative or Dodge. Any other suggestions are welcome. Remember this is a fighter bonus feat, so I'm limited in what I can take. Thanks, in advance.
Nom 03-28-05, 10:27 PM	I'll be playing a fighter 2/sorcerer 3 in a new campaign. I've completed it except I'm undecided on which feat to take for the fighter level 2 bonus feat. My character is more of a melee type who uses 2-handed and reach weapons. I have Power Attack, Cleave, Combat Reflexes and Combat Casting. I plan on taking Still Spell at level 6 and becoming a Spellsword at level 7. I was thinking of either Improved Bull Rush, Improved Overrun, Improved Toughness, Improved Initiative or Dodge. Any other suggestions are welcome. Remember this is a fighter bonus feat, so I'm limited in what I can take.Side comment: Skill Focus (Concentration) is generally better than Combat Casting (+3 to all Concentration checks vs +4 to Cast Defensively checks), unless you need it as a pre-req for something else. I'd avoid Improved Bull Rush and Improved Overrun - you're a reach weapon fighter so you do not want to be close enough to use these feats. Improved Init could be useful to get first shot at casting. Dodge is not overly useful by itself, but picking up Mobility and Spring Attack gets you quite a bit of advantage if you are happy to hit and fade, forcing the opponent to provoke AoOs to reach you. If that's not where you're at, there's always the back-up option of Weapon Focus.
krichaiushii 03-28-05, 10:45 PM	I second the comments regarding Skill Focus: Concentration vs Combat Casting. That said, I would recommend Improved Initiative - as going first is always useful.
Daoud 03-28-05, 10:54 PM	Improved Initative is the way to go for three reasons: 1) It will help you in every combat situation instead of just some like improved overrun 2) On the fighter side you get to smack down the enemy spellcaster/archer before they shoot you or hit you with a spell 3)On the Sorcerer side you get to lay the big nasty enemy fighter low with a will save My two copper pieces -son of Keep on the Borderlands
ehrin 03-28-05, 11:11 PM	Yup, skill focus concentration (not combat casting), and always get improved initiative. It works in every situation!
Stuntman 03-28-05, 11:11 PM	Side comment: Skill Focus (Concentration) is generally better than Combat Casting (+3 to all Concentration checks vs +4 to Cast Defensively checks), unless you need it as a pre-req for something else. Good point. I forgot that Skill Focus gives you +3 in 3.5. :thumbsup: I'd avoid Improved Bull Rush and Improved Overrun - you're a reach weapon fighter so you do not want to be close enough to use these feats. I do use both reach and 2-handed weapons. I figured that I will be in positions where the reach weapon may not be that useful that I would need to switch in mid battle. I don't see being able to stay away all the time, so Improved Overrun and to a lesser extent, Improved Bull Rush may be useful. Improved Init could be useful to get first shot at casting. I was thinking the same. Dodge is not overly useful by itself, but picking up Mobility and Spring Attack gets you quite a bit of advantage if you are happy to hit and fade, forcing the opponent to provoke AoOs to reach you. If that's not where you're at, there's always the back-up option of Weapon Focus. I was looking for a way to get some better AC. I'm wearing breastplate instead of full plate because of the lower ASF and ACP. I was thinking of Dodge or Improved Toughness as a defensive feat. I don't plan on taking Mobility or Spring Attack at all. Anyway, keep your comments coming. This is really helping. Thanks.
mikevw2 03-29-05, 08:51 AM	Definately Improved Initiative. Have you considered Warmage or Battle wizard. I know Warmage can eventually wear up to medium armor with no ASF.
Stuntman 03-29-05, 06:26 PM	Have you considered Warmage or Battle wizard. I know Warmage can eventually wear up to medium armor with no ASF. I don't like the Warmage because there is only one spell on the Warmage's list that I am interested in learning. All of the other spells that I want are not in the Warmage list. I don't know what a Battle Wizard is.
Yoho1.5 03-30-05, 11:05 AM	What does the rest of your party consist of? What role does your Ftr/Sor have to fill? If your a secondary frontline fighter perhaps you should concider PBS & Precise Shot for some rays. OTOH you mentioned switching weapons so quick draw maybe a good idea, also if you do find that your using the reach weapon most, Improved Trip deserves some consideration. Lastly without knowing your campaign and party composition I'd have to agree with the other posters and go with Improved Intiative, it is one of those Feats that is is a good choice for any situation, and Skill Focus (concentration) is the best combat casting choice.
Stuntman 03-30-05, 11:28 AM	There are three PC's. I know one guy is a rogue who will be a ranged combat type. I don't know about the other. We may have an NPC tank. I expect to be either a primary or secondary front line guy. That is why I anticipate having to switch weapons. I do plan to take Quick Draw, but later when I get my second iterative attack. At this point, I don't think that Quick Draw is as useful as perhaps some other feats. Also, what about Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Spiked Chain? If I take that, I won't need to worry about switching weapons. The only thing is the damage is less. From the feedback, I'm leaning towards Improved Initiative. I cannot take Improved Trip since I do not have Combat Expertise.
DM_Erik 03-30-05, 12:09 PM	I think what mikevw2 meant was Battle Sorcerer. A core class from Unhearted Arcana that you might want to check out.. It offers a few bonuses of fighters in exchange for 1 less spell per level I believe... Check it out..
DrMorganes 03-30-05, 01:13 PM	I second the Battle Sorceror over a Fighter/Sorceror. Shoot me a Private Message and I'll send you a spreadsheet comparison of the two. If memory serves, the Battle Sorceror actually has more HP potential with the same BAB progression as the multiclass Ftr/Sor.