So I was looking into a recommendation made to me in another thread to make a Lore Warden and then move into Duelist as a prestige class.
I was wondering how else I can exploit Intelligence as a fighter besides using it as a prereq for some nice combat maneuver feats.
Obviously as a Duelist I would have to use a One-handed Piercing weapon, so that precludes feats like Focused Shot.
Are there any other feats or level dips that let me apply intelligence to other things?
Kirin style chain works well if you have time to plan for the battle
Same with some student if war(Prestige class) ability
Kirin style chain works well if you have time to plan for the battle
Interesting option, I don't like the +5 difficulty on the identify roll though. I'd definitely need a high INT to succeed every time. I kind of like the passive INT bonus to armor that the Duelist or Student of War gives a little more for defensive purposes, but I guess the saving throw bonus is nice.
I do like the swift action.
Same with some student if war(Prestige class) ability
Student of War is also an interesting combination with Lore Warden.
I don't really like how the armor stacking REPLACES Dex though, because in the particular campaign I'm playing I'm likely going to have a racial dex modifier based on my race options.
Some of the other abilities are worth considering and it does have the advantage over the Duelist that I could do more with my weapon besides one-handing a piercing weapon.
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If your going to have good dexterity and Intelligence, Kensai Magus is a good substitute for the Duelist. Same armor ability, but you start dealing with spells. You also can add shield bonuses to AC via spells, and the spell combat ability (Full attack while casting spells).
If your pumping your int way high I'd recommend the Kensai, personally. They get TONS of things that work off of int. And since your starting with Lore Warden, you get your armor proficiency back. The only downside is the arcane spell failure chance. Mithril armors can help there, and a couple of feats (but they use swift actions, bleh). Ceremonial Silk Armor has no arcane spell failure, but with only +1 AC. Thats a good option if you only want the armor for the enchantments.
Kirin style, as stated before, is a good idea. If you want to grapple a bunch, White Haired Witch, just for the grab ability based off of intelligence, is good too.
Just some ideas :)
Btw all of these intelligence based abilities are by no means optimized, and I recome d you think over the differences between a normal front liner to make sure you will not be too disappointed
I understand there are ways to make these types of defensive builds work, but damage wise they often suck, and are reliant on certain types of combats
I would still have fun playi. Something g like this though, if I built it well.
Well, for another int based prestige option, you could go assassin. While this is traditionally considered an option for rogues, there is nothing stopping you from taking the class once you have the prerequisites (which are only a few ranks in a couple of skills, plus the whole 'remorseless murder' thing). Actually, an assassin would probably benefit more from being fighter based since it would have a stronger melee foundation.
Admittedly, all you would get with this path would be a slightly higher DC for your death attack. And this is hardly an optimal choice. It is still interesting though, depending on how it is played.