Built a dwarf fighter using a large (2hd) warhammer. Gained the name "Goblin Crusher". Wondering about feats moving on.

[Goblin Crusher]

First, thanks for reading/commenting on this post. I've only played one session ever, and used HeroLab as my main character building guide along with the core rule book. I am just looking for feedback, as I have never played a tabletop rpg before.

Currently at 2nd lvl:
STR 16
DEX 14
CON 18 (base 16)
INT 15
WIS 15 (base 13)
CHA 13 (base 15)
(I think I rolled pretty well???)

I am the tank of the group. I took Improved Initiative and Intimidating Prowess at 1st lvl, and Power Attack at 2nd lvl. AC is 18 (found a half plate). I have pretty much just taken the fighter class skills and bumped them up, along with crafting jewelry and armor (more for the role-playing side).

I smash. That's about it. I've read through the feats, and I understand that as a fighter I'll have PLENTY of them. I am wondering if there are any in particular that I should choose. Should I be more concerned with dealing damage? Higher HP? Bumping up my (horrible) saves? What experience have you had with building similar characters? Thanks, again!

[Rerednaw]

Goblin Crusher wrote:

First, thanks for reading/commenting on this post. I've only played one session ever, and used HeroLab as my main character building guide along with the core rule book. I am just looking for feedback, as I have never played a tabletop rpg before.

dwarf build:

Currently at 2nd lvl:
STR 16
DEX 14
CON 18 (base 16)
INT 15
WIS 15 (base 13)
CHA 13 (base 15)
(I think I rolled pretty well???)

I am the tank of the group. I took Improved Initiative and Intimidating Prowess at 1st lvl, and Power Attack at 2nd lvl. AC is 18 (found a half plate). I have pretty much just taken the fighter class skills and bumped them up, along with crafting jewelry and armor (more for the role-playing side).

I smash. That's about it. I've read through the feats, and I understand that as a fighter I'll have PLENTY of them. I am wondering if there are any in particular that I should choose. Should I be more concerned with dealing damage? Higher HP? Bumping up my (horrible) saves? What experience have you had with building similar characters? Thanks, again!

Many variables.

Campaign setting?
Wealth?
Combat heavy, roleplay heavy, both?
GM gamestyle?

The role you selected was tank. Typically that's high defense and threat. There's no threat mechanic in Pathfinder, so most folks go the high damage in your face route to attract attention.

Not having a shield means your defenses will be lower. Combat Expertise, 3 ranks of acrobatics for fighting defensively may be in order.

If you stay fighter, weapon focus and weapon specialization are a good combination.

Your hp will be above average (no idea again on your campaign type).
Your fighter saves will be lackluster, but fortunately you have dwarf resistances. Still consider fitting Iron Will in your feat selection by around 5th-7th level.

Dazzling display, Dazing Assault, Shatter Defenses are decent feat chains to consider. Avoid any feat chain that focuses on combat maneuvers, with the exception of sunder. Most monsters still scale drastically and trip/bull rush builds become very difficult to maintain at higher levels.

edit: Forgot Cornugan smash is also popular...

Most importantly go with gives the most fun!

[Cheburn]

Goblin Crusher wrote:

First, thanks for reading/commenting on this post. I've only played one session ever, and used HeroLab as my main character building guide along with the core rule book. I am just looking for feedback, as I have never played a tabletop rpg before.

Currently at 2nd lvl:
STR 16
DEX 14
CON 18 (base 16)
INT 15
WIS 15 (base 13)
CHA 13 (base 15)
(I think I rolled pretty well???)

I am the tank of the group. I took Improved Initiative and Intimidating Prowess at 1st lvl, and Power Attack at 2nd lvl. AC is 18 (found a half plate). I have pretty much just taken the fighter class skills and bumped them up, along with crafting jewelry and armor (more for the role-playing side).

I smash. That's about it. I've read through the feats, and I understand that as a fighter I'll have PLENTY of them. I am wondering if there are any in particular that I should choose. Should I be more concerned with dealing damage? Higher HP? Bumping up my (horrible) saves? What experience have you had with building similar characters? Thanks, again!

I would try to get your Will save in particular up. And if you're tanking, some HP/AC is never bad to have. Just remember, you need to be a threat if you want to be attacked, and balance out your feats based on what you're seeing during your campaign. Here are some of my favorites for Fighter. Also keep in mind, depending on your DM it may be worthwhile to carry a shield / 1H for backup.

I've picked up Dazzling Display / Shatter Defenses before, and I've been underwhelmed by how much they give me for the investment. I do love Cornugon Smash, but that is from Cheliax and may not be allowed.

Dazing Assault can be nice (especially if you get Enlarged), but the save DC is Fort 10+BAB, so as you level, many more challenging opponents will often save, even if you can hit them (e.g. at lvl 20, a Balor has a +29 Fort save, and has to roll a 1 to save ...) Still, it's great when it works (you can build a Dazing Assault + Whirlwind Attack build and get some decent battlefield control if you want).

Here are some of the feats that I personally like for a pure melee Fighter (assuming you don't want to go with a Ranged backup build).

Saves
Iron Will
Improved Iron Will
Steel Soul (Dwarf)

Offensive
Lunge (some defensive benefits too, as you won't eat AoO to get close to something with a 10' reach)
Combat Reflexes
Weapon Focus
Greater Weapon Focus
Step Up

Defensive
Dodge
Ironhide (Dwarf)
Improved Natural Armor (multiple if you want)
Combat Expertise
Toughness

IT'S A TRAP!
Weapon Specialization
Greater Weapon Specialization

[Paladin of Baha-who?]

Rather than using a large - sized war hammer, use an Earthbreaker instead. It's a two - handed hammer that does 2d6. You could also look at the dwarven longhammer, which is about the same but has reach. Reach is a great way of making sure enemies don't just walk around you to attack your squishier party members.

[cnetarian]

As a dwarf fighter I'd seriously look at cleave/great cleave combined with lunge & a reach weapon (and if available the goblin-cleaver/orc-hewer/giant-killer feats from the advanced race guide) - cleaving is a standard action which means you can move and attack in the same round. Highly dependent on the type of encounters though, it shines in encounters with groups which cluster into melee combat and isuseless when fighting single targets.

Will saves are awful for fighters, but most are spells and with a 15 starting WIS & dwarven hardiness for +2 you will be alright for a while, consider iron will (a non-combat feat) about level 9. Dazzling display is an underwhelming feat for fighters as it is a full round action, fighters have problems with the action economy.

[Serum]

Cleave Through is also useful.