Foehammer / Barbarian Bullrush / Trip build

[Timdog]

I’ve used a version of this build previously and it worked rather well, I’m just looking to finish it off and that’s where I’d like some help.

The race would have to be dwarf because of the foehammer archetype, and the reason I want this archetype is the level 7 power – anytime I successfully bulrush someone I get a free trip attack. I will take the relentless raciably ability so +2 to bulrush

B1 Weapon focus longhammer (reach two handed hammer)
B2 Knockback
B3 Power attack
B4 Quick reflexes (extra aoo while raging, useful due to reach weapon)
F1 Weapon specialty, Improved bulrush
F2 Greater bulrush
F3 combat expertise, +2 to trip/bulrush while wielding a hammer
F4 Imp trip
F5 greater trip
F6 ? combat reflexes
F7 ?

At this point I could go a few routes. I could go back to barbarian, or I could go more foehammer. I could follow the dwarven cleave tree, which works because of the reach weapon, or I could go whirlwind, same reason. I’ll have a magic item that lets me go monstrous physique 2 twice daily so I can become large at will, to further increase my range with the hammer as well as make sure I can bulrush big/hard targets.

So by level 11 I have a +6 to trip +8 to bulrush, can replace any attack with a bulrush once/turn and if the bulrush works I get a free trip. Any successful bulrush or trip also causes AOO from my friends.

We aren’t sure if this is RAW or not, but my DM ruled that I can choose how far back the person goes if I beat their check by too much, so the goal is to hit people at range with my hammer, and if they close in to melee I bulrush them back only 5ft, hopefully knocking them down, then use the rest of my attacks with my reach hammer on them.

How would you finish this off?

[Mark_Twain007]

Were you going to go a barbarian archetype, or just vanilla barbarian?

[Timdog]

My DM tends to restrict to one archetype. You could plan either way, and could try and sweet talk the DM if you point out a particularily good one.

[Timdog]

Where are all the evil geniuses to make my DM cry?? :)

[Skizm]

Have you considered Overrun instead of bullrush?

Improved you knock them down, Greater you knock them down and get AoO, Charge Through you do all that while running up and hitting the next guy.

I do this with sunder so I can leave a trail of downed armorless foes in my wake.

Otherwise, raging throw?

[Timdog]

right, yes raging throw is essential

[Rodinia]

Have you considered getting Combat Reflexes, instead of Weapon Focus, at 1st level? You start with a reach weapon. Combat Reflexes gives you extra attacks. Extra attacks are worth a lot more than +1 to hit. Seems weird that a reach fighter would neglect Combat Reflexes, the basis of your fighting style, until 10th level ...

[Timdog]

I was planning on max str so wouldn't have the Dex to use combat reflexes till later levels.mostly because I want to maximize my bullrush and trip rolls

[Rodinia]

Just the ability to make AoOs when flatfooted justifies Combat Reflexes. Getting extra AoOs from 12+ DEX is gravy. You'd really give up extra attacks so your single attack could be slightly better?

[Timdog]

That's assume people are giving me aoes which in my experience starts later - being a more reliable hitter and getting specialization earlier is important to me yes.

Any suggestions for the later part of the build? I'm sorta lost after level 10 overall