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I'm going down the Greater Beast Totem "Pounce" approach and wondered if this would be a side benefit. Looks like it wouldn't be.

As I wrote this, I figured I answered my own question, but I had to see what others thought.

Thanks!

I have a brawler sort of Barbarian that I want to use to knockout and subdue opponents. A boxer sort. Lesser Beast Totem seems to fit into this, but I'm not sure if I would need unarmed strike or some sort of equipment to make my fists non-lethal "pacifiers" instead of Nicholas Cage hands that need to be registered as lethal weapons.

Thoughts? Do I need to take the -4 penalty to non-lethal someone down if I have Lesser Beast Totem?

Ok, that makes sense. I figured iterative attacks would be able to get past it, but if I attack with that hand, it can't grab a weapon, even if it is a free action to do so.

:D

Just making sure!

Another question on this... Activating the Dancing Sword pre-engagement and storming in.

If I do my attacks, can I grab the weapon as a free action and perform an iterative attack? This is totally pushing it, but I might as well ask. Or can Natural Attacks only be secondary and only used after a weapon?

Ok! That works for me!

Yeah, I'm wielding a greatsword in this case, but it's also a dancing greatsword, so before I engaged, I burn a round to make it dancing and charge in with natural weapons with the dancing sword at my side.

At least, uh, it sounds more dramatic than it actually is. With Pounce, though, this could be a lot of fun.

I've read through other posts about this and I need some clarification:

• If I move then attack, I get one claw.
  
• If I do a full round attack, I get two claws.
  
• Natural Weapons are "not iterative" meaning past 6th, I can't get another 2 x 2 claw swipe.
  

So, if I get in close or, eventually pounce, I get 1d6 + Total Enraged Strength (+6) + Power Attack per claw (+2/4 Levels). Wow! And this could possibly be available at level 2.

But past 6th level, I still only get 2 claws with a full round attack?

So, a little RAW around Claw Attacks:

The Primary Attack is what is mentioned at the beginning of this post, but Secondary Attacks look a lot like a Player's second attack at 6th level.

Secondary Attacks are if you use a weapon and a claw, but it seems like you should be able to get an iterative attack if you're positioned correctly?

I have absolutely no idea what mechanics you are talking about.

I think I need to look into weapon creation stats. I have a feeling this thing is way overpowered.

Anyway... thanks!

Would you do that if she looked like this?

http://elcman.blogspot.com/

Thanks for the thoughts, LazarX.

So, quick question about enhancement bonus?

This is a living blade that "unlocks" with use, with the counter being that it can drag me into battle against my will. I could burn off the points to keep it under control, but as soon as it reached an unlock, it would take on those characteristics.

7 points - Defiant (Ego +1) (Enhancement +1)
12 points - Called (Ego +1) (Enhancement +1)
20 points - Phase Locking (Ego +1) (Enhancement +2)
25 Dancing - Dancing (Ego +4) (Enhancement +4)

So, if fully unlocked, does that mean this blade should be a ... my god, a +8 blade? Or do the pluses show up in other ways?

I'm running into a conundrum with this ability and I'd like to know how people are using this?

I have this phenomenal weapon that has the ability to be a dancing blade. I'm a barbarian, which, I know, seems counter to the character's magic suspicious nature, but... we've worked around that in, uh, ways.

So, I'm finding that Dancing Blade is a bit weak in a few ways:

• Standard Action to release.
  
• Only bonuses are what it is inherently capable of.
  
• Occupies the same space as the character.
  
• Four Rounds.
  

Considering, in a fully raged state, I do 2d6+17 damage with Power Attack, letting go of the blade as a standard action gives me a 2d6+2, missing +15 damage for that round.

I can't release and direct the blade forward on its own to attack and follow in with a secondary blade. Yes, there's a lot of metagaming here, but stepping up to a baddie means I am opening myself to a series of Full Round attacks.

Releasing the blade early and the charging on my turn means I get 3 rounds instead of 4, plus, if already engaged. But again, it means my first attack on something close is much diminished. I need to be pure striker, which makes something a question like this matter.

So... with all that being said, does anyone have suggestions on the best approach for use of a dancing blade since... it's a long ways off from what it was in the 3.0-3.5 books?

Any thoughts would be appreciated. :D

Totally biffed this and put it in the wrong section. :/

I'm running into a conundrum with this ability.

I have this phenomenal weapon that has the ability to be a dancing blade. I'm a barbarian, which, I know, seems counter to the character's magic suspicious nature, but... we've worked around that in, uh, ways.

So, I'm finding that Dancing Blade is a bit weak in a few ways:
* Standard Action to release.
* Only bonuses are what it is inherently capable of.
* Occupies the same space as the character.
* Four Rounds.

Considering, in a fully raged state, I do 2d6+17 damage with Power Attack, letting go of the blade as a standard action gives me a 2d6+2, missing +15 damage for that round.

I can't release and direct the blade forward on its own to attack and follow in with a secondary blade. Yes, there's a lot of metagaming here, but stepping up to a baddie means I am opening myself to a series of Full Round attacks.

Releasing the blade early and the charging on my turn means I get 3 rounds instead of 4, plus, if already engaged, it means my first attack on something close is much diminished.

So... with all that being said, does anyone have suggestions on the best approach for use of a dancing blade since... it's a long ways off from what it was in the 3.0-3.5 books?

Any thoughts would be appreciated. :D

Beast Totem does sound interesting. The problem for me is the claw attacks are kind of a throwaway thing for me. I'll look into it for the AC bonus. It gets hard because ... after a while, everything hits you anyway.

The Pounce, though, would be VERY handy at high levels.

Going partial Alchemist kinda defeats the purpose of my character, unfortunately. I'm playing more for story than for maximized potential. I was hoping to overcome some of the AC deficiency with themed equipment, but Beast Totem might be a good, consistent bonus with the tasty Pounce at the end.

Thanks!

So, I'm playing a Barbarian and I've been feeling extra hittable with the stuff my GM is throwing at me.

That being said, I'm usually the (second) biggest thing on the battlefield and I want to get a little more AC than my meager armor.

Bucklers or something like a gladiator arm shield to give me an additional "shield" bonus to my AC when I want to fight defensively or full defense. I know I could amp up on rings and so forth, but ... I'd like something a little more thematic.

Thoughts?

Perfect!

I have a 12 Dex and 18 Str, so I'll lose 1 AC and lose 1 to-hit/damage as well during the fatigued rounds. Not a bad tradeoff, even if -7 (-2 Power Attack, -4 Fight Defensively, -1 (-2 Str fatigued)) is a pretty intense to hit loss, but I have at-will enhancements that can get me around that, if needed.

I'm also sporting the Superstition Rage Power, so when I need to guarantee a full heal, I won't be as anxious to do so.

Thanks! :D

Can I Fight Defensively and declare a Power Attack on top of that?

It seems like the rules allow it, but I haven't seen a confirmation. Basically, take a -6 to hit and get a +4 to AC?

In a protracted fight, I want to be able to get a bit more use out of some of my 1 per rage abilities. Rage for one round, then using Fight Defensively with Power Attack to allow me to stand on the front lines for two rounds with decent damage and AC, which will allow me to rage again without penalties.

Thoughts?