Cleave centered fighter build


Advice


Hello everyone, I need advice on a possible fighter build based around cleave: first of all I need to ask if you think this kind of fighter could be a viable option or just a subpar choice (mechanically speaking).

Second, assuming the build is viable, how to do it? I think a dwarf fighter with dorn dregar mastery (using a dorn dregar of course, sinc eit allows you to shorten your reach if needed), darting viper and all those feats needed to get giant killer, but maybe there are better options


1. Power Attack, Cleave
2. Cleaving Finish
3. Weapon Focus (Darn Degar, because Cleave only procs if it hits)
4. Great Cleave
5. Weapon Specialization (more dmg = more Cleaving Finish)
6. Improved Cleaving Finish

--Optional stuff--
7. Furious Focus
8. Dodge
9. Mobility
10. Spring Attack
11. Combat Expertise
12. Whirlwind Attack
13. Combat Patrol

I dont believe in dumping atributes so:

if 20 Point buy:

Str 18 Dex 13 Con 12 Int 13 Wis 12 Cha 10

very balanced stats, with human.


I went 2HF archetype with mine, up to level 7 (Dorn Dergar is a 2h weapon for double Str) and then took 5 levels of rogue. You want the highest Mithral Medium armor you can get (if you care about evasion and uncanny dodge), or just go full plate if you trade those out with a rogue archetype.

Bear with me, I know most people say rogues suck. But, if you look at the ARG, and the Surprise Follow Thru and Imp Surprise Follow Thru feats, you will see that they do not require you to be a half-orc, they just put them in that section because one archetype gets them added for rogues.

I don't mind dumped Stats, so I'd start with
Str 17 Dex 14 Con 16 Int 8 Wis 12 Cha 6
on a dwarf, for those wonderful feats with a cleaving build. Increase Str with all, and really get it up there for the double str damage option. You could also do
Str 17 Dex 14 Con 14 Int 10 Wis 12 Cha 8 (only lowered stat is from racial)

Damage numbers are bare, no magic items and no buffs factored in.

Attack/Damage at level 4: +8, d10+11 All medium or smaller enemies within reach. (reasonable to expect another +1/2 attack/damage from items, -2/+6 PA)
Attack/Damage at level 8: +12, d10+9 (+1d6 to any target after 1st, reasonable to expect +4/5 to attack/damage from items, -3/+9 PA)
Attack Damage at level 12: +15, d10+11 (+3d6 to all after 1st, reasonable to expect +6/7 to attack damage from items, -4/+12 PA)

Magic Buffs should easily balance the PA penalty, as well as adding damage.

Start Fighter, then switch to rogue for a while (5-8 levels, but you could go all the way, only using your highest attack means you will pretty much hit with all the bonuses)

1, Power Attack, Cleave
2, Goblin Cleaver
3, Orc Hewer
4, Great Cleave
5, Darting Viper
6, Combat Reflexes
7(Rogue1), Surprise Follow Thru, +1d6 on cleaves and denied dex 1
8(Fighter7)
9(Rogue2), Imp Surprise Follow Thru, Fast Getaway(RT): after making a sneak attack, can withdraw as a move instead of full round, great cleave is a standard action, so long as you hit at least 2 targets at full BAB you're golden to single move as a withdraw so first square doesn't provoke.
10(Rogue3), 2d6 sneak on cleaves and denied dex
11(Rogue4)Cleave Thru, Either Offensive Defense or Befuddling Strike(RT), to make up for the -2 AC from Cleaving)
12(Rogue5), +3d6 sneak on cleaves and denied dex to AC
13(Fighter8), Strike Back, Giant Killer
14(Rogue6), Slow Reactions(RT) So after running in and great cleaving the whole area, anyone you hit with sneak attack can't make AoOs, now your allies can move in freely. Could be taken earlier, depending on party make up.

If planning 8 levels of rogue, go scout. That way, when you move into combat, the first guy is flat footed too.
If planning less, go Rake for the free intimidate on a hit, then take intimidating prowess (feat or RT) or a trait that makes intimidate str based (not sure if there is one, there's several switch stats for social skill traits).
You could also go Thug, and take Enforcer and Bludgeoner feats if you don't mind non-lethal, replacing Strike Back and Giant Killer I would guess, if the campaign doesn't use a lot of large creatures, or you can be enlarged regularly.

Shadow Lodge

Use a Dwarven Double Waraxe because of the bonus to Cleave and because it's cool. Decent stats too.

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