Making Fighters Complete - Feats for Fighters Only

[Freesword]

The Pathfinder Fighter is a clear improvement over SRD. No question of that. I am one of those that still feel it is missing something. Something to encourage high level fighters instead of the BAB and Feat dip or Prestige classing for unique abilities. The usual approach taken to addressing this is to add class features. I favor a different approach. Why not build on their existing class feature. I mean of course feats.

Specifically I am suggesting fighter exclusive feats. Give them prerequisites of a minimum fighter level of 5 or higher since that is when the fighter most needs a boost.

The following are some of the ideas I've had that could be used for these fighter only feats:

* Allowing the fighter to make an opposed attack roll once per round to parry an incoming attack

* Building on the previous feat, allowing allowing a single attack (riposte) on a successful parry

* An insight bonus to AC for knowing what an opponents next attack is likely to be (knowing how to counter different fighting styles.

* A bonus to AC for wearing light armor for agile fighter types.

* Add Int bonus to REF save

* Add Con to WILL save

* Insight bonus to saves vs spells and spell like abilities. (fight enough wizards and you start to know what to expect)

* Ignore 5 points of damage reduction.

I know some of these feats would be well suited to other classes, but fighter get little that is uniquely their own. Weapon specialization set the precedent, so it is not unheard of. Also other classes get feats unique to them that have a class ability prerequisite. There is no reason not to have a set of Fighter Feats.

This could go farther than anything else to end the fighter BAB and Feat dip and can keep fighters relevant at higher levels. It would allow maximum freedom to customize the fighter without pigeon holing them into one specific concept like a MMOs and from the sound of it 4E. Best of all, since it uses the existing Feat mechanic it is 100% backward compatible.

[KnightErrantJR]

I don't think there should be more fighter only feats, per se, but I do like the idea from the Book of Experimental Might II that fighters, if they take a feat with their "fighter feat" slot, get a special bonus from a feat that others that take the feat don't get.

[Duncan & Dragons]

If you like the ideas of giving Fighters a 'bonus' check out this thread (I can not 'linkify');
http://paizo.com/paizo/messageboards/paizoPublishing/pathfinder/pathfinderR PG/feedback/alpha2/skillsFeats/featsDoMore.

He does not limit the idea to Fighters only. He purposes that ALL feats give you an 'always on/at will' power and a 'per encounter' special power. You could take this idea and limit the 'per encounter' power to Fighters. Actually you could change it slightly and give 'daily' powers to certain feats and 'per encounter' powers to feat trees.

Who needs fourth edition.

[KnightErrantJR]

But . . . um . . . then the fighter doesn't get anything special . . . again . . .

[Duncan & Dragons]

I said you could limit these type of feats to fighters. I just meant he had put a lot of work into what these powers are by feat. Just steal the fighter related feats.

[Freesword]

KnightErrantJR wrote:

I don't think there should be more fighter only feats, per se, but I do like the idea from the Book of Experimental Might II that fighters, if they take a feat with their "fighter feat" slot, get a special bonus from a feat that others that take the feat don't get.

I like this idea very much. It addresses the fact that most of the feats that would benefit a fighter are already general feats available to anyone and maintains a distinct "Fighter Class Feature" feel. It can also make some of the weaker feats and those with diminishing returns at higher levels more attractive and relevant.

Using this, I would revise my idea of Fighter only feats to a mere handful that would best be viewed as "Optional" High Level (10+) Fighter Class Features. (on par with Rogue advanced talents)

[ecobos]

I think fighters should have unique class abilities that don't require the player to choose but provide versatility without adding complexity.
A bonus to hit and damage with all weapons is very simple but gives many options to the fighter. E.g. a fighter may switch weapon and combat style, melee to ranged, two handed, one handed, two weapons without sacrificing damage potential even from round to round.