Fighter: not talking about feats (much)


Classes: Barbarian, Fighter, and Ranger

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I understand Jason doesn't want to get into the nitty gritty on feats yet, so I'll avoid specifics and take Jason's assurance that all the feats will be sufficiently bad-ass when we get there. But since the fighter, and to a lesser extent other warriors, depend on combat feats so much, hopefully it's cool to talk about them in a general way as they relate to the classes, especially the fighter. I'll try to bold the bits that are class-specific changes.

In an ideal universe, here's what I'd like to see:

1) A series of feats that add static, weapon-specific bonuses (Focus, Specialization, Improved Crit, and the greater versions). These (including Specialization) would be open to any class (with pre-reqs based on BAB), but I'd adopt the suggestion that Fighter's can apply weapon-specific feats to any weapon in a group in which they have Weapon Training. Because Weapon Training isn't available until 5th level, dipping isn't a problem (5 levels ain't really dip ...)

2) A series of feats adding additional combat options when using weapons from a specific weapon group (ie. Axes, Heavy Blades, etc.) Rather than adding static bonuses, these feats would add situational options or effects and would have a pre-requisite of Weapon Training (possibly of various levels) in that weapon group, essentially making them fighter-only.

3) Four or five fighting-style feat trees, encompassing tropes such Two-Handed Weapons, Two-Weapon Fighting, Sword-and-Board, Archery and Mounted Combat. These, again, would be open to all based on BAB. Ideally, each feat tree would include 5-6 feats: three core feats (available at low, medium and high level) and 2-3 auxiliary feats adding options or bonuses that are supplemental, but not essential to the style's theme. If each tree includes 5-6 feats, then the fighter, with his 21 feats over 20 levels, can master 2-3 styles with a few feats left over for basics (Toughness, Iron Will, Skill Focus, etc.) and weapon-specific stuff, while other warriors (with 10 or so feats) can master one, with a few feats left over for class-specific abilities.

And while I'm on the topic of Sword-and-Board -- I like many of the S&B feats in the Beta, but they essentially turn the S&B-er into a two-weapon fighter. This increases rolls (which I gripe about below) and while it's ok for some players, I'd like to see more feats that add static bonuses (always-on feats, rather than "add-options" feats). Players, whether newbs or lazy veterans, need to be able to build a character that doesn't require too many choices in combat, and the fighter traditionally has fit that bill. So while I'd keep the feats that let a fighter attack with his shield and retain the AC bonus, I'd add some that grant a miss chance or something if he doesn't attack with it (and isn't using a gods-be-infinitely-damned animated shield.)

I also support adding the "ignore speed reduction in armor" ability to Armor Training, and I think the DR granted by the fighter's Armor Mastery needs to be gained at an earlier level, then boosted higher up. And, as has been mentioned elsewhere, Medium Armor (other than the breastplate) needs to not suck so much.

Weapon Mastery, too, could come earlier, at least partially. Maybe have the "crits automatically confirmed" bit come at 15th or 17th level, then the damage multiplier at 20th. I'm actually opposed to making Weapon Training add +1 hit/+d6 damage. I think the current damage bonus (when combined with Specialization, etc.) is sufficient, and changing it to d6 just adds more rolls.

I think reducing rolls, in general, should be a design goal when Jason tackles feats again -- by making some feats require standard actions, warriors can be encouraged to give up their iterative attacks and actually move around some. Of course, the benefit of the feat has to actually be worth (in damage) giving up those iterative attacks. Several of the current Beta feats (here's looking at you Vital Strike and Beta Power Attack) drive me nuts in this respect, because they're deceptive. They appear to add a bonus, but when you crunch the numbers they actually reduce the average damage a fighter deals in a round in most circumstances. It's ok for a feat to be situationally beneficial, but it generally should not penalize a player -- especially when the penalty is frequent and not readily apparent. It's supposed to be a bonus, right?

Anyway, those are the fighter-ish thoughts that have been circulating through my brain over the last few days. Hopefully it's wasn't too feat-ful. If it is, move into General and I'll repost later ...

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