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I was browsing the recent Design Focus thread for Barbarian Rage powers and I was wondering whether it would be possible to take a similar approach to customizing fighters?
Here's an example of what I mean - I know that it is pretty rough around the edges, but there might be some usable ideas:
Combat Techniques: As a fighter gains experience, she studies various advanced combat techniques. At 2nd level, and at every four class levels thereafter, a fighter learns a new combat technique. Unless otherwise noted, a fighter cannot select an individual combat ability more than once. Once per day per fighter class level that she possesses, the character may use one of the combat techniques that she has learned in melee combat. Unless otherwise noted, these combat techniques are swift actions that must be performed on the fighter's turn.
Analyze Fighting Style (Ex): After engaging in melee combat against an opponent for three or more consecutive rounds, the fighter may analyze that opponent's fighting style. The fighter gains a +1 insight bonus to all attack rolls against that particular opponent for a number of rounds equal to her Intelligence modifier (minimum of 1 round). This insight bonus increases by +1 for every four class levels beyond 2nd, to a maximum of +5 at 18th level.
Battle-Cry (Ex): As a swift action, the fighter can shout a battle-cry in combat that inspires her companions. All allies within 20 feet receive a +1 morale bonus to attack rolls for a number of rounds equal to the fighter's Charisma bonus (minimum of 1 round). This morale bonus increases by +1 for every four class levels beyond 2nd, to a maximum of +5 at 18th level.
Combat Sense (Ex): As an immediate action, the fighter can re-roll a single Initiative check. The fighter may activate this ability after rolling his initiative. The fighter must take the results of the second roll, even if it is worse than the original.
Deft Footwork (Ex): The fighter may sacrifice a single attack of opportunity in order to take a 5-foot step as an immediate action.
Indomitable Spirit (Ex): Once per day, the fighter may add a +1 morale bonus to a single Will save. This bonus increases by +1 for every four class levels beyond 2nd, to a maximum of +5 at 18th level. The fighter must declare that she wishes to use this ability before the Will save is made.
Precise Strike (Ex): The fighter may add a +1 insight bonus on a single roll to confirm a critical hit. This bonus increases by +1 for every four class levels beyond 2nd, to a maximum of +5 at 18th level. The fighter must declare her intention to use this ability before the confirmation roll is made.
Tactical Acumen (Ex): The fighter may provide a single adjacent ally with a +1 insight bonus on their next melee attack roll, provided that the attack is made before the end of the next round. This bonus increases by +1 for every four class levels that the fighter possesses beyond 2nd, to a maximum of +5 at 18th level.
Rallying Cry (Ex): The fighter may attempt to rally all allies within 20 feet who have been afflicted one of the following conditions: Fatigued, Exhausted, Nauseated, Shaken, or Sickened. The fighter must make a Charisma check against DC 15. If this check is successful, the fighter may remove a single condition from the list from each ally within the area of effect.
Off that list you posted, I like Deft Footwork and Rallying Cry the best. More mobility and a usefull team buff would make the fighter more interesting to play.
Off that list you posted, I like Deft Footwork and Rallying Cry the best. More mobility and a usefull team buff would make the fighter more interesting to play.
I agree. Especially with the team buff thing... the Fighter having an ability to contribute to combat in a way that is not just fighting would be nice--even if it is not (nor should not) be the class's primary focus.
I've been thinking that although I'm ok with the fighter as is, that some other abilities apart from the "Armsmaster" feel that the class has now would help--it's just a matter of making sure they fit the flavor of the class. The above (the whole list is good for the most part) is a very good and nicely specific list of suggestions.
I've been thinking of a few other ideas... one was an ability to Ignore Hardness (I've been reading d20 Modern, I admit, but I was thinking some of those Strong and Tough talents look cool for the Fighter and it's strange that similar abilities don't commonly exist in D&D)--maybe increase it by a small amount every few levels (so first Ignore Hardness 3, then 6 then 9 or something). This would be useful in and out of combat--make Sundering easier to do, and out of combat bashing in doors and breaking manacles and the like becomes a little easier.
Another idea I was discussing with a friend was an idea that at a certain point, Fighters become on-guard enough that they're hard to get away from--that there's no way you can escape their threatened area without provoking an AOO. In other words, 5' steps and Withdraw moves don't work with them once they gain this ability. Someone who really desperately wants to escape them still can do it, but they will always risk an AOO. (This also gets rid of the nonsense of having an enemy caster stand next to a warrior and constantly 5' stepping to avoid AOO).
This could also be a feat but I think I'd rather see it something unique to the fighter. There are so many Armor-and-weapon training steps in the Fighter Class that I'd be willing to sacrifice a step in there--or even some bonus feats--to get some of these unique abilities (any suggested in this thread). That might keep the Fighter's usefulness as established in Pathfinder while giving the class a little more "uniqueness" as many have asked for.