Big Game Hunter?

[Ainslan]

We are playing RotRL, and will be heading to Fort Rannick next session. Will probably level soon (we level when the Dm says so. After hearing the tale from the Black Arrows, our priest mentionned that the feat Big Game Hunter from the Player's Guide might be a good investment. (Our DM will allow it even if it is technically a 3.5 feat).

So I wondered if it was a good investment (try to hold on the spoilers please).

I don't have my sheet with me, but from memory it looks something like this:

Level 6 Human Fighter

20 Str (16, +2 racial, +2 belt of giant strenght)
16 Dex
14 Con
13 Int
14 Wis (base 13, +1 4th level improvement)
10 Cha

HP: 60
AC: 23

Traits:
Heirloom Weapon (Cold Iron Bastard Sword, now enchanted to +1)
Indomitable Faith (+1 Will saves)

Feats:
Lev 1: Two-Weapon Fighting, Improved Shield Bash, Power Attack
Lev 2: Combat Reflexes
Lev 3: Iron Will
Lev 4: Double Slice
Lev 5: Improved Bull Rush
Lev 6: Shield Slam

Combat Gear:
+1 Cold Iron Bastard Sword (Heirloom weapon)
+1 Light Shield of Bashing
+1 Amulet of Natural Armor
Ring of Protection +1
Cloak of Resistance +1
MW Breastplate
MW Composite Longbow (Set for +4 str bonus)

Would Big Game Hunter be a worthy investment, or should I focus on other aspect, like AC feats (Dodge, Shield forcus, etc), Toughness, Improved Initiative or Greater Bull Rush?

Oh, and while I think of it, our setup is me (S&B fighter), a rogue, a neutral negative energy channeling priest and an Archery fighter. We're supposed to have a wizard but he has'nt shown since before we got into Misgivings.

[Quantum Steve]

I don't know about RotRL, but in general a lot of monsters in the bestiary are sized large or larger so Big Game Hunter is certainly not a bad feat.
It may not be the "best" feat, mechanically, but I doubt it would be wasted.

You should also think about the Weapon Focus line if you're looking for ways to increase hit and damage. I'm less of a fan of AC feats, mostly because BBEGs tend to auto hit and AC is cheaper and easier to get with items than hit and damage.

[Sleep-Walker]

What does the feat do?

[Symar]

Is it +1 attack and +2 damage against Large or larger creatures?
Definitely won't be wasted in RotRL.
Is it the best? I don't know.

[Ainslan]

Symar wrote:

Is it +1 attack and +2 damage against Large or larger creatures?

Definitely won't be wasted in RotRL.
Is it the best? I don't know.

Silly me, forgot to specify what does the feat do.

Yes, exactly. It gives +1 to attack and +2 on dmg against large or larger creatures.

[The black raven]

My Archer Ranger in RotRL took it at creation (I did not realize it could be taken later). So did the Witcher-lookalike.

In fact, out of 3 fighter-types in our group, only the halfling Rogue/Fighter has not selected it yet (we are at level 6, having just finished the Skinsaw Murders).

We are beginning to use it from time to time, as bad guys grow in size when they grow in CR.

As mentioned before, Big Game Hunter would be good in any AP. From what I know about later RotRL, it should be great.

[Shisumo]

Big Game Hunter is probably too good, frankly. But yes, it is absolutely a good investment, particularly in RotRL.

[Nephelim]

(I know this is off-topic a bit, but I was just thinking that a ranger-esque Archetype variant on the Gunfighter would make a cool Big Game Hunter style character... You may now go about your business.)

[Ardenup]

It's nice but most full BAB classes won't need it. A fighter might use it instead of Gtr Wpn Fcs, Wpn Spl since it's worth the same for 1 feat by the time 12th level comes around (when you could normally take GTR wpn Spl) most enemies are large or bigger anyway.

I could see martial 3/4 classes taking it.

[The black raven]

Ardenup wrote:

It's nice but most full BAB classes won't need it.

I do not agree. As an archer, my Ranger is using both Rapid Shot and Deadly Aim as much as possible. Any +1 to attack is good to get and Greater Weapon Focus is not available. The +2 to damage makes this feat even better, especially if I face DR.

[STR Ranger]

I love this feat. Barbarians and fighters don't need it (I'd rather take a rage power) but it's great to add to a lot of builds- rangers, inquisitors and bards mostly. Clerics or Oracles generally have better choices

A good feat.