I am trying to design a 10th level fighter and am running into a problem. I am the only fighter at in the party with a rogue, mystic thurge, dragon disciple, cleric and a massive range damage paladin. Keep in mind we can only us the Pathfinder core handbook. It seems that I have two main routes to go. I can either be a armored tank that sits up front and deal so so damage using a heavy shield and a one handed weapon. the other would be to use a two handed weapon with 1d10 or 1d12 damage and apply 1.5 str. I was using a buckler with a two handed weapon and was reading the pathfinders hand book and realized bucklers ac does not apply if I attack with a two handed weapon. with out the shield my armor classes is only 29 with out dodge. Also is it a problem to have to high of armor so the monsters attack other instead of me. on the other hand the funny thing is the dragon disciple has more life than me. I have gone the dazzlying display route and could us a 1d6 crit weapon route but the 1d6 dmg is so low. I could use a 1d8 weapon too. I was thinking of using enlarge person for most combat situations yet that lowers my ac 2 so the shield would help with that.
well this is a lot but some help would be great.
It sounds like the party could use a solid front line guy to absorb whatever attacks you can. Given that, I'd go with a scimitar/heavy shield and grab feats like dodge, shield focus, improved critical, the weapon focus/specializations, and eventually critical focus and some of the critical feats when you qualify for them. With the fighters extra attack & damage from weapon training and weapon specialization you should do decent damage despite the 1d6 base damage of the weapon.
This sounds like a job for a dual-shield-basher. Wield 2 shields, go the 2wf chain, take all the shield bash and shield upper feats, and weapon focus chain with spiked shields, and use the weapon bonuses of fighter for "close" weapons, which, hurray, includes heavy shields.
Now you dish it out as well as you take it!
I'm aware that shield bonuses don't stack, but using one feat for both weapons is always nice, and you still get the shield bonus with a lot of damage output.
thanks for the ideas. the two weapon fighter starts to bring the chance to hit down too much. In regards to the scimitar can it be used two handed if needed. I cannot find any description of it in the equipment section. The rapier is says it cannot be used but there is absolutely nothing on the scimitar
Yes, all one handed weapons (but not light weapons) can be used two handed unless there's a special note like there is with the rapier.
A 10th lvl fighter? A few ideas.
1) Sword and board. TWF chain, scimitar's (or any weapon with threat range 18-20) is what you want if you're going the critical feat route - which is optimal. With this style you also benefit from the Shield Bash chain, keep 'em back, if you've got Gtr Bullrush then they provoke (to your allies) when knocked back. nice.
2) Two handed weapon. For the reasons above the Falchion's nice for this.
3) Lockdown. Spiked chain + Improved Trip + Gtr Trip + Lunge + Whirlwind Attack + permanent Enlarge Person = win. Every opponent within 15ft. will be prone (provoking AoO) when they stand up they provoke. So in addition to your full attack you're getting at least 2 extra attacks on each guy - up to your Dex mod with Combat Reflexes. Plus your allies, who also should get Combat Reflexes if they're smart.
Keep a spare Falchion in case you need to drop your spiked chain from a failed trip attempt. If you have Quick Draw, you can actually keep a few different weapons and optimise your CMB attempts.
The important thing about fighter is you can sub out your feats, so you can evolve your fighting tactics. You also get enough feats to handle most situations. Think and, not or. Regardless, keeping a spare Falchion and taking the critical feats is a must-have IMO.
Hope that helps.