Which is better in the long run?
Obviously before level 8 Keen since you can't have the feat, but then?
Improved Critical takes up a feat slot which are somewhat limited and therefore valuable. (This is a barbarian character not a fighter)
Keen takes up a enhancement slot, so it makes later enhancements progressively more expensive.
(Let's assume you haven't reached the +10 equivalent yet, so it is not actually preventing you from taking anything - after that they're just as limited as feats)
So what do you think, is a gold- or a feat-tax better for a barbarian?
I'd personally go with the feat if possible. Simply because it applies to all weapons of your chosen kind so you can switch out your weapon if needed. In case you need special material to overcome DR or something. It's easier (and cheaper) to get a simple adamantine weapon instead of a adamantine keen weapon for example.
It depends on the build -- IF I'm feat starved I'll go with the weapon enhancement. Otherwise I'll take the feat each time since it allows me to get more damage out of the weapon:
With the Keen ability I'm +1 less on my weapon meaning I'm 5% less likely to hit, and will do 1 point less damage and on a critical will do 1xcritical mod+1 less damage on a critical hit. I'm also less likely to automatically punch through DR with the weapon.
Pass the +5 weapon (which costs 50k) I must spend an additional 22k to get a +5 Keen weapon. With the feat I can instead just about pay for a +5 cloak of resistance with that money instead (or boots of speed, or +5 armor -- or a +4 armor and +3 shield) -- and still have the +5 weapon that has the improved critical range.
Cost of weapon enhancement increases and to illistrate the difference I'll show what you could get instead of the Keen at each increase too:
+5 -> +6 = (50k -> 72k) 22k = Boots of flying, +2 cloak, +1 ring
+6 -> +7 = (72k -> 98k) 26k = Celestial Full Plate
+7 -> +8 = (98k -> 128k) 30k = Headband of wisdom +4, +2 animated shield, +1 amulet of natural armor, 3,000 gp
+8 -> +9 = (128k -> 162k) 34k = Luckstone, Gauntlet of rust
+9 -> +10 = (162k -> 200k) 38k = Belt of Strength +6, 2,000gp
IF I'm feat starved I'll go with the weapon enhancement.I don't understand the concept of being "not feat starved."
Funnily enough I find it happens quite often -- people just don't realize that many feats aren't as "vital" as they appear to be:
Consider a rogue that two handed fights. He needs three feats: Power attack, Iron Will, and the one that lets him sneak attack things in concealment.
Everything else is simply something to make life easier -- so balance those needs. Considering he can have a combat feat at second level and another feat at 10th he'll have 12 feats in his career.
Furious focus would be useful -- but he'll probably be fine hitting as it stands as he isn't two weapon fighting and can balance his stats more -- medium armor could be handy but can wait until much later and might be worth a level dip into fighter (maybe even four since it helps his mobility, BAB, HP, and Fort Save while providing 3 more feats).
Wizards typically are not feat starved -- they simply have a lot of nice choices.
For a barbarian I like the beast totem a lot -- as such I have little need for things like weapon focus since all my attacks will be at my best bonuses anyways. Power attack, and Iron Will and I have a lot of room to play with everything else according to taste.
Actually, depending on build, I'd strongly recommend a scabbard of keen edges. Casts Keen Edge on your blade as you draw it, and costs only 16,000. Static amount of gold will in the end be cheaper than enchanting your weapon if you want other weapon enhancements. Also, since it is the spell Keen Edge, it will stack with all other weapon properties circumventing the +10 max in that regard.
Unless you're in a gold-poor game, if you can buy the same effects with gold as you can with a feat always spend gold (IMHO) since feats are far more precious.
But again, depends on build. Fighter probably has the feats to spare. Depending on weapon I'd even take Critical Focus before I took Improved Crit since it works for all weapons and specializing in a single weapon can be a bit of a trap, again depending on the campaign style and resources available.
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I agree that the Scabbard of Keen Edges is a great way to go.
- The scabbard costs about as much as enhancing a weapon from +3 to +4, so when you have a +4 weapon or better the scabbard is cheaper than the +1 enhancement cost.
- The spell duration is 50 minutes, usable 3X per day. That's not perfect, but it's pretty darn good! It's not going to run out during a fight, and in a dungeon setting it will last more than one fight.
- Eventually, you'll want the feat, but it will only apply to one weapon type. That makes the scabbard useful for other weapons when you need them, like that cache of special material daggers you find right before the fight that needs them, or other common fantasy adventure tropes.
I agree that the Scabbard of Keen Edges is a great way to go.
+1 for the Scabbard of Keen Edges.
I don't usually find the feat for Imp. Crit. in my Barbarian builds until after L11, pretty much ever. Unless you decide to dip a couple levels of Fighter, I usually simply find that there are things that I want more.
If you have the Heirloom Weapon trait, then you might as well save the feat and just have your weapon enchanted with the keen quality. Otherwise, the feat is better, since you might find yourself without the keen sword.
Yes, I'll most likely get the heirloom weapon trait.
Well we're starting at level 3, so a +1 enchant would eat most of my money, keen is out of reach for a while still I guess, but I think it's definitely on the agenda soon.The Scabbard while nice is just too expensive for now.
The problem is removing keen again when I actually pick up the feat, but I might be able to make a deal with the GM about that when it comes to that. Could be a plothook for a sidequest e.g.
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Funnily enough I find it happens quite often -- people just don't realize that many feats aren't as "vital" as they appear to be:
Same here. Full BAB characters that aren't Fighters simply don't need stuff like Weapon Focus. I've been struggling occasionally to find feats for my Paladin. I've picked up stuff like Extra LoH, Intimidating Prowess, Step Up and Imp Overrun. Now at higher levels, I have gotten Staggering and Blinding Critical.
Obviously, as a Paladin I have pretty excellent saves so I've not had to use feats on save enhancements but I've still had enough feats to get plenty of stuff just for giggles.
if you dual weild two weapons of the same kind you should definitely go with imroved critical, because then one feat applies to two weapons while with keen you'd have to pay for it twice.