Advice for gnome barbarian feat

[Roanark]

Hey all,

I currently just finished the second module for Legacy of Fire and just hit level 7 with my barbarian (titan mauler). I'm undecided between taking Weapon Focus and Vital Strike. Here's my current set-up:

Str: 17
Dex: 13
Con: 16
Int: 11
Wis: 12
Cha: 15

AC: 24
HP: 98 (before raging)
Weapon: 'Tempest' aka. +1 frost medium sized great axe (story weapon that scales with level)

Feats:
Power Attack
Extra Rage
Raging Vitality
"Unknown"

Rage Powers:
Spirit Totem, Lesser
Reckless Abandon
Spirit Totem

Our party makeup is Cleric, Sorcerer, Rogue, Witch and myself. I'm the primary tank and main melee damage dealer (and overall main damage dealer atm). I boosted my AC from 19 to 24 after our last loot haul so I should be able to shrug off more attacks (until I start raging and what not). Any advice for that level 7 feat?

[blackbloodtroll]

Taunt.

[Carbon D. Metric]

Tantrum allows you to use bluff to feint while raging. If you focus on that to some level it could be good.

[DCSJ30]

Id say no to weapon focus unless you really cant find something better. The +1 shouldn't make too much of a difference since your to hit should be fine between full BaB, Rage, and STR (and reckless abandon when you PA). Vital Strike is meh IMHO. I would say extra rage power:superstitious would be a good one to help your saves so you (as the tank) can live longer but if you want to be healed during combat you will also need moment of clarity.

I'll admit I'm no optimizing genius and my PF experience is limited but that's the best advice I can give without having my books with me. Hope this helps

[blackbloodtroll]

Taunt allow you to replace bluff for intimidate, and takes away all size penalties.

[Roanark]

As appealing as taunt looks, I have no ranks in bluff and our sorcerer enlarges me a lot for big fights.

Edit: Lack of bluff ranks also means no dice for tantrum.

[Greycloak of Bowness]

1) Lunge for reach
2) Iron Will to get Improved Iron Will later so you don't get turned against the party
3) Cleave for skirmishing

[Carbon D. Metric]

If nothing else, always pick Additional Traits!

[Mergy]

I would go Furious Focus. The penalties of Power Attack will keep adding up, and Furious means your best attack will hit more often.

[StreamOfTheSky]

Roanark wrote:

As appealing as taunt looks, I have no ranks in bluff and our sorcerer enlarges me a lot for big fights.

Edit: Lack of bluff ranks also means no dice for tantrum.

Well, you just leveled up, didn't you? Throw all your skill points for level 7 into Bluff. Use favored class bonus on skill point this level. Bam, you have 5 ranks in Bluff.

[Axebeard]

skill focus (perception) if you've got ranks in perception or iron will.

If you want to go cheesy, "Additional Traits" for adopted (glory of old) and Lessons of Chaldira. Totally skip the Iron Will requirement for getting a reroll 1/day, and +1 to the most important saves!

[cmastah]

Roanark wrote:

As appealing as taunt looks, I have no ranks in bluff and our sorcerer enlarges me a lot for big fights.

OH MY GOD! IT'S......a normal sized person.