I'm playing in an 8 person campaign; Bard, Cleric(good), Cleric(Neutral/Madness), Psion, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, and myself as a Fighter. We had another psuedo-tank who was a paladin, but it looks like he may not be able to play with us much longer.
As several people in our party have not played a tabletop RPG before, our DM is giving us the option to "respec" our characters now that we are level 4. This is the only chance we will have to do so, so I'd like to make it count. Also, we are restricted to CRB, APG, and AA.
My character's stats before the respec are as follows:
Human/Fighter
STR: 19
DEX: 17
CON: 13
INT: 8
WIS: 8
CHA: 8
Feats: Combat Reflexes, Improved Shield Bash, Two-weapon Fighting, Shield Focus, and Step Up
Skills: Ride, Survival, and Swim trained
Gear: Longsword, Spiked Light Shield, Breastplate, Amulet of Natural Armor
I've run into some problems with not being able to hit things very often with dual-wield, and Step-up gets used very rarely. So here are my thoughts for level 4. I plan to take "Combat Patrol" at level 5
Human/Fighter
STR: 20 (Level 4 stat boost)
DEX: 17
CON: 13
INT: 8
WIS: 8
CHA: 8
Feats: Combat Reflexes, Mobility, Dodge, Shield Focus, Exotic Weapon Proficiency:Bastard Sword, and Weapon Focus: Bastard Sword
Skills: Ride, Survival, Swim, and Intimidate
Gear: Masterwork Bastard Sword, +1 Mithral Heavy Shield, Breastplate, Amulet of Natural Armor
The shield was a reward, so I'm planning on spending the 1k to get it upgraded to +1. I understand that Exotic Weapon Proficiency probably isn't worth it, but it's a feat I'm taking primarily for flavor.
Now that all of the context is out of the way, I'd like to know how much success you guys have had with a Combat Patrol build, is it worth taking? Should I try and stick to two-weapon fighting and focus on getting bonuses to hit? I've got 40 HP, but I really need this guy to pull threat and keep it, as I'm trying to mitigate for 7 other players as much as possible. Any thoughts or comments are welcome and greatly appreciated.
TL;DR Have you made an effective sword-and-board fighter? Have you used "Combat Patrol" to great effect? I'm a noob tank looking for advice in a fairly casual campaign(restricted to CRB, APG, and AA)
I'd reduce Str to 18 and buff Wis a little. Bad Will save progression is a serious weakness without you making it even more severe.
Also, a 18 Str is already amazing.
I always feel crippled having less than 10 Int, but that's me.
I suggest
Str 18 (16 +2 racial bonus) Dex 15 Con 15 Int 10 Wis 10 Cha 7
Skills: I say max out Perception and Intimidate. Add a single point in Climb and Swim, then proceed to max out Knowledge(Dungeoneering).
Favored Class Bonus: I think the best option is increasing your CMD against Grapple and Trip, as those are the most commonly used maneuvers.
Traits: Get one that increase your will save (Auspicious Tattoo, Indomitable Faith, Carefully Hidden) and one that gives you better Initiative (Reactionary, Hermean Paragon)
Is there any reason for the Bastard Sword? I feel it's not worth the feat investment, so I'd stick with the longsword or scimitar.
I personally don't like Weapon Focus either, as it's boring as hell and probably overkill for a character with full-BAB + Weapon Training, but that's just me.
I like sword-and-board builds, but for a martial combat controller (which I assume is what you want to do) I think reach weapon + armor spike + power attack + combat reflexes + lunge is an amazing build.
You can actually do both, actually. The Phalanx Soldier archetype lets you use polearm weapons one-handed as long as you wield a shield on the other hand. Or maybe try the whip-wielding build. It's pretty easy to build with a fighter.
EDIT: Just Noticed "Combat Patrol" is a feat. God, I feel dumb... Anyway, it seems like a trap feat. Full-round action for the possibility of getting AoO? I'd rather attack my enemies.
I have one of these I am working on for PFS. I dipped a level in crusader cleric for weapon focus. But the big thing is I could pick the strength domain and enlarge. With a reach weapon 20 reach, 25 with combat reflexes. Then use spiked armor to cover if they get close. I put the dex up to 18(16 when enlarged) to smoke anything before it gets to me.
The problem with Combat Patrol:
You are using a full-round action in the hopes that you will get an attack of opportunity against 1 or more opponents instead of going out an making an attack or multiple attacks.
It might be useful if there are multiple creatures but I probably wouldn't bother using it. The cleave tree is more useful.
- Gauss