Ok, I've decided to go the Orc Unbreakable Fighter Deathless Zealot route, really doing the whole shebang.
It's a big feat sink for these requirements, but overall, I think it matches the character who's name is Gomrik Ironblood. Real mean SOB who just won't stay down.
The thing is, besidess these feats, I'm really, really unsure of what else to take. I don't like the idea of taking weapon specialization, because that will pigeon hole him into a cubby corner. His main focus will not be criticals, though he will have critical focus and crippling critical so if he does get a shot off, they won't be able to really run from him too well.
The thing is, alot of characters have a habit of specializing their fighters with preferred weapons, etc, etc, and they use their weapon specialization bonuses to get help in that department. This guy doesn't have those, so really, his damage is going to be mostly from his weapon, power attack, and furious focus. For this, I've decided that, no matter the cost, his strength bonus will be huge, as he will need every bit of help he can get in the damage department.
Besides that, magic weapon abilities that will help in the pure damage department: Vicious, Impact, Flaming, Corrosive, Frost, Shock, and anything else I can think of. Keen will be necessary, even if he won't focus on criticals, just so it gives him a better chance at scoring some.
Ok, here's what I need help with: maximizing damage, what weapons to utilize, and what feats can I use without pigeonholing myself into a corner with regards to weapons. Other feats I've decided upon so far are Power Attack, Lunge, Furious Focus, Critical Focus, Crippling Critical. Beyond that, he's got some room left for stuff, and given the Orc's already awesome favored class bonus with Fighter, he's guaranteed to practically never die. Ever. I'm wondering if the Vital Strike feats would be any good with this, just using a big impacting great axe and Vital Strike would definitely up the damage.
Weapon wise, he'll alternate between reach and close weapons, so Quick Draw is a must I think. And, I like the idea of him being able to switch between two-handed weapons and a sword and board layout. But still, his main benefit will be just never going down, never dying, holding on in the fight and being utterly fearless.
He'll probably get hit quite a bit, so anything that ups his attack and damage power or ups his retaliatory strikes will be a plus as well.
Any suggestions? Help!
Jotungrip + greataxe/greatsword + shield, you get the big damage weapon and you get the extra AC from the shield, best of both worlds
I'd suggest stacking the stalwart chain onto your deathless. It's only a few more, but the DR tacked on is killer. Iron will is pretty necessary. Beyond that, power attack is the big one. Might I suggest only a few levels of fighter dip? If you do the rest barbarian you can eventually grab the CaGM rage power, the pinnacle of retaliation. This doesn't give you as many feats, but the rage powers and rage make up for the loss. If you do stay fighter, make sure to take the alternate favored class bonus. With deathless it's practically adding +2 to your hp instead of 1.
EDIT: Whoops hadn't noticed you already mentioned the favored class bonus.
I forgot about the damn Stalwart chain for defense.
Luckily I have enough intelligence to pick up combat expertise.
Thanks for all those suggestions, but I am going to stay pure Unbreakable Fighter. The guy should be a tank at higher levels, really unstoppable. Iron WIll will definitely be a bonus to take as well.
Now, what about damage. I was contemplating going the vital strike route and for magic weapons, using bane and vicious. Beyond that, anything?
Also, a lot of people say no to vital strike, because it requires for one shot all you can do in the round.
I agree with that, but my character really has no major routes of damage output. The thing is, he'll never be the guy who does ultimate damage, rather he'll be the guy who stands there and takes a beating.
My only concern is that, without any normal weapon bonuses the fighter gets, won't his attack rating take too much of a hit when fighting defensively or using combat expertise for him to strike reliably?
Or am I just being a nervous nelly because I've never made defensive characters?
You can call me nervous nelly if I am.
Unbreakable deathless seems enough of a focus on survivability. You need to make sure you're not just ignored.
Instead of stalwart and crit feats, the orcish eldritch heritage with the supporting gambler and quicken sla seems like a solid way to go.
Ferocity is useless with diehard, so definitely replace with toothy for the free bite.
See if the 3.5 Robilar Gambit is available for you?
Combat reflexes and the step up/strike line can give more opportunities to do damage.
Isn't Ferocity a prereq for stuff like Ferocious Action tho?
Not being staggered is always a good thing if I recall.
Edit: Also, Quicken Spell-like ability, isn't that a monster only feat?
Deathless Initiate gets rid of the stagger. Also, diehard means you auto-stabilize, making the halforc favored class bonus useless too, so you get to stick with the hp or sp instead.
If the supporting feats for the orc EH level 1 ability aren't available to you, you could go abyssal instead, have a claw/claw/bite for when you're weaponless.
Not half-orc, full Orc.
Going full orc with this one. Part of the reason I chose the full orc was the fighter racial bonus.
But definitely a good idea about the Eldritch Heritage.
For traits, I was planning on going with the following:
Outcast (for Survival), Opportunistic Gambler, both because of the Eldritch Heritage feat and Improved Eldritch Heritage (plan on taking the Strength of the Beast bloodline power eventually)
I never even realized any of Eldritch Heritage's potential before, thanks for that! Really makes the Orc a bit more powerful in terms of strength and damage ability. Will definitely make up for that.
My stats, traits, and planned feats so far:
Class Unbreakable Fighter
Stats
Str 21 17+4
Dex 14 14
Con 17 17
Int 12 14-2
Will 13 15-2
Cha 13 15-2
Traits
Outcast (for Survivor)
Opportunistic Gambler (For Touch of Rage)
Feats
Level 1 Ironhide, Endurance, Diehard
Level 2 Resilient Brute
Level 3 Power Attack
Level 4 Furious Focus
Level 5 Eldritch Heritage (Orc Bloodline), Heroic Recovery
Level 6 Deathless Initiate
Level 7 Iron Will
Level 8 Lunge
Level 9 Deathless Master, Heroic Defiance
Level 10 Quick Draw
Level 11 Improved Eldritch Heritage (Strengh of the Beast)
Level 12 Deathless Zealot
It's funny, but now I'm at a loss what to take past level 12. Dammit.
Thanks so far. What next though? I might be able to go the Stalwart route tho. Hopefully, this guy should be pretty much able to take a majority of stuff that comes at him.
Me no read good, sorry.
Unfortunately, EH prereq is Skill Focus, you still need room for that.
You could look at the stepup and pindown feats..
Boreal EH has the same SF-Survival prereq as orc..
I'm always a fan of combat reflexes..
Blindfight, improved and greater, as miss chances are common and irritating at high levels..
Moonlight stalker feats are pretty nifty too..
I'll look into that as well.
Thanks.
And I friggin forgot about the skill focus for some ungodly reason. Dammit.
But thank you. Made stuff a lot easier. And my guy can do decent damage as well as take a blow to the face, so I am very happy.
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