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Ok, so I have a fighter sword and board build in mind that I am going to play at my next session.
I am asking for any ideas to improve the concept, and also for validation that it ultimately works as I envision.
If you think it's cool and your GM gives it the go ahead you will need to be human, and have the following minimum stats.
STR:13, DEX:15, INT:13
So, Feat progression first.
1. power attack, shield focus, weapon focus (I used scimitar)
2. combat reflexes
3. combat expertise
4. 2 weapon fighting
5. improved shield bash
6. Improved Trip
7. Imp Bull rush
8. Improved critical
9. Tripping strike
10. Greater trip
11. Shield slam
12. Shield master
13. Bashing finish
14. Greater bull rush
15. Critical focus
16. Bleeding critical
17. Weapon specialization (Scimitar)
18. Greater shield focus
19. Greater weapon focus
20. Greater Weapon specialization
The build really comes together at level 13.
So here's how I envision the main idea of this build working at level 13.
On a Crit (improved crit, tripping strike, bashing finish) you get the trip from tripping strike, if the trip works, the target provokes an attack of opportunity which you take (that's the part that I think some people may have trouble with) and then you get the shield bash which if successful gives you a bullrush from shield slam.
So you crit, trip, AoO, Shield bash, bullrush all at once. If you rolled well, then at the end of this attack the target is laying on the ground several feet away in a lot of pain.
I understand that the bullrush uses the attack roll and bonuses from the shield bash because that is how shield slam is written. I don't see verbage that says that any of these attacks contradict one another.
Ok Internet land, what's wrong / right with this build?
Personally I think combat maneuvers are incredibly overrated. I also think iron will is needed for all fighters.
Also, I just noticed you have weapon specialization at 17th? Whats the point of that? the campaign will almost be over (probably).
For Sword and board fighters I prioritize like this:
1-damage
2-attack bonus
3-AC
4-saving throws
5-HP
6-everything else
It's your choice but I wouldn't play that character as written right now, and I'm a huge fan of sword and board fighters. Not trying to be harsh, just giving asked for criticism.
As far as whether the build is ok from a rules perspective, I'd say it looks ok. If you're starting at 1st level then focusing on 13th level might make levels 1-12 a bit less fun. By the time you're 13th level the DM might send in a bunch of very big and or flying monsters, both of which are likely to ruin your plans.
I don't disagree with Ichigeki that damage is important, but your damage output will be better in the long run if you have a very high AC so that you're able to stay in the fight longer. I might even consider spending a few feats or multiclassing to pick up something like Crane Style which lets you fight defensively with less penalty.
Being a shield specialist who fights with just a shield and an empty hand (possibly using unarmed strikes) might violate the "sword and board" idea a bit, but if you did bullrush the enemy away and had the option to deflect his attack with Crane Wing when he came back at you that would be pretty cool. I guess the idea of making a PC who resembles the Cavalier from the D&D cartoon (who had only a shield and no weapon) vaguely amuses me.
As far as whether the build is ok from a rules perspective, I'd say it looks ok. If you're starting at 1st level then focusing on 13th level might make levels 1-12 a bit less fun. By the time you're 13th level the DM might send in a bunch of very big and or flying monsters, both of which are likely to ruin your plans.
I don't disagree with Ichigeki that damage is important, but your damage output will be better in the long run if you have a very high AC so that you're able to stay in the fight longer. I might even consider spending a few feats or multiclassing to pick up something like Crane Style which lets you fight defensively with less penalty.
Being a shield specialist who fights with just a shield and an empty hand (possibly using unarmed strikes) might violate the "sword and board" idea a bit, but if you did bullrush the enemy away and had the option to deflect his attack with Crane Wing when he came back at you that would be pretty cool. I guess the idea of making a PC who resembles the Cavalier from the D&D cartoon (who had only a shield and no weapon) vaguely amuses me.
I agree with what you're saying about AC, I just prioritize damage for S&B Fighters because they don't really have to work as hard for AC as other fighters.
I shoot for AC 30 by 7th level personally.
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I like the build for the most part. I built a character relatively similar to this being a crit fisher sword and board fighter. The following is the build i set up for it.
Human
Fighter (Weapon Master Scimitar)
-Stats-
STR 14 (+4 Leveling)(+6 Magic item)
DEX 17 (+2 Racial)(+1 Leveling)
CON 11
INT 14
WIS 10
CHA 07
-Feats-
01 Two-Weapon Fighting, Improved Shield Bash, Weapon Focus Scimitar
02 Combat Expertise
03 Power Attack
04 Weapon Specialization Scimitar
05 Improved Sunder
06 Greater Sunder
07 Improved Two-Weapon Fighting
08 Improved Critical
09 Critical Focus
10 Shield Slam
11 Shield Master
12 Bashing Finish
13 Greater Two-Weapon Fighting
14 Sundering Strike
15 Tiring Critical
16 Exhausting Critical
17 Sickening Critical
18 Critical Mastery
19 Greater Weapon Focus Scimitar
20 Greater Weapon Specialization Scimitar
-Method-
Use a Heavy Spiked Shield enchanted with +4 for defense and enchanted with Bashing, Holy, and Speed for offense so when u are shield bashing ur shield counts as a +5 holy weapon that does 1d10+str that also does not take the two-weapon fighting penalty and keeping shield bonus to AC. When ever u score a crit with ur Scimitar, on a 15-20 dice roll, u get a free shield bash and sunder while also giving the target the Exhausted and Sickened condition. Scimitar should also be enchanted with Speed to give u 5 attempts to get a free shield bash on those crits. If ur lucky u can get 14 attacks in a single round.
I am sorry for my ignorance, but how does successfully tripping someone give you an AoO? I cannot seem to locate that anywhere.
EDIT: IIRC you only get the AoO when they stand back up.
greater trip.I am sorry for my ignorance, but how does successfully tripping someone give you an AoO? I cannot seem to locate that anywhere.
EDIT: IIRC you only get the AoO when they stand back up.
Thank you!