Dwarven Fighter


Advice


Hi,i'm looking to build a Dwarven Fighter. Preferably using a longsword, can i have some build advice? Mycampaign is going to level 12.


You generally want to give more information for people to help you.

There are a lot of variables.

What is your starting level and gold? What is the point buy? or are you rolling for your stats?

You want to use a shield? if tha tis the case, woudl you like to use the shield only for defense or also to attack?

Or, do you want to use the longsword at two hand to maximize damage?.

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Either way, no matter what kind of fighter you want to be, there are a feat and a trait are like a "MUST". And i'm not kidding. Glory of old and Steel. That woudl give you a +3 in all your saving trows against spells and poison.


i want to use the longsword 1 handed with the off hand free but i dont know if thats posible, we roll for stats.


THat is certainly posible. Unfortunately is one of hte less effective ways to fight, only a handful of classes do it right. Why you want that hand free?

Are you planning a strengh based or a dex based fighter?


i want 1 hand free because of flavour, i originally thought a 1 handed longsword slashing grace slayer but i thought fighter would be more viable

Sczarni

Why a longsword? Are you going to use a shield?

Sword-and-shield fighting is a good basis for TWF if you've got a spiked shield. Fighters make decent TWFers thanks to all the extra feats, Weapon Training, and Weapon Specialization.

If you're not going for a shield, just two-hand the longsword, get Power Attack, and you're pretty much all set. Spend the rest of your feats on whatever looks like fun. Though you should pick up Iron Will as well, and probably Steel Soul since you're a dwarf.


Or look into the free-hand fighter archetype. It makes use of having one hand free.
Magus likes to have 1 hand free, so does swashbuckler.
But really, why are you wanting a hand free?

Also before this gets many answers, any specific house rules? and what's the experience level of the group your making this for?
Because you could take only commoner levels if you wanted to, it's possible but you'll be a weak character, but if everyone is taking commoner levels then you'll fit right in.
Reasons for these questions is, it helps us determine what kind of help to give you. If we should suggest better options for you.


If not going for dex and since crane wing was nerfed I'm not seeing much thigns to do with a free hand as a fighter.

I liek this one, http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/3rd-party-feats/4-winds-fantasy-gaming/combat -feats/improved-off-hand-tactics-combat, but unfortunately is third party product.


Nicos wrote:

THat is certainly posible. Unfortunately is one of hte less effective ways to fight, only a handful of classes do it right. Why you want that hand free?

Are you planning a strengh based or a dex based fighter?

I only know of 2 that make 1 handed/free hand 'work'- magus and swashbuckler.

Magus gets off the hook because it basically TWF with magic.

The swashbuckler, a new class from the Advanced class guide, is a melee class which relies heavily on a feature is built around the suggested style.

Precise strike is a deed that swashbucklers have. As long as they have one panche (it is like ki or grit), they can get their level as a bonus to damage when using 1 handed piercing weapons and not using their other hand (you can get this to also apply to longswords with the slashing grace feat, which also adds dex to damage).

Now, up to +20 to each hit certainly sounds very impressive, but actually is seems like the scaling is closer to making your 1 handed blow match a 2 handed blow (assuming you are compared to a full BAB character with decent strength for level and both parties use power attack or something similar). The class then adds in 'not really' weapon training so that your attacks are about on par with a longsword wielding fighter. After that, they get a lot of nice tricks like parry/riposte and getting their CHA to saves 3-7/day depending on level.

The only problem with swashbuckler is that it relies heavily on CHA...and you are a dwarf. Not entirely a lot cause if you are rolling for stats.... but still painful. There is an archetype for swashbucklers which also adds INT into the mix, but unfortunately that archetype also restricts you to purely rapiers.

There is also the daring champion archetype for cavaliers which trades away mount stuff for swashbuckler abilities. It is mostly notable because it has medium armor and it keeps the challenge ability (so you get twice your level as bonus to each attack).

RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32

Yeah, +1 to what lemeres said... If you want to fight with just 1 one handed weapon you really are better off as a swashbuckler or daring champion.

Precise strike will keep your damage competitive, and slashing grace would allow you to use Dex for attack and damage rolls with your long sword (or war axe...). A fighter with slashing grace gets Dex instead of Str for damage but still uses Str for attack rolls...

Dark Archive

Swashbuckler allows you to make up for your one-handed weapon by giving you a level-based precision bonus to damage, so that is a strong option.

Swashbuckler also makes it very easy to go with a DEX-based build: all you need to do is pickup Slashing Grace at level 3.


my last character was a swashbuckler though

Dark Archive

yazo wrote:
my last character was a swashbuckler though

In that case I would suggest diversifying your play/character style and going with a sword and board (Axe/Board?) build, or a two handed weapon build instead of the longsword. Using a longsword in one hand without using the off hand for anything is pretty debilitating in practice.


What else would you suggest? I was originally interested in the dream scarred press stuff but how does the power level compare to paizo products?

Grand Lodge

There is really no benifit to going 1 hand with an empty hand free doing nothing. It would be better to just 2 hand a bigger damage weapon.

If your going to be a dwarven "fighter" I recommend at least picking a dwarf weapon. You don't see dwarves wielding longswords. They prefer hammers and axes.

Second thing I am going to suggest. Avoid Fighter class unless your dipping into it.

Instead of fighter go ranger, slayer, brawler, warpriest, cavalier, or barbarian. Each of them are martial classes that bring more to your character then the fighter. Fighters swing weapons well but have little skills, terrible abilities outside combat, and horrid saves for the front line. Saves are a huge thing.

Take a bit to think about it. I don't want you to be nerfing yourself in a already weak class like fighter. And Id like for you to get the flavor of a dwarf.

Edit: stupid smart phone wants to auto correct are into ate.....really annoying.


yazo wrote:
What else would you suggest? I was originally interested in the dream scarred press stuff but how does the power level compare to paizo products?

Their classes are balanced around the ranger, paladin, and barbarian. Their conversions of 3.5 stuff are really well done, and their new classes do a good job of doing their job without stepping on any toes.

I would recommend them to anybody. If you want to use DSP stuff for a dwarf one hander, then maybe a soulknife with an axe (seriously, I agree with Fruian Thistlefoot about playing up dwarven weapons) or a psychic warrior with an appropriate focus.

Oh, and their newer (non psychic) ports, like the warlord and the stalker work really well, too.

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