So, looking at the sever branched sword, it gave me an idea for a build.
This idea eventually manifested into this fear chain.
It isnt needed to make the build work, but I think it might be cool to share.
(Any reference to "snag" refers to using the special ability of the seven-branched sword.)
You use a inefficient weapon to devastating effect, pulling foes with the side blades to throw them off guard.
Prerequisites: Str 15, int 13, Improved Unarmed Strike, exotic weapon proficiency (seven branched sword), acrobatics 3 ranks, bluff 3 ranks.
Benefit: While using this style, you can wield a seven branched sword as a one-handed weapon. A seven branched sword is now considered a trip weapon, adding it's enchantment bonus to trip attacks. You gain a +5 to resist trip attempts while using this style, and a +5 to the dc to feint you.
Normal: wielding a seven branched sword takes two hands, and it doesn't have the trip weapon feature.
Fox trick-
You improve your arts of confounding bladework, slashing and grabbing skin as you pull them foreword for a relentless attack, often knocking them over.
Prerequisites: Str 15, int 15, Improved Unarmed Strike, exotic weapon proficiency (seven branched sword), Fox style, improved trip, acrobatics 5 ranks, bluff 5 ranks.
Benefit: in addition to the benefits of fox style, you gain a +5 to trip attempts to trip an opponent who was snagged in the same turn while using the seven branched sword to trip. You can trip creatures two size categories larger then normal. When you snag an opponent, you can choose to snag flesh instead of equipment, dealing the weapon's damage (unmodifed by str or power attack) to the victim as well as snagging them.
Normal: you don't gain a +5 to trip snagged foes, you can only trip creatures 2 size categories larger then you, sang attempts don't deal damge.
Fox cruelty-
You master the style of the ancient sword, cruelly attacking foes with debilitating strikes. Intellect supports your every move, using every flaw your opponent has and every opportunity you are given to lash out, combing your confounding blade with deadly unarmed strikes against your bewildered foe. This must be the true power and purpose of this ancient blade.
Prerequisites: Str 15, int 17, Improved Unarmed Strike, exotic weapon proficiency (seven branched sword), fox style, fox trick, improved trip, greater trip, Madusa's wrath, acrobatics 11 ranks, bluff 11 ranks.
Benefit: While using this style, you can, after snagging a foe, flip around the foe, delivering a kick behind them- if your next attack roll is a unarmed strike and hits the foe, you can make a trip attempt against the foe as a free action. When a foe provokes an AOO from being tripped by you, you can use this AOO to make a dirty trick maneuver, or a special combat maneuver with the seven branched sword. This combat maneuver uses the blade to sang the target's leg muscles, and wreck them. If the combat maneuver is successful, you deal damage normally, and the target's base land speed is reduced to 5 feet for a number of rounds equal to your Int modifier unless it makes a Fortitude saving throw (DC 10 + 1/2 your character level + your Int modifier).
Normal: you cannot make a trip attempt with an unarmed strike. You cannot make an AOO to cripple a foe.
Fox cunning -
You rely more on thought and carefully planned movement then instinct and quick reactions.
Prerequisites: Str 15, int 13, Improved Unarmed Strike, fox style, acrobatics 5 ranks, bluff 5 ranks, monk level 1.
Benefit: While using fox style, you can add your INT bouns to AC and CMD instead of wisdom when unarmored. Your int bonus to ac reverts to your wisdom bonus to ac while flat-footed. You gain a +5 competence bonus on opposed perception checks to find creatures using stealth, even when not using fox style.
Normal: monks add their wisdom bonus to ac when unarmored, and don't gain a +5 to spot creatures using stealth.
Fox finesse-
You've found ways to use your natural finesse to master styles you would normally need to be much stronger to even attempt.
Prerequisites: dex 15, int 13, weapon fenesse, acrobatics 3 ranks.
Benefit: you qualify for all feats as if you had a str score equal to your dex score.
Normal: you don't treat your dexterity score as your str score for the purpose of prerequisites.
Special: if you have the fox style feat and a seven branched sword made of mithril or other half (or less) wight material, you can treat it as a Light weapon while using fox style.
Thoughts? Comments?
Balance issues?
Is this, and my face, dumb?
I don't know of any build that could benefit from these feats (all three at least). Monk doesn't need to be even more MAD (Str, Dex, Int, and Wis?)
Fox Cruelty is a whopping 10 feat tax (Unless you're a monk. in which case, refer to "Str, Dex, Int, and Wis?"). And a full +11 BAB (Medusa's Wrath) as well as 2 11 rank skills AND a higher Int than Str.
For example, Kirin Style is an Int based style with some fairly intensive skill requirements, but only requires a minimum of (wait for it) 13 Int. Yep, that's it. 13.
Hate to rain on your parade, but if I wanted all these feats on a character with no bonus feats whatsoever, I would have to use up every single one of my feats. Not happening. less feat tax plz. Will revolt and throw tea off of ships for fewer tax.
Also, wtf is "snagging"?
End: For a 10 feat tax you can pretty much treat it as a capstone ability. Go all out. Overboard. Atm it's where it should be -25 notches. At least.
P.S. usually (actually, always) style feats are unarmed exclusive (at least when they're offensive)
Fox's Cunning also requires level 5 (despite the monk 1 prereq) because of skill ranks.
I really like the idea of the Fox's Cunning feat. Except, why does it require Str? Why do any of the feats require Str (besides the Finesse one) for that matter? Yes, the finesse one lets you substitute your Dex for Str, but that's ALL IT DOES. Not worth it. Plus the already insane feat tax on the Fox Style chain? Double not worth it. I don't see foxes as the strong and buff types.
Also, maybe have a feat where you use your Int on bluff checks? Or add that to an existing feat? With all those ranks in bluff, I'd rather not have be based in a frequent dump stat.