Arcane Bloodrager dip Cavalier for first level?

[Bob Genghis]

What do you guys think of a Bloodrager with the Arcane bloodline dipping Gendarme Mother's Fang Cavalier for first level?

It would give Power Attack and Combat Expertise as bonus feats, and allow me to qualify for Moonlight Stalker at level 5 if I also take Blind Fight, without having to spend points on Int 13.

This would be the same level that would give me the ability to add Blur to every rage, giving a nice +2 atk/dmg whenever raging

It would also give an exotic weapon proficiency, for whatever that's worth.

Is this worth an early dip?

[Darksol the Painbringer]

It's actually really good for a reach build.

Aberrant Bloodrager with proficiency in a Fauchard and access to Trip feats without sacrificing too much power is a solid idea. 15 foot reach with Combat Reflexes and only going up from there to create a "Kill Zone" is a common build.

Just make sure you have an answer for when enemies get into your Dead Zone (AKA your non-threatening spaces).

[Bob Genghis]

For a reach build, would it just be better to go with Dirty Fighting instead and not dip? You would lose out on Fauchard, I guess

[Darksol the Painbringer]

Hmmm, good point. I forgot that you only get Combat Expertise for free and don't ignore all Intelligence 13 requirements as you would with Dirty Fighting. Of course, the same could be accomplished if you dip a level in Brawler and use a Versatile-designed Fauchard to count as a Close Weapon, thereby automatically granting proficiency. It's just more difficult and expensive starting out to do so, and you'd still have to spend a feat on Combat Expertise.

But this way, you have options, and you actually have an answer to your dead zone.