So I have a character in War for the crown, it is a very fun character (this is his second iteration) His birth name is Cragg, and is a barbarian, however he's decided he wants to be a noble, because he is enamored with their lifestyle and basically their style. So he goes by Professor Webster McAlister, and only wears armor that can go beneath his noble's outfit. Of course Common is his second language, so it's broken and with an accent, and he doesn't really get it . So he behaves like a barbarian playing at noble, rather than like a noble at all. Anywho that's the char.
Currently he is lvl 2 and his crunch is as follows:
(He has a trait that allows him to stay neutral and take levels of monk)
Str 16 dex 12 con 13 int 14 wis 10 cha 14
1 barbarian Unchained Power Attack, Catch off Guard (human bonus feat)
2 Investigator (mastermind)
3 Monk Unchained (of the empty hand) Dragon Style, catch off guard (Monk bonus feat)
4 Barbarian
5 Monk Dragon Dragon Ferocity, improved grapple (monk bonus feat)
6 Investigator
7 Investigator Extra Investigator talent
8 Investigator
9+Barbarian
At level 4 the +1 goes to con
You may notice that catch off guard appears twice, this is not a mistake. I plan at lvl3 to initially take improved grapple as a monk bonus feat, then retrain both it and my lvl 1 catch off guard, changing the monk bonus feat to catch off guard, and my lvl 1 feat to either Iron will or combat stamina.
Given this build which would you recommend o interwebs, do I need more will, or more to hit (I have a trait that gives me +2 to attack with improvised weapons, And I'll be taking brawling on my armor, and a couple of items will eventually give me more rounds of rage)
So what do I need more considering the campaign, and that I'm basically the bruiser of the team, as well as a bit of a skill monkey.
I don't understand the path you are taking with your feats.
Why not just take Iron Will as the human bonus feat, and leave it there?
Why take Catch Off Guard at all unless Improvised Weapon Mastery is a feat you plan on taking?
I totally understand Dragon Style with this build, but the retraining Catch Off Gaurd and Improved Grapple are things that I don't see the method to the madness.
The levels in Investigator should help with your Will saves, too. Iron Will is never a bad feat, ever, but I would imagine you could put it off until later to use your early feats to get online faster.
I don't understand the path you are taking with your feats.
Yeah, it's really a fluff choice, see he's a barbarian who hits people in the face with inappropriate objects, I wanted him to be able to act on his concept from level 1, rather than need to wait till level 3, that's all. I might take improvised weapon mastery at 9, dunno.
3 Monk Unchained (of the empty hand) Dragon Style, catch off guard (Monk bonus feat)
You're aware that you can't flurry while wearing armor, right?
And you won't need to take Catch Off-Guard as your bonus feat, as it was intended for monks with the Empty Hand archetype to be proficient in Improvised Weapons.
James Jacobs on the subject.
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Given this build which would you recommend o interwebs, do I need more will, or more to hit (I have a trait that gives me +2 to attack with improvised weapons, And I'll be taking brawling on my armor, and a couple of items will eventually give me more rounds of rage)
Do you use Unchained multiclassing? Because if you're not, then your BAB progression (and hit chance) will be pretty low the first levels for a frontliner. Also, if you're using Unchained Multiclassing then you might want to get a better Will save.
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You may notice that catch off guard appears twice, this is not a mistake. I plan at lvl3 to initially take improved grapple as a monk bonus feat, then retrain both it and my lvl 1 catch off guard, changing the monk bonus feat to catch off guard, and my lvl 1 feat to either Iron will or combat stamina.
I'm guessing you got these traits:
Adopted (Social) -> Enlightened Warrior (Race: Aasimar)
Surprise Weapon (Combat)
If you do, then instead of taking Iron Will you can take Additional Traits, and grab these two traits.
Sound of Mind (Regional): +2 trait bonus on saving throws against mind-affecting effects.
Irrepressible (Faith): Use your Charisma Modifier instead of Wisdom on Will saves against Charm & Compulsion effects.
All the worst Will saves are Charm & Compulsion.
That's the vampire's domination ability, and the pornomancer's charm spells. Those effects are also mind-affecting, so these two traits would give your character +4 vs these effects. And an additional +2 vs everything mind-affecting, which is a lot. All emotion effects for example. Probably more valuable than just taking Iron Will.
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Edit: Noticed now you had written 'Monk Unchained', but I assumed you were a vanilla monk since the Empty Hand archetype is vanilla monk only. So then you'll also have a worse will save than I thought.
It's probably for the best to boost that, and keep a Protection from Evil spell ready for use.
3 Monk Unchained (of the empty hand) Dragon Style, catch off guard (Monk bonus feat)You're aware that you can't flurry while wearing armor, right?
Ah, you are quite right, my good sir. I thought you could, but I was looking in the wrong place. Now I don't think Monk will work at all, and I'll go back to being a brawler instead... Probably...
Alright, so I am considering alternatives, My new question is, is there some way of counting as having dodge and mobility without actually having them?
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Looks like it's time for another episode ooooooooof
Feat Taxes, and What They Do!
With us today we have Combat Expertise and Dodge. They will answer those common questions they face in their everyday life as Feat Taxes. To start it off, let's focus our attention on the one feat you may not even know you have!
Mr. Combat Expertise, you often face harsh critique since most characters that take you have no use for you at all. In fact, we have a Fighter in the audience that wants to be able to feint and attack in the same round. What do you have to say about the alleged fact that not only will he never use you, but he also had to allocate stats to get that 13 Int to qualify?
I believe it's just a matter of opinion. The ability to trade attack penalties for a bonus to Armor Class is always a valuable option to possess. More options is always a good thing, and I happen to have several acquaintances who appreciate what I bring to the table. As a matter of fact, my good friend Felix the Halfling could never have reached 34 AC at lv 7 without me! And even if he'll never use me, it's just one single feat.
What about those of us who struggle to get our build concept online before level 10? What about those of us who aren't born into a multitude of feats, but have to make do with the feats we have?
It's because of feats like you that I had to wait until level 7 just to feint!
Those are some serious accusations. In addition to being potentially crippling to some classes, there are some who accuse Feat Taxes of only existing to make the Fighter a viable class. What do you have to say about that?
No comment.
I see... Well let's get our other guest in on this action! Dodge. As a part of the Spring Attack feat tree, you must meet many Rogues in your line of work. Do you feel appreciated?
Oh, certainly. The main difference here between me and my colleague is that I'm always giving my benefit to those who use me. I'm not an option, I'm a benefit.
Every single character who use me will gain that bonus to Armor Class, and that's why I'm not really a Feat 'Tax'.
That's a shocking statement to make, Dodge! I did invite you to Feat Taxes, right? Or am I in the wrong studio!?
But, are you sure you can back up those words, Dodge? Because as far as I can tell, if people don't need the feats you provide... no one is taking you. Even though you provide a benefit. Those are undoubtedly the traits of a Feat Tax, wouldn't you agree? Maybe that benefit just isn't worth a feat, hm?
Ah. Uhmmmmm...
What's the matter? Having a hard time to dodge this question?
Hahaha, we'll be right back after this short break!
You can be a Strix and take Fly By Attack without any other feats as prerequisites. Just have to be a Strix, which isn't entirely too bad.
If you don't need Dodge and Mobility for Spring Attack or Shot in the Run, ignore me.