D&D Question and Information thread. (First post updated!)

[Dante]

In that case, beating him about the head with a daikon radish might also work...

But CT, I think PF is looking for serious advice here.

[CheshireThief]

I know she is, but sometimes shocking the DM is a good of a strategy as any.

[Dante]

Only problem is that I think PF was playing NWN... where the DM is an implacable computer who does not care how much you beg or plead or how much tit you flash. Plus, the Potion of DM Control (AKA lots and lots of alkie) doesn't work on them computers either...

[CheshireThief]

Meh. Then say, "I'm casting get the hell out of here." Follow that by promptly unplugging your modem.

[PhoenixFlame]

Actually, our DM was a real person using the DM client. He simply hated us. I have no idea why. *Shrug* well, lets get back on a constructive topic, now shall we?

Heh, that reminds me of that Babylon 5 Episode, "Initiating, "Getting the hell out of here manuver"!"

[Dragonsbane]

I like that last strategy, it sounds a lot like my old "Exit" spell.

[Dante]

Well, I'm scampering off to work... here's something I found ont he Wizards boards.

I think that the entire "Fighters Suck! Wizards Rule!" argument can be defeated if more people just consider the following:

1) You have skills...use them!

I've seen fighters sink 15 ranks in Jump by 12th level and never use it, not even once. By that level you can probably vault over an enemy's head in full plate! You do get a +1 to attacks when you're on higher ground...I do believe that "jumping over his head" counts. Same thing goes for all the other fighter skills...there may not be many of them, but the ones that are there are fighter skills for a reason!

2) You have other feats...use them!

Again, people tend to treat the fighter bonus skill list as if it was the only list of feats a fighter can take. Even then, they rarely use those outside of a few specific trees. Yes, if you play your cards right you can get Whirlwind Attack by level 4, but might you be better served if you took something like Iron Will? You won't have a +2 base save bonus until level 6 otherwise!

3) Use the feats you have too, y'know...

What kind of wizard only uses 9th level spells? So why do fighters only use the abilities at the end of their feat chains? Fighters, especially at higher level, have BAB to spare on things like Power Attack and Combat Expertise, so if you have those feats and don't use them you're only hurting yourself.

4) It's about more than just the numbers

Wizard players realized this long ago in the form of save-or-die spells, utility spells like Fly, and others. So why do fighters feel it necessary to pump up their damage dice to ludicrous levels and get the biggest + possible? And then people cry foul when a weapon like the spiked chain actually encourages using these extra options and actually does so effectively...sheesh.

5) It's called "improved" for a reason

Improved trip, improved grapple, improved sunder, etc...they're called so for a reason. Sometimes it can be a very good idea to use those actions even if you don't have the "improved" version. If I'm playing a fighter wearing full plate, I'm not going to be particularly worried about an attack of opportunity from a wizard who forgot to even draw a dagger when the fight starts. First I'm going to grapple, then I'm going to keep him from speaking, and just for good measure next I'll disarm the spell component pouch. From there on it's just downhill for the wizard.

6) There are other magic items out there

Too often all players, not just fighters, forget that there are items out there that are not made specifically for their class and do not provide numeric bonuses to some trait but can be truly devastating when used right. No fighter worth his sword should be without winged boots, if for nothing else but the tactical advantage that higher ground gives. Iron Bands of Bilarro can ruin any spellcaster's day, as can a rope of entanglement. And for those who play at high levels, the Mask of the Skull is just like giving a wizard the rigid digit of scorn. (Finger of death...what'd you think I meant?)

7) There are other mundane items out there

The boy scouts' motto: Be Prepared. I've never made a character without at least one flask of alchemist's fire as a backup. Same goes for other items like tanglefoot bags, thunderstones, etc. And who better to lob the D&D tactical equivilent of hand grenades than the guy with the full base attack bonus?

8) Fight smarter, not harder

Do all your fights take place in perfectly flat terrain witout any walls? Doubtful. If you're an archer, you should always seek cover. If you're a melee brute, seek the high ground. If you're using a crossbow from a distance, being prone is your friend. Get in flanking position. Grapple small but fast enemies so your allies can stab them. If you can't hit, get a friend to aid you. If you can't damage it for whatever reason, aid another on an ally. It's not just your job to do the most damage, it's also your job to have the best tactics.

9) Versatility!

What do you do when your weapon gets shattered? Pull out your backup! What to do when that gets disarmed? Disarm your opponent back and use his own sword against him! What if you get swallowed whole? Pull your holdout dagger out of your boot sheathe and cut your way out. Having the biggest sword doesn't matter if you're separated from it, so always have a backup weapon or six. They don't have to be very powerful, but something is always better than nothing.

10) Do not play a fighter if you are a beginner

I cannot stress this enough. If you do not have a solid grasp of the rules, your fighter will suck far more than a sorcerer with a poor grasp of the rules, especially since a greater familiarity tends actually to work against a sorcerer. If you're new, save yourself a lot of grief and play a barbarian or blaster sorcerer. Otherwise you will merely continue to contribute to the perception of fighters as weak despite being the second most versatile class after the rogue.

[Dragonsbane]

Who in their right minds would ever say "Fighters suck"? What kind of ignorant fool would ever think such a thing???

[Nikose Tyris]

true. i would insert a really meaningful comment here, except that i only ever take like 1 or two levels of fighter before going wizard. except one guy, Jaryd, he used cover, and was good at tripping. he had a dwarf who travelled with him, and one would trip and the other would Coup de grace the bugger. FYI the dwarf was a monk

[Dragonsbane]

If you don't have a meaningful comment, why are you posting this?