Pimp my Cimmerian (reloaded)

[ander]

See also part one for reference:
http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=28312

My PC (name is Caern) is a Cimmerian, currently serving as a bodyguard to a prince (another PC) in search of his ancient heritage. He is regarded by his group as an effective fighter.

Caern has a STR of 20 and good CON and DEX (dice were running hot that day) and is currently LV 3, with 2 Soldier levels and 1 Barbarian level. Caern has just made LV 4. His feats currently include 2 Weapons, Power Attack, Fighting Madness, Cleave, Toughness, Improved Initiative and the 1st LV barb feats.
After witnessing first-hand the effectiveness of two-handed weapons, Caern has decided to specialize in those (earlier, I was going with two weapons) and bought a bardiche, with which he has become very dangerous in combat: yesterday he fought eight 4HD "zombies" together with an NPC and killed six of them in a short time, while receiving very light injuries.

For 4th LV and following, my "development plan" is as follows:

4th LV: Soldier 3rd LV
5th LV: Soldier 4th LV: Greater Cleave
6th LV: Barbarian 2nd LV: Monster Slayer? SECOND ATTACK!
7th to 10th LV: probably 3 to 4 Soldier levels and 0 to 1 Barbarian levels.

The campaign should stop at that time, as we have other games programmed for this winter.

So, feat recommendations? Is MS a good idea? Should I take weapon focus and specialization (I think not, but I might if I were to find a legendary greatsword or something)? Any other idea?

 

[Valgrim Bragisson]

This is an interesting build. You're really emphisizing Solder over Barbarian. Are you planning on taking fewer than 7 Barb levals? This would let you improve your feat selection at the expense of Versatility and one Favored Class feat.
As far as feat recommendations, take Savage Cleave from Hyboria's Fiercest. It lets you take 5 foot steps between Cleave attempts, making Great Cleave much more useful. It only works when in Fighting Madness.
You could theoreticlly Cleave your way across a battlefield in a single round, as long as each new victim is no more than 5 feet from the last. :twisted:

MP

 

[ander]

My emphasizing Soldier over Barbarian is due to
a) better customizability of Soldier (though fewer skills)
b) having another Barbarian in the group -> need to differentiate, e.g. one heavy tank (Caern) and one light (him)

Please note that we are planning to stop at level 10 or so, therefore I think Caern will only be taking (I think) 3 levels of Barbarian overall.

Savage Cleave is interesting. Would you recommend it before or after Monster Slayer? BTW, please note that our Master is not worried about precise steps and ranges in combat, we don't use minis, so as long as I have opponents fighting me he usually lets Caern Cleave anyway

...Though that might stop if Caern starts killing armies in one round, I'll admit

 

[Valgrim Bragisson]

I don't think I would bother with Monster Slayer at all. The maximum damage bonus gained is the same as for regular Power Attack, just with a lesser penalty to BAB against Large+ creatures. You already have a better chance of hitting because of size penalties to such creatures Defence. Also, in the Hyborian Age most of the "Monsters" are HUMAN. This feat shouldn't come into play that often. Spend the feat on Iron Will or somthing else more generally useful. When you need to, just Power Attack the Beasties to death. :twisted: . Pick up Savage Cleave as quickly
as possible, leval 8 in Cearn's case.

MP

 

[ander]

Wait. If I take Monster Slayer, damage bonus from the power attack is trebled, not doubled (with two handed weapons). Isn't that right?

 

[Clovenhoof]

Yes. More verbose:

PA + 1H weapon: extra damage = BAB penalty
PA + 2H weapon: extra damage = BAB penalty x2
PA + 1H + Monster Slayer: extra damage = BAB penalty x2
PA + 2H + Monster Slayer: extra damage = BAB penalty x3

and in any case the extra damage cannot exceed your BAB.
So when you have PA and MS and a 2H weapon, you can, for instance, at BAB +9 get a +9 damage bonus for a -3 attack penalty.

Monster Slayer can be a useful feat, but obviously only if you have to fight Large creatures very often. For instance if you are playing a Horror campaign.
MS has its place because it's virtually the only feat effective against Large creatures. All those special attacks like Trip/Overrun/etc. are less effective because monsters get a +4 bonus against such attempts.

we are planning to stop at level 10 or so, therefore I think Caern will only be taking (I think) 3 levels of Barbarian overall.

A Soldier gains _nothing_ at Level 7 except +1 Parry. It's always better to take an even number of Soldier levels, so either 6 or 8 in your case.

 

[ander]

very interesting, thank you!