Dumbass Fighter

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Parthenon
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Dumbass Fighter

Post by Parthenon »

The aim of this class is to make a Fighter that can do stuff outside of combat using thematically appropriate dumbass melee skills. Specifically, the idea that hitting everything should work. Theres no current plan to get around the obvious weaknesses such as no counter to flight and theres absolutely nothing after level 9- I have no idea where to go from there.

As well as this, there is the side aim of trying to create a character that can actually use a sword and shield without feeling like a retard with a cushioned stick. This would be later expanded to make one handed almost useful and to give a simple but effective set of skills for two handed fighters- less powerful bonuses since it is already better, but still something simple to pick up and play.

Hopefully this class is pretty simple with the idea that idiots and kids can choose an Orc Dumbass Fighter and contribute with "I hit it with my stick". With this in mind maybe the Bonus Feats should be removed since they lead to too much choice for a simple Dumbass Fighter, and should be changed to a choice between two feats like the PHB Monk or simple things like removing armour check penalties.


Dumbass Fighter

Hit Die: d10
Skill Points: 4 + Int
Class Skills: Don't care, pick them yourself.
Proficiencies: All Simple and Martial Weapons, all Armour and Shields.
Saves: Good Fort and Will. The Dumbass Fighter is tough and just too dumb to be affected in the normal ways.
Level:BAB:Fort:Ref:Will:Special:
1+1+2+0+2Weapon Style 1
2+2+3+0+3Bonus Fighter Feat
3+3+3+1+3Weapon Style 2, Applying Force Physically
4+4+4+1+4Bonus Fighter Feat
5+5+4+1+4Weapon Style 3, Hitting It Harder Makes It Magic
6+6/+1+5+2+5Bonus Fighter Feat, Applying Force Socially
7+7/+2+5+2+5Weapon Style 4, Making Waves
8+8/+3+6+2+6Bonus Fighter Feat
9+9/+4+6+3+6Weapon Style 5, Applying Force Magically

Weapon Style (Ex): At 1st level the Dumbass Fighter (DAF) chooses a Weapon Style from Shield, Two handed or One Handed. (only Shield done)
Shield: (can only be used while wielding a non-Animated shield)
[*]At 1st level the Shield DAF gains the Improved Shield Bash and Two Weapon Fighting Feat.
[*]At 3rd level the Shield DAF can apply his shield bonus to Touch AC and Reflex. He also gains the Protect Another ability:
Protect Another (Ex): As an Immediate action taken after the result of the attack roll is known, the Shield DAF can add his shield bonus to someone within his weapon reach. Doing this does not affect the DAF's AC (and already can't stack with the DAF's shield bonus).
[*]At 5th level the Shield DAF gets Pounce, but only when wielding a Shield.
[*]At 7th level the Shield DAF gains Improved Two Weapon Fighting. They also add a bonus of half their Strength to melee damage and increase Power Attack bonus to 2 x attack penalty with their main weapon if they are wielding a Shield.
[*]At 9th level something or other. Haven't quite figured that one out.
[I don't want to go Captain America and have him throwing his shield around, but that could be possible. By 10th level they have a decent damage compared to two handed, the shield actually leads to defensive options, and they aren't so limited to standing still.]

Bonus Fighter Feat (Ex): At every even level the Dumbass Fighter gets a feat from the standard Fighter Bonus Feat list that they meet the requirements for.
[simple, recognisable to those that know the PHB fighter, and allows customisation]

Applying Force Physically (Ex): The 3rd level Dumbass Fighter is skilled at the precise use of the right tool in the right place. More precisely, hitting it with a big stick. As a Standard action the Dumbass Fighter can make a Disable Device or Open Lock check using his weapon. The bonus is BAB + Str + Weapon Focus bonus + the weapon's magical bonus. This can disable magical traps as well as unlock magical locks.
[Rogues no longer strictly needed but they are still better at it. It is a quicker, less effective brute force option]

Hitting It Harder Makes It Magic (Su): By rigorous and repeated blunt impact the Dumbass Fighter can instill magic into his craft. The Dumbass Fighter can craft Magical Weapons and Armour. He must be able to craft the item himself but otherwise needs no magical ability. Making the item costs the same amount of material components as normal, taking the same amount of time. Any Caster Level is substituted by the Dumbass Fighter's BAB.
[reduces the reliance on casters and magic item shops]

Applying Force Socially (Ex): The 6th level Dumbass Fighter has found that the "subtle" and "discerning" use of force can get you anywhere. He can make Diplomacy, Intimidate and Handle Animal checks against a single creature with his weapon. This can only be done when the target is flat-footed and facing the other way, and stops the use of this ability against anyone else that views it. The bonus is BAB + Str + Weapon Focus bonus + the weapon's magical bonus. He can also cause the Charm Person, Charm Monster or Sleep effect (DC 10+1/2HD + Str) but this fatigues the Dumbass Fighter.
[gives them some social options that aren't stupidly off the RNG like diplomacy can be. However it also encourages working together, since you may need the other PCs to distract the target before they get hit in the back of the head by the fighter]

Making Waves (Ex): With a slam of his weapon against a surface the 7th level Fighter can create shockwaves that show the hidden (Could be shouts, claps, stamps or whatever). As a Standard action that provokes AoOs, the Dumbass Fighter can create a cone with a length equal to 5ft x BAB (35ft at 7th level) which reveals Invisible, Ethereal and Hiding creatures, as well as showing any traps and secret doors in the area. Invisible and Ethereal creatures are visible as well as affected by creatures on the material plane (you can hit them with no miss chance) for a number of turns equal to half the Dumbass Fighter's BAB (round down). If the Fighter does this more than 3 rounds in a row he becomes fatigued. The Dumbass Fighter, those within the cone, and everyone within 20ft takes a -5 penalty to Listen for two minutes.
[gives some defence against ethereal and invisible creatures, as well as making it easier for the rest of the party since they can now join in whacking the creature. An extra debuff or some damage could be added. This can also be used over and over to find traps, but it is noisy and can fatigue the fighter.]

Applying Force Magically (Ex): The 9th level Dumbass Fighter has found that even non-sentient items and magical effects can be "convinced" by the appropriate force. He can make Use Magic Item checks with his weapon as a Standard action or the normal length, whichever is longer. The item needs to be held in one hand and the weapon in the other hand. The bonus is BAB + Str + Weapon Focus bonus + the weapon's magical bonus.
He can also recreate the effect of Break Enchantment or Dispel Magic on a single object or creature with a "touch" of his weapon applied strongly, using his BAB in place of the caster level. This is tiring, and fatigues the Fighter.
[It means that wands and similar can be used in combat but are less likely, especially for shield users. It expands their ability outside of combat and gives them some defence against curses, while not allowing them to repeatedly use the ability.]
Last edited by Parthenon on Mon Feb 27, 2012 7:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Neurosis
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Post by Neurosis »

It seems fucking strange to me that he doesn't get Strength bonus to smashing open locks and traps. Like...WHAT?
Last edited by Neurosis on Mon Feb 27, 2012 6:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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JonSetanta
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Post by JonSetanta »

I thought you could already open shit by smashing it. It's called Sunder.

Interesting thought experiment otherwise.
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Parthenon
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Post by Parthenon »

@Schwarzkopf: Yeah, you're right. I'll add that now.

@sigma999: Heh, I completely forgot about Sunder when thinking of this. Except that Sunder, as has been gone over multiple times on this board in my memory, is reliably a shitty thing to do in combat - takes way too much effort and expense to become useful, the best way to use it destroys the best loot, and is useless against creatures and casters.
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JonSetanta
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Post by JonSetanta »

You can Sunder unattended objects no problem. No feat needed. They won't even hit back.
The Adventurer's Almanac wrote:
Fri Oct 01, 2021 10:25 pm
Nobody gives a flying fuck about Tordek and Regdar.
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