Talk:Combat School (3.5e Feat)

I'm not convinced about how this first feat of the chain works out. A feat that grants 3 other feats is suspicious at best. Does that mean the 3 feats it grants are not worth a feat each? Does a first-level fighter really need that push? And why do they need to step on monk territory with Improved Unarmed Strike, Improved Grapple and Balance?

Maybe we should make a "get three feats in one at level 1" feats for every possible build? "Spiky Combat School": EWP spiked chain, Imp Trip and Combat Reflexes. "Drizzt Combat School": TWF, WF Scimitar and a free panther animal companion. "Hulking Brute Combat School": Power Attack, Cleave and Bull Rush.

Also, why can't higher level fighters decide to join a combat school later? Veterans never learn new tricks? Or, if you want a more basic game reason, why can't the fighter of the group take the Combat School stuff when you introduce those feats into a running campaign?

A better way to create a feat chain basic feat is to create a very basic effect that most builds benefit from, such as bonus hit points or a save bonus, make that feat easily available (no prerequisites) and allow the effect increase if you take more feats of that school. See Combat Focus in PHB II for a good way to do this. --Mkill 03:08, 26 July 2007 (MDT)

This feat chain is an experiment. You need not agree with it. I do hope that you find it interesting and engaging, even if you disagree with the implementation.

For a dedicated fighter, these feats are not worth much. Improved Unarmed Strike is not worth a feat for a fighter. (He can just wear gauntlets.) Improved Unarmed Strike is rarely used unless specialized in. Balance is a reactionary ability. You get low payback from it. It is uncommonly encountered. Grappling is more frequently seen, yet still uncommon. Compare this to the half-orc, power attack, cleaving fighter at this level.

There is nothing special about a monk. A monk is just one implementation of an unarmed combatant. It need not be the only implementation. --Dmilewski 09:10, 26 July 2007 (MDT)

Believe me, the grappling, unarmed striking half-giant holds his ground very well in comparison to the power attacking, cleaving half-orc. One is really good against single, tough opponents, especially spellcasters, the other is better against a horde of kobolds. You underestimate how much variety there is in fighters. What do you think about the following change:

Make it a 3 for 2 instead of 3 for 1 feat. You must be level 1 fighter to take it, but it costs both the normal level 1 feat and the fighter bonus feat. That way, you have a much better tradeoff: reduced choice but an additional feat. (monk fighting styles work the same way) --Mkill 09:24, 26 July 2007 (MDT)