Homebrew DesignRoll up your sleeves and get working: there's lots of homebrewin' to be done! Post your custom creation for critiques or review those of your peers.
This has been done at least a dozen times before, but I feeled I had to contribute what I homebrewed for my last campaign.
I always liked the fighter. While he is rather weak, the only thing that always bothered me is that there are only a handful of useful feats on the fighter bonus feat list. Even if someone wanted to play a pure fighter, somewhere in the mid-levels most people start to struggle which feat to take, because none of them seem to be a good option.
This is an addition to the fighter bonus feat list. The general idea is to give the fighter (and thus, a few levels levels later, the warblade) some exclusive feat chains which use preexisting core feats, allow combos, and ultimately lead to a versatile fighter who has some useful "class features". With the 18 feats a fighter gets until level 20, he should be able to master three different fighting styles, giving him unique advantages in certain situations on the battlefield.
This is, however, not a fighter fix. I just wanted to make the fighter an interesting option for some of my players. In the end, nobody in the party considered playing a fighter, but some of the villains they encountered used some of these fighting styles and put up a good fight.
Your thoughts? Any additions?
General Feats
Spoiler
Determined Learner [General]
Prerequisite: None Benefit: Choose an ability score. For purposes of meeting feat requirements, treat that ability score as if it were four points higher. Special: A fighter may select Determined Learner as one of her fighter bonus feats.
You may choose this feat more than once. For each time you take the feat, it applies to another ability score.
Toughness [General]
Prerequisite: None Benefit: You gain two additional hit points. For all purposes, treat your hit points and Toughness as if your CON was two points higher. Special: A fighter may select Toughness as one of her fighter bonus feats.
Heavy Fighting Style
Spoiler
Resolve [General] [Heavy]
You stand your ground, regardless.
Prerequisite: Toughness, Fighter Level 2+ Benefit: You gain a +4 bonus on throws resisting being tripped, pinned, bull rushed, knocked down or otherwise moved against your will. Special: A fighter may select Resolve as one of his fighter bonus feats.
Shrug Off [General] [Heavy]
You do not even get bruises anymore.
Prerequisite: Toughness, Fighter Level 4+ Benefit: Once per round, while conscious, you may make an CON check against DC 20 to cure non-lethal damage equal to your Fighter Level. You gain a resistance bonus of +2 against all pain-based effects. Special: A fighter may select Shrug Off as one of her fighter bonus feats.
In Corpore Sano [General] [Heavy]
You are an expert in shutting off your mind and let your body do the work.
Prerequisite: Toughness, Fighter Level 6+ Benefit: Once per round, you may choose to make a Fortitude saving throw instead of a Will saving throw. If you do this more than once per hour, you will become fatigued. Special: A fighter may select In Corpore Sano as one of her fighter bonus feats.
Painless [General] [Heavy]
Interesting. Suddenly all your scars stopped hurting.
Prerequisite: Toughness, Fighter Level 8+ Benefit: You gain Damage Reduction 1/- Special: A fighter may select Painless as one of her fighter bonus feats. You may take this feat up to three times. You gain a unnamed bonus of +1 against all pain-based effects. These effects stack.
Heavy Fighter [General]
You know the best way to survive the battle is not to get hit.
Prerequisite: Any three feats with the Heavy descriptor, Fighter Level 10+ Benefit: If not fatigued or exhausted, you can endure even magical and unusual attacks with great constitution. If you make a successful Fortitude saving throw against an attack that normally deals partial damage on a successful save, you instead take no damage. Special: A fighter may select Heavy Fighter as one of her fighter bonus feats.
Sadistic Fighting Style
Spoiler
Increased Pain [General] [Sadistic]
You exactly know the spot where the pain is the greatest.
Prerequisite: non-Good Alignment, Weapon Finesse, Fighter Level 1+ Benefit: Whenever you score a critical hit, you deal an additional 1d3 non-lethal damage plus 1d3 non-lethal damage per three Fighter levels above the first. Special: A fighter may select Increased Pain as one of her fighter bonus feats.
Mutilation [General] [Sadistic]
You know how to hurt your opponent on the outside and the inside.
Prerequisite: non-Good Alignment, Weapon Finesse, Fighter Level 6+ Benefit: Once per round, when you hit with a called shot, your opponent must make a Fortitude save (DC 5+your Fighter level) or receive one point of temporary ability damage to STR, DEX, WIS or CHA (your choosing). Special: A fighter may select Mutilation as one of her fighter bonus feats.
Quick Death [General] [Sadistic]
When they can not feel pain it is just no fun at all.
Prerequisite: non-Good Alignment, Weapon Finesse, Fighter Level 2+ Benefit: When you are in the vicinity of an unconscious opponent you may attempt a coup de grace as a quick action. You may do this once per round per target. Special: A fighter may select Quick Death as one of her fighter bonus feats.
Think Twice [General] [Sadistic]
You really want this to happen. Prerequisite: non-Good Alignment, Weapon Finesse, Fighter Level 4+ Benefit: Once per fight, when rolling to determine a critical hit, you may roll again if you do not like the outcome. Special: A fighter may select Quick Death as one of her fighter bonus feats.
Sadistic Fighter [General]
You are not only good in hurting people, you really enjoy it.
Prerequisite: Any three feats with the sadistic descriptor, Weapon Finesse, Fighter Level 10+ Benefit: When you dealt hit point damage to an opponent this day, you may ignore that foes damage resistance equal to half your Fighter Level. Furthermore, whenever you score a critical hit, you receive a damage bonus equal to your fighter level on your next attack. Special: A fighter may select Sadistic Fighter as one of her fighter bonus feats.
Reckless Fighting Style
Spoiler
Aimed Charge [General] [Reckless]
When charging your opponent, you know exactly where to to strike.
Prerequisite: Power Attack, Fighter Level 6+ Benefit: Whenever you charge wielding a melee weapon you are proficient with, the critical range of that weapon doubles for your charge attack that round. This effect stacks with the feat Improved Critical, but not with other effects increasing your chance to score a critical hit. Special: A fighter may select Aimed Charge as one of her fighter bonus feats.
Calculated Risk [General] [Reckless]
You do not fear injury when you spot a chance to strike an opponent down.
Prerequisite: Power Attack, Fighter Level 2+ Benefit: Once per round, whenever you hit an opponent in melee, you may choose to make another attack against the same target at your highest base attack bonus – 2. However, this attack provokes an attack of opportunity from everyone threatening you. Special: A fighter may select Calculated Risk as one of her fighter bonus feats.
Free Passage [General] [Reckless]
Focusing on one oppenent does not mean that you cannot deal some damage to others.
Prerequisite: Power Attack, Fighter Level 8+ Benefit: When you charge an opponent, all opponents on your way provoke attacks of opportunities from you. If able, you can attack these opponents and still carry out the charge attack. Attacking this way does not grant you the +2 bonus to attack your charge attack grants you against your main target. You have to move at least 5 feet before you can use your first attack of opportunity in the way described above. Special: A fighter may select Free Passage as one of her fighter bonus feats.
Plunge Weapon [General] [Reckless]
Your most vicious blows drive your weapons deep into your opponents body.
Prerequisite: Power Attack, Fighter Level 4+ Benefit: Whenever you deal maximum damage with a melee slashing or piercing weapon that is not part of or fixed to your body, you may choose to let go of your weapon, thus leaving it in your targets body. Until retrieved, your target is fatigued. Retrieving the weapon from the body is a move equivalent action and provokes an attack of opportunity, however, if the target is still conscious, it may choose to hinder you, forcing you to make a touch attack against 10+the weapons size AC modifier+the targets DEX modifier. Anyone retrieving the weapon may choose to deal critical damage against the target. Obviously this only works against corporeal targets. Special: A fighter may select Plunge Weapon as one of her fighter bonus feats.
Reckless Fighter [General]
You have a renown to not care for your own well-being. Even more, you hurt yourself in battle nearly as much as you hurt your enemies.
Prerequisite: Fighter Level 10+, any three feats with the Reckless descriptor Benefit: Upon attempting a charge attack, you may choose to suffer an additional -4 penalty to AC and provoke attacks of opportunity. By doing so, you may add half your Fighter Level (rounded down) to attack and deal maximum damage with your charge attack. Special: A fighter may select Reckless Fighter as one of her fighter bonus feats.
Thoughtful Fighting Style
Spoiler
Fighting Aware [General] [Thoughtful]
You know how to use your surroundings against your opponents.
Prerequisite: Combat Expertise, Fighter Level 2+ Benefit: Once per round, you may use an object up to two size category smaller than you are to attack an opponent as a free action. The object in question must not be more than 5 feet from you and you must be able to move it. This attack deals damage as if this object was a weapon of the appropiate size plus half your STR modifier (rounded down). If there are no other objects in your immediate vicinity, you kick sand or dust into your opponents face, dazzling her (Reflex negates, DC 10+your Fighter level). Depending on your surroundings, other uses to weaponize the terrain may be possible. Special: A fighter may select Fighting Aware as one of her fighter bonus feats.
Fighting Carefully [General] [Thoughtful]
You know how to stay out of dangerous situations
Prerequisite: Combat Expertise, Fighter Level 4+ Benefit: Once per round, when you would provoke an attack of opportunity, you do not. Special: A fighter may select Fighting Carefully as one of her fighter bonus feats.
Protective Gear [General] [Thoughtful]
You price your life higher than your possessions and act like it.
Prerequisite: Combat Expertise, Fighter Level 1+ Benefit: Once per round, if you wear any armor or shield or wield a weapon, you may choose an attack that hits you to deal half of it's damage to your weapon, armor or shield instead, ignoring hardness or other enhancements. If this would destroy your armor or shield, the damage exceeding your equipments hit points is not dealt to you. Special: A fighter may select Protective Gear as one of her fighter bonus feats.
Thoughtful Fighter [General]
You know the best way to survive the battle is not to get hit.
Prerequisite: Any three feats with the Thoughtful descriptor, Fighter Level 8+ Benefit: Add a bonus equal to one third of your Fighter Level (rounded down) to your AC. You lose this bonus whenever you lose your DEX modifier to AC. Special: A fighter may select Thoughtful Fighter as one of her fighter bonus feats.
Quick Fighting Style
Spoiler
Quick Strike [General] [Quick]
You strike with surprising speed.
Prerequisite: Combat Reflexes, Fighter Level 4+ Benefit: When you attack your opponent the first time, you catch him flat-footed. If you gain another level, or if a week passes without your opponent watching you fight, you may gain this bonus again against the same opponent. Special: A fighter may select Quick Strike as one of her fighter bonus feats.
Seize The Moment [General] [Quick]
You do not hesitate when you have the chance to strike.
Prerequisite: Combat Reflexes, Fighter Level 8+ Benefit: Whenever an opponent provokes an attack of opportunity, you may choose to use more than one attacks of opportunity against him if you have enough left this turn. If you choose to do so, all your attacks of opportunity this round suffer a -2 penalty to attack. Special: A fighter may select Seize The Moment as one of her fighter bonus feats.
Roll With The Blow [General] [Quick]
When your opponents think you careless, you just lure them into your trap.
Prerequisite: Combat Reflexes, Fighter Level 2+ Benefit: Whenever you provoke an attack of opportunity, you may choose this attack to hit you automatically and attack your attacker in return. This attack deals maximum damage. Special: A fighter may select Roll With The Blow as one of her fighter bonus feats.
Surplus Energy [General] [Quick]
Sometimes they just need another push.
Prerequisite: Combat Reflexes, Fighter Level 6+ Benefit: After full attack action, if you have any attacks of opportunity left, you may choose to forfeit an attack of opportunity and make an unarmed attack against an opponent in reach. This unarmed attack does not provoke an attack of opportunity from the target if another of your attacks hit it this round. Special: A fighter may select Surplus Energy as one of her fighter bonus feats.
Quick Fighter [General] [Quick]
You have become so quick your motions blur when attacking.
Prerequisite: Any three feats with the Quick descriptor, Fighter Level 10+ Benefit: When using a full attack action, you may choose to take -5 on all your attack throws this round. If you do so, you gain one extra attack per six fighter levels (rounded down) at your highest base attack bonus. Special: A fighter may select Quick Fighter as one of her fighter bonus feats.
Specialist Fighting Style
Spoiler
Extended Arm [General] [Specialist]
You treat your specialized weapon like another limb of yours.
Prerequisite: Weapon Specialization (any), Fighter Level 6+ Benefit: If you wield a weapon you have specialized in, all disarm attempts against you automatically fail. You cannot be seperated from one such weapon against your will, as long as you carry it on your body. If your weapon would receive hit point damage from any source, you may choose that this damage is dealt to you instead. If you choose to do this, your weapons hardness does not subtract from the damage. Special: A fighter may select Extended Arm as one of her fighter bonus feats.
Soul Focus [General] [Specialist]
You grew accustomed to your specialized weapon to an extend that you feel more at ease while having it near you.
Prerequisite: Weapon Specialization (any), Fighter Level 12+ Benefit: While wielding a weapon you have taken the feat Weapon Specialization in, you gain a +1 morale bonus on all rolls. Special: A fighter may select Soul Focus as one of her fighter bonus feats.
Parrying Master [General] [Specialist]
You are apt enough to parry incoming blows even while you strike.
Prerequisite: Weapon Specialization (any), Fighter Level 8+ Benefit: While wielding a weapon you have taken the feat Weapon Specialization in, you gain all the positive effects of wearing a shield, including the AC bonus. The type of shield depends on the size of your weapon: a buckler for a light weapon, a small shield for a weapon of your size category, and a large shield for a weapon larger than your size category. If your weapon has an enhancement bonus, this also applies to the shield. No other abilities and effects your weapon may have apply. Special: A fighter may select Parrying Master as one of her fighter bonus feats.
Weak Spot [General] [Specialist]
You know how to find a weak spot in every armor.
Prerequisite: Weapon Specialization (any), Fighter Level 10+ Benefit: While wielding a weapon you have taken the feat Weapon Specialization in, that weapon counts as a magical weapon of your alignment for purposes of overcoming damage resistance. Furthermore, you may roll again once when determing whether fortification would negate a critical hit of an opponent. Special: A fighter may select Weak Spot as one of her fighter bonus feats.
Specialist Fighter [General]
Your weapon mastery is unmatched, and your blows are devastating.
Prerequisite: Any three feats with the Specialist descriptor, Fighter Level 14+ Benefit: On your first attack each round, add half your Fighter Level to attack and damage if you wield a weapon you have taken the feat Weapon Specialization in. Special: A fighter may select Specialist Fighter as one of her fighter bonus feats.
Leadership feats:
Spoiler
Leader Of Men [General]
As long as you are able to hold a sword, your followers will not lose hope.
Prerequisite: Leadership, Fighter Level 6+ Benefit: As long as you are conscious and in sight, your followers and cohort gain +2 bonus on their Will and Fortitude saves. They will never remain shaken or frightened more than one round if they can see or hear you clearly or have other means of perceiving your presence. Taking this feat grants you a +1 bonus on your Leadership score. Special: A fighter may select Leader Of Men as one of her fighter bonus feats.
Brothers In Battle [General]
Your followers are proud to follow you into battle and rely on each other to survive the fray.
Prerequisite: Leadership, Fighter Level 6+ Benefit: You, your followers and cohort gain a +1 morale bonus on all saving throws, AC and attack as long as another one of your followers, you or your cohort are within 9 meters of them and alive. This effect is not cumulative. Taking this feat grants you a +1 bonus to your leadership score. Special: A fighter may select Brothers In Battle as one of her fighter bonus feats.
Military Commander [General]
Your followers are loyal to you and trust all your decisions to the depth of their hearts.
Prerequisite: Leadership, Fighter Level 6+ Benefit: Your followers and cohorts receive a +2 bonus on all saves against Enchantment effects. When under the effect of a charm or dominate effect, a suggestion or compulsion, they will still carry out your orders as long as they are able to understand you. If your orders contradict the enchantment, they will remain passive until your orders change or the enchantment effect wears off. Taking this feat grants you a +1 bonus to your leadership score. Special: A fighter may select Military Commander as one of her fighter bonus feats.
RSS Feeds: 
3.5 Fighting Styles [PEACH]
