Warforged Melee FvS Question

[stethnorun]

So I'm trying to decide if I should go for a level 20 FvS, thus getting the Adamantine DR at the end, or if I should get a level of fighter (around level 6) for another feat, which would come in VERY handy. The capstone seems pretty worthless to me, so I'm not factoring that into my decision and the extra level 9 spell is also not needed because I only need 2 level 9 spells anyway. I'm making sure to get Adamantine body at the start anyway, plus all the enhancements so I'll already have a decent DR anyway...is the 10 more DR worth giving up a feat for?

[stethnorun]

Also, how worth it are the 2-handed fighting feats? Are they as necessary as the 2-weapon fighting feats for dual wielders? 3 feats is a lot to invest in one line and I want to make sure it's worth the effort.

[Steveohio]

they help, but thf doesn't totally require it like TWF does.

splashing for 1 feat, and losing the best passive DR in the game would not be a smart idea.

You better be getting more out of that splash than 1 feat.

2 monk is viable, but on a WF greatsword user, its far less common and needed than on the elf or TWF fvs's.

[satanofmetal]

Giving up the DR its not a good ideia. Having 13 DR/Adamantium all time it freaking good.
Adamantium Body its good at early game, but when u get a BB with decent dmg and a superior potency 6 item, the Maximaze works better then any body feats.

And yeap, drop all THF feats. Worthless.

[Khayvan]

is the 10 more DR worth giving up a feat for?

Absolutely. A 13+ standing DR is incredible. If you would spend a feat for 2 DR (because that's all Addy Body is giving you at endgame, the AC is worthless) then wouldn't trading a feat for 10 DR be an even better idea?

The THF feats are decent, they do up your damage, but for this build they just aren't worth what you have to give up: metamagics.

I use Extend, Maximize, Empower Healing, and Quicken almost all the time. I couldn't give up any of them for that little bit of extra damage, as they are critical to my playstyle and my success as a healer. Okay, maybe Extend, but it still has a lot of value for me in keeping the short-term combat buffs going and saving SP from recasting.

My melee feats are IC: Slashing and Power Attack, which add more damage than the THF line. Rounding it all out is Toughness, which is mandatory for this build IMO.

[stethnorun]

Does it matter that I don't care very much about healing and buffing other party members? I'm certainly doing extend for the self-buffs. But taking maximize for the blade barrier...I just don't see myself using offensive spells that much.\

But you all have definitely convinced me to go all FvS up to 20. I'll do Adam. body until later levels, then switch to something else.

Still trying to decide between THF and metamagics. I know quicken would be useful. I'm just having a hard time justifying empower and max.

[Khayvan]

Does it matter that I don't care very much about healing and buffing other party members?

This begs the question: Why do you want to play a class that offers the best healing and some of the best buffs for parties in the game and then not use them?

Assuming you're dumping WIS to focus on STR and CON, you'll be almost forced to take mass heals and party buff spells, as offensive spells will be useless to you (except blade barrier). To have them and not help the party by using them would seem... odd, at best.

If what you're looking for is a melee DPS build with good self healing, FvS may not be the class for you. You might like a paladin better, it offers higher DPS, you can afford the THF feats if that's what you want, can self heal, and has several good personal buffs to use.

The WF FvS is a healer/buffer build that does above average DPS. It is an incredibly resilient build with high HP, DR, resists and self-healing, but it's DPS is significantly lower than a well-built fighter, barb, paladin or ranger.

If you do choose FvS, then yes Maximize and Empower Healing are very much worth it. Both will boost your Cure spells, EH boosts your Heals, and Max makes your Blade Barrier very good. And you will use BB, it is key to successful soloing with this build. BB does much, much more damage than any amount of THF feats ever could.

[stethnorun]

I should rephrase: I am definitely glad to have the option to heal and buff a party...but I don't know if I want to build my character in a way that orients him towards that. I'm cool with healing people because, hey, it's not a sacrifice if if I heal and buff myself all the time. But it WOULD be a sacrifice if I took feats. Does that make any sense? Glad to have options, not sure about building my character mostly FOR those options.

[Vynnt]

THF adds better grazing hits.
Metamagics adds the ability to heal raids and have an alternative to melee.

Take the Metamagics.

[Khayvan]

I should rephrase: I am definitely glad to have the option to heal and buff a party...but I don't know if I want to build my character in a way that orients him towards that. I'm cool with healing people because, hey, it's not a sacrifice if if I heal and buff myself all the time. But it WOULD be a sacrifice if I took feats. Does that make any sense? Glad to have options, not sure about building my character mostly FOR those options.

I get what you're saying, but here's the truth of the matter:

The THF feats don't add that much damage. Since you no longer get glancing blows while moving, I wonder if they're worth the slots at all, because combat is almost constant movement.

Feats like Maximize and Empower make a significant difference in your healing.

So do you want to focus on DPS and only be a mediocre healer, while still only doing "decent" damage?

Or do you want to focus on your spells and be an excellent healer that still does decent damage?

You'll be a more valuable asset to a party as a better healer, and 99% of the people who accept you into a group are doing so for the heals, not for how hard you hit with a greatsword.