Tactical Melee Class suggestions.

[Boromirs]

Hello was wondering if I was going to play a melee thats heavily dependent on Trip/Improved Trip/Sap/Stun Blow/Tendon slice and all the other different combat tactics what would be the absolute best choice for a class, Barb? Fighter? A mix of several classes perhaps?

[Gkar]

Hello was wondering if I was going to play a melee thats heavily dependent on Trip/Improved Trip/Sap/Stun Blow/Tendon slice and all the other different combat tactics what would be the absolute best choice for a class, Barb? Fighter? A mix of several classes perhaps?

I'd recommend fighter with 3 fighter past lives. Fighters get enhancements for combat tactics, and the passive fighter past life gives additional bonuses to combat tactic DCs. Fighters also give you the bonus feats you will need to sneak in those tactic feats. I believe both Dwarves and Horcs also get bonuses to combat tactics so they are good matches.

[Boromirs]

But, Barbs get the insane nutty strength. Its a big factor...

[FuzzyDuck81]

Barbarian or a fighter would probably be ideal - fighter gets enhancements that directly boost the DCs & kensai boosts them too, whereas barbarian can get high enough str that they work just as well...fighters also have the advantage of being able to take extra feats that the barbarian couldnt fit in as easily.

For race, dwarf or warforged for tactical enhancements, or half orc for higher str.

Haven't figured it out properly, but IMO an 18fighter/2monk dwarf, kensai in fists with focus in STR & decent WIS could have some very powerful tactical attack-based options - stunning blow, stunning fist, improved trip & sap can all put an enemy out of the fight temporarily & you'd have the number of feats plus tactical enhancements to support them.

edit: 3 fighter past lives as mentioned above would be a major help too

[Anedac]

Pure barbs barely get enough feats to cover the essential things. If you were to do a tactics based barb, you would want to add a sizable chunk of fighter levels (probably at least 6) for the bonus feats.

[Gkar]

Pure barbs barely get enough feats to cover the essential things. If you were to do a tactics based barb, you would want to add a sizable chunk of fighter levels (probably at least 6) for the bonus feats.

Exactly... he's looking at Combat Expertise, Improved Trip, Stunning Blow, Sap.

That's at least 4 feats and a Barb would be lucky to squeeze 1 in.