I'm still relatively new to DDO, and DnD in general, and I would like some opinions. So with the new Vanguard PrE, I wanted to try something different with it. I wanted to make a Dwarf Fighter that specialized in shields. Not necessarily a tank, (and with what I have laid out now, definitely not a tank, but open to suggestion) but a Sword and Board kind of build. I liked the idea of gameplay where you chuck axes from a distance until the surviving mobs get close, then shield bash them till they die. (And with the new tree, this wouldn't be unreasonable.) I realized I would be screwed if I got swarmed though, so I would carry around a dwarven axe to Cleave multiple mobs with if they got close. So this idea is more of a S&B melee and thrower, depending on the situation. I'm hoping to not use any tomes, and this would be a first-life build.
Shield Chucker
Pure Dwarf Fighter
Stats: 32 point build
Strength: 17 rest levels here
Dexterity: 17 two levels here
Con: 16
Int: 8
Wis: 8
Cha: 6
Feats: (in no order) Shield Mastery, Improved Shield Mastery, Improved Shield Bash, Shield Deflection, Power attack, THF, ITHF, GTHF, Cleave,
G Cleave, Point Blank shot, Precise Shot, Quick Draw, Rapid Shot, Improved Precise Shot, Weapon focus(slash or thrown),
Weapon Specialization(same as prev), Greater Weapon Focus (same)
1 shield mastery, ISB
2 Power attack
3 Cleave
4 G cleave
6 PBS, Quick Draw
8 Weapon Focus
9 THF
10 ISM
12 Shield Deflection, Rapid Shot
14 Precise Shot
15 Improved Precise shot
16 Weapon Spec
18 Greater Weapon Focus
19 ITHF
20 GTHF
I haven't calculated Enhancements yet, but I'd think points into the full Vanguard tree to the capstone(although looking at it again, the Kensai capstone looks delicious too), then the rest into Dwarf (up to Dwarf Fortress and the axe line, also combat DCs), and Kensai (for Kensai Focus Axes and some ranged active abilities). I would leave out Weapon Focus and Weapon spec, but they are required for the Kensai Focus line. I would like to fit in Stunning Blow in here somewhere, but I'm not sure what would be worth replacing. Maybe GTHF? I was also considering swapping the Kensai tree for Stalwart Defender. Then dumping Weapon Spec, Focus and Greater Focus would net three more feats, which I was thinking Dodge, Mobility, and Spring Attack/Shot on the run. Another thing to consider is the Stalwart Defensive Stance. This stance wouldn't stack with Power Attack or Precise Shot, right? If not, is it still worth taking the Defender tree instead of Kensai for DPS/Survival purposes?
Edit: taking a look at what feats I don't have, I think dropping the THF line and greater cleave is worth it to pick up a few other feats, as I would normally be throwing and bashing.
Feats: (in no order) Shield Mastery, Improved Shield Mastery, Improved Shield Bash, Shield Deflection, Power attack, Cleave,
Improved Critical Thrown(slash?), Point Blank shot, Precise Shot, Quick Draw, Rapid Shot, Improved Precise Shot, Weapon focus(thrown),
Weapon Specialization(thrown), Greater Weapon Focus (thrown), Greater Weapon Spec(thrown), Superior Weapon Focus(thrown), Improved Critical Slash or Toughness