What does every fighter need? Apart from a strong sword-arm and a willingness to both give and take damage... he needs skill and technique. Herewith are some 22 combat feats to enable every fighter to hone techniques and develop his own fighting style. Be you an arena fighter, a local sellsword or a mighty adventurer, it is worth being known for your prowess and a distinctive style helps. You don't get many jobs being the second-best swordsman in town!

Whilst billed as for fighters - and indeed having levels in fighter are prerequisite for some of them - many of these feats might be of use to anyone who is called on to demonstrate his prowess in physical combat upon occasion. Cast your eye over them, and decide if any will serve you well.

Firstly there is a full-page chart summarising all twenty-two feats, showing prerequisites and an overview of the effects gained. This is followed by a couple of pages in which each is expanded upon, in conventional format mixing flavour text and game mechanics. It's clear how some can go towards building a fighter persona, such as Always Aware which confers a bonus to initiative based on your bravery class feature bonus - old soldiers never let their guard down, after all! Similarly, battle-hardened veterans may choose the Battle Hardened feat, which enables them to shrug off intimidation or other effects that would leave lesser mortals in a shaken condition. It's this eye to detail, aiding you to build your character up in a meaningful way in both the role-playing and the game mechanical sense, that make this a valuable resource for those who delight in finely-crafted believeable characters.

There are, of course, other feats more directly combat-oriented, which will enhance your performance in combat - say Hurling Disarm, with which you not only relieve an opponent of his weapon but in fine style ensure that it hits somebody else as well. If disarming is a favoured style, you may prefer Wrenching Disarm instead, tangling your opponent's legs in his own weapon as you wrest it out of his grasp. King of the Hill is good for those who know how to take advantage of the high ground in a brawl, giving a +2 bonus when you get above your opponent. Watch any good swordfight in a movie and you'll see this in action. Those who are, shall we say, more concerned with the results than honour on the battlefield may prefer Pit Fighter, empowering a range of dirty tricks instead of a straight sneak attack. There are also specialised feats for different weapons: Javelin Strike, Quick Quarterstaff, Skewering Spear or Lashing Strike (for the whip-wielders) and so on, and some for those who enjoy disarming opponents by destroying their weapons: Precise Sunder and Splintering Sunder. The truly cold can enhance attacks against hindered or helpless foes with Executioner's Axe, provided they use a greataxe in combat.

There's a fair bit crammed in here, ways to create your fighter's personality and style as well as enhance his combat abilities. Well worth a look.

Return to Class Acts: Fighters page.

Reviewed: 10 November 2012