Half-Orc Cavalier Feats

[Khazrak]

I've been progressing with this character pretty fast and loose, choosing feats as I go. But I want to post what I have and what I'm considering.

Note my unbuffed stats are 20, 8, 16, 10, 14, 10. I don't have Turn Undead, so I went for a low CHA route.

What I have:

Shield Bash, Shield Charge, Shield Slam: Free with Cavalier.
Favored Enemies Undead, Orcs: Cavalier. I got three more coming. Will take Imp. FE at 18.
Extra Smiting: Cavalier. I will also get Great Smiting I eventually from Cavalier.
Power Attack: For smashing things hard.
Heavy Armor Optimization: AC.
Greater Heavy Armor Optimization: AC. Gotta make up for my 8 DEX.
Luck of Heroes: AC/saves. See above.

So, 3 feats spent on defenses, 1 on damage. Now I am at a crossroads. What should I take?

Knockdown / Imp. Knockdown at 12 and 15 sound fun. Imp. FE at 18 makes sense for murdering undead, perhaps with Favored Power Attack in epic levels. Epic STR seems obvious, too. I dunno if I can nab Steadfast easily.

I could RCR to get rid of power attack. Cavaliers use shields really, really well - I've enjoyed that gameplay style.

Thoughts?

[Sun Wukong]

Since you like sword-and-board, I think Northlander Hewing would be a better match over Power Attack. You can turn it on and off when needed, and since you have gone for a high strength build, Northlander Hewing really brings in the damage. It does reduce your number of attacks with main hand, but those are your lowest BAB attacks, and enable you to cleave through DR.

Knockdown is not as useful in high end game PvE as it used to be, but it still is nice in PvP, and possibly in DM events too.

And yeah, go for Great Strength all the way in the epic levels.


As for Steadfast Dertermination, Epic Resilience is also an option you could consider. But Steadfast still costs one feat less.

[Khazrak]

Anything besides Epic STR you may suggest?

I like the idea of Northlander Hewing - gonna try that. I figured more attacks might be better because of my Favored Enemy stuff - but I can always just turn it off, that's true.

I was considering nabbing Exotic Weapon Prof. for more weapon options (gear found while dungeoning), but that seems like a waste, truth be told. Yes?

[Khazrak]

Also - Craft Scroll, to make high CL paladin scrolls for others to UMD. Good? Or no?

[Tsidkenu]

Full STR cavalier can focus on stunlock. Shield Charge to open combat + IKD + Shield bash. Your opponent will never get a round on their feet.

[Khazrak]

One more question: What are some key pieces of equipment I should consider grabbing? (Gear progression may be slow due to tithing, note.)

I know I need one REALLY solid undead-smashing weapon, and one general use weapon. I have Weapon of the Deity, so I can make weapons +lots of EB and Keen - so a 19-20, 18-20, or x3 weapon is probably best for me.

[Sun Wukong]

If you are using Northlander Hewing, any weapon with extra physical damage is wonderful. For example Terrance Fell Hand axe comes with +1d4 piercing, and you might be able to get one very cheaply from the in game consignment store. Otherwise that Monkey Grip and that one particular Warmace might be the way to go for the same reason.

(Manticore Greatsword would be quite lovely for Northlander Hewing too, since it gives +1d6 extra damage.)

With Nortlander Hewing, any such weapon will become an undead smashing weapon. Some mob comes with the DR of 20? Please, Northlander Hewing with high strength just goes through it.

[Khazrak]

Fair enough on Northlander hewing + weaponry! I feel like a weapon that happens to be alchemical silver would still be best for when vampires need pounding, especially if it's bludgeoning (to deal with liches/skellies). That axe sounds excellent for chopping zombies/mummies, however. I certainly don't mind weapon swapping.

And yeah - Scribe Scroll, is it any good for a paladin? I was imagining selling Scrolls of Righteous Fury, for instance, or Bless Weapon. They can be high-ish CL, right?

[Hendrak]

Hey,

i tried Scribe Scroll on my cavalier paladin. My experience with it was that non custom Paladin spell cant be scribed down into a scroll -> I asked a DM to delevel me and picked another feat; IMO the feat isnt worth it for a paladin. Bless Weapon can be cheaply crafted as wand (50 uses).

[Sun Wukong]

Craft Wand would be better feat.