Not having access to my computer at the moment, I’ve been thinking about a new character to play. I was thinking about going as a pure fighter, for the loads of feats, getting weapon focus and spec. in the Great Sword and maybe Great Fail (I think) for fighting the undead.
Then I started thinking about the weapon master, is it worth getting several WM levels, is it worth it?

7 levels of WM has some significant benefits - 7 Ki hits, improved critical range, improved critical damage and +1 to hit (iirc). Obviously these are very strong benefits, but the WM has a very demanding list of feats and consequently, minimum stats of 13 in Dex and Int. If you have the patience to factor all of these into your character then by all means go for it and enjoy the benefits.

Just be aware that the WM benefits will apply to one weapon choice alone!

Due to the large number of feats involved, fighters are the best equipped class to get there. It is time consuming, but the feats are handy anyway, so in the long run, even just for the feats, it's worth it. The improved critical threat range is also worthy of note. Using a keen kukri, a weapon master at lvl 7 can get a critical hit on a 10. Depending on immunity to crits, you can pretty much level opponents with that kind of crit range/damage. Throw in the ever popular dev crit, and you are killing some stuff so fast, you won't even get the battle music good and started. :D

At epic levels you can pick as many weapons of choice as you want, if the number of feats allow it.

That's quite true, but I will personally never do that again. It takes away from the focus on the first weapon, and lowers overall effectiveness.

bah, everyone in undermountain is building a WM [img]tongue.gif[/img] .. that goes to show how fast they bulldoze those mobs.

hmmmm just so many feats. What are peoples thoughts on Dwarven Defender? Are they good? how many levels do you need of them?
Cheers

i have a DD [img]smile.gif[/img] love those damage reduction.. now if you combine them with a shapeshifter like mine in Undermountain, you got uber damage reduction :D .

one thing that isnt good though is such lousy offense :(

I’ve had another thought, I will want knockdown and improved knockdown. How would it affect a fighter build to take the 6 monk levels?

If you take them before level 21, it'll mean you get a lower base attack. Also, you miss out on several bonus feats, two of which might've included knockdown and improved knockdown. You don't need to have 13 int though, and get the other monk benefits which may well be worth it.