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Legolas · 03-24-2005, 07:27 AM

Parry has its uses. It's by no means the best of feats though, since you can only improve it at a rate on one per level; which is about the attack bonus increase fighter classes receive. Against them, it'll never be better than it is at level 1 (not counting dex bonusses, but then, those would be offset by str bonusses on the other end).
However, rogue classes and casting classes advance their ab a little more slowly and don't normally exceed 3 attacks per round. They also don't spend as many attribute points and feats on improving their attack bonus.
To make the most of it you'll need the two skillfocus feats, the improved parry, and all the ranks in the skill you can get. Bonus items like (epic) gloves are also welcome. Epic Dodge is a good safety net.
Even then, parry is best used against a difficult enemy to stall him while the rest of your party (you do have a party, right?) makes their hits count. Or, in a RP battle. Sure, it can be over in seconds, one of you victorious and taunting the corpse of the other. But isn't it much more fun if it takes ages, and you have the time to type out some of those taunts during the confrontation with your nemesis?

On the whole though, it is much more of an investment than the improved evasion is, and more limited as well. Unless the module prohibits it, you can even use improved evasion on your wizard while casting spells. On anything but touch attacks, that's a +10 AC bonus for just 2 feats (compare with the epic Armour Skin). Great to block those spell disruption attempts. For characters against superiour enemies, it's another great bonus. If you only hit the enemy on a 19 or 20, and the enemy hits you on 11's, where is the downside in both hitting eachother on a 20 only? Sure, you may still slowly be losing the fight, but maybe healing potions or kits give you the hitpoints you need to come out on top. Failing that, there's always those partymembers. Improved Expertise, especially at low levels where AC matters so much, is as valid an option for stalling as parry is, and more user friendly, and effective against multiple enemies, and when casting or drinking a potion. The main downside here is that the AC bonus does not increase with levels.

03-24-2005, 07:27 AM	#8
Legolas Jack Burton Join Date: March 31, 2001 Location: The zephyr lands beneath the brine. Age: 41 Posts: 5,459	Parry has its uses. It's by no means the best of feats though, since you can only improve it at a rate on one per level; which is about the attack bonus increase fighter classes receive. Against them, it'll never be better than it is at level 1 (not counting dex bonusses, but then, those would be offset by str bonusses on the other end). However, rogue classes and casting classes advance their ab a little more slowly and don't normally exceed 3 attacks per round. They also don't spend as many attribute points and feats on improving their attack bonus. To make the most of it you'll need the two skillfocus feats, the improved parry, and all the ranks in the skill you can get. Bonus items like (epic) gloves are also welcome. Epic Dodge is a good safety net. Even then, parry is best used against a difficult enemy to stall him while the rest of your party (you do have a party, right?) makes their hits count. Or, in a RP battle. Sure, it can be over in seconds, one of you victorious and taunting the corpse of the other. But isn't it much more fun if it takes ages, and you have the time to type out some of those taunts during the confrontation with your nemesis? On the whole though, it is much more of an investment than the improved evasion is, and more limited as well. Unless the module prohibits it, you can even use improved evasion on your wizard while casting spells. On anything but touch attacks, that's a +10 AC bonus for just 2 feats (compare with the epic Armour Skin). Great to block those spell disruption attempts. For characters against superiour enemies, it's another great bonus. If you only hit the enemy on a 19 or 20, and the enemy hits you on 11's, where is the downside in both hitting eachother on a 20 only? Sure, you may still slowly be losing the fight, but maybe healing potions or kits give you the hitpoints you need to come out on top. Failing that, there's always those partymembers. Improved Expertise, especially at low levels where AC matters so much, is as valid an option for stalling as parry is, and more user friendly, and effective against multiple enemies, and when casting or drinking a potion. The main downside here is that the AC bonus does not increase with levels.