The Griffin's Crier

So playing around with my character, looking at feats. So far I am considering: Critical Focus and Vital Strike. Here is the synergy: I'm also thinking about making the greataxe Keen. The idea is that I get the +4 to confirm crits on 19-20, but also get to double my damage on the 1st attack regardless of critting or not (so that's 2d12+7 on the first attack). If I get a crit, that's 4d12+7 on a single attack!

The other -- tempting -- option would be to take the aformentioned Vital Strike as well as Improved Vital Strike. The big advantage here is that I can deal 3d12+7 on my first hit, but don't get any benefits for crits.

Personally I'm leaning towards option 2, but anyone have any further comments?

Damon.

Looking at rage powers now, one I'm strongly considering is Mighty Swing. Combine this with the Keen special ability, and Critical Focus just doesn't seem as important. Comments?

Damon.

The thing about Vital Strike and Imp Vital Stike is they do not apply to your first attack, they replace all your iterative attacks with one attack that deals the added damage. So, in choosing those, you would only be doing one attack that round if you did a Vital Strike.

Two things:

1. Which "I want that" list is longer: Rage Powers or Feats. If you go with the Keen axe and take Mighty Swing, you're guaranteed to make any enemy's day very bad...so long as you crit. If you feel like you have a chance to crit more than once per rage, or if your ratio of fighting while raging:not-raging is in favor, then either substitute (or add) Crit Focus in place of Mighty Swing. But do you really expect to crit more than once per rage? How often do you fight when NOT raging? Without knowing what Feats or Rage Powers you have lined up from here to 20, I'd say it's a matter of preference, so you should consult #2.....

2. If Damon finds either route agreeable, let Cutheric decide. What would a bloodthirsty son of the North prefer? And don't let him answer, "more arms to swing my lovely death-bringers!!". I'm not saying it's a bad idea, just...not in the cards.

So in other thoughts, I think I'll go with Critical Focus and Improved Critical. That'll give me a +4 to confirm crits, and double the crit range of my axe. With the keen property I'll be threatening on a 17-20, with a +4 to confirm, and an auto-confirm once a rage.

For magic items (assuming we can "upgrade" what we have), looking at a Ring of Evasion, Boots of Teleportation, upgrade my axe with another + (to make it +3) with the Keen ability (so +4 overall), and bump the amulet of natural armor from +1 to +3. If we can't "upgrade" then less awesome stuff...

Damon.

Yes, you can upgrad3 weapons and equipment.