While doing some favor farming I decided to check out a couple of the "pre-made" Fighter Paths - Vanguard and Stalwart.

These are TERRIBLE!

Human Vanguard chooses the feats - Two Handed Fighting and 2 {yes TWO!} x Toughness!

Human Stalwart chooses the feats - Combat Expertise, Toughness and Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh {Not ******* Sword no - because that would be the RIGHT choice!}.


Whoever created the Pre-Made Paths has absolutely no idea of what's good and what's not in this game!


Toughness is literally pointless at Lvl 1! - You can take 1 {ONE} Toughness much later on but NEVER Two!
Combat Expertise is a trap! - Power Attack is the stance of choice! {and you can't have both up at the same time!}.
Exotic Weapon Prof: Khop: Just NO - NOT ON A STALWART!

Two Handed Fighting is ok.


OK So:

The Vanguard Path {not the enhancement tree} is clearly meant for a Two Handed Kensai {despite Kensai having been made a virtual Monk tree in the enhancement pass!}.
So:
Take Power Attack, Cleave {and if Human} your choice of: Two Handed Fighting, Dragonmark of Passage {expeditious retreat is superb}, Augment Summoning {helps hirelings immensely}, Exotic Weapon Prof: B-Sword {if you want to sword and board - btw unlike Khop this works with Two Handed Fighting}

At level 2:
If you took either Two Handed Fighting or Exotic Wpn: B-Sword - Take the remainder of the two!
At level 3:
Take Weapon Focus Slashing
At level 4:
Take Great Cleave

If you didn't take either Two Handed Fighting or B-Sword at Lvl 1 then skip Weapon Focus Slashing till later!

Seriously - Power Attack, Cleave, Great Cleave are that good that you'll want them as soon as you can possibly get them - Great Cleave isn't available till you've taken the other two AND reached Lvl 4!


The Stalwart Path on the other hand is the "Tank" Path - Only DDO doesn't treat "Tanks" well!
So:
Take Power Attack, Cleave {and if Human} Exotic Weapon Prof: B-Sword {NOT Khop!}

At Lvl 2 and 3:
Take Two Handed Fighting and either Shield Mastery or the Dragonmark of Passage
At Lvl 4:
Take Great Cleave
At Lvl 6: If you didn't take the Dragonmark before now you most likely can do without it - So take Improved Shield Bash and Improved Two Handed Fighting.
If you did take the Dragonmark and like having that Expeditious Retreat available to you - Take Shield Mastery and Improved Two Handed Fighting



Now unlike most people here on these forums I adore the Feat: Augment Summoning. So I've placed it here as an option for you.
BUT
Like the Dragonmark of Passage it's more a Quality of Life enhancement that you can actually do without than a Necessity!

So: Remember - If you're gonna take a feat or two like these {Or Toughness} you certainly can BUT that will push back when you can take the Necessities!


Whether you're a full on Sword & Boarding Stalwart Defender.
OR
A full on Greatsword{axe} cleaving brute
OR
A Drizz't Clone wielding two Scimitars {or Khopeshes}

There's some feats that are absolute must haves every time!

For the Sword & Boarder:
Power Attack, Cleave, Great Cleave, Exotic Wpn Prof: B-Sword, Two Handed Fighting, Improved Two Handed Fighting, Greater Two Handed Fighting, Shield Mastery, Imp. Shield Mastery, Imp. Shield Bash and Improved Critical: Slashing {If you're using a Mace take Bludgeon and if you're using a Pick take Piercing of course!}.

For the Great weapon wielder:
Power Attack, Cleave, Great Cleave, the Two Handed Fighting line {3 feats as above} and Improved Critical: Slashing {Bludgeon if you're wielding a Maul of course}.
Only take the B-Sword Prof. if you want to use Sword & Board a lot

For the Drizz't Clone:
The Two Weapon Fighting line {3 feats like Two Handed}, Oversized Two Weapon Fighting, Power Attack and Improved Critical {again take the one that coincides with your main weapons}.
I personally don't like Cleave on a Two Weapon Fighter as it doesn't work properly and seriously slows your attack chain down BUT Power Attack is still a must have!



Once you're actually in-game you'll find that certain weapons {B-Swords and Khops} can be difficult to find.
You can use a Long Sword or Scimitar however till you do find one.

Also you'll find that a number of named items {and a lot of randomly generated items} are not worth using - Here's the particularly good choices:

From Korthos:

Rugged Belt - Storehouse's Secret End Reward
Spearbane and Axebane - Cannith Crystal End Reward
Fintan's Bite {for Scimi users} - The Collaborator End Reward
Goggles of Insight - Necromancer's Doom End Reward
Feather Cloak - Redemption End Reward {Invaluable until you can get a permanent Feather Falling item}
Anger's Step - Sacrifices End Reward {Get Multiple of these if you didn't take the Dragonmark of Passage - Expeditious Retreat is that good!}
Anger's Gift - Misery's Peak End Reward

And for ALL Caster types - Archivist's Necklace - Easily the most valuable item in the long run from Korthos!

From the Harbour:

Furor's Hide - Garrison's Missing Pack rare Worg {Furor} Chest
Muckbane - Durk's Got a Secret rare Ooze {Muck} Chest



Finally - If you're not Human you only get two feats at level one.
So - If you're going to be using a Shield a lot.
For a Dwarf
Lvl 1 Take Power Attack and Cleave
Lvl 2 Take Two Handed Fighting
You won't need Exotic Wpn Prof: B-Sword as Dwarven Fighters get access to Dwarven Axes {which also work with Two Handed Fighting feats if you use one with a Shield.}.

For an Elf, Halfling, Half Elf, Half Orc or Warforged
Lvl 1 - Take Power Attack and Cleave
Lvl 2 - Take Two Handed Fighting
Lvl 3 - Take Exotic Wpn Prof: B-Sword

If you're not using a Shield however - You won't need the B-Sword {or D-Axe} anyway!
If you're two weapon fighting simply swap in the Two Wpn line for the Two Handed line!