Any use for Lighting Maces that does not involve Disciple of Dispater?

[Solo]

Please write an essay on this topic numbering no more than 1000 words.

You have fifteen minutes.

[weenog]

You're actually using the Lightning Warrior joke class, want to stick with the theme, and would like to build on your given bonus feats.

[StreamOfTheSky]

A pair of aptitude* keen kukris, the Blood in the Water stance, a Lion Totem Barb dip, and a decent source of bonus damage, like sneak attack + Craven feat?

You're talking about the C.Warrior weapon style feat, right?

*I hate and ban this, but it exists and Solo asked...

[Solo]

Yes, I am talking about the Lightening Maces feat that gives you a free attack when you threaten a crit.

So far, I was thinking of getting extra attacks, ie with Robiliar's Gambit and Knock Down. The more attacks, the more possibilities to roll a crit threat.

[SorO_Lost]

I use lightning maces to light my home.

[LordBlades]

As StreamOfTheSky said: keen aptitude kukri. 25% chance for an extra attack per hit.

[weenog]

The keen aptitude kukri setup is just a disciple of dispater that omits that component for a weaker build while technically fitting the requirements, though, isn't it?

EDIT: Come to think of it, JaronK responded to my request for a TF2 Heavy build in the simple builds thread at BG with something that used Lightning Mace.

How about Feat Rogue 2/Fighter 2/Unarmed Swordsage 1/Warblade 1/Crusader X?  Use an Aptitude Splitting Great Crossbow along with Lightning Mace, Improved Critical (Heavy Crossbow), Hand Crossbow Mastery, Roundabout Kick and Rapid Shot to get extra attacks and free action reloading with your crossbow?  You get two shots per normal shot, two extra shots per critical threat, two extra shots per critical confirmation, and can thus fire TONS of shots at the enemy.  Plus you can self heal when you must, and can slug it out with your bare hands when you need.  You can also easily make saves with the right maneuvers.  Blood in the Water is the best stance to use, allowing you to power up the more you shoot (just grin a lot!).

[Solo]

The keen aptitude kukri setup is just a disciple of dispater that omits that component for a weaker build while technically fitting the requirements, though, isn't it?

That is true.

I think I'd like to see a good build for Lighting Maces that does not involve DoD or Aptitude, but is still useful. Tiger Claw Warblade with Knock Down, maybe?

[JaronK]

The ranged Aptitude trick wouldn't work with DoD, but is very effective.  That "Heavy" concept is a perfectly good example.

But I don't think you can really use Lightning Mace without Aptitude... it's just useless with actual maces.

JaronK

[Jackinthegreen]

As far as I've seen the best crit range possible on normal maces is maybe 16-20.  That includes 3.0 material and allowing Keen and Improved Critical to stack.

Shame the Blade Gauntlet got errata'd to 19-20.  A 17-20 exotic weapon is needed.

[X-Codes]

Improved Crit + a lot of Psy Weapon Master = 17-20

There was something... I can't remember what it was, but it gave you a +1 bonus to your threat range.

[JaronK]

Cityscape Variant Barbarian?  At level 7 they get that.

JaronK

[Solo]

Streetfighter Barbarian, yeah.

[X-Codes]

Streetfighter Barbarian, yeah.

Hmm... That many levels of barbarian is kinda counter-intuitive entry into Psy Weapon Master, though.  Might be able to pull off the same effect, though, depending on how you order the stacking.

[Satori]

a lot of levels of Mythic Exemplar can also do something like that, but limited use 1 min duration.  So not worth it, really.  Isn't there a limit on the barbarian ability?

[JaronK]

IIRC The Barbarian ability just requires level 7, and just increases your crit range by 1.

JaronK

[nijineko]

does morphing weapon actually change into the new weapon for all purposes, or would it still count as a mace in any fashion?

[JaronK]

does morphing weapon actually change into the new weapon for all purposes, or would it still count as a mace in any fashion?

Morphing changes the weapon entirely.  No dice there.

JaronK

[Kajhera]

Let's see, what can we do without 4 levels of Disciple of Dispater?

How about be a decent gish?

[Ithamar]

The Arcane Duelist has a "False Keenness" ability that might be of some use here.