Most Powerful One-Level Dips

[awaken_D_M_golem]

Bastian = aha.


any variant Monk 1 dip, with a retrain/pick for Tashalatora feat
... stuck onto a decent psi full ML build = decent Monk.

So like Ardent 10 / Monk 1 or 2 / +1 BAB class 2 or 1 / Slayer 9+
or Monk 1 / Psion 19
or Monk 1 / Erudite 19.

[Ithamar]

Shaman from Oriental Adventures gets 2 domains and Unarmed Strike as a 1 level dip.  No turn undead, but still can be very useful.

Samurai from OA can get you a masterwork sword for free that you can turn around and sell...  Though you'll become dishonored.

Sohei will get you weapon focus and Ki Frenzy (like rage).

Wu Jen gets a free metamagic feat.

Iajitsu Master 1 gets you INT to AC.

Shiba Protector 1 gets you WIS to attack and damage.

Edit:  Rokugan Ninja (base class) will get you +1 BAB, +2 will saves, +1d6 sneak attack, and Ninja Dodge (which works as the Dodge feat).  Two levels gets you poison use.

[Bastian]

What about the fighter variant classes in Dragon 310 - it seems like they also give bonus fighter feats with no pre-reqs?

[they say their abilities replace the related fighter abilities, and the bonus feat section says nothin about meeting the pre-req's, as does the fighter's]

You have to meet the prerequisites of feats unless otherwise noted, so it doesn't work.

[mechatarrasque]

Base classes:
Barbarian (There are so many ACF, you can get Pounce, Rage and IUS with one level).

where can you get IUS ? ive never seen it.

[TC X0 Lt 0X]

Base classes:
Barbarian (There are so many ACF, you can get Pounce, Rage and IUS with one level).

where can you get IUS ? ive never seen it.

City Brawler from Dragon#349
Also gives you the effects of Two-Weapon Fighting when unarmed.

[awaken_D_M_golem]

Samurai from OA can get you a masterwork sword for free that you can turn around and sell...  Though you'll become dishonored.

You could sell the Fan Shield Thingy, and keep the Sword (or equivalent).
Decent extra gold at level 1, and a limited Craft Arms.

[awaken_D_M_golem]

3.0e Psion 1 get the Psicrystal and 5 attack/defense powers
... which can then use that feat (things are getting drifty by now)
that turns the 5 into feats = net gain +4 feats.


  ... I wonder what : X 1 / Commoner 19 build ... works best 

[Endarire]

Erudite gets some psionic powers, a bonus feat, and Psicrystal Affinity.  Usually, the bonus feat goes toward Spell-to-Power, but, hey!  It's an option!

[Empirate]

Spellthief with the Master Spellthief feat (on a multiclass arcane caster build). Depending on interpretation, that feat can catapult your caster level for all arcane classes through the roof.

[muktidata]

3.0e Psion 1 get the Psicrystal and 5 attack/defense powers
... which can then use that feat (things are getting drifty by now)
that turns the 5 into feats = net gain +4 feats.


  ... I wonder what : X 1 / Commoner 19 build ... works best 

Crusader taken at 20.

[awaken_D_M_golem]

  yeah yeah ...

Ghost 1 or 2

... throw in LA buy-off and Ghost 1 goes away by level 10.  Very good.

Ghost 2 goes away by level 17 , and stays > 1 level down until 11.
I'd wanna see how it stacks up to 4th and 5th level spells, within a build.



It's also worth mentioning a race's Favored Class detail.
Human , Azuran , that Halfing sub, have it easier than any other races.

[PlzBreakMyCampaign]

Primal Rager (pretty strong buff for Rage)

Citation?

[Yirrare]

Martial monk is a ridiculously powerful two-level dip at low levels since you can get any fighter feat without having to meet the prerequisites.

Where does it state you do not need to meet the requirements? All I can see is that I can chose from the fighter feats or the monk feats. (We are talking Dragon #310, p. 45 right?) And as you said yourself: unless it's stated you don't have to meet the requirements, you have to qualify normally.

Primal Rager (pretty strong buff for Rage)

Citation?

Seconded. My search for Primal Rager came up empty, yet your claim intrigues me.

Best Regards
Yirrare

[kitcik]

Martial Monk is a Monk substitute. From the PH:

"A monk need not have any of the prerequisites normally required for these feats to select them."

[Ithamar]

What is the exact wording of that monk ACF though?  Because if it references the fighter class, then you have this to deal with:  "A fighter must still meet all prerequisites for a bonus feat, including ability score and base attack bonus minimums."

[Alexei]

I saw an awesome dipping in Cloistered Cleric by sirpercival, he opened my eyes... trickery, travel and knowledge devotions are awesome utility for one level dip... and many classes benefit

[Yirrare]

Martial Monk is a Monk substitute. From the PH:

"A monk need not have any of the prerequisites normally required for these feats to select them."

There it is. Thanks alot for that clarification.

What is the exact wording of that monk ACF though?  Because if it references the fighter class, then you have this to deal with:  "A fighter must still meet all prerequisites for a bonus feat, including ability score and base attack bonus minimums."

The wording is: "Gain: Fighter bonus feat list to chose monk bonus feats (at 1st, 2nd, and 6th level); intimidate is class skill."

So in light of the text in PH about monks, I think I agree with Bastian on it.

Kindly
Yirrare

[sirpercival]

Alexei reminded me of another nice dip: Master of Masks is great for a Factotum (and others), giving you the Gladiator Mask for proficiency in all exotic weapons.  Great for a Factotum with an Aptitude Quickrazor and Boomerang Daze.  Archmage costs you a level but gives you a few SLAs and +2 CL, as does High Priest; Assassin gives you +1d6 sneak attack (though so do a bunch of other dips); Savage gives you claw attacks.

[Ithamar]

Yeah, if that his how loosely they worded it, then it works.

[imoenofcandlekeep]

Classes that grant you out-of-proportion bardic music, like Spellsinger, Warrior Skald, and Heartfire Fanner.

Sacred Exorcist (for turn undead).

How about 2-level dips?  Sublime Chord & Ur-priest... fighter...

Last I checked, spellsinger just stacks for BM, without automatically granting you all music like Warrior Skald.  But yes, Heartfire Fanner is OMGWTFHAX!  Especially if you take more than 1 level.

Divine Oracle is worth taking more levels of, but a 1 level dip for domain access (with a minor schema or drake helm loaded with that spell that lets you exchange domains) is totally legit, especially with Fane of the Frog God.

Sandshaper, likewise is worth taking more levels of, but a 1 level dip is gold for sorcerers.