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Feats were the greatest innovation of 3rd edition Dungeons & Dragons. These special abilities or maneuvers really allow you to custom build your character with options that just didn't exist in previous versions of the game. In 1st and 2nd edition, there was really very little difference between two 10th-level fighters; But with the introduction of feats in 3rd edition, two 10th-level fighters could be as different as Inigo Montoya and Fezzik the Giant (two characters from The Princess Bride, if you haven't seen it, then you are not a gamer).

Certain feats and combinations of feats work well with specific character concepts. Below are some sample character archetypes along with a recommended package of feats.

The Brawler (Fezzik the Giant). Specialized in not just punching people into submission, but also in shoving opponents around on the battlefield.
Improved Unarmed Strike
Improved Grapple
Power Attack
Improved Overrun
Improved Bullrush

The Duelist (Inigo Montoya, the Spaniard). The classical musketeer-type fighter, utilizing combat savvy over brute strength.
Weapon Finesse
Combat Expertise
Improved Disarm
Dodge
Mobility
Spring Attack

The Double Weapon Fighter (Anakin Skywalker for about 5 seconds in Attack of the Clones). At higher levels, a veritable whirlwind of death. Also a fighter using two of the same weapon (or a double weapon) gets more bang for his buck out of Weapon Focus and Weapon Specialization.
Two-Weapon Fighting
Weapon Finesse
Two-Weapon Defense
Improved Two-Weapon Fighting
Greater Two-Weapon Fighting

The Archer (Legolas from Lord of the Rings). Kill your enemy while they are still far away. This package (except for Manyshot which is bow-specific) also works well for a specialist in throwing daggers or axes.
Point Blank Shot
Precise Shot
Rapid Shot
Manyshot*
Improved Precise Shot
Shot on the Run

The Strong Fighter (Gimli from Lord of the Rings). The no-nonsense hit them and make them dead as fast as possible fighter. Great for systematically mowing down rows of enemies.
Power Attack
Cleave
Great Cleave
Improved Sunder
Improved Critical

The Knight (Sir Lancelot, or any of those guys). This combination of feats makes a mounted warrior a very deadly combatant. Just take good care of your horse.
Mounted Combat
Ride-By Attack
Spirited Charge
Trample

The Assassin (That little thief-dude from Conan the Destroyer). This package helps those with levels of Rogue to make use of their sneak attack ability as much as possible.
Improved Initiative
Combat Expertise
Improved Feint

The Blaster (Tim the Enchanter from Monty Python and the Holy Grail). Since Wizards have a limited number of spells, they want to make sure that each one works (that means always hitting with rays, and making it hard to resist area effect spells).
Weapon Focus (ray)
Spell Focus (evocation)
Greater Spell Focus (evocation)
Empower Spell

The Summoner (Yuna from Final Fantasy X). Summon other-dimensional critters to do your fighting for you. It saves the expense of healing allies after the battle. This is also a great package deal for Druids since they can convert any of their spells into an equivalent-level Summon Nature's Ally spell.
Spell Focus (conjuration)
Augment Summoning
Extend Spell

These are some of the examples of the sort of arch-typical characters that can be built using the feat system of 3rd edition. Hopefully 4th edition will carry on this trend to allow you to really make your "signature" character.

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