Aid Another Build

[KingofB]

First off, this is a thread asking about any traits, classes, feats, races, items, etc that can improve aid another besides the following;

Halfling Opportunist
Pathfinder Chronicler
Helpful (Halfling)
Swift Aid
Bodyguard
Order of the Dragon
Benevolent Armor/Weapon
Arcane Strike Gloves

Second, how many of the above STACK?

Benevolent and Arcane Strike Gloves specifically state they add to Aid Another actions, because they are designed to augment.

But Pathfinder Chronicler, Helpful (Halfling) and Order of the Dragon don't say they increase your Aid Another bonus, they SET it. OotD sets it at +3, which improves with levels, Helpful sets it at +4, as does Pathfinder Chronicler.

In addition, do any of these besides Benevolent/Arcane Strike do anything to help Swift Aid? Swift Aid says it gives a +1 bonus INSTEAD OF +2, but what if you no longer give a +2 bonus?

[galahad2112]

pfsrd said wrote:

Aid Another

In melee combat, you can help a friend attack or defend by distracting or interfering with an opponent. If you're in position to make a melee attack on an opponent that is engaging a friend in melee combat, you can attempt to aid your friend as a standard action. You make an attack roll against AC 10. If you succeed, your friend gains either a +2 bonus on his next attack roll against that opponent or a +2 bonus to AC against that opponent's next attack (your choice), as long as that attack comes before the beginning of your next turn. Multiple characters can aid the same friend, and similar bonuses stack.

You can also use this standard action to help a friend in other ways, such as when he is affected by a spell, or to assist another character's skill check.

The line about ...and similar bonuses stack.... makes me wonder if one can combine swift aid with a regular aid as well...

Your questions are definitely very good ones.

I'm currently running a support/buffer character in PFS, and I just thought tonight about using the aid another action in conjunction with his inspire courage and freebooter's bane abilities. I hadn't seen the benevolent abilities or the arcane strike gloves before, those look pretty attractive too.

as far as an actual answer to your questions, I would think that the swift aid "sets" the bonus that you give via the aid another action for that particular instance at +1.

[Greylurker]

You'll need to check with your DM regarding Swift Aid. as written it doesn't subtract from the aid bonus it sets it to +1. Depending on your DM that could completely negate any benefits from being a Cavalier of the Dragon. Some DMs will say "yeah it reduces you Aid by 1" others will say "It sets Aid to +1"

If the DM allows Stacking Aid from the same person then you want Team up as well since it lets you do Aid another as a Move action. giving you Swift, Move and Standard Aid another actions.

Alternate option is a Beastmaster Ranger, Huntsman Cavalier, Pack Lord Druid or Broodmaster Summoner. Split the Companion levels as much as you feel comfortable with and focus all of them on Aid another. You end up with a small army of +2 bonuses all over the battle field

Another option is an Arcane Spellcaster with a Valet Familiar