I know a few people that virtually always plays a catfolk type race. They are simply obsessed with playing as cats. If the game or setting doesn't have catfolk they badger the GM until he makes a catfolk race they can play. And of course the catfolk are always better than every other race because: cats are hunters, coordinated, fast, alert, perceptive, strong, etc... ad naseum!
Luckily PF already has a catfolk race so they can't do anything to make it more powerful without obviously being whiners.
I am relatively certain that I will get invited to game with a couple of the cat fans in the near future. No, I'm not going to ruin the game, group, or campaign. But neither am I going to be a fanboy to fawn all over their cat fancy.
So I'm thinking a ratfolk. Won't start a fight, but also won't take an crap from cats. If they want to play attack their 'natural' prey, it's going to cost them.
So what would you recommend for a ratfolk that stands up for himself, won't be pushed around, and makes it clear he is not inferior to any catfolk ever spawned?
Gulch Gunner
Yeah, that was my first thought too. But I really don't know much about gunslingers. Is the Gulch Gunner really any good? Or will I just be falling behind and making the cats seem better because I'm pretty ineffectual?
The Plague Bringer would seem to just validate any criticisms about any bad thing they would want to say about my race, so I don't want that. (Even though it would be fun to give them a disease or three.)
Gulch Gunner + Dragon Pistol. Keeps you effective in non-pvp combat via basically being a 1-handed shot gun (or blunderbuss, if you prefer). It'll cost a pretty penny, but I absolutely love mine.
That said... Plague Bringer is just fun over all. Their plague vial is fun, and a good natural defense. Nauseating Flesh works wonderfully with the theme.
Also, who cares what those felines say? You know your rat race is far superior to their silly little cat nip loving ways! Let them mock! They'll learn their lesson when the Rat Folk swarm out and take over the world! Buwahaha!
Ahem... That said, I like cats (favorite animal), but I love the fluff of the Ratfolk. If you want to go completely against type... Ever think of like, a monk or something? Maneuver Master or Master of Many Styles might be good. I have yet to try a... Oh what was that one monk. Flowing monk, I think? All about redirection.
Wizard or Cleric. Arguably the two most useful/versatile classes in the game and there are no stigma attached to them unless you take a death or disease oriented domain.