What class to build around Axe Beak

[Duncan7291]

If you had to build a PFS legal build around an Axe Beak, what would you build?

[Secret Wizard]

A class to have the creature as a companion or mount, or give the creature a class?

[Duncan7291]

Non-Druid, as they get already, and as either companion or mount. Will be acquired via a series that Im gming.

[Torbyne]

I can't think of a class that has the axe beak on its list of animal companions...

[Arksangiel]

Duncan7291 wrote:

If you had to build a PFS legal build around an Axe Beak, what would you build?

The animal?

1) Easiest answer is a druid.

2) The less easy answer is a half-orc cleric that some how picks up the Animal Domain (with a feat for Boon Companion), and the Anger Inquisition.

Maybe slide in two levels of Barbarian for early rage power access since you can rage cycle with remove fatigue.

3) Build a Sylvan Riding Sorceror focused on Improved Share Spells and Extended (normal length) buffs, have your pet take Multimorph. A large tiger with Mage Armor, Shield, able to shift shapes at will is nothing to sneeze at.

4) A Mad Dog barbarian (which the rules don't seem to require to select a particular animal companion at all).

Umm...no other ideas.

[deusvult]

I am a fan of cavaliers, and if I had the axe beak boon it'd be a no brainer to make a "chocobo rider".

Lots of people will Poo-pooh this, but don't buy into it. A cavalier's mount can fight perfectly well even when not being ridden, and in those situations where you can't bring your axe-beak your hosteling armor will be super handy. And/or you can simply invest in a rank or three of UMD and have a few scrolls of reduce animal and spider climb on hand for helping your critter negotiate difficult obstacles.

[Duncan7291]

Torbyne wrote:

I can't think of a class that has the axe beak on its list of animal companions...

For the purposes of this thread, the fact it doesn't appear on a list doesn't matter. It appears on mine.

[Secret Wizard]

Beast Rider, Finesse TWF Order of the Sword Gnome cavalier.

[Cyd the Arcmagi]

In PFS I went Paladin, with my Axe Beak rider. And I have gotten to use ol' Boco about 4 time, but each time he has turned the tide in the Party's favor.

[lemeres]

Secret Wizard wrote:

Beast Rider, Finesse TWF Order of the Sword Gnome cavalier.

Unfortunately, it does not appear that the axe beak shows up on the beast rider's list of approved replacements.

I bring this up, because, outside of the list, there is a strict limit on choices-you need 4 legs. If it had been on the list, it could have joined up with the dinosaurs as exceptions.

[Imbicatus]

The list is unimportant. The op is getting the axe beak as a boon for GMing a specific scenario. Personally, I'd go with a Sohei monk, and get the companion from nature soul + animal ally. The sohei's monastic mount ability is a huge boost to a full progression companion.

[Secret Wizard]

If you can get the Axe Beak to scale with your levels with Boon Companion or something, then the Roughrider Fighter Archetype is pretty awesome since all its missing is a mount.

[lemeres]

Imbicatus wrote:

The list is unimportant. The op is getting the axe beak as a boon for GMing a specific scenario. Personally, I'd go with a Sohei monk, and get the companion from nature soul + animal ally. The sohei's monastic mount ability is a huge boost to a full progression companion.

OH, didn't realize that it was a specific boon. The first to mention it was deusvult, and I don't play much PFS to realize it is sometimes just given out.

Then, does it matter whether the character is a beast rider or not? If it is just a boon that can be given out, it would probably have extra exceptions so any mount/AC using class could use it. But again, I am unfamiliar with PFS procedures on these things.

[TGMaxMaxer]

Yes, it's a specific boon that adds the Axebeak to your list for any mount/AC class feature.

That out of the way, Cavalier, Paladin, Druid, Ranger, the new ACG Hunter class (with the preview I think it would be awesome to take mounted Archery or a Lance build).

Sylvan Sorcerer is good, like a summoner without the restricted list.

Inquisitor/Cleric archer with the Feather domain is interesting.

Especially with the Hunter ACG coming out soon, there seem to be pet/ranged attack combo feats that allow a lot of synergy.

[Duncan7291]

So many choices :) The only thing Ive decided on was the character's name, Tifa Chocobo.

[boring7]

I think that just caused physical pain.

Honestly, if I was going Chocobo knight I'd go Cavalier or Paladin since it's properly thematic. I might consider Cavalier mixed in with arcane caster since I seem to recall chocobo knights with arcane spellcasting abilities (the divine/arcane split seemed less defined in the Final Fantasy series) but that kind of multiclassing is always hard to balance, every caster level you take costs you BAB and mount growth.

Also I've never built a cavalier because too many of my adventures go underground/indoors.

[Duncan7291]

Sorry for the pain, may I ask what in the name evoked such a pain resposne?

Im actually thinking the hunter class maybe fun with it. Will have to wait and see.

[Rodinia]

Here's one effective way to do the previously-mentioned melee reach Inquisitor with Chocobo the Axe Beak:

* Choose the Feather domain as your inquisition. There are lots of ways to get this domain.
* Choose the Boon Companion feat so it scales with your level
* Wield a longspear as your primary weapon. This gives you the same reach as your mount.
* You and the Axe Beak both choose the feat Paired Opportunists
* Ride your Axe Beak. Since you both have identical reach you both get +4 to hit an all doubled Attacks of Opportunity. You also usually get a +1 to hit from height advantage.
* If either of you take the Combat Reflexes feat then the other gets the 'take AoOs flatfooted' benefit

You will be like a super-duper polearm fighter: you will inflict big damage, you will control a big section of the battlefield, and you have all the Inquisitor tricks. Several teamwork feats work especially well with this combination. By 5th level you will get about +15 to hit on your AoOs, for about +20 damage, and your axe-beak will be nearly as effective.

Don't try to do the charge thing. You don't have enough feats to pull this off. Your axe-beak can charge, if the opportunity occurs.Instead, position yourself to fish for AoOs, control territory, and protect your allies' flanks.

Altogether a very effective character built on an axe-beak animal companion. A similar approach works with most martial-capable classes.

[Secane]

Duncan7291 wrote:

So many choices :) The only thing Ive decided on was the character's name, Tifa Chocobo.

This brings back memories of playing FF7. :)

I think Rodinia gives a good mounted polearm build.

Personally, I would suggest going a mounted archer build, using Paladin. Maybe dip a level or 3 of fighter for more feats and if going weapon master, Weapon Training at lv 3. Archery uses A LOT of feats.
Mounted archers are scary as they can move and full-round attack from any range.

Why a Paladin mounted archer?
1) You get to move and still full-round attack
1a) From any range
2) You can keep your pet and yourself alive longer with Lay on Hands
3) Smite + Rapidshot + Manyshot = lots of very damaging arrows flying through the air.
3a) Against evil enemies, you avoid DR problems.

Avoid the Divine Hunter archetype and go Oath of Vengeance instead.

Races for a paladin archers AND tied well with that particular boon are Halfling, Aasimars and Kitsunes, all 3 races are well represented in Tian Xia.

Think of the very enemies you have to fight in the last of the scenarios to get that boon. Now add Mongolian mounted archery to it. :)

*Do note that Rodinia's build do play up the fact you have an Axebeak for a mount more. A default paladin archer can just as easily be made with a horse for a companion. Rodinia's build makes full use of the fact you have an Axebeak as a pet.
That is about the only reason I would suggest against playing a mounted paladin archer.