so.... back after a break...what to play ?

[666bender]

i am about to return our group.
and really dont know what to play.
what do YOU think is the "best" for our team in terms of:
1) efficiant (having a good place in combat)
2) Fun (being able to do more than 1 trick ponies.

guidelines:
1) lvl is 8
2) 22 point buy
3) official books allowed, other stuff is ok if DM agree only.
4) NO creating of any items other than scrolls or wands. no buying of items other than scrolls\ wands.
5) no inqusitor, no summoner or gunslinger allowed.

our group::

the bard:
--using bard boost every combat
--he never buff others exept his singing.
-- a nice mini off-fighter that also heal some.
the archer:
--elf, ranger that hide behind the small kitty, and kill from afar.
the magus:
--the spoiler of Dm's... doing huge damage with amazing combat defence (dm is sorry to allow this in the game...)
-- he is the only one than min\max the combat style.
the fighter:
-- 1/2 orc that is focus on attacking 1 foe a time, performance combat style. nothing much beyond its damage

so.... votes, please. votes.

option1:the cleric::

-- aasimar or human
--channel positive for off healings.
-- summon feats.
-- either going as a combat cleric that take some smite domains (Gorum) or spell caster with off combat skills (glory&travel).
summery:
off- healing, off melee, ok defence, good saves, summoning meat-shields, BUT poor to no skills, very MAD, poor off combat skills usage.

option2:the maneuver king::

lore warden that dip 2 monk levels.
nice skills, amazing maneuvers, super # of feats.
poor defences, no spells, maneuver grow weaker and weaker as levels grow.

option3:the Iron Wall::

invulnerable barbarian\urban.
dip 1 oracle for fatigue immune.
dip 1 for stalwart ready.
rest is invulnerable barbarian.
BIG damage, nice skills, some non damage abilities like maneuvers.
somewhat poor social or non combat skills.

option4:rage prophet::

i wonder if any one ever played a good rage prophet not on paper.
barbarian 4 oracle 2 (or opposite) >>> prestige.
i wonder though, if the prestige give back the cost? or... you end up with no spells, no rage rounds and poor selections of options.

option5:ghost monk::

1 lvl of cleric (katana flurry is yammi)
crit fisher, that end up with more ki points than he can ever spend.
nice maeuver like grapple or trip. good skills, great saves, poor defences. so-so combat. almost no spells.

option6:druid::

druid, hybrid, caster with ok comabt str. (16)
tiger as pet, menhir savant.
great combat, ok defence (DR), spells, skills.
but fighting as animals all the time.... i like a little less.

[Arachnofiend]

Your team is missing a battlefield controller, it seems. I'd recommend you go Druid and focus on your spellcasting, limiting enemy options with spells like Web.

[Brad McDowell]

Although the archer won't like it, build a fighter or monk with the Combat Patrol feat and trip anything that triggers an AoO.

Or a Reach Cleric with similar concept, adding in the channels and summons.

[666bender]

1 for druid
1 for cleric that summons
1 for combat patrol monk.

[EsperMagic]

I'd say Ghost Monk, Caster Druid, or Reach Cleric

[Noctani]

I vote Reach cleric with backup summoning or Dwarven Forgemaster cleric with great magic item creation.

Or

Storm Druid.

[avr]

Druid really is the best of those as a multipurpose character. If fighting in animal form doesn't appeal (and you wsnt to fight rather than cast spells) be a small race and ride your AC into combat.

[EsperMagic]

the problem with wild shape druids is that they start to fall off late game 10+ in my opinion. Casters only keep getting stronger.

[Daenar]

Not on your list but scarred witchdoctor is A LOT of fun and can buff/heal/control. Being Con based you eventually have more hp than most d10 classes your level too.