So, I have a RP concept for a Half-Orc with green dragon heritage. He left his tribe and ended up working for a crime lord, but his kind-hearted nature caused him to leave that life, as well. He ended up as a bouncer in a tavern in a large city. I'm pumping Intimidate to mimic Dragonfear. The allowed books are everything except Campaign books.
Basically, I was planning a Strength-based non-lethal build (Enforcer, Intimidating Prowess, Bludgeoner, Sap Master). The Strength bonuses from DD will help my Intimidate skill, but I don't plan on taking more than 1 Sorcerer level to qualify for Dragon Disciple, my CHA will start amd stay at 14. I'd only end up with 8 levels of spellcasting, so no need for more CHA.
My real oncern is what buff spells to take other than Shield and Bear/Bull/Eagle buffs. I'm not too familiar with spells and want to "optimize" my concept. I know this isn't the most powerful build pospossible, but it should be functional. Can someone help with spells?
Awesome suggestions. I totally forgot about Enlarge Person. I'm definitely taking Vanish, but I'm kind of leery about getting both Invisibility spells. Since I'm not getting anymore actual Sorcerer levels, I wouldn't be able to swap out the lower level spells. Are there any decent melee touch spells other than Vampiric Touch? My Dex will be terrible so rays/ranged touch spell won't be viable.
A Snakebite Strangler Brawler followed by 3 levels of Thug will get you 3d6 sneak in four levels, and a decent boost to your Fort Saves. It also gives you Improved Unarmed Strike, which is a free nonlethal weapon you can use in a pinch as well as being a prerequisite for style feats which might be really useful.
High Intimidate is fantastic combo with Thug and works great for simulating Dragon Fear. I highly approve. But Sap Master isn't that good if you're going 10 levels of DD. It works best when you have large amounts of Sneak Attack, and since you'll be spending 11 levels not getting anything that builds that up, it seems a little sad to invest. That and just being invisible doesn't make them flat-footed, they just lose their Dex to AC and don't qualify. Now I won't say that it isn't plausible, you might want to look into Eldritch Scrapper.
As for spells, get at least acid splash. Why? Because Touch AC is really easy on certain foes: highly armored ones in particular, and if you beat them in Initiative they're flat-footed and thus would get sneak attack dice thrown on top with a bonus from your Sorcerer Arcana. 1d3+3d6+4 is a decent opening volley for a cantrip. Hit them from range, make them close in on you before you full attack.
You don't really need Invisibility. Once you get Sorcerer levels, just buy a wand. Three minutes of Invisibility will be good for in between fight buffs. I'd replace it with Mirror Image which is also good. Bull's strength isn't good late game because you'll have gear which overlaps. Alter Self gives you a stackable bonus to Str, and if you choose Troglodyte form, you can get three natural attacks on top. Not to mention being situationally useful in other ways.
If you're going with Acid, Corrosive Touch is a good touch spell for you. Shocking Grasp is the best touch spell for low level casters, if you changed your element to electricity (Copper dragons and green skin go well thematically). It's a better spell pretty much altogether. If you get Magical Knack as a trait, you can up your Caster Level a little and even get full use out of intensify spell for up to 10d4+10 damage.
Cool idea dude. I'm sure you'll have fun playing him.
A feat you'll want to go into is hurtful. It allows you to make an attack as a swift action if you demoralize someone, which should be happening often.
I'll take Alter Self over Bull's. Good Call.
If I'm understanding Sap Adept/Sap Master correctly, I'll have +12 nonletal damage because I'll be rolling 6d6 with a nonlethal sneak attack when I have 3d6 regular SA die. I was planning on taking the Extra Rogue Talent favored class option (so I can have both Combat Trick and Offensive Defense at level 6) taking my first Sorc level at 7. If Sap Master/Adept doesn't work that way, I'll probably go for Snakebiter Brawler, instead.