Advice on a Build.

[anium]

I'm replacing a player in a game that left for personal issues. I have some ideas but not a firm decision yet.
The character i'm replacing is a human paladin but i'm using a diferent character.

The game has 4 other players that just hit level 2. A gnome alchemist, a scarred witch doctor, a human barbarian(striker, not really tanky) and a life oracle(support, low Ac and str). They asked me to bring a frontliner, as the barbarian is alone now. We are playing emerald spire and can only pick core races. Class and archetipes are ok, but Gunslinger, Samurai, Ninja and others from Advanced Class Guide are out.
15p buy so Mad classes will be hard to play. 1 Trait only(the other one is from a list and most a bit lame)

I'd probably want some skills and magic, have been eyeballing the inquisitor and the magus. Bard would probably fit but i'm already playing one in another game and i'd rather use something different.

So, something that goes well with low point buy, tanky and if possible versatile. The gm said the adventure is mostly underground so probably dwarf or half orc for the darkvision.

[avr]

None of the classes you named is in the Advanced Class Guide. Perhaps you meant the Advanced Players Guide, could you clarify which books are allowable?

[anium]

I meant Gunslinger, samurai, ninja and classes from advanced class guide are not playable. Inquisitor and magus can be played. Probably others wont either. Asume Core and Base clases from the ogc.

[calagnar]

I will recommend something with a animal companion. Druid, Ranger, or Hunter. With low buy animal companions are closer to on par, or better then characters. I will recommend you not get any animal companion that will be large. You will be spending most of your time under ground in spaces designed for medium creatures. If you want a true tank get a small cat and never increase its size past small. Combine that with a amulet of mighty fist agile. Now not only dose the small cat have a really good AC. It is doing good damage at the same time. If you want a heavy hitter from the start. I have played a few characters that use a Bear animal companion. With human eye for talent the bear can start with a str17. If you go hunter the bear can have a starting Str19. I personally went with them. So their are a few options that are better.

[anium]

Mm I don't know, my GM insisted about the nature of the dungeon and the small space for fighting, also they would need the help now, because the barbarian was almost chopped in half by some ogre(his Ac is around 15).

[avr]

A magus on that point buy will have 13-14 int and has a class skill list you almost always want a trait to expand it with. Not a skilled character in your game.

If you're willing to have your skills be perception, knowledges and maybe intimidate, an inquisitor with heavy armor and a polearm is good here. Probably a half-orc with the toothy trait for people who get too close.

An alchemist with the crypt breaker or trap breaker archetype can do the sneaky stuff, if that's what you meant by skills. With those archetypes they're adequate if not great frontliners. Crypt breaker is compatible with beastmorph, or trap breaker with vivisectionist to be a little better in a fight.

[calagnar]

That's why you don't want a large animal companion.

I have a work around if you want. It's kind of cheesy. Just don't forget to equip the animal companion if you want it to stay effective as you level up. Plus the dog will get trip on a bite at level 3. They only get medium at effective druid level 4. In this case it's cavalier level 3.
Human
Cavalier (Huntmaster) 2
Str 18
Dex 12
Con 14
Int 10
Wis 8
Cha 10
Challenge 1/Day
Feat's:
Human: Eye for Talent: +2 Str
1: Huntmaster (advanced race guide human only feat. +1 to your effective druid level for Dog animal companion. It is allowed to exceed your level by one.)
Two Handed Weapon to hit +6 Damage +6

Animal Companion
Dog
HD 3 (Average HP 19)
Fort 5
Ref 7
Will 2
Size: Small
Speed 40 ft.
AC 19 FF 15 Touch 15 Natural Armor +4 Size +1 Dex +4
Attack bite To Hit +5 (1d4+7)
Ability Scores Str 16, Dex 18, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Special Qualities low-light vision, scent.
Feat's: Toughness, Power Attack

[Glord Funkelhand]

I'd suggest a Warpriest for lot sof oomph and added utility.

STR: 17 DEX: 12 CON: 14 INT: 8 WIS: 13 CHA: 10

Still not a real meatshield, but with the ability to heal yourself and 20% concealment via darkness domain, you should be fine.

[HavokReigns]

You can't go wrong with either magus or inquisitor. I would go dwarf for both classes also for the great saves (glory of old trait and steel soul feat). If you go magus, use a dervish dance (scimitar) build to help be more SAD. If you cant see your dwarven using a puny scimitar then go with a strength build and use the waraxe. In my experience dex for the str. magus isnt that important once you get mirror image and displacementspells. Dwarven inquisitor with heavy armor prof and waraxe and shield build for a more tanky build or two hand an earthbreaker or waraxe for more damage. Travel domain is excellent or conversion domain if you want to dump chrasima. All you need is power attack for offense. Furious focus is nice but not a necessity. Inquisitors have bane which is a great damage bonus.

Both class self buff with swift actions (arcane pool and judgements).

Action economy for both classes are extremely strong.

[anium]

So the easiest meatshield would be the inquisitor burning a feat on the heavy armor?
I'm atracted to the huntmaster, but my Dm is kind of a dick and if the dog dies it will take forever to pick a new one(months of training)