So I've got this idea in my head for a fighter, basically a dwarven mercenary leader type of character. Said dwarf would be a Blackjack fighter with possibly another archetype thrown into the mix that doesn't conflict with Blackjack (something like Brawler or Martial Master) and his whole background would be that he was the son of an architect and found he had a real knack for fighting and a love of coin. As such he decided that the best thing for him to do was to fight and get paid and as such joined a mercenary company. Unfortunately after a bout of comradery with his fellow warrior-for-hire they were ambushed by former employers who decided they really wanted their money back. Of his company he was the only one who survived and now seeks not only revenge on his old client but also has taken up his former leader's banner and now seeks a few good men to get back in the swing of things.
Of course this character would be one whom I would play if I could get a fellow player or two to take a single dip into Fighter to be considered a Blackjack for all the fun bonuses I could give em at later levels (as well as myself). So here's the part where I make my request. What archetype if any should I take for my character to complement Blackjack and what style of fighting should I focus on? I've never done a fighter before and am relatively new so I'm kinda daunted by the feat lists.
Druman Blackjacket seems alright for a dip.
Cavalier seems more in line with what you want.
The Blackjacket abilities require a lot of advanced notice. Likely, you will never get to use them.
Ya, that's what I'm thinking. However I already have a Paladin Holy Tactician character in the works, so I'm looking at this character combination for this mercenary. May not be great, but it certainly seems like it could be interesting if I ever get into a game where we are all supposed to be mercs instead of adventurers. And could get some cooperation going with the others when making the characters.
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Some of the abilities also only seem to work with other Fighters of that specific archetype.
Two to three levels max seems to be all you would want.
Standard Bearer Cavalier after that would be good.
Mercenary crews don't need to be nameless. Look at the Band of the Hawk.
Some of the abilities also only seem to work with other Fighters of that specific archetype.
Two to three levels max seems to be all you would want.
Standard Bearer Cavalier after that would be good.
Mercenary crews don't need to be nameless. Look at the Band of the Hawk.
From the way it is worded it seems that even if you only had a one level dip into fighter as long as you took the archetype for that dip you would gain the benefits of being a Blackjack (or Blackjacket). Only one person would need to have a higher level for everyone to benefit from his abilities.
Druman Blackjacket seems alright for a dip.
Cavalier seems more in line with what you want.
The Blackjacket abilities require a lot of advanced notice. Likely, you will never get to use them.
Not necessarily. It needs advanced notice if you aren't cheesing it.
The base ability at level 4 allows black jacks to share a team work feat for hours/level after spending a minute talking.
The ability at level 8 allows nonblackjacks to get in on the action, but it lasts for minutes/level.
Neither of these abilities are limited by a uses/day function. They are only limited by the set up time. And unlike things like alchemist mutagens, that set up is... kinda managable.
So the answer is that you just constantly stop the party in order to go on a rant about how they should act. Every 8+ minutes or so. And thus you can have it on constantly. Slows down general movement (maybe a little painful for the 1/level and 10/level spells)...but hey, everyone could get constant pseudo pounce with coordinated charge.
It works, but it is annoying both mechanically, and obviously, in character since such actions would annoy the hell out of everyone. It can make a theoritically interesting character (a professional that belittles everyone around him, giving them constant lectures)...but that 'interesting' bit only works in media where you can cut out the unnecessary bits (movies, book, tv) and just imply it happens all the time. But this game, while in the dungeon, you are pretty much 'present' all the time, with few to no cut aways.
Okay, I've decided on a few things. First, I've decided to also pick the Brawler archetype which seems something a dwarf could very much get into. Second, I'm not trying to dumb stats so if I got a 20 point buy I'm looking at 14 Str, 16 Dex, 14 Con, 10 Int, 10 Wis, and 10 Cha. Third, to make him seem more like a mercenary leader and to give him a purpose out of combat I've chosen the Trustworthy and Extremely Fashionable traits to gain Diplomacy and Bluff as class skills. These two are also boosted by the Stoic Negotiator alternate racial trait to give me a 7 in Diplomacy (with 1 skill point) and a 6 in Bluff (with 1 skill point) not taking into account Extremely Fashionable.
I'm looking at getting Two-Weapon fighting so I can dual-wield punching daggers or saps, depending on whether someone wants someone alive or dead. When all is said and done I've got one combat feat left. Any suggestions on what I should take? I'm not really looking at shield bashing since the Blackjack (or Blackjacket) archetype takes away some of my bonus feats.
Are those stats pre or post racial? Here are the stats I'd advise for a TWF dwarf (post racial)
STR: 16 DEX: 16 CON: 14 INT: 10 WIS: 10 CHA: 8
Enough dex that you can wing your way through the good TWF feats, but you are strength based (which just makes things easier overall). A slight dump in CHA, but not enough to actually matter. Slight pain for your plans, but still, it works without the need to look for agile or anything. Saves you a feat since you don't need weapon finesse.
As far as weapons go...generally, the cestus is the best one of the close weapons when you TWF (ignoring the added benefit of shields). It does 19-20/x2, it can do bludgeoning damage, and you can always have it equipped since it is basically a gauntlet that messes with disable device. Also, as far as I am aware, it lets you use other weapons, so you can grab saps or bows as needed.
As an added benefit, it allows you to get in touch with your inner drunken bar room brawler. Punch dem tall idiots where their great grand kids will feel it.
Are those stats pre or post racial? Here are the stats I'd advise for a TWF dwarf (post racial)
STR: 16 DEX: 16 CON: 14 INT: 10 WIS: 10 CHA: 8Enough dex that you can wing your way through the good TWF feats, but you are strength based (which just makes things easier overall). A slight dump in CHA, but not enough to actually matter. Slight pain for your plans, but still, it works without the need to look for agile or anything. Saves you a feat since you don't need weapon finesse.
As far as weapons go...generally, the cestus is the best one of the close weapons when you TWF (ignoring the added benefit of shields). It does 19-20/x2, it can do bludgeoning damage, and you can always have it equipped since it is basically a gauntlet that messes with disable device. Also, as far as I am aware, it lets you use other weapons, so you can grab saps or bows as needed.
As an added benefit, it allows you to get in touch with your inner drunken bar room brawler. Punch dem tall idiots where their great grand kids will feel it.
Post racial.
So how good are the Bull Rush, Drag, and Reposition maneuvers? I noticed that if I took relentless it would be even easier to bull rush and overrun opponents.
Edit: I've also realized that as a Blackjack I really should have some teamwork feats in order to share them with the party (it's kinda the reason I went Blackjack and as a mercenary lieutenant for my backstory). Makes me wonder if I should go Martial Master instead of as a Brawler and maybe save the Brawler idea for another dwarf (preferably a heavy drinking one).
Post racial.
if I got a 20 point buy I'm looking at 14 Str, 16 Dex, 14 Con, 10 Int, 10 Wis, and 10 Cha.
That would mean the base stats are
STR: 14 DEX: 16 CON: 12 INT: 10 WIS: 8 CHA: 12Which is a 17 point buy.
Post racial.if I got a 20 point buy I'm looking at 14 Str, 16 Dex, 14 Con, 10 Int, 10 Wis, and 10 Cha.That would mean the base stats are
STR: 14 DEX: 16 CON: 12 INT: 10 WIS: 8 CHA: 12Which is a 17 point buy.
No, as in the stats are after I factor in racial bonuses.