20 point buy system
The goal: To make the most 'cost effective' allocation that you can.
The prize: Internet Points
I'll start...let's see how much more experienced players can surpass this:
Dwarf Inquisitor-Conversion Inquisition
Str16 (+3) Dex16 (+3) Con14 (+2) Int10 Wis14 (+2) Cha7
Why this? Because conversion inquisition replaces Cha with Wis when making Diplomacy, Intimidate and Bluff checks. So the -2 only applies to perform (not useful, leave that to a bard), disguise (not that useful, and inquisitors can take a spell which gives +10 to disguise checks if the campaign calls for that), handle animal (not that useful, as it isn't even a class skill) and use magic device (admittedly useful, but there should be a wizard around to do that). In effect, that turns a net +7 into a +12 for the majority of encounters.
Why a dwarf? Because +2 Con and +2 Wis are both good stats to have for an inquisitor, and as shown above, the -2 Cha doesn't really matter because of the conversion inquisition.
So that's the best that I can do. And I have been trying to find something which can beat it for when I make my next character. So I now turn to you Pathfinder veterans to show me how number crunching is done.
Welp, there isn't a single "most cost effective" point buy for all characters, so if you give us a concept that would certainly make it easier.
Switch-hitter?
Ranged?
Unarmed?
Dual-wielding Battle Poi?
Str or Dex based... or even Wis?
...Caster?
Other than that, those two 16's are kinda expensive. I would prob settle for a 15, then use your 4th level increase to bring it up to 16. That would give you 3 points to bump up your Con to 14(+2), which would be a 1:2 score trade.
If I'm not playing SAD casters then I usually don't bother to bring up any stat over 16 (pre-racial modifiers).
Dual talent human
16+2/14+2/14/12/12/7 => 18/16/14/12/12/7
But if just wanting the most pt buy points the winner is Merfolk
10/16+2/14+2/10/10/14+2 => 10/18/16/10/10/16
