In need of advice regarding a future "Hardcore" campaign


Advice


Hey there! Recently two other players decided to drag me into a hardcore style campaign, low magic and the only available classes are Tier 4 And below from this Tier List
The DM is experienced and I know even with these restrictions we can have a rather fun time, we're all fans of the grit and grimy.

So far the other player has decided to play an Archetyped Unchained Monk (Hungry Ghost), he's going Dex based and his race is Drow.

Pretty edgy, yeah it has been decided that we're both evil, working for a mob style organization that at the very top is ran by a wizard who praises the god of Tyranny and Law.

Now here's what I need advice with! I'm considering playing one of three things. Bloodrager,Barbarian or Antipaladin.
Where he will be the graceful one, I shall be his "trusting" companion who can smash!
My stats on a flat 3d6 3 times and pick the favored have been 16,9,12,11,11,13

The problem I have is really just deciding between the classes and the build I would do, so I'd like your advice! Whichever you think is cooler or just plain better.
Below I'll list the pros and cons I feel are associated with each character.
Also quick note- Antipaladin has been house-ruled to be of any evil alignment, as is not restricted to fallen paladins but now acts more like the 3.5 Blackguard, champions of fiends and evil deities.

Antipaladin - He would be focused on an intimidation build, charisma firstly and strength secondary, a large knight-like individual with a commanding presence, working for the organization as a mission by his deity.

The con would be that Antipaladin takes quite a bit of gear for extra touches,conductive weaponry and levels to get going, which may be in very short supply this game.
Barbarian - I would likely go for the standard brutish barbarian beast totem, get invulnerable rager for DR and be a powerful Nordic-style berserker with a gigantic axe, or kick it up a notch and go prodigious two weapon fighting titan mauler with two greataxes.

The con would be that I posses no spells and simply rely on "I hit it and hope it dies", also it will be quite difficult to avoid fatigue if i can't overdose on Allnight or other items to ignore fatigue.
Bloodrager - The bloodrager would be a mix, either Aberrant or Undead bloodline being used in an attempt to combine the Barbarian and Antipaladin into a fearful-berserker build.

The con would be a mish-mash, on one hand I have spells but I'm going to burn them just as fast as a barbarian burns rage, and they're quite limited. Given the low rolls I likely won't be able to pump UMD up to reasonable heights in order to make up for that

The DM is willing to allow anything from 3rd party if first approved by him.

Well that's pretty much it, so tell me which one you think might be the coolest or mechanically sound to play, and if you have any suggestions for alternate classes I'd love to hear them.


For the Barbarian idea, Humans have an alternate racial trait called Heart of the Fields that allows them to ignore an effect that makes them Fatigued or Exhausted once per day.

That being said, if the game is low magic then having magic would give your character a distinct advantage so I would say Antipaladin, Bloodrager then Barbarian in that order.

Otherwise, I find Barbarian the most fun to play.


Aberrant bloodrager with an aberrant tumor familiar that has the protector archetype can be a tough nut to crack.

Silver Crusade

You have picked up that 'low-magic' in PF means to pick a class with as much magic as possible, so your choices are sensible. Also include Ranger, Ninja and UMonk for things like healing, Invisibility or the Dimension Door effect.

I'm with the Bloodrager idea because they are good in any case but maybe consider the utility spells like Endure Elements and Fly.


Sohei monk or zen monk archer.

Don't forget to add qinggong monk as a second archetype.

I personally lean towards the sohei monk. He is able to put more arrows in the air than a zen monk and will almost always go first. This will allow you to end many fights before they truly start.


If you can incorporate outside material, the 3.5 Frenzied Berserker is a straight up nasty version of the Barbarian, put one against my party once and got a TPK, very deadly.


Go for the Anitpaladin but put STR first and CHA second. Pick up intimidating powers and apply both STR and CHA to intimidate. Play a Mori-Born Dampir for bonus to STR and CHA . This will also allow you to use touch of corruption to heal yourself.


In a lowish stat environment I would suggest the Bloodrager into Dragon Disciple option. Maybe with a 2 level dip into Antipaladin for Unholy Resistance.

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