So, I had the idea while playing breath of the wild today. I thought, "huh, how would link look in this situation? Like in a tabletop? I could make him in pathfinder and see where it goes."
So this is how he turned out. Id like thoughts and ideas, this link isnt from any one game in particular, I modeled this idea of him from the idea of the combined links as a whole. What i was going for is a link with lots of magic gadgets and tools with a focus on sword and board combat > archery > mounted combat.
Elf
Fighter (Eldritch Guardian)
20 point buy (post racial bonuses)
16 str 20 (by level 20)
16 dex 17 (by level 4)
12 con
13 int
10 wis
9 cha
no alternate racial traits or additional traits in general.
1:familiar, elven magic, weapon familiarity, low-light vision, keen senses, elven immunities. (Improved familiar) (for a navi/fey guide)
2:share training, steel will
3:armor training 1. (Improved Shield bash)
4:(point blank shot)
5: Weapon training +1 Heavy blades (for longsword/master sword) (Two weapon fighting)
6:(precise shot)
7: armor training 2 (double slice)
8: (rapid shot)
9: weapon training 2 (bows for the composite long bow) (improved two weapon fighting)
10: (deadly aim)
11: armor training 3 (two weapon rend)
12: (shield slam)
13: (weapon training +3) (close for shields) (mounted combat)
14: (mounted archery)
15: armor training 4 (improved mounted archer)
16: (trick riding)
17: weapon training 4 (thrown for boomerang) (mounted skirmisher)
18: (manyshot)
19: Armor mastery (weapon focus: longsword)
20: weapon mastery (longsword) (advanced weapon training: focused weapon, longsword)
all skill ranks will go into the 3 skills: Perception, Ride, and, UMD.
I’d actually build Link as a psycometrist Avenger Vigilante. While the dual identities bit is kind of off-flavor, that archetype is all about using items to create magical effects which sounds very much like Link. You also have full BAB and a lot of skill points, which I think helps the concept.
This seems like......and incredibly weird suggestion. Is there more reason to it? Fighter still gets full bab and as long as you have umd, there are already lots of unique magical items in the book to use.
Maybe, but those gadgets are intrinsic to the class. You don't need to ask your GM to make a fire rod drop, or whatever.
Of course, another good pick would be a Ranger with a Horse companion. The chain of feats that get you an animal companion might be a good pick in general.
A Slayer might be good too (Studied Target is a good way to represent "Z-targeting" from the 3D Zelda games).
Actually, thinking on it, a Chosen One Paladin might also be a really good fit. You've got the swordsmanship, the familiar which is knowledgable about the ways of the world, as well as the flavor of being marked by your deity with a special destiny. Add a Sacred Birthmark trait on the left hand too.
I guess what I'm saying is that there are as many ways of building Link as there are Links. And there are a lot of Links.
Link comes across more as a ranger to me. In most games he is pretty lightly armored (most of Link's actual armor would probably only be medium by PF standards, even in settings where he WEARS armor), and he's more agile and skilled than I think a fighter would be. Usually him having an animal companion is a little closer to how Link plays than him having a familiar, I think; Link doesn't always have a companion character that has any impact on gameplay but he usually has a mount of some kind.
Link's fighting style is hard to pin down but his GENERAL approach is a mix of archery and sword & shield, something the ranger (and to a lesser extent Slayer and Fighter) does very well.
Gotta pick the correct link for the correct game, different links are different things.
Botw is definitely ranger switch hitter territory.
Runes are replaced by spells, as are most of the cooking alchemical concoctions.
Elf represents his ears I guess? Long ears in Zelda is a symbol of nobility in human blood, as there are plenty of humans/hylians with either ear shape. Link is definitely a human. Zoras are basically aquatic elves.
master_marshmallow wrote: Gotta pick the correct link for the correct game, different links are different things.
Botw is definitely ranger switch hitter territory.
Runes are replaced by spells, as are most of the cooking alchemical concoctions.
Elf represents his ears I guess? Long ears in Zelda is a symbol of nobility in human blood, as there are plenty of humans/hylians with either ear shape. Link is definitely a human. Zoras are basically aquatic elves.
lots of stuff to look at here, I should start with the obvious, link is definitely, 100 percent, not a human. Humans in LOZ have round ears. Period. Hylians are a completely different race from the humans. Have you played OOT? The first 3d model we ever see of link, he has ears as long as my arm, of course this is an exaggeration but they are f$~~ing long.
I get where you guys are coming from with the animal companion, however, epona is only in 6 legend of zelda games, epona isnt even a main part of most of these games. thats even counting single cutscenes you see the horse in. Link is FAR from being known to have an animal companion. It is much much more common for him to have some sort of fey guide. Navi, midna, the minish cap, the shika slate (im counting this because it may as well be alive), fi, the king of red lions, etc. There are tons of different little guides/beings who guide link through his adventures. Thats why I chose eldritch guardian in the first place.
I do agree with the assessment of links combat style though. Sword, shield, archery. But, all of this is really feet heavy to be at all decent at, not to mention being able to fight on a mount as the plan was to pick up a combat trained war horse to cover epona later on.
I do like the idea of paladin though link really doesnt use magic of basically any kind in most points of any legend of zelda game. Yes he does HAVE magic but its represented by artifacts of some kind, ive never known him to be anything but a martial master in any way. This is also part of the reason why I avoided the ranger. He doesnt need/use magic. Though, it all comes around to the fact that rangers and paladins really dont have the feats to spare for a build this feat intensive. 3 different forms of combat are kind of tough basis to cover for anything that isnt a fighter.
To touch on the things mentioned here though. Im not worried about an animal companion feat line at all as I was just going to buy a horse like I would in BOTW or OOT as in OOT you win epona in a bet against someone after paying to ride her a few times and racing with her against him. Im also noting the mention of light or medium armor which again yea, I agree. I had planned to wear at most, mythral chain mail as I cant imagine him wearing anything more heavy in almost any situation.
The vibe I got from the Zelda games is that the Hylians were a distinct human ethnicity, like Azlanti or Chelaxians in Pathfinder, rather than being a separate race.
Also, Ranger/Slayer are better at Sword and Shield combat than Fighters are because they qualify for the Shield Mastery feat at level 6 with their fighting style class feature. Fighters can't use that feat until level 11.
ViConstantine wrote:
I get where you guys are coming from with the animal companion, however, epona is only in 6 legend of zelda games, epona isnt even a main part of most of these games. thats even counting single cutscenes you see the horse in. Link is FAR from being known to have an animal companion. It is much much more common for him to have some sort of fey guide. Navi, midna, the minish cap, the shika slate (im counting this because it may as well be alive), fi, You have a point with Midna, and Navi but Fi is more like the personality of an intelligent item made manifest than a familiar, I would probably use something like the Black Blade to represent Fi. The Minish Cap is really a person, so I would be hesitant to call it a familiar, and definitely lean towards intelligent item.
I Can't comment on the Sheika Slate, because I haven't played BotW yet, but then I got to this part
ViConstantine wrote: the king of red lions, etc. There are tons of different little guides/beings who guide link through his adventures. Thats why I chose eldritch guardian in the first place.
Are you kidding me? Who in their right mind would use a familiar to represent The King of Red Lions? And once again we have a character who is really a person, but magically changed into an item.
Also, after going through more of it, I don't think I would call Midna a familiar either. The relationship between a Master and a Familiar is very different than Midna and Link's.
Edit: I wanted to see how many familiar like characters Link has had compared to animal companions, and came up with the following list.
Animal Companions
Epona is in 7 games, but only rideable in 4. (OoT, MM, FS, and TP)
Ricky (Oracles)
Dimitri (Oracles)
Moosh(Oracles)
Crimson Loftwing
Not counting the Oracle games as separate appearances or Eponas non rideable appearances: 8
Familiars
Navi (OoT)
Tatl (MM)
Ciela (PH)
Arguable Familiars:
Midna (TP)
Fi (SS)
Ezlo (MC)
Counting the arguable ones, its 6, so Link appears to be more likely to have an Animal Companion than a familiar.
Edit 2: Someone just informed me that it is possible to get Wolf Link in Breath of the Wild, but didn't have details, so I'll hold off on adding it to the list.
Sah wrote: ViConstantine wrote:
I get where you guys are coming from with the animal companion, however, epona is only in 6 legend of zelda games, epona isnt even a main part of most of these games. thats even counting single cutscenes you see the horse in. Link is FAR from being known to have an animal companion. It is much much more common for him to have some sort of fey guide. Navi, midna, the minish cap, the shika slate (im counting this because it may as well be alive), fi, You have a point with Midna, and Navi but Fi is more like the personality of an intelligent item made manifest than a familiar, I would probably use something like the Black Blade to represent Fi. The Minish Cap is really a person, so I would be hesitant to call it a familiar, and definitely lean towards intelligent item.
I Can't comment on the Sheika Slate, because I haven't played BotW yet, but then I got to this part
ViConstantine wrote: the king of red lions, etc. There are tons of different little guides/beings who guide link through his adventures. Thats why I chose eldritch guardian in the first place.
Are you kidding me? Who in their right mind would use a familiar to represent The King of Red Lions? And once again we have a character who is really a person, but magically changed into an item.
Also, after going through more of it, I don't think I would call Midna a familiar either. The relationship between a Master and a Familiar is very different than Midna and Link's.
Edit: I wanted to see how many familiar like characters Link has had compared to animal companions, and came up with the following list.
Animal Companions
Epona is in 7 games, but only rideable in 4. (OoT, MM, FS, and TP)
Ricky (Oracles)
Dimitri (Oracles)
Moosh(Oracles)
Crimson Loftwing
Not counting the Oracle games as separate appearances or Eponas non rideable appearances: 8
Familiars
Navi (OoT)
Tatl (MM)
Ciela (PH)
Arguable Familiars:
Midna (TP)
Fi (SS)
Ezlo (MC)
Counting the... Thats fair enough I suppose. Though I refer to these beings as familiars as thats the closest relationship i can give them to something in pathfinder as really all of these beings are more like spiritual guides or simply a constantly visible outside force on link that aids and pushes him in the game through information. I couldnt rationalize animal companions half much. Though if it is a simple out numbering of animal companion to spirit guide then i guess i can find a way to squeeze in animal companion in over familiar. In my defense however, I can say that I havnt actually played every legend of zelda. Ive actually only gotten myself to play about 5 of the games so far but have beaten absolutely none of them because half way through the game there is always a dungeon or something that bores the s~*# out of me and makes me not want to go any further. Though, a large majority of my friends are huge zelda nerds and never shut up about it so id still call myself fairly knowledgable for someone who hasnt played much.
Sah wrote: ViConstantine wrote:
I get where you guys are coming from with the animal companion, however, epona is only in 6 legend of zelda games, epona isnt even a main part of most of these games. thats even counting single cutscenes you see the horse in. Link is FAR from being known to have an animal companion. It is much much more common for him to have some sort of fey guide. Navi, midna, the minish cap, the shika slate (im counting this because it may as well be alive), fi, You have a point with Midna, and Navi but Fi is more like the personality of an intelligent item made manifest than a familiar, I would probably use something like the Black Blade to represent Fi. The Minish Cap is really a person, so I would be hesitant to call it a familiar, and definitely lean towards intelligent item.
I Can't comment on the Sheika Slate, because I haven't played BotW yet, but then I got to this part
ViConstantine wrote: the king of red lions, etc. There are tons of different little guides/beings who guide link through his adventures. Thats why I chose eldritch guardian in the first place.
Are you kidding me? Who in their right mind would use a familiar to represent The King of Red Lions? And once again we have a character who is really a person, but magically changed into an item.
Also, after going through more of it, I don't think I would call Midna a familiar either. The relationship between a Master and a Familiar is very different than Midna and Link's.
Edit: I wanted to see how many familiar like characters Link has had compared to animal companions, and came up with the following list.
Animal Companions
Epona is in 7 games, but only rideable in 4. (OoT, MM, FS, and TP)
Ricky (Oracles)
Dimitri (Oracles)
Moosh(Oracles)
Crimson Loftwing
Not counting the Oracle games as separate appearances or Eponas non rideable appearances: 8
Familiars
Navi (OoT)
Tatl (MM)
Ciela (PH)
Arguable Familiars:
Midna (TP)
Fi (SS)
Ezlo (MC)
Counting the... Thats fair enough I suppose. Though I refer to these beings as familiars as thats the closest relationship i can give them to something in pathfinder as really all of these beings are more like spiritual guides or simply a constantly visible outside force on link that aids and pushes him in the game through information. I couldnt rationalize animal companions half much. Though if it is a simple out numbering of animal companion to spirit guide then i guess i can find a way to squeeze in animal companion in over familiar. In my defense however, I can say that I havnt actually played every legend of zelda. Ive actually only gotten myself to play about 5 of the games so far but have beaten absolutely none of them because half way through the game there is always a dungeon or something that bores the s!@* out of me and makes me not want to go any further. Though, a large majority of my friends are huge zelda nerds and never shut up about it so id still call myself fairly knowledgable for someone who hasnt played much.
Ventnor wrote: The vibe I got from the Zelda games is that the Hylians were a distinct human ethnicity, like Azlanti or Chelaxians in Pathfinder, rather than being a separate race.
Also, Ranger/Slayer are better at Sword and Shield combat than Fighters are because they qualify for the Shield Mastery feat at level 6 with their fighting style class feature. Fighters can't use that feat until level 11.
The hylian thing is something mentioned in its lore rather than something that is mildly ambiguous. "Humans are a race in the The Legend of Zelda series. Unlike the Hylians, who are more prolific and possess wide, pointed ears, Humans have rounded ears and are much less commonly seen in the series." - description of humans in the wiki. They are different races hence my painful choice of elf that im sticking to so heavily. I still think the "slayer/ranger is better than fighter at this because of "feat" earlier than the fighter because of fighting style" Is a super weak argument as to another class being "better" at something martial related than the fighter. Ive build every martial class in this game and let me tell you, where as I love the slayer, the fighter does almost everything better at the end of the day than the other martial classes. Atleast in every session ive ever played with my group. But regardless. I didnt want to argue against other suggestions. I wanna see how you would build it? knowing what the goal is for the characters fighting style and etc.
I think half-elf is a better approximation of hylian than full elf honestly. Elves are much more distinct from humans the Hylians appear to be.
Jurassic Pratt wrote: I think half-elf is a better approximation of hylian than full elf honestly. Elves are much more distinct from humans the Hylians appear to be. I think you have a fair point though i still think link looks more elf than human. After taking a look at the stats again, his stats wouldnt change all that much in the end either so im not opposed to the idea.
ViConstantine wrote: Jurassic Pratt wrote: I think half-elf is a better approximation of hylian than full elf honestly. Elves are much more distinct from humans the Hylians appear to be. Ive considered that and its not a bad point at all. Id venture to say that I actually agree. Though, The bonuses from the elf actually ended up working out so well that im afraid to change it. If you have a suggestion on how to get similar stats that still allow the feats we have here while using the half elf, im open to hear for sure.
Kindred Raised Half Elf gives you +2 to an ability score of your choice and +2 charisma.
Using that we can get:
16 str
16 dex
14 con
10 int
10 wis
10 cha
Personally I'd make Link as a a ranger rather than a fighter so that he could take the archery feats without needing to meet their prerequisites while using his normal feats for melee. It works doubly well since we've determined that Epona appears more often than a familiar type companion. And since you mentioned earlier that you're not a fan of him having spells you can take the Skirmisher archetypes which trades out the ranger's spellcasting.
Jurassic Pratt wrote: ViConstantine wrote: Jurassic Pratt wrote: I think half-elf is a better approximation of hylian than full elf honestly. Elves are much more distinct from humans the Hylians appear to be. Ive considered that and its not a bad point at all. Id venture to say that I actually agree. Though, The bonuses from the elf actually ended up working out so well that im afraid to change it. If you have a suggestion on how to get similar stats that still allow the feats we have here while using the half elf, im open to hear for sure.
Kindred Raised Half Elf gives you +2 to an ability score of your choice and +2 charisma.
Using that we can get:
16 str
16 dex
14 con
10 int
10 wis
10 cha Sorry, I tried to delete that comment right after i did the math myself, we can actually still get
16 str
16 dex (14+2)
12 con
13 int
10 wis
10 cha
i see that you dropped the int down from 13 to 10 in favor of another point of health. I originally took 13 int thinking i may need it to qualify for some feats. It seems I dont but I cant drop it bellow 12 now as I need the 3 skill points for ride, umd and perception. Though if we even drop it to 12, I wouldnt know where to put that last 1 point.
ViConstantine wrote: Jurassic Pratt wrote: ViConstantine wrote: Jurassic Pratt wrote: I think half-elf is a better approximation of hylian than full elf honestly. Elves are much more distinct from humans the Hylians appear to be. Ive considered that and its not a bad point at all. Id venture to say that I actually agree. Though, The bonuses from the elf actually ended up working out so well that im afraid to change it. If you have a suggestion on how to get similar stats that still allow the feats we have here while using the half elf, im open to hear for sure.
Kindred Raised Half Elf gives you +2 to an ability score of your choice and +2 charisma.
Using that we can get:
16 str
16 dex
14 con
10 int
10 wis
10 cha Sorry, I tried to delete that comment right after i did the math myself, we can actually still get b
16 str
16 dex (14+2)
12 con
13 int
10 wis
10 cha
i see that you dropped the int down from 13 to 10 in favor of another point of health. I originally took 13 int thinking i may need it to qualify for some feats. It seems I dont but I cant drop it bellow 12 now as I need the 3 skill points for ride, umd and perception. Though if we even drop it to 12, I wouldnt know where to put that last 1 point.
I'm an idiot and did my point buy wrong.
If we go kindred raised half elf we can get:
16 str (+2 racial already included)
16 dex
14 con
12 in
10 wis
10 cha (+2 racial already included.)
I'm still a big fan of going Skirmisher Ranger over fighter for the reasons in my last post though. I also don't think you need mounted archery as you only take those penalties if you mount moves more than one move action in a round iirc. I'm also unsure that two-weapon rend is needed.
Jurassic Pratt wrote: ViConstantine wrote: Jurassic Pratt wrote: ViConstantine wrote: Jurassic Pratt wrote: I think half-elf is a better approximation of hylian than full elf honestly. Elves are much more distinct from humans the Hylians appear to be. Ive considered that and its not a bad point at all. Id venture to say that I actually agree. Though, The bonuses from the elf actually ended up working out so well that im afraid to change it. If you have a suggestion on how to get similar stats that still allow the feats we have here while using the half elf, im open to hear for sure.
Kindred Raised Half Elf gives you +2 to an ability score of your choice and +2 charisma.
Using that we can get:
16 str
16 dex
14 con
10 int
10 wis
10 cha Sorry, I tried to delete that comment right after i did the math myself, we can actually still get
16 str
16 dex (14+2)
12 con
13 int
10 wis
10 cha
i see that you dropped the int down from 13 to 10 in favor of another point of health. I originally took 13 int thinking i may need it to qualify for some feats. It seems I dont but I cant drop it bellow 12 now as I need the 3 skill points for ride, umd and perception. Though if we even drop it to 12, I wouldnt know where to put that last 1 point.
I'm an idiot and did my point buy wrong.
If we go kindred raised half elf we can get:
16 str (+2 racial already included)
16 dex
14 con
12 in
10 wis
10 cha (+2 racial already included.)
I'm still a big fan of going Skirmisher Ranger over fighter for the reasons in my last post though. If thats the case, how would you build it based on the feats we have listed here? I actually adjusted them myself recently based on the suggestion of an epona > spirit guide so they look more like this levels 1-20 on vanilla fighter: nature soul, improved shield bash, point blank shot, two weapon fighting, precise shot, animal ally, double slice, boon companion, rapid shot, improved two weapon fighting, deadly aim, two weapon rend, shield slam, mounted combat, mounted archery, improved mounted archery, trick riding, mounted skirmisher, manyshot, weapon focus longsword and advanced weapon training.
Let me get back to ya on a full build some other time. Gotta get some sleep as of now. Will definitely chime back in sometime.
Link needs acrobatics, swim and climb as well.
They are all on the ranger skill list.
He also famously solves a lot of puzzles: average Int. is not Link.
Also need to drop a few points in profession sailor...
Not sure about turning into a wolf.
I think Link’s early vulnerability in most games would fit a 10 con, using items and level bonuses to lift it later.
I could have sworn I had a list of these
As others have mentioned, Link's class is going to vary by game. I would lean Alchemist (trap breaker) for BotW, since so much of his strength in that game comes from consumable buffs and magical explosives. Of course, given I played this game as Tech of the Wild, my first complete Link build was using Starfinder. This just didn't scream PF ranger
Some other suggestions:
- Champion-primary Medium
- Paladin/Order of the Star Cavalier (SS, loftwing mount bond)
- Lore Warden Fighter
- Eldritch Knight (AlttP, significant blast power and Trinexx effectively requires Spell Critical)
- Archaeologist Bard
- Myrmidarch Magus (OOT)
- Haunt Collector Occultist (MM)
Haunt Collector whose occultist implements are all masks containing the souls of the dead? Yeah, that’s actually pretty darn cool.
I am amused by a vigilante link whose alternate identity is kid link. The magical child style transformation seems especially fitting ;)
That’s a bit of a reach.
I just did a google image search for link and got a load of lightly-armoured half-elf looking dudes either going sword n board, sword or archery.
The classic link is a switch hitter with skills and a horse.
Until BotW he wasn’t a crafter and he’s never been a caster.
Fighter I can see, especially lord warden. Spell-less Ranger makes a lot of sense.
Magus? What’s Link’s spell-list?
Any ideas how to do wolf link?
GeraintElberion wrote: Any ideas how to do wolf link? Lol
Shifter
the Classic Link (from the first game) doesn't need a sword. He's been throwing fireballs out of a mana meter since before he had a horse.
The Ocarina of Time reference I suggested magus for includes AoE fire, defensive buffs, minor teleports, and a total of four weapon infusions (three to the arrows, one to the spin attack)
Edit: While I class different Links differently, my mental ideal is an Occultist. Link is a force of history. He can encounter artifacts nobody has seen for thousands of years and focus them to the needs of the present. Sometimes those artifacts are magical foci, in which case Link can power their spells with his own store of magic. Sometimes they're tools, and Link can use them in both intended and unforeseen ways. Link is a focus for the greatest in mortal achievement, a peak when the works of gods can be manipulated by earth. It's why I played BotW the way I did: The Hero doesn't use a nameless sword forged last week, he returns 10 000 year old energy blades back against their original target.
Remember that while Link classically uses sword&board for melee, he doesn't attack with the shield. So whirlwind attack and quick draw would be the feats I associate with that.
Here, allow me to help everyone a bit to narrow this down. We want something like breath of the wild link or skyward sword link, id even venture to say twilight princess though I think shifting shpuld be very optional, handled by potions and umd wands if possible.
Sah wrote: ViConstantine wrote:
I get where you guys are coming from with the animal companion, however, epona is only in 6 legend of zelda games, epona isnt even a main part of most of these games. thats even counting single cutscenes you see the horse in. Link is FAR from being known to have an animal companion. It is much much more common for him to have some sort of fey guide. Navi, midna, the minish cap, the shika slate (im counting this because it may as well be alive), fi, You have a point with Midna, and Navi but Fi is more like the personality of an intelligent item made manifest than a familiar, I would probably use something like the Black Blade to represent Fi. The Minish Cap is really a person, so I would be hesitant to call it a familiar, and definitely lean towards intelligent item.
I Can't comment on the Sheika Slate, because I haven't played BotW yet, but then I got to this part
ViConstantine wrote: the king of red lions, etc. There are tons of different little guides/beings who guide link through his adventures. Thats why I chose eldritch guardian in the first place.
Are you kidding me? Who in their right mind would use a familiar to represent The King of Red Lions? And once again we have a character who is really a person, but magically changed into an item.
Also, after going through more of it, I don't think I would call Midna a familiar either. The relationship between a Master and a Familiar is very different than Midna and Link's.
Edit: I wanted to see how many familiar like characters Link has had compared to animal companions, and came up with the following list.
Animal Companions
Epona is in 7 games, but only rideable in 4. (OoT, MM, FS, and TP)
Ricky (Oracles)
Dimitri (Oracles)
Moosh(Oracles)
Crimson Loftwing
Not counting the Oracle games as separate appearances or Eponas non rideable appearances: 8
Familiars
Navi (OoT)
Tatl (MM)
Ciela (PH)
Arguable Familiars:
Midna (TP)
Fi (SS)
Ezlo (MC) I see the "arguable familiar" thing for Fi and Ezlo, but Midna is definitely a wizard/sorcerer cohort, not an animal companion or familiar.
ViConstantine wrote: Jurassic Pratt wrote: I think half-elf is a better approximation of hylian than full elf honestly. Elves are much more distinct from humans the Hylians appear to be. I think you have a fair point though i still think link looks more elf than human. After taking a look at the stats again, his stats wouldnt change all that much in the end either so im not opposed to the idea. According to BotW, hylians are functionally humans. They do not age like humans, where we encounter different races like the Zora and Rito that do. I believe even the gorons age more slowly, even though they do not have the longevity that the other two races have.
Even half-elves have much more elongated aging which makes the RP aspect of such a character incredibly difficult to explain with an elf other than 'ears.'
He doesn't have low-light vision, nor keen senses.
He is not immune to magical sleep or paralysis.
If the only stance for link being an elf is 'ears' then just go with racial heritage (elf) on a human and be done with it.
Hylians being described as an ethnicity of humans makes the most sense, similarly gerudo and shiekah would probably fall into this as well, as those races don't seem to have many other variations on racial abilities (especially in BotW) aside from cultural ones.
BotW link is for sure a ranger, a switch hitter. He does not have point-blank master, and unless he has the right bow equipped he doesn't have rapid-shot or many shot either.
At ranger 7th he can take brew potion, or at 5th with Magical Knack.
BotW has an amiibo function that gives you a wolf animal companion, if you bought, beat, and did the trials in Twilight Princess HD then the wolf has better stats. That wolf is easily represented as your animal companion.
The runes grant narrative power and the ability to surpass the environment, as well as some niche combat application; this is the same purpose spells serve in PFRPG.
Stats are whatever, link uses magic gear in three slots to give himself flat bonuses to stats or to improve his defenses against particular elements, or mixes and matches for both. Good STR and DEX are required. Con starts pretty low, with only 12 HP, (suggesting a 14 CON score) but gets improved upon as you play the game, though in PFRPG you may not want to just skip CON.
The master sword has got to be some sort of sharding holy bastard sword/longsword, depending on how you want to compare it to other games. We learned in Skyward Sword that it started out as a longsword that was enhanced magically into a bastard sword that link can use, improving its damage and range. It does double damage to evil creatures meaning it could be a custom item similar to a sunblade imo.
The bow of light/twilight bow would need to be a custom item, unless an Abundant Ammunition/Holy bow does enough for you. It should probably also have +5 and distance.
Link has been known to acquire spells in various games, the runes in BotW are obvious, but there's also the goddess spells in OOT, the medallion spells in ALTTP, and the magic armor in WW.
The magic rods in BotW function more like wands of flaming sphere/ snowball/ lightning bolt respectively, though still on a rod since you can use them all like a mace.
Handle Animal, Stealth, Climb, Swim, Acrobatics, Survival, Heal, and Ride are all very blatantly used throughout the game. Perception seems pretty important as well, especially in BotW where if you don't check your surroundings enough, you die.
As to combat, he'll definitely have Power Attack, represented by the charged attacks performable in BOTW, and Deadly Aim seems more appropriate to represent your capacity to do reliable extra damage on head shots better than just relying on crits with the bow. Improved Shield Bash is in there, though TWF largely is not, since there is really no instance of using both weapons at the same time. You can still go shield master, but it doesn't seem necessary to me.
Whirlwind Attack/Great Cleave might be worth looking into, if the feats themselves weren't garbage on an pretty feat intensive build.
GeraintElberion wrote: Magus? What’s Link’s spell-list? Off the top of my head: sword beams, fireballs, teleportation, shielding magic, thunderbolts, and that one spell that lets him turn into a fairy.
I appreciate all the thought going into these but I feel as though some of these suggestions might be a bit over complicated.
Overcomplicated? They're mostly single classed!
If you aren't playing PFS, why not run him as an Azlatni, reflavored as a Hylian?
Haywire build generator wrote: Overcomplicated? They're mostly single classed! Over complicated like people might be reading way too deep into it trying to capture every tiny detail of game mechanics and etc. I mean come on my original idea was vanilla fighter.
Though it is still pretty interesting hearing the separate ideas.
ViConstantine wrote: Haywire build generator wrote: Overcomplicated? They're mostly single classed! Over complicated like people might be reading way too deep into it trying to capture every tiny detail of game mechanics and etc. I mean come on my original idea was vanilla fighter. I stand by my original assessment. You should see my Overwatch conversions, particularly the inordinate amount of effort I put into making throwing guns a reload option.
Haywire build generator wrote: ViConstantine wrote: Haywire build generator wrote: Overcomplicated? They're mostly single classed! Over complicated like people might be reading way too deep into it trying to capture every tiny detail of game mechanics and etc. I mean come on my original idea was vanilla fighter. I stand by my original assessment. You should see my Overwatch conversions, particularly the inordinate amount of effort I put into making throwing guns a reload option. I've never thought throwing guns wasnt a reload option. Then again I once tried to make someone like mama from madoka magica, haha.
You know, honestly, now that I think about it, to be more true to the character, I shouldnt have twf, etc. Nothing that uses the shield to attack. He should be using the shield strictly for defense and i should be getting feats that boost his single handed attacks. Any ideas on that?
ViConstantine wrote: You know, honestly, now that I think about it, to be more true to the character, I shouldnt have twf, etc. Nothing that uses the shield to attack. He should be using the shield strictly for defense and i should be getting feats that boost his single handed attacks. Any ideas on that? Actually, you can hit enemies with the Lynel shields for damage. :P
The Sideromancer wrote: ViConstantine wrote: You know, honestly, now that I think about it, to be more true to the character, I shouldnt have twf, etc. Nothing that uses the shield to attack. He should be using the shield strictly for defense and i should be getting feats that boost his single handed attacks. Any ideas on that? Actually, you can hit enemies with the Lynel shields for damage. :P Hm, I mean i guess thats fair but it is only the one item and its still not the usual link style.
Im terrible at feats
but have you considered a multiclass fighter/hunter build?
as far as him being human or elf.
remember loz is not PF or DnD so there would be no immunties and waht not.
so you can say botw says they are human
any other setting the Hylians could be considered elf or half elf.( I consider them to be elves regardless)
that also said
Link did not even get spells in the first loz and did not get them until adventure of link( that game stunk,, yeah I never could beat it)
I dont think he had any in the one for snes loz or the gameboy version( memory is fuzzy) and I never could play MM.
This topic I made about Sword Beams in Pathfinder might help you.
Blackwaltzomega wrote: I see the "arguable familiar" thing for Fi and Ezlo, but Midna is definitely a wizard/sorcerer cohort, not an animal companion or familiar. Yeah, I really felt like Midna doesn't come across as a familiar, but I see how someone might try to emulate her using some form of Improved Familiar. Thats the only reason I left her on Arguable.
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