I think I’ve come up with an awesome build that uses Bull Rushing with Shields. What do you think? Is it legal? Is it awesome? Does it work and play well with others? I’d prefer RAW-based answers to game balance and conceptual judgments, because I want this character build I’m cooking to be PFS legal. Also, I’d love to see any of your ideas for uber bull rush builds that you think are better.
Boris (the Butcher) Bravaski
St 16
In 12
Wis 14
Dex 14
Con 13
Cr 10
1Ranger1: Weapon Focus Klar, Improved Shield Bash: DPR: 1d6+2=5.5
He’ll probably use a klar in 1 hand and throwing weapons in the other, spears and hammers at this point.
2R2: 2 Weapon
3R2F1: Double Slice, Power Attack: 2(1d6+4)=15
So at this point, it’s pretty straight forward, a 2 weapon fighter with a good AC because his weapons are shields. He could be using a large spiked shield and a klar, trading 1 point of attack bonus for 1 point of AC, or Long Sword and Klar, trading 1 point of attack bonus for +1 damage.
4R2F2: Improved Bull Rush
5R2F3: Spiked Destroyer
6R2F4: Shield Slam
On both shields, I expect the character to have +1 Bashing and +1 weapon enhancements. The bashing enchantment makes those shield bashes damage as if the shield were 2 sizes bigger from 1d6 to 1d8 to 2d6. The items would cost about 6000gp each built up incrementally so the most expensive enchantment would be 3000gp.
Shield Slam gives a free bull rush with every shield bash, and Spiked Destroyer gives a free armor spike attack with every bull rush. The attack routine is Bash/Bull Rush/Spikes & Bash/Bull Rush/Spikes. Boris the Butcher has a Strength of 16 so has a +3 Mod. So the DPR is 2(2d6+4+1d6+4) = 39. If he uses Power Attack, every attack goes up by +2 damage, making the DPR 47. Respectable at level 6.
7R2F4Cavalier1: Tactician, Mount, Paired Opportunist, Greater Bull Rush
The Paizo community is divided as to whether Improved and Great bull rush at their collective +4 to Bull Rush attempts granted by Shield Slam. But even if the DM denies that, he won’t deny my giving my allies Attacks of Opportunity granted by Great Bull Rush. Also, due to the Cavalier’s Tactician class ability, all allies get the Paired Opportunist feat, so when they get an attack of opportunity, Boris gets one, too along with another armor spike attack. So the DPR has just jumped another 18.5 points to 57.5
8R2F4C1Rogue1: Sneak Attack 1d6, Trapfinding
To be honest, I’m not sure that Rogue is the best way to go, here. I was thinking that since this character gives out AoO’s when people form up with him, there would be a lot of flanking opportunities, too. Also, since Sneak attack works for both the shield bashes and for the armor spikes, this is going to turn into something like an extra 4d6/round when he can use it.
It also seems maybe I should work in a level of Alchemist or Magus so I can use Enlarge Person, which would stack with Bashing but more importantly increase the size of bull-rushable targets. In a homespun campaign, I could just be a Vivisectionist-Alchemist and have it all.
9R2F5C1Ro1: Combat Reflexes
So, here is something interesting. When Boris uses Tactician & Paired Opportunist, he gets the Attacks of Opportunities the others get due to Great Bull Rush, his attack of opportunity will be another shield bash accompanied by another great bull rush, entitling another round of attacks of opportunity. If Boris has a Dexterity of 14, then that is 3 attacks of opportunity/round. If any of his allies also have Attack of Opportunity builds, say with Greater Trip, Vicious Stomp, and Punishing Kick, or MOMS with Snake Fang, then this becomes a huge AoO party with everybody getting an extra 3-4 attacks/round. AoO builds are good alone, but awesome together! If a lot of allies formed up with Boris but were lacking Combat Reflexes, then they could work out a tactic where the allies took turns taking their AoO’s so Boris could realize his full 3.
10R2F5C1Ro2: Weapon Specialization Klar
Of Course!
11R2F6C1Ro2: Racial Heritage, Goblin, Roll with It
I dunno, Roll with It just sounds cool. Boris should have something defensive going on.
12R2F6C1Ro3: Sneak Attack 2d6
So let’s say Boris gets to flank his ally who also has an AoO build. Then his DPR is 5(2d6+6 +2d6+1d6+4 + 2d6). 172.5/round, not considering extra enhancements on his weapons or belts of strength, Ioun Stones, or anything like that. Plus, he’s throwing out attacks of opportunity to his allies like Mardi Gras beads. And there are times when bull rushing is tactically devastating, like when there are pits, cliffs, and ship’s railings to push people over.
So, questions? Comments? Builds of your own?