| coolhandluq |
I could use some help designing my character for Pathfinder. I'm pretty new to this. My character concept is a human aldori swordlord. He's intelligent, quick, at least minorly charismatic. The aldori swordlord concept seems to be a finesse fighter that can switch back and forth from one-handed to two-handed based on the situation. He does not use a shield. He also has a focus on disarm. He does not get armor training, is supposed to be in light although he could probably use medium for awhile. He would be starting at level 2, but will probably level 3 within a session or two. Background traits are set at sword scion and dangerously curious pretty much as I'm revising a character with an existing history. I'd like to be useful skillwise as either a scout or party face if possible. I understand that may be stretching it though. The point buy is 25.
For reference:
Fighter - Aldori Swordlord Archetype
The problem I have is that the aldori swordlord archetype in the inner sea primer seems weak. I have to take three feats (weapon finesse, agile maneuvers, and exotic weapon proficiency - aldori dueling sword) just to function almost as well as a base level longsword fighter. Once he takes those three feats he is leagues ahead.
DEXter does less damage (damage is off str not dex), has equivalent AC to a 2h weapon user (and even less damage compared to him), and less AC than a shield user. I'm not very optimistic. That 2h strength fighter could grab power attack, furious focus, and shield of swings and be immensely better than dexter. Same AC, same CMB and CMD, same attack bonus, and 1d10+6+3 damage instead of 1d8+2. The 2h user's minimum damage is the same as dexter's max. This doesn't even take into account skills. The only dex based class skill for warriors is ride. If the dex based swordlord gained some other functionality that made up for that it'd be ok. At best I'm looking at better AC eventually while the damage and attack bonus falls even farther behind. At that point he's just a lame monk?
As I said the original character concept I had was an intelligent, quick, charismatic aldori swordsman. Something akin to the old swordsage/sword saint/kensai type but with the charisma thrown in. I realize the charisma is probably pushing it though. If the aldori swordlord archetype doesn't work, I suppose I could build the swordlord off another class. Maybe if I used swashbuckler, 2h weapon ranger, or bard? Trading some combat capability for social or scout ability is not a big problem.
Hopefully I'm getting this wrong. I just want the character to work and mostly fit the concept. I don't need to be OP.