Ok, I never played 3e so a lot of the things I need to keep in mind as I create a PC are new to me so I am asking for some help about things to keep in mind as I build my fighter. I am not looking for a uber optimized build, I am asking about what the key building blocks are in Pathfinder Society Play. I plan on building a spear and shield fighter, heavy armor up front fighter. So here are my questions:
Stats: Strength is obvious, then what? Dex for AC or Con for HP? Do I need any of the rest with bonuses? Are there any feats way down the line I need off stats for?
Feats: There are a lot of them, which are really key for a fighter as I level?
Down the Road: What are the things I need to keep in mind as I level up? I think I can do a first level PC by working through the book, but I am worried that if I screw up too much early I will pay for later in the career.
I know this is pretty general stuff and I think I will pick up the rules quick enough, but I don't want my first PC to be throw away, I want to build someone I can keep. Sorry for asking on the boards, but I can't seem to find any good newb building advice. Thanks for any help.
There are a ton of shield based feats that make you very effective. Also two weapon fighting feats work for a spear and shield guy.
Never hurts to have a bonus in wisdom for saves or int if you want more skills.
Personally I go with highest stat in dex, followed by str then con. The mental stat placement for me is more about the flavor you want, a wise old vetern, a dashing hero, or a witty fighter.
The pathfinder book lays out the feats in sections were you will find all the two weapon fighting ones together, the shield and weapon ones together and the like. Makes it easy to build an effective themed character, one of the rather nice parts of how they layed the book out.
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I respectfully disagree. I think Con then Dex, then Str are best for a fighter. Also I would take Weapon Focus and Improved Initative as the two starting feats for a fighter. It lets him hit first and do a little extra damage as well. Dodge is also a good first level pick for a fighter because it gives an AC bonus.
I respectfully disagree. I think Con then Dex, then Str are best for a fighter. Also I would take Weapon Focus and Improved Initative as the two starting feats for a fighter. It lets him hit first and do a little extra damage as well. Dodge is also a good first level pick for a fighter because it gives an AC bonus.
I was just worried about qualifying for two weapon fighting feats. Thus the placement of dex first.
Heavy Armor, Spear and Shield Fighter.... (Not a bad choice.)
Stat wise I'd focus on Strength for that character, followed by Con.
(The other advice in the thread is sound though.)
I say that because in PFS (limited to 12th level currently), Dex won't serve you as well as other games where you could really benefit from Armor training. Also, even though the spear is a good, all around weapon, it does lack the "flash" damage of other weapons.
For "competitive" play like PFS, I'd suggest focusing on feats that aid your To Hit rolls and damage.
I don't want to sound like I'm talking down about the PFS, but the truth is too much roleplaying actually hurts you. So focus on the numbers, and sprinkle on the roleplay when you can.
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Because the spear is a two-handed weapon, you can't use a shield with it unless you are using a shortspear or a spear that's too small for you. I would consider building this way: pick up a Small (assuming you're a Medium race) longspear and carry a spiked heavy shield - the idea is to fight at range with the longspear (worth it, even with the -2 penalty; you can pass it off as the awkwardness of using the weapon one-handed if you want) and use the shield spikes for creatures that get inside the spear. Focus on Strength, Constitution and Dexterity, in that order - let the two-weapon stuff slide, because you're not likely to be fighting at two different reaches very often, but strongly consider Combat Reflexes, to make the most of your reach weapon, and definitely pick up Improved Shield Bash and Shield Focus.
For a human fighter, I'd look at something like this:
Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 8
Feats: Combat Reflexes, Improved Shield Bash, Shield Focus
Equipment: Small longspear (5 gp), heavy steel shield with spikes (70 gp), scale mail (50 gp), shortspears (3, 3 gp total), other stuff worth 22 gp
That would give you an attack that looks like this:
Melee Small longspear +3 (1d6+4, x3) or
spiked shield bash +5 (1d6+4)
along with a 10 ft reach, 3 AoOs a round and an AC of 20.
Ok, I never played 3e so a lot of the things I need to keep in mind as I create a PC are new to me so I am asking for some help about things to keep in mind as I build my fighter. I am not looking for a uber optimized build, I am asking about what the key building blocks are in Pathfinder Society Play. I plan on building a spear and shield fighter, heavy armor up front fighter. So here are my questions:
Stats: Strength is obvious, then what? Dex for AC or Con for HP? Do I need any of the rest with bonuses? Are there any feats way down the line I need off stats for?
Feats: There are a lot of them, which are really key for a fighter as I level?
Down the Road: What are the things I need to keep in mind as I level up? I think I can do a first level PC by working through the book, but I am worried that if I screw up too much early I will pay for later in the career.
I know this is pretty general stuff and I think I will pick up the rules quick enough, but I don't want my first PC to be throw away, I want to build someone I can keep. Sorry for asking on the boards, but I can't seem to find any good newb building advice. Thanks for any help.
Ok basically this may be a little confusing for you, but all the advice these guys have given you is right. Its all based on how you want to play the character. If your worried about down the road read the feats in the core book and the prestige classes if thats something your looking at. Also don't get too worried about it though, your supposed to enjoy playing Pathfinder not worry yourself about whether your making your character right. Have your DM help you and you should be good.
In my opinion, short spear is a second rate weapon for a fighter, and full spear or long spear are both two handed. If you want to do spear and shield type fighter, the trident does more damage, & can be braced vs. charge. A trident is fairly spear- like.
If you would rather it be a true single-pointed spear, I would suggest selling you're DM on a new weapon that would be a 'heavy spear' or a 'hoplite spear', that has all the same game characteristics as a trident.
In my opinion, short spear is a second rate weapon for a fighter, and full spear or long spear are both two handed. If you want to do spear and shield type fighter, the trident does more damage, & can be braced vs. charge. A trident is fairly spear- like.
If you would rather it be a true single-pointed spear, I would suggest selling you're DM on a new weapon that would be a 'heavy spear' or a 'hoplite spear', that has all the same game characteristics as a trident.
Yes I agree with the trident over the spear, with my ranger I went with a trident.