I plan on making a TWF caster taking advantage of the new Arcane Dualist. I don't know if I should go to eldritch knight, or stick with it all the way to 20. If I go to eldritch knight, I will be taking a 2 level dip of barbarian, because the character is C/N, for uncanny dodge, weapon proficiencies, and the rage power. If you haven't guessed, I am going for a mostly melee build.
Races I want is human, half-elf, or elf only please.
I will be using a light shield as my offhand weapon, so going to shield mastery is an option.
So suggestions would be great,
Thanks.
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I plan on making a TWF caster taking advantage of the new Arcane Dualist. I don't know if I should go to eldritch knight, or stick with it all the way to 20. If I go to eldritch knight, I will be taking a 2 level dip of barbarian, because the character is C/N, for uncanny dodge, weapon proficiencies, and the rage power. If you haven't guessed, I am going for a mostly melee build.
Races I want is human, half-elf, or elf only please.
I will be using a light shield as my offhand weapon, so going to shield mastery is an option.
I'm still waiting on my copy of the APG, so I'm not sure what an Arcane Dualist is and my first inclination is that it's supposed to be Duelist, but who knows. Is this feat or alternate class feature?
I have yet to see a Pathfinder prestige class which makes it worth the cost of multiclassing. The Dragon Disciple is the closest so far, but they could have added a new one in the APG.
Barbarians use two handed weapons for a reason, the +4 to Strength from raging becomes a +3 to damage. If you can work pounce in, you might be able to do something effective with TWF, but since you are using a shield, the point is moot. Barbarians are never going to have a good armor class - that's the major balancing factor for the class.
I don't see the gain in using a shield as an off-hand weapon when some other weapon could suffice. You're going to need a good STR(duh), DEX (min 15 for twf), CON (for more rounds of rage), INT (more skills!) and CHA (rounds of perform, save DCs, extra spells). Lots of MAD, and you're only making it worse by making yourself feat-starved as well if you're planning on taking a lot of shield feats up to shield master or beyond.
I don't see the gain in using a shield as an off-hand weapon when some other weapon could suffice. You're going to need a good STR(duh), DEX (min 15 for twf), CON (for more rounds of rage), INT (more skills!) and CHA (rounds of perform, save DCs, extra spells). Lots of MAD, and you're only making it worse by making yourself feat-starved as well if you're planning on taking a lot of shield feats up to shield master or beyond.
Int isn't that much of a deal, as I am not getting a large amount of skills I really need for melee combat, and a few for social, not a long list of knowledge skills. I am using a shield for required character flavor. I guess I can just stick to TWF, but just have improved shield bash and leave it there.
My main question right now is this. Should I go straight arcane duelist bard, or go into eldritch knight, if I am going for a more melee, and when should I?
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My main question right now is this. Should I go straight arcane duelist bard, or go into eldritch knight, if I am going for a more melee, and when should I?
I'd give Arcane Duelist a try all the way. EK has problems (such as the capstone being nearly unusable) and you get some nice features at higher levels as an Arcane Duelist.
Of course, as you'll hear over and over on the boards, you won't be as good at melee as a straight fighter type, or as good as a wizard/sorcerer as a caster.
I second the recommendation that going TWF with a shield is going to be spreading yourself REALLY thin. I'd recommend either a 2H weapon or weapon and shield without the TWF business. With a 2H weapon you'll save yourself a lot of headache with regards to feats and you'll be just as (if not more) effective.
My main question right now is this. Should I go straight arcane duelist bard, or go into eldritch knight, if I am going for a more melee, and when should I?I'd give Arcane Duelist a try all the way. EK has problems (such as the capstone being nearly unusable) and you get some nice features at higher levels as an Arcane Duelist.
Of course, as you'll hear over and over on the boards, you won't be as good at melee as a straight fighter type, or as good as a wizard/sorcerer as a caster.
I second the recommendation that going TWF with a shield is going to be spreading yourself REALLY thin. I'd recommend either a 2H weapon or weapon and shield without the TWF business. With a 2H weapon you'll save yourself a lot of headache with regards to feats and you'll be just as (if not more) effective.
What do I really get levels 12-20 that is so good for a melee type?
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What do I really get levels 12-20 that is so good for a melee type?
Frightening Tune, Inspire Heroics, Mass Bladethirst. The ability to grant a +3 to +5 weapon bonus with Bladethirst. Inspire Courage +4. The ability to change types of Bardic Song as a swift action. The ability to cast in Heavy Armor with no spell failure chance. A butt-ton of skill points, and favored class bonuses. Don't forget, you can't cast while raging without two levels of Barbarian for the Moment of Clarity class feature.
Frightening Tune, Inspire Heroics, Mass Bladethirst. The ability to grant a +3 to +5 weapon bonus with Bladethirst. Inspire Courage +4. The ability to change types of Bardic Song as a swift action. The ability to cast in Heavy Armor with no spell failure chance. A b~%@-ton of skill points, and favored class bonuses. Don't forget, you can't cast while raging without two levels of Barbarian for the Moment of Clarity class feature.\
What do I really get levels 12-20 that is so good for a melee type?
Okay, thanks. Yeah that is a lot of cool stuff.