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So a friend wants to try GMing Pathfinder for the first time. I'm the only person who has played it before, although a couple of others have played 3.5 in the past. Right now we are starting with only 3 players. One player is playing a cleric and another is playing a bow ranger. That leaves me to play the up-front character.
So my question is what type of up-front character should I be? I was thinking sword/shield fighter since I'll be the one taking most of the hits in theory but I wanted to get some other opinions.
Your thoughts?
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In a three person group?
Paladin
I'm actually amazed at the heartiness of the Pathfinder Paladin. They can fight longer and harder than most fighters (due to free action lay of hands) and they can add in a little backup healing to the fight if the cleric goes down. You also get a reasonable charisma, so plop a few points in diplomacy and your party's not just a bumbling group of fools.
Though I think for a second choice, a sword and shield fighter with the two-weapon and shield bash feats would be a great option.
Fighter, a BIG one.
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seconded for paladin.
Gnome lets you tank very well, but damage dealing will suffer a not. That's OK with a bow-ranger, as his damage can get rather crazy under ideal circumstances.
Fighter, especially a dwarf specialized in AC & HP is also good, but you'll lose versatility (no spells, surpassed, immunities )
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Why has nobody mentioned a Barbarian yet? A raging barbarian can keep a hallway clear and demoralized at nearly no cost to himself. Sure he will take a few hits but he should have MORE than enough Con to mete it out. Toss him a heal every 3 rounds or so and he should be good.
Plus he isn't all preachy about "The one true path to salvation."
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Sword and Board Fighter laying out crazy Bull Rushes is something to think about. The Paladin is really great and Lay on Hands makes you a decent secondary healer allowing your Cleric to cure less and buff and kill more. Sword and Board is also a combat style for Rangers now which would give you more skills, an ok spell list and an AniCom.
Of course, that all assumes that your Cleric isn't a Sword and Board up front fellow himself. He could take on tanking duties pretty well himself and let you do something else like Go two-hander and lay out serious damage or something Arcane castery.
IMO, if you want to have some control over the batle, so the horde doesn't get to the archer and cleric in the first round, AC isn't enough, you need a good attack bonus to make AoOs useful (or NPCs and monster with high AC will avoid you). Reach weapons are good for that, but if you are the only fighter it may be a problem.
Imo: Shield+weapon, Flail+Improved Trip is a good option, If you have enough Dexterity then Ligthning Reflexes.
Yep, Paladin is the easiest choice.
However, since Paladin is another divine caster / healer, (to get an arcane caster to the group) I could try:
Paladin 1 / Sorcerer (Draconic - Gold Dragon) 4 / Dragon Disciple there on
I wouldn't care about armor's spell failure for first few levels. Just try to buff before battles, if the spells whissle try again. If you run out of spells, no worries.
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Paladin + Dragon Disciple is fantastic. I would personally recommend Pal 2, for Divine Grace, but that's a personal preference, as I tend to have bad luck on saves lately.
Ranger, with the recent APG options, can hold his own up there, as well.
Of course, Conjurer + Summon Monster is a classic answer to the problem as well.
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Of course, Conjurer + Summon Monster is a classic answer to the problem as well.
To continue thinking along this route, a summoner would also fit the party role you're looking for. The Eidolon can act as group tank and you can fulfill the role as a buffer style wizard (with a few more hit points and defensive options to boot).
Paladins are extremely tough, AC keeps up with the fighter for a good 10 levels, and by that time LoH really comes into it's own, with the Extra LoH feat you can keep yourself alive very nicely. I would recommend the Sword & Board paladin for plenty of smite attacks and a strong AC. Pick up Power attack and Double slice to shore up your damage vs non evil.
Paladin + Dragon Disciple is fantastic. I would personally recommend Pal 2, for Divine Grace, but that's a personal preference, as I tend to have bad luck on saves lately.
Yes. In fact sorcerer levels don't come useful until later. So the easiest path in this way would be Pal 4, Sorc 1, DD->
IMO, if you want to have some control over the batle, so the horde doesn't get to the archer and cleric in the first round, AC isn't enough, you need a good attack bonus to make AoOs useful (or NPCs and monster with high AC will avoid you). Reach weapons are good for that, but if you are the only fighter it may be a problem.
Imo: Shield+weapon, Flail+Improved Trip is a good option, If you have enough Dexterity then Ligthning Reflexes.
Yes. Reach weapon with Combat Reflexes will keep the enemy charges honest.
To continue thinking along this route, a summoner would also fit the party role you're looking for. The Eidolon can act as group tank and you can fulfill the role as a buffer style wizard (with a few more hit points and defensive options to boot).
Yes (again). Summoner can fill many roles (also Rogue). I wouldn't go this way with an inexperienced GM, since I think summoner has some problems.