Or, at least, they could be.
I'm looking for both build advice to make the best use of their Braggart order ability (and maybe demoralizing opponents in general), and role-playing advice on how to make him a selfish yet loveable bastard.
My current character in Kingmaker is planning to go Rogue 4/Cockatrice Cavalier 13+. The Rogue levels are using 2 variants from the APG, THUG & SCOUT. THUG provides the ability to make opponents frightened in lieu of shakened and later sickened. SCOUT lets me treat foes I charge as flatfooted, the other ability is at 8th level, but the charging aspect stacks well with the early cavalier mounted abilities.
Also using the APG feat ENFORCER, free demoralize attempt when using non-lethal damage. I've been eyeing up GANG UP from the APG as well due to the number of potential allies in combat(2 mounts & a companion... 4 other PCs), instead of IMP. FEINT.
Cavalier tactics: not sure which teamwork feat I want yet, but it's likely going to be SWAP PLACES or PRECISE STRIKE.
Roleplay: He's the tactless older brother to a Paladin and a Life Oracle, both are PCs. He's LN, but I'd like to think he has evil tendencies. I think the overall theme is "mobster", it's all about power and family for him.
So he's primarily geared towards initmidate and eventually charging. I'm thinking a merciful weapon could be really useful when he has the money.
Thanks for the reply, looks like you have a very solid outline here. I like it.
I hadn't even realized you could mix and match the alternate class features from APG—nice work. After looking them over THUG is very solid, but I noticed RAKE would work too.
Bravado’s Blade (Ex): When a rake hits an opponent and deals sneak attack damage, she can forgo 1d6 points of that damage and make a free Intimidate check to demoralize the foe. For every additional 1d6 points of sneak attack damage she forgoes, she receives a +5 circumstance bonus on this check. This ability replaces trapfinding.
It looks like the THUG's demoralize lasts a bit longer, but the RAKE might be able to land it more consistently.
The SCOUTs charge is really nice. Only question I have is: does it work while mounted? My gut tells me it doesn’t but I could be wrong. If it does—wow, that's nasty. Even if it doesn’t, it's still a reliable source of damage and it plays off of the Cockatrice Cavaliers challenge bonus damage. Generally if you charge an enemy, you're probably the only one threatening it for at least a round.
Cavalier Tactics: I agree completely here and have been wrestling with which one I like best. I think the only other one to consider is Paired Opportunists (especially if you take GANG UP). At 9th level, I'd probably go with Outflank if I don’t take either of the ones you suggested.
Roleplaying I was thinking LE or LN with evil tendencies…and he wants to be the "best knight" or at least the most famous. Seeking fighting, fame, and fortune he'll stop at nothing to get what he wants and makes sure he gets the credit for all of the party's good deeds—and none of the blame for the bad. Kind of a bastard, so I'm still working on making him likable enough that the others won't throw him in the latrine-lair of an Otyugh.
I hadn't even realized you could mix and match the alternate class features from APG—nice work. After looking them over THUG is very solid, but I noticed RAKE would work too.
I believe the stipulation is that the variants cannot overlap. (Example: You can't have 2 abilities replacing Evasion, as you only get Evasion once.) Thug hits at 1st & 3rd, Scout hits on 4th & 8th. I would REALLY like to get that 8th level ability, but there's simply not enough levels. Most APs end around 15 to 17, hoping for 17th.
Bravado’s Blade (Ex): ...replaces trapfinding.
The RAKE is pretty cool and was a consideration. The ENFORCER feat kind of sorta does something similar, but requires the attack to be non-lethal. I'm leaning towards a dirty fighter/ scoundrel when it comes to melee combat, at least when he's not mounted. I don't plan on taking Cavalier until 5th (with BOON COMPANION) so I'll have time to perfect it.
The SCOUTs charge is really nice. Only question I have is: does it work while mounted? My gut tells me it doesn’t but I could be wrong. If it does—wow, that's nasty.
It reads "whenever a scout makes a charge, her attack deals sneak attack damage as if the target were flat-footed." and it's an EX ability, so there's no required action other than charging. Looks like NASTY to me! :D
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Cavalier Tactics: I haven't considered 9th level's choice too hard as that'll be 13th level for me. A lot of things can change by then, my character in particular will be quite a bit different, espcially in combat (with mount), as soon as 5th level.
Feats: So far I have ENFORCER and COMBAT EXPERTISE(Human bonus feat). I'm looking at Rogue Talent: Combat Feat - GANG UP at 2nd level. I'm not sure what 3rd would be as I think EXTRA ROGUE TALENT could be a lot of fun! Interesting similarly themed APG Rogue Talents: Assault Leader & Strong Impression being at the top of my list. Charmer, for those days you just don't feel like putting effort into diplomacizing, lol. Guileful Polyglot, so you can be a braggart in 4 more langauges!
Roleplaying: I can't see roleplaying a Cockatrice Cavalier anything but LN or LE in a "functional" party. I've already gotten semi-unhappy responses when I demanded loot shares be counted and I get my even split. At which point I offered to let the party members borrow my money if they needed it... I'm sure that'll come back to bite me in the butt eventually, LOL! And that's just at 1st level, we should be 2nd level at some point through the next session on Jan. 9th.