I went to level 5 Paladin (Shining Knight) then for fluff sake (and because he was getting grappled A LOT) took a level of monk (manuever Master). He rescued a monastery and had been training with the only 2 monks left every night anyways.
So now... I'm not sure where to take him. We are up to size 10 in our kingdom and growing and I'm sure there is a lot of heroing to do yet.
I was considering a level or more of Bard so he can buff the party while he holds the line? get a couple of spells that his armor will prevent him from casting but the Inspire abilities would be nice.
GM suggested maybe fighter for command points in the battle system we will end up using? I don't know yet how that works...
He's built to be a tank and absorb hits so the rest of the party can shine. +1 Full plate, +1 heavy shield, Amulet of natural armor +1, and shield focus plus his mount has Bodyguard and Combat Reflexes so can add +2 to his AC once per bad guy as an immediate action.
His attacks are pretty poor to be honest but with the extra attacks from mount he holds his own in the damage dealing.
Any suggestions on where you'd take this guy?
I'm not worried so much about eking out every single advantage but it doesn't hurt to be functional...
Multiclassing up the bazzo used to be functional and indeed depending on how you did it, it could be awesome. But in PF it pays to pick a path and stick with it.
I think Bard is a pretty cool guy in PF, but you've got 6 levels already and it's generally mal to go into caster-classes so late. Fighter is great but, in a way, why not just pursue Monk now? Take that Feat that allows you to use your weapon with flurry of blows (it requires channel ability, IIRC, and you have that), and the way flurry stacks with BAB from other classes (such as Paladin) you could be fine. Indeed you'll start to resemble my personal NWN/NWN2 builds.
I would go back to Paladin.
I know you took the Monk level for RP reasons, but you really didn't get much out of it. You got a bonus feat (a maneuver feat I assume) which you can now use as part of a full attack action at a +1 to your normal attack bonus. Of course you lost one BAB from taking the Monk level in the first place. You also got flurry of blows, stunning fist, unarmed strike and your Wisdom bonus to AC, none of which will work while you are wearing your armor and using your chosen weapon.
Your next level of Paladin would give you +1 to BAB, all saves, and a second attack (but so would a level of Monk) and get you another Mercy. It will also improve your Lay on Hands and Smite Evil and get you closer to improving your Spells, Aura, Divine Bond and number of Smites. I don't think it would be worth sacrificing your progression in these things for another bonus feat and Evasion, which you also can't use in armor.
A 6th level Paladin is already good at buffing the party. Certainly better than a 1st level Bard in heavy armor.
I'm currently playing a Paladin in Kingmaker. We just hit level 10 at the end of the third book. I have three words for you sir.
My advice is to ditch the level of Monk you just took (if you haven't played with it yet) then stick to Paladin. It's outstanding, and it only gets better through book 3.
OK so Paladin it is... Spell progression is pathetic no matter how many levels so it's about lay on hands and smites. BAB and saves.
The monk level was Def a RP choice and I'm going to stick with that dip. He's a member of the monastery and helping to rebuild, so that fits.
Question to Twig tho. 6th level bard gets 2 1st level spells (assuming high Chr).. how is that good at buffing? The aura?
The aura is reasonably good, but it takes a standard action to start, and that's not really worth a +1 bonus. Also, first level Bard spells won't give you much buffing power at all.
Yeah I was looking more at the Bardic Performance and the Bardic Knowledge would be handy to have... tho we do have a decent bit of Knowledge spread thru our group.
OK so Paladin it is... Spell progression is pathetic no matter how many levels so it's about lay on hands and smites. BAB and saves.
The monk level was Def a RP choice and I'm going to stick with that dip. He's a member of the monastery and helping to rebuild, so that fits.
Question to Twig tho. 6th level bard gets 2 1st level spells (assuming high Chr).. how is that good at buffing? The aura?
Well I guess "good at support" would be more accurate.
Lay on Hands with Mercies, Channel Energy, Aura, and Spells bring a lot to the table. Bless and Protection from Evil are two great low-level buffs and they get more as they level. A Paladins aura grants a bonus vs. fear at 3rd, charms at 8th and at level 11 can give his Smite bonus to allies through his aura, which is awesome.
Paladin, Paladin, Paladin say no more. Paladin is one of the strongest class in PF. Your save are insane. You need to drop your heavey armor to light so your evasion work. If you realy want to run that route of Pal/Monk the Bracer of armor or wand of mage armor.( I would not do it if it. If it where me chain shirt magic +1 till you can get Mirthal Breast plate)
Continue paladin, it's bad enough that you are one level behind with that monk level, don't make it worse.