Looking for advices about building a cavalier

[Namtarou]

Greetings

Soon, I'm going to start (as a player) the Kingmaker AP and I'm planning to play a cavalier (it seems the other PCs are going to be : oracle, ranger, and a kind of wizard/sorcerer/something, and maybe one more, still unknown at the moment).

I know my PC will use a scimitar as main weapon (and of course, lance when charging)

Main problem I actually have is.. I have a 10 and a 14 left to use for my abilities and I have to use them for Dexterity and Constitution.

Using the 14 for Constitution would give me a nice Fortitude save and of course more hit points.
On the other hand, using it for Dexterity helps me with Reflex save, Ride checks, initiative and defenses.

Being unable to choose, I thought I would come here and ask for advices.

Thanks by advance.

P.S. : English is a foreign language, I hope there aren't too many mistakes in my text and that you'll forgive those left.

[Kaiyanwang]

What do you want to do?

Your order selection is mainly based on that.

If you want to be a sort of commander, order of the Dragon is the best. If you want to be a Tank, order of the Shield is the best.

What are your other stats? How is your intelligence score high?

[Namtarou]

Well.. I would prefer commander to tank.

Stats are :
Str : 16
Wisdom : 14
Intelligence : 10
Charisma : 16
Charisma and Str are high because he's not human, base score is 14.

[calagnar]

Any charter that will be in melee. You need a base Con 12 - 14 min. Side note is why did you put that high of stat in Cha it dose you little good. Only incresses some of your skills a few points. I wold go with
Str 16
Dex 14
Con 14
Int 10
Wis 14
Cha 12 It's only 2 skill points. And you gane 2HP per level and Fort or 2 Initive and Ref
Or
Str 16
Dex 14
Con 14
Int 10
Wis 10
Cha 16 If you want a high Cha.

[Namtarou]

Thanks. I just remember now that the 16 in Charisma was initially for a paladin.. totally not as useful with a cavalier.

[Wolfsnap]

High Charisma is actually quite useful for a Cavalier, because you KNOW he'll want followers at some point! :)

I would have put the higher score in DEX. If you're planning on fighting on horseback (and if you're playing a cavalier you really should) then you need a high dex for the Ride checks.

[Ardenup]

What order were you planning on?

They greatly effect your role and what scores you should have.

Order of the shield: Best tank (due to damage conversion to non-leathal) and best TWF (due to challenge improving to hit by +5and free standstill ability-full attack more often). Works well off the horse

Order of the dragon- BEST commander- challenge improves allies to hit, awesome aid another bonuses.

etc.

[OmegaZ]

Looks like I'm late to the party, but Cha is used by most cavalier orders for their order abilities. Also, they make good faces for the party with their class skills and decent skills per level. Only thing is Order of the Dragon doesn't get any ability benefits with a high Cha.

[Kaiyanwang]

If you want to be a commander, a player of mine did the following with his Order of the Dragon Cavalier

- Pimped Intelligence up to 14. This allowed Combat Expertise, which synergizes quite well with the order's challenge. He took improved trip (IIRC) too or some similar maneuver. 7 (human, otherwise 6) skills/level are good too.

- Combat Expertise means being able to take Swift Aid, great with Aid Allies (Order ability level 2).

- Took Power Attack and the Spirited Charge tier.

- Took Leadership for the Dragonne (Bonus Bestiary) for a flying mount

- Took Quickdraw to switch combat tactic with weapons (uses Quickdraw Shield)

Now he's level 14, so you will not be able to afford all od this immediately. But could be an hint.