I'm trying to figure out the best way to build a Red Mantis Assassin NPC for an upcoming game I'm running. I'm going to strip a bit of the fluff from it and just want to utilize the mechanics, but I'm not sure the best way to go with the build.
Requirements: Elf, half-elf or human; total character level 15 with as many RMA levels as possible; Elite Array (15/14/13/12/10/8); Pathfinder official material only, preference given to builds that stick with stuff form PFRPG, APG and Inner Sea World Guide; playtest classes are out (even though Ninja seems like an obvious choice).
I'm toying with the ideas of going Rog5/RMA10, Rang5/RMA10 or splitting RogX/RangY/RMA10. Ranger options would go with the Skirmisher archetype to not need two casting stats. Any alternate suggestions are more than welcome.
An inquisitor with weapon finesse. 5 rounds of bane is pretty good for an NPC. That and the judgements can be activated even while in mantis form.
Don't worry about the casting stats. The spell selection gravitates towards buffs, not save or suck spells.
Speaking of spells, Bard is surprisingly good choice here. The investigator, sandman and street performer archetypes all offer good abilities for only five levels. YMMV, but if it was me, I might make a street performing RMA. No one would see it coming.
It's a bit scattered, but I love the following idea:
Fighter 2/Rogue 4/Red Mantis Assassin 8/Eldritch Knight 1
Here's the trick, and the reason why the build is kinda scattered: Get a Goz Mask from Inner Sea Guide and only fight from inside Obscuring Mist. Archery is really good for this, hence the levels in the build to up the BAB and get extra feats (since you'll need all the sawtooth sabre and twf stuff as well as bow-skills).
Alternatively, Wizard (Conjuration with Teleportation focused school) 4/Fighter 1/Rogue 3/RMA 7 gets you Deadpool....for whatever that's worth. Abuse the Vanish spell, obscuring mist, and the Shift ability....talk a bunch of smack, and make sure the sawtooth sabres are sheathed on his back. House Rule in a permanent Infernal Healing....or be cheesy and make a continuous item that grants it...it's a first level spell that functions with full effectiveness at caster level 1, so it wouldn't be real expensive.