Preface: LONG POST AHEAD!
So I'm playing in a campaign where my Level 7 Mystic Theurge unfortunately just turned into a future BGG (Big Good? Guy). Now the party has shifted from good, to evil, this all began with the welcome of a new barbarian and our paladin falling from grace. Our group constantly has inter party conflict and we all enjoy it that way. With that said I need help in building a viable Asmodean judge. Every character in our games needs to be able to hold their own should his views conflict with the others, as well he should be flavorful and interesting.
I had 2 ideas so far the first was going Cleric 7/Holy Vindicator taking feats like Negative Energy Affinity and Improved/extra channel in order to be a negative energy channeling powerhouse as well as a good melee buffer/beater. The main problem with this build is that when I take my first level of Holy Vindicator I'm going to switch into heavy armor and throw away my mace infavor of a hammer. From a RP perspective this shift is kind of lame.
The second idea I had was 1 Fighter/6 Cleric focusing on just being an up and close Law-Bringer (Emphasis on the bringer).
The build requirements are that the character must be level 7 (plans for future levels are fine as well). He must be Lawful Evil and worship asmodeus. As well his weapon should be a warhammer (judge). Stats are 25 point buy. Some other things which would be interesting if possible would be potential to bind evil outsiders later, as well as some sort of communication skill (diplomacy, bluff, intimidate, power attack :P)
We just finished the second book on the Carrion Crown adventure path and are about the begin the third. Which means we are probably going to be fighting lots of undead/cultists/shapechangers (judging by the loot we got from the second book). Thanks in advance, anything you can add would be great
I like the idea of the super negative channeler. You may want to check out Ultimate Magic for some other channeling options. For this you'll want good Wis, Cha, Str, and Con. You're getting heavy armor later, so dumping Dex might not be the worst idea. Keep Int at 10 or a bit above, since you're gonna be needed for identifying a lot of undead and devil binding later. Flavor wise the war hammer is awesome. If you can, make it flaming so you can burn the symbol of Asmodeus into the unfaithful.
The second idea is good as well. Wis, Str, Con, Cha, Int, and Dex would be a good build for your idea. Since you're not gonna be channeling as much as the super negative channeler, Cha can be lower than before. Be the unstoppable juggernaut of your dark lord.
For both I would go for diplomacy or bluff as your social skill. Diplomacy is needed for planar bargaining, but bluff can help keep the townsfolk off your back. You probably won't have a lot of skill points to spend, so choose wisely.
Also, you may also consider inquisitor. Same kind of flavor as your judge, as well as Judgements. A very good option.
Check out the Asmodean paladin? thread for lots of nice build ideas that may be applicable here.
[...] the idea of a LN pseudo-paladin (some combination of Cavalier, Inquisitor or Cleric with Holy Vindicator and/or Hellknight) of Asmodeus who calls himself a paladin of Asmodeus is awesome!
Inquisitor and Hellknight both have law themed abilities. You might also want to check out the Hellknights faction from the Faction Guide.
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I remember reading on the boards, that James Jacob’s mentioned that Asmodean Paladins were a Development Error, one that should not have happened and I think it is something they would like to retract.
That being said, what kind of judge do you have in mind? If the Judge is involved in the investigation of crime like the Judge Dee novels by Robert Van Gulik, (the Chinese nail murders, the Chines Bell Murders, the Chinese Lake Murders etc) Perhaps an Inquisitor might have the skill spread you are looking for.
If you are looking for a negative energy channeler, I have made a PFS characther that might fitt the bill. He is a cleric of Asmodeus.
Using PFS rules and a 20 point build
Str: 9 Dex 11 (12 at 4th level) Con 12 Int 12 Wis 15 Cha 18
Trait: Sacret Conduit
Feats: Selective Channeling, Improved Channeling Extra Channel etc.
As for a “beater cleric” I’m not sure. perhaps a Cleric 7 that goes into Hell kinight?
Good luck
Inquisitors are really nice judges. Abilities to detect any alignment, detect lies, track enemies, etc.
I'd just go straight inquisitor. You'll be great with a warhammer. Not so much with the negative energy, but I don't think you'll miss it.
Older Inquisitor of Asmodeus: Hello Stranger. I see great potential in you. Would you like to spread words of Asmodaus and convert all lands to his faith?
Kazmuk: I don't please folk generally and in fact I don't like people anyway.
Older Inquisitor of Asmodeus: Ah, but pleasing people is not what Asmodeus wants. You must use cunning against the people and learn their secrets (Teaches to use Wis social skills). Not liking people is also a streght that you have. Its not good to like those who you do deals with. You just need to preted to like other people.
Kazmuk: Would joining the inquisition have other duties?
Older Inquisitor of Asmodeus: Yes. You should punish those who fail their duties.
Kazmuk: How is that done?
Older Inquisitor of Asmodeus: Basically the same way. Learn secrets of the others and use them against them or judge them because of them.
Kazmuk: (Writes the contract) Any good tips for the job?
Older Inquisitor of Asmodeus: Its easier to judge or convert those who are not as cunning as you.
Kazmuk: Wait... did you just call me stupid? And a bit earlier basically said you don't like me?
Older Inquisitor of Asmodeus: (Smirks) Erm... no? Hail Asmodeus!
Kazmuk: (Smirks) Well, I like you. Hail Asmodeus.
Older Inquisitor of Asmodeus: See? You are already learning. (Gets his new converts papers into pocket)
Alignment: LE
Str: 18 (4th level advance goes here)
Dex: 13
Con: 16
Int: 13
Wis: 16
Cha: 5
Traits:
Reactionary
Zest for Battle
Feats:
1st Level: Conversion Inquisition, Heavy Armor Proficiency
3rd Level: Weapon Focus (Warhammer), Precise Strike
5th Level: Dazzling Display
6th Level: Outflank
7th Level: Extra Bane
Or I would actually prefer:
Feats:
1st Level: Conversion Inquisition, Heavy Armor Proficiency
3rd Level: Weapon Focus (Warhammer), Precise Strike
5th Level: Combat Expertise
6th Level: Outflank
7th Level: Improved Feint
(9th Level: Greater Feint)
Skills:
Bluff 16 (7 ranks)
Diplomacy 16 (7 ranks)
Intimidate 13 (7 ranks)
Perception 13 (7 ranks)
Sense Motive 13 (7 ranks)
Rest divided among class skills to open the +3 bonus & maybe picking a favourite from them
I really like it, but feinting people with a 5 CHA is going to be a lot harder. So is the intimidation part of dazzling display.
Don't neglect your knowledge skills, one rank in each goes a long way with your class abilities.
You might do well with Craft Arms and Armor, or perhaps silent spell. There are a lot of verbal only Inquisitor spells as it is.
I really like it, but feinting people with a 5 CHA is going to be a lot harder. So is the intimidation part of dazzling display.
Conversion Inquisition lets you use Wis instead of Cha in those skills.
Oh I seem to have forgotten to mention its a dwarf.
I'd go with Cleric 7 (or maybe Oracle 7) and then the Diabolist PrC. The PrC gives you a bound imp companion with d10 hit dice which advances like a Druid's animal companion. The Diabolist also gets Augment Summoning for free, and that should fit with the devil binding theme too.
There's also kind of a loophole in the Requirements for Diabolist which could let you get into the class early using a scroll. Your DM's interpretation of that might vary though.