Hi there all!
Here's the situation at hand that I've decided to take upon myself. I have been given the opportunity to make a new character for a group of 7-8 (depending on the night if all of us show or not). A custom campaign meant for a large group of players and the GM is very good about allowing us to do things. We are currently in the process of transferring things from DnD 3.5 to full Pathfinder.
With this in mind I wanted to make a Paladin character made solely of Pathfinder rules. We rolled for stats, lots of evil critters galore.
However, on the eve of his commissioning he lost his fiancee(sp?) to a dark creature (he doesn't know what exactly it was, demon, devil or dragon - more with the intent to give GM creative license to use). The only thing he could see was it's large, glowing dark yellow eye.
He was found by local citizens who didn't know how he got where he was and no recollection - his body shattered from the encounter. Simply nightmares and a broken psyche. He became useless to the military and was given a discharge and was placed into the local abbey where the followers of Sarenrae care for him. He received a Phylactery of Faithfulness to guide him by the head priest of the abbey before he left with a somewhat sound mind.
During his missions, what he saw at as the end results of government actions and vagabonds at the abbey his view of the world became jaded. He is extremely skeptical, even of other paladins. Disenchanted with the whole crusader view of life but his opinions don't match with his actions often. Belittling others yet coming to their rescue in time of need is a constant part of his life that he can't seem to let go.
He is continually haunted, though how exactly is questionable. Possessed? Memories coming back to him? A spirit being whispering evil concepts into his ears? He is always fighting within himself for a way forward.
He does odd jobs as a lumberjack, bodyguard, teacher or simply janitor as he makes his way through life. He has been currently tapped by a prestigious person to assist the current PCs in their missions to find out about a growing evil. A grizzled and disenchanted veteran is what they will find. He doesn't reek of righteousness or holy symbols. A simple fighter (albeit young) is all they'd see with the naked eye.
Overall he's based off the two-handed stereotype. My request is based off his story, what exactly would fit with him (both combat oriented or not feats).
My initial intention besides being an expert veteran type himself, that he'd be a good tactician or battlefield leader as well. We are starting level 5 and I am looking for ideas for and beyond that.
LG Human Paladin 5
STR 17
DEX 13
CON 17
INT 17
WIS 10
CHA 18 (+2 Racial, +1 lvl 4 Abil)
Diplomacy +12, Know (Noble) +9, Know (Religion) +8, Perception +7, Ride +4 (with armor), Sense Motive +10, Spellcraft +11
Feats
Alertness
Dodge
Improved Initiatve
Power Attack
Paladin Choices
Divine Bond
Mercy: Fatigued
Core gear pieces
+1 Greatsword, Masterwork Full Plate, Amulet of Nat Armor +1, Ring of Protection +1, Cloak of Resistence +1, Efficient Quiver, Phylactery of Faithfulness & Ring of Sustenance.
My intention is to play him as the bum who orders and directs others into combat for best effect. If any of them are in dire trouble he would be the first (though always being sort of a jerk about it) to help and defend them as necessary.
He is not Lawful Stupid. He may take care of those in his envoy but he won't babysit them. He is perceptive at what he does. Think of him as the grumpy old man who gives everyone a hard time but comes to their aid when it truly matters.
He is no mindless crusader who must always throw himself at something "to be heroic" and understands that you don't go around executing people just because.
So for someone like this what should be future considerations (namely feats) that I should consider for this man? Clearly as you can see, I don't choose all the "optimal DPS" feats - simply things I feel him as a veteran would be more likely to be capable of. Leadership is a feat I am considering but want other ideas as the GM may be giving that to me for free as RP it. Skill Focus: Perception to stack with Alertness at higher levels to make him extremely perceptive for a paladin!
Lances are what the kingdom's equivalent of a modern day military company would be. The idea obviously being that they are horsemen who handle lances. I do carry a basic lance in the Efficient Quiver but the character favors the Greatsword more due to him not always riding a horse or liking to use a shield often. In this regard I am considering extra lay on hands feat or maybe Greater mercy to increase the healing done by his LoH.
Thanks in advance!
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You need Weapon Focus (Feat).
There's also a Feat called Furious Focus in the APG that I'd suggest taking a serious look at.
Curious, why does your grouchy veteran have Diplomacy and Knowledge: Nobility ranks? Seems Intimidate would be more apropos.
Later on you may look at the Vital Strike feat tree. And of course, Combat Reflexes, Cleave, Critical Focus and Improved Critical.
BTW, I like the fiancee died and he was discharged and hospitalized at the Abbey backstory.
Kudos.
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First, you're stats are amazing, good rolls.
Second, skills. Having so many players means overlap, so I would drop spellcraft. I would dump those points into Ride and max all your other skills.
Third, feats. My personal opinion is to drop Alertness, and Improved Initiative. Pick up Furious Focus, and either Toughness or Cleave.
Other than that, have fun and enjoy killing anything remotely evil :)
*Partially ninja'd by W E Ray*
You need Weapon Focus (Feat).
There's also a Feat called Furious Focus in the APG that I'd suggest taking a serious look at.
Curious, why does your grouchy veteran have Diplomacy and Knowledge: Nobility ranks? Seems Intimidate would be more apropos.
Later on you may look at the Vital Strike feat tree. And of course, Combat Reflexes, Cleave, Critical Focus and Improved Critical.
BTW, I like the fiancee died and he was discharged and hospitalized at the Abbey backstory.
Kudos.
Thank you for the compliment on the backstory. I figured the high and mighty, lawful stupid, or things always go good deal for paladins was old. I wanted to keep within the Lawful Good alignment as best I could but give him more flavor than simply being that pain in the rear most groups hate. Also went with the idea that he may not have been "fearless" by that point. The fearlessness he currently has is more numbness than anything I think.
I've pondered Furious Focus, would that be something I'd want right away or down the line?
As for the grouchy veteran type, he doesn't go out particularly trying to scare people. More of a down the earth and blunt with information (take it or leave it, like it or hate it but it's there kind). He will tell you what you want to hear, won't sugar coat it but won't try to push you into anything either.
More his training as a militant that gives him the ability to be firm (which not only is it a class skill but fits diplomacy more than intimidate I'd think). This same experience with the military would give some understanding of decorum concerning the noble caste I'd think.
My guess for Vital Strike is that due to the fact my character isn't an archer I need to make the most of what I got especially if I have to run from target to target - yes? Sounds like a great idea to me. Critical line of feats would be good with the respectable 19-20 crit range on the Greatsword. Would fit the militant half better I agree.
Cleave and combat reflexes would very much reflect militant training. Would there be a specific feat or set of feats that you are thinking of that may follow that line of training?
First, you're stats are amazing, good rolls.
Second, skills. Having so many players means overlap, so I would drop spellcraft. I would dump those points into Ride and max all your other skills.
Third, feats. My personal opinion is to drop Alertness, and Improved Initiative. Pick up Furious Focus, and either Toughness or Cleave.
Other than that, have fun and enjoy killing anything remotely evil :)
*Partially ninja'd by W E Ray*
Thanks - It was rough trying to decide a setup for the paladin as I could have done ranged well or anything well for that matter!
I have considered your suggestion for the skills and I think I shall do that. Improving my knowledges first (as they are +3,2 respectively) should do the trick unless you think Handle Animal or heal are more important?
Feats - Your suggestions intersected with W E Ray and I appreciate them! I don't know if I would drop Alertness or Improved Initiative to replace them. I may pick the suggestions up moreso than replace as my intention now. His backstory of him being somewhat paranoid explains the Alertness and improved initiative was more so he wasn't always last. Would kind of suck to come save someone and have to wait for everyone ELSE to do things. That and my initiative will kinda stink for the most part otherwise :P Though if I could give up something specifically it would be improved init, so I shall consider it. Which would you suggest as the feat to replace it specifically?
I thought about it and didn't really touch on this so forgive me - He will be tankish for the most part. The group entails a spellthief (3.5), Dusk blade, Wu Jen (I know, WTF - right? If this char dies the player will bust out a fighter), Druid (wild shape based - tanks if necessary), Cleric (Super-Heals!!!) and the guy who isn't normally around is a goliath fighter who tends to be played rather unintelligently.
A lot of support characters so I do expect somewhat to be taking hits (though LoH offsets that) as a "tank" when it's truly needed. Just a heads up on all that :)
As for the grouchy veteran type, he doesn't go out particularly trying to scare people. More of a down the earth and blunt with information (take it or leave it, like it or hate it but it's there kind). He will tell you what you want to hear, won't sugar coat it but won't try to push you into anything either.Doesn't really sound like someone who'd be investing in Diplomacy. Especially if he never talks any way other than with a blunt tongue.
It's more of a mechanical standpoint that would make it hard to fit in anywhere else. Give him a social skill of sorts I suppose. I don't think a blunt tongue would fit better as intimidate or bluff. That and from his experiences he would at least know the right words to say even if he doesn't butter them up for everyone to be all hunky-dory.
Example, he wouldn't brown nose to a high official or ruler but knows well enough to give proper respect where it is due. Thoughts? If diplomacy wouldn't work would you think simply placing the skill points elsewhere would be better to fit the concept?
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I agree that Diplomacy doesn't quite fit. Sense Motive is probably all the social skill he needs. I guess you could say that after his time dealing with the higher-ups in the military and the clerics of the abbey, he knows how to tell someone what they want to hear even if he thinks it's a complete load? But paladins aren't supposed to lie...
I'd say forget Diplomacy and put it into UMD or Escape Artist. You don't get to be a veteran without knowing how to get out of a tight scrape or being able to improvise a solution here and there, and either of those skills could support that.
And congratulations on designing a paladin who has a personality other than "overzealous templar".