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Valeros
I thought I’d toss this together, being bored.
This is an organic build for Valeros, the iconic, in a 4 person classic party. Valeros defaults to a fighter, but being ‘organic’ we’re going to work with both Ranger and Chevalier levels for him. He wears that tankard on his belt for a reason and is stupid brave for a reason, you know.
Themes: Not very charismatic; fearless; good alignment; wields two mismatched weapons; Andoran; ex-farmboy; swordsman; devoted to Caydean Callidean.
Traits
Strong-Willed (Caydean Callidean) - +2 vs Charm/Compulsions
Andoran Freedom Fighter = +1 TH/Dmg against slavers and those holding someone against their will. Note: This can be applied to any creature using Enchantment magic (enslaving others), necromancers (enslaving undead), Master undead (enslaving other undead), representatives/nobles of governments that advocate slavery (such as Hellknights, Cheliaxans in general, etc), jailers, kidnappers, and probably devils (minions of the God of slavers) and priests of faiths that practice slavery.
Race: Human. Swap Skilled for Heart of the Fields, to reflect his background. His Craft will be Smithing (+1/2 level bonus to check) from fixing stuff on the farm, immune to fatigue/exhaustion 1/day.
Iconic starter Feat/Human: Varisian Big Game Hunter: Valeros has a bad habit of picking on things bigger than he is. +1/+2 against size L or bigger stuff. Good for a giant hunt.
Level 1: Fighter/1 General Fighter, because the TWF Archetype only gives attack bonuses on a full attack. TWF, his level 1 Fighter feat, requires a 15 Dex, so we’ll put his starting 15 there.
Ability Scores (Elite Array): Str: 14 Dex: 15 Con: 13 Int: 12 Wis: 10 Cha: 8
+2 for human goes into Str, raising it to 16.
All Further ability scores raises into Str.
Skill Points/level – 3. Flavor has him as a solo type, so Survival is in as a Ranger wanna-be, coming from a poor background, and likely a family devoted to Erastil. Craft will be Smithing. Last skill will be Intimidate…he’s not charming.
Favored Class bonus: Skill points or Hit points as you like. Since we’re multi-classing, he’s not going to get many of them.
Feats and Class levels
1st – Human (Varisian Big Game Hunter) - +1/+2 against size L. No, won’t see much use early in the AP. This reflects his ego and how he likes to pick on things that outsize him.
1st level – Weapon Focus (longsword) – He’s a sword goob who thinks he can conquer the world.
Ftr/1 – TWF. Because he thinks it’s a cool style. Note, he doesn’t HAVE to fight with two weapons…he can keep the offhand sheathed and swing with two hands if he likes.
The first book is all about fighting normal low level things like basic undead, humanoids, and goblins.
Ftr/2 – Power Attack. Gotta one hit those pesky goblins. Rargh!
3rd- Iron Will. By this level, he’s had experience with a lick of magic and realizes he’s not quite as strong-willed as he thought he was. This also sets him up for the Skinsaw Murders, where he’s exposed to more undead, fear effects, and will saves.
Bravery +1 (wahoo).
Note: +1 Armor Training, and moves normally in Medium Armor. He’ll likely be wearing Breastplate throughout his career, so this is good. Moving normally means he could tumble in it, except he’s got no Acrobatic ranks.
Ftr/4 – Weapon Spec/longsword. Now he’s really good with a longsword. Hack on people. At this level he should be wearing a mithral buckler (so he can get shield AC if he doesn’t TWF, or can go two handed if he’s charging).
Str+1 (17 base).
5th level – Craft Magic Arms and Armor. Time to put those Smithing Ranks to use and his Heart of the Fields bonus!
Ftr Weapon Group – Heavy Blades +1. He’s now +9/+6 without magic with his longsword. If the enemy is size L and/or a slaver, he can get all the way to +11/+9.
Ftr/6 – Furious Focus. If he can’t full attack, at least the accuracy of his Power Attack isn’t compromised.
Put 1 rank each into Knowledge/Local and Diplomacy (buying off your Charisma penalty).
He’s now faced off against some powerful magical foes, and realizes he’s bound for greatness and that he really can take on anything. He hoists his tankard and takes a level of Chevalier in tribute to his patron god.
(7) Chevalier/1 – Recklessness (+Chev level th/dmg first round of combat against a foe) and Aura of Courage (totally immune to fear, +4 to friends in 10’r). +1/+1 to Fort/Will saves.
Also gets 5 Skill Points for Chevalier levels. Buy back the ranks to get in, and put some into Acrobatics or Diplomacy to reflect roguish ways. You want 5 Acrobatics ranks, and maybe a point or two in Ride.
Level 7 feat – Magical Artisan. Starts making/modifying his own arms/armor. At this point, he probably wants to get a Giant Bane weapon as rapidly as possible…it will be very useful through the rest of the AP, and he’s already fought the ogre-kin. Ideally, he’ll start on a GiantBane Sunsword…
Which would naturally lead to…
(8th)Ranger/1 - +2 FE (Giants), Tracking, Wild Empathy. Can now also use Cure Wands. Keep his starting skills maxed out, and max Perception until it catches up. +2/+2 to Fort/Reflex saves. He's out of doors, tracking down Giants, and killing them. How could he NOT take a Ranger level, especially after rescuing the ones at Hook Mountain?
Str +1, Now Base 18. Once Perception is maxed, do Acrobatics. Leave Stealth to the Stealther unless you have to.
Against Giants with the Longsword +1 Giant bane, (Str 20) you are +21/+16, +14 +2d6 dmg, with slaver/1st rd bonuses. This goes -2 if you are TWF, which you should probably only do against things with Low AC.
(9th) Rgr/2 – Sub Ranger TWF for Fighter feat, swap out level 1 Fighter Feat for Point Blank Shot, or Dodge. If your DM allows you to take Extra Favored Enemy, also a great choice (undead or Arcane Spellcasters).
9/Feat: Improved Initiative.
(10th) Rgr/3 – Favored Terrain, Hills/Mountains, + Endurance (saves bonuses, sleep in armor)
Now, however, we have to return to our starting town, fight more stuff, and then delve into an ancient holding of the Runelords. This is more magical stuff, and we need some reinforcement.
(11th) Chevalier/2- Reckless Charge (no AC penalty when charging),+ Stubborn Will - reroll all enchantment effects. This means he gets to save twice against most spells targeting his Will save. Woot!
11/feat – Improved Critical (longsword) – because he’s still a sword guy.
(12th) Chevalier/3 – Immune to Poison, +1/+1 to Fort/Will.
Smite Evil 1/day as Paladin of his level = Nova Technique.
He can now drink anyone under the table. DC 30 Poison Save? What’s that? Note his Cha is too low to give him a big bonus to hit on smites unless he really pumps it, but he doesn’t really need it.
Str +1 (now base 19)
Remaining levels will be Ranger…it’s basically all outdoors, engaged in pursuit of the Runelords and their final holding. Up into the mountains we go!
(13th) Rgr/4 – Hunter’s Bond/ Companions (Currently, Move action to grant +1 FE for allies against Giants, lasts 1 rd). Probably won't get used much, but his Animal COmpanion would be better served as Lunch.
Feat/13 – Favored Enemy Defense (Giants) - +1/2 FE bonus to AC against Giants.
(14th) Rgr/5 – FE: Giants +4, Second FE (Monstrous Humanoids or Undead)
At this point, you should make a couple choices.
If you can get a Wand of Instant Enemy to buff with before a fight, You should consider dropping Longsword Focus and Spec in favor of other feats. Step Up and Step Up and Strike are useful here. The +4 modular FE bonus is equal to the highest level of weapon training.
You should get Gloves of the Duelist and raise your Weapon Training bonus to +3.
If someone else in the party has the Arms and Armor feat and is a caster, I suggest Toughness and Vital Strike or Spellbreaker.
(15th) Ranger/6 – Combat Feat (Improved TWF) – Note, no Dex req, but you should have a +4 or +6 kicker by now, anyways.
15/feat – Lunge - +5’ reach for -2 AC.
(16th) Ranger/7 - Woodland Stride – Not slowed by natural terrain/undergrowth
Str +1 (Natural Str 20)
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At this point, Valeros/16th level looks like this:
Saves (Before stat/magic mods): F: +12 R: +8 W: +8 (+2 vs Compulsions, reroll Enchantments)
Base Stats: Str: 20 Dex: 15 Con: 13 Int: 12 Wis: 10 Cha: 8
Immune to Fear. (thhhpppp!)
Immune to Poison.
Smite Evil 1/day, 16th level. A Nova technique!
No AC Penalty/charging.
+3/+3 Th/dmg first round of combat.
+4 FE against Giants, +2 Dodge AC against Giants. +2 Another FE.
+1 Dex limit in Armor, probably using Mithral Breastplate. Not slowed by Medium Armor, can sleep in it.
Can track at speed. Favored Terrain/ Mountains.
Can use Wands with Ranger spells.
+1/+1 against slaver types (many of the giants/lamias in xin-shalast)
Can make magic armor/weapons at half price from feats.Important!
Str should be 26 with a +6 Belt. Assume Gloves/Dueling (+2 Weapon Training). Longsword should be at least +5 Giant Bane, or a Sun Sword. He should be wearing a mithral buckler +5 on his off arm, and using a Magical Short Sword +3 or better, if possible. If he can swing a Sun Sword, awesome…Heavy Sword bonus, but only -2 TH penalty! It would actually be the ideal off hand weapon.
(Actually, the ideal course of action at this point would be Focus/Spec/Crit: Shortsword, and use a Giant Bane Sunsword and REALLY go to town…change weapon training to light blades and you get all bonuses with both blades, and the thematic big sword in main hand!)
Attacking non-favored creatures with his sword, he’ll be: +33/28/23/18 th, +18 on damage, but +36, +21 dmg in the opening round of combat. He can Power Attack for -5/+10, or NO TH penalty on standard attacks, which would be +28/+23/+18/+13, +28 on damage.
If they are size L, add +1/+2. Slavers, +1/+1.
Against Giants, total should be +36 TH base, +22 +2d6 damage, +1/+1 if slavers (like all Rune Giants). Standard Action, +36 Th, +32 dmg +2d6, critical 17-20.
He can Nova with a Smite at +Cha (likely only +1)/+Level 1/day. All attacks against a foe at +16 damage. With six attacks possible if TWF, he should be able to rend just about anything out there.
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His next three levels will probably be Ranger, to get him to rgr/10 and +6 FE. Getting to Ftr/9 would allow Greater Weapon Focus and WTrain +2, but eh. And he's not going to wear heavy armor.
Kindly note: Not an Optimized character, but grown organically to deal with the AP as it advanced. You could probably make a straight ranger that did much the same thing, but with higher FE bonuses, slightly less effective all around combat (or Instant Enemy reliant), but more skill points. A Horizon Walker build exploiting Favored Terrain Mountains against FE’s could be lethal, too, but Valeros didn’t strike me that way.
Our Valeros should use his Crafting to advance his arms and armor along as quickly as possible for as cheaply as possible. Giants hit hard, he doesn’t have heavy armor and will need a high AC. Note that his dex will hit 21, which maxes out a Mithral Breastplate. He can wear an Adamantine BP, use his Armor Training, and end up with 1 less AC for DR 2/-.
Note that while a Giant Bane Longsword is the easiest Iconic path to follow for a weapon, his Ultimate Goal would be an Adamantine +5 Giant Bane Sun Sword. If your DM gives you the funds, You should try to make a +1 Adamantine Bastard Sword with the Sun Sword ability to also be treated as a Short sword. You should then switch weapon training to light blades to include the short sword in your off hand. Add Giantbane next, then +2, then +2 vs Evil, +3, +4, +5, x2 dmg to Negative Energy things, and ignore the Sunlight thing unless you want it. You’ll end up with a +6 Weapon that keeps all your bonuses, along with the weapon in your off hand.
Yes, I’m aware a shield would be a better offhand weapon then a shortsword…I’m going off the illustration! I think we can sneak a buckler on to him without a problem, for whenever he doesn’t want to hit things (or can’t) with his shortsword, and wants more than a +1 bonus (and makes use of his shield prof).
Given how much he’s going to be a punching bag, the Achievement feat that grants +2 Nat AC should be pretty much a given, and goes with his scarred visage. Note that being scarred up should ADD to an Intimidate check, not detract from it.
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This build can be modified most easily by simply changing his FE starter. FOr instance, Elves makes a good FE for Second Darkness. Undead for Carrion Crown. Monstrous Humanoids for Serpent Skull (and all serpent folk are slavers, mwah hahaha!)
Another option is adding Craft Wondrous Item to halve his costs for stat boosting gear, which frees up even more money for miscellaneous stuff and defenses. It might actually be the single best use of a feat slot.
Feedback, comments welcome. Remember, not trying to optimize stats, grown organically, and trying to make things logical!
===Aelryinth
Valeros' Sun Sword
Breakdown:
Masterwork Bastard Sword, 335 gp.
Adamantine, +3000 gp.
+2 Weapon.
Scourge/Evil (+2/+2 against Evil creatures) - +1 bonus (=Bane)
Double dmg against Undead/Negative energy creatures - +1 bonus (=Bane)
Sunlight in area 1/day. ? Cost offset by Good Weapon (negative level if not Good).
Counts as a Shortsword as well as Bastard Sword. = +1 bonus.
Priced: Adamantine +5 Weapon, 28335 to make, 53335 value. Nominal price = +5 Weapon.
Why a Sun Sword?
1) Counts as a short sword. This is PERFECT for Valeros, who uses a Shortsword in his off hand. With a Sun Sword, he can wield long and short, yet share Weapon Training, Focus and Spec bonuses.
2) If you remove the Sunlight effect, you should be able to reduce the cost by another +1, OR remove the Good Wielder requirement.
3) If you are TWF, you are considered to be wielding two light weapons.
4) If you are sword and board, you can one hand the Sun Sword with NO Exotic Weapon prof. You can also do slashing or pierce damage as you like.
5) You can Finesse it.
6) It’s a d10 19-20/x2 weapon.
7) If you THF, it’s nearly as big as a Greatsword, but you can one hand it for Shield AC at any time you want that buckler, and you give up 1.5 dmg …useful when you have to move into position or are being shot at.
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Valeros should make his ‘Sun Sword’ as follows, adding the following:
Add Giant Bane, +1 bonus.
Add Valorous (double damage on a charge), +1 Bonus.
+3, 4, 5 = +10 Weapon total.
Make it in this order for Rune Lords:
Adamantine +1
+Giant Bane (he should be able to do this in time to get some use of it during Hook Mountain Massacre, as total cost is 12k to him)
+Counts as Short sword. He should now retrain his Weapon training and Focus/spec feats (eventurally letting +4/+5 in bonuses for his off hand apply).
+Scourge of Evil. Now +3 against most enemies, +5 against Giants. Evil foes don’t get DR /silver or cold iron against him…and it’s already Adamantine for Constructs.
+ Enhancement to +2.
+Undead Slayer. Note…this is not +d10 damage, it’s DOUBLE DAMAGE (which includes all fixed bonuses). It works just like a Crit, all the time!
Sunlight/Good alignment (if desired).
+ Enahance to +3 (Counts as Silver/Cold Iron always). Note it’s already Adamantine, and the only alignment DR it should have to worry about is DR x/Good…and it’s +5 against Evil creatures, which shuts that down.
+Valorous (if you can) – because you can’t do too much damage when charging. Note that this doubles his Chevalier bonuses for first round attacking!
To +4.
To +5.
If your DM allows MIC Augment Stones, you want the anti-undead one, because it grants Ghost Touch, and fighting Incorps SUCKS. You MIGHT even want to give up +5 for Ghost Touch, but otherwise have oils on hand to anoint your blade…or have a Shortsword with it.
Against Evil, this weapon becomes a +7/+7 d10 hackfest.
Against Evil Giants, it’s a +9/+9 d10 +2-12 hackfest.
Against Undead, it’s (wait for it) +7 To hit, 2d10 + 2x bonuses. With a 26 Str, FE +2 (undead), Weapon spec/Training +4/+5, +7 enhance, Power Attack +10, Valeros would be doing +64 dmg vs all undead, with possible other kickers. If he Two Hands it, it’s +72. If he’s SMITING…well, at level 16…that’s potentially +104/121 dmg per attack against undead, and they should cease to be a problem VERY quickly.
Kindly note: This is done mostly with just the base weapon and a ‘sub-par’ character. Pathfinder is pretty generous with TH/dmg bonuses, and while going for those base 18’s is nice, you really don’t need them to be effective.
Sun Swords ROCK.
A Melee type is generally better off acquiring his arms and armor for half price and getting them early than any other two feats. If someone else can do this for him…even better.
==Aelryinth
Cool idea, but damn that's a lot of text. (Now I know what folks feel like when they read my posts! ) I'm not quite sure how to pitch in on this thread, but I'd very much like to be a part of it!
I made up 6 pregens for Burnt Offerings (Valeros, Seoni, Merisiel, Kyra, Ezren and Harsk, the six that appear on the covers. From memory I tied them to six of the seven sins) but ended up running We Be Goblins instead. I didn't feel like Valeros needed any sweeping changes to work well in the campaign. I'd say Harsk and the Spellcasters are more customisable in this regard.
Trait wise I'd check out Fortified Drinker. It's made for Valeros. +2 to saves against mind effecting spells/effects after imbibing alcohol. I can think of a number of instances where alcohol is among the loot, and I found the idea of Valeros cowering in the Foxglove wine cellar too hilarious to pass up. I believe I gave him this and courageous, and dumped his wis over his cha. I also gave him the Country Born bonus feat. Seemed to make more sense.
Now as for Harsk... I think he's a great fit for this path. He's tailored to fighting giants in the mountains, ties in great to the third adventure and beyond and is easily tied to the sin of Wrath. As for a build? Well... THIS OL' GIRL FROM THE PREVIEWS IS PERFECT.. Look how he puts that giant in the grave. It's a thing of beauty.
What I'd be interested to see is a character kitted out with the treasure from the APs (and what can be grabbed in Magnimar). It'd give me some idea of how the treasure budget needs to be adjusted. By my calculations the base value is 13,600 gp. Anything under this has a 75% to be avaliable, so I'd say thats free game. Maybe something I/we could throw together later this week. :)