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Hey all,
Trying to put together an agile and acrobatic, dex-based paladin for PFS. Various roleplay reasons for it, but mostly I just really like the idea and want to see what I can do with it.
A few questions:
1. What's the best way to get acrobatics as a class skill? I'm toying with a dip as either a Bard (dancing dervish) or Monk (Flowing Monk), which also have the advantage of fitting the character concept I have in mind. That said, if I could find a trait or something somewhere which let me get away with straight Paladin I'd consider it.
2. Secondly, any general advice (beyond "Don't do it!")?
Thanks, and look forward to your replies.
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You can get Acrobatics as a class skill with the Captain's Blade trait from the Andoran faction to avoid a dip.
Is there any chance you would go archer? You can still be quite acrobatic, and we can even try to save you a feat for weapon finesse. (Although a paladin's BAB and smite evil should take care of hitting the opponent, strength or no)
I think you are unable to use acrobatics if your movement is penalized for armor. Dwarves thusly become the best alternative (move never penalized by armor), followed by 3 levels of fighter & a sash of the war champion. The last thing I would want is a light armored paladin.
Because of these posts I now have visions of an acrobatic archer with a ranged smite evil.
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You can get Acrobatics as a class skill with the Captain's Blade trait from the Andoran faction to avoid a dip.
Is there any chance you would go archer? You can still be quite acrobatic, and we can even try to save you a feat for weapon finesse. (Although a paladin's BAB and smite evil should take care of hitting the opponent, strength or no)
That would be very useful, thanks. Where would I find that trait?
As for the archer, I have nothing against archers in general and intend to play one at some point or another, but not this character. I'm picturing more of a dancer-type fighter than an archer. It was one of the reasons I was considering Monk or Dervish Dancer levels.
I think you are unable to use acrobatics if your movement is penalized for armor. Dwarves thusly become the best alternative (move never penalized by armor), followed by 3 levels of fighter & a sash of the war champion. The last thing I would want is a light armored paladin.
My understanding is that you can't use acrobatics while wearing medium or heavy armour, which does basically amount to the same thing. I was hoping that by including a decent dex (+3 or +4) with a chain shirt (+4) and maybe a buckley (+1) I'd still be able to have a decent AC while tumbling around.
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Because of these posts I now have visions of an acrobatic archer with a ranged smite evil.
Yeah, imagining that and a number of other character concepts which could work with this.
Erastilian ranger-y paladin who ducks and weaves through the woods.
Abadaran paladin rocking out some freerunning with crossbow action here and there.
Paladin of Irori or Korada, flipping out with possibly some monk levels, maybe throwing chakrams or shurikens or just getting some flowing monk unarmed strike action going.
Sarenraen paladins that really live up to the spinning whirlwind of blades image of dervishes.
Shelynite paladins that fight and dance with their glaives at the same time.
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What about going with balanced stats? Something like
Str 14 Dex 16, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14 after racials?
Grab some light armour, Combat Reflexes and use a glaive like Mikaze said.
The alternative is Dervish Dance, but that won't turn on until level 3. I would also still have a 13 strength for that build because you will want Power Attack.
EDIT: I can't do math.
Power Attack, definitely.
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Interesting. I'd approached it slightly differently but I can see the appeal of a reach weapon, particularly paired with combat reflexes. My only issue is that weapon finesse wouldn't apply and I'd be relying on my lowly strength quite a lot. Particularly if I'm trying to hit with Power Attack as well.
Why would I need to wait until level 3 for Dervish Dance to kick in? I thought I only needed 2 ranks of Perform so I could have it by second level...?
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Unless you're taking a level of fighter I don't see how you could have it at second level.
If you're wearing light armour (or mithral medium armour) you could get away with using a reach weapon with stats like
Str 14, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 8, Cha 14,
so long as you increased your strength periodically.
With Acrobatics as a class skill and putting a point into it every level it won't really matter that your dexterity isn't maxed out. This is for a two-handed reach weapon though, if you prefer to use a scimitar then
Str 13, Dex 17, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 8, Cha 14.
You can dip Emissary Cavalier for 1 level and get the ability to move full speed in medium armor, which would let you tumble even in mithral full plate if you wanted to. Tumbling is restricted only if your speed if reduced to to armor/encumbrance, not just for simply wearing it. So dwarf does work, but the -2 cha kinda sucks for a paladin, so I'd dip Emissary before doing that.
Elf paladin, elven curved blade, take unsanctioned knowledge feat from ultimate magic, oathbound paladin: oath against the wyrm, also from ult magic, now you have a dexterous, arcane, paladin. Have one in our group, he's strength based but still fun to watch in action. Recommend bard spells with Unsanctioned knowledge. As for a dip, what about Ninja? Charisma synergy with some interesting abilities.