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Race: Human
Class Samurai with the Sword Saint Archetype
Order: Order of the Dragon
Ability Scores (25 Point Buy)
Str: 16 + 2 (all level-up advancements go here)
Dex: 13
Con: 16
Int: 10
Wis: 12
Cha: 10
Skills:
Diplomacy
Intimidate
Perception
Sense Motive
Survival
Feats
1: Power Attack
H: Furious Focus
3: Weapon Focus (katana)
5: Weapon Specialization (katana)
6 (bonus): Cornugon Smash
7: Intimidating Prowess
9: Greater Weapon Focus
11: Critical Focus
12 (bonus): Greater Weapon Specialization
13: Staggering Critical
15: Iron Will
17: Stunning Critical
18 (bonus): Dreadful Carnage
19: Improved Iron Will
So, any good possibilities that I'm missing?
Where did you find the samurai class at? Oh and also the Sword Saint Template?
Samurai is in Ultimate Combat.
As for the Sword Saint, here.
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Where did you find the samurai class at? Oh and also the Sword Saint Template?
Here you can find it, and anything else class related.
While not optimal, I did have fun using equipment trick (sheathe) and utilizing a combat scabbard. Basically, I would leave me sheathed sword and beat foes up with the scabbard until I met someone worthy, then it came out for some slice and dice.
Equipment trick also has some fun swift action abilities with the scabbard, like throwing it as a range trip, finding an invisible creature, bull rushing with it to knock someone off balance for a trip.
Your build seems pretty well focused now, but something to look at for the fun of it.
While not optimal, I did have fun using equipment trick (sheathe) and utilizing a combat scabbard. Basically, I would leave me sheathed sword and beat foes up with the scabbard until I met someone worthy, then it came out for some slice and dice.
Equipment trick also has some fun swift action abilities with the scabbard, like throwing it as a range trip, finding an invisible creature, bull rushing with it to knock someone off balance for a trip.
Your build seems pretty well focused now, but something to look at for the fun of it.
I guess I'll pick this up for my future Samurai.
Also, dotting thread for future reference and considering a similar build as the OP for said Samurai.
While not optimal, I did have fun using equipment trick (sheathe) and utilizing a combat scabbard. Basically, I would leave me sheathed sword and beat foes up with the scabbard until I met someone worthy, then it came out for some slice and dice.
Equipment trick also has some fun swift action abilities with the scabbard, like throwing it as a range trip, finding an invisible creature, bull rushing with it to knock someone off balance for a trip.
Your build seems pretty well focused now, but something to look at for the fun of it.
Have to agree that it provides some very fun stylistic options for my character. Not sure where I could fit it into the build though.
Another thing I'd been pondering, should I consider switching to Order of the Cockatrice? I'm already going to have a fair bit invested in Intimidate, so picking up Dazzling Display as a bonus feat and bumping it down to a standard action would be nice.
Also, since I've never played a Samurai before: Is there any Samurai-specific equipment I should think about grabbing, or do I just get all the standard melee goodies?
Equipment is not restricted by class.
I wasn't inquiring about restrictions, but whether there were any items/equipment that was especially suited for the Samurai: Stuff like the monk's robe, dueling gloves, etc. that boosts Samurai class features.
Otherwise, I'll stick to the standard melee class toys; good sword, good armor, stat-boost items, and the AC/Save boosters.
If you decide order of the cockatrice, get shatter defences and Deadly Stroke. It doubles ALL.damage, including challenge.
If you decide order of the cockatrice, get shatter defences and Deadly Stroke. It doubles ALL.damage, including challenge.
That was my line of thought behind possibly going Order of Cockatrice; the big downside I noticed was that Deadly Stroke and Iaijutsu Strike would be competing for my standard action attacks. Even then it's not a deal-breaker since Iaijutsu Strike is a once-per-enemy thing. Too bad they can't be stacked...
Well, if it's good for a Cavalier, then it's good for the Samurai.
Great ... so are there any wondrous items (excluding anything mount-related since Sword Saints don't get Mounts) that are specifically good for Cavaliers?
Also, realized I didn't pick traits. Anything particularly great, or should I just grab something safe and standard like boosted saves/initiative/etc?
I would have another look at Order of the Warrior - there is a nice bit of synergy between Way of the Samurai/Strike True and the Iajutsu strike (with all it's bonuses to confirm a crit).
The Order of the Cockatrice idea is also a good one but I'd stumble on the RP aspect of playing a samurai with those edicts.
For wondrous items at the mid-levels I would look at boots of springing and striding.
Generally agree with Raje except for one small point.
For items I'd say o-yoroi (I believe it's +2 dex in that one, so increase your dex to 14? I see no reason to leave it at 13)...
The O-yoroi is mechanically no better than full plate* so there's no need to have a dex better than 12 (considering that you're not taking any dex-based feats), esp. if your GM will let you reskin a suit of full plate to look like Samurai armor.
* My samurai has dex 14 and wears the O-yoroi armor. The benefit is slight: he has +1 to touch AC and -1 to flat-footed AC relative to what he'd get with full plate and dex 12. We rolled stats for our campaign and I had an extra 14 to throw at dex but if we'd done point buy I would have left dex at 12.
The Sword Saint HAS to strike first in combat so you want traits that boost initiative. I'd go for Reactionary first and then maybe double up with Adopted/Warrior Born.
Also I'd go with the Order of the Warrior instead of the dragon. It will massively increase your crit chances, especially if you keen your katana.
The Sword Saint HAS to strike first in combatNot really. You can challenge and use iaijutsu strike all in one round.
Especially since he has quickdraw with his favored weapon. My samurai always starts combat with a mw pole arm to take out the minions and then switches to the katana when the boss comes out.
Taking two traits that benefit initiative doesn't help because both are trait bonuses and therefore do not stack.
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The Sword Saint HAS to strike first in combatNot really. You can challenge and use iaijutsu strike all in one round.
Plus, at early levels when Iaijutsu strike is still a full round action, it might not be a bad move at all to hold action and strike after your opponents have moved into melee with you.
So, been toying with the idea of taking the Dangerously Curious trait to get UMD as a class skill and putting an investment into it. It could have some very nice uses down the road, like being able to use Gloves of Dueling by imitating a class feature. Thoughts?
Can't see it being too fitting thematically, but otherwise seems like a good idea.
You got 10 int and you're a samurai. You won't have anywhere near enough skill points to do that I'd imagine.
5 skill points per level seems like more than enough to include UMD to me.
Just remove Diplomacy from the build in the first post, and put those points into UMD instead. Or if I'm desperate for skill points, toss the favored class bonus into skills instead of HP, and I can get keep Diplomacy while adding in UMD.
However, this thread brings up a potential issue; the rules aren't 100% clear on whether you can use UMD to get the +2 to hit and damage from the Gloves of the Duelist.