Creating support character

[Metallix Brother]

I've very recently introduced a friend to the joys of tabletop RPing, and he seems to have enjoyed it thus far. However, the type of character he would be interested in playing would be very much in the back line of combat, helping the party in either social environments and/or improving equipment/items. However, I'm also fairly new to Pathfinder myself, and I've looked through various variants of classes, but I can't think of a particular build that would really reflect that.

We're currently playing Curse of the Crimson Throne, and the party is lvl 5.

[Cheapy]

Metallix Brother wrote:

However, the type of character he would be interested in playing would be very much in the back line of combat

Bard can do that.

Quote:

helping the party in either social environments

And that.

Quote:

improving equipment/items.

And that as well!

So...have him look into a bard. You don't need to be musical if you don't want to.

[PSY850]

I'd suggest a bard. they have plenty of ways to buff themselves or others, are very god in social situations due to high charisma, and if he wants to contribute to combat he can just grab a longbow for rounds he's not casting spells or busy singing for the party.

Asta
PSY

[Cheapy]

Psy, maintaining bardic performances are a free action now. There shouldn't be any rounds other than the first you start it where you are just "singing".

[Metallix Brother]

Very much appreciated. Is there an archetype you might suggest, or should vanilla suffice?

[Paladin of Baha-who?]

Depends on what role he wants to play and what flavor he likes.

[Atarlost]

There is one basic guideline for a support bard: Do not under any circumstances trade away Inspire Courage or limit it to self only in your archetype. Most of the replacements are flat out weaker and the very few that have comparable power are narrower in focus.