Arcane Duelist Build

[pipedreamsam]

I would like some help with an early arcane duelist build. I think that I pretty much have the stats selected (20 point buy), but I really do not know where to start in terms of feats or even traits. I have access to pretty much any Paizo resource just no third party stuff or 3.5 material. I have no plans to multiclass or prestige (especially not into DD) unless the idea is really good.

Ability Scores:

Str: 17 including +2 racial (7)
Dex: 13 (3)
Con: 13 (3)
Int: 12 (2)
Wis: 10 (0)
Cha: 14 (5)

I am planning on going with a melee THW build but again I am stuck on where to start with feats and such. I am going to end up being the party face and would prefer not to dump any stats if possible. I was thinking maybe going down an intimidate line of sorts, but I'm still not sure if I wouldn't be better off just hitting the enemy with my weapon rather than spending the standard action to intimidate. Power attack is the level 3 feat of course.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[pipedreamsam]

Lingering Performance is looking good and weapons focus is always a well spent feat though I am still on the fence about the intimidate path.

[Porphyrogenitus]

Well there's this guy's build I read the other day, though I think he misinterpreted the Versatile Weapon spell (as I read it, it doesn't give you *both* the benefits of Greater Magic Weapon along with the possibility of altering weapon type to overcome DR, it substitutes weapon versatility for enhancement; this is why it's a lower level), but that's a fairly mild problem with his build and it could still give you lots of ideas on what direction to take things.

[pipedreamsam]

That build looks alright at first glance, but he does not really mention his feat selections and there are a few problems with the math and which bonuses stack, but other than that it is a good starting point, thank you.

[threemilechild]

Porphyrogenitus wrote:

Well there's this guy's build I read the other day, though I think he misinterpreted the Versatile Weapon spell (as I read it, it doesn't give you *both* the benefits of Greater Magic Weapon along with the possibility of altering weapon type to overcome DR, it substitutes weapon versatility for enhancement; this is why it's a lower level), but that's a fairly mild problem with his build and it could still give you lots of ideas on what direction to take things.

Versatile Weapon and GMW are the same level on the sorc/wiz spell list. Versatile Weapon is lower for rangers (who get it because unlike GMW, it can affect natural attacks) because they have delayed spellcasting.

VW has a great big drawback, though, in that its duration is min/level instead of hour/level. The need to cast it just before (or during) each encounter is significant.

[Atarlost]

You're already locked out of all combat styles except two handed because you don't have the dex for TWF or Manyshot. Take Power Attack, Furious Focus, and then whatever. Dodge-Mobility-Spring Attack might work, or the Sunder chain, or maybe improved unarmed strike and a combat style chain. You get pretty much everything else you need as a free bonus feat with your archetype.

I wouldn't recommend going for Dazzling Display certainly, though intimidate isn't bad, and if you don't want lingering performance (it does cut into your actions to renew it and prevents you from using finale spells), skill focus: intimidate may not be a bad level 1 feat. It's hard to start your turn with several enemies in intimidate range early in a battle and dazzling display is full round. Blistering Invective is the same thing as a standard action with a fire damage rider so you can move into position then do a mass intimidate.

[pipedreamsam]

Good call on dazzling display I sometimes forget you do not get a full-round on the first round of combat which greatly reduces the usefulness of it for what I am doing.

I think I am going to try and focus on the iconic skirmisher tactics so the spring attack tree is looking good same with cleave. Maybe I can even get dreadful carnage worked in there somehow later down the line.

It has been a while since I have played a bard though so what do you mean by finale spell?

[Atarlost]

There are a bunch of spells in the APG named X finale that require you to be performing and end your performance. The best is Saving Finale, which is a level 1 immediate action spell to give any ally a reroll on any failed save. A lingering performance is already ended so against things that can force saves that matter maintaining your performance is better.