I have a concept for a character inspired by "skyclad" Celtic warriors. He would be a high-str melee character, who wears no armor (but probably, unlike his historical inspiration, some pants) and fights with a greatsword alongside his wolf companion. He may also have some magic (probably divine), but this isn't essential.
Problem is, I haven't come up with a good way to get all these things in a way that they work together well. Full optimization isn't necessary, but the character does need to hold his own as a contributing member of a team.
I'm limited to CRB classes -- plus cavalier -- but can use archetypes, spells, and feats from the CRB, UC, UM, and possibly the Inner Sea World guide. And before anyone mentions it, I know of boon companion, but I don't know what book it's from and I probably don't have access to it.
So, how would you go about building this character?
Savage Barbarian.
Out of curiosity, if UC and UM are available why not APG?
- Gauss
I've not given this a huge amount of thought yet but i'd go monk(sohei)/druid or ranger.
At level 1 as a Sohei you can use the greatsword and add your wisdom to you ac.
At level 2 Druid gives you the wolf and divine magic you'll never be a truely great warrior this way but you'll look the part and have some tricks.
Or if you can wait for the wolf Sohei 1 ranger will give you serious fighting abilities still but no wolf till at lleast 5th level.
Idea 3 Go pure sohei monk and take leadership at level 7 for an awakened wolf companion. Sadly you'll never get flurry with a great sword although you could dip 3 levels in weapon master which technically would let you.
Out of curiosity, if UC and UM are available why not APG?
- Gauss
I just forgot APG. Archetypes, feats, and spells from that book are allowed as well.
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Oh how I wish I could say Inquisitor... but in lue of that, the shape shifter ranger is your best bet for all of what your asking for. Or a Druid if the animal companion at level 1 is important. Outside of that only the monk and savage barbarian have any ability to survive without wearing armor. I think the Barbarian is more appropriate though.
If I was to build it I think I would go Druid at first level with the ancestral weapon trait. The wolf totem druid has some nice powers and would get you started. Something like 15 str, 16 dex, 14 Con, 14 wis,8 int, 8 cha. Then take the barbarian for levels 2 and 3 then back to druid. Alternate to taste. The boon companion feat is from seeker of secrets by the way. a Pathfinder society book. You might ask for permission as it will go a long way no matter what you choose.
You could also take the World Walker druid is also great and sets you up for Nature's Warden Prestige Class (Beast master with awesome bonuses for your wolf). 3 levels of that plus some barbarian for rage and rage powers will get you inline to take it and grant some nice powers.
The problem I see though is if you are dedicated to wearing no armor, you won't live long.
I'd go with a ranger. You get the spells, you can hold your own in a fight, and you get an animal companion.
Look at the switch-hitter ranger that Treantmonk writes about. You get a big sword and are not useless against enemies that fly.
When you say no armor are you including no rings, cloaks of resistance, bracers of armor, ect... because if so you may want to specialize in hunting goblins. Anything bigger than that you won't last long.
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Regardless of what you do, if you're focusing on Str without armor or a big investment into Dex (and Wis for Monks or Cha for Nature/Lore oracles) you'll be an easy target as everyone is mentioning. One suggestion to mitigate the no armor problem is to invest in wands of mage armor if you have a Wiz/Sorc/Summoner/Witch in the party, and reskin it as a length of magic woad that covers you in protective tattoos, or later bracers of armor that do the same. That'd be thematic! Also - with a lenient GM, you could have torcs of resistance that take a cloak slot for the unclothed look.
Instead of general optimization, I am only recommending options that would grant the strongest progression of an animal companion. If that kind of companion survivability isn't something you care about, then take this all with a grain of salt!
If you can swing taking a hit to Str, you could play a halfling or gnome Beast Rider (UC) cavalier for a wolf mount at 1st level that will be just as effective as a druid's companion. But with the lower damage of your weapons and the lower Str, and it not being as thematic as a hulking fellow... it would be more for comedic relief but it could be effective. You could do the same thing with the Mounted Fury (APG) barbarian archetype that works with Savage Barbarian, but wouldn't have your wolf until level 5 and you'd be at -4 levels for your companion.
A ranger would do everything you want, but the -3 to it's companions level isn't all that great and the late arrival hurts.
The best option to start with a wolf is the wolf shaman druid, but the 3/4 BAB isn't ideal. Self buffing and wildshaping/totem transforming could definitely make up for it. No martial weapons besides scimitars, but you could just burn your human feat for the greatsword proficiency or go for the heirloom weapon trait and only be able to wield the greatsword you start with (hopefully something you can enchant later)- I'd just burn a feat unless your GM is nice about upgrading weapons vs finding them. Or you could always use a scythe! And as mentioned, the wolf shaman is an excellent archetype, granting you a bite attack you could use to trip enemies while you hack at them with your greatsword at level 2 and on. You could summon dogs and then wolves to aid in combat, and have a moderately low Wisdom (depending on how high of a level you plan on playing to). Something like this:
Str 16+2
Dex 14
Con 14
Int 7
Wis 13 (you'd either need to put points into this at lvl 4/8/12 etc or have a Wis boost item)
Cha 11
Favored Class - HP bonus
Feats: Martial Weapon Proficiency (Greatsword), Power Attack (later the Cleave chain perhaps)
Skills: Survival, Perception, Handle Animal
Spells (2/day ... options include longstrider, cure light wounds, magic fang, speak with animals, summon nature's ally, etc)
But yeah, if you are allowed the Boon Companion feat as mentioned above, I'd also recommend dipping at least four levels into savage barbarian, more if you don't mind having your companion suffer. Since spellcasting isn't your focus, that shouldn't matter too much losing those caster/spell levels. Or the feat makes having a ranger much more viable in regards to companion survivability. Also, you could sacrifice your racial bonus feat for the Eye for Talent human race trait substitution in APG that gives your companion a +2 to a stat of your choice.