Before you're minds start wandering please note the following house rules in effect:
Core+APG+Golarion source books only. (NO UM, UC)
Paladins alignment must match their deities.
Paladins smite damage = 1.5x for two handed weapons and .5x for off hand.
Paladins gain a +1 to hit with their deities favoured weapons.
So, now that's out of the way, here's the important stuff.
My stats are: [Rolled]
Str: 10
Dex: 16
Con: 12
Int: 11
Wis: 11
Cha: 16
I want to play a Paladin of Cayden Cailean. A real swashbuckler type character.
I'm thinking Paladin 2 then rogue for the sneak attack, evasion and skills. I think it would make a really interesting character.
I'm thinking of finessing a rapier, possibly a rapier and a dagger, remember I'll gain a +1 to hit with a rapier.
Can anyone see any problems with this? Do you think it's wise? Do you think Paladin/Bard could work instead?
I don't like the rogue class since it is hard to do any damage unless your party really tries to work with you and monsters are dumb and let you flank them.
Bard is probably a much better way to go especially if you go Arcane Duelist.
I should note, I'm allowed to swap one score for another once. So I could theoretically have 16 strength and 10 dex.
Paladin who goes into Duelist. Now that sounds like a fun character!
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I'd pick up Paladin 2 or Paladin 4, then go full on Rogue. If you decide to go Paladin 4, take the spell-less paladin archetype for a good group buff.
For the Rogue, take the Skirmisher archetype. This lets you add your Sneak Attack damage on ANY charge attack, eventually with just 10 feet of movement, allowing you to sneak attack consistently. Going with a Rapier build will be fine, especially if you decide to go the Spring Attack route. Don't forget to grab Piranha Strike for your Rapier. This means that, at level 6, you'll be able to get:
1d6+4(Pirahna Strike)+2d6(Sneak Attack on Charge/Flank/Flat-Footed)+2 or 4(Smite)+ enhancement bonus. If you haven't chosen a race yet, I strongly recommend Halfling. It'll get you a +2 to hit (size + Dex mod), 2 fewer points of damage on average, but better saving throws (through higher Charisma AND the halfling bonus to saves), Armor Class (Higher Dex/size bonus), and a bonus to Perception and Stealth Checks.
I recommend substituting the Sure-Footed racial and Fearless racial traits for the Practicality trait, if it's an option, to shore up your Sense Motive skill AND get you an extra bonus to saves against Illusions, which is better than Sure-Footed (imo), AND you're a Paladin, so you're immune to fear anyways (negating the benefit of Fearless).
I don't think I can take Piranha strike as it only applies to a light weapon.
This is good advice.
I'm torn between the swashbuckler or the scout archetypes for rogue.
I feel a bit strange having an empty hand.
If you had a point buy I would go Duelist 3 Fighter (Lore Warden) 5 Monk (Master of Many Styles) 2. You'd have an AC well into the 30s and could deflect the first (and probably only) attack that hits you each round.
Damage is ok if you use Dervish Dance and a Scimitar.