I'm looking for build ideas.
I'm going to be playing a vampire in an undead campaign. It will be a role playing heavy campaign where all PC's are evil and trying to bring about a plague of undeath for a cult of Urgathoa in a very populated and powerful city.
This campaign has been in the works for a while because most of the other players and DM are active duty air force. Originally I was going to play a vampire assassin but when our group changed from 3.5 to pathfinder that idea got a lot less appealing. The party will be high lvl role players and the to say the the lvl of detail in this campaign is insane is a n understatement. Characters start at level 15(13 lvls and 2 adjustment for vampire). The gm will make our characters blend into society so we have to be able to interact with normal people. This ability to hide and at least a minimum of social skills will be necessary. Unlike most Gm's or GM not only allows but expects leadership to be used.
Our GM is an optomiser so while I'm more role playing intensify the build needs to be able to hold its own.
I look forward to any interesting ideas you guys have.
What role would the character be playing in terms of party dynamics?
No PC is an island. Having said that, it sounds like a fair amount of politics and intrigue are in your future - which should be right up your ally, in terms of playstyle.
In terms of bringing about a plague, however, you're going to need help. So why not just take some, being a Vampire and all?
Charm monster is awesome for social engineering. Don't look at the effects - look at the duration. 1 day/level.
So a 13th level Vampiric Sorcerer could get one person on board for almost 2 weeks with a 4th level spell they can cast 6 or 7 times in a day. Combine that with some good old fashioned social engineering, and make sure to provide occasional maintenance, and you'll have the makings of a fine little cult.
Be slow to build and subtle with your planning, and you can build enough social inertia that once the effects wear off, your plans have enough momentum that dropping out would have undesirable social effects for the involved parties.
Okay, this may sound nuts but... Make a Synthesist Summoner. Aside from it being one of the most OP archetypes in the game, it's a perfect fit imo with a Vampire.
First, the boost to CHA & bonus feats the template gives you, meshes well with the Synthesist; they're expected to do the fighting so they need feats and the CHA's a primary stat for Summoners.
Secondly, the suit effectively blocks out the "direct sunlight" part of your weaknesses. Though the fluff is it's translucent, the eidolon text says you can make it look like you want: Hence why many have made Iron Man Suits and Guyvers. Regardless of what it ultimately looks like, it will prevent the sun from directly hitting you; thus getting rid of a big weakness for a Vamp.
Thirdly, thematically it's just nice. Vampires are usually really suave and charming, but with the Eidolon you're allowed to reveal your true self: typically that of a monsterous visiage. If you're a VtM fan, you can literally make your Eidolon your inner Beast.
So yeah, go Synthesist.
Edit: linky & grammar
Okay, this may sound nuts but... Make a Synthesist Summoner. Aside from it being one of the most OP archetypes in the game, it's a perfect fit imo with a Vampire.
First, the boost to CHA & bonus feats the template gives you, meshes well with the Synthesist; they're expected to do the fighting so they need feats and the CHA's a primary stat for Summoners.
Secondly, the suit effectively blocks out the "direct sunlight" part of your weaknesses. Though the fluff is it's translucent, the eidolon text says you can make it look like your want: Hence why many have compared it to a Iron Man Suit or Guyver. Regardless of what it ultimately looks like, it will prevent the sun from directly hitting you; thus getting rid of a big weakness for a Vamp.
Thirdly, thematically it's just nice. Vampires are usually really suave and charming, with the Eidolon you're allowed to reveal your true self through your Eidolon: typically with a monsterous visiage. If you're a VtM fan, you can literally make your Eidolon your inner Beast.
I like this - gets that classic horror feel going. The raw, primal passion of say, Stoker's Dracula, or any of the aforementioned VTM Kindred.
The whole Victorian Jekkyl/Hyde thing is just so thematic and cool.
...
Plus, you're playing a summoner! That's basically a win button ;)
As for party role I'm free to pick what I want. I can't be certain who's going to be playing this campaign in the end so i'm just going to pick the role I want and run with it. The sorc does fit well with the manipulation feel. My original char I mentioned was a master manipulator and his cover was as an Alchemist that was really a high end drug and poison dealer.
We will be working with the other players(no pvp even though evil) but we can each work our own agendas so that is one thing to consider.
The synthesist I'm a little hesitant about. Ive been curious about the build but I'm not sure how my DM will feel about it(the general hatred of summoners). Definitely something to consider though.
The synthesist I'm a little hesitant about. Ive been curious about the build but I'm not sure how my DM will feel about it(the general hatred of summoners). Definitely something to consider though.
Considering you're playing Monterous templates, I don't see why your DM would have an issue with the class or archetype unless he's a forum goer. I think most of the hatred comes from improperly built eidolons, which as long as you do it right, it's no better or worse than a buffed fighter and impacts the game as such.
Plus, aside from the obvious benefits it's really a step down from the base Summoner, since you lose you're advantage in action economy.
And hey, if you run with the concept we'll help you build it.
The vampire isn't set in stone but my only options(by gm mandate) are lich, ghost, skeletal champion, and vampire. Also I'm less concerned about combat then other aspects. I will need to fight at times but a lot of this is going to come down to staying hidden, manipulating npcs, intrigue and cleverly working things then open battles. The only really down side of the anti paladin is the 2 + int skills per level(combat and thematically it could work). I'm thinking skill ranks will be at a premium(judging by my GM's style).
Are anti paladin Auras because there more powerful easier to detect/harder to cover with magic. I'm not sure how that works mechanically.
Ask if the DM could houserule it so that you get 4 + Int skill ranks per level. Seriously, no class should be running around with only 2 + Int skill ranks, except maybe the Wizard who always does have an insanely high amount of Intelligence to compensate.
Ask if the DM could houserule it so that you get 4 + Int skill ranks per level. Seriously, no class should be running around with only 2 + Int skill ranks, except maybe the Wizard who always does have an insanely high amount of Intelligence to compensate.
If only all Dm's felt the same way. The lack of skills in pathfinder drives me nuts especially when I switch from other table top games like GURPS. I doubt my GM will agree but I can always try.
If only so many DMs weren't idiots.
Giving a few extra skill points has never broken D&D (or Pathfinder), unless said skill points were handed to a munchkin.
And they break the game anyway.
Could always play a charlatan or spy rogue with rumormongering, convincing lie, coax information, honeyed words.. possibly take skill focus: bluff and basically make your lies become reality... Not to mention rogue and vampire is classic flavor and a very effective combo.. Guard 1-You see somthing? Guard 2-Nope... Arggg... Flop...
On that note, what about a Sandman Bard? Stealspell is quite Vampiric, and Dramatic Subtext means that for 2 rounds of Bardic Performance, you can cast spells in plain sight.
The last bit could be very powerful for this kind of character/game.
Also, sneak attacks! Who doesn't like those?
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To expand on the Vampire Sorcerer idea...Wildblooded Sanguine Sorcerer?
All good ideas I'm especially liking the infiltrator because that would save me a lot of money on gear to keep my alignment hidden. Also the game is built around a lot of powerful organizations so spying directly on the enemy could be awesome. Both bards(i hadn't looked at sandman before but that could be a lot of fun to play especially because my DM loves hitting us with nasty casters) and sorcs have obvious synergy benefits and the offer great flavor and can be elite level bluffers.
Appreciate the ideas so far and still curious to see if anyone else has got anything.
I think you want a Vampiric Ninja 7 / Master Spy 6 with maxed out social skills. I would also go with the Sap Master feats to take people alive and suck them dry later. If the campaign is going to be about intrigue, that is one of the better ways to go.
I would also go with a high Dex TWF build. Have your minion be a Necromancer to buff you with negative energy spells and give you access to Vampiric Touch. Then use spell storing saps to literally leech the life out of people. At your level, you could be doing 1d6 + 12d6 +12 (sneak) + 6d6 Vampiric touch and have tons of skill points.
that is what I'm talking about never would have thought of a sap master but that sounds awesome.
Any idea what the rest of your party are going to be playing?
Damn, I wanted to share my idea for a cabal of pacifist enchanter vampires. They don't attack people physically, only with enchantment spells. They focus on the young and beautiful, luring them away for fun times and eventual they join the fold if they are entertaining enough (if they cease to prove hedonistic they are expelled--drained and weak with some really crazy erotic stories).
They are not so bad, they are just misunderstood and want to have a good time. So they see it. The locals may not be in agreement.
Last I heard there was a lich wizard i think, and a ghost that was more of a stealth build but that is subject to change. Final party composition is very fluid. So i'm not terribly concerned about party balance at this point.
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Damn, I wanted to share my idea for a cabal of pacifist enchanter vampires. They don't attack people physically, only with enchantment spells. They focus on the young and beautiful, luring them away for fun times and eventual they join the fold if they are entertaining enough (if they cease to prove hedonistic they are expelled--drained and weak with some really crazy erotic stories).
They are not so bad, they are just misunderstood and want to have a good time. So they see it. The locals may not be in agreement.
I love these type of heavy role playing and not what you expect characters. Unfortunately for this campaign we really are supposed to be paragons of evil.
Are we talking the possession kind of ghost? Get a very bulky cohort for a shell...and use your superior training to make better use of his body than he could.
I did this in a silly high level campaign in 3.x, with a War Hulk cohort.
ahahahah! a vampire master CHYMIST! a vamp that had an alternate SUPER VAMP form! ahahaha! scary!
OR a Vamp who could turn into something else that didnt have the sunlight weakness.
Also think an inquisitor vamp would be really cool. Drow Vampire inquisitor. Me likey.
I've done this before. IT was quite fun. I used it as a chance to play classes that really benefit from multiple large stat boosts. I played a Vampire Fighter, power attacker with a longsword. It was great, Vampires get special abilities that help in and out of combat (spiderclimb, etc.) and bonuses to STR and DEX. The CHA bonus would be good as well in Pathfinder, via the Eldritch Heritage feats.
A vampire rogue specialized in UMD could be fun, as well as a melee bard, melee alchemist, your usual martial classes (fighter, barbarian, cavalier)...
Have fun!
Vampire Crosblodded (orc/draconic) Sorcerer n, Dragon Disciple 4, fireball specialist with all feats and traits supporting fireballing...
Area damage, you will be the strongest (which will be aparent when you get Monstrous Physique II and change into a four armed gargoyle), you will be able to build decent defences, and ok HP for a caster.
Remember, cha gives hp for vampires, so split abilities between cha and strength.
You need to protect against sunlight obviously. Besides spells, you could consider contingency + teleport.
I am in an evil undead campaign right now.
Party composition:
Graveknight Fighter (twf - dagger specialist)
Lich Sorcerer (arcane)
Vampire Rogue (rapier & shield)
Skeletal champion Anti-paladin
Mummy (house-ruled) Cleric
We are DANGEROUS.
Vampire Rogue is nasty. At your level you can easily have skill mastery so can make certain skill checks EVERY TIME. Get anywhere with spider climb (vampire ability), bypass any trap, unlock any door, and does it all unseen with stealth. Once you are where you need to be Dominate Person (Vampire ability). Open the gate, let me in, where is the..., show me the..., etc.
And he is built well. Maxed spellcraft (because rogues can actually have enough skill points), took minor magic (detect magic), major magic (true strike), and chased those with Quicken Spell Like Ability (feat) for impromptu auto-hit.
good luck with the campaign and enjoy.
I'm playing the fighter and am deadly, but frustrated at the lack of skills.
I built a view of these and I'm really loving the infiltration inquisitor. With a high wisdom and Cha his social skills are unstoppable and he has more then enough skills to go around. Plus the 17 bonus to initiative is insane. Still considering, bard, sorc, and oracle but that's the one I like best so far.