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Instead of those archtypes, I think you might want to look at the Two-Handed Fighter. When using a polearm, think of yourself more as a support character rather than a front line fighter. You should focus on dealing maximum damage and attracting foes by hitting them with attacks of opportunity that really hurt. Then back up while your allies move in. AC is not a priority because opponents should be dead or near death before they reach you. At lower levels this even means hiding behind a front line fighter.
Two-Handed Fighter is the best way to increase your damage. At 3rd level your move-to-attack recieves double Strength bonus to damage. At 11th level you can now trip your opponent with a move-to-attack.
As always Power Attack is a necessity.
For any reach fighter I really like using Lunge. It's actually the only time I suggest taking the feat. You attack your opponent at 15ft. away, and now they must move through your threatened area provoking an AO. Combined with Pile-Driver (the Two-Hander 11th level ability), you can get 2 attacks to your opponents 1.
Also, Combat Reflexes is an absolute necessity. You should position yourself so opponents must provoke AoO to move past. A Dex of 14 is sufficient when paired with this feat.
As for Stat Array, a 20 BP should look like this: 18 Str (+2 Race), 14 Dex, 14 Con, 10 Int, 12 Wis, 8 Cha. Feel free to move around your Mental stats for roleplaying but physical should remain the same or increase.
Stand Still will not work at a longspear's reach since the target has to be adjacent to you.
If you are going the protection route consider the Bodyguard feat combined with the halfling race trait Helpful. Note: you do not need to be a halfling to take this race trait since the race trait Adopted would work.
Another idea would be Pushing Assault (feat). Note: only works on your size and smaller.
Pushing Assault can be combined with a Dragoon quite easily. :)
Alternately, Pushing assault can be combined with a Barbarian with the Ground Breaker rage tree you can really control the area. Push the enemy back and force them to burn move actions to come back into combat. Note: does not work against fliers or creatures that ignore difficult terrain.
Foehammer (dwarven fighter archetype) can also do the groundbreaker thing. You might want to look into it.
- Gauss
I considered suggesting that BBT but weilding a Longspear in one hand is actually a drawback unless you are trying to TWF.
You lose out on accuracy (-2penalty to attack from Jotungrip) and damage (Power Attack damage bonus drops).
You gain the ability to carry a second weapon to use as either an offhand weapon for TWF or as a normal weapon in your other hand if not using TWF. But that can just as easily be done with Quickdraw or, at later levels, the Transformative Property or a Glove of Storing.
- Gauss
KainPen: What about ARG or Pathfinder Companion books? Are you using traits (how many)? Hero Points? What creation method?
- Gauss
ARG = Advanced Race Guide. I suggest approving it on a chapter by chapter basis and then making exceptions from there. Chapter 1 is fine, 2 is mostly ok. 3 is questionable. 4 (for most groups) is outright out.
A shame about the rolling, cannot really offer a suggested build unless I know the stats and with rolling the stats could be anything.
- Gauss
Alternative build idea:
Be a Strix.
Take Flyby Attack.
Take the Cleave or Vital Strike lines.
Take Lunge just for good measure.
Use a longspear or some martial spear type weapon with reach, like glaive.
Strafe enemies from the air with single powerful attacks from beyond their reach, diving down and then back up.
.......
Another idea, does not really come together until level 11+ (still a basic reach fighter before then, so not awful, just not totally awesome):
Make a Dynasty Warriors character!
Take Mobile Fighter archetype. Specialize in a reach spear, like above.
Take Whirlwind Attack (and all of its pre-reqs, of course).
Take Lunge, so you can hit MOAR PPL with your 733+ whirlwind attack.
At level 11, gain the ability to move and Whirlwind Attack by forgoing the attack on the foe you start closest to, running by and hacking at everyone!
At level 12, pick up Dazing Assault, and now you're a living AoE (area of effect) daze debuffing machine!
Get spiked-armor to threaten adjacent targets. Just give it a +1 enhancement so it can bypass DR/magic.
Power Attack
Combat Reflexes
Lunge
Intimidating Prowess
Cornugon Smash
Make everything in a 15ft radius afraid of you at the same time you kill them!
Try and convince your GM to allow Stand Still to work with reach weapons...
Another fun reach-weapon build is an Oracle of Battle with the same feats and the following mysteries: Skill At Arms, Weapon Mastery (reach weapon of your choice), and Maneuver Mastery (Trip).
Heavy Armor Proficiency, full divine spell-casting, (Greater) Weapon Focus and Improved Critical, Improved/Greater Trip and access to Enlarge Person, the spell that makes reach weapons + armor spike even more awesome!
I know you said you aren't looking to use a shield, but Phalanx soldier is really good imo. I had a build I sent a friend for a BBEG minion he needed, here it is
LEVEL 13
Jenner Teth 6' 4" 243 lbs
Human Fallen Paladin 1 / Fighter (phalanx Soldier) 4 / Hellknight 8
str 16 +2Level +2Human +2belt 22
dex 15
con 14
int 10
wis 14
cha 10
+1 Keen Baradiche / +1 Spiked light steel Shield
+1 Spiked hellknight fullplate
Cloak of Resistance +2
Belt of Giant Strength +2
Potion of Fly
Potion of Cure light wounds
Potion of Protection from Chaos
Adventuring Gear/Camping Supplies
Heavy Warhorse
1) Two Weapon Fighting, Improved Shield Bash
2)Bonus Feat, Power Attack
3)Bonus Feat, Improved Bull rush, Combat Reflexes
4)
5)Bonus Feat, Stand Still, Shield Slam
6)Aura of Law, Detect Chaos, Smite Chaos 1/d
7)Discern Lies, Hellknight Armor 1, Greater Bull rush
8)Force of Will 1 (Compulsion), Mercilessness
9)LawBringer, Smite Chaos 2/day, Bull rush Strike
10)Discipline 1 (Vigilance)
11)Force of Will 2 (Charm), Hellknight Armor 2, Shield Master
12)Smite Chaos 3/day
13)Discipline 2 (Onslaught), Critical Focus
Base saves 11 4 6, BaB 13
Attack +20 +1 keen baradiche 1d10+7(17-20X2)
of full attack +18/+13/+8 +1 keen baradiche 1d10+7(17-20X2) and +19 spiked light steel shield 1d4+3(20X2)
Cmb +19 (+20 with bardiche) (+4 bullrush)
cmd +31 (10+13bab+6str+2dex) (+4 bullrush)
saves Fort+15 Ref+8 Will+10 (+4 vs compulsion +2 vs charm)
HP(average)1d10X9(6565656565656=72) +26(con) +4(favored class) = 102
Ac 24 (10+10armor+2dex+2shield)
Skills 2+1human X 13 = 39 ranks
12 Intimidate
11 Sense Motive
11 Perception
3 Ride
1 Knowledge Local
1 Knowledge Religion
He wasn't as good as a straight fighter would be at his schtick, which was shield slamming bull rushing things 10 feat away from him, then criting them with his pole arm and bull rush striking them even farther away, so they'd have to wade through his area to get at him again.
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-Race-
Human
-Classes-
Fighter (Two-Handed Fighter) 17/ Alchemist (Internal Alchemist, Vivisectionist) 1/ Assassin Prestige 1/ Rogue 1
-Stats (25 Point Buy)-
STR 17 (+2 racial)(+5 leveling)(+6 magic item) = 30
DEX 12
CON 16
INT 10
WIS 10
CHA 10
-Class / Feat Progression-
Fighter 01 Exotic Weapon Proficiency Dwarven Longhammer, Power Attack, Furious Focus
Fighter 02 Weapon Focus Dwarven Longhammer
Fighter 03 Intimidating Prowess
Fighter 04 Weapon Specialization Dwarven Longhammer
Fighter 05 Dazzling Display
Fighter 06 Vital Strike
Fighter 07 Shatter Defenses
Fighter 08 Greater Weapon Focus Dwarven Longhammer
Fighter 09 Devastating Strike
Fighter 10 Gory Finish
Fighter 11 Improved Vital Strike
Fighter 12 Greater Weapon Specialization Dwarven Longhammer
Fighter 13 Deadly Stroke
Fighter 14 Lunge
Fighter 15 Penetrating Strike
Fighter 16 Greater Vital Strike
Fighter 17 Greater Penetrating Strike
Rogue 18
Alchemist 19 Skill Focus Intimidate
Assassin 20
-To Hit (Single Attack)-
33 = 17 (bab) + 30 (Str) + 2 (Weapon Focus and improved) + 4 (Fighter Training)
-Damage (Single Attack) (average dice role)-
Fighter Greater Vital Strike Specialization Deadly Stroke Power Attack Devastating Strike
[not including sneak attack (3d6)] (2d6+60+4+4+20+6)x2 + (2d6)x3 = 223
How about the spear dancer feat?
I somehow like that. Stabby stab makes you dizzy^^
Also, using a spear or polearm, you can add in flagbearer, provided you bring the CHA along to get it.
Between that, spear dancer and dazzling display, maybe with some performance feats, you can have a cool inspire your team, debuff the rest show and action.
Reallying digging The Moblie fighter archetype. I am going look of phalanx Soldier more. Lol if i could add piledriver ablity to Moblie fighter I would have the perfect character that I want.
If you like Mobile Fighter, check the Dawnflower Dervish archetype (there is one for fighters and one for bards).
DD Fighter = Powered-up Mobile Fighter. It gets better abilities and it gets them earlier!
I think spears can be used as double weapons for some fun two weapon fighting. Prince Nuadda from Hellboy 2 makes twirling a spear around look really good.
Mobile Fighter is from APG.
I don't think Dawnflower Dervish is particularly better, unless your DM doesn't allow Mobile Fighter to benefit from gloves of dueling, in which case the archetype is worthless, as are all other fighter archetypes that give up "weapon training" for "weapon training by another name".
If that's your point, then I agree.
The key ability, rapid attack, comes at the same level.
Mobile Fighter gets to keep Armor Training 1 and 2, so he can run around in (mithral) full plate just fine, which is quite nice.
The Bravery replacement is still meh, but an improvement.
Leap Attack gives you more variety, you can just pick up a bow, 5 ft step, and instantly have full weapon training with it. You do kind of need to spend a feat on Nimble Moves or boot slot item on the feather stepping shoes to keep your weapon training from getting shut off, though.
Fleet footed is an untyped speed bonus, helps with the moving Whirlwind Attack technique. Acrobatics taking 10 is worthless, as you'll still fail. But the speed is nice.
DD's no AC penalty for charging is not terribly useful if not making a charger.
The ignore 10 ft of difficult terrain is not that useful with the new boots, mentioned above.
Lightning Strike is amazing, but would not combine with Whirlwind Attack, and level 15 is kind of late game. Still good, though.
I think each archetype has its merits. I think Mobile is better if you want to do the moving WWA thing, though.
Level 20, you can full attack with Flyby Attack, or when slowed.
Most stuff is in Ultimate Combat.
If you want to use performance feats, making more use of dazzling display and giving yourself more boni while debuffing enemies, i suggest the gladiator archetype. You can choose combat and performance feats as bonus feats.
Wanna concentrate on maneuvers, go Lore Warden.
Just take some better armor proficiency later.
Wanna do more damage, go Two-handed fighter, use your spear two-handed.
Else just take normal fighter.
Choose the spear of your liking, take the feats mentioned above you like and have fun :)
It could look like this:
Weapon Focus
Dazzling Display
Spear Dancer
Flagbearer
Heroes Display.
Performing Combatant.
Performance Weapon mastery(You get this from Gladiator Archetype)
Dramatic Display.
Masterful Display.
Paizo Publishing.
Master Combat performer.
Note that you need some CHA (15) to make that happen.
But you could leave flagbearer out and just add Intimidating Prowess in for STR to intimidate. You should still have enough feats left to get more damage feats and so on like power attack or something defensive like Toughness. Might actually be a good idea.
Or take some maneuver feats to bolster your maneuvers.
If you're willing to branch out a bit then take a look at the Wood Oracle. It's highly underrated for a battle Oracle, with the Wood Bond and Wooden Weapon mysteries matching well for the character you are trying to create.
Why Quick Draw? You're unlikely to need to unsheath a spear, so Improved Initiative would seem a better choice.
I'm surprised you don't have Furious Focus in there. Furious Focus allows you to ignore the penalty from Power Attack on the first attack you make in a round, as long as you are wielding a weapon two-handed.
Dotting for when I have more time.
KainPen, take Catch Off Guard and use the butt-end of your reach weapon as an improvised weapon. Now you threaten all squares within 10 feet of you, 15 if you have Lunge. If you can swing it, see if your GM will allow the magic enhancement of your spear apply the butt-end of your reach weapon. If not, ask if you can get it enchanted like a double-weapon.
Keep in mind, you can use both ends of a double weapon without taking Two-Weapon Fighting penalties. You only take those penalties if you use a weapon to gain an extra attack.
For instance, if you are 6th level and use the Spear tip to stab the wizard hiding behind his body guard (using the +6 BAB attack), and then use the butt-end to smack the body guard (using the +1 BAB) attack, you've only made two attacks, and therefore, not two-weapon fighting. However, if you stabbed the wizard twice, and smacked the guard, then you'd be using the weapon to gain an extra attack.
The nasty part about all this, is if you can use Catch Off Guard, and you have Lunge and Whirlwind, you can make an attack against every person within 15 feet of you. It's like something straight out of an anime or Japanese button masher game (99 Knights comes to mind).
Tels, you cannot do that. If you have a improvised weapon with the reach property on it it is still a reach weapon. Thus you cannot attack adjacent enemies with it.
- Gauss
BBT:
My guess is that thematically Armor Spikes make no sense (most of my group twitches at the mention of them).
Also, historically Polearms could make butt strikes. That is what the Polearm Master's level 2 ability is intended to represent, so there is a mechanical element there. But people don't want to use what they consider to be a forced class (the fighter archetype).
I have no problem houseruling the fighter archetype ability in as a feat or two, there is plenty of precedent for it to be equivalent to that. (There is a weapon, the Dorn-Dergar, that has reach and for 2 feats you can take it and use it to switch between reach and non-reach as a move action with exotic proficiency or a swift action with a second feat.) But I do not think it should be given to players for free and the rules simply do not support it. An improvised reach weapon is still a reach weapon.
- Gauss
I was thinking more along the lines of an improvised quarterstaff. I really don't see any reason why you couldn't do that. Taking a feat, Catch Off Guard, and using the spear as an improvised Quarterstaff to threaten adjacent squares (while the feat removes the -4) is perfectly plausible in my groups book.
I'm actually not certain you "can't" do that, there's nothing in RAW that states you can't use a reach weapon as an improvised weapon to attack adjacent squares.
Besides, I was simply tossing it out as an option.
If your group dislikes armor spikes as a weapon, how do they feel about spiked gauntlets?
They like spiked gauntlets just fine. :) Note: I said they twitched at armor spikes, I didn't say they wouldn't use them. It is a game, with rules. Themes can be altered.
- Gauss
Thibbledorf Pwent, I believe his name was. Now that's a dwarf with flavor, and he lurves his armor spikes.