Hey guys,
So for an upcoming game of Serpent Skull I made a 1st level samurai, because I want to check out for myself how funny this class really is.
Chargen is pretty standard 15-point buy, 2 traits (one campaign trait), all of CRB + APG valid, plus exceptions (like the samurai from UC).
After educating myself a bit with various guides and statements, I think I'll stick with a melee build using a two-handed weapon, maybe a backup shield or something.
So far I've got this:
Human Samurai, 1st level
STR 16, DEX 14, CON 14, INT 10, WIS 10, CHA 10
Feats: Power Attack, Toughness
Traits: Boarded in Cheliax (+200 gold and a free map), Reactionary (+2 Initiative)
AC: 19 (6 armor, 1 shield, 2 dex)
Melee: katana +4 for 1d8+4 OR +3 for 1d8+6 (without shield)
With all the money I am thinking of a steel lamellar, quickdraw shield, and a katana. I know there are better weapons, but for style's sake I think I wanna stay with it. The shield is supposed to be a backup solution that's used if I'm not in melee range or getting beaten up.
I know its only 1st level, but somehow I am not that satisfied. I could lower some mental stats to get 18 STR, but the GM is not afraid of making brutal encounters. Negative WIS hurts the already bad will saves, negative CHA hurts the possibility of using Intimidate in combat, and negative INT takes away the benefit of having 4 skill points per level... the old conundrum.
Anyone with some ideas on how to push damage without totally crippling the other areas?
Also, what would be a good idea for further character advancement? If I choose the Ronin order, the 2nd level ability isn't bad at all, but right now I am looking at the "guide" ranger archetype:
"Ranger's Focus (Ex): At 1st level, once per day, the guide can focus on a single enemy within line of sight as a swift action. That creature remains the ranger's focus until it is reduced to 0 or fewer hit points or surrenders, or until the ranger designates a new focus, whichever occurs first. The ranger gains a +2 bonus on attack and damage rolls against the target of his focus. At 5th level, and every five levels thereafter, this bonus increases by +2.
At 4th level, and every 3 levels thereafter, the ranger can use this ability one additional time per day. This ability replaces favored enemy."
Considering that it also requires a swift action (like the challenge ability), but pumps up the attack pretty good, would this be a viable option? I know the bonus will decrease in usefulness as the samurai levels up, but still... seems interesting.
Your thoughts?
ok I'm confused, how does ranger get into your samurai? What am I missing?
If I were you, this AP takes you a lot of places, and since you are a ronin (or thinking of being one) you are a loner traveling the world.
Buy a bit lighter armor (your shield will make up for it) quick draw shield isn't a bad idea, get a Katana, A long Bow and arrows, A naginata, and a wakizashi as a back up sword (you never know) I might spike my quick draw shield too.
This gives you piercing and slashing damage as well as blunt (with the shield) and ranged capability as well as reach.
The Samurai/Ronin doesn't get anything that focuses your fighting style for a few levels so enjoy the versatility.
Plus a sea going samurai? Yea start out with some lighter armor, so you can afford your arsenal.
What about your horse?
Maybe instead of Toughness consider Weapon Focus, (+1 attack always makes you do more damage when you hit more) or a mounted combat feat. (considering you will have a mount). But that only matters if your GM isn't having you in a cramp dungeon or something.
Not to mention that you will be getting Mounted Archery at 4, so potentially a compound (+3) bow. It can be expensive, but will give good bonus damage to a bow.
Also with Lances you do double damage on a Charge from a mount and you could ask your GM if you could use a Naginata (to stay in the eastern weapons) or flavor a lance to look more eastern (dragon head tip, whatever)
If you want to intimidate, Dazzling Display with your weapon focus.
@Pendagast:
"Also, what would be a good idea for further character advancement? If I choose the Ronin order, the 2nd level ability isn't bad at all, but right now I am looking at the "guide" ranger archetype"
I meant it as an option for 2nd level, as in dipping into another class.
But thanks for your ideas, I totally missed the thing about swimming and medium/heavy armor... :) Will reconsider.
@KAelizar: Well, I was about to leave mounted combat alone, since I have no idea if I can even bring my mount to all places, let alone if terrain allows to use this as a valid tactical option.
Understandable. But as Samurai IS a cavalier it is a large part of the class.
Also THE F#+~! Paizo came out with a samurai Archetype!?!!
Sword Saint
Look at this, no mount or banner, but like you said.
I agree with swapping toughness for weapon focus, u have good hp already and an additional +1 to hit is always welcome.. Unless your planning on focusing in intimidate, ie intimidating prowess/cornugon smash etc i would leave it alone.. It takes a standard action to do and thats an action that could be better served attacking with sword/bow instead. With that said i would drop cha to 8 and bump wisdom to 12 to help will ur already poor will save.. i prob would consider iron will at some point as well.. Your attacks are a bit off as well, ur 1 handed would be +4hit for 1d8+3 and ur 2hand would be +4hit for 1d8+4. With Weapon focus and power attack it would be a very respectible +4 hit for 1d8+7... If you dipped at all i would think weapon master fighter would be a good one for 3 levels.. Gives u weapon training, which allows gloves of dueling later for a net +3hit/+3damage plus would open up fighter only options like weapon spec/g. weapon focus/spec later on..
Good Luck!
Hmmm ranger/ronin dual wielding wakizashi? could be cool, take the right archetype and you could duel wield katana effectively, could be REALLY cool. But al lower levels you could just swing the katana/waki combo.
We had a half orc ronin when we played Serpents Skull, Except for a few places, the horse was there and he used it effectively. (even charged a few creatures IN a dungeon) alot of the areas are big enough (not all)
Our current Samurai in CotCT, is an elf, and she focuses on bow (elf duh) but it's really cool because it 'sort' of works out as a duel wield build.
check it: her character is like a lady legolas.
she uses her bow mostly, but took weapon expertise in katana.
So if someone closes with her/ gets too close she whips out the katana, and doesn't have to drop the bow! her Bow is in he left hand as she draws and pulls with the right, someone comes up, she can slash slash with the right, and put it back just as quick to return to shooting arrows.
It's really effective,
However, a Ranger/Ronin could make a REALLY cool mounted archer, built properly, you could take your samurai mount as the ranger animal companion, and get some spells, enabling you to use cure wands and such.
Additionally while mulit classing you would never lose BAB as thye are both full BAB classes.
You could take your weapon expertise in say katana and your ranger combat style in archery and keep really nice pace as a witch hitter, or double up on a single fighting style for shagnastiness!
I kind like a Ronin/Ranger.
@Kaelizar: Oh wow, haven't seen that one. Thanks! Will try to get it allowed, because it trades away exactly the class feature I am not so hot for right now.
@WerePox47: Yeah I can see where you're coming from. Thing is, I don't know (at least right now) what kind of magical healing will be available from my fellow adventurers, thus Toughness. Will consider Weapon Focus depending on what classes will show up.
About Intimidate - well, I just read about it in the guides and thought "I wanna try this." But since this isn't going to happen until I have a couple of levels under my belt, dumping CHA might not be that hurtful.
Where do you get the 1d8+7 for Weapon Focus + Power Attack? Power Attack only gives +2 to damage as per official PRD.
For 1 handed its -1hit/+2dam for every 4bab, for 2handed is -1hit/+3dam for every 4bab.. Unless ur a 2hand archtype fighter and 15th level, then its even more..