I would like to optimize the use of this prestige class . Any suggestions would help and be much appreciated.
We are starting at level 5 planning to go all the way to 20.
I'd like to use the TWF feats.
I'd like to use a finesseable weapon and I'm currently looking at the Aldori dueling sword
I also think I'm going to get the viscous weapon enchantment to help stack bonuses.
That's all I've got so far
Aww come guys lets get that Optimization magic going
*Edit, misread OP* So you will have to wait two levels to get this class.
Well, an unbreakable fighter gives you the required die hard and endurance feats at 1st level in return for your bonus feat (so up to four feats at first level if you are human), which could be good for a dip. I'd only advise this as a dip since it takes up a lot, and it does not mess well with other archetypes.
But you might also want to look at the two weapon fighter archetype instead. If you delay your prestige class until after fighter 9, the two weapon fighter can use both weapons at once during a standard action. Even waiting until level 15 is not a deal breaker since this PrC only has 5 levels. Yeah, Two weapon fighter is best, since you could even dual weild long swords without any trouble by that point. It might be best over all to alternate between the pain taster and two weapon fighter then.
How are you planning on getting the excruciating and deadly torture prerequisite out of the way?
That was my main problem with the PrC.
Well, assuming he has a good fort save, then by level 6, the level right before he can otherwise qualify for the class with a full bab class, then he'd have a +5 fort save (I'm basing this all off of fighter as a model).
That is 50% chance, and that is before adding in his constitution and the +2 from the required Greater fortitude feat. So assuming a 14 constitution, that is a 70% chance of surviving with the 15 DC. You can better increase your chances of success since you could get a spell caster to add on buffs to help your fort save further.
So really, it is more of a problem of getting someone skilled and slightly twisted enough to carry it out. Talk with your GM.
I meant that the game starts at level 5 not the class sorry.
The unbreakable fighter is a great idea, I feel like I must have over looked that archetype.
There will be a Magus and an Alchemist in the group as well so I can have them use buffs before the ritual starts, With a +1 from con +2 from the feat and the buff adding 4 to con I should have a +9 to the save so it shouldn't really be a problem to make a DC 15 fort save .
So I've come across the saw tooth saber and now I'm thinking of using them instead if the Aldori dueling swords, the issues is that they are not able to be used with weapon finesse and my build is more dex based then strength, so with the aldori swords I get to add dex to hit and with the agile weapon ability I can add dex to damage but since ill be using two of them I'll have a bigger penalty when TWF but if I use the sawtooth sabers I'll have a much smaller penalty but I have to suse str for both dmg and to hit, So what should I do, Aldori dueling swords or saw tooth sabers?
No my fault for not reading well enough. Anyway, the more I look at it, the more I fall in love with the two weapon fighter idea. Since you are focused on this concept, and have plenty of feats to spare if you go the fighter route, so the free endurance and diehard are not necessary. You can use both weapons on a standard attack at level 9 two weapon fighter, and by level 15, you do not even see any penalties to attack if you use a light weapon in your off hand. For a game going for the full 20, and a PrC with only 5 levels, this might not be a bad idea.
For feats later on, maybe use kukri and go for critical focus and such. They are slashing weapons, they have a good critical range, and they seem pretty good thematically for a pain taster.
OK so what I think I'm going to do is grab EWP falcata and use a falcata and kukri and take Two-weapon Fighter till 6th level, then take one level in Pain Taster then back to fighter till level 12 at which point I'll grab a second falcata and finish off the Pain Taster class. This way I may not be able to add dex to hit but the extra crit damage will help out a lot especially if I grab improved crit or keen, hell I may even grab most of the crit feats.
Any input?
If you wanna use Sawtooth Sabres, maybe take a level or two in Red Mantis Assassin?
Gives you Weapon Spec in Sawtooth Sabre for free and two level 1 spells (illusion or transmutation only). 2 levels would give you another spell (plus Obscuring Mist and True Strike for free) and a special attack with Sawtooth Sabres that fascinates the target.
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If you're not using a whip then you're missing out in the Cruelty Class Feature's (eventual) extra 2d6 damage on every attack... If you're going TWF, then what about using two whips? An Extra 2d6 damage on all your TWF attacks has got to do nice things to your DPR...
EDIT: Consider taking Weapon Focus (whip), Whip Mastery, Improved Whip Mastery, Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Mobility, and Combat Patrol. You'll end up with an insane threatened area, and be doing that extra Cruelty damage to everything that provokes...
If you're not using a whip then you're missing out in the Cruelty Class Feature's (eventual) extra 2d6 damage on every attack... If you're going TWF, then what about using two whips? An Extra 2d6 damage on all your TWF attacks has got to do nice things to your DPR...
Cruelty (Ex)
At 2nd level, a pain taster gains the sneak attack ability, but only when using slashing weapons. This additional damage stacks with any sneak attack damage he may possess from other classes.
That part says I should still get sneak attack with a falcata.
Yes... but with anything but a whip you need to qualify for Sneak attack damage normally. Using a whip Cruelty lets you always apply that damage.
And it ignores DR.
But it's only ADDITIONAL Sneak Attack he needs to qualify for normally for it to stack.
EX: He has 2d6 SA from Rogue + Cruelty. They stack, but only if he's in a position to SA normally.
Pick up a vicious merciful blade or whip. You're going to toss on an extra 3d6 points of nonleathal and you take 1d6 nonleathal which will most likely be soaked up by your DR and if it isn't oh well you take a small amount of nonleathal and get a bonus for a round.
I like the flavor of the whip a lot, you could be a Cenebit- er... Kyton worshiper and instead of a whip it could be a thin chain.
For up close you could perhaps do unarmed? Maybe take a couple levels in monk and pick up something that lets you do slashing with unarmed strike, snatch up crane style while you're at it. At a distance with cruelty you're dishing out 5d6+1d4+whatever and maybe a little control which should make you a viable target but OH WAIT CRANE WING YOU DON'T HIT.
It's like you both physically and psychologically torture them. Not to mention knocking them out means you can poke them with a stick later and annoy your GM!
OOOHH I see, that does sound tasty. However the whip as a main weapon doesn't fit the character I'm playing very well but I will grab a whip or two just to use this ability from time to time and I'll most likely grab whip mastery.
@TheKingsportCockroach: In order to get the bonus to hit and damage it has to be lethal damage.
^also I really should know how to spell lethal by now...
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But it's only ADDITIONAL Sneak Attack he needs to qualify for normally for it to stack.
Not really... Cruelty is just normal stackable Sneak Attack damage with the penalty that it can only be used with slashing weapons. The exception is when he uses a whip - in which case it is applied on every single attack, not just when the target is denied it's Dex bonus or whatever.
If he happens to have Sneak Attack from a different class then that only gets to stack with Cruelty if its own normal conditions are met. I.e. you can't add in bucket loads of Sneak Attack from being a Rogue just because you're using a whip - to add that Rogue Sneak Attack damage the target would still need to be denied it's Dex bonus - or whatever - unlike the Cruelty damage which is applied no matter what simply due to the fact you're attacking with a whip.