I generally don't make non-support characters, but special circumstances are forcing my hand. I want now to be self-sufficient (support needs people to buff, for example), hard to kill, and most importantly, difficult to pin conditions on (the GM seems fond of inflicting 7th level spells like Insanity on 4th level characters).
As such, I think a Paladin archer is my best bet--self healing/condition removal, great saves, and the ability to lay down damage in all situations.
That said, I'm curious as to the best way to go about building this. The Divine Hunter is obviously custom made for archery, however, I am not sure if it's really worth it in the end. Because I am starting this character at level 5 (and in Carrion Crown, if that's relevant), it seems to me like they trade several of their immunities for a single bonus feat and ranged Lay on Hands.
Precise Shot - This is obviously a feat I'd be taking regardless and I won't be wearing Heavy Armor, so it's basically a bonus feat.
Shared Precision - It seems great because it lets my allies stand near me and be effective ranged attackers without really investing in it. However, I have to ask--if your party members are standing near you shooting, who is in melee with the enemy that you need Precise Shot to avoid? Seems like a waste of an ability, especially considering that I lose immunity to fear for it.
Divine Bond - I lose two abilities I couldn't use anyway because they only work on melee weapons, and instead gain three new abilities I'll never use either. Oh well.
Distant Mercy - This is the best ability the archetype gets, it seems--not like the Mercies are especially great. However, the more I think about it, the worse it seems. I'll never use it out of combat because it takes two uses, meaning it'll be for in combat healing. However, I'll never be able to heal more damage with Lay on Hands than I could deal with my action, so how much use will I really get out of this? It seems like a much better use of my time would be casting Shield Other and just LoHing myself as a swift action.
Aura of Care - Oh, my allies within 10' don't provide cover against me. Great, why am I that close to the guys I'm shooting? Seems useless. I know the ability I gave up for it was only immunity to Charm, but that is at least more useful, in my mind, than doing nothing at all.
Hunter's Blessing - Ok, this is pretty sweet--your whole party becomes a bunch of marksmen if I spend a Smite. Oh, but it replaces the ability to give my entire party ridiculous Smite bonuses using their preferred method of attack instead of mine. Lame.
Righteous Hunter - I assume having good aligned attacks is good? Smite overcomes DR anyway, though, so I'm not sure it's that critical. It replaces an ability that does almost the same thing, with the only exception being that it helps allies rather than hindering foes. Not a huge difference.
So, yeah, bonus feat and distant mercy are the only things that seem worth having.
The other archetype that looks good is the Oath of Vengeance. I lose channeling (which I am likely to never use since it's so inefficient) and gain the ability to spend Lay on Hands uses for more Smites? Amazing. The group smite isn't nearly as good, but it costs fewer resources, so it's not that bad. My main concern is that I'm not really all that into Iomedae and Torag.
Of course, I could always just stick to the core Paladin. Since I'll be 5th level, I can easily have PB Shot, Precise Shot, and Deadly Aim regardless.
Final note: we're rolling stats :( so I can't plan a point buy here. However, the rolls are really generous and we end up with high stats. What should my priorities here be?
Should I keep Str, Dex, and Cha all about even? Should one receive more or less than the others? Seems like they're all extremely important.
I am really starting to consider playing an Aasimar over my standard Human--is the loss of a feat and skill worth it for the extra 2 stat points and darkvision?
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I recently made an archer paladin for PFS. I've only played her once so far, so still level 1, but I can give you advice based on what I figured out while building that PC.
I decided that Divine Hunter just didn't look like it was worth bothering with. My PC is human, so I was able to get Precise Shot at level 1 as my human bonus feat. If I wasn't playing a human, I might have been more likely to go Divine Hunter to get Precise Shot and Rapid Shot by level 3. As is, I just took Oath of Vengeance.
For feats, I notice you list Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, and Deadly Aim as your first three. I haven't done the math, but I'd take Rapid Shot before Deadly Aim for almost any archer build. An extra attack is usually going to be better than extra damage on your existing attacks, but especially for a paladin adding smite damage per attack.
As for stats, Dex and Cha are your primary. Given the choice, I put Cha ahead of Dex, because I figure I'll be smiting a lot with Oath of Vengeance. You'll need strength for damage on your composite bow, but it's clearly third behind Dex and Cha. Con is the next most important for survivability, Int for skill ranks, then Wis is your dump stat. Paladins get good enough saves not to care what a dumped Wis does to their Will. Just don't expect to make many perception checks.
Leaving Rapid Shot out was an accident--I want all four. Maybe I will go human for that reason.
I know how silly these look--I'm uncomfortable rolling for stats in general (because this kind of stuff happens), but this is what I have:
18, 18, 17, 16, 12, 12
I know Con 16, Int 12, Wis 12, and your suggestions look like Dex 18, Cha 18, Str 17. However, where do I put the +2? Or the 4th level bump?
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Putting the 4th level bump on the 17 does look tempting, but if you put it on one of the even numbers, then your 8th level bump will count. It's up to you which matters more to you - making the 4th level bump count now, or the 8th level bump count later.
I'll disagree with Seranov and say I'd put the +2 on Cha before Dex. It adds to your saving throws, smites, etc. 18 Dex is still plenty good for hitting your targets when you're not smiting, and you should be wearing armor that won't allow a dex bonus to AC above +4, anyway. It's a close call though, and you've got good enough stats that you should be good either way.
Though with such high stats, I'd even consider going halfling, to get the bonuses to both Dex and Cha. You've got such a high 3rd stat, you can afford to take the hit on Str. The size bonuses to hit and AC will be nice, and the extra +1 to all your saves, on top of the paladin bonus from such a high charisma, will just be insane. You could even take Lucky Halfling later if you have a spare feat, to share those amazing saving throws with your allies. But then, I've always liked halflings. YMMV.
My advise for you Paladin would be Cha if you want extra smites! Dex would be good for to higher attack bonus (to off set rapid shot) and to help with light Armor DC. So it really depends on set of things. Are you going to play the face or just the non mage blaster, since that is what you will be doing either way. At some point weapon finesse with exotic weapon with the elven curve blade or dualing sword. But one point difference (if you choose cha) will not be horrible at all. Best of luck.
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Wow. For Carrion Crown and those stats, I'd be really, really tempted to make a dhampir. Start with a 16 Con, 17 Str (+1 at 4th) and put your 18s in Dex and Cha for a final statline of Str 18, Dex 20, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 20 and a spell-like ability that could come in quite handy during that AP. Note that lay on hands is not, RAW, a positive energy effect, and should heal you normally.
Lay On Hands is a Positive Energy effect.
Divine Bond works on ranged weapons. That said the Divine Hunter adds in some really nice Ranged abilities when used.
I'd go for 20 Dex (18+2) and 18 Str (17+1) in that case.
I only wish I could play characters with stats like that!
It's weird. My first character had the lowest stats in the party, though, at 18, 16, 14, 13, 10, 10--it's kind of silly.
I'll disagree with Seranov and say I'd put the +2 on Cha before Dex. It adds to your saving throws, smites, etc. 18 Dex is still plenty good for hitting your targets when you're not smiting, and you should be wearing armor that won't allow a dex bonus to AC above +4, anyway. It's a close call though, and you've got good enough stats that you should be good either way.
Yeah, I've really torn between Dex/Cha at the moment. I know if I went Aasimar instead, though, I could have both...
Though with such high stats, I'd even consider going halfling,
I know how powerful Halflings are, and I love many of their traits and feats, but damn do I hate them as a race. No, thanks, I could never play one.
Are you going to play the face or just the non mage blaster, since that is what you will be doing either way.
I was the Face as a total support Bard who never attacked. I liked it, but--it's a long story--end result: I need to be powerful on my own. I'm happy to continue being the face, though.
Wow. For Carrion Crown and those stats, I'd be really, really tempted to make a dhampir. Start with a 16 Con, 17 Str (+1 at 4th) and put your 18s in Dex and Cha for a final statline of Str 18, Dex 20, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 20 and a spell-like ability that could come in quite handy during that AP. Note that lay on hands is not, RAW, a positive energy effect, and should heal you normally.
I'm pretty sure they clarified that it was positive energy in a FAQ--but honestly, I'm not really into the idea of being a Dhampir anyway. I'm only really interested (in general) in being Human, Half-Elf, Aasimar, or Tiefling. Maybe regular elf if you convince me.
So, does it seem like the consensus is Oath of Vengeance over base paladin (or Divine Hunter, I guess is still on the table)? I'm only hesitant because I'm not really sure what the oath even really means.
"Never let lesser evils distract you from your pursuit of just vengeance."
If that means, "don't take sidequests," and I can see it being twisted that way, I'd be pretty screwed taking it. On the other hand, if it just means, "do what you're already doing," I'd feel lame.
LoH has been FAQ'd as Positive Energy.
Aasimar, Elf, or even Catfolk could be wonderful if using the Divine Hunter Archetype.
Paladin: Does a paladin's lay on hands (page 61) use positive energy?
Yes.—Sean K Reynolds, 02/21/12
For those who want the quote.