So i'm in a group that is soon going to start playing the kingmaker campaign but I haven't decided what class I want to play as. What I am generally looking for is a good decent melee fighter that can also double as face/leader type. Initially I considered going for a Paladin since they are highly charismatic and have the possibility of fighting mounted but I dropped that idea since I believe lawful good alignment may cause some troubles later on when it comes to accualy ruling the kingdom (what ever position he is going to hold, but It's not unlikely that he will become the ruler).
The GM suggested Cavalier but I quickly discarded that idea since I feared it would be too restricting. So for a while I planned to make a fighter and try to work on making him mounted. But now i'm again having doubts, first because I suspect he wouldn't make much of a leader and secondly because making a fighter focus on mounted combat seemed just silly when there's actually class that focuses on mounted combat.
So I've taken a better look at the Cavalier class and it seems ideal in most aspects for what I want to achieve but I still have some concerns.
1. Kingmaker seems like the ideal campaign for a Cavalier but my biggest concern is how he's going handle himself in dismounted combat? So far it looks like my character is going to be the party's tank so this is important.
2. From what I've read, cavaliers sem to be good military leaders, but how do they handle themselves in political roles? and maybe even as the ruler?
Thank you in advance. Any input and advice would be appreciated and please do try to avoid spoilers.
PS : This is written on an iPad so ignore typos xD
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A few thoughts-
IMO a paladin with the mount would kick ass in Kingmaker, I was sort of sad none of my players picked that class. If there is ever a game to play a mounted combatant like a cavalier or paladin, this is the game.
Pretty much, there is no dismounted combat to speak of. There are a few, and I mean very few dungeon type environments. Unless your GM is fond of having fights inside of castles as part of their additions to the game, you are in mounted melee heaven in this AP.
You want the ruler of your kingdom to have a good charisma, the higher the better. You can compensate for this somewhat my marrying a real knockout whose CHA also counts towards kingdom rolls.
As far as LG being too restrictive, that is totally up to how your GM runs paladins and his game. More than 50% of most Kingmaker games are GM created material. Cmbine that with the fact that different GMs handle the paladin class so differently, and really this is a discussion you need to have with your GM to be sure. However, the AP as written doesn't really penalize you for your alignment.
Easy way to get around both your concerns with the cav is go gnomish. You get a cha bonus a con bonus and you ride a med creature. NGO wolf or war dog for trip.
If you DM is hip about converting 3.5 look at the marshal. With upped hit dice and bab to match pathfinder power level they are basically a melee tank bard without spells.
Another viable route is building into dragon disciple.
dont worry about being dismounted it isnt as bad as people make it sound in practice.
beast rider archetype would be cool for this.
but beast rider looses expert trainer and i have another cool trick for you,
This would work well with the emissary archetype for cavalier and order of the cockatrice.
with a dip into arcane duelist and go battle herald, you can take the horse master feat and never lose any mount advancement.
Bard gives you the whip proficiency and you could whip from horseback (maybe get a scorp whip)
If you felt like investing in the whip mastery feat chain, you could grapple with your whip eventually, and drag enemies behind your horse old west style. If I were the DM I'd let you do charge damage by dragging them into stationary objects, like trees.
However with the uber mobileness of this character, the panther style feat chain might be attractive too.
you only really need 1 level of arcane duelist to get into battle herald, an emissary/battle herald in mithral agile breastplate flying around the battlefield, shouting orders, who can also be a face, cast heal light in medium armor (once you get mithral), have a full strength mount, whip from said mount, and use cure wands?
Sounds like a blast to me! and no need for LG alignment.
In fact a loud, bossy, LE order of the cockatrice would be ALOT of fun.
But if you dont want evil, I'd say a neutral alignment might fit this well...