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So, I'm playing a Pathfinder game with a first time DM, and we've been having our fun taking things slow for a few months, but now we've all decided to move into epic play. From 11th level, we are about to head into a boss rush and end the current game's storyline, putting us at level 20 in the next two weeks or so.
In addition to that, we're about to cross into an interdimensional portal from Golarion to another planet (essentially a new plane that our DM has homebrewed). The new world will be very heavily futuristic oriented, but also apocalyptic, like Halo or Fallout.
Our DM has requested that we each bring a second character into the game. I am the only person at the table who really actually understands the rules and optimization (and thus I have to act as rules lawyer from time to time, since the rules are admittedly pretty convoluted and hard to remember).
Here's the party composition so far:
Standard party:
Paladin 12
Wields a greatsword and uses a houseruled version of Greater Cleave that allows 5' steps between each attack as many times as there are enemies adjacent to the enemy you stepped to.
Paladin 4/Alchemist 8
Actually a homebrewed class that combines the alchemist with the 3.5 artificer to grant a lot of crafting feats and craft bonuses for free, in addition to bombs/discoveries.
Half-Celestial Barbarian 12 (Me)
Initially started out as a fear-based build, with me having a +32 to my Intimidate at level 12, but the nature of the combat we run into (either hordes of useless enemies that we cleave through or giant bosses with hyper HD that are immune to fear) I've basically wasted a large portion of my build (Including 1 feat slot and 2 rage powers). However, the Half-Celestial template and my free angelic weapon (A +5 holy ghost touch concussive halberd) have allowed me to remain relevant as our team's main source of damage. Because I feel gypped by all of this, I have decided to rush the Beast Totem line of rage powers, even though they don't make sense thematically, just to give myself pounce.
Cleric of Sarenrae 12 (Healing and Heroes Domains)
Focused on summoning
Fighter 12
Pretty awful build to start, but his damage has creeped up next to mine after the DM gave him a +2 halberd that grants him a +10 untyped bonus to his Strength score while he (and only he) is wielding it.
Monk of the Four Winds 12
A new player. I don't know much about his build.
Dragonborn Ranger 20
Using some kind of 3.5 super-powered conversion of the Dragonborn template as a race, and is somehow able to consistently make DC 26-29 Will saves despite only getting +6 from her class. DM's PC. Wields a pair of intelligent artifact katanas in melee, but prefers to Hide in Plain Sight and use her heavy crossbow.
Revealed Secondary PCs
Oracle of Heavens 20
Draconic Bloodline Sorcerer 20
Lion Shaman Druid 20
Okay, so I've never played at high levels before, and certainly never with a party this large before. I want to do something fun, unique, and different, but...what?
We have an arcane caster, two divine casters, plenty of melee, a skill monkey, a mobility warrior, and a barbarian who can cast resurrection for free once per day.
So, what can I do here? What class could I possibly play that wouldn't be completely irrelevant? We're at the level where skill checks are completely negated by low level spell slots reserved solely for utility, so I don't think a rogue would be any good.
Help me out, Paizo!
There's a distinct lack of bards, might I suggest going into pathfinder chronicler, it makes sense and it's helpful, you can buff the enormous party and then record their glories for generations to come. Also who is going to identify everything for weaknesses? How about the bard with that wondrous bardic knowledge.
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There's a distinct lack of bards, might I suggest going into pathfinder chronicler, it makes sense and it's helpful, you can buff the enormous party and then record their glories for generations to come. Also who is going to identify everything for weaknesses? How about the bard with that wondrous bardic knowledge.
I guess bard might be fun to roleplay.
For Knowledges we've got:
Arcana is handled by the Sorcerer
Nature by the druid and the ranger
Engineering by the fighter
Local is not relevant because we're always traveling
Planes is by the angel barbarian
Religion is by the oracle, cleric, two paladins, monk, and the barbarian is allowed to make the check with his Know (Planes) check if it applies to a Celestial deity (because my backstory involves me being a character who actually lives in the Celestial plane and was kicked out)
I'll look into the Pathfinder Chronicler class though. Any other suggestions?
Perhaps a zen archer? It seems that the range slots aren't really filled, unless the divine casters do so.
A bomber alchemist could do well for range as well.
Gun slinger may work in the next world you move into, if you're DM is ok with you using it. Probably go with the one musket archetype and shoot things.
Bard is good full party support, especially that mentioned by Quarotas above.
Perhaps a Witch? Lots of good de-buffing, buffing and other things through hexes as well as some pretty sweet archetypes.
Plenty of options that would still be relevant.
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Dragonborn Ranger 20
Using some kind of 3.5 super-powered conversion of the Dragonborn template as a race, and is somehow able to consistently make DC 26-29 Will saves despite only getting +6 from her class. DM's PC. Wields a pair of intelligent artifact katanas in melee, but prefers to Hide in Plain Sight and use her heavy crossbow.
Wait, this isn't a joke? This goes on at your table and people don't just laugh at it? This is a real thing GMs do and not just something you hear about in apocryphal tales from rpg blogs?
How do you play with this going on?
Easiest thing to do, have a look at all the level 20 capstone abilities and go with something you like.
If you want something completely ridiculous go with a Summoner Syntheist with a Bazillion natural and manufactured weapon attacks with pounce.
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Wait, this isn't a joke? This goes on at your table and people don't just laugh at it? This is a real thing GMs do and not just something you hear about in apocryphal tales from rpg blogs?
How do you play with this going on?
It is not a joke. However, the rest of the group kind of accepts the fact that the DM's PC is supposed to be powerful and important so they don't challenge it much. Me, being the only one who really cares about the rules and stuff, has raised an objection from time to time (like once when the ranger actually just smacked my barbarian across a room and I had to actually argue with the DM and make her roll an actual CMB check against my CMD for it rather than her "cutscening" an automatic success) but I generally just tolerate it because the storyline is good and the game is fun. Beggars can't be choosers after all.
Perhaps a zen archer? It seems that the range slots aren't really filled, unless the divine casters do so.A bomber alchemist could do well for range as well.
Gun slinger may work in the next world you move into, if you're DM is ok with you using it. Probably go with the one musket archetype and shoot things.
Bard is good full party support, especially that mentioned by Quarotas above.
Perhaps a Witch? Lots of good de-buffing, buffing and other things through hexes as well as some pretty sweet archetypes.
Plenty of options that would still be relevant.
The overpowered dragonborn ranger is the one who is master of range, though I admit my initial idea was to play a Weapon Master Fighter (Longbow).
Guns are going to be introduced to the characters after we move into the new world but for now they are off-limits, as is the class itself. We are allowed to multiclass to gunslinger after we enter the world (after all, there's no level 21 in PF, so we're all kind of multiclassing from here on out), but for now I can't do it.
The witch is another interesting option, though I'm genuinely afraid of the low hit points and Reflex saves. The witch does not possess the "Lolno" defensive spells that protect the wizard at higher levels, and with us constantly going up against colossal creatures with massive reach (and probably soon a bunch of gun-wielding soldiers), my defenses are probably going to have to be very relevant.
It's looking more and more like a bard is the best option...