Mad Dog Barbarian PFS Advice

[Mergy]

Outflank and Pack Tactics don't stack, but Pack Tactics and a menacing amulet of mighty fists do stack. Don't bother with outflank for this character.

[Prospector]

Thanks everyone. I tried out the character with Driver's suggested a stat block but went with a big cat instead if the Roc. It turned out pretty well despite my piss pour rolls. Since he's level one I can still tweak him. I'm sure others are still interested in hearing people's opinion.

[Shifty]

So what do you guys see the viability of Lge Cat v Small Cat?

I likewise just rolled an Aasimar Mad-Dog who is running with a Lion, and so far it seems pretty good.

What do you guys think a good Feat chain might be?

Power Attack straight up, and then...?

[prim8tv]

Here's my build for a human Mad Dog (variants: totemist, superstitious) with a dinosaur (deinonychus Lvl 1 - 6, Ankylosaurus 7-12) using the bodyguard alternative trait.

Level 1 - Eye for Talent (+2 ST), Power Attack
Level 3 - Combat reflexes (lots of AoO with war beasts' drag)
Level 4 - rage: ferocious beast (share rage)
Level 5 - Raging vitality (neither you nor your bodyguard drop easily!)
Level 7 - Extra Rage: lesser beast totem (claws, ugh)
Level 8 - rage: Ferocious beast, greater (ankylosaurus now gets tail AND claws)
Level 9 - Extra Rage: beast totem (meh, but both you and WB get better AC)
Level 11 - Beast Totem, Greater - you and your war beast get POUNCE. Who needs a big cat!
Level 12 - rage: Come and Get me (more of those wonderful AoOs)

Totemist gives me flexibility if i need it at no cost.
Superstitious replaces relatively useless DR/1 for low-light vision and GREAT bonuses to Initiative - remember, the raging barbarian (and his warbeast) that charges first, WINS :)
Bodyguard variant war beast gives it the ability to also stand up and act while "unconscious", and since its master is raging, its still raging but with even BETTER stats. This plus the access to the Bodyguard and "In Harms Way" feats means that I get a "shield other" that also makes my barbarian stronger in combat.

Looking forward to playing it. With no dump stats I even can contribute out of combat to skill challenges (gasp!).

[kensai13]

Doesn't the inability to use handle animal while raging kind of nix this archetype's viability?

[Sir Thugsalot]

Prospector wrote:

Race: Human

STR 16 (+2 racial)
DEX 14
CON 14
INT 10
WIS 10
CHA 14

Try the 15/14/12/12/12/12 stat array for....

STR+17
DEX:14
CON:12
INT:12
WIS:12
CHA:12

Take Mounted Combat feats (but don't forget Raging Vitality). Power Attack while raging with a lance in two hands.

[Lecky]

kensai13 wrote:

Doesn't the inability to use handle animal while raging kind of nix this archetype's viability?

I'm really not sure if you tell your companion to attack it will keep on attacking until you command it to do another thing. If your companion knows the defend trick, it will defend you even if not told so you can have a personal bodyguard. So you can rage and your companion will do its best to defend you. Can someone with more knowledge rules comment more on this?

Why CHA of 14? I think 12 is good enough. If your companion knows the trick you only need a DC 10 Handle Animal, +4 if you put 1 rank in it, +4 for the link the animal companion has. So to fail that check if your GM doesn't handwave it requires a natural 1. I know it occurs but it would really be good for roleplaying purposes, for me.

[I Hate Nickelback]

calagnar wrote:

I don't ever look at them. As I truly dislike the flavor they add to the game. To me they should be ban on flavor alone. That's not up to me.

Why? I'm not sure what sets apart dinosaurs from other big, dumb, lizard monsters.