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I have a concept for a character, but little idea as to the optimal mechanics. Here is what I had in mind, please provide feedback and advice:
Race: Strongly leaning toward Angelkin Aasimar, Human is a possibility if a VERY good argument can be made.
Class: As the subject line says, planning to be a Battle Herald, so obviously need at least one level each of Bard and Cavalier. Also planning to fill a tank/buffer role, so strongly considering taking advantage of high charisma to boost saves by taking 2-3 levels of Paladin.
Skills: If non-human and average intelligence, most available skill points will be needed to fulfill the Battle Herald prerequisites in time to take the first level at character level 6. Obviously Ride and Handle Animal are also extremely important to the concept. Diplomacy and Intimidate means he'll be an effective face, and Perform will work for PFS Day Job checks.
Feats: This is part of where I am unsure. I would like to take Horse Master (which would require 4 levels of Cavalier), and Celestial Servant to buff his mount. Other than that, not sure where to go.
Attributes/Roleplay: A bit MAD, as he needs high strength and constitution for his tank role, charisma for lots of class abilities, and wouldn't mind high enough dexterity for some of the better teamwork feats for Tactician. I plan to play him as a self-righteous ass, completely full of himself and oblivious, so planning to dump wisdom for roleplaying reasons if nothing else. Would dump intelligence too, but need too many skills to do that.
Possible Builds:
Paladin 3/Bard 1/Cavalier 1/Battle Herald 7: This build would get Cha to saves, lay on hands, and immunity to both fear and disease for nice tanky defense, some tactician and banner goodies, and lots of buffing from bardic and command abilities.
Cavalier 4/Bard 1/ Battle Herald 7: Loses out on the nice defensive abilities of the Paladin (which would make me worry about will saves, especially since planning to dump wisdom), but gets Horse Master while still maximizing Battle Herald abilities (not to mention three more levels for banner and tactician abilities).
Paladin 3/Cavalier 4/Bard 1/Battle Herald 4: Combine the defense of the first build with the enhanced mount/Cavalier abilities of the second, but lose some of the cool Battle Herald buffing abilities which were the inspiration for the character in the first place...
So, what do you all think? What sort of build would allow me to play this concept and still be an effective (if not optimized) character?
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your multiclassing this much and Not playing a Half-Elf? trust me, your gonna need your favored class bonus to shore up your HP. Also if you plan on reaching 5th level Herald you should probably go for Standard Bearer for your Cavilier, your allies will love you for it. Bard already has a lot of choices, so i cant really help there.
You dont need those pally levels, especially if your playing a self-righteous prick as no one wants to be with someone who's Lawful stupid, your GM will immediatly make your life miserable.
Bard already has it good, but archetypes to consider are Arcane Duelist (for thier ability to overide fear and such) Buccaneer (If you dont want to kill anyone) or Savage Skald (Perfect for frontline buffing in case you score a crit)
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Indeed, I feel that an half-elf would not only fit the desired flavor of the character, but would not, in fact, add much despite all the multiclassing. This is because the character is to be for PFS, where character viability is usually twelve levels at most, and so at least one third, if not more than half, of the character's levels will be prestige class levels, which do not benefit from favored class bonuses anyway. If I used one of the possible level schemas I outlined in my original post, for instance, he would receive a maximum of 4, 5, or 7 favored class levels respectively, even if half-elven. This is as opposed to 3, 4, or 4 if human or aasimar, and I believe the racial bonuses offered by either of those trump an extra level (or even three levels) of FC bonus. In regard to HP, I plan to have all but one level as a d10 HD class, as well as a decent constitution score, but maybe I will take Toughness at level one just in case. Thoughts?
As for the Standard Bearer Archetype, I am a bit wary of doing so because that means I would have to take a minimum of five levels of Cavalier to gain my mount. Yes, I am aware that a large mount is not terribly effective in most PFS scenarios, outright useless in some, but for RP purposes I am loathe to lose it comepletely.
Speaking of RP, I think perhaps I was not clear about my intentions. I plan to be Lawful Stupid in the most pure sense, practically a lampoon of the concept in fact. Rather than trying to police the other characters, he will be so incredibly self-centered that he barely notices them, intent on providing a shining "example" to others and being pretty spectacularly bad at it. He is good, and therefore will be intent on helping others, but he will also be boorish, suffer from delusions of grandeur, and sometimes make spectacularly bad choices. Think some combination of the Tick, Zapp Branigan, and Glorian from JourneyQuest. Short version: I am confident enough in my roleplaying abilities that I believe I will be able to play this character as something that the rest of the table will find hilarious, not annoying.
That said, I am not convinced about dropping the Paladin levels for one very important reason: saves. Specifically Will saves. With all the multiclassing, mostly among classes with poor Will saves, I am afraid this character will be falling asleep, running away, attacking his comrades, etc all the damn time, and that's no fun. Being able to add my charisma bonus to them, not to mention the three point boost to the base that the Paladin levels would provide, would go a long way toward shoring up this deficiency. In addition, the awesomeness of Detect Evil, Lay on Hands, Aura of Courage, and Divine Health all add a lot of the defensive ability of the build, and Smite Evil, even once per day, is a wonderful boost. Sure, the damage bonus will never get that high, but being able to ignore the BBEG's DR in most scenarios would be a huge help (I've found DR to be a big problem in PFS because you can never be sure if someone with the right knowledge skill will be in the party).
As for Archetypes, I am thinking Arcane Duelist for the Bard level, straight Cavalier (again, Standard Bearer is tempting, but I don't want to lose the mount), and, if I take Paladin levels, probably straight though I am a little tempted to take Shining Knight; it fits the concept well, and while the no ACP to Ride ability would be wasted, being able to further buff my mount by giving it my divine grace bonus is pretty nice. Not sure if it is quite nice enough to give up immunity to disease for though.
So... not saying I do not appreciate your input, I certainly do, I am simply giving my initial thoughts to your suggestions. The character is supposed to be a passable melee combatant, either mounted or on foot, who is a tank/buffer; do you think this concept will be able to fulfill that role adequately in the context of PFS? Suggestions for appropriate feats and equipment would also be appreciated. Thank you!
My Battle Herald went Bard/1, Cavalier/4, Battle Herald/10 and after 15 I continued with Cavalier class. It makes a great Tank/Buffer and the bonuse of +5 and the other abilities I give the party is truely awesome. Id go Human for the extra feat and skills you gain to help you build.