So FINALLY got people together for a game, and pinned down what everyone is playing. We have...
A human? Barbarian/Oracle, shooting for rage prophet.
An Elven Gunslinger (new player)
A Human? Monk... Quigong archetype, perhaps.
Setting Info: Homebrew, Arcane magic is regulated and licensed by a nearby expansionist empire; use of magic against the state is considered treason, punishable by death. On the other hand, arcane magic is heavily used by the Imperial Army. So... i am a little hesitant of being an arcane character, I don't know where the rest of the party is going as far as said empire is concerned. The Gm has been very clear this is a sandbox game, so there is that.
As a result, I have been considering a build using a large axe, since we rarely see it at our table.
We do need a bit of a skill monkey stealthy type, so i was considering either Fighter/Rogue or Ranger.
Which would be better for a two handed axe killer?
TL;DR
Making an axe wielding character, Thinking of either a Fighter/Rogue or Ranger build. Which should I pick, why, and if you have a build, show it!
Thanks!
Ranger / rogue. Great skills, decent combat abilities, excellent out of combat abilities. All the flavor of a mercy less head hunter.
Half- Orc inquisitor (great axe prof from race). Judgement + bane + super intimidator = spook city.
Ninja/ fighter/ shadow dancer. Vanish, shadow jump, or HiPS, then step out with a great axe! Think Jason tactics from Friday the 13.
Fighter/ sorc/ Dragon Disciple. Magic using, axe wielding, fire breathing, half dragon death tank of doom!
Titan mauler/ magus? Not so much...
I'd probably suggest a Skirmisher Ranger with the two-handed weapon combat style. Skirmisher gives you lots of fun options, but you do drop magic but that could be explained in flavor. Also, since you're ranger you get some good skill choices to help on that end.
If you're less about skills and more about death ala axe, then I'd probably suggest going the two-handed fighter / rogue route.
But those are just some suggestions.
I am shooting for:
a sneaky, but capable combatant running around with a battle axe... the best weapon his common background would easily provide. a bit rough around the edges. Would prefer a coup de grace over a straight fight, but still quite competent.
I am led to believe the primary enemies of the campaign are indeed human, with a small dose of other critters, and the summons of human spellcasters, so ranger could definitely work. ( I am also not opposed to flavoring ranger spells as herbal concoctions.)
Still not 100% certain which way to go though...
Are there any archetypes that really stick out? And any axe based feats I may not have noticed?
Battle Axe, post above yours. I reckon it makes a decent 2 handed weapon, I can use it one handed if necessary, use wands, potions, drag fallen party members, use a quickdraw shield, etc.
Probably have a hand axe/boarding axe as a back up weapon, with a couple daggers or "throwing daggers" (darts) for mid range.
Probably a bow of some kind for (hopefully rare) range.
Dwarven Inquisitor.
nope, Im seeing human. Tall, little bit creepy, might be on the run for murder.
Not Dwarf, definitely not pious.
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Ranger with a rogue 4 dip then. Tracking and trapfinding, sneaking and backstabbing, use a battle axe with thrown axes as your mid range. Tons of flavor for any kind of rural, semi- urban, or straight wilderness survivalist type of character. This a much more simple concept... I wish you were interested in Jason...
Traits should definitely include reactionary, and blade of society (rogue) if you plan on skirmishing. Vital strike and spring attack with at least point blank shot and rapid shot for when you get to throw first in initiative for that extra umph from sneak attack.
If you are going 2hw power tank, then you will build differently of course. Scythe with the traits reactionary and killer.
Ranger with a rogue 4 dip then. Tracking and trapfinding, sneaking and backstabbing, use a battle axe with thrown axes as your mid range. Tons of flavor for any kind of rural, semi- urban, or straight wilderness survivalist type of character. This a much more simple concept... I wish you were interested in Jason...
Traits should definitely include reactionary, and blade of society (rogue) if you plan on skirmishing. Vital strike and spring attack with at least point blank shot and rapid shot for when you get to throw first in initiative for that extra umph from sneak attack.
If you are going 2hw power tank, then you will build differently of course.
Shadowdancers are cool and all, the last ranger I played went there with a polearm. Its a cool build and concept, just not this time around.
Pretty sure it will be a 2 handed power attack build of some kind.
I have a crazy idea that just might work.
Paladin 2 / Ninja X
Note: not pious. Just and honorable in his own way, but the gods aren't the ones who keep peace and protect good in this world. It's those who take justice into their own hands from the shadows ;)
definitely not lawful good... The guy would rather murder someone than face him in a straight up fight. Its just more efficient, especially for a self-trained commoner fighting well trained and heavily armored soldiers and knights. And stuff.
Its a good idea though!
I made an edit to include a scythe 2h er.
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How about a Half-elf Fighter (Lore Warden)/Rouge (Scout)?
Half-elf skill focus: Bluff,
Traits: Adopted + Dirty fighter (+3 bluff when feinting)
Fighter 1: Weapon Focus for your axe.
Fighter 2: Improved Fient (Combat Expertise for being Lore Warden).
Then go Rouge for 4 levels.
Improved Fient will let you feint as a move action, denying dex to your opponent and giving you sneak damage if you hit. At 4th level Scout Rouge does sneak damage when you charge. This build also gives you lots of room to pick other feats and skills you like.
At level 5 (Warden2/Scout3) you can have a +15 to fient vs your opponents sense motive. +20 if you pickup a Mask of Stoney Demeanor.
How about a Half-elf Fighter (Lore Warden)/Rouge (Scout)?
Half-elf skill focus: Bluff,
Traits: Adopted + Dirty fighter (+3 bluff when feinting)
Fighter 1: Weapon Focus for your axe.
Fighter 2: Improved Fient (Combat Expertise for being Lore Warden).
Then go Rouge for 4 levels.Improved Fient will let you feint as a move action, denying dex to your opponent and giving you sneak damage if you hit. At 4th level Scout Rouge does sneak damage when you charge. This build also gives you lots of room to pick other feats and skills you like.
At level 5 (Warden2/Scout3) you can have a +15 to fient vs your opponents sense motive. +20 if you pickup a Mask of Stoney Demeanor.
I like that a fair bit as well... though I am not seeing how yo uare getting a +3 Feint via Adopted and Dirty Fighter traits... since neither involve feinting.
So, let's list the parameters.
1) Human.
2) Battleaxe as core weapon.
3) Cannot worship a god.
4) Must have decent stealth.
That's right so far?
1.)Human preferably. Possibly some sort of half human.
2.)Battle Axe, yes.
3.)Can worship a god, just not pious enough to care beyond a quick, cynical, prayer.
4.)Stealthy, yes, but skillful in general.
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Human Savage Barbarian. Coherent Rage and Highlander traits.
Stealth whilst Raging, and the AC bonus from Savage Barbarian will allow you to go armorless, and avoid armor check penalties.
Being Human and the 4 skill points per level will allow you to still be skillful.
If you need to be more stealthy, and skillfull, you can nab the Focused Study alternate racial trait, for Skill Focus(Stealth), and pick up Hellcat Stealth later. This will also net you 2 extra feats later.
Human Savage Barbarian. Coherent Rage and Highlander traits.
Stealth whilst Raging, and the AC bonus from Savage Barbarian will allow you to go armorless, and avoid armor check penalties.
Being Human and the 4 skill points per level will allow you to still be skillful.
If you need to be more stealthy, and skillfull, you can nab the Focused Study alternate racial trait, for Skill Focus(Stealth), and pick up Hellcat Stealth later. This will also net you 2 extra feats later.
looks interesting, but I'd rather just wear armor than take that archetype... not hard to find no skill check penalty armor.
Ive always wanted to play a ranger/rogue/red mantiss assassin.. But they use saw tooth sabres, not axes.. Still very cool and they get everything ur looking for plus a death attack and afew spell later..
Ranger/Weapon Master Fighter works well with this too..
Yeah, whatever you do, don't multi-class into Rogue. There is always a better option than Rogue.
I would advocate for a Ranger.
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I like that a fair bit as well... though I am not seeing how yo uare getting a +3 Feint via Adopted and Dirty Fighter traits... since neither involve feinting.
I should have been more clear. There are two different traits called Dirty Fighter. The one I am referring to is from Orcs of Golarion. You need to adopted trait to to take an orc trait.
Source Orcs of Golarion pg. 23
Requirement(s) Half-Orc, Orc
You were raised to fight with every dirty trick in the book. You receive a +3 trait bonus on all attempts to feint in combat using your Bluff skill.
I like that a fair bit as well... though I am not seeing how yo uare getting a +3 Feint via Adopted and Dirty Fighter traits... since neither involve feinting.I should have been more clear. There are two different traits called Dirty Fighter. The one I am referring to is from Orcs of Golarion. You need to adopted trait to to take an orc trait.
Source Orcs of Golarion pg. 23
Requirement(s) Half-Orc, Orc
You were raised to fight with every dirty trick in the book. You receive a +3 trait bonus on all attempts to feint in combat using your Bluff skill.
That explains it.
Though as people have mentioned rogues kind of suck, so i am still on the rocks...
Okay, so a couple ideas...
1.) Typical switch hitter ranger, axe instead of sword.
2.) Pure melee ranger... haven't done one as a player before.
3.) Melee Ranger with a dash of rogue for rogue talents and flavorings.
Any thoughts?
Everyone hates on rogues, but a dip 4 gets you all the best with none of rest to weigh you down into obscurity. 2 Atlanta, and either one of them can be a free feat. Open up some skill access while you are there, throw in easy access to evasion and uncanny dodge, and enjoy the 2d6 sneak attack when ever it's applicable. It's important to get the first 2 rogues lvls in as soon as possible (within the first 4 character lvls), and the last 2 somewhere before you reach lvl 10. It puts off spells till lvl 8, but they don't seem to be main attractions for you anyway.
If you are thinking of dipping anything more than 2-4 lvls, then I would seriously recommend another class. Barbarian is nice for more brute melee options, and fighter of course gets you some heavily focused or versatile feat choices. Cavalier actually isn't too bad if you are going pet friendly, and while we are on the subject, a failed Druid is really cool way to go!
Okay, so a couple ideas...
1.) Typical switch hitter ranger, axe instead of sword.
2.) Pure melee ranger... haven't done one as a player before.
3.) Melee Ranger with a dash of rogue for rogue talents and flavorings.
Any thoughts?
Either of the first 2. Seriously, Rogue is pointless--don't even consider it if you're looking for any level of optimization.
Personally, I think switch hitters are always better than those dedicated only to melee, but then, I may run my games very differently than others, and pure melee might work well. I don't know.
The good news is that with a two-handed weapon, you pretty much only need one feat: Power Attack. You can spend the rest on ranged stuff or whatever you want, really.
While you seem to prefer battle ax, and throwing ax has already been stated, I think that a build focused on throwing axes might be interesting. Taking quickdraw and the archery combat style would make you a deadly mid ranged fighter with plenty of options for close range. Plus, being a man covered in a dozen or so axes makes an interesting fashion statement.
While you seem to prefer battle ax, and throwing ax has already been stated, I think that a build focused on throwing axes might be interesting. Taking quickdraw and the archery combat style would make you a deadly mid ranged fighter with plenty of options for close range. Plus, being a man covered in a dozen or so axes makes an interesting fashion statement.
agreed...
But we have mid range pretty well covered by the pistol wielding elf gunslinger. Its literally the only reason I am not throwing axes everywhere.