Need Tips for Witcher-esque Character

[MCPooge]

Hi everyone!

So here is the deal: I've got to build a new 3rd level character, as my Alchemist may or may not have accidentally on purpose blown up the Golden Goblin with some bottles of carbauxine.

I have the concept for the character, but I am having difficulty figuring out the mechanics. The character I want to build would be a monster hunter of types. The original main image I had was of the main character of the Witcher series, a man with two swords on his back: a silver one for Fae and a steel one for men. Obviously, in the PF world, it would probably be more like a cold iron blade and a silver blade, but that's only slightly beside the point.

My idea so far is a half-elf, using a buckler and a bastard sword (or katana, haven't decided). I have considered the Rondelero Duelist or Thunderstriker Fighter Archetypes in order to make it possible to minimize penalties from switching from sword-n-board to two-handed murder, etc. I have been playing around with assorted mixtures of Ranger and Fighter levels. I wouldn't mind having an owl companion, even if it is just one (or two if the combat style feats will be handy) levels of Ranger (Falconer, of course!).

So does anyone have any tips? I am not worried about min-max optimization, so much as not being completely suck. Thanks for any advice!

Oh, if there is any information you want/need, just ask, I will be keeping a close eye on this thread in hopes of assistance!

[Coinshot Colton]

Inquisitor. Gods, I keep saying Inquisitor for everything nowadays, but definitely look them up. If you want to be a monster-hunter specialist, go Inquisitor, they're so much cooler than Rangers! You get Bane, you get Judgments, you get initiative bonus, you get awesome interrogation skills, omg, you just get everything that's gobbles of goodness. Go Inquisitor!

[Halfling Barbarian]

I'd go with a straight ranger, Sword and shield combat style, and mixing falconer and trapper would give you both the owl and a mechanic similar to bombs (I skimmed the wiki on the game, I haven't played it). Or you can skip the trapper, keep spells, and pick up brew potion. I don't see any reason to mix in fighter.

[Tryn]

What about Alchemist?
I think with a little bit work he would fit for the "Witcher" theme

[blackbloodtroll]

I put my vote in for Inquisitor as well.

Random rant: I really hate the word "Witcher". Concept is cool, but the name is sounds like "bicher" in my head.

[Ender730]

Inquisitor fits the concept thematically and technically. That class (or archetypes of it) is exactly what you're looking for. Rangers are more outdoorsy/nature tracker type. Alchemist isn't a hunter of any kind (technically). Inquisitor's Bane and Judgments are all about being specialized hunters.

[mcv]

The Witcher uses potions and mutagens to enhance his abilities. There needs to be some degree of Alchemist in there. Although he also does magic directly through his signs.

[Kairos Dawnfury]

I went Elven Alchemist for my Witcher 2-eque character. Access to the bombs, potions and minimal spell stuff from potions. GM was impressed when I roleplayed out using my first STR mutagen and had my elf bulk up to the size of a half elf or human.

Reason I went elf is the free longsword and the bonus to Dex and Int. It's been a while since I played him, but bombs are OP first few levels when you miss and still do 1d6+INT splash damage.

Magus can work also if you were heavy into the Signs and combat and less into the bombs and potions.

Now I want to replay the Witcher 2 and roll up an alchemist...