Without using spells (looking at bard and cleric here). Cavalier seems to be supposedly made for this, but seems highly inferior to a fighter in anything else. And not really great as a commander either.
I am preparing a game where society is ordered into clans, in which some of the older families have great influence and form a kind of informal "aristocracy". In a group of warriors, these guys would be the "gang leaders", who regard themselves as being responsible for their people and naturally take charge. Be they humans, wood elves, dark elves, or hobgoblins.
What could I do to make these warriors, both as NPCs and as templates for Player Characters who want to emulate them?
The Leadership feat comes to mind, but at the time it becomes available the followers it provides are way out of league with anything that character would be facing. Skill Focus Diplomacy or Intimidate would be a nice detail of fluff, but doesn't really add to their ability to lead troops in combat either.
Without using spells (looking at bard and cleric here). Cavalier seems to be supposedly made for this, but seems highly inferior to a fighter in anything else. And not really great as a commander either.
I am preparing a game where society is ordered into clans, in which some of the older families have great influence and form a kind of informal "aristocracy". In a group of warriors, these guys would be the "gang leaders", who regard themselves as being responsible for their people and naturally take charge. Be they humans, wood elves, dark elves, or hobgoblins.
What could I do to make these warriors, both as NPCs and as templates for Player Characters who want to emulate them?
The Leadership feat comes to mind, but at the time it becomes available the followers it provides are way out of league with anything that character would be facing. Skill Focus Diplomacy or Intimidate would be a nice detail of fluff, but doesn't really add to their ability to lead troops in combat either.
Bard 1 (Yes, that's one level of wasted spell casting)/Cavalier 5 (Standard Bearer)/Battle Herald X
You get a banner at character L2, scads of battle field command tricks, a lower powered cavalier mount, bardic inspire courage (which doesn't have to be singing - try oratory) and improved leadership and shareable teamwork feats.
Alternately, you could do Bard 1/ Cavalier 4(Standard Bearer)/ Battle Herald X ---- But skipping the last level of Cavalier would keep you from picking up the cavalier's mount.
If you allow 3pp, you could check out the inspiring commander cavalier archetype. It's up at d20pfsrd.com.