I finally get to play in a game! I will be joining a Midgard/Freeport/Razor Coast tactical min/max power gaming group on Mondays.
This is a nice stretch for me as normally I run more role playing and less proficient type games. Half of my players have not read more of the game than basic class/race information.
I am a gamer who loves all types of gaming so I jumped at the chance to play with these guys.
However,I want to be able to hold my own and start at a distinct disadvantage as this play style isn't my norm. I mean these guys often milk every last point out and I hear stories of one trick ponies that decimated encounters they should have lost.
Again,this style of play I think could be fun as I know it going in and well frankly tactical style play is so different for me that it's like a new game.
All that said I can use any Pathfinder book as well as Midgard, Freeport or Razor Coast class/feat ect.. Oh and also Tome of Secrets.
I start out at first level and I think the first adventure is (To Slay a Dragon).
I was told to make a melee damage dealer that doesn't need to rely on outside buffs. Added to that I would like help making something a little more easy to play while still staying in the ballpark.
I'm thinking Fighter or Barbarian but really I have no idea what class's are best for my needs. I think the group is caster heavy so that is why I was asked to play a melee character.
ANY help you guys could give would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
Oh and I was told to use a 32 point buy character. Kinda high but....who am I to argue with the DM 8)
Are you starting at 1st level?
If you want something easy to play, I suggest a fighter. With a fighter, all of your bonuses and abilities will pretty much work all the time, against any enemy.
Barbarian is great. Your goal is to win the fight through HP attirition. Meaning you will do more damage to them quicker than them to you.
I would look at the fauchard 1d10 with a crit range of 18-20 with reach. Later look to get a keen one. meanign you would threat a crit on a 15+.
Stregnth here is your friend. Blast that as high as possible.
If you want some big cheese I would look at 2 levels of ragechemist/vivisectionist. They have a mutagen that bumps their strength 6. With your rage thats another 4. So +10 strength.
So at 3rd level with a keen weapon +1 fouchard you could do be hitting with like a +12 Power attack (1d10+18) 15-20 x2. With possible 1d6 sneak attack. Your average HP would be over 40. So a crit would drop yourself in one hit.
Also there is a reason they are all casters. On their successful spell the enemy is done. On your you do damage and maybe drop them.
at 1st level the formula is simple... play something with full BAB, a high strength, a weapon you wield in 2 hands, and power attack if you can manage it.
Anything from a weapon as simple and cheap as a spear to a ridiculously exotic flying blade, the adding x1.5 of your strength modifier as well as the increased returns on power attack will push your damage to crazy levels. (at level one, you will rarely fight things that you don't kill with a 'minimum' damage roll).
Barbarian works nicely because the rage mechanic spirals your strength up to keep you damage output climbing.
If you're min/maxing and want a melee damage dealer absolutely nothing beats Oracle 1/Barbarian X. Two hand a falchion, rage cycle to your hearts content at mid to high levels, and destroy any spell you want with a pouncing spell sunder.
Here's an example of a first level fighter. He's simple to play, but performs remarkably well. Also, has he levels up, he turns into a min-maxed forum build known as "Falchion Fred", a gold medal winner in the DPR Olympics. (DPR=Damage Per Round)
Male Human Fighter 1
CG Medium Humanoid (human)
Init +4; Senses Perception +2
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Defense
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AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+6 armor, +2 Dex)
hp 16 (1d10+6)
Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +2
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Offense
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Speed 20 ft.
Melee Falchion +6 (2d4+6/18-20/x2)
. . . . . Chakram +4 (1d8+4/x2) (Thrown range 30')
. . . . . Cestus +5 (1d4+4/19-20/x2) (B/P damage, usable in grapple, can't be disarmed)
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Statistics
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Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 7
Base Atk +1; CMB +5; CMD 17
Feats Power Attack -1/+2, Toughness +3, Weapon Focus (Falchion)
Traits Indomitable Faith, Reactionary
Skills Acrobatics -3 (-7 jump), Climb +3, Escape Artist -3, Fly -3, Perception +2, Ride -3, Stealth -3, Survival +5, Swim +3
Languages Common, Orc
Other Gear Four-mirror armor, Cestus, Chakram, Falchion, 4 spare Chakrams, Pathfinder's kit, 8 GP
Power Attack -1/+2 You can subtract from your attack roll to add to your damage.
Also, while he's quite straightforward, that doesn't mean he's not full of options, should you choose to use them. He's proficient with just about every piece of equipment you'll find, and has oodles of feats.
- A composite longbow gives you an excellent attack against flying enemies. Later you can upgrade to a +1, or +1 adaptive, and cheaply add Lesser Bracers of Armor for an additional +1. If you find yourself liking the ranged option, choose it as your second Weapon Training category for even more bonuses.
- Four feats can make you a ridiculous flying charger: Mounted Combat, Ride-by Attack, Spirited Charge, and Leadership at level 9 to get a Pegasus as a mount.
- Past level 10, if you find yourself tiring of wielding the damage hose, you can spice it up with status effects whenever you crit. Make enemies stand where you want them while bleeding, and blind; later upgrade that to dropping everything they hold and being completely unable to act.
- Make enemies stand still for their beatings with Dazing Attack.
- With a cheap magic item, Grappler's Mask, you can add two new techniques to your arsenal.
@soupturtle: what kind of stats are we looking at for HP, damage, saves, and attacks? This seems like an interesting build.
I'm thinking of a halfling rogue,they have no trap checker so seems one is needed. I love the halflings so it seems the right choice BUT I'm not sure I can build a good dpr character with that selection.
I love the Barb idea but they already have a Half Ogre Barbarian.
Just not sure. Reading the Rogue Guide it looks like Rogue is a little on the weak side.Though TWF sneak attacks seem fun.
Other class's get the disarm magic traps and stuff to? Well,that would be pretty cool! Err what are they?
On another hand one of my fellow players told me to make a Kobold(Midgard setting race)Monk. I think he is just trying to appeal to my nutty habit of playing off races but he doesn't need to.I will enjoy just getting to play as well as this unique(for me) play style.
A rogue might not be what they asked you to play. Yes, a rogue can be a melee damage dealer, but they're not very tough. They rely on having other characters in melee to provide flanking and to take hits. If they're a party of all casters and want someone to stand in front of them, a rogue does not fit the bill.
A ranger with either the Trapper or Urban Ranger archetype is just as good at disarming traps as a rogue. I prefer the Urban Ranger because he keeps all the spellcasting ability, but both archetypes are good.
They also have d10 hit dice, full base attack bonus, bonus combat feats, and lots of skills. They get a pet, which I always think is fun:)
You'll get to choose a combat style, and for melee I would suggest Two-Handed Weapon, Two-Weapon Combat, or Weapon and Shield. Two-Handed Weapon is the easy, high damage, and doesn't require many feats, leaving lots open for other things. (It's also the style you would choose if you make a DEX based Dervish Dance Ranger with a scimitar.) Two-Weapon is the classic Ranger style, and I suggest using two light weapons if you use it, so that you can wield the same weapon in each hand. (Shortswords are nice, but wakizashi are my favorite.) Weapon & Shield is the most defensive, of course, and you can use your shield as a weapon, too.
Other class's get the disarm magic traps and stuff to? Well,that would be pretty cool! Err what are they?
On another hand one of my fellow players told me to make a Kobold(Midgard setting race)Monk. I think he is just trying to appeal to my nutty habit of playing off races but he doesn't need to.I will enjoy just getting to play as well as this unique(for me) play style.
Apply previous formula to a trapper ranger with the two handed weapon fighting style.
at 1st level the formula is simple... play something with full BAB, a high strength, a weapon you wield in 2 hands, and power attack if you can manage it.
Make it a trapper archetype, maybe a half-elf and slap the free skill focus on disable device. You can be a full BAB d10 hit die melee combatant who, as a lucky coincidence, also has a bunch of skill points, can disarm magic traps, and is pretty darned good at it.
I would like help making something a little more easy to play . . .
Ranger (trapper/infiltrator) 3 / Paladin (divine hunter) 2 / Living Monolith 1 / Rogue (scout/thug) 4 / Fighter (weaponmaster) 1
I feel like these two statements don't go together:)
Well, taking enough rogue to get what you want (extra damage, trap finding) might not be too hard, although you will want to multiclass into something with heavier equipment.
A good, simple method for a rogue to get good damage through sneak attack would be to take the Scout Archetype. It allows you to get sneak attack on any charge once you hit fourth level. If you can manage getting pounce, that makes this extremely effective (although most of the options I immediately know of either need you to have 10 or so levels in another class- meaning level 14 before this works- or taking specific races with certain racial feats -which seems like it might be problem since this appears to be using custom races)
A dip into rogue and mostly barbarian levels seems like it would work out well for a strength build. Although barbarian might be a better first level if you are starting from level 1, if only because it is a monster early on. Also allows you immediate access to medium armors and martial weapons.
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Just, don't do Rogue.
You can just go Freebooter/Trapper Ranger, and the whole party will love you more.
You will do more damage, pump your allies, handle traps, and never be a burden.
It is all win/win.
Note: Rogue fans will tell you different, no matter the numbers or circumstance.
Just because somebodies favorite food is pork rinds, doesn't mean they are good for you.
There's easy to build, and then there's easy to play.I would like help making something a little more easy to play . . .Ranger (trapper/infiltrator) 3 / Paladin (divine hunter) 2 / Living Monolith 1 / Rogue (scout/thug) 4 / Fighter (weaponmaster) 1I feel like these two statements don't go together:)
Very true!
Also, it's a cool character build. I've kinda been itching to try a thug/intimidate build for a while, myself.
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The most kick-ass first-level melee guys have pole-arms and Combat Reflexes: every extra AoO you land for twenty damage is equivalent to a fighter nickle-diming ten hits with Weapon Specialization.
Fauchards are nice; but carry a bardiche at 1st so you don't have to blow a feat on EWP at creation.
32pt barbarian
STR+18(20)
DEX:14
CON:16
INT:12
WIS:12
CHA:07
Race: Half-orc
Traits: Accelerated Drinker, Berserker of the Society
01: Barb1, Combat Reflexes
02: Barb2, [Reckless Abandon+1][Uncanny Dodge]
03: figh1, [Unbreakable archetype], Ferocious Tenacity
04: figh2, STR>21, Power Attack
05: barb3, Stand Still
06: barb4, [Reckless Abandon+2]
07: barb5, Deathless Initiate
Equipment: bardiche, shortsword, potion of Enlarge Person, loincloth
