A Samurai or a Fighter in this scenario...

[QuirkyAI]

So, my group got together last night and started to make their characters for our friend's campaign. So far we have:

A cleric - will be using his spells to both tank and smash face when needed. But he probably will enjoy more smashing. Probably. Or being a jerk with the tanking. That is also likely.

A Ninja - a stealthy, thief-y bugger with a katana and throwing daggers. A striker, really.

A bard - a newer player who will be taking up a controller/support position in the party. Also, a party face out of combat.

Myself - samurai or fighter for a tank and striker role

One guy who didn't show up yet - I don't believe he will be focusing on melee, as his last character was a bard-wizard.

So, I was wondering, for a melee character that is not useless out of combat but can both tank and deal damage in combat, would a samurai or a fighter more likely fit the role and how?

[666bender]

Fighter is more feats - allowing you more options .
Like more manuvers and such. Also more consistent DPR.
Samurai - more mount, more endurance , and burst DPR.

[QuirkyAI]

666bender wrote:

Fighter is more feats - allowing you more options .

Like more manuvers and such. Also more consistent DPR.
Samurai - more mount, more endurance , and burst DPR.

Thanks Blender. Another question that I got to ask you: how good is the fighter out of combat (I'm sure we all know just how bad fighters are at that, but I'm thinking of going human fighter with the favored class bonus in skill ranks (4+ int modifier per level isn't bad). To be honest, I just don't want to be useless when the fighting ends. It is no fun for a party.

[Nicos]

QuirkyAI wrote:

666bender wrote:

Fighter is more feats - allowing you more options .

Like more manuvers and such. Also more consistent DPR.
Samurai - more mount, more endurance , and burst DPR.

Thanks Blender. Another question that I got to ask you: how good is the fighter out of combat (I'm sure we all know just how bad fighters are at that, but I'm thinking of going human fighter with the favored class bonus in skill ranks (4+ int modifier per level isn't bad). To be honest, I just don't want to be useless when the fighting ends. It is no fun for a party.

If you go fighter then 16, 14, 14, 14, 12, 8 is a good stat distribution. That would give you 6 skill per level.

Take The traits Defender of the society for more AC and Carefully hiddend for more will save. Take toughness so you do not suffer for spending your point into skill.

[QuirkyAI]

Nicos wrote:

If you go fighter then 16, 14, 14, 14, 12, 8 is a good stat distribution. That would give you 6 skill per level.

Take The traits Defender of the society for more AC and Carefully hiddend for more will save. Take toughness so you do not suffer for spending your point into skill.

Interesting, Nicos. Thanks for your help!

[Deadmanwalking]

Another fighter option with out-of-combat utility is Lore Warden, which I find immensely fun and flavorful, and adds some serious awesomeness to combat maneuvers as well as out-of-combat stuff...though its durability is a little shakier (unless you buy back Heavy Armor Proficiency or are Dex-based, anyway).

[666bender]

Lore warden is one of the best fighters in there.
Don't take dex not the armor feats. Take the amazing following combo :
4 levels as cavalier - order of cockatrise for dazzling display and +2 to hit. Or order of the sword for some nice aid another.
Take horse master feat - and the mount is a full one.
Than lore warden all the way- full armor- full mount - full feats...

[Mergy]

Given the recent FAQ allowing it, and your party's likely lack of a full arcane caster, you could push towards eldritch knight. Assuming aasimar is an allowed racial choice, that is.

[GeneticDrift]

Samurai > fighter. mount, challenge, resolve = win