The demon within

[7heprofessor]

G'day lads and lasses. I'm looking for both mechanical and fluff suggestions for the character I'm going to play in the next campaign I'm in. The rule set is "3.P", but I would like to build it entirely using Pathfinder rules, unless there is something that fits absolutely perfectly from 3.5.

Guidelines:
25 pt buy
1st level
Max starting wealth
Two traits
Pathfinder rules with anything not updated from 3.5
No third-party material

The character will be Yasmirra Vanrook, a tiefling paladin, and will serve as the party's primary front-line fighter. Needless to say, I want her to be as survivable as possible. That is why her first-level feat is Fey Foundling and her favored class bonus goes into increasing self-used Lay on Hands. This will allow her to be relatively self-sufficient in the healing department, as we are unlikely to have a Cleric, Oracle, or Druid in the party that focuses on healing.

Here is the bare-bones build I've put together:

Demon-spawn Tiefling Oath of Vengeance Paladin 20

Favored Class bonus: +1 pt/lvl when Lay on Hands self

Traits: Magical Knack (+2 paladin caster level) and Mother's Teeth (1d2 secondary bite attack)

Alternate Racial Traits: Scaled Skin (+1 Nat armor, Fire resist 5)
Fiendish Sprinter: +10 speed when charging, running or withdrawing
Maw or Claw: two 1d4 primary claw attacks
Prehensile Tail: draw and hold items as a swift action

Skills: Knowledge (planes), Knowledge (religion), Diplomacy

Feats:
1. Fey Foundling
3. Power Attack
5. Greater Mercy
7. Step Up
9. Following Step
11.Step up and Strike
13.Dazing Assault
15.Improved Critical: Greatsword
17.Critical Focus
19.Blinding Critical

Background:

Spoiler:

Yasmirra is the daughter spawned from the carnal union of a Succubus and a human Paladin of Iomedae. Her mother, known only as Vesper, seduced the righteous man and forced him to impregnate her. When the child was born, she ripped out the father's throat and raised the corpse as a zombie to prevent him from meddling in her affairs.

Vesper plans to ascend the ranks of demons using her god-touched child as a tool and a distraction. She hopes to have Yasmirra become powerful enough to destroy the demons Vesper cannot subvert herself by tricking Yasmirra into believing they are responsible for her father's death.

Yasmirra constantly fights an internal battle attempting to stave off the wicked, instinctual desires to perform horrific, evil deeds. She leans on Iomedae for guidance and strength and uses her teachings to boost her own moral. "I'm not evil, I'm more than my heritage!" She tells herself often...but will she be able to control the ever-growing desires of wanton slaughter and destruction...?

Any thoughts and suggestions for build advice or for cool ideas on how to play this character are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[7heprofessor]

I will assume by your silence that this build is perfect and cannot be improved upon in any way, shape, or form!

Any suggestions are welcome. XD

[MrSin]

7heprofessor wrote:

I will assume by your silence that this build is perfect and cannot be improved upon in any way, shape, or form!

Well, I'd like to know why you took magical knack. Its limited by your HD, and I don't see any plans to multiclass in your build.

If you really would like to optimize you might consider using a nodachi or falchion instead of a greatsword for the wider crit range for your crit fishing.

Another thing is that in pathfinder there's infernal healing if you've got arcane casters but no divine you can put that on a wand and use it for healing. Its more efficient than a wand of CLW and could be an okay roleplaying moment.

Paladins seem pretty straight forward because there aren't a lot of options in their class features. So long as you have power attack with your 2 handed weapon your probably good. Whether you take weapon or mount is dependent on the game and personal preference imo, and mercies are similar so its hard to give advice about those.

[Drejk]

MrSin wrote:

7heprofessor wrote:

I will assume by your silence that this build is perfect and cannot be improved upon in any way, shape, or form!

Well, I'd like to know why you took magical knack. Its limited by your HD, and I don't see any plans to multiclass in your build.

Paladin's caster level is equal to paladin level -3. Magical knack changes that to paladin level -1, still below character level/HD.

[MrSin]

Drejk wrote:

MrSin wrote:

7heprofessor wrote:

I will assume by your silence that this build is perfect and cannot be improved upon in any way, shape, or form!

Well, I'd like to know why you took magical knack. Its limited by your HD, and I don't see any plans to multiclass in your build.

Paladin's caster level is equal to paladin level -3. Magical knack changes that to paladin level -1, still below character level/HD.

Oh! Didn't know it worked like that. Weird.

[FangDragon]

I'd take Dazing Assault at 11 rather than 13. No point taking Improved Critical when you have weapon bond.

Given you're playing a Tiefling with Fey Foundling, taking Greater Mercy as well seems overkill. Since you've taken Oath of Vengeance I'd suggest getting a bunch of Extra Lay On Hands to power those smites and of course for self healing if needed.

1. Fey Foundling
3. Power Attack
5. Extra Lay On Hands
7. Step Up
9. Following Step
11.Dazing Assault
13.Step up and Strike
15.Extra Lay On Hands
17.Extra Lay On Hands
19.Extra Lay On Hands

You could also do something like this, where the Orc bloodline powers will give you touch of rage, a significant boost to strength and you can become large sized.

Trait: Opportunistic Gambler
1. Fey Foundling
3. Power Attack
5. Extra Lay On Hands
7. Extra Lay On Hands
9. Skill Focus: Survial
11.Dazing Assault
13.Eldrich Heritage (Orc)
15.Improved Eldrich Heritage (Orc)
17.Greater Eldrich Heritage (Orc)
19.Extra Lay On Hands

One final thought, with good positioning, a reach weapon and Combat Reflexes you will get a lot of AOOs. While nice in general this is very powerful in conjunction with Dazing Assault, and if you happen to crit them and they get Staggered, so much the better.

1. Fey Foundling
3. Power Attack
5. Combat Reflexes
7. Lunge
9. Critical Focus
11.Dazing Assault
13.Staggering Critical
15.Extra Lay On Hands
17.Extra Lay On Hands
19.Extra Lay On Hands