First off are you allowed 3rd party material? Just paizo? Just core rules? Whats available to you will make a big difference. In particular the super genius games talented rogue is an excellent product for making a good rogue. It basically turns all the stuff the rogue and its archetypes can get into talents and 'edges', so you can really customize your character. It is one of the best ways I know of to make an effective straight rogue.
That said, you have mentioned you want your rogue to be combat effective, but what else do you want him to do, sure sneak attack can be great, but rogues are often defined by more then their straight combat effectiveness. What kind of rogue are you looking to make?
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Here is an idea
Human
Str: 16
Dex: 15 +1 @ 4th & 8th
Con: 14
Int: 14
Wis: 10
Cha: 8
Feats:
Combat Expertise(h)
Gang Up (1)
Combat Trick -> Two-Weapon Fighting (t)
Double Slice (3)
Weapon Focus (t)
Shadow Strike (5)
Minor Magic (t)
Arcane Strike (7)
Ninja Trick -> Combat Trick -> Improved TWF (t)
Traits: Armor Expert, Adopted -> Elven Reflexes
Skills: 11/level, have fun.
Its completely unrealistic to expect you to tank. All of the rest of what you are asking is certainly doable, and I'll post a build to give you some ideas when I get home from work... but off the top of my head you're wanting a Dexterity-based build using light weaposn (probably kukri's) and I'd reccomend a Human for the favored class bonus to gain some extra Rogue talents...
Don't let the Rogue's bad reputation fool you, Rogues can be incredibly effective characters, BUT for that to happen, they can't be the only or even the primary front-line guy. If you want someone who can fight, deal lots of damage and tank, well there are some great builds out there and I'll be happy to help. If you want someone who can disable traps, sneak attack and be highly skilled there are some great builds out there as well... but if you want to do both - well, I'm not sure what to tell you.
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Rogue, the class, or Rogue, the concept?
<eyeroll>
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If you are choosing Rogue simply because of trapfinding, there are other more tanky options for that. If you want a good tank that gets trapfinding, might I suggest the Trapper Ranger(UM)? They would give you most of what the Rogue offers, except sneak attack which you would not be able to utilize since you don't have a flanking buddy. Plus they have the added trapfinding class feature. They also have a larger hit dice, and some added combat feats to boot.
If you are sticking with rogue, I have never tried to build a tank rogue. I am afraid I wont be much help there.
We have a half-orc rogue (scout) in our 6-man party and he's been a good party member. We have a 25-point build but you can tweak to suit your needs. Since you only play sparingly, you really only need a few levels sketched out for you, right? You will have time to pick up the rest as you go.
Str 16, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 10
Feat: Dodge
Trait: Chance Savior, Outcast (change these to suit your needs)
He puts favored class bonus into hps every level I think. Skill ranks go into a variety of skills but include Use Magic Device for sure (as well as the standards of Disable Device, Knowledges, Perception, Stealth, Survival, etc.).
He uses a falchion two-handed with Power Attack (picked up at level 3 iirc) and at level 10 is darting in for a sneak attack and darting back out via spring attack feat (and skirmisher ability). By level 4 he was charging in and sneak attacking via scout's charge ability.
You might consider offensive defense for level 2 rogue talent. I forget what he took for his level 4 talent. I know he took crippling strike for his level 10 advanced talent (not that that helps you). Best of luck!
@Artanthos:
To my knowledge you cannot "ninja trick" an option that is also a rogue talent. So no double-dipping for 2 Combat Tricks. The Swashbuckler archetype allows for 2 Combat Tricks (though it does give up trapfinding/sense which OP wanted to keep).
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@Artanthos:
To my knowledge you cannot "ninja trick" an option that is also a rogue talent. So no double-dipping for 2 Combat Tricks. The Swashbuckler archetype allows for 2 Combat Tricks (though it does give up trapfinding/sense which OP wanted to keep).
The ninja trick Rogue Talent explicitly forbids taking a rogue talent with the same name as a ninja trick.
The same wording does not appear on the rogue talent Ninja Trick.
If I really wanted to focus on combat, I would take first level as fighter and grab better weapons, medium armor proficiency and the bonus feat.
I could reccomend a potentially tanky/high damage dealing tanky rogue build, but it would be focused around hitting very, very hard once per round rather than two-weapon fighting... if you're interested.
To me, Tank means the ability to soak damage while dishing out devestating hits of your own. That doesn't really play to the strengths of a Rogue.
In order to survive in a dungeon environment, you need CON and DEX. I'd go with STR: 14, DEX: 16 and CON: 14. The mental stats can remain at 10. Being a Human Rogue, 9 skill points should be more than sufficient for your needs.
/side question - and this could change everything - are you going to be the party face? If yes, then CHA takes a front seat and I highly suggest that you reroute to the Bluff/Feint concept.
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In order to survive in a dungeon environment, you need CON and DEX. I'd go with STR: 14, DEX: 16 and CON: 14. The mental stats can remain at 10. Being a Human Rogue, 9 skill points should be more than sufficient for your needs.
/side question - and this could change everything - are you going to be the party face? If yes, then CHA takes a front seat and I highly suggest that you reroute to the Bluff/Feint concept.
I went with 16 Strength to front load the to-hit and damage bonuses. The character is expected to remain at low for for a long time. Not having to worry about the Agile property is a nice bonus.
Combat Expertise + Defensive means the OP can choose to spike AC upwards in an emergency.
Even with an 8 CHA, 11 skill points means the OP can choose to invest enough in Diplomacy, Bluff and Sense Motive to remain relevant.
I have no issues with a *CHA dump whatsoever. For a Rogue, Weapon Finesse means everything. DEX is huge in that powers numerous class skills and is the basis for its best save. A Rogue will always get great mileage out of a high DEX.
Note - I didn't apply the racial stat bonus yet - slap it in DEX and now we have an 18. That's at least an 18 AC out of the box, if not 19 via something like Dodge. Not too shabby at all.
The Rogue's damage ability comes from his sneak dice. STR is nice, but its not (usually) priority.
/ OP - I very much agree here - don't multi-class. That's a good way to wreck a character.
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Trapper/Freebooter Ranger covers the Rogue flavor, with 6 skill points per level, full BAB, two good saves, d10 hit die, free feats, and static bonuses to damage, that lack the situational handicap of Sneak Attack, and even the ability to deal with magical traps.
You are Rogue, the concept, but you are simply better.
For a rogue, OP, a few things:
First off, if you want to go Half-Orc, take the "Tusked" trait from the Orcs of Golarion book. This will allow you to keep your racial ability "Orc Ferocity" while still getting you the bite attack you want. "Orc Ferocity" will help you to be a bit more tanky.
Definitely think about (at least at level 1) going with a two-hand weapon, like the Greataxe or Falchion. You get proficiency in these from being a half-orc and could then take a feat like Power Attack, Toughness or even Tribal Scars. At level 1, with one feat in a TWF build, you're essentially going to have a +1 to hit with each weapon, so you might want to wait on the TWF build or go Human (for the extra feat) if you do want pursue that route.
If you do go TWF, remember to stretch out your feats by taking "Weapon Training" (Weapon Focus) and Combat Trick as your rogue talents, which essentially gets you two extra combat feats for your build.
I'm trying to stick with advice for your class (rogue), your preferred race (half-orc) and your first few levels, but certainly ask away if you have any other questions. Thanks and good luck!
.. I don't think he meant he wanted to play a tank. I think he meant that he doesn't want to use a longspear, thats all.
I know you specifically mentioned that you don't want to lose your trapfinding skill. That just destroys a lot of options for you. Are you aware that there is a rogue talent called Trap Spotter that more-or-less gives you the trapfinding skill, even if you've traded it away? If archetypes that trade trapfinding are still off the table, then so be it... but you really can have your cake and eat it too.
Getting in sneak attacks is not really that hard for a rogue, I tend to feel that while Scout is good, it's not necessary for that, barring specific builds. Knife Master is great for pumping the damage you do get from sneak attack, but you do trade away trapfinding. Again, take Trap Spotter talent and you're golden.
that is the one downfall to trap spotter, as far as I can tell, magic traps you will still have no defense against. But in my experience, traps are not all that common, nor are they that deadly. It might be still worth it.
Now, there are great dex-only or dex-main builds for rogues. Pulling that off at level 1 is tough though, I will be honest. The main thing is that you're going to want an Agile weapon. You wont be able to afford this until around level 6.
Perhaps something along the line of:
Elf Fighter 1 Rogue5
13
19
12
14
10
10
Feats: 1F Power attack, 1. Weapon Finesse, 3. Choice, 5. Choice
Talents: 2. Combat Trick, 4. Ninja Trick: Vanishing Trick.
Primary attack: Agile Elven Curve Blade. +7 d10+10. [+3d6 sneak attack] threat 18-20x2.
Anyway, you take your 1st level in fighter so that you can gain martial weapon proficiency and a free feat. Because you're an elf, the Elven Curve Blade is a martial weapon for you. Then the rest of your levels are in rogue. Feel free to take the scout archetype here if you like.
I feel that Two-weapon fighting is sort of delayed gratification, and might not be as strong of a build in the first few levels. It could take some time for that to get good. With this build, even at level 1 you'll be attacking at +5 for d10+1 damage, which is not bad.
I've had some luck with the Combat Expertise/Improved Feint combo with a sneak attacker (3.5 spellthief using a longspear).
However, if you are going Tusked, you are still getting 2 attacks per round on a full attack, one without a penalty, one at -5.
I'm a fan of the Sacred Tattoo option for the half-orc (it replaces Orc Ferocity with +1 to all Saving Throws).
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Urban Rangers still get animal companions. They change out other ability's but not hunters bond. So you can just go Urban Ranger and still have a animal companion.
Just a few suggestions.
For you ability scores your better off splitting the Int and Wis to both 12. Unless your doing a 13 Wis for a feet. Even then you will want a Wis item to help your Will save.
Cleave is a good feet for low level play when your using a two handed weapon. If your going for switch hitter. That's what it looks like any how your better off with a different feet.
Ranger Combat Style Feet: Rapid Shot. Your characters has a ok dex. With rapid shot you only really need or want this if you have a high to hit bonus for range attacks. Something you will have at lower levels but as you level up this will start falling off and make this feet sub par as you could take a few other things that would work better. Precise Shot then picking up Improved Precise Shot at level 6 will work much better for you. Even then I might suggest going to the two handed fighting style and taking a different rout with your feet's all to gather.
If it was me I would go with. Unless you modify your base ability scores to better fit a switch hitter. It is a big investment to get a high Str, Dex, and Con. That's one of the big draw backs to switch hitting with a point buy.
1: Power Attack
1: Improved Imitative
Ranger Combat Style 2: Pushing Assault
3: Quick Draw ( This is so you can still full attack after changing weapons. From level 6 on.)
5: Boon Companion (This is something you will want to help your animal companion be effective in combat.)
Ranger Combat Style 6: Furious Focus