Building a witchguard

[williamoak]

I've lately been fascinated by the witchguard archetype. I love the idea of a class designed to protect spellcasters. And from what I've been reading, they can be quite good tanks as well (according to mr fluffykins of the forums).

The best option that I can understand is a switch-hitter build. Able to defend in melee, and still good support while close to their spellcaster. This is what I've got for the moment. I'd probably shuffle around some stats for the sake of character building, but this is the basic idea.

Stats:
Str: 17 Dex: 14 Con: 13 Int: 10 Wis: 14 Cha: 10
Race: Human
1 Power attack, quickdraw
2 Rapid Shot
3 Deadly Aim
4
5 Combat reflexes
6 Manyshot
7 Cleave
8
9 Heavy armor Proficiency
10 Improved precise shot

Havent got any ideas for the rest. I might like to find some less combat centered feats (alertness maybe?) but otherwise I'm looking for ways to make it a better defender.
I've thought of sword and shield, but that seems a bit feat heavy.
Any tips? Anything to boost the "defender" idea.

[Name Violation]

benevolent armor.
I'm doing a witchguard with the net adept feat and shield slam. it's fun and amazing

[williamoak]

Benevolent seems like ze best idea.

[Mister Fluffykins]

Yeah. I played a witchguard in my last homebrew campaign I played in. Going high STR with a greatsword and benevolent armor? I dished out some of the highest damage in the entire party while still boosting my allies' AC significantly. Picked up the Archer path for free archery feats to make me a competent Switch-hitter.

You'll want to rush a Belt of +2 DEX faster than a belt of +2 STR, if you're given the option. Getting it up to 16-18 gives you plenty of AoO's to spend with Combat Reflexes (which I consider to be a "core" feat for this).

[williamoak]

Thanks fluffykins. When I saw the combo of combat reflexes+bodyguard it seemed tremendous.

[Name Violation]

also the trait adopted, get helpful (halfling). you aid for 4 instead of 2

[Mister Fluffykins]

Yeah. I'd honestly suggest swapping it and Deadly Aim. It's really rather important.

[williamoak]

Swap what for deadly aim? I'm already taking it at level 3.

[Mister Fluffykins]

Take Combat Reflexes at Level 3, and Deadly Aim at Level 5. Sorry, should've been clearer.

[williamoak]

I get the idea. So benevolent armor is a big yes, helpful trait (maybe, if it can work with backstory).

[Name Violation]

williamoak wrote:

I get the idea. So benevolent armor is a big yes, helpful trait (maybe, if it can work with backstory).

there is also a combat trait helpful for 3 instead of 2. not as good, but easier to justify

[williamoak]

Another little note: Has anybody ever tried having a Witchguard cohort? For a sorcerer, this could be particularly useful. But I know cohort survivability is limited in combat...

[Name Violation]

lol. witchguard, take the 2 feats to gain animal companion. both can bodyguard. use saving shield for more ac.

I have a cavalier build that does that. awesome, but gets dms uppity about interrupting all their actions

[williamoak]

Ya, I want to avoid having to many people running around. But in any case, is it viable for a spellcaster to take a witchguard cohort.

[Umbranus]

Best use for a witchguard cohort for a witch is that (depending on patron) he can cast ill omen and use wands of ill omen.

Just have the witch delay to just after the witchguard. The witchguard uses ill omen and the witch can use her hex (slumber/misfortune) with a much higher chance of success.

That being said I like the archetype, too and I would like to play one teamed with a witch at some time.