So I'm making a build right now for a PBP that aims to be a decent melee fighter completely without armor, but using a non-monk weapon.
Creation guidelines are
Skinwalkers only
Level 3
25 point buy
All paizo material allowed
3000 gp starting wealth (as per WBL)
So far I have the following
Witchwolf Fighter (Two-Handed Fighter)/2, Monk (Martial Artist)/1
Stats (including racial bonuses)
Str 18
Dex 14
Con 12
Int 10
Wis 14 (16 when shapechanged)
Cha 7
Level Breakdown:
1 Fighter/ Feats: Weapon Focus Greatsword (bonus), ??
2 Monk/ Feats: Dodge (bonus)
3 Fighter/ Feats: Crane Style (bonus), Power Attack
Gear: Masterwork Greatsword, Bracers of Armor +1
At the moment I have a defensive Attack bonus of +6 and AC of 21 (wile shape changed, I will also have 3 ranks in acrobatics, in case you're checking the math), but I would like to get Power attack in there for a decent amount of damage, but that would put my attack bonus at 5 for this and next level which i think is a bit low for 3rd level.
Does anyone have any ideas how to get a little more attack bonus out of this build at this point or at higher levels?
Myself, I'd go the more "conventional" route:
Fighter (free hand fighter) 1/monk (master of many styles) 2 (future level-ups into fighter until you qualify for duelist)
Stats I'd focus on Dexterity, not strength, and either use a rapier or go the Dervish Dance route. I wouldn't worry too much about delivering large amounts of damage at this level, that will come soon enough. At 3rd level the fact that you have a rocking AC and are deflecting an attack a round is enough for you to whittle down foes that basically cannot touch you.
Yes, I see how that build would be superior and easier to pull off, but that's not what I'm going for. I want to tote around a big sword, not a scimitar or even a rapier.
I didn't go with master of many styles because i don't want to be lawful (it's not compatible with martial artist thanks to one class feature at a level i never reach), i still have access to crane wing later so that's not a huge problem for me.
Bracers of armor are terrible, I'm sure that money can be better spent elsewhere.
Care to elaborate? On both parts of that sentence.
Bracers of armor provide an AC bonus for a cost.
At low levels, the spell mage armor provides a +4 AC bonus from a wand for a fraction of the cost of buying bracers.
Ergo, use a wand, or get a spellcaster to cast it on you.
The proper way to accumulate AC is one +1 at a time. Normally, you'd get armor/shield +1, nat armor +1, Ring/prot+1, Dex +2 booster, other stat +2 booster if needed, Jingasa of the fortunate soldier +1.
Then you'd start on your +2 bonus upgrades. Of all these, Armor/Shield are the cheapest...but Mage Armor provides +4 out the gate for very little cost (1 hr/charge, 750 gp wand). To gain ONE POINT more AC vs a Wand will cost you 25k gp. That's a horrible waste of money.
For 25k, you can get about +8 AC through adding up smaller bonuses.
If you can cast spells yourself, particularly Barkskin, this increases faster.
On the other hand, if the GM wants to hand you bracers and ignore the value, more power to him.
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On the other side of the argument, you might just want to chuck the defensive fighting entirely and go invulnerable rager. Get hit, soak the damage up with DR....that's what werewolves do, right?
Oh nooz my AC is 14 and yo just hit me for 8 damage! I applies DR 6/- and smilez at youz. Rarrrgh!
==+Aelryinth
Mage armor is an argument. (I do know how to stack up AC economically through multiple items though, and bracers stack with most other items, i see it as the unarmored version of enchanted armor)
A wand doesn't seem that economical, I'd have to give it to someone else, because a DC 20 UMD check with -2 Charisma and not even class skill bonus is doomed to fail. And 50 hours of it before i have to spend another 750 isn't that economical either. I can't rely on wat the other players do. As far as I know the only arcane character in the recruitment thread so far is a bloodrager.
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invulnerable rager is something i could consider, although i like the flavor of a highly trained fighter that doesn't even get hit in the first place ever so slightly better. I'll think about it.
How are you planning on using Crane Wing while wielding a Greatsword?
free action to put hand on sword, Attack, free action to take one hand of the sword, deflect. Rinse and repeat.
I actually really like that idea, the character fights by letting go of her sword in between attacks, shifting the way she holds it constantly, andin the middle of it throwing off enemy attacks.
he can, but they would need to be unarmed strikes. provoking his own aoo unless he has IUS
You can't make AoOs that way then. You can't take a free action when it's not your turn.
he can, but they would need to be unarmed strikes. provoking his own aoo unless he has IUS
Which I do thanks to a monk level. Also i can have claws or a bite attack from my shifting.
Thanks. I'll remember that one.
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Now, anyone got an idea about that attack bonus, without completely overthrowing the style?
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There's a feat i hardly see mentioned from the Inner Sea Guide called Desperate Battler. It's a +1 to attack and damage if you have no ally within 10 feet of you. Great for archers, sure, depending on your party composition it may work for you.
I know you said no monk weapons...but...check out the Sansetsukon.
There's a feat i hardly see mentioned from the Inner Sea Guide called Desperate Battler. It's a +1 to attack and damage if you have no ally within 10 feet of you. Great for archers, sure, depending on your party composition it may work for you.
Yes something like that would get me there I think. Unless we have as many rogue types as it looks like we will, in whch case i might want to be able to flank as often as possible, where this feat will have no effect. But thanks, this is going the right direction.
My suggestion is to use a defending weapon early, this way you'll gain another bonus to your armor in a spot that normally doesn't.
Defending weapon....are you s*~*ting me? -2 to hit. -2 damage for a beatstick, in return for +1 AC, is your idea of a good trade?
On topic: Opening Volley feat. Throw acid flasks at people and dare them to come at you.
My suggestion is to use a defending weapon early, this way you'll gain another bonus to your armor in a spot that normally doesn't.Defending weapon....are you s!&%ting me? -2 to hit. -2 damage for a beatstick, in return for +1 AC, is your idea of a good trade?
did they really do that, I thought it just gave you like a bonus to AC equal to its enhancement. In that case it's out.
Furious focus might come in handy.
Yes, I see how that build would be superior and easier to pull off, but that's not what I'm going for. I want to tote around a big sword, not a scimitar or even a rapier.
I didn't go with master of many styles because i don't want to be lawful (it's not compatible with martial artist thanks to one class feature at a level i never reach), i still have access to crane wing later so that's not a huge problem for me.
I know this is a bit of an execrated suggestion, but have you considered a cleric (or life oracle, or whatever) dip for Guided Hand? Since you are going monk, you can accomplish something similar to dabbler's idea (adding attack stat to AC) without sacrificing your own (carrying a big sword). As long as you find a deity with a big, nasty two-handed as a favored weapon, you're good.
Yeah, Defending is a 'swap', you swap -1 Enhancement on your sword for +1 AC. However, it's very good AC, active all the time. The biggest downer is you have to attack with the weapon to get the bonus, so it's no good against archers if you haven't closed to fight yet! (which I consider pretty lame, actually).
It has an analogue enhancement of Guardian, that does -1/+1 to Saving Throws instead, and doesn't require you to be in melee. That's a nice weapon, for out of combat.
==Aelryinth
Pup is talking about the sunk cost of the Defending property costing +1 for the option of trading what remains, which is not very appealing.
I'd like it much more if it always gave +1 AC and gave the option to convert remaining enh to AC or not as per current version.
