Human, 25 point buy and an extra +1 dexterity due to a campaign trait.
I would like ad ex focused build, But PF is so frustating in that regard, So I think I could go str 16, dex 16.
Any good suggestion for feats and order?
Not really something you can build around. It works better as a Str build, since for the first half of your career Iajutsu strike is a full round action, you're waiting for the enemy to come to you anyway.
You could go down Dazzling Display to Shatter Defenses if you like, to synergize with Terrifying. Might as well get Cornugon Smash as well.
Does iajutsu strike works without quick draw?
I think the dex-build is manageable. Use a wakizashi, make it agile, and it will be competent.
I've also got a player in one of my games that I've allowed to be a dwarven "hammer-saint". If he manages to challenge & iaijutsu strike... he has a healthy shot of 1 HKO most same-level creatures. This guy is a str-build though.
Really, strength is what synergizes best.
You could use a sword cane to hit the mooks until you reach the boss, then draw out your sword with quickdraw (you get it for free with a katana!) and use Iajutsu strike on the BBEG.
Other than that, going Str based is a much stronger option until you can afford Agile, which means for at least half of your carrer.
Intimidate feats work best too (like with any two hander :) Cornugon Smash, Intimidating Prowess, Dreadful Carnage and special mention to Deadly Stroke because it is powerful for standard action attacks but have a heavy feat prereq.
Eldrich Heritage (Orc) + Optimistic Gambler trait is ultra powerful, but only if the trait is allowed.
Of course, tha standard fighter feats (weapon focus, weapon spec, greater versions, pin down, critical feats + critical mastery, I am hesitant to add Dazzign Assault as you do not have the attack bonus a fighter has) work fine, you may not have enough room to take them if you choose to specialise in intimidation or / and take the eldrich heritage feats.
Is Iaijutsu Strike only usable with certain weapons?
I am not seeing this restriction.
Did I miss it?
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Racial Heritage (dwarf) so can take their cavalier favored class option for +50% damage challenges, Weapon Focus, Specialization, Power Attack, Furious Focus, Pushing Assault (so swap one attack for one attack), Iron Will, perhaps Toughness, vital strike and the human feats Defiant Luck, Heroic Will.
Perhaps steel soul if your DM recons you don't need the base trait to enhance it.. +4 saves is pretty okay!
Iaijutsu Strike is usable with any weapon which you can sheath, so this limits it somewhat to swords and the like (you are playing a sword saint).
The katana is probably your best option since you can two hand it and choose it for a Samurai's Weapon Expertise, which lets you qualify for weapon specialization, improved critical, and similar feats eventually. It's also has a great crit range, and you add +2 to confirm from Weapon Expertise in addition to half your Samurai level at level 4 and on (I'm assuming that Brutal Slash replaces Mounted Archer at level 4 not 3).
A strength build is your best option. Power Attack and it's feat line are great. Getting a +1 Impact Katana would also devastate. Let them come to you and hit them for huge damage with an Impact Weapon (2d6 with katana), Iaijutsu Strike (more d6's), Strength (raw damage), Power Attack (more raw damage), Challenge (even more raw damage), and Weapon Specialization (even MORE raw damage). At level 10, you could easily be swinging for 2d6+5d6+1+8+9+10+2 -> 7d6+30 on a SINGLE HIT (with a 15-20 crit range if you have improved critical).
If you want to go with an intimidation build to complement your damage, I recommend the Order of the Cockatrice, which works well with Terrifying Iaijutsu ability. Also, Shatter Defenses is another great option to go with this. Combine it with a Cruel enhancement on your weapon for temp HP on kills and sickening shaken enemies.
Another thing to look at would be Equipment Trick : Scabbard and a Combat Scabbard. Fight without your sword drawn until you have a worthy opponent, then challenge, draw your sword, and strike. The Hurl Scabbard trick is funny since you will have Quick Draw with the Katana due to Weapon Expertise as a Samurai. But the better one is the Steer Opponent Trick, which grants you a nice bonus to hit, and requires Improved Bull Rush which you'll qualify for with Power Attack.
There is the Elven Curve Blade.
It is a 1d10 18–20/×2 two handed weapon that is finessable.
This means it can have the Agile enchantment.
Talk with your GM if you can. I'm not a GM that's 2 hung-up on the fluff (I've allowed a hmmer saint) so maybe your GM might allow you to get weapon expertise with the elven curved blade (I would, but that's me...).
Still, k-bro has some seriously interesting ideas.
I just read that if you fail the bullrush check with the Steer Opponent trick, you are considered flat-footed until your next turn. Unless you can ignore this part of the feat, I would avoid it.
Also, order of the warrior has some seriously awesome abilities that I would be hesitant to trade away for the ones of the order of the cockatrice, even in a intimidation build. If you go for Deadly Stroke then probably order of the cockatrice is a better pick, but if you do not mid about it, sticking with order of the warrior and avoiding dazzling dispaly alltogether is better IMO.
Order of the Warrior is absolutely awesome if you wanted to play the traditional honorable samurai. The abilities it has are fantastic. And you could easily forget the intimidation aspect and go straight for damage.
The Order of the Cockatrice I like because it fits well with the image of a self-obsessed samurai who's all about being showy and having all the attention. Intimidating any who stand against "the great mighty me" and striking hard and fast with his sword. This concept is such a great contrast from the traditional honorable humble samurai that would follow Bushido.
I'd also like to note that it should be reasonable to talk to the DM about choosing any weapon to apply a Samurai's Weapon Expertise and Iaijutsu Strike, if you don't want to stick so close to the eastern theme.
I think I go Katana.
And apparently everyone in the recruitment wants to play a martial. We have so far 2 cavaliers, a magus, a ranger and my samurai.
So perhaps I do not need to be a huge damage dealer just deal enough damage, and the tank role seems o be covered too.
Perhaps I can be a light armored stealthy scout and flanking partner.
I Like cockatrice and ronin. Ronin is so cool for the "you will not kill me" but cockatrice is strong too.
THi sis the character so far, I am open to suggestions.
I always wondered why Nodachi wasn't on the list.
Wait...can a polearm be considered sheathed? I mean, while I do not particularly like it aesthetically, it is not like I haven't seen spears and such strapped to someone's back.It works as well as someone with a greatsword doing the same I suppose.
I bring this up since the naginata is another weapon that can be used with the samurai's weapon expertise. A reach build is always nice, since it turns you into a 25' across circle of pain, which turns you from merely being a martial character into a living battlefield obstacle.
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