So I am starting another game up with my main groups DM so he can get his gaming fix in, so I am trying to decide which class to pick. My primary experience in the game so far is playing melee characters (melee focused Dragon Disciple and Stonelord/Paladin) and one Fighter (Archer archetype). I sort of what to play something a bit different this time though. From what it looks like, two other folks in my group are leaning towards Inquisitor and Fighter (Combat Manuever focused)...not sure what the fourth person will play though. It's going to be a 20 point buy in, 2 traits (or 3 with a drawback), and the campaign is going to be one made up by this groups DM.
I want to be able to do the following things:
- I want to be able to do damage, but I do not need to be the highest damage dealer.
- I want at least some out of combat viability...my other characters have been super focused on combat.
- In all the games I play, I tend to enjoy playing classes that have different mechanics in play than the norm.
- Whatever I got for, I want to be able to optimize as much as possible. I don't want a broken class or anything, but I want something that I can push the limits of as much as possible (which I guess could be any class).
The main classes I have thought about are a Scarred Witch Doctor, Magus, and an Alchemist.
Any thoughts that folks can share will be extremely useful.
Thanks!
A Bard with archery focus is nice. You obviously have a lot of out-of-combat capacity as a Bard and you'll be hammering out huge chunks of damage when you're not buffing everyone.
Of course, since you just played an archer, I highly recommend going the vivisectionist/beastmorph route. Natural Attacks are more powerful than anything you can get that early and the Beastmorph is one of only a few ways to pick up Pounce.
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Try this. A multiclassed Bard (Archaeologist) / Gunslinger (Mysterious Stranger).
Indiana Jones much? Both classes use Charisma. You'll have bard spells (but no bardic performance), and rogue-like abilities, plus you'll specialize in firearms, scratching your "different mechanics" itch. Unfortunately with the Mysterious Stranger Archetype, you'll have to wait till your 9th level of Gunslinger before you get the class's arguably best feature, Gun Training.
I have been almost solely focusing on Zen Archer builds lately. If you're not already sick of playing an archer, I discovered an interesting combo tonight. One level of Oracle with the Lore (Sidestep Secret) Mystery. This replaces DEX with CHA for your AC and Reflex saves. Since ZAM changes your ranged attack from DEX to WIS anyway, this would eliminate the need for DEX for everything except initiative. (FAQs say DEX still counts for your CMD, but I doubt it would be too hard to talk your DM out of that one.)
That opens up lots of class options for you with a high CHA. You could go Divine Hunter Paladin for 2 levels for your CHA bonus to all your saves or 5 levels for Divine Bond.
After that, ZAM would be pretty interesting for a damage dealer with WIS and CHA as your high stats. ZAM up to 8 gives you your extra attack so you could switch back to Oracle or Paladin or even throw in a level of Inquisitor with the Infiltrator archetype and/or the Conversion or Heresy Inquisitions to buff your social skills even more and truly make you the best party face.
Keep in mind though, you probably can't hit anything with your bow with this build until ZAM 3.
@CKorfmann - If you add Noble Scion to your build at first level and select Scion of War you can use your CHA modifier for initiative as well. This would make DEX a complete dump stat as Oracle levels will let you use for AC and Reflex saves and this would take care of INIT. :)
I was actually going to start a thread similar to this. Ive played a Sorc to 10 2/3rd's level and he is getting close to PFS retirement. I have Barbarian/Alchemist at level 3 and then my next character is a Dual cursed (tongues/legalize) lunar Oracle at level 1. Im looking to add some melee to the mix. Maybe a paly or archer. Yall's thoughts? (I do like playing different mixes of build and dont mind playing a complete party support role.)
@CKorfmann - If you add Noble Scion to your build at first level and select Scion of War you can use your CHA modifier for initiative as well. This would make DEX a complete dump stat as Oracle levels will let you use for AC and Reflex saves and this would take care of INIT. :)
I considered that, but if your CHA is less than 18, Improved Initiative is better with a +4 bonus. I suppose there is the bonus to the Knowledge skill to consider too though, and if you plan to increase your CHA, then it would be better.
That is what I plan on doing with my Oracle. Add headband of alluring charisma and the feat works out for the better in the long term. Plus, as you mentioned, you do get the +2 in Knowledge nobility as well.
I have been almost solely focusing on Zen Archer builds lately. If you're not already sick of playing an archer, I discovered an interesting combo tonight. One level of Oracle with the Lore (Sidestep Secret) Mystery. This replaces DEX with CHA for your AC and Reflex saves. Since ZAM changes your ranged attack from DEX to WIS anyway, this would eliminate the need for DEX for everything except initiative. (FAQs say DEX still counts for your CMD, but I doubt it would be too hard to talk your DM out of that one.)
That opens up lots of class options for you with a high CHA. You could go Divine Hunter Paladin for 2 levels for your CHA bonus to all your saves or 5 levels for Divine Bond.
After that, ZAM would be pretty interesting for a damage dealer with WIS and CHA as your high stats. ZAM up to 8 gives you your extra attack so you could switch back to Oracle or Paladin or even throw in a level of Inquisitor with the Infiltrator archetype and/or the Conversion or Heresy Inquisitions to buff your social skills even more and truly make you the best party face.
Keep in mind though, you probably can't hit anything with your bow with this build until ZAM 3.
If your DM is aware of the Nature mystery then s/he probably won't allow it. That one has an equivalent revelation that converts AC and CMD to Charisma, so it's pretty clear the pick between Lore and Nature is supposed to force you to choose.
Of course, if you go the Nature route and take the levels in Paladin you're getting your Charisma to Reflex saves anyways!