Simple, your DM needs to be running Iron Heroes, not PF.
Simple, your DM needs to be running Iron Heroes, not PF.I tried to tell him that. But he loves PF. Can't blame him, I do too.
But he's not running PF. Not even close.
Magic is a integral part of the game.
The GM should adjust his game to the capabilities of the PC, not the other way around.
How does your DM feel about monks? Are you actually playing a game of SAO using PF rules? If so, you should have him make you play the beta. ;)
You really want to keep your AC up. Take a shield, and a fighter's armor training will be invaluable. Without magic for rapid healing, you need to avoid being hit in the first place. Just having a lot of HP to survive the fight (barbarian style) means spending a lot of time between fights sleeping it off at the inn.
I wouldn't play in such a game, but if I had to, I'd go with the good ol' Superstitious, Pouncing Spell-Sundering Barbarian.
Or use this Rogue fix ;). But I don't think your GM will allow homebrew stuff.
Beater!
If monks are allowed, check out some of the optimization guides out there. They get a lot of cool ki stuff that emulates magic which would help in SAO. Would your DM allow a spell-less ranger? Taking boon companion with your animal companion of choice would be handy. He may be open to it considering they had a monster-tamer kind of girl in the show?
@Lemmy Supersticious, Pouncing Spell-sundering barb? O_o How does one do that?
Rather easily.
Be a Barbarian (preferably using the Invulnerable Rager archetype) and grab the following Rage Powers:
- Beast Totem, Lesser
- Beast Totem (gives you scaling AC!)
- Beast Totem, Greater (Gives you Pounce!)
- Superstition (being human allows you to use your favored class bonus to boost Superstition's numbers to the stratosphere).
- Spell Sunder (Because breaking magic is awesome!)
I also recommend Come and Get Me, Ghost Rager, Strength Surge (so you never again fail a CMB check) and, if possible, Eater of Magic.
And the Rogue fix... that's epic. Just finished reading it. I'll run that by him tomorrow.
Glad you like. :)
If he allows it, tell me how it goes. I always appreciate feedback. I'm using this homebrew to play a duelist Rogue in RotRL, so far, so good.;)
@Ross That sounds like another solid idea. Is there a build out there specifically that could optimize sword and board? I see that and hear Falcion/Scimitar. Or... what is the most damaging/useful melee weapon? And what armor should I wear?
If wands are available, then this isn't as critical as I thought.
If I am guessing correctly, if the DM is basing this game off the anime, wands and potions are swapped out for crystals that are usually single use before they are gone. He probably isn't allowing all normal spells, just teleportation to fixed spots and some healing, and maybe a few other effects like audio journals and such.
The shield bash route can be fun. Essentially TWF with sword and board while retaining shield bonus to AC and free bull rush when you hit with your shield.
For the Spell Sunder + Strength Surge Barbarian, May I reccomend Cord of Stubborn Resolve for early rage cycling goodness!
I wonder what kind of character the OP ended up playing.
I've been playing with some people newer to the game, and as the more experienced player took a defender role. I went with a Phalanx Fighter, which is an archetype but is very non-magicy so if you could talk him into it, it could work. By level three, you have a long-spear you're wielding one handed, allowing for you to use reach for battlefield control, and you have the shield for defense, as well as to shield bash anything that get's too close. We had a rogue and a sorcerer making up the rest of the party.
Based on positioning, I could help set the rogue up for sneak attack, while the sorcerer could stay behind me safe and sound. Even if you don't have a sorcerer, an archer will appreciate having you there as a speed bump.
Eventually, you can use a tower shield, or just carry one around and drop it down to give your squishy friends cover. Haven't played it over level 8 though so no idea how well it matures. It dominates pretty easily from levels 1-5 though.