So the GM has been kind enough to inform us that the next encounter may have a nasty chance of killing one of the players within the campaign. That said, he has also opted that we come up with a backup character just incase. That said and done, from the looks of how the party is thinking, as well as the circumstance in which its not a full party KO, but just some, our party is lacking a "face". Since I'm constantly playing full casters, they regulated me to playing noncasters or slower progression casters (example bard, Pali, ect...).
We are not using the advanced class guide as the current pathfinder campaign we are playing was made prior to the inclusion of it. 3rd party material is also out. Core, advanced, ultimates and some campaign settings or smaller books are allowed (although the last couple are partially GM discretion).
RP standpoint, looking for a character that has a certain guile about him, savvy, prime example, Cary Elwes in a good number of his movies (Robin Hood: men in tights, Princess Bride...).
As far as races go, humans always a fine option, although the GM is being more open about uncommon races, such as kitsune, but not complete reign over the choices due to the current setting predicament (cold blooded races wouldn't ever dare be here...), as well as no innate natural flying, so strix is right out. Thoughts?
Bard seems like a good fit. Swashbucklering guile-adventurer, great face, some buffs, some stabs. You could be Kitsune if you want. Enchantments and Illusions are their thing. Very fitting.
Yeah, I thought about possibly playing a bard, however I can't seem to wrap my head around what is probably the best approach in making one.
As far as archtypes go, the only one that really stands out to me without 'using the scimitar for flavor purposes" with the dervish dancer is the arcane duelist, although it trades a few very handy features.
I am well aware the bard is considered the "ultimate support" so to speak, but while being a class so heavily portrayed as such, I'm irked by the idea of simply being a buffer/debuffer the entire playthrough despite a more flamboyant personality that would suggest otherwise.
Another thing that has been going through my head is among combative options which route to take? Agile weapon enchantment is a possibility, so dex builds could work, but among those should I possibly go for a sword and buckler? two weapon fighting? is it worth the feat taxes or is a more melee combative bard with being slightly less support-like a lost cause?
It's probably best to go single weapon Dervish Dance, I think.
If you wanna be more than just a buffer, there are several Bard options you can take.
You can go Dervish Dancer or Dervish of Dawn for a damage build (with one being more suited to full on-combat and the other for a mix between casting and fighting).
Another good one is the Archivist, if you want to also provide the party with lore.
Another option if you wanna be more active is to go Inquisitor. You can be a face with all the CHA-to-WIS skills they have, while providing more than just buffing/debuffing.
Witch Hunter is a great archetype to provide more stuff to your party.
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Gillman rogue eldritch raider
Take alternate traits to be less water dependent if needed.
The RP could be Indiana jones/ Sean Connery with a dab of magic.
Acid splash, snowball, fiery shuricans.... Are great surprise round sneak attacks. You also have all the skills covered that your party is lacking. If you want melee get a wand of flame blade and go to town. .[grab the vanish trick too, if melee].
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Gillman rogue eldritch raider
I think you mean Eldritch Raider/Counterfeit Mage Rogue, right?
You want to use all your feats for Extra Rogue talents to get early qualification into Arcane Trickster.
It's probably best to go single weapon Dervish Dance, I think.
If you wanna be more than just a buffer, there are several Bard options you can take.
You can go Dervish Dancer or Dervish of Dawn for a damage build (with one being more suited to full on-combat and the other for a mix between casting and fighting).
Another good one is the Archivist, if you want to also provide the party with lore.
Another option if you wanna be more active is to go Inquisitor. You can be a face with all the CHA-to-WIS skills they have, while providing more than just buffing/debuffing.
Witch Hunter is a great archetype to provide more stuff to your party.
Wanted to avoid Dervish Dancing if able even though statistically it is superior to most other kinds of builds, it just feels wrong at times to use something just because it is better and that you base a lose flavor background story "yeah, I'm a follower of sarenrae... because I like scimita-err, I mean doing good and ensuring the dead remain dead!"
Inquisitor might be a possibility since it would still somewhat be a face so to speak...
Scion of Humanity Azata-Blooded Aasimar Dawnflower Dervish.
Choose the +1/2 level higher when determining the effects of a performance racial favored class bonus for Battle Dance.
Sadly Aasimar is a no go, GM's choice.
Gillman rogue eldritch raider
Take alternate traits to be less water dependent if needed.
The RP could be Indiana jones/ Sean Connery with a dab of magic.
Acid splash, snowball, fiery shuricans.... Are great surprise round sneak attacks. You also have all the skills covered that your party is lacking. If you want melee get a wand of flame blade and go to town. .[grab the vanish trick too, if melee].
Gillmen probably won't fly in the campaign setting. FYI, setting is in Irrisen, where it has been winter for countless centuries and without proper spells/potions/magical items, the weather itself could probably freeze bloodflow easily.
What races are allowed?
Any of the core, Catfolk, Ifrit, Kobold, Orc, Oread, Ratfolk, sylph, Tiefling, Changeling, Kitsune, Samsarans, Suli, MAYBE Vishkanya (not 100% on that...), and Wayangs.
Infiltrator Inquisitor is good for a "face" person as you get to use Wisdom to social skills and/or there is the Conversion Inquisition you can take that allows wisdom in addition to charisma for social skills. Whether or not you can have them both is a matter of some contention on the boards (let's not get into it), so see what your DM thinks. If you can use both you are looking at essentially double wisdom mod for social skills instead of using charisma, meaning you could do all your talky stuff successfully with a 5 charisma dwarf.
NO GOBLINS? quit the damn table.
Anyway, yeah, it looks like you could make a pretty decent Inquisitor.
Kobold Bard is also a good option - you can skip CON altogether with Kobold Confidence, take the Dragon Herald archetype if allowed.
Another option you could try out is Paladin, Ninja, Cavalier or Antipaladin. Sczarni Swindler Rogues make great faces too.
What races are allowed?Any of the core, Catfolk, Ifrit, Kobold, Orc, Oread, Ratfolk, sylph, Tiefling, Changeling, Kitsune, Samsarans, Suli, MAYBE Vishkanya (not 100% on that...), and Wayangs.
Play an Ifrit Bard with the Fire-Starter alternate trait. Proceed to open every combat with Blistering Invective.