Hello Everyone,
Let's see if I can multitask.
Myself and my family are new to actually playing Pathfinder. I have had many of the books for quite a while, we just have not played much at all. That is changing and I think we are all excited to begin playing.
I am running my family's first set of modules and I am almost done making a character plan for all four characters. The party will ran by two kids, Mom, and Dad (me).
When the kids are in bed my wife and I thought it would be fun to run another campaign. She will run all the characters in the party. That is probably not advised but we are both willing to give it a shot. She needs a party, and that is where you all come in.
We don't want to use the exact same party as the full family campaign, but we are ok reusing some of the classes or maybe part of the builds. With what classes we think we want, and the effect of our house rules, what other classes would be simple and effective to fill out the party. (please no party of 5 summoners) =)
House Rules:
Wand of Many Mini Things: Unlimited charges of 1hp heal (if you can live though the fight, you can go into the next fight at least at full HP)
No Flying: Maybe 1 or 2 baddies every blue moon will require ranged attacks but in general everyone will be on the ground
1] Battle Oracle: STR Melee Reach, Enlarge, Buffer
2] Rogue: STR Brute TWF
3] Paladin: STR 2H?
4] Sorcerer: Buffs the Melee
5] ?????? {5th slot so a bit more flexible}
--a] Maybe DEX Archer specialist?
--b] Maybe Ranger DEX Archer/TWF?
--c] Maybe Barbarian STR 2H?
--d] Maybe 2nd Sorcerer blaster?
5a] Pros:
-------- Nice damage because many full round attack
-------- No need to move as much as other melees
5a] Cons:
-------- 1 less front line means 1 less to absorb hits
5b] Pros:
-------- Do fair at either range or melee when needed
-------- Able to be on front line when needed to absorb hits
5b] Cons:
-------- Maybe not as good as damage as archer specialist?
5c] Pros:
-------- Great damage
5c] Cons:
-------- ?
5d] Pros:
-------- Blaster is fun
-------- RotR has much magic?
5d] Cons:
-------- Squishy
Thoughts:
-She won't need as much healing as normal groups.
-To balance out her lack of experience she gets a 5th character. This should help with the action economy, damage output, and damage absorption but will slow things down.
-Do RotR parties really benefit from particular classes? (is she missing it?)
Questions:
Q1] With these general guidelines what would you pick for the 5th class and why?
Q2] If you would tweak one of the 4 other characters what would you do and why?
Thanks All!
Braxon
An archery ranger is okay, but they work better with a two-hander for a backup weapon imo as it is less feat intensive and archers usually have some strength bonus anyway for the mighty bows. Zen monks are also very good archers, but their lvl 1 isn't all that good - still, if she wants to try it, a zen archer substituting some monk powers via the qinggong archetype is a good base for a very cool pseudomystic character.
I'm also a fan of archer bards, and while they take a while to become good archers, they are all-around handy guys and girls to have around, especially with so many strength-based beatsticks. Going either full support or full blaster is imo not the best route for sorcerers - the more versatile their spell selection is, the better. Some blasting or at least ranged control is always good to have, and another possible support character - bard, alchemist (with infusion) or even summoner or witch are all good options, leaving the sorcerer free to let loose and fry.
Hmm, now I wonder what perform skill a court or soundstriker bard should use for a diss rap at an ogre... I imagine either oratory or comedy. Not quite as easy as a witch cackle, but definitely worth it is you have the time and inclination to RP it right.