Long story short is this: I no longer have any of the Pathfinder books I used to make any of my PFS characters... save for the Core rulebook. So until I own all the other books again, I decided to challange myself and play PFS with what I have. (Seeing as I can't legally play the other charaters now... Those other books really did spoil me)
Which led me into trying to create a Dragon Disciple. My initial thought was to make it melee focussed and... well my stats look something like this:
Lvl 1 Human Paladin
Str: 16 (+2 racial)
Dex: 13
Con: 14
Int: 7
Wis: 7
Cha: 16
Feats: Toughness and Power Attack
So my initial thought was to jump into Paladin for 4 straight levels, using my 5th level to quickly pick up a sorcerer level, and go into straight dragon disciple from then on.
I guess I was wondering if anyone saw an major problem with this build, had suggestions for later levels or had any idea as to how to make it better. I am open to any suggestions just short of "Don't do it" or "buy the other books ASAP". I purposely wosh to stick to Core on this one, especially since I wrote up the backstory.
I don't see any problems. I would probably prefer more sorcerer and less paladin, but that's just me.
You might want to rethink Power Attack, though. I hear it's a trap. ;)
Seriously though, which dragon type are you thinking of taking?
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I admit I was overstating the power attack thing a bit. :P
On topic, I dislike playing a Paladin in PFS. Many times, the society has you performing missions that are incompatible with a paladin code.
If you are going to use Paladin as your base, I would stick to two levels to pick up Divine Grace, and then move to bard for a few levels until you qualify for DD.
I like bard more than sorcerer for your arcane entry as it allows you some great bard tricks like inspire courage and versatile performance, better HD, and better BAB.
I would also lower CHA a bit and raise Dex to 14. Finally, I would use a reach weapon and combat reflexes, and pick up lunge later.
You might want to rethink Power Attack, though. I hear it's a trap.
I see this so often in the boards nowadays that I have to remind myself that it's a joke.
As for the type... I have to do reasearch and find out which is the Lawful Evil variety.
As for the spellcasting, I will try to stick with spells w/out Somatic componants and buy wands of the spells that I think are good buffs. But no blasting at all for me other than the breath weapon later.
Blue and Green are lawful evil.
I've played a Pally before in PFS. I think that as a Paladin of Torag doing mostly Silver Crusade/Liberty's Edge missions, I can safely stick with the "Good" above "Law" ideal Paladims are supposed to have.
As for the Bard idea... that's actually not a half bad idea. I'm not going to be a primary caster anyways, so loss of spellcasting doesn't hurt (though someone else will have to zap me with my eventual wand of Enlarge Person). The thing is I also want to keep my BAB as high as possible so may not want to give up Paladin levels for it... choices, choices.
I was planning on using a reach weapon too... but am not sure about lowering Charisma. That's an overall -1 to Fort and Will for a +1 to AC and Reflex... though I suppose that's another possible AOO woth combat reflexes. Then again if I want to focus on attack with claws, Charisma is important...
Taking a 3 levels of bard or 1 of sorcerer gives you the same BAB with your character.
To be honest, claws are not easily doable in a PFS setting using only core rules.
You only get them a couple of rounds a day, and most of the ways in which you can get them more permanently do not feature in the Core Rulebook.
To be honest, I'd go for a reach weapon and save the claw routine for when some pesky mob gets too close, or just use the bite you get at level 7 as a secondary attack.
I personally love the flavour of the draconic bloodline, but Bard has early access to some decent spells and nice melee buffs. Moreso because there is no real benefit to going Paladin 4 over Bard 3/Paladin 2.
Outside of Core I WOULD go Paladin 4 for Oath of Vengeance, but that is neither here nor there. Paladin 2/Bard 3 and grabbing Arcane Strike might be good.
Oh well, just my two cents.
Taking a 3 levels of bard or 1 of sorcerer gives you the same BAB with your character.
Derp. I don't know what table I was reading for the BAB but it obviously wasn't rhe RIGHT one. Definitely right about Bard being more attractive. That actually just might be the way to go, plus it has AMAZING charisma synergy. (Has it really been so long since I built a character that I'm getting the total BAB of a 3/4ths BAB class wrong?)
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I think 2 levels of sorceror is the way to go vs 3 levels of bard. Better spellcasting, and get 2 levels further along in the bloodline. (I keep wanting to suggest non-core options such as cross-blooded, or going nat weapons with a half-orc who has a bite attack combined with the dragon bloodline claws. :P)
I forgot the web enhancement!
As for Barb I definitely want to be melee focused but I don't think that works with Paladin (Oh how I lament over this fact). Alignment restrictions and all. But the point about Power Attack and my low BAB is a valid one... what does everyone else think? Should I forgo Power Attack on account of me not being able to hit anything (and go with weapon focus: x reach weapon) or should I keep it? I'm definitely taking Arcane Strike ASAP.
EDIT: I definitely think going bard for 3 levels after my two in Pally is a choice I will make. that way I don't have to worry about skills. (12 due to my bard levels, 2 from paladin, 5 because I'm a human with the skilled trait and a possible 3 from the FCB with bard) Alas, I would have gone Half Elf or Half Orc, but the extra feat and the skilled trait was just too juicy!
You should definitely consider the taking the magical knack trait. It will make your spells stronger and advance arcane strike more quickly.
You should definitely consider the taking the magical knack trait. It will make your spells stronger and advance arcane strike more quickly.
I was just thinking that. Well, it looks like my first level choice is done. Now I just have to play it until level 12... if I survive that long, let's see if I can't bring this to level 20. (I wonder how many Core only PCs made it to level 20 in PFS).
I thought PFS stopped at 12th level.
With careful navigation through modules and APs, and watching your XP, you can make it to level 20. I don't think you can PLAY your level 20 character, but you can make it there.
I didn't realize that. It makes PFS a little more appealing to me.
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The Bard3/Pally 2 seems very strong. Gets you what you need from Paladin (saves and a smite) and allows you to wear at least some Armour without suffering any spell failure.
Power attack is definitely worthwhile if you are two handing something (both from the supporting maths and anecdotal experience). You wont get much bonus damage from the smite, so most of your damage will come from strength bonus and power attack.
Core-only melee-focused dragon disciple, starting as a paladin?
For better spells and BAB:
Paladin 3 (Aura of Courage, Divine Health, and Mercy are worth it IMO)/sorcerer 2/dragon disciple 8/eldritch knight 7. You get spell progression as a sorcerer 14 (7th-level spells) and BAB +17 at 20th level.
For better protection and skills:
Paladin 3/bard 2/dragon disciple 4/bard +3/dragon disciple +4/bard +4. You get spell progression as a bard 15 (5th-level spells) and BAB +15 at 20th level.
For spells as both paladin and bard:
Paladin 5 (to pick up Divine Bond early)/bard 2/dragon disciple 4/paladin +3 (for Aura of Resolve and +2 instead of +1 with Divine Bond for holy)/mystic theurge 6. You get spell progression as a paladin 14 and bard 11 (4th-level spells with both) and BAB +15 at 20th level.
…I decided to challange myself and play PFS… …my stats look something like this:
Lvl 1 Human Paladin
Str: 16 (+2 racial)
Dex: 13
Con: 14
Int: 7
Wis: 7
Cha: 16
Something seems off here…
Str 14 (5 points)
Dex 13 (+3; 8 points)
Con 14 (+5; 13 points)
Int 7: (-4; 9 points)
Wis 7: (-4; 5 points)
Cha 16: (+10; 15 points)
PFS is played with 20 point buy, not 15. You're welcome!
Oops. What I meant was 16 strength PLUS the +2 from the racial bonus for a total of 18.
And now this has me thinking... I will put the level 4 bonus into dex for a nice round 14. Headband of Charisma because, why not? I don't really need to worry about casting because by that time I'll have mithral medium armor (I think chain is the best but I don't have the book im front of me). So I'll be a pretty tough switch hitter, not beimg the main striker in combat but able to hold my own. When things get hairy I have quite a few nice spells...
Speaking of which, Dragonchess, I REALLY like your second idea. The natural progression is quite good and I'd be well off to take a good hit while staying alive to return the favor.
Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm trying to set up the first game for Friday. She'll be a pretty standard Paladin until level 2 but that's when things get interesting.