Hello!
So, I GM for a group that is running the Emerald Spire Superdungeon book. Our party consists of a Paladin (Oath of Vengeance), Cleric, Bard, Witch, and a Slayer. Everyone except the Bard and Slayer tend towards min/maxing. The Bard just cares more about playing something interesting than being a powerhouse (hence, he's a bard), but the Slayer envisions himself doing LoTR-type feats. He liked the flavor of the Slayer, which is why he chose it.
The problem is, the Paladin is completely overshadowing him in every way except for perception checks and disable device checks. This is partly due to the Paladin min/maxing, partly due to the Slayer underoptimizing due to a lack of understanding of how the rules work.
How can I help the Slayer feel like he is contributing? What should a Slayer's role be in combat and other situations? The slayer has no compunctions against modifying his character in order to function more effectively.
Look at the builds for the switch hitter ranger, as slayer gets access to the same combat styles plus combat trick he can actually get that style down.
You should also look into the thread on the re hash of stealth, and make sure your slayer friend knows ways of triggering sneak attack.
18 starting Dex, TWF, Weapon Finesse, and the Deadly Agility feat should work wonders for him. By level 3 (when he can have all 3 of those feats and when sneak attack comes online) he will be sitting pretty and contributing quite nicely.
Thanks.
I should have mentioned, though, that our group's policy is to only use stuff from books we own, and we don't have any non-core materials.
I assume you mean non-Paizo instead of non-core, seeing as the Slayer isn't "core" (as in core rulebook only). Nevertheless if you guys are vehemently anti-3rd party he can still do this with Slashing Grace (from the same book the Slayer class is found in) and proficiency in sawtooth sabers. Basically something like this:
1: Weapon Finesse, EWP: Sawtooth Saber
3: Weapon Focus
4: TWF (from Ranger Combat Style talent)
5: Slashing Grace
6: ITWF (from Ranger Combat Style talent)
This achieves the exact same thing I posted above, it just takes longer and requires more feats. Level 5 is when this grows into fruition and will be solid for the rest of the campaign. (I'm assuming that he took trapfinding as his level 2 slayer talent based on what you said in the OP)
18 starting Dex, TWF, Weapon Finesse, and the Deadly Agility feat should work wonders for him. By level 3 (when he can have all 3 of those feats and when sneak attack comes online) he will be sitting pretty and contributing quite nicely.Or, the easy way taking advantage of the fact that it's a Slayer:
18 starting Strength, TWF via Ranger style.
Could push your Dex up enough to get TWF normally and get the supporting feats from the combat style, but a Slayer has very little need of Dex to support TWF.
It is an expenditure of resources, but I like and prefer the Dex focused build, due to all the other synergies Dex has with the class and style.
Out of curiosity, what does the Slayer look like right now?
Indeed, more info would be helpful. What is his race, level, and current feats and talents?
Yeah, I meant Paizo-only, thanks.
Slashing grace is a really cool feat. Thanks for pointing it out!
Previously, he was a half-elf slayer, with his ability scores fairly balanced, resulting in lower scores all around, rather than having one or two main scores. He was wielding a rapier, using weapon finesse. He was actually planning on taking TWF at 2nd level for his slayer's talent, and getting trapfinding at 4th. He's been sitting next to me as we read your suggestions, and how he looks like this:
Human Slayer/2
STR 10 DEX 19 CON 14
INT 12 WIS 12 CHA 8
1st level feats: Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus (Handaxe)
Slayer's Talent (2nd level): Two Weapon Fighting
He's planning on taking Slashing Grace at 3rd, and Trapfinding for his 4th level talent. He's been adding up his various modifiers, and he's way more happy with his character now than he was :)
Thanks a bunch!
@NewXToa: Wielding a rapier, and took Weapon Focus (Handaxe)?
Also, from reading Slashing Grace, it seems kind of broken -- I think you might get Dex-to-Damage on your Handaxe, but not be able to get Dex-to-Hit on the Handaxe (unless it is supposed to make Weapon Finesse usable with weapons that it normally cannot be used with?).
EDIT: Handaxe is Light, as pointed out in between our post. But save the above question for a (one-handed) battleaxe.
Also, anyone know if a Slayer guide is in the works?
Uhg, didn't put that together. I think we may just houserule that it works.
RAW, the only weapon you can get to work with slashing grace is the dueling sword.
Unless you are willing to dip swash, or hand waive it.
Which is why Deadly Agility is the superiorly designed feat. Slashing Grace is wonky with silly wording. I agree with the house ruling it to work with any light or one-hander NewXToa.