I was wanting to make a character that is pretty decent on average, but really shines the more beat down and overwhelmed he is. I guess the anime/manga hero who has that indominable spirit to rise up again and again, hit harder, and not give up no matter how badly things are stacked against him. Usually his spirit and determination is an inspiration to his allies.
Is there any way to build a character that can fulfill those 'themes'?
I was wanting to make a character that is pretty decent on average, but really shines the more beat down and overwhelmed he is. I guess the anime/manga hero who has that indominable spirit to rise up again and again, hit harder, and not give up no matter how badly things are stacked against him. Usually his spirit and determination is an inspiration to his allies.
Is there any way to build a character that can fulfill those 'themes'?
Problem in Pathfinder is that in 3 rounds you're dead or they are dead. Anime character style stuff goes on for 26 chapters and counting. So not many options are geared towards that.
Death or glory perhaps, though mechanically different, could fit in with that.
Some classes - the Guide/Skirmisher Ranger comes to mind - go from average to amazing at a few moments of their choosing, so that could work. You just choose the 'right' moment to unleash their power. I'm not sure there is a single martial power combo in the game that can compete with the Guide's Ranger's Focus + Inspired Moment.
4th Edition D&D does a good job of this with its bloodied mechanics. The trouble is I can't think of any similar element in Pathfinder.
Your best bet is probably the tried and true but arbitrary method of holding back. Let's say you're playing a martial character that's got Power Attack but really specializes in Dirty Tricks. Well, don't use your Dirty Tricks in the minor fights. Use Power Attack + face smashy... and then, when the big fight comes, lay the smackdown with massive debuffs everywhere.
Arcane spellcaster? Save your big spells for later.
Bloodrager? Barbarian? Use your rage when the time is right.
There was a class in 3.5 I liked that sort of accomplished this by adding in a "you can kill your teammates" factor. It was the Frenzied Berserker. You did damage to yourself each round you Frenzied, but you gained a crapton of attack and damage and strength. Your AC was a patoot that got the boot, but your ability to hack things up because you were a gosh darned berserker was pretty rad. If there's a Pathfinder equivalent, that'd be about as close as you could get, I think.
This is sort of what the warpriest does. Every round is more time to buff yourself, or if you need to come back from behind, then heal yourself. If a warpriest makes it to the 3rd round of a combat, he will likely be very dangerous.
Id recommend starting with orc or half orc, theres a lot of great things involving ferocity, you could be something of a barbarian/alchemist with the int damage mutagen.
Bloatmage allows you to harm yourself for additional spells, that could be interesting, especially in conjunction with dhampir
There is the Deathless Initiate chain of feats in Ultimate Combat. Are they any good for you?
Thats what i was thinking with orc,
I think raw a torch had orc in the name so can be used with orc weapon expertise, and obviously with burnburnburn... If you can shove goblin into your blood somehow
*edit* i say that because both orcs and goblins gain fire bonuses
I was wanting to make a character that is pretty decent on average, but really shines the more beat down and overwhelmed he is. I guess the anime/manga hero who has that indominable spirit to rise up again and again, hit harder, and not give up no matter how badly things are stacked against him. Usually his spirit and determination is an inspiration to his allies.
Is there any way to build a character that can fulfill those 'themes'?
Tiefling (Pit Born) Oath of Vengeance Paladin with a dip in Lore Oracle for Sidestep Secret.
Take Fey Foundling as your first feat, Suicidal as a trait and load up on Extra Lay on Hands. Focus on Charisma. Careful spell selection as you go should give you exactly what you want.
Shoot me a message if you want a more detailed build.
I do see how combats are usually pretty fast paced. Hmm. :/
Well Wiggz has some ideas he's going to send me, does anyone else have any suggestions?
Is there a way to get the Determination Armor effect without having to... get armor with it?
There's a Ninja trick that lets you eat a combat maneuver AoO by choice and then add the damage to your maneuver roll. Kind of more 'succeed wildly *by* taking a beating than *when* taking a beating but... still. Four levels of Thug Scout Rogue is enough to set up a martial with a nice, nasty combat ability and grab a couple Ninja tricks; the invisibility as a swift action trick might be useful insurance to have if you're deliberately going into melee and getting slapped around.
Cavalier might work for this idea, though for roleplaying you'll want to hold off using the challenge ability for those tough spots where you want the extra boost.
Could also work for any of the raging classes (Skalds, Bloodragers, Barbs), just treating the rage effects as the extra boost. Or be a "selfish" Bard using Inspire Greatness/Heroics for those moments.
I don't know anything that mechanically fits and this is sub-optimal, but this is a way you could roleplay this character to fit my idea of the description you've given.
Found something! Blood Armour spell makes you stronger the more hits you receive.
Blood Armor
School transmutation; Level alchemist 2, bloodrager 2, sorcerer/wizard 2, summoner 2, witch 2
CASTING
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S
EFFECT
Range personal
Target you
Duration 1 minute/level
DESCRIPTION
Your blood becomes as hard as iron upon contact with air. Each time you take at least 5 points of piercing or slashing damage, your armor gains a +1 enhancement bonus to your AC. An outfit of regular clothing counts as armor that grants no AC bonus for the purpose of this spell. This enhancement bonus stacks with itself to a maximum enhancement bonus of +5. This spell has no effect while underwater or in environments that lack air.
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Advanced Class Guide