Okay so I am eventually going to be participating in a campaign with some people new to pathfinder and the like, as such I need to build a character and the idea on my mind has been something akin to building a dragon slayer. basically I want to use a large great-sword as such I am as of right now using looking as using the titan fighter class.
The campaign specifically as stated by gm will most likely be rise of the rune-lords. With new people he wants to go easy and do by the book sort of thing instead of our usual home-brew.
the way fighter is alone is kind of boring in my opinion so I was looking as multi-classing, dips and the like. any suggestions for what path to follow?
My ideas so far have been kind of leaning towards a dragon slayer-ish concept.
Don't bother with Titan Fighter. You'd lose more than you gain compared to normal fighter.
Maybe you'd wanna check out the Slayer class as it looks to be a more versatile fighter.
nope, I'm focusing on the large great sword thing specifically.
forgot to post previously assume level 1 to start, race, stats and such have yet to be decided
Also not interested in switching classes for versatility unless the class allows me to use a sword larger than medium sized. I picked titan fighter because It interests me more than Titan mauler barbarian.
Paladin 2/Ranger 2/Lore Warden Fighter 4/Slayer X
Get the Kirin Style line of feats.
Go sword and board and two weapon fighting.
Have a middling Int score.
Pick Dragons as your favored enemy.
Oh. Instead of TWF then go with a large bastard sword. Concept still is intact. ;)
You want to kill dragons with a greatsword? Barbarian Titan Mauler. The real question is: Are you expecting to fight dragons? Ranger could work for 1-2 levels for the favoured enemies if you are making a dedicated dragon slayer, but if you just want the imagery play a fighter/barbarian. Consider a Oath Against The Wyrm paladin as well.
Okay so problem is Large sized great sword can't normally be used unless the archetype says so which in this case it does. titan fighter is incompatible with other fighter archetypes.
If you can play a half giant it will get you +2 str and powerful build which allows you to use a large weapon. It is not PFS legal though as it comes from a third party product. Then you can use any build you want, a typical two handed weapon fighter will probably be your best damage.
yea as of right now for that id have to consult the gm. but it's an idea
You want to kill dragons with a greatsword? Barbarian Titan Mauler. The real question is: Are you expecting to fight dragons? Ranger could work for 1-2 levels for the favoured enemies if you are making a dedicated dragon slayer, but if you just want the imagery play a fighter/barbarian. Consider a Oath Against The Wyrm paladin as well.
not really the dragon slayer is more a flavoring thing, character in question dreams of slaying a dragon, rescueing the damsel, all that story stuff... he believes its all real.
Titan Fighter is bleh.
Assuming you got a 18 Strength:
Giant Weapon Wielder (Ex): At 1st level, a titan fighter can wield two-handed melee weapons intended for creatures one size category larger than himself, treating them as two-handed weapons. He takes an additional –2 penalty on attack rolls when using an oversized two-handed weapon. This ability replaces the fighter’s 1st level bonus feat.
A large greatsword (100 gp) does 3d6 damage. It's inappropriately sized for a titan fighter, -2 penalty. The titan fighter tacks on extra -2 penalty to use it at all. We can assume you'd wanna maximize your chances of hitting after the drastic -4 penalty from size issues, so you'd pick up Weapon Focus (greatsword). And let's say Power Attack.
+2 to hit = 3d6+6 damage. Average of 16.5.
Power Attacking = +1 attack, 3d6+9 (average 19.5)
Regular greatsword with same feats.
+6 to hit = 2d6+6 (average 13). Power Attacking = +5 to hit, 2d6+9 (average 16).
Heck regular fighters have a bonus feat, so can get Furious Focus at level 1 for a =6 to hit while power attacking.
If you're cool starting off with the accuracy of NPC warrior with 12 Strength with good feats and high damage potential (well only 3.5 points higher than regular fighter), then sure as you level up the penalties to hit gets reduced. You'd want to invest in Vital Strike chain to take advantage of all the dice.
Regular fighter (or any other Full BAB class) would have to simply to resort to full attacking for several applications of full 1.5xStr modifier to damage, Weapon Training with gloves of dueling, and probably moving at full speed to keep up with all the giant-sized creatures you'd be hunting.
Titan Fighter is bleh.
Assuming you got a 18 Strength:
Giant Weapon Wielder (Ex): At 1st level, a titan fighter can wield two-handed melee weapons intended for creatures one size category larger than himself, treating them as two-handed weapons. He takes an additional –2 penalty on attack rolls when using an oversized two-handed weapon. This ability replaces the fighter’s 1st level bonus feat.A large greatsword (100 gp) does 3d6 damage. It's inappropriately sized for a titan fighter, -2 penalty. The titan fighter tacks on extra -2 penalty to use it at all. We can assume you'd wanna maximize your chances of hitting after the drastic -4 penalty from size issues, so you'd pick up Weapon Focus (greatsword). And let's say Power Attack.
+2 to hit = 3d6+6 damage. Average of 16.5.
Power Attacking = +1 attack, 3d6+9 (average 19.5)Regular greatsword with same feats.
+6 to hit = 2d6+6 (average 13). Power Attacking = +5 to hit, 2d6+9 (average 16).
Heck regular fighters have a bonus feat, so can get Furious Focus at level 1 for a =6 to hit while power attacking.If you're cool starting off with the accuracy of NPC warrior with 12 Strength with good feats and high damage potential (well only 3.5 points higher than regular fighter), then sure as you level up the penalties to hit gets reduced. You'd want to invest in Vital Strike chain to take advantage of all the dice.
Regular fighter (or any other Full BAB class) would have to simply to resort to full attacking for several applications of full 1.5xStr modifier to damage, Weapon Training with gloves of dueling, and probably moving at full speed to keep up with all the giant-sized creatures you'd be hunting.
this isn't really about optimization, its more suggestions for what potential route i could take with this, things like that, if it was about optimization i would looked at a guide. i'm not so much interested in the math behind it right now.
You will find that the advice given on the advice boards will largely be geared towards optimization. If you are not looking for optimization then just go pick whatever you want that adds to the flavor you are going for. You don't need advice for that. We can't tell you what you like.
What Lune said.
I bring up "optimization", your words not mine, because the flavour of what you want to achieve can be done in loads of ways, and Titan Fighter is not a great one. I don't care about optimization, but when you come on the advice forums, at the very least folks will tell to you tips and traps to avoid so you can actually enjoy your character when it actually SUCCEEDS in tasks you envision for it.
I also started up a level 1 fighter for Rise of the Runelords just last month. Things are not a cake walk to hit.
honestly i just want to use a large great sword or inappropriately sized blade that one should not be hefting around. large greatsword is just my initial decision and i don't want to rely on magic to get it done. I know its a rare and probably bad decision but it seems fun and id prefer to stay away from classes like rogue, slayer, and the like as my past few characters have been either those or casters so id like to do something new, i find shield and sword boring and more than half of my previous characters have had animal companions or familiars so i'm kind of venturing into new territory.
If all you want is to fight with a greatsword, then you're already going to be doing it, and you know better than we what you'll enjoy for flavor. I'm not sure what you're really asking for. If you want to know what works and what doesn't, you're secretly asking for optimization. If you don't want optimization, you'll have to be more clear on what advice you really want when you ask for what works and what doesn't.
If all you want is to fight with a greatsword, then you're already going to be doing it, and you know better than we what you'll enjoy for flavor. I'm not sure what you're really asking for. If you want to know what works and what doesn't, you're secretly asking for optimization. If you don't want optimization, you'll have to be more clear on what advice you really want when you ask for what works and what doesn't.
i was really looking for prestige classes or something that would be viable to add onto my large sword fighter thing
Again, what does 'viable' mean to you? ...that the prc can use a greatsword? Yes, most can. Done. ...that they're better with a greatsword than others? That's a secret optimization request.
Let me put it to you how I do to my players- when you see your character running around, being awesome, what are they doing?
So Milo's a guy with a really big sword- what's he good at, though? He dreams of slaying dragons? What do these dreams look like if he describes them to people? What's he doing in the meantime, btw?
Again, what does 'viable' mean to you? ...that the prc can use a greatsword? Yes, most can. Done. ...that they're better with a greatsword than others? That's a secret optimization request.
Let me put it to you how I do to my players- when you see your character running around, being awesome, what are they doing?
So Milo's a guy with a really big sword- what's he good at, though? He dreams of slaying dragons? What do these dreams look like if he describes them to people? What's he doing in the meantime, btw?
viable in the sense does it actually work with it. Milo is a squire, knight apprentice type thing who dreams of becoming a hero like in the stories, those stories mostly refer to heroes slaying dragons, getting the princess, exploring ancient tombs, how heroes can never be scared a hero must be courageous and unflinching, in the meantime he is a storyteller, a knight, historian, and generally good if a little naive kind of guy
honestly i just want to use a large great sword or inappropriately sized blade that one should not be hefting around. large greatsword is just my initial decision and i don't want to rely on magic to get it done. I know its a rare and probably bad decision but it seems fun and id prefer to stay away from classes like rogue, slayer, and the like as my past few characters have been either those or casters so id like to do something new, i find shield and sword boring and more than half of my previous characters have had animal companions or familiars so i'm kind of venturing into new territory.
You may have a better experience using a Large Bastard Sword. Just a -2 penalty to attack rolls rather than the -4 for using a Large Greatsword.
honestly i just want to use a large great sword or inappropriately sized blade that one should not be hefting around. large greatsword is just my initial decision and i don't want to rely on magic to get it done. I know its a rare and probably bad decision but it seems fun and id prefer to stay away from classes like rogue, slayer, and the like as my past few characters have been either those or casters so id like to do something new, i find shield and sword boring and more than half of my previous characters have had animal companions or familiars so i'm kind of venturing into new territory.You may have a better experience using a Large Bastard Sword. Just a -2 penalty to attack rolls rather than the -4 for using a Large Greatsword.
How so? Large bastard sword counts as two handed no?
Play a tiefling with the alternative racial ability from the d100 list to wield large weapons while still being medium sized. Pick the class that fits your character. I personally like the idea of a bloodrager tiefling (Fiendish Heritage feat for demon-blooded (if required)) wielding a massive sword. Steelblood archetype for heavy armor and more B.A look.
The ability is in the Blood of Fiends book and reads as follows:
"GMs may customize tiefling NPCs using the following charts, or allow players to do so by rolling a d%. Players with a particular character concept in mind may consult their GM if they want to select a specific variant ability or may take the Fiendish Heritage feat. The abilities and alternative physical features presented here replace the standard / default equivalent trait or feature. Any abilities that grant spells or spell-like abilities are treated as having a caster level equal to the tiefling’s character level."
"16: You have over-sized limbs, allowing you to use Large weapons without penalty."
Problem solved.
Large bastard sword with exotic weapon proficiency is a large one-handed weapon (meaning you have to wield it two handed). This means it doesn't require titan fighter and opens up your options considerably.
It's also pretty big.
Large bastard sword with exotic weapon proficiency is a large one-handed weapon (meaning you have to wield it two handed). This means it doesn't require titan fighter and opens up your options considerably.
It's also pretty big.
well then Large bastard sword it is then. the damage die for it is 2d8s correct?
Play a tiefling with the alternative racial ability from the d100 list to wield large weapons while still being medium sized. Pick the class that fits your character. I personally like the idea of a bloodrager tiefling (Fiendish Heritage feat for demon-blooded (if required)) wielding a massive sword. Steelblood archetype for heavy armor and more B.A look.
The ability is in the Blood of Fiends book and reads as follows:
"GMs may customize tiefling NPCs using the following charts, or allow players to do so by rolling a d%. Players with a particular character concept in mind may consult their GM if they want to select a specific variant ability or may take the Fiendish Heritage feat. The abilities and alternative physical features presented here replace the standard / default equivalent trait or feature. Any abilities that grant spells or spell-like abilities are treated as having a caster level equal to the tiefling’s character level."
"16: You have over-sized limbs, allowing you to use Large weapons without penalty."
Problem solved.
im actually consulting with my gm to potentially do half giant which allows using large weapons with no penalty as well
Sounds like a great plan. The amount of giants in Rise of the Runelords would give this great backstory. If he doesn't like 3pp stuff, you can always fall back on the tiefling idea, because that was published by Paizo.
Fair warning that in the early game you will be destroying most critters with a swing or two, and your GM will probably compensate for that, if he allows this character concept/build at all. (speaking from experience, both in 3.5 and pathfinder)
Not to rain on your parade.
Sounds like a great plan. The amount of giants in Rise of the Runelords would give this great backstory. If he doesn't like 3pp stuff, you can always fall back on the tiefling idea, because that was published by Paizo.
Fair warning that in the early game you will be destroying most critters with a swing or two, and your GM will probably compensate for that, if he allows this character concept/build at all. (speaking from experience, both in 3.5 and pathfinder)
Not to rain on your parade.
not to worry my gm being a good friend of mine, knows how to run combat and will most likely compensate to make it a bit tougher. also i've consulted him on the tiefling thing and it is approved.
as for 3rd pp stuff we walk a thin line with this we consult as it comes up we have no set ruling s on them.
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Sounds like a great plan. The amount of giants in Rise of the Runelords would give this great backstory. If he doesn't like 3pp stuff, you can always fall back on the tiefling idea, because that was published by Paizo.
Fair warning that in the early game you will be destroying most critters with a swing or two, and your GM will probably compensate for that, if he allows this character concept/build at all. (speaking from experience, both in 3.5 and pathfinder)
Not to rain on your parade.
not to worry my gm being a good friend of mine, knows how to run combat and will most likely compensate to make it a bit tougher. also i've consulted him on the tiefling thing and it is approved.
as for 3rd pp stuff we walk a thin line with this we consult as it comes up we have no set ruling s on them.
Congrats on the successful recreation of Guts from Berserk the manga! Now go forth and slay the dragons! I would love to hear what you build and how it turns out. Happy Gaming!
Congrats on the successful recreation of Guts from Berserk the manga! Now go forth and slay the dragons! I would love to hear what you build and how it turns out. Happy Gaming!Sounds like a great plan. The amount of giants in Rise of the Runelords would give this great backstory. If he doesn't like 3pp stuff, you can always fall back on the tiefling idea, because that was published by Paizo.
Fair warning that in the early game you will be destroying most critters with a swing or two, and your GM will probably compensate for that, if he allows this character concept/build at all. (speaking from experience, both in 3.5 and pathfinder)
Not to rain on your parade.
not to worry my gm being a good friend of mine, knows how to run combat and will most likely compensate to make it a bit tougher. also i've consulted him on the tiefling thing and it is approved.
as for 3rd pp stuff we walk a thin line with this we consult as it comes up we have no set ruling s on them.
Now all is wait for the campaign to start to charge forth into battle
Large bastard sword is a good plan, I think. The personality and backstory you propose remind me of the chosen one. This might be a good way to achieve the callow, idealistic, desperate-to-be-a-hero flavor you're going for.
Large bastard sword is a good plan, I think. The personality and backstory you propose remind me of the chosen one. This might be a good way to achieve the callow, idealistic, desperate-to-be-a-hero flavor you're going for.
That is a cool archetype.
Check out this archetype and remember to cast Lead Blades on your bastard sword for 2d8 damage.
Remember Instant Enemy will be your friend at later levels, essentially becoming smites.
Large bastard sword is a good plan, I think. The personality and backstory you propose remind me of the chosen one. This might be a good way to achieve the callow, idealistic, desperate-to-be-a-hero flavor you're going for.
i didnt even know it existed, it could work.
Large bastard sword is a good plan, I think. The personality and backstory you propose remind me of the chosen one. This might be a good way to achieve the callow, idealistic, desperate-to-be-a-hero flavor you're going for.i didnt even know it existed, it could work.
I'd be sorely tempted to use a Raven familiar for this concept just so it can talk to other people, letting you essentially roleplay two characters.
That... or a mouse. Big tiefling with massive limbs that's taking orders from a mouse. C'mon.
You were probably considering human for the race, but if you are needing the exotic proficiency anyway, you should consider half-elf instead. Half elf has a race option to switch out its skill focus for exotic weapon proficiency. And half elf gets elven immunities which will come in quite handy with your low will save.
On the PrC issue there is one that can help. Living Monolith gets to enlarge itself as a swift action, and from 5th level in the PrC to use righteous might instead.
Large bastard sword is a good plan, I think. The personality and backstory you propose remind me of the chosen one. This might be a good way to achieve the callow, idealistic, desperate-to-be-a-hero flavor you're going for.i didnt even know it existed, it could work.I'd be sorely tempted to use a Raven familiar for this concept just so it can talk to other people, letting you essentially roleplay two characters.
That... or a mouse. Big tiefling with massive limbs that's taking orders from a mouse. C'mon.
me and the gm are friends so usually i let him play my familiars, last time i played a class with a familiar i chose a ferret, i was a half orc trying to learn how to be an orc. he was a half fiend ferret teaching me howto be an orc correctly, it was pretty funny.
You were probably considering human for the race, but if you are needing the exotic proficiency anyway, you should consider half-elf instead. Half elf has a race option to switch out its skill focus for exotic weapon proficiency. And half elf gets elven immunities which will come in quite handy with your low will save.
actually i am playing a tiefling with the oversized hands ability, gm approved. it lets me wield large sized weapons at no penalty.
now that the large weapon thing is solved my class option have expanded considerably.
Okay so after a few weeks of character building and thinking, I wind up with a tieflling ranger with the oversized hands ability. Large bastard sword in hand, I plan on building further turning this into a switch hitter using archery. I'm using the divine tracker archetype because I would like to get rid of wild empathy and hunters bond, any votes on which archetype could be better at this? For the record the sword is the focus the combat style feats for the archery.
Oh and I understand there are mixed opinions on whether vital strike feats are good or not, would of be good in this case with the giant sword and lack of penalty to wield it? My first feat right now is power attack.