Hello all! I am new to pathfinder and the GM wants me to build a hunter for the group. It is range like I want and has a pet even better. He gave me these number 18, 11, 13, 14, 14, 16 and I am starting at 8th level he said. Any advice in making this character would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!!
Welcome! =]
8th level is kind of tossing you in the deep end as a new player, but I wish you luck.
If I were helping build your character, this is where I'd start:
Str: 14
Dex: 16
Con: 14
Int: 13
Wis: 18
Cha: 11
Are you restricted on race options? If you are going Core Rulebook only, I'd pick Human or Dwarf. Human is more flexible (+2 to any one stat you want), Dwarf is tougher (+2 to CON and WIS, both good, and -2 to CHA, which might not matter, depending on your playstyle). There are also 2 extra attribute points to spend from leveling up. If you chose Dwarf, you'll already have 20 WIS for spellcasting, so you may want to put the points in DEX or 1 in CHA. If you do want to be friendly and talkative with animals, you can put one of the 13's or 14's in CHA at the start.
At 8th level, you'll have this many spells to choose:
0th: 6
1st: 5
2nd: 4
3rd: 3
Which spells to choose depends greatly on which books you're allowed to use, but as a general rule, you want things that complement your party. Do you know what classes the other players are using?
You'll also have 4 feats (5 if human) to choose, as well as 2 extra feats that must be teamwork feats (from the Teamwork Feat special ability that Hunters get starting at level 3). Which feats to choose depends greatly on which books you are allowed to use.
TY TY =)
Yeah totally getting tossed in the deep end of the pool. haha
I do not believe I have any restrictions on race or feats if I remember what he said because he gave me like a million books to go through.
I would like to play the class like a range only type no melee really for me but my pet can go crazy on the enemies if it wants to.
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If you're a ranged hunter you want a higher dex than wisdom. Your to hit is more important than your caster stat. An 18 wisdom literally does nothing for you as you won't want to cast spells that have a DC. And you won't need an 18 until at least lvl 10 when you get 4th level spells.
Hunters focus on fighting and their pets. You should not be worried about casting spells that have a DC which is what a high wisdom is needed for.
With those stats, I'd go
Str: 14
Dex: 18
Con: 13
Int: 14
Wis: 16
Cha: 11
and put your 4th and 8th level advancements into dex, along with your human +2.
I would trade out my human bonus feat for the alternate racial trait Eye for Talent--this will let you give your Animal Companion +2 intelligence. This lets you teach him 6 more tricks and will let him qualify for any feat instead of just animal feats (assuming you don't start with a mindless companion).
Feats:
1: Point-Blank Shot - +1/+1 against targets within 30'. Also a necessary prereq for better feats.
2 (Precise Companion hunter ability) - Precise Shot (no penalty for shooting at someone engaged in melee)
3: Rapid Shot - Take an extra shot on a full-attack, all shots at -2 to hit.
3 Teamwork Feat: Distracting Charge - +2 to hit if your pet charges and hits
5: Deadly Aim - basically ranged power attack
6 Teamwork Feat: Enfilading Fire - +2 to hit with ranged if ally is flanking
7: pick something..
9: Manyshot - First shot in full-attack fires two arrows
You won't need a high wisdom. Some good spells will be Gravity Bow, Aspect of the Falcon... For your pet, Acid Maw, Magic Fang. Resist Energy is great as a first level spell. For a second level spell, Bull's Strength, Lockjaw, Cat's Grace. If you focus on spells that buff, then you can save your better ability scores for your all-important combat abilities
Humans also have an awesome Favored Class Bonus for hunters, your pet can get an extra skill point.
For your pet, you'll probably want to start with a Large Cat since he's already been through his level 7 growth spurt and has Pounce. That's 5 attacks if he charges (and you've got the charge teamwork feat making it easier for you to hit, as well, if he charges).
Since Hunter only gets 6th level spells and is a spontaneous caster, WIS isn't all that important. I would do it like this
STR: 14
DEX: 18
CON: 14
INT: 13
WIS: 16
CHA: 11
I would use my spell casting for buffing yourself and your pet. Elf is a nice choice with +2 to DEX and +2 to INT, it hurts your CON with a -2 but since you're going to be ranged and have a pet, it won't hurt that much. If you went Elf, I would switch the INT and CHA scores so after racial modifiers you'd end up with:
STR: 14
DEX: 20
CON: 12
INT: 13
WIS: 16
CHA: 13
Add in the two points from leveling you could make your CON 14, or those 13's to 14's, our STR to 16, or your DEX 22.
In all fairness, I love Elves so I'm a little biased. Anything with a bonus to DEX would be fine. The only hits you want to try to avoid are nothing with a STR penalty.
For a Pet, I'd actually go with a Small Cat. Use the alternate advancement, which will keep them small but increase their DEX, give it Weapon Finesse and Agile Maneuvers (Agile Maneuvers may or may not be needed with weapon finesse to trip, depending on your GM) and make them a trip monster. If anyone closes with you they can trip them so you can back up and shoot your bow. If you add an amulet of mighty fists Agile to your pet, their damage can be pretty close to what the big boys do.
If you primarily want to be ranged, then i would make dex your best stat
Str 14
Dex 18
Con 14
Int 13
Wis 16
Cha 11
In terms of feats, as (I assume) an archer, point blank shot, precise shot, and rapid shot are must haves. The remaing feat (or two if you are human) can be something else, but those 3 are more or less required for an archer.
In terms of your companion, in general the big cat is probably the best choice, in terms of a combination of effective and not completely outrageous.
For teamwork feats, coordinated shot, and distracting charge are great to work with your companion, with the companion going into the fray and giving you advantages on your attack.
Another thing people are not always aware of, you can give your animal companion custom barding. (Its described near the end of the equipment section of the core rulebook) and you can give them the armor proficiency feats. This can be a massive boon to their defenses and really make them a tough nut to crack (dont want your animal buddy getting killed right?