Ok so I am working on a paladin build that relies on its mount, spirited charge w/lance, etc.
I am wondering if anyone has some suggestions for multi-classing. The current build is a gnome paladin to at least 5th level, high CHA (for smite, lay on hands, saves, etc.) and CON, decent STR.
I know that multi-classing might hurt my mounts HP and combat abilities, so a build that would continue the mount progression would be ideal. I sacrificed my spells for one of the archetypes. I picked the Shining Knight ability to share CHA bonus to saves w/mount, and the Temple Champion power that replaces spells with the Cleric domain power.
I'd like to be able to enhance my combat abilities, just not as the expense of a viable mount. Cavalier comes to mind, but I have never designed one and I am not familiar with their abilities. Something that can utilize the high CHA would also be ideal.
Thanks in advance!
Multiclassing is generally weaker than staying single class. Is there something in particular you are looking to gain? Also you can’t take both Shining Knight and Temple Champion as both replace aura of justice.
A Paladins mount eventually gains the celestial template (11th level), and spell resistance (15th level). Even if you take a class that advances your mount you forfeit these. Having your mount be able to smite evil on its own is something to consider.
Multiclassing is generally weaker than staying single class. Is there something in particular you are looking to gain? Also you can’t take both Shining Knight and Temple Champion as both replace aura of justice.
A Paladins mount eventually gains the celestial template (11th level), and spell resistance (15th level). Even if you take a class that advances your mount you forfeit these. Having your mount be able to smite evil on its own is something to consider.
I am under the impression that you can pick and choose archetype abilities from multiple archetypes as long as they do not replace the same regular class ability. Am I wrong on this? The two features that I chose replaced two separate paladin class abilities.
If you end up finding that a non-animal-companion class will give you significant benefit, you can take up to four levels in it without penalty with the feat Boon Companion.
But honestly, unless there's a fairly specific benefit you're looking for from another class, you're probably best off just staying paladin. Keeping progression going on your paladin goodies will likely outweigh a lot of the benefits of dipping just a few levels in another class, unless there's some pretty good synergy I'm not familiar with.
Cavalier seems like the most likely option if you feel you must multiclass, but my level of familiarity with it is pretty similar to yours, so I'm not much help.
No, archetypes are all or nothing unless your GM has a houserule in place.
No, archetypes are all or nothing unless your GM has a houserule in place.
Do you happen to know where this is explicitly stated?
|
When an archetype includes multiple alternate class features, a character must take them all—often blocking the character from ever gaining certain standard class features, but replacing them with other options. All other class features of the base class that aren't mentioned among the alternate class features remain unchanged and are acquired normally when the character reaches the appropriate level, unless noted otherwise. A character who takes an alternate class feature does not count as having the class feature that was replaced for the purposes of meeting any requirements or prerequisites.
Online source, printed in Ultimate Combat.
In the main description of archetypes. Second paragraph under the heading "Alternate Class Features".
|
|
To answer the original question:
I would not multiclass.
Higher-level abilities are generally better than lower-level abilities, and most iconic class features (like Smite Evil, Lay on Hands, or Challenge) scale with level, so you're usually better off improving one class's abilities and gaining that class's higher-level abilities than multiclassing.
Generally speaking you only multiclass in pathfinder if you're looking to get something specific out of it. For example, a few levels in monk or brawler greatly improves unarmed combat.
You say you want to improve your combat abilities but paladin is already top of the heap in combat, so it's hard to get any features that will be better than your higher-level paladin stuff. Cavalier's challenge isn't going to be any better than simply improving your Smite Evil (unless for some reason you're rarely running into evil enemies). Also, Cavalier actually weakens your mount since it delays your access to the celestial template and SR, as Mysterious Stranger pointed out.
You could maybe do something with a few levels of bloodrager but then your mount would suffer. Boon Companion keeps the mount up to speed but losing a feat makes the benefits of multiclassing less attractive.
