Hey guys, I was thinking that it would be cool to play a fear based character. similar to Daredevil or Batman. So overall a very intimidating character. I'd also like to add, I'm not really into full on casters like wizards or sorcerer's, I'd much prefer a character whose proficient in some martial skill. to make it even more difficult I'm not into the barbarian/bloodrager's that much either. I'd like a guy whose scary and intimidating without being wild and out of control. Someone like a rogue, fighter, brawler or ranger maybe even a bard or a magus.
anyway, I'm throwing it out for recommendation. what do you think?
If you're able to and okay with using Dreamscarred Press' Psionic classes, the Dread is a fear based class. D8, 3/4ths bab, and up to sixth level powers. They basically feed on fear, and make it so that even those who are immune to fear lose that immunity. Unless by fear you mean more of an intimidation type thing. If that's the case...well, they could possibly work well for that too.
If you're able to and okay with using Dreamscarred Press' Psionic classes, the Dread is a fear based class. D8, 3/4ths bab, and up to sixth level powers. They basically feed on fear, and make it so that even those who are immune to fear lose that immunity. Unless by fear you mean more of an intimidation type thing. If that's the case...well, they could possibly work well for that too.
well I mean both, a high intimidation character that has abilities that strike and frighten opponents. but yeah, I kinda wanna stick to paizo publishings, sorry.
If you're able to and okay with using Dreamscarred Press' Psionic classes, the Dread is a fear based class. D8, 3/4ths bab, and up to sixth level powers. They basically feed on fear, and make it so that even those who are immune to fear lose that immunity. Unless by fear you mean more of an intimidation type thing. If that's the case...well, they could possibly work well for that too.well I mean both, a high intimidation character that has abilities that strike and frighten opponents. but yeah, I kinda wanna stick to paizo publishings, sorry.
Fair enough. Just felt the need to suggest it, as when I think of a fear based character idea, Dread is the first thing that comes to mind.
Antipaladin has fear spells, fear cruelties, and an aura that gives -4 to saves against fear/removes fear immunities. Grab some big black armor and go to town. If you can be evil.
An inquistor fits the bill perfectly.Bonuses to intimidate, martial prowess with some extra magical boosts. Can strike fear into its enemies, seems fun to RP
thanks for the suggestions guys, yeah, AntiPally does seem to fit the bill, thanks but I kinda like playing good guys. thanks though.
and I think you're right about the inquisitor. Inquisitor is one of those classes though were, I struggle to see how they're good guys. I wish there was a version that wasn't divine and did everything in the name of god. maybe there's an archetype I can look for that gives me the flavour I'm looking for. thanks.
|
One solid intimidate combo (especially if you're avoiding spells) is the Blade of Mercy / Enforcer combo.
Basically - you do nonlethal damage with Blade of Mercy - and Enforcer lets you do an intimidate check against them as a free action, and they're Shaken for a # of rounds = to the damage. On a crit they're even Frightened for the first round.
It feels very Batman-ish - and if you go Pali with a scimitar & the spell which auto-confirms crits (I forget what it's called) - you could get the fear effect on 30% of your swings eventually. (not merely 30% of hits - 30% of swings so long as you hit on a 15)
1 level of Rogue Thug is almost a requirement. The ability to make someone not just shaken, but frightened can be a huge advantage.
I used it to great effect on a bloodrager who also took the feat to add strength to intimidate. Combined with dazzling display you can potentially debuff all the enemies around you.
Even better. Be a paladin with 1 level of thug rogue. Worship Iomedae to get Blade of Mercy as Charon mentions. Combo with Enforcer, a greatsword, dazzling display. Be a Judge Dredd type paladin who wants to cleanse the world of evil and strikes fear into the hearts of those who oppose your Goddess.
Alternatively power attack + Cornugon Smash will allow you to intimidate anyone you hit while power attacking.
thanks for the suggestions guys, yeah, AntiPally does seem to fit the bill, thanks but I kinda like playing good guys. thanks though.
and I think you're right about the inquisitor. Inquisitor is one of those classes though were, I struggle to see how they're good guys. I wish there was a version that wasn't divine and did everything in the name of god. maybe there's an archetype I can look for that gives me the flavour I'm looking for. thanks.
just ignore the given flavor and make your character using the inquisitor's chassis
Disheartening display. It lets you do a dazzling display, but it allows you to keep on ramping up the fear to 'rock back and forth in a corner crying for mommy' levels. (yes, it actually details that in far less colorful language; it goes normal->shaken->frightened->panicked->cowering)
Combine it with a feat like violent display (immediate action dazzling display when you sneak attack/crit), and you can end up building fear without spending any of your serious actions. In just two turns you can have enemies running away without doing anything outside of the usual.
It is perfect for a crit-fishing slayer with kukri, and other high crit builds with sneak attack.
And thinking about slayers, they also have class specific feats seperate from but similar to dazzling display. They are killing flourish (swift action to intimidate enemies up to 30' away when you send an enemy to negative hp) and gruesome slaughter (enemies affected by killing flourish need to pass a fort check of [10+1/2lvl+str or dex] or they also become sickened).
Those are also great options that need minimal set up, and they stack rather well with disheartening display (since it builds up your current fear level, no matter the source; kill an enemy one turn, freak everyone out, and then send them running the next turn)
Having read the Ultimate Intrigue: Vigilante playtest, it seems to me that Vigilante (Avenger or Stalker) might be up your dark alley.
|
|
Even better. Be a paladin with 1 level of thug rogue. Worship Iomedae to get Blade of Mercy as Charon mentions. Combo with Enforcer, a greatsword, dazzling display. Be a Judge Dredd type paladin who wants to cleanse the world of evil and strikes fear into the hearts of those who oppose your Goddess.
This - except go nodachi for the extra crit chance combo-ing with Enforcer. The Enforcer/Blade of Mercy combo (vs Cornugon Smash) is especially good with the level of Thug, because you're basically guaranteed to make them shaken for 4+ rounds, as they're normally shaken for a # of rounds = to the damage dealt.
thanks for the suggestions guys, yeah, AntiPally does seem to fit the bill, thanks but I kinda like playing good guys. thanks though.
and I think you're right about the inquisitor. Inquisitor is one of those classes though were, I struggle to see how they're good guys. I wish there was a version that wasn't divine and did everything in the name of god. maybe there's an archetype I can look for that gives me the flavour I'm looking for. thanks.
In Golarion there are lots of things that are just plain EVIL. Not just "Hey, this is not a nice guy" but rather "personal, tangible embodiment of pure evil". Things like undead, devils, demons, etc. These things aren't just "Hey, this is someone who happened to do something that isn't wrong" but rather "completely corrupt creature built entirely out of corrupted, twisted evil and is completely and utterly irredeemable".
These creatures and those who worship them are viscous, violent, oppressive, and otherwise impossible to peacefully coexist with. An inquisitor is the most clear and obvious weapon used by gods (and their followers) against these intolerable evils.
Might not be what you are looking for, but a very nasty combo is a Fear spell followed up by a Dirge of Doom with the feats Improved Dirge of Doom and Greater Dirge of Doom. You can pull this off at 8th level with retraining and 11th without as a Bard and at 10th with retraining and 13th without as a Skald. Sends anyone not immune running in fear even if they make the save.
Even better. Be a paladin with 1 level of thug rogue. Worship Iomedae to get Blade of Mercy as Charon mentions. Combo with Enforcer, a greatsword, dazzling display. Be a Judge Dredd type paladin who wants to cleanse the world of evil and strikes fear into the hearts of those who oppose your Goddess.This - except go nodachi for the extra crit chance combo-ing with Enforcer. The Enforcer/Blade of Mercy combo (vs Cornugon Smash) is especially good with the level of Thug, because you're basically guaranteed to make them shaken for 4+ rounds, as they're normally shaken for a # of rounds = to the damage dealt.
first off, thanks again to everyone, I'm taking notes as we speak. but I'm confused about the numbers for rounds shaken. 4+ damage dealt amount of rounds? wouldn't it just be damage dealt +1 extra round?
also, this is kind of a noob question but does fear level escalation stack, so If I used blade of mercy + Enforcer enough times would it go from shaken, to frightened to panicked and so on?
Fear escalation happens sometimes. Many fear effects have a rider that prevents the fear from escalating, and some of the riders are worded slightly differently. You basically have to look up each fear effect to see if it happens.
thanks for the suggestions guys, yeah, AntiPally does seem to fit the bill, thanks but I kinda like playing good guys. thanks though.
and I think you're right about the inquisitor. Inquisitor is one of those classes though were, I struggle to see how they're good guys. I wish there was a version that wasn't divine and did everything in the name of god. maybe there's an archetype I can look for that gives me the flavour I'm looking for. thanks.
In Golarion there are lots of things that are just plain EVIL. Not just "Hey, this is not a nice guy" but rather "personal, tangible embodiment of pure evil". Things like undead, devils, demons, etc. These things aren't just "Hey, this is someone who happened to do something that isn't wrong" but rather "completely corrupt creature built entirely out of corrupted, twisted evil and is completely and utterly irredeemable".
These creatures and those who worship them are viscous, violent, oppressive, and otherwise impossible to peacefully coexist with. An inquisitor is the most clear and obvious weapon used by gods (and their followers) against these intolerable evils.
When some idiot kids can literally do a little dance and spread some goats blood...and then cause THE END OF THE WORLD SINCE THEY GOT THE ATTENTION OF ONE OF THE GODS OF THE DARK TAPESTRY (Cthulhu and such)... you get a bit more moral room to break some kneecaps to stop it.
There are 90 gods/whatever with the Good domain, and 198 with the evil domain. Most of the evil ones are made up of minor powers like demon lords with secret cults that like to abduct people and sacrifice them. Sometimes, the big knight and shining armor is to loud and visible to get the job done...sometimes you have to go quiet and stab mofos in the back before they even know you are there.
Even better. Be a paladin with 1 level of thug rogue. Worship Iomedae to get Blade of Mercy as Charon mentions. Combo with Enforcer, a greatsword, dazzling display. Be a Judge Dredd type paladin who wants to cleanse the world of evil and strikes fear into the hearts of those who oppose your Goddess.This - except go nodachi for the extra crit chance combo-ing with Enforcer. The Enforcer/Blade of Mercy combo (vs Cornugon Smash) is especially good with the level of Thug, because you're basically guaranteed to make them shaken for 4+ rounds, as they're normally shaken for a # of rounds = to the damage dealt.first off, thanks again to everyone, I'm taking notes as we speak. but I'm confused about the numbers for rounds shaken. 4+ damage dealt amount of rounds? wouldn't it just be damage dealt +1 extra round?
also, this is kind of a noob question but does fear level escalation stack, so If I used blade of mercy + Enforcer enough times would it go from shaken, to frightened to panicked and so on?
No no. He was saying that because Enforcer allows you to make the enemy shaken for a number of rounds equal to the damage dealt, it's nearly impossible not to cause them to be shaken for 4+ (4 or more) rounds. If they're shaken for 4 rounds, the Thug Rogue ability kicks in and instead then makes them frightened. It's incredibly effective.
And the Nodachi will be stronger once he can get improved critical or keen on the weapon, but before then the extra points of damage are probably more helpful (when the difference in critical range is only 1).
Blade of Mercy just allows you to deal nonlethal damage with your sword without a penalty. Enforcer is what would cause the shaken or frightened condition. By itself, it will never stack to cause frightened or panicked. If you score a critical while using it, it can result in frightened instead of shakened, but that is explained in the feat. But with the Thug Rogue ability it converts shaken into frightened.
In general, things wont stack to raise the level of fear. That is why the Thug Rogue is so good, because for 1 level it can stack with most other things that cause shaken.
Even better. Be a paladin with 1 level of thug rogue. Worship Iomedae to get Blade of Mercy as Charon mentions. Combo with Enforcer, a greatsword, dazzling display. Be a Judge Dredd type paladin who wants to cleanse the world of evil and strikes fear into the hearts of those who oppose your Goddess.This - except go nodachi for the extra crit chance combo-ing with Enforcer. The Enforcer/Blade of Mercy combo (vs Cornugon Smash) is especially good with the level of Thug, because you're basically guaranteed to make them shaken for 4+ rounds, as they're normally shaken for a # of rounds = to the damage dealt.first off, thanks again to everyone, I'm taking notes as we speak. but I'm confused about the numbers for rounds shaken. 4+ damage dealt amount of rounds? wouldn't it just be damage dealt +1 extra round?
also, this is kind of a noob question but does fear level escalation stack, so If I used blade of mercy + Enforcer enough times would it go from shaken, to frightened to panicked and so on?
No no. He was saying that because Enforcer allows you to make the enemy shaken for a number of rounds equal to the damage dealt, it's nearly impossible not to cause them to be shaken for 4+ (4 or more) rounds. If they're shaken for 4 rounds, the Thug Rogue ability kicks in and instead then makes them frightened. It's incredibly effective.
And the Nodachi will be stronger once he can get improved critical or keen on the weapon, but before then the extra points of damage are probably more helpful (when the difference in critical range is only 1).
Blade of Mercy just allows you to deal nonlethal damage with your sword without a penalty. Enforcer is what would cause the shaken or frightened condition. By itself, it will never stack to cause frightened or panicked. If you score a critical while using it, it can result in frightened instead of shakened, but that is explained in the feat. But with the...
awesome, thanks for all your help. Blade of Mercy + Enforcer does sound awesome with the one level dip in rouge. and Dirge of Doom that GD mentioned sounds pretty awesome as well, could make a solid bard with a level dip in Thug.