So Slayer class holds no appeal to me, whatsoever. I feel like it is the less-than-appealing bastard child of the Fighter and Rogue whom, with Unchained, seem to be much better off than previously.
Can someone provide a solid build or review of what they think makes the Slayer so appealing?
I try not to disown a class without ever creating a character/playing one, but this class doesn't do much for me.
I once discarded the Inquisitor without reading much into the class, and since having played one I hold them in highest regard...maybe the Slayer will be my next discovery.
Thanks in advance!
Edit: As proof that I know little about this class, I realize that it is a hybrid with Ranger, not Fighter... :P
I doubt anyone can change your opinion. The slayer can still do more damage than the unchained rogue, without being as dependent on sneak attack. The unchained rogue is a little better at skills, but don't discount the Slayer's ability to use studied target to boost his skill rolls too. The Slayer does roughly the same damage as a fighter, but is worlds better at using skills.
I'd say the current problem with the Slayer is its lack of support. There just aren't a lot of game changing archetypes or talents for the Slayer yet. So, maybe you should try checking out the Slayer in another year when we will hopefully have more for him to do.
If you like the fighter's tons of bonus feats but want access to out-of-combat abilities as well (or just more than 2+Int skills per level), Slayer is there for ya.
Do you want to play a ranger but don't want the nature theme, weakened animal companion, or spells? Slayer.
Want to play a combat-focused rogue but want to do better than medium BAB? Slayer.
A slayer can grab terrain mastery several times then go into horizon walker to get massive bonuses to hit and damage vs anything native to that terrain. (note this does not actually give the favored enemy class feature and does not function with instant enemy at all)
Basically, the slayer (in my opinion) is the near-perfect purely-nonmagical combat class counterpart to the barbarian. One being all about raw numbers and cool rage powers, the other being all about skills and training (feats).
The Slayer is one of the more dippable classes. Full BAB, 6 skill points, studied target and two good saves. And every level offers something useful without tying you down to staying in the class.
I've seen great concepts with slayer dipping.
The slayer can get ranger combat styles, which is where a lot of their power lies. It makes the slayer great if you want to play a skill martial with the ranger's combat styles without all the wilderness stuff. The slayer can also assassinate.
I am hesitant to jump on board for the level dips, primarily because to study a target is a move action. While this is fine below 6th level, I would hate to waste an iterative attack just to get a +2 to hit and damage, especially when you already have a full BAB. I would rather get a second chance to hit, crit, etc.
I am hesitant to jump on board for the level dips, primarily because to study a target is a move action. While this is fine below 6th level, I would hate to waste an iterative attack just to get a +2 to hit and damage, especially when you already have a full BAB. I would rather get a second chance to hit, crit, etc.
You should often be able to study a target before combat even begins, but as I said in the beginning, I doubt we are going to convince you.
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Never dip a slayer till quick study...swift action study.
But horizon walker is amazing on a slayer after that.
The benefit of slayer is twf or switch hitting.
For twf you bypass dex as a pre-req and can focus on str. This means avoiding dex to damage feat taxes.
For switch hitting they do amazing at. Just like ranger but without the nature feel and picking favored enimies. Which really is a good thing as you hardly ever fight the same type of critters 100% of the time.
Also OP a slayer is half rogue and half ranger...not fighter. Not to mention base fighter is pure s&&~. The slayer out classes vore fighter and core rogue 100% of the time. Unchained rogue is better at skills but that is it...combat wise slayer puts the pwn on a rogue. D10 HD and 2 good saves makes a more optimal melee character without debate.
The fighter gets a bad rap, but is actually good at damage. The fighter's problem is that he can't do anything other than damage, while not being the absolute best at that one thing.
I think you're right. :D I am still not sold. I prefer the straight ranger or straight rogue, I guess.
Maybe I'll give the Slayer a good shot and roll one for my next game. I might end up surprised. :)
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1) Bombs
2) Bombs
3) Bo...... Wait. What? we are not talking about the coolest class ever?
....
Oh....
1) Bows
2) Arrows
3) .............
I got nothing.
Have fun ;)
Yah, my reason for liking the Slayer has been said a few times already. I like flexibility in my characters—and in their concepts—without sacrificing effectiveness. So the Slayer gets me a skillful martial who picks up a non-situational combat boost and Slayer Talents that I get to choose based on my play style and character concept.
I don't have that conceptual flexibility with a Ranger, and I don't have the same consistent combat effectiveness with a Rogue (though admittedly i haven't looked over Unchained).
My Varisian scoudrel/mercenary works so well as a Slayer.
But if you like who the Ranger plays and you feel your rogues are playing in a way that you like ... I'm not sure the Slayer is going to be an improvement for you.
I got sold on lots of skills, Full BAB and Combat Style feats. I know it's supposed to be a Rogue/Ranger but it feels like a sneaky fighter to me. If you like the concept of a buff rogue as opposed to a skinny dexterous rogue I think it's your class.
-Better saves
-Studied target is both a combat and social ability (you can study anyone anytime without wasting resources- why not study the main talking NPC to get a sizable bonus to perception, sense motive, bluff, (and eventually) disguise and intimidate?
-several bonus feats
-in order to have a good attack bonus, you need to do sneak attack damage first so you can do a debilitating injury. This feature helped the rogue...but it still meant that they cannot do anything alone. You cannot switch targets without being massively weakened yourself.
. even with debilitating injury, the slayer ends up with better attack bonus
-none of its class abilities are tied to that skill unlock thing (weren't all the systems in unchained 'optional?' that is what I heard at least)
-Unique feats associated with intimidation builds
Overall...I despise unchained since it continually tried to introduce answers to problems that were already solved (brawler/sohei/pummeling style for monks, slayers for rogues) and releasing 'new solutions' so soon after the old ones does run the problem of over saturation. So yes, I can understand why you might find the classes redundant to some extent. Still, slayer has advantages over rogue as a melee combatant. Whether that is what you are looking for is up to you.
I Think the slayer have too few talents to Pick from, and would have liked a heavy armor option. For me it is very close to what the figther/rogue should have been. The default adventure class.
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I Think the slayer have too few talents to Pick from, and would have liked a heavy armor option. For me it is very close to what the figther/rogue should have been. The default adventure class.
Meh - you can always either dip into something with heavy armor prof or burn a feat - most clerics/druids seem to do the latter. Due to Ranger bonus feats - you'd probably only want to wear mithril full-plate, but the option to do so is well worth a feat for the +3 AC over a breastplate (unless a dex build which will gain far less AC - but slayers don't do dex builds very well) unless you think the ACP isn't worth it.
Um, because they're awesome?
I Think the slayer have too few talents to Pick from, and would have liked a heavy armor option. For me it is very close to what the figther/rogue should have been. The default adventure class.Meh - you can always either dip into something with heavy armor prof or burn a feat - most clerics/druids seem to do the latter. Due to Ranger bonus feats - you'd probably only want to wear mithril full-plate, but the option to do so is well worth a feat for the +3 AC over a breastplate (unless a dex build which will gain far less AC - but slayers don't do dex builds very well) unless you think the ACP isn't worth it.
yes ranger styles is the break and bitter of slayer talents because there is really not that many other good. I am not asking for build advice but saying what problem i Think the class have and why i like it.
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My thoughts were Power attack 1st level , twf 2, endurance 3, trap finding 4 (no rogue in the party).Thoughts ?
I wouldn't bother with PA in a TWF build (though I know some will disagree). I'd take Improved Shield Bash instead and make the TWF sword & board. One major advantage of Slayers is being able to grab Shield Master (amazing feat) at level 6 as a bonus feat.
If you don't want to use a light weapon (gladius or some such) - grab the Shield Trained trait to make the heavy shield count as a light weapon.
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I Think the slayer have too few talents to Pick from, and would have liked a heavy armor option. For me it is very close to what the figter/rogue should have been. The default adventure class.
Slayer talents-> Rogue Talent -> COmbat Trick -> Heavy armor proficiency.
Slayers can actually pick up a LOT of feats.
But Heavy armor is no big deal for me. Lots of people like to say it is necessary but I personally would rather take Dangerously Curious and Keep my Cha a 10. Gain layer defenses like Mirror Image/Defending bone and the ability to boost up your dex (Cat's Grace) to fill out those medium armors more. And with the slayers amount of skills this is very possible. Who needs disable device when you have a wand of mount to force through traps and disarm them. And being STR based a Adamantine weapon is good as any master key.
Do you want to be a Ranger with the skill access, weird talents, and half the sneak attack dice of a Rogue, and no annoying spells or limited applicability of Favored Enemy? It's Slayer time. Do you want to be a first tier character? Go back to Wizardtown.