Hey there,
I'm currently working on an Ulfen Skald using the Herald of the Horn Archetype. I'm not entirely after a perfect min-max build, but would like to get some additional opinions on a few decisions I'm not 100% sure if there are better/other alternatives.
The group hasn't decided if we're playing withing PFS or not, so just in case it woulde be great if suggestions could come from CRB, APG, ARG, ACG, UCo, UM, UCa and UE only.
- Base statistics are:
12 STR, 16 DEX, 14 CON, 10 INT, 8 WIS, 16 CHA
He's fighting with one hand and a shield in the other (light shield, so he can still hold his arcane bound horn)
- Traits: Reactionary (+2 on Initative) + Frontier-Forged (+1 on Perception & Survival)[This is a flavor pick]
- Spells:
I haven't figured out entirely when to pick which spells exactly. I'd just like to mention that I plan to stay within a the theme of the character and primarily will pick things like "Ear-Piercing Scream" "Sound Burst" "Piercing Shriek" "Distressing Tone" and the like. Evocation and [Sonic] heavy spell-list.
- Rage Powers:
- L3: Lesser Spirit Totem - I don't think it's too far fetched that some feys and spirits from the Land of the Linnorm Kings will follow the call of a Raging Song
- L6: Superstition - Ulfen are not keen on magic and even though the character is an arcane spellcaster I think it's reasonable that his upbringing left him with a certain disgruntlement towards magic.
- L9: Witch Hunter
- L12: Eater of Magic / Spell Sunder [Leaning more towards Eater of Magic]
- this is also having a possible PFS-Play in mind, where the access to the 5th and 6th rage power is not very likely.
- Feats- That's were my headaches start. There are simply too many choices :D
- 1. Arcane Strike + Skald's Vigor
- 3. Spell Focus (Evocation)/Dodge
- 5. Dodge / Spell Focus (Evocation)
- 7. Battly Cry [Flavor Pick]
- 9. Greater Spell Focus (Evocation)
- 11. Discordant Voice [Flavor Pick]
I'm not sure if the Spell Focus feats are an optimal pick. Paired with the Horn Call (Su) I'd get a +3 for the majority of my spells on L9.
Why not Greater Skald's Vigor? Because of the Prerequ. of 10 Ranks Perform (Song). He's simply no singer, but more of a storyteller. Discordant Voice, makes more sense in that regard.
Some other feats that I was/am considering:
Dodge + Mobility + Improved Initiative to get to the enemies faster than most of the party members so they won't be in range for many of the bursts or cone effects.
Combat Reflexes + Riving Strike, seems like something that might be worth exploring. Probably needs Quicken Spell to work reliably.
Power Attack + Furious Focus have a certain appeal.
Having a shield, makes Shield Focus also an option to counter the -1 AC from the raging song.
I'm thankful for any comments and suggestions!
Two thoughts, just to start - I might return, but I'm short on time.
One suggestion might be to just use your horn as an improvised weapon? Pick up the Rough and Ready trait, and smack people in the face. Arcane strike should still enhance it.
If not for PFS, you could turn the ridiculousness up to 11 and use an alpenhorn as a reach weapon, and use combat reflexes to get attacks of opportunity. Certainly makes it easier to get your performance up and still be a combatant.
Looks good though I would recommend picking up Spell Specialization over Dodge.
I would go with lower DEX to qualify for Power Attack. Furious Focus isn't a must but it helps.
Alright, the thought of an Ulfen swinging a two-handed Alphorn is pretty awesome :D
There aren't many bludgeoning weapon with reach, but I think a d12 for damage would be reasonable, maybe a d10 plus a combat maneuver. Definitely not PFS legal though, but it sounds like a lot of fun to play.
The Ulfen Guard Prestige Class was totally off my radar. It's worth considering, but I think it fits a full-grown barbarian a bit better than a Skald. I do agree though, some of the dedications sound pretty cool.
I'd rather keep the DEX and increase STR at L4 instead to qualify for Power Attack (instead of Dodge at L5).
Thanks for your comments! It's much appreciated.
/K
Do you have a stable group that you'll be playing with all the time? If so, what are they playing? The Skald is the most composition-dependent class in the game and needs to be built differently depending on who's around him.
Nope, unfortunately not. Just a pool of people I will play with on Roll20, but the group composition will be varying pretty much from session to session.
If you go with 16 DEX, remember getting Steel Lamellar armor for the full 19 AC.
Well I'd max out spirit totem if your going that route then.
If it won't be within PFS and the Rage Powers at L15 and L18 become relevant the other Spirit Totems definitely end up in the build. I'm not a huge fand of the regular Spirit Totem Rage Power and think Superstition and Witch Hunter are better options. Greater Spirit Totem is great though, so I think something like the following would be something I'd consider okay for an AP for instance.
L3 Lesser Spirit Totem
L6 Superstition
L9 With Hunter
L12 Spirit Totem
L15 Greater Spirit Totem
L18 Eater of Magic
If you go with 16 DEX, remember getting Steel Lamellar armor for the full 19 AC.
What makes the Steel Lamellar a better option than a Breastplate? Am I missing something here?
Max Dex. Breastplate is +2. Lammy is +3.
Max Dex. Breastplate is +2. Lammy is +3.
Is it? I thought it's +6/+3/-4. Source: PRD - Equipment