I'm looking to build a front-liner who fights with a harpoon. The character idea is someone who is larger than life, the kind of guy who would start folk tales about himself. Personality-wise he would be like a brutish swashbuckler (Strength fighter w/ flair). He'll probably be the party's secondary face.
I'm looking at a 1/2 Orc Warlord for his base class, but considering a fighter dip, for extra feats & weapon spec. I'm not set on the race, but would like to avoid anything too bizarre.
Thought so far:
1/2 Orc (reflavored as a regional human), Warlord 1
Stat importance: STR, CHA, DEX/CON, Int/Wis
I'll trade out Ferocity for Sacred Tattoo (+1 luck bonus to all saves!)
Feats:
L1: Power Atk, Iron Hide?
Warlord 1: Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Harpoon)
Key Skills:
Acrobatics
Diplomacy
Perception
Sense Motive
Gear: Armored Coat & Harpoon
We'll be starting at L1 so he'll have to be playable from the beginning.
I'm set on the harpoon (Might try to talk the GM into letting me use the 3.5 version that lets me attempt a grapple if I deal damage).
Looking for advice on feat trees, maneuvers, possible alternate race, and future class dips or prestige classes worth aiming for.
Thanks.
...if we are talking about whales, then this seems like the perfect place for a halfling.
Seriously- their racial feat, risky striker, gives them a second power attack (ie- 2 damage, +2/4BAB), that stacks with power attack. You lose only a single ac (yes, 1 AC) when using it. The only real caveat is that it only works on creatures that are two or more size categories than you.
Well enough on its own (since a lot of the beefy things are at least large, once you start going up in levels). And for whaling...it is ALWAYS going to apply.
How about a beast rider cavalier that grabs one of teh swimming animal companions? Maybe something with a nice enough combo of land and swim speed to get you where you need to go.
Sidenote- and yes, it is entirely possible to go strength based as a halfling. A bit painful, but you are more than invited to stab at thee from hell's heart due to a lost leg.
Second Sidenote- great story reason for why you have a medium mount you ride everywhere- you lost a leg. Hell, lose two while you are at it.
Great concept! I like the idea of a giant tattooed harpooner!
Does PF have any Strength-for-throwing feats? You might want or need those, too.
Is Warlord an archetype or a 3pp base class?
There's no guarantee that this will be an entirely aquatic campaign so I don't want to lock him into that from the get go. Chances are we'll be fighting other humanoids mostly (whaling would be his profession before starting adventuring). I'd like to keep him as martial as possible, I'm less skilled at playing casters.
*Marks down Two-Handed Thrower
mechaPoet: That is a pretty slick harpoon, unfortunately starting at Lvl 1, it's a bit out of my price range.
SmiloDan: Warlord is a Pathfinder base class in the Path of War book (Their version of Tome of Battle): http://www.d20pfsrd.com/path-of-war/classes/warlord
I was also looking at some of the magic tattoos for later in the game.
He's probably going to be fighting melee mostly, but should he need to stab somebody across the room it's good to have the option to do so.
What are your thoughts about mixing the Freebooter & Skirmisher archetypes of Ranger?
Looking at the piratey themed ones, but I suppose I could always reflavor ones that mechanically favor what I'm trying to do.