Sacred Huntsmaster AoO Teamwork Build

[Validorn]

Greetings folks,

I have a level 2(X) Sacred Huntsmaster/1 Daring Champion for PFS.

Damage output is currently underpowered until he gets bane, agile weapon, and AnC (leopard) hits medium size.

He's currently saving up for a cracked white opalescant pyramid and an adamantine elven curved blade. The build hopes to get as much damage per hit and as many AoOs as possible.

Primary feats are:
Combat Reflexes
Combat Expertise -> Pack Flanking
Outflank
Weapon Finesse
Paired Opportunists

I'm a little torn on 'end-game' feats. I'm curious to go nuts with active AoOs as described in this guide's Wallace the Whirlwind build using improved feint, twinned feint, feint partner, and improved feint partner. However, 4 feats is quite an investment to make this work but the pay-off is numerous primary attacks that provoke AoOs for AnC and possibly allies (using tactician or ring of tactical precision) at a nicely buffed attack bonus (being an AoO). Granted it is all dependent on Bluff checks, but that seems fairly easy to buff.

The other option would be picking up precise strike, broken wing gambit, tandem trip, lookout, etc... but that would rely on passive AoOs, hoping the enemy provokes or I crit.

I would like to grab power attack either way but there's little to no room in the feint build.

Thoughts?

[Markov Spiked Chain]

Broken Wing Gambit all the way. You and your buddy can isolate someone and both use it so there's no good target. Then you're getting two attacks (on top of your normal attacks) with huge bonuses (+14(!) on top of your normal stuff) per enemy attack. Right now, you don't have many other good ways to generate AoS

After that, I'd lean more towards Improved Trip, Greater Trip, and Tandem Trip. By that point you're +10(+4 more for perma-flanking) on AoOs, so no one is getting behind you, can your trips provoke 4 AoOs, with a good chance for two more from a crit.

You might want to seriously consider a Big Cat or something that you can use a mount, or Undersized mount if you're worried about space. Most of your feats rely on both you and your buddy being adjacent to and/or threatening the enemy. If you're mounted, these overlap completely. If you're not, it's easy for enemies to run by, or 5' step to a spot where you're not both threatening, and that's a huge loss (to hit bonuses, AoOs, etc.)

[Fruian Thistlefoot]

I second Broken Wing Gambit.

THis is a Hunter I threw together for another thread this past week. Perhaps you can draw some Inspiration.

Human Hunter:

Human 20 point buy
Str: 17, Dex: 12, Con: 14, Int 13, Wis: 14, Cha: 8
Traits: Transmuter of Korada- Cat's Grace
Your Choice: Threatened Defender or Dirty Fighter or anything really

Mandatory skills:
You need 5 ranks of Bluff by level 6 to qualify for Broken Wing gambit. It is a bit of a skill tax but the feat is ungodly strong. You get 8 skill points a level anyways so no big deal.

Feats by level:

Human: Combat Reflexes
1: Combat Expertise
2: Teamwork Feat: Outflank
3: Power Attack
3: Teamwork Feat: Pack Flanking
5: Improved Trip
6: Teamwork Feat: Broken Wing Gambit
7: Paired Opportunist
9: Greater Trip
9: Teamwork Feat: Coordinated Maneuver or Tandem Trip (Dealer's Choice)
11: Improved Critical-Reach weapon of Choice (pre-req for Seize the moment)
12: Teamwork Feat: Seize the Moment

A Sample Spell List:

(Trying to take advantage of Transmuter Trait)
((Remember you get summon nature's ally for Free))

0- Detect Magic, Read Magic, Create Water, Guidance, Mending
1- Obscuring Mist, Lead Blades, Faerie Fire, Resist Energy
2- Cat's Grace (Mandatory), Barkskin, Stone Call, Lesser Restoration, Summon Swarm
3- Cure Moderate Wounds, Greater Magic Fang or Strong Jaw, Stone Shape, Life Bubble (Underrated Protection spell. Stink Clouds and Cloudkill are real things as is environmental issues. Also if your groups Caster wants to use those spells he can not worry about hurting the group with it.)
4- Animal Growth, Freedom of Movement, Cure Serious Wounds
5- Stoneskin

For a weapon I suggest a +1 Adamantine Menacing Fortuitous reach weapon. You can get Bigger flanking bonuses and more AoO attacks.

Basic non-archetype Hunter. Its basically the same feats that were mentioned. They work well together for sure.

[dragonhunterq]

Endorse getting a rideable AnC.
Consider using an Elven Branched Spear for finesse-able reach goodness, phalanx formation means you can stand behind your AnC without worrying about cover (if you decide not to go riding stylee).

Works well with a trip build too.

[Validorn]

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

I'm convinced the Broken Wing Gambit route is, if nothing else, the more flexible way to go. Meat grinding AoOs with feints could get ridiculous pretty quick but, at the cost of 4 feats, it's quite an investment.

Having a rideable AnC would be great but there is the complication of size. I couldn't use hosteling armor enchant on a large creature since I'll be in medium armor for dex; I suppose I could burn consumables to reduce animal or carry companion. Alternatively, using undersized mount I would have to deal with encumbrance issues on the AnC which would severely cap its max dex (painful for an AoO build but could be offset by ant haul...) It would definitely improve action economy and space occupation, particularly in hallways, not to mention using escape route and things like that.

I went with leopard as a compromise between wolf (trip) and big cat (high dex, more attacks). I had planned on building up the AnC's trip with dirty fighting. I figured Greater Trip, Trip(Ex), Tandem Trip, and Paired Opportunists would make for a nasty combo. Plus, I was thinking on grabbing a wounding AoMF for the cat to crank out a nasty self-stacking bleed on relatively weaker attacks. A tiger could give even more attacks for wounding and better base damage but I would lose the free trip.