So we're about to jumpstart a campaign based around being witch hunters and cultist eradicators, sort of the new Hanzel and Grettle meets Van Helsing meets The Witcher.
Our current party is a Human Male Rogue(Scout/Spy)+Bard(Archeologist) who is a stealthy dex-based rapier wielder, an Ifrit Female Sorceror(Elemental Fire)+Fighter(Phalanx Soldier)+Eldritch Knight who is mainly a caster but is able to mix it up in melee when necessary, and finally a Human Male Gunslinger(Bolt Ace)+Inquisitor of Sarenrae(Witch Hunter) who is essentially playing the newer movie version of Van Helsing.
I'm wanting to build a tanky, warrior Half-Orc Cleric of Asmodeus, going into Hellknight Commander for a few levels(for full movement in Hellknight Plate and the Censor ability) and then continue on into Hellknight Signifier for the rest of the build. I'm planning on using a Longsword as it is the favored weapon of the Order of the Rack, so likely a shield in my off hand. We are starting at 10th level with stats of 18, 16, 14, 14, 12, 12 arranged as we see fit before racial adjustment.
I'm looking for archetype suggestions, domain suggestions, and generally the best way to go about building this character.
I've had the same thought several times, actually, and the alias I'm posting with is a LE paladin (with GM permission) that is aiming at Hellknight (not Signifier).
As for your cleric, what level are you starting at?
That would change a few pieces of my advice.
Edit: didn't see that you were starting at 10th, my bad! Give me a bit.
Alright. The problem with this is that you, as a cleric, are not proficient with heavy armor, or the longsword.
However, if you go Signifier first, you gain proficiency in heavy armor and your order's weapon.
You need at least 7 levels of cleric (to get BAB +5) for Hellknight, which leaves you with 2 levels of Hellknight, and 1 of Signifier, and 4th level cleric spells.
Signifier needs 3rd level spells (which cleric 7 will get you), and Warrior Priest, for you.
As for domains, I'd suggest Trickery and Fire. Trickery gives you a few defensive spells/abilities (invisibility, mirror image power), and Fire gives you some blasting options, along with a not bad ranged attack.
Here's a sample level progression, along with feats.
1- Cleric- Toughness
2-
3- Power Attack?
4-
5- Warrior Priest
6-
7- Improved Init?
8- Signifier 1 (heavy armor and longsword)
9- Hellknight 1- Weapon Focus (longsword)
10- Hellknight 2
For stats:
Strength: 16+2 = 18 +2 level up= 20
Dexterity: 14
Constitution: 14
Intelligence: 12 (you're going to need quite a few skill ranks to get the skills you need for prerequisites)
Wisdom: 18
Charisma: 12
Traits: Armor Expert and Magical Knack. Helps with armor check penalty (and fits thematically), and gets your actual cleric CL to 10, which will help keep spells relevant.
This leaves you with quite a bit of defensive abilities (through your Hellknight Plate, 4th level cleric spells, and Trickery domain), along with a lot of offensive staying power (20+ Strength, Power Attack, etc.)
Not sure about equipment, as you didn't state starting money or preferences, but the normal staples apply.
Belt- +Str/Con
Headband- +Wis
Cloak of Resistance
Ring of Protection/Sustenance
Magic armor/weapon/shield
Etc.
Starting gold is 64,000 as per standard wealth-by-level for 10th level.
Alright, I wasn't sure.
What about traits, do you get two traits, as normal?
Because for half-orc specifically, you want to grab the alternate racial trait Sacred Tattoo (replaces orc ferocity), which gets you a +1 luck bonus on all saving throws.
With Fate's Favored, that goes to +2.
Beyond the normal equipment, if you buy a Jingasa of the Fortunate Soldier (5,000 go), that nets you a +1 (+2 with FF) AC bonus.
Other than that, whatever you want to spend, proportionally, on offense (Str belt, magic weapon), or defense (con belt, magic armor/shield) is yours to decide.
That's pretty much all the general advice I have for you.
Do you have spells down, or do you want/need help there, too?
Asmodeous has pretty weak domains in terms of being able to help you. So I would take an archetype that removes a domain which would be a theologian, crusader, herald caller, and evangelist. Of those listed crusader is the best fit as it strongly supports sword and board but honestly a herald caller would help as well.
I recommend looking into that crusader and seeing how you feel about it and the get back with us. Much as it pains me this is one time a warpriest looks appealing.
I would normally agree with you, except that he's starting at 10th level.
He'll already get the cool, higher-level (4th- Divine Power, anyone?) spells, and Fire/Trickery actually aren't that bad (some blasts, as I said, and Invisibility? Yes please!)
He'll get constant resist fire 5, and the mirror image and fire bolt powers aren't that bad when he needs them.
With respect to Crusader, what does he gain?
The only benefit I could see to it is if he wasn't going Signifier, in order to get heavy armor and the longsword, and Diminished Spellcasting is a pretty big deal.
I don't see the warpriest giving that much more (beyond the broken idea that is fervor) that cleric wouldn't give him.
Definitely would have less spells, which usually isn't a good thing.
Maybe the bonus feats, but again, spells.
Asmodeous has pretty weak domains in terms of being able to help you. So I would take an archetype that removes a domain which would be a theologian, crusader, herald caller, and evangelist. Of those listed crusader is the best fit as it strongly supports sword and board but honestly a herald caller would help as well.
I recommend looking into that crusader and seeing how you feel about it and the get back with us. Much as it pains me this is one time a warpriest looks appealing.
I would normally agree with you, except that he's starting at 10th level.
He'll already get the cool, higher-level (4th- Divine Power, anyone?) spells, and Fire/Trickery actually aren't that bad (some blasts, as I said, and Invisibility? Yes please!)
He'll get constant resist fire 5, and the mirror image and fire bolt powers aren't that bad when he needs them.With respect to Crusader, what does he gain?
The only benefit I could see to it is if he wasn't going Signifier, in order to get heavy armor and the longsword, and Diminished Spellcasting is a pretty big deal.I don't see the warpriest giving that much more (beyond the broken idea that is fervor) that cleric wouldn't give him.
Definitely would have less spells, which usually isn't a good thing.
Maybe the bonus feats, but again, spells.
He actually is going into the non-caster Hellknight to get full movement in Hellknight Plate. Then he's switching into Signifier.
Yeah, which happens at the second level of the prestige class.
See my sample build above.
Edit: @OP, you're making me want to play this build more and more as I look at it. It looks really seem like it'd be a lot of fun.
Yeah, which happens at the second level of the prestige class.
See my sample build above.Edit: @OP, you're making me want to play this build more and more as I look at it. It looks really seem like it'd be a lot of fun.
*It does really seem like it'd be a lot of fun.
Would it possibly be better to go with Oracle instead of Cleric? I'm beginning to think an Oracle of Battle might be a stronger choice for this character.
You could, in fact, go with Oracle, but you'd lose out on the same thing that going Warpriest would lose you: fourth-level spells.
However, you'd gain quite a bit as well. (Assuming you go oracle 7/Signifier 1/Hellknight 2)
•keeps the same feat progression.
•more skills per level, as well as Perception and Intimidate as class skills.
•more spells per day, as you're spontaneous.
•Enlarge Person and Fog Cloud from your mystery, which aren't on the cleric list. Magic Vestment is nice, but not something to get excited about.
•All the Cures (if you're looking for healing) or Inflicts (if you can pick up a Spell-Storing weapon) for free.
•Curse- I'd suggest Legalistic, if only for the actual flavor value. Just be sure never to break a promise.
•Revelations- I'd suggest War Sight, Surprising Charge, and Battlefield Clarity. With your BAB being +7/+2, full attacks are fun, and Surprising Charge lets you move your speed twice per day as an immediate action. War Sight lets you act in every surprise round, and roll initiate twice, taking the highest. Awesome. Battlefield Clarity gives you some much needed rerolls, should you fall to some common effects. All around, awesome mystery.
(The reason I suggest staying away from Skill at Arms is that it's not really worth it. You're going into Signifier first, which will give you heavy armor and the longsword.)
With the Oracle, I'd recommend doing this for stats:
Strength: 16+2 = 18 +2 level up= 20
Dexterity: 14
Constitution: 14
Intelligence: 12
Wisdom: 12
Charisma: 18
And of course, change to a headband if Charisma.
I've decided to go with the original idea of him being a Cleric and I'm thinking I will go with Asmodean Advocate for the archetype. I lose out on a domain, but since I was planning on taking Trickery anyway it isn't much of a loss and gaining a familiar is always a good thing in my opinion, especially an Imp familiar who can serve a wand user. A couple wands with cure and buffing spells and a couple "attack" wands and he provides some great support.
I've alway been given the okay to take Leadership so I'll be picking up a Hellhound monster cohort(DM won't allow "normal" cohorts) so with me having a decent Charisma, I could haven my Hellhound pet be 1st level in a class. Haven't decided yet on what class to go with for him but I'm leaving towards Ranger or Inquisitor. Any suggestions on what would be a good choice?
Asmodean clerics get some nice perks...
Spellcasting contract - excellent scaling buff
Access to Lesser Geas/Quest...