[PFS] Input on my new slayer please!

[Standral]

Hey, everyone! Super new to PFS. I only have one online session under my belt so far, playing a Paladin that I intended to use in the core campaign. For a few reasons, I’ve already decided to shelf this character for the time being.

If you’re interested in the tldr as to why:

For one, I picked up the humblebundle and no longer feel fiscally limited to the core campaign. Additionally, I feel that while the Paladin could be a fun character to pursue in the future, my lack of experience has me feeling like I should steer away from the strong principles of a boastful, charismatic Paladin.
I felt pretty steamrolled into doing a few very un-paladin things. The session was moving at a very good pace, and I didn’t want to be the lawful stupid hindrance. The GM was understanding, and although he did warn that I wasn’t doing the right thing, he didn’t make a big deal out of it. I think he was just as interested in the advancement of the plot as the rest of the party.
Either way, until I feel that I have a better grasp at how things like this are typically handled at a PFS table, I’m going to put the Paladin on the backburner.

So, meet Lars Oqreg.

Lars is a tall, slender human male in his late 20's.

Though he still may be considered young by human standards, his strained, hazel eyes, his scruffy, dark, unkempt facial hair, and oft furrowed brow suggest a man of many more years.

Anyone who spends any amount of time with him quickly realizes that he's not a man of many words, preferring only to speak when he has to, favoring action over speech.

Beyond this first impression, I’m just wondering what you guys think of the bit of backstory I’ve got here, if there are any holes that don’t jive with the setting or what not:

Lars had a tough upbringing in a rough part of the Docks of Absalom. He was never really sure whether or not his adopted Half-Orc father viewed him as a son or a convenient cohort that could be molded into a business associate, taking advantage of forlorn travelers, traders, and the like that come and go by sea.

Whatever the case, this unlikely father and son made a solid team, usually earning their keep as hired muscle for whomever was willing to pay.

Of course, this lifestyle comes with its share of dangers and his father was slain one late night on a job. When Lars realized just how little he was effected by the passing of his father, he decided that he could branch out and earn his own way. Maybe his father was holding him back, maybe he's got some serious potential. The life of a Pathfinder was one that a younger Lars had always imagined for himself, although his father, rather heavy-handedly, suggested that he could never make it on his own.

Lars and his father had done business with members of The Exchange in the past, and Lars knew that some of them were burgeoning Pathfinders themselves. He used these contacts to finally remove himself from the Docks of Absalom and begin to craft his own destiny.

So, I took the deft dodger trait, because that seems fitting. I also took the Adopted trait for Half-Orc weapon familiarity. I’ll be starting with a greatsword, but at level two I plan to start taking ranger 2WF fighting style and focusing on the orc double axe.

I would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions in regards to Lars’s early life!

Also any mechanical recommendations would be welcome. I’m not going for total optimization. I just think a human running around sneak-attacking with an orc double axe is fun to imagine, so I’m hoping it will be fun to play!

[Muser]

Hold up, you've activated Paizo's trap card! Adopted trait does not allow you to pick from racial abilities such as stonecunning but from traits with the Race type e.g Etymologist. Worry not though, it's a common mistake.

You've got plenty of feats as a slayer to just pick Exotic Weapon Proficiency(orc double axe). Another solid option is to purchase an opalescent white pyramid(cracked) ioun stone from the book Seekers of Secrets. It allows you to treat your choice weapon as a martial one and costs 1,500 gp.

[Standral]

Muser wrote:

Hold up, you've activated Paizo's trap card! Adopted trait does not allow you to pick from racial abilities such as stonecunning but from traits with the Race type e.g Etymologist. Worry not though, it's a common mistake.

Haha, well, to be honest? Clarification on this was 90% of the reason I posted at all.

Now, like I said, I'm not just trying to optimize here, but I don't want to gimp myself either. How lame would it be to spend that bonus human feat on exotic weapon proficiency, you think?

[Muser]

It's not lame. You'd get to play around with the orc weapon from the very beginning instead of waiting for the fame and gp to get your concept online.

[Shep09]

Muser wrote:

It's not lame. You'd get to play around with the orc weapon from the very beginning instead of waiting for the fame and gp to get your concept online.

Well, you've twisted my arm, and my bonus combat style feats will surely make up for it IMO, I think I'll just forego improved initiative at level 1 in this case.

While I've got your ear, I've got just a couple more questions. How do double weapons behave in regards to feats like weapon focus? Does one feat cover both blades?

Also, am I correct in assuming it's a free action to decide how I intend to swing the double weapon? (maybe I swing it as a 2h weapon in cases where I'm not taking a full round of attacks so I can add 1.5 strength for an AoO or after taking a move?)

Thanks for your input so far, Muser :D

[Arcaian]

Shep09 wrote:

Muser wrote:

It's not lame. You'd get to play around with the orc weapon from the very beginning instead of waiting for the fame and gp to get your concept online.

Well, you've twisted my arm, and my bonus combat style feats will surely make up for it IMO, I think I'll just forego improved initiative at level 1 in this case.

While I've got your ear, I've got just a couple more questions. How do double weapons behave in regards to feats like weapon focus? Does one feat cover both blades?

Also, am I correct in assuming it's a free action to decide how I intend to swing the double weapon? (maybe I swing it as a 2h weapon in cases where I'm not taking a full round of attacks so I can add 1.5 strength for an AoO or after taking a move?)

Thanks for your input so far, Muser :D

Core Rulebook wrote:

The character can also choose to use a double weapon two-handed, attacking with only one end of it.

I'd say from that rule about double weapons, you do indeed get to apply 1.5x your strength mod. Whenever you attack with the double weapon you can choose to effectively 'two weapon fight' with the double weapon or not :)

[Shep09]

Arcaian wrote:

Shep09 wrote:

Muser wrote:

It's not lame. You'd get to play around with the orc weapon from the very beginning instead of waiting for the fame and gp to get your concept online.

Well, you've twisted my arm, and my bonus combat style feats will surely make up for it IMO, I think I'll just forego improved initiative at level 1 in this case.

While I've got your ear, I've got just a couple more questions. How do double weapons behave in regards to feats like weapon focus? Does one feat cover both blades?

Also, am I correct in assuming it's a free action to decide how I intend to swing the double weapon? (maybe I swing it as a 2h weapon in cases where I'm not taking a full round of attacks so I can add 1.5 strength for an AoO or after taking a move?)

Thanks for your input so far, Muser :D

Core Rulebook wrote:

The character can also choose to use a double weapon two-handed, attacking with only one end of it.

I'd say from that rule about double weapons, you do indeed get to apply 1.5x your strength mod. Whenever you attack with the double weapon you can choose to effectively 'two weapon fight' with the double weapon or not :)

Thanks, Arcaian! I interpreted it the same way, just wanted to be sure as I've already misinterpreted one of my starting traits :P

[Muser]

Yeah, pick either twf with both ends or two-handing it for 1,5x Str bonus and Power Attack damage when you start your attack. It's not an action, you just pick one or the other as you shift your grip. Nothing's stopping you from taking your attacks of opportunity using the more damaging option, for instance.

Weapon Focus benefits both ends. Sweet deal.

Remember that you only get half your Str bonus and Power Attack damage with the other end if you choose to use two-weapon fighting when attacking. You can partly mitigate this with the Double Slice feat but I wouldn't bother taking it until you get a decent Strength score. E.g 1 more damage to a single attack isn't worth much but when you've got 22-24 Str Double Slice is very good.

[Shep09]

Muser wrote:

Yeah, pick either twf with both ends or two-handing it for 1,5x Str bonus and Power Attack damage when you start your attack. It's not an action, you just pick one or the other as you shift your grip. Nothing's stopping you from taking your attacks of opportunity using the more damaging option, for instance.

Weapon Focus benefits both ends. Sweet deal.

Remember that you only get half your Str bonus and Power Attack damage with the other end if you choose to use two-weapon fighting when attacking. You can partly mitigate this with the Double Slice feat but I wouldn't bother taking it until you get a decent Strength score. E.g 1 more damage to a single attack isn't worth much but when you've got 22-24 Str Double Slice is very good.

Thanks for the clarification there, Muser.

Good tip, too, I was going to opt for double slice as soon as I could, but you're right, it doesn't seem worth it until I'm swinging more often with my offhand and when I have more strength to apply.

Well, I think I'm pretty set on what I'm going to do with this character now, thank you guys so much for your input!

[Arcaian]

Shep09 wrote:

Muser wrote:

Yeah, pick either twf with both ends or two-handing it for 1,5x Str bonus and Power Attack damage when you start your attack. It's not an action, you just pick one or the other as you shift your grip. Nothing's stopping you from taking your attacks of opportunity using the more damaging option, for instance.

Weapon Focus benefits both ends. Sweet deal.

Remember that you only get half your Str bonus and Power Attack damage with the other end if you choose to use two-weapon fighting when attacking. You can partly mitigate this with the Double Slice feat but I wouldn't bother taking it until you get a decent Strength score. E.g 1 more damage to a single attack isn't worth much but when you've got 22-24 Str Double Slice is very good.

Thanks for the clarification there, Muser.

Good tip, too, I was going to opt for double slice as soon as I could, but you're right, it doesn't seem worth it until I'm swinging more often with my offhand and when I have more strength to apply.

Well, I think I'm pretty set on what I'm going to do with this character now, thank you guys so much for your input!

No problem - it sounds like a fun character, and cool backstory :) Hope it goes well! :)

[Muser]

I took Double Slice for my slayer like immediately but he's got a shield so 1,5x isn't an option.

Hmm, I'm sure I had Power Attack but after rechecking I actually don't. Seems that studying targets and sneak attacks have been enough so far(9th lvl) along the road. Maybe in two levels time. Things such as huge earth elementals are just pure murder for a twf precision damage dealer.

Yeah, about precision damage, get this feat at some point. We finished the module Cult of the Ebon Destroyers a few weeks ago and that feat would have added about +50% to my damage. Some people and their blur spells...

Yeah, I'm rambling! Good gaming and best of luck.