I've got a PFS character that I'm still trying to figure out to do with. I played him through second level as a sword-and-board paladin, got bored, and have put GM credit on him almost up to level 5.
He's a paladin of Shelyn, so I like the idea of him carrying a shield, but no weapon. Here's the build I'm looking at now:
Calomel
Human
17/13/12/7/12/16
Traits: Observant, Deft Dodger
Paladin 1: Dodge, Toughness
Paladin 2:
Brawler 1: Improved Unarmed Strike, Additional Traits (Fate's Favored, Quain Martial Artist), martial flexibility
Brawler 2: brawler's flurry, Weapon Focus (unarmed strike)
Monk* 1: Lunge, Snake Style, fuse styles, Punishing Kick
Monk 2: Outslug Style, Toughness (retrain previous Toughness to Outslug Weave)
Fighter** 1: Outslug Sprint, Snake Sidewind
Fighter 2: Weapon Specialization (unarmed strike)
Fighter 3: close combatant, Snake Fang
Fighter 4: Combat Reflexes
*(Master of Many Styles/Monk of the Sacred Mountain/Hungry Ghost Monk)
**(Brawler archetype)
Fate's Favored lets me use a wand of divine favor in the first round for an easy +2 to attack and damage. Snake Style lets me use Sense Motive in place of my abysmal Touch AC once per round, and eventually Snake Fang rewards my high AC with extra attacks. Outslug Style boosts damage, AC, and mobility.
I'm looking for suggestions on how to tweak this. The main playstyle is set (tanking with unarmed combat), and the stats and first 2 levels are set in stone at this point, but the rest is malleable.
So, any ideas?
If you're willing to lose the shield, take a look at the Iroran Paladin. Here's a guide. There's nothing in the archetype that actually requires that you follow Irori, either.
If observant does what I think it does I'd rather wait to add Perception to class skills at level 3 thanks to Brawler.
Otherwise I don't really get what your after here but I think you need Combat Style Master to make this tick as otherwise you'll have a hard time getting both styles on for lack of swift actions.
If you're willing to lose the shield, take a look at the Iroran Paladin. Here's a guide. There's nothing in the archetype that actually requires that you follow Irori, either.
He's already got +1 full plate, so no thanks.
If observant does what I think it does I'd rather wait to add Perception to class skills at level 3 thanks to Brawler.
Otherwise I don't really get what your after here but I think you need Combat Style Master to make this tick as otherwise you'll have a hard time getting both styles on for lack of swift actions.
I picked Observant back when I planned on going full Paladin, but then I got bored. It's a wasted trait now, but c'est la vie.
I don't think I'll have a problem with getting into my styles, since I can make a call about what style to get in first based on what I'm fighting (against a caster? Snake Style first. Against a monster? Outslug Style).
If you're willing to lose the shield, take a look at the Iroran Paladin. Here's a guide. There's nothing in the archetype that actually requires that you follow Irori, either.He's already got +1 full plate, so no thanks.
If observant does what I think it does I'd rather wait to add Perception to class skills at level 3 thanks to Brawler.
Otherwise I don't really get what your after here but I think you need Combat Style Master to make this tick as otherwise you'll have a hard time getting both styles on for lack of swift actions.
I picked Observant back when I planned on going full Paladin, but then I got bored. It's a wasted trait now, but c'est la vie.
I don't think I'll have a problem with getting into my styles, since I can make a call about what style to get in first based on what I'm fighting (against a caster? Snake Style first. Against a monster? Outslug Style).
Snake Style uses your immediate action however...which is your swift action for the next round.
True, so there may be some conflicts, but I don't think it will come up much.
If you aren't interested in Martial Flexibility given it's action economy, might I suggest the Winding Path Renegade from Advanced Class Orgins?
- Mystery of Unfolding Wind: grants Deflect Arrows as a Bonus Feat, grants +10 to range increment. Doesn't mention armor.
--OR--
- Mystery of Unblinking Flame: +10 enhancement bonus to speed. Doesn't mention armor.
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I'm not familiar with the "Close Combatant," what is that?
Are you planning on going for any Weapon Mastery Feats?
Why Hungry Ghost? Under what conditions would you want to use Punishing Kick? From what I can tell, you want your close by as often as possible. And if you aim to knock them prone, I'd think you'd be better served Stunning them instead.
Bear in mind that Snake Sidewind requires you to have 3 ranks in Acrobatics in addition to the 6 ranks of Sense Motive, and that you'll likely gaining 2 ranks per a level as a fighter (unless that's somehow your Favored Class).
Close combatant is the Brawler archetype ability that gives +1 to attacks and +3 to damage with close group weapons.
I don't plan on any Weapon Master Feats. Do you have an idea for something I should get?
Hungry Ghost, because my Stunning Fist DC would suck, and I want something else. It may not come up, but hey, it's something.
Yeah, I'll be skill poor at high levels, but thems the breaks.
No. I thought you meant you wanted to take "A" Brawler archetype, rather than "The" Brawler archetype. Anyway, the two that look the most promising (Cut from the Air and Difficult Swings) both require Weapon Training, so no dice.
Also, what about taking Kata Master as a monk. Trades away Stunning fist for a Panache pool, granting (a useless) dodging panache but also derring-do, which I think would help your weaknesses in skills, and prevent "trip into a puddle and die" syndrome.
Captain America build? Throw the shield?
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No. I thought you meant you wanted to take "A" Brawler archetype, rather than "The" Brawler archetype. Anyway, the two that look the most promising (Cut from the Air and Difficult Swings) both require Weapon Training, so no dice.
You can take weapon mastery feats without weapon training by taking Martial Focus.
Paladin 1: Dodge, Toughness
Paladin 2:
Brawler 1: Improved Unarmed Strike, Weapon Focus (unarmed strike), martial flexibility
Brawler 2: brawler's flurry, Snake Style
Medium 1: Spirit Focus (champion), spirit bonus +1, spirit surge 1d6
Swashbuckler (noble fencer) 1: opportune parry & riposte, social panache
Medium 2: Combat Reflexes, taboo, shared seance
Fighter (brawler) 1: Snake Sidewind
Fighter 2: Weapon Specialization (unarmed strike), Snake Fang
Fighter 3: close combatant
Paladin 3: Improved Critical