Hello there. I would appreciate some advices for my build. I am level 15, playing a duelist character and at that level I am starting to feel a bit useless. I am in a party with a sorcerer, witch, and paladin, playing as one of the two tanks in the party. I can usually count on a greater magic weapon* and mage armor** from the sorcerer so I have included said spells in my calculations.
House rules: Weapon Finesse, Combat Expertise, Agile Maneuvers and Power Attack for free or bonus combat feat if you receive them from class progression;
Dodge and Mobility merged into a single feat;
Improved Trip, Improved Disarm, Improved Dirty Trick, Improved Feint, Improved Reposition, and Improved Steal merged into Deft Maneuvers.
Ability Scores:
Str 8, Dex 28, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 22, Cha 10
Race: Human (Focused Study, Dimdweller)
Classes: Fighter 9/Magus 4/Monk 3
Archetypes: Swordlord/Spire Defender/Master of Many Styles, Monk of the Iron Mountain, Kata Master
Traits: Sword Scion, Fate's Favored
Feats: Agile Maneuvers, Combat Expertise, Deft Maneuvers, Greater Dirty Trick, Quick Dirty Trick, Greater Steal, Equipment Trick: Heavy Blade Scabbard, WF: Dueling Sword, WF: Unarmed Strike, Step Up, Crane Style, Crane Wing, Crane Riposte, Cloak and Dagger Style, Cloak and Dagger Subterfuge, Weapon Finesse, Slashing Grace, Combat Reflexes, Disruptive, Toughness, Vital Strike, Dodge, Skill Focus (Intimidate), Skill Focus (Acrobatics), Advanced Weapon Training (Defensive Weapon Training).
Skill: Acrobatics +39, Stealth +33, Perception +30, Intimidate +30, Fly +7
Deeds: Derring-do, Dodging Panache, Menacing Swordplay
AC 42**, Touch 31, Flat-footed 33**; +8 AC when fighting defensively as a full round action.
Fort 17 Reflex 20 Will 20 (+22 vs. fear)
Init: +12
Spells: 1) True Strike, Vanish, Shield, Expeditious Retreat, Call Weapon, Feather Fall
2) Bladed Dash, Mirror Image, Blur, Glitterdust
Magus Arcana: Lingering Pain
Items: Wayfinder (Cracked Opalescent White Pyramid), Wayfinder (Augmented Dusty Rose Prism), Headband of Inspired Wisdom +6/Jingasa of the Fortunate Soldier, Belt of Incredible Dexterity +6, Gloves of Dueling, Boots of Speed/Elvenkind, Cloak of Resistance +4/Lesser Wings of Flying, +1(4*) Keen Dueling^2 Sword, Ring of Protection +4, Amulet of Natural Armor +3, Bracers of Armor +2, Pearl of Power I x 3, Pearl of Power II x 2.
Attack: +33/+28/+23 1d8+17/17-20x2
Disarm: +39, Dirty Trick: +39, Steal: +37
The problem is that while I hold my own very well against bruiser enemies - unless they use weapons - I can do very little to stop them going after the spellcasters or go after enemy spellcasters myself. My saves are also not the greatest by let's call them ok for now.
While sickening, shaking and depriving a spellcaster from his cloak of protection usually leaves him ripe for the picking from the spellcasters on my side - I would like to be able to deal with them myself provided that I am able to get the drop on them. What I need is a reliable way to deal 40+ damage in one hit in order to have my Lingering Pain arcana actually matter for the concentration check of a full spellcaster. At the moment a crit does it, but sadly this happens only about 20% of the time even if the enemy has no fortification.
At the moment in the surprise round I can dish 2d8+25 damage with power attacking vital strike. Holly/Flaming/Etc. on my weapon will hardly help, since not all of our enemies are evil and they usually have 10ish resistance in a few assorted elements. All that I can think at the moment is taking two more magus levels and picking the Flamboyant and Arcane Deed (with Extra Arcana) to get precise strike for 6 more damage and weapon specialization for 2 more, but 2 levels and 2 feats for 8 damage seems a bit sub par. Is there some other way that I am missing?
