Hello everyone,
I'm crunching a character at level 8 (25pt buy) - the game will be centered around the Razor Coast and all it entails (sea, jungle, you name it), and I was planning on going with a jungle themed character along the lines of a quick skirmisher running through the woods with his animal companion in toe.
I am aware there are several ways to do this (from the good old ranger build, to the Sacred Huntsmaster Inquisitor, etc) - this time around I think I want to try my hand at the Hunter though, and wanted to have some advice on the character progress thus far.
Hargrosh
Half-orc hunter 8 (Pathfinder RPG Advanced Class Guide 26)
NG Medium humanoid (human, orc)
Init +6; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +13
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Defense
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AC 24, touch 16, flat-footed 19 (+8 armor, +1 deflection, +5 Dex)
hp 63 (8d8+20)
Fort +12, Ref +16, Will +10
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft.
Melee greatsword +8/+3 (2d6+3/19-20)
Ranged +2 adaptive darkwood composite longbow +11/+11/+6 (1d8+9/×3)
Hunter Spells Known (CL 8th; concentration +10)
. . 3rd (2/day)—summon nature's ally III
. . 2nd (5/day)—summon nature's ally II
. . 1st (5/day)—summon nature's ally I
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Statistics
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Str 14, Dex 22, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 8
Base Atk +6; CMB +8; CMD 25
Feats Coordinated Shot[ACG], Deadly Aim, Enfilading Fire[UC], Iron Will, Point-Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Shot
Traits fate's favored
Skills Handle Animal +10, Intimidate +1, Perception +13, Stealth +16, Survival +13; Racial Modifiers +2 Intimidate
Languages Common, Orc
SQ animal companion (tiger named Animal Companion), animal focus (8 minutes/day, double), bonus trick (1), hunter tactics, improved empathic link, nature training, orc blood, swift tracker, track +4, wild empathy +7, woodland stride
Other Gear +2 mithral agile breastplate[APG], +2 adaptive darkwood composite longbow (+2 Str), greatsword, belt of incredible dexterity +2, cloak of resistance +2, ring of protection +1, 150 gp
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Special Abilities
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Animal Companion (animal companion (tiger named Lagash)) (Ex) If no current companion, summon nature's ally spells last 1 min/level but only 1 at a time.
Animal Companion Link (Ex) Handle or push Animal Companion faster, +4 to checks vs. them.
Bonus Trick (Ex) Animal companion gains an extra trick.
Coordinated Shot If ally threatens but doesn't provide cover gain +1 bon on ranged atks vs. opp.
Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white only).
Deadly Aim -2/+4 Trade a penalty to ranged attacks for a bonus to ranged damage.
Enfilading Fire +2 to ranged att vs. a foe flanked by an ally with this feat.
Hunter Tactics (Ex) Animal companion also gains the bonus teamwork feats, but doesn't need to meet pre-reqs.
Improved Empathic Link (1 mile) (Su) As the familiar ability, but as a swift action can see through companion's eyes (but not own).
Nature Training (Ex) Hunter levels count as druid/ranger levels for feats, traits, and options to improve animal companions.
Orc Blood Half-orcs count as both humans and orcs for any effect related to race.
Point-Blank Shot +1 to attack and damage rolls with ranged weapons at up to 30 feet.
Precise Shot You don't get -4 to hit when shooting or throwing into melee.
Rapid Shot You get an extra attack with ranged weapons. Each attack is at -2.
Second Animal Focus (8 minutes/day) (Su) As a swift action, gain bonuses from emulated animal(s). If no companion, +1 slots.
Share Spells with Companion (Ex) Can cast spells with a target of "you" on animal companion, as touch spells.
Swift Tracker (Ex) Tracking penalties when moving at normal speed or faster are reduced.
Track +4 Add the listed bonus to survival checks made to track.
Wild Empathy +7 (Ex) Improve the attitude of an animal, as if using Diplomacy.
Woodland Stride (Ex) Move through undergrowth at normal speed.
and
Lagash
Tiger
N Large animal
Init +4; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +6
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Defense
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AC 24, touch 13, flat-footed 20 (+4 armor, +4 Dex, +7 natural, -1 size)
hp 63 (7d8+25)
Fort +8, Ref +9, Will +4 (+4 morale bonus vs. Enchantment spells and effects)
Defensive Abilities evasion
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Offense
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Speed 40 ft.
Melee bite +8 (1d8+10 plus grab), 2 claws +8 (1d6+10 plus grab)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks pounce, rake (2 claws +8, 1d6+10 plus grab)
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Statistics
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Str 23, Dex 18, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 15, Cha 10
Base Atk +5; CMB +10 (+14 grapple); CMD 26 (30 vs. trip)
Feats Coordinated Shot[ACG], Enfilading Fire[UC], Light Armor Proficiency, Power Attack, Skill Focus (Stealth), Narrow Frame
Skills Acrobatics +4 (+8 to jump), Perception +6, Stealth +12
SQ animal focus, devotion, woodland stride
Other Gear +1 studded leather
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Special Abilities
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Coordinated Shot If ally threatens but doesn't provide cover gain +1 bon on ranged atks vs. opp.
Devotion +4 (Ex) +4 morale bonus on Will Saves vs. Enchantments.
Enfilading Fire +2 to ranged att vs. a foe flanked by an ally with this feat.
Evasion (Ex) No damage on successful reflex save.
Grab: Bite (Large) (Ex) You can start a grapple as a free action if you hit with the designated weapon.
Grab: Claw (Large) (Ex) You can start a grapple as a free action if you hit with the designated weapon.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in dim light, distinguishing color and detail.
Pounce (Ex) You can make a full attack as part of a charge.
Power Attack -2/+4 You can subtract from your attack roll to add to your damage.
Scent (Ex) Detect opponents within 15+ feet by sense of smell.
Second Animal Focus (Su) As a swift action, gain bonuses from emulated animal(s).
Woodland Stride (Ex) Move through undergrowth at normal speed.
I know Herolab format is not the best to showcase a character, but it is practical to copy and paste :P
In any case if it sucks too much let me know and I'll format it differently.
Overall I wanted to ask opinions on the character build as a whole, but I do have some specific requests, namely:
- Assistance/suggestions with spells selection;
- Assistance/opinion on Teamwork Feats selection
- If the character looks 'solid' (I am missing a trait)
- If the pet looks 'solid' - I am hesitating a lot since I would like to have a flying pet, like a Roc. But the cat seems so much nastier :D
- Skill suggestions as the list is still missing about 24 points
- One question - is the pet constantly affected by an Animal Focus? That seems so brutal :D
- Any other feedback is obviously welcome ;)
If you intend to go ranged, I recommend you look into an archetype since most teamwork feats are going to be underwhelming. Divine Hunter/Patient Ambusher/Urban Hunter are all good options to replace them for cooler stuff.
I would also advise you against Fate's Favored. It's unnecessary cheese. It was clearly not meant to trigger off a constant racial ability.
Yes, your companion has constant animal focus, and it is strong. Your cat does not need armor proficiency unless you want to equip it w armor that has an acp, currently that is not an issue.
If you don't take an archetype that gives up teamwork, consider taking feats that are more utility in nature rather than the weak ranged ones, stealth synergy, look out, shake it off, etc..
I would focus on uility and long duration buff spells, with a splash of battlefield control.
Looking at how many minutes per day you can use tiger focus, which does not stack with your belt, you might drop the belt for a con belt, or a different utility item.
For skills, some knowledges, a little swim and climb. Maybe ride so you can "ride the tiger."