Help in optimizing a beloved chara for new campaign

[godfang]

So here's the deal. I have a character I really like, and when i'm playing with my friends, the character is pretty good. But then i started playing with a different group who are very combat min-max oriented and I start feeling underpowered.

They told me that I should change my classes because it's not optimized, but the class was chosen because it fits the background to a T. I'm no good at min maxing, so I was hoping you guys can help me make this character optimized.

Here are the rules
-20 point buy
-must have 1 level in brawler at least
-is dex-cha (or dex-int) based
-uses a light blade
-is a tanky front liner
-paizo only feats
-human
-non spellcaster
-lvl 4

I'm open to any suggestions, i used to go daring champion 3 brawler 1, but I just feel so outclassed by the party's alchemist and magus.

[RainyDayNinja]

10/17+1/14/10/13/14
Brawler 1: Weapon Focus (double chicken sabre), martial flexibility
Swashbuckler 1: Weapon Finesse, panache, deeds
Brawler 2: Extra Panache, Slashing Grace, brawler's flurry
Swashbuckler 2: charmed life

This lets you flurry with a single weapon, with Dex-to-damage.

[godfang]

i thought slashing grace no longer allows flurries though? If it does, that sounds super nasty

[Scott Wilhelm]

godfang wrote:

-is dex-cha (or dex-int) based

So, for a CH-based class, I'm thinking Bard or Paladin, but both of those are Spellcasters, and

you wrote:

non spellcaster

A real conundrum!

I was also thinking about being a Warpriest, using 2 Kukris, using Sacred Weapon Damage instead of the Kukri damage, and then take Improved Crit.

But spellcaster again.

So, how about Unchained Rogue, and do that Dex-to-Damage thing? Make your level in Brawler a level with the Snakebite Striker Archetype, for an extra 1d6 Sneak Attack Damage. And work on either Feinting or Dirty Tricks for making sure you get your Sneak Attack Damage every time. If you go with Feinting, then you must invest in a Mask of the Stony Demeanor. It's a Wondrous Item that costs like 500gp and gives a +5 on your Bluff Checks to Feint.

[RainyDayNinja]

godfang wrote:

i thought slashing grace no longer allows flurries though? If it does, that sounds super nasty

Gah, you're right. I'd forgotten about that.

In that case, maybe use stats of 13/17+1/14/10/12/13, and take Power Attack instead of Slashing Grace. Then you can save up for an agile weapon (depending on item availability in your campaign).

[ekibus]

Why the level in brawler? I know it is the character but no flexibility? Hmm story wise why? (If it is flavor there might be options.) But the thing is you want to be on par with casters it won't happen.

[ekibus]

Here is a basic idea which might or not be a tad better...this is a quickie and not overly optimized but is pretty nice. 4 Levels of swashbuckler (bare with me) Without any special gear.. 20AC (saves are kinda poor at 3/8/1) Str 10, dex 19, con 14, int 10, wis 10 and Cha 14...technically you could drop int or str but im wary of that. Inspired might be a better choice and dump cha but kinda so so there. Anyways onwards! +6 init (8 if you take reactionary trait) Feats are combat reflexes, extra panache, weapon focus scimitar, and slashing grace scimitar (inspired would be rapier and you would have a extra feat which might really be worth it) So at 4 you would be at +9 hit and 1D6+4+4(precision) crit on 18-20 so on crit the +4 isn't doubled. now where we get a bit tanky is with the combat reflexes added to opportune parry and riposte..basically you give up a panache to try to beat the attackers hit...if you do you negate the attack and then you can make a attack against him. Add in menacing swordplay to make a attack and as a free action make a intimidate to demoralize the opponent (+9 intimidate)... Level 5 just keep it going.. you get +1 to hit and damage along with crit going from 15-20..I would probably take piranha strike to take a -2 hit but +4 damage which is doubled in a crit. Oh for the heck of it I took dangerously curious to get umd and at 4 I was +10 to use a wand