[PFS] Unchained Rogue Elven Branched Spear

[Ferious Thune]

Yes, yet another Unchained Rogue wielding an Elven Branched Spear. I know there are a few threads, but there have been several books with useful feats released since the last one. I actually haven't yet seen this build in play locally or online, so I'm going to go ahead and jump in and make one.

The base build I'm looking at is:

Half-Elf Unchained Rogue:

STR 13 DEX 19 CON 14 INT 13 WIS 10 CHA 7

1) Combat Expertise, 1B) Weapon Finesse, 1B) EWP: Elven Branched Spear, SA 1d6
2) RT: Weapon Training (Elven Branched Spear), Evasion
3) Gang Up, SA 2d6, Danger Sense +1, Finesse Training (EBS)
4) +1 DEX, Debilitating Injury, Uncanny Dodge, RT: Combat Trick: Power Attack
5) Furious Focus, Rogue’s Edge (Sense Motive), SA 3d6
6) Danger Sense +2, RT: ?????
7) Phalanx Formation, SA 4d6
8) +1 DEX, Improved Uncanny Dodge, RT: ?????
9) Combat Reflexes, Danger Sense +3, SA 5d6
10) ART: Opportunist, Rogue’s Edge: (Stealth)
11) Improved Will, Finesse Training (Dagger), SA 6d6
12) +1 DEX, ART: Improved Evasion

Traits:
Indomitable Faith
Clever Wordplay (Diplomacy)

I could also go with an Elf variation:

Elven Unchained Rogue (Swashbuckler Archetype):

STR 13 DEX 19 CON 12 INT 13 WIS 12 CHA 7

1) Combat Expertise, 1B) Weapon Finesse, SA 1d6
2) RT: Weapon Training (Elven Branched Spear), Evasion
3) Gang Up, SA 2d6, Danger Sense +1, Finesse Training (EBS)
4) +1 DEX, Debilitating Injury, Uncanny Dodge, RT: Combat Trick: Power Attack
5) Furious Focus, Rogue’s Edge (Sense Motive), SA 3d6
6) Danger Sense +2, RT: Combat Trick: Phalanx Formation
7) Combat Reflexes, SA 4d6
8) +1 DEX, Improved Uncanny Dodge, RT: ?????
9) Improved Will, Danger Sense +3, SA 5d6
10) ART: Opportunist, Rogue’s Edge: (Stealth)
11) Twist Away, Finesse Training (Dagger), SA 6d6
12) +1 DEX, ART: Improved Evasion

Traits:
Threatening Defender
Clever Wordplay (Diplomacy)

And, I could dip Brawler.

Brawler at 1, rest Unchained Rogue

Standard Brawler: Martial Flexibility 4/day, Brawler's Cunning, Martial Training, Improved Unarmed Strike (1d6)

Snakebite Striker: Replace Martial Flexibility with +1d6 Sneak Attack

Mutagenic Mauler: Replace Martial Flexibility with Mutagen (+4 DEX, -2 WIS)

Half-elf Brawler/Unchained Rogue:

STR 13 DEX 19 CON 14 INT 7 WIS 13 CHA 10

1) Power Attack, 1B) EWP: Elven Branched Spear, plus Brawler abilities
2) 2B) Weapon Finesse, SA 1d6
3) Furious Focus, RT: Weapon Training (Elven Branched Spear), Evasion
4) Danger Sense +1, Finesse Training (EBS), SA 2d6
5) +1 DEX, Combat Expertise, Debilitating Injury, Uncanny Dodge, RT: Combat Trick: Gang Up
6) Rogue’s Edge (Sense Motive), SA 3d6
7) Phalanx Formation, RT: ?????
8) +1 WIS, Danger Sense +2, SA 4d6
9) Improved Will, Improved Uncanny Dodge, RT: ?????
10) Danger Sense +3, SA 5d6
11) Combat Reflexes, ART: Opportunist, Rogue’s Edge: (Stealth)
12) +1 DEX, Finesse Training (Unarmed Strike), SA 6d6

Traits:
Indomitable Will
Dirty Fighter

I like Brawler dips for Martial Flexibility. If nothing else, it's an encounter definable Dedicated Adversary, and a +2 hit/+2 dmg is a big deal for a Rogue. Brawler's Cunning also let's me dump Int instead of Cha, which does mean fewer skill points, but it frees up a trait I'd have had devoted to making Diplomacy viable, and it lets me bump my Wisdom to 13 to help with abysmal Will saves. The dip does set Sneak Attack progression back 1 level, as well as Dex to damage.

I was leaving Combat Reflexes until late in the build, just before I'm able to pick up Opportunist and really make use of it. But I could bring it forward if I find myself missing out on AoO chances.

Any advice is appreciated.

[Ferious Thune]

Another thought... is it worth being an elf to get access to blend? It would have to be either through Major Magic or a Wand. Or I could dip Alchemist instead of Brawler to get Mutagen, bombs, extracts, Wand use, and crafting. I would take the Grenadier archetype instead of taking Swashbuckler Rogue, to get proficiency with one martial weapon (the EBS). A second level of Alchemist at some point would net me a Discovery, Precise Bombs, and Alchemical Weapon.

[avr]

If you want blend and martial flexibility, a sorcerer (eldritch scrapper) dip could help.

Pure elf without some (other) dip or a feat for MWP doesn't work- an elven branched spear becomes a martial weapon for an elf, but rogues don't get proficiency in all martial weapons or that one in particular.

I'd thought half-elves got access to elf options? Is that not always true in PFS?

[Ferious Thune]

The Swashbuckler Rogue archetype gets Martial Weapon Proficiencies, so that's how a single classed elf Rogue can get Elven Branched Spear. Grenadier Alchemist gets a single martial weapon proficiency, so I could dip that without having to dip a class that get all martial Proficiencies.

In most cases a half-elf can take elf options, but there's a quirky part of the PFS rules where options from the Advanced Race Guide are only available to the actual race, and not the half race or through the Racial Heritage feat. So blend is only a legal option for elves, and only elves can buy wands, scrolls, etc. of it.

EDIT: Eldritch Scrapper looks interesting. I was not aware of that archetype. I'd have to stick with Swashbuckler Rogue for the weapon proficiency, but that's possible. It would open up taking Arcane Strike, as well, though without a scaling caster level I'd have to look at whether it's worth it.

[Kris Verschaeve]

I don't know if you have settled on elf or half elf for story/RP reasons but if you shell out EWP to get the elven branched spear human with military tradition is maybe a better fit.

Military tradition gets you 2 exotic/martial weapons. You can also get spiked armor as martial profiency. Counts as a light weapon (so to hit with weapon finesse) and you have a way to threaten right in front of you when an opponent makes it through your zone.

Yet another option is half orc... Toothy (natural weapons are light weapons and thus finessable) makes you also threaten right next to you and half orc skulking slayer archetype becomes available for D8 sneak attacks with the EBS. The nice thing is that D8 sneak attack dice gained from skulking slayer don't effect the sneak dice in other circumstances. Knife master sneak attack dice become D4 if they have to attack with something else than knifes. A skulking slayer can bite with toothy and still have D6 on the sneak attack dice. I would double up with scout archetype and lunge. Make a nice hard charge with lunge with D8 sneak attack from 3 spaces away and somebody has to provoke AOO to get you, no possibility on just 5 footing to attack you

[Ferious Thune]

I was looking at elf and half-elf as easy ways to get the proficiency first, thematic ways to get it second. And, also, I don't have any half-elf characters for PFS.

I'm not sure about going the human route. Military tradition is nice, but Half-elf does have some nice racial traits as well. I was looking at Mismatched from Horror Adventures. It's got a pretty high cost of Keen Senses, Low-light Vision, and a -2 to Reflex saves, but it's an equivalent bonus to Improved Initiative and my Reflex save will be good even with the penalty. In the Brawler version of that build, the Brawler's Unarmed Strike would let me threaten adjacent.

I'm considering picking up the Ninja Trick to grant Improved Unarmed Strike if I don't do the Brawler dip, so I can threaten adjacent. I'm having trouble finding enough Rogue Talents that I like. I prefer things that are "always on" to limited use per day talents.

The Skulking Slayer is an interesting idea, though. I had decided not to go with Scout on this build, and to use Gang Up instead for getting sneak attacks. That is mainly because it would let me use Scout on a different character down the line, just for variety. I also wasn't focusing as much on AoOs, despite having reach, because until I get Opportunist, I won't be getting sneak attack on them. But a d8 sneak attack is a decent boost once sneak attack dice start adding up.

Lunge is something I'd like to work into the build. It just doesn't come online until 8th or 9th level, and the feats I'm still having to take at that point feel like more of a priority (Phalanx Formation, Combat Reflexes just prior to Opportunist, Iron Will). If I can work it in, though, I do plan on taking it.