Need gear advice for Hunter

[xDemoquinx]

I am unsure on how to equip this character. I know the outline of the build but not the gear. I have a few options on feats and not sure what would be more effective. My plan is to have my animal companion charge in and attempt a trip attack. If successful then my kobold will have and extra +7 to his attack. (+4 from prone, +2 charge, +1 higher elevation). Since i am adjacent to my pet i can flank and get sneak attack bonus. Tack on disoriented strike and maybe some other rogue talent strike.

Further rounds will try to crit and crit often. Each crit allows both to get an AoO attack with mega bonuses from paired opportunists and snake focus.

My problem is once i am next to someone i am afraid of their full attacks. Getting a high AC and one of the talent strikes adds to my AC. But what else can i do? Trip will not always be an option.

Are their any combat maneuvers that will be very helpful? I was looking at the kobold style line. +4 bonus on maneuvers on targets that are denied DEX to AC. I have 3 feats and 1 Rogue talent to spare.

Which hunter tricks are worth taking? And does he get them for
(HD/2) +WIS?

Build:

Kobold Hunter 8 / Unchained Rogue 4
NG Small humanoid (kobold)
Init +7; Senses low-light vision, Perception +16
Languages Common, Draconic

DEFENSE
AC 21, touch 16, flat-footed 14 (+5 armor, +5 Dex, +1 size)
hp XX (12 HD)
Fort +8, Ref +15, Will +5

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft. (6 squares)
Melee +1 keen menacing kukri +16/+11 (1d3+6/15x2) or bite +15 (1d4-2/x2) or Tail (Sweeper) +10 (1d4-2/x2)
Add +6 to these attacks if flanking with Longtooth and add 1d6 dmg
Add +4 (+8 with snake focus) if making an AoO

STATISTICS
Str 7(-2), Dex 20(+5), Con 12(+1), Int 13(+1), Wis 14(+2), Cha 7(–2)
Base Atk +9; CMB +9; CMD 26

Feats Combat Expertise, Outflank, Paired Opportunists, Pack Flanking, Boon Companion, Weapon Finesse, Tailed Terror, Combat Reflexes, Precise Strike, ________,__________,____________

+1 menacing keen kukri, +2 leather armor, shield

Longtooth:

Longtooth
Velociraptor Animal Companion
M Medium animal
Init +5; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +6
DEFENSE
AC 26, touch 15, flat-footed 21 (+5 Dex, +11 natural)
HP XX (10 HD)
Fort +11, Ref +11, Will +4; +4 vs. enchantment spells and effects
Defensive Abilities devotion, evasion
OFFENSE
Speed 60 ft. (12 squares);
Melee 2 Talons +14 (1d8+5) and 2 Claws +14 (1d4+5) and bite +14 (1d8+5) or
2 Talons +11 (1d8+11) and 2 Claws +11 (1d4+11) and bite +11 (1d8+11) with Power Attack
If making an AoO, add +8 to these attacks, if flanking with Kobold add +6

Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks pounce
STATISTICS
Str 20(+5), Dex 19(+4), Con 19(+4), Int 2(−4), Wis 12(+1), Cha 14 (+2)
Base Atk +9; CMB +14 ; CMD 27
Feats Combat Reflexes,Power Attack, ________, __________, ___________

Amulet of Mighty Fists (Furyborn)

[supervillan]

I'm not familiar with the Kobold Hunter, but it seems that what's missing from your build is broken wing gambit. With your companion at your side, this feat seriously punishes anyone attacking either of you. (Combines with Paired Opportunists and Outflank to generate a large number of AoOs for you and your pet).

[powerdemon]

Side note: are you riding your companion? If not, I'm pretty sure that the target being prone (+4) does not stack with higher elevation (+1).

If you are leaning on AOOs, I suggest the 3.5 feat Deft Opportunist (if allowed). It gives a +4 bonus to attack of opportunity attacks.

[supervillan]

powerdemon wrote:

Side note: are you riding your companion? If not, I'm pretty sure that the target being prone (+4) does not stack with higher elevation (+1).

If you are leaning on AOOs, I suggest the 3.5 feat Deft Opportunist (if allowed). It gives a +4 bonus to attack of opportunity attacks.

Paired opportunists already gives +4 to AoOs and does more than that.

I agree with you about the higher elevation bonus not triggering against a prone target.

[xDemoquinx]

Thank you for the suggestions. What about gear? And feats for the velociraptor

[supervillan]

Swarmbane Clasp, Golembane Scarab and Amulet of Elemental Strife are all good cheap items that let you get around the frustrating defences of swarms, golems and elementals as a melee character.

Vengeance Strike is a good Skirmisher Trick. Animal Companions get to use Hunter Skirmisher Tricks a number of times per day equal to 1/2 the AC's HD plus its WIS mod.

Planar Focus and Spirit's Gift are nice feats for a Hunter that buff the animal companion.

Feats for the animal companion itself: you've got the two most important ones in my view. Consider Iron Will. Also consider Extra Item Slot if you want particular magic items for your companion. It's never a bad idea to have the companion wear a Cloak of Resistance. Until you boost your companion's INT to 3 or higher it has a very limited selection of feats to choose from. The list is here. This list does not include the additional options in Animal Archive (which is where Extra Item Slot comes from). This book also sets out what item slots each type of animal companion has by default. Velociraptors get the Shoulders slot. (Note that PFS has a different specific rule for animal companion and familiar item slots).

[xDemoquinx]

After looking at the janni style feats I think that would be a great move for my companion. Problem is getting the 10 skill ranks for it. What items can I equip my velociraptor? If I can throw a + INT headband on him that would be great. As of right now it gets 17 skills, 5 for dance and acrobatics, 1 survival, 1 perception, 1 stealth, 1 bluff, 3 Hunter tricks

[dragonhunterq]

1/2 HD + wisdom modifier uses/day is generally accepted. It isn't explicitly spelt out.
Chameleon Step is really good for getting where you need to get in a fight.
Cunning Pantomime is just hilarious if you want that 'lassie' moment.

I would definitely use one of your 'raptors ability score enhancements on intelligence.

Barding for your companion, anything with 0ACP - mithral chain if you can get it and afford it. Better armour for yourself.

[xDemoquinx]

I was thinking of the rhino hide armor that adds 2d6 damage on a charge.. Does that mean each hit due to pounce or just the first attack?

[powerdemon]

xDemoquinx wrote:

I was thinking of the rhino hide armor that adds 2d6 damage on a charge.. Does that mean each hit due to pounce or just the first attack?

just the first one.