I've always liked the idea of the Lion Blade PrC. It may not be the most powerful (not many Pathfinder PrCs are in fact), but it is a very flavor class. I love the idea of playing a Lion Blade in PFS and have the basics planned out, but beyond that I'm looking for some direction!
I'm planning on starting off w/ 3 levels of Unchained Rogue to get the requisite +2d6 Sneak Attack and to pick up Finesse Training to get Dex to damage to help keep down some of the MADness of this combo. After that I'll do 3 levels of Bard (probably vanilla, because I'm just not sure which archetype would really shine with the Lion Blade PrC, but please provide suggestions that you think would work well!). I've decided that Half-elf will be the best way to go (Free Skill Focus to cover that pesky feat prerequisite and dual favored class).
Stats are looking like this currently...
Str 12
Dex 14 (+2)
Con 13
Int 12
Wis 8
Cha 16
OR
Str 12
Dex 14 (+2)
Con 13
Int 14 (Several of the Lion Blade abilities are Int based)
Wis 10
Cha 14
Feat breakdown will be as follows:
1st level - Improved Initiative
Adaptability - Skill Focus: Perform (Sing)
3rd level - Deceitful (To cover the PrC requirements)
After 3rd level I've covered the mandatory feats I'll need. From this point, I'm just not quite sure what feats would work well with this build. Lingering Performance would probably be a good choice for 5th level to help get more out of my performances.
Please toss out any suggestions you may have!
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I have a PFS Lion BLade and I can give you some advice.
First of all you can try to qualify for it at level 6 with either Accomplished Sneak Attacker, Carnivalist and/or Deadly Courtesan. I went Deadly Courtesan 4/Bard 1/Lion's Blade X for mine. The Vishkanya Boon is pretty easy to get, as there is nothing else on the sheet and its not exactly a much sought after race.
You should try to get at least 2 classes with Bardic Music (like Deadly Courtesan, Sensei or the like), as one of the secrets of the class is it increases your bardic performance per day every level for every class you have with bardic performance. Which you will need because Dirge of Misfortune is amazing.
The ability to snipe with melee attacks is also really good. It seems difficult to use since you can't end your movement in an ally's square, but there are ways around that (besides Fox Form and Ratfolk Swarming). Specifically: Spring Attack lets you attack from an ally's square (assuming you move out of it after the attack). Being able to attack from an ally's square while sniping while getting cover from being behind your ally gives you the benefit of still being the skill monkey your going to be the rest of the time with regards to diplomacy (after all, you can claim you never attacked them). In addition to getting your sneak attack damage, catching them flat-footed, etc...
Illusory Crowd is the best bard spell for this class. Its difficult to use, but not impossible. And once you get Secret Step, it'll give you an insane movement speed increase when you use Spring Attack.
You will still be very feat-starved, though, but there are some ways around that, including a module that grants you an extra feat if you don't mind spoilers (I used the GM credit for this character; didn't feel that bad since, you know, its kinda an underpowered prestige class).
Don't under-estimate the power of this class. Its tricky to use the stuff clearly intended for NPCs/Crowds to your advantage, but not impossible.
I can present more information later, I have some stuff to attend to.
Thank you, KW, that is all very good information! That's exactly the sort of help I'm looking to get. I'll definitely look into those suggestions and would love to hear anything else you might be able to suggest.
You should try to get at least 2 classes with Bardic Music (like Deadly Courtesan, Sensei or the like), as one of the secrets of the class is it increases your bardic performance per day every level for every class you have with bardic performance. Which you will need because Dirge of Misfortune is amazing.
If you're referring to their basic Bardic Performance text, it merely states that you add all levels in classes that grant Performance together to determine your total level of Perform. It's not a multiplier of class levels; it just says if you have 4 levels of Performance Class A and 3 levels of Performance class B, you add +4 and +3 to your effective level of Performance with Lion Blade.
Anyhow, as far as Performance goes, the Dawnflower Dervish Bard has extremely strong Inspire Courage; it only affects them, but it's [/i]doubled[i]. They also get Dervish Dance as a bonus feat, though they certainly don't have to use it. There are lots of other good Bard options, but for combat ability, that one wins hands-down.
Arguably the strongest combat options for gaining 2d6 Sneak Attack are Snakebite Striker Brawler or (Unchained)Monk of the Mantis; both can get flurry abilities with 2 levels that will work with assorted weapons, like the 9-ring broadsword or temple sword. Rogues and Ninjas can use Ki to good effect with two levels, so they're potentially good options as well. As was said, Accomplished Sneak Attacker means 1d6 is good enough.
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Anyhow, as far as Performance goes, the Dawnflower Dervish Bard has extremely strong Inspire Courage; it only affects them, but it's [/i]doubled[i]. They also get Dervish Dance as a bonus feat, though they certainly don't have to use it. There are lots of other good Bard options, but for combat ability, that one wins hands-down.
Dawnflower Dervish/Lion Blade? Double Agent? Child of two warring nations?
It's a strong mechanical option, for sure. Just an... Interesting combination.
I have to disagree that Lion Blade doesn't grant additional bardic performance rounds. The ability states the following:
The lion blade adds her class level to any other levels in classes that grant the bardic performance ability to determine the effects of her bardic performance but not for the purpose of gaining access to new bardic performances. She also learns the following performances.
First off it says any other levels in classes, that's pretty straightforward. It also states that it adds the Lion Blade class level to those classes to determine the effects of bardic performance and covered in bardic performance ability is gaining additional rounds per level of th v lass. Getting your extra rounds per day is not a separate ability. Lion Blade stipulates that this ability only does not affect gaining new performances (e.g. Suggestion, Dirge of Doom, etc.). Not quite sure how it wouldn't grant any additional rounds per level.
Anyhow, as far as Performance goes, the Dawnflower Dervish Bard has extremely strong Inspire Courage; it only affects them, but it's [/i]doubled[i]. They also get Dervish Dance as a bonus feat, though they certainly don't have to use it. There are lots of other good Bard options, but for combat ability, that one wins hands-down.Dawnflower Dervish/Lion Blade? Double Agent? Child of two warring nations?
It's a strong mechanical option, for sure. Just an... Interesting combination.
Apparently all that anti-Sarenrae rhetoric has been retcon'd by Paizo and Dawnflower worship is no longer outlawed.