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Looking to get as close to that as I can (obviously impossible to get there but looking for flavor and usefulness) looking for builds if possible but also would love ideas too I've seen some builds without samurai levels so don't think that that is a requirement
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How about an iroran paladin?
The archetype is one of the 'monk-ish' archetypes, but it is still really good, provided that you give up the 'meh' version of the monk mechanics. So grab some armor, and use a katana as a martial weapon.
So what does it possess?
- It can allow you to add CHA along with DEX for AC when in light or no armor. So you can get fullplate or above levels of protection, but you are nice and dodgy (Jack deals with a lot of ray attacks, so he wants touch AC).
-Gives up smite, but gets an alignment neutral alternative. It is a general +1 to +7 thing, and it is more about challenging yourself. Decent enough, and you get ki that you can use to ignore DR. Works on golems (ie- great against Aku's robot armies).
-Still has plenty of great, tanky, paladin goodies. Cha to AC, lay on hands, spells.
-you may or may not get the ability to write your own paladin code. It is a bit iffy, since that was more in the 'fluff' area of the archetype. But it is on paper, so you might be able to try.
You lose the detect evil thing (hey, hard to notice if that beautiful woman is actually just Aku), and you switch your fear preventing stuff for some luck preventing stuff.
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Bonus points if you take a level in Scaled Fist Monk, which gives you Improved Unarmed Strike and Stunning Fist for free, as well as a single feat from a more generalized list. Deflect Arrows, Dodge (which is meh), Combat Reflexes, are all solid options that fit Jack's flavor.
Jack had strong Unarmed Combat Training, and in the original series, he usually traveled around wearing nothing but his sword, a hat, some specialized footwear, and a robe; in a lot of cases, he never wore armor (presumably because it was both difficult to acquire, and because it didn't really do him much good, even when he did have it). So, having a Monk level or two makes a lot of sense. (I'd go two levels, because Evasion is an awesome thing you wouldn't want to pass up, and is certainly worth delaying Paladin progression. The extra Bonus Feat is likewise icing on the cake.)
It also gives you Charisma to AC (which isn't limited by Maximum Dexterity Bonus like the Iroran Paladin, but requires you not wear any armor at all, which is both a good and a bad thing), and per the wording between the two effects, they'd stack, since they alter two separate subjects (which inadvertantly apply to the same statistic). Of course, if a GM says he won't allow it, then that's an issue, and you'd have to stick with one of the other Monk archetypes.
As Lemeres pointed out, Jack rarely used the Katana one-handed, so you can get away with using it two-handed without spending a feat, but if you're wanting more versatile options (i.e. potential TWF), spending a feat on it (presumably the Human Bonus Feat) may be worth your while.
You can go Strength-based or Dexterity-based, since your Charisma will be (effectively) double-timing your AC, but if you're really worried about having those bad Reflex Saves, or if your AC isn't high enough, Dexterity-based options can work, though you'll want to dip a level in Swashbuckler in order for it to happen (Swashbuckler's Finesse lets you Finesse a Katana).
For weapons, while a Katana is obvious, I would like to direct your attention to The Blade of the Sword-Saint found on the table in the link , which basically lets you cut down and deflect ranged attacks with the weapon. The only thing I'd add to it is the Holy property (since it can harm Aku normally, presumably because it's enchanted to bypass whatever DR he has), and you basically have Jack's sword right there.
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What book was the iroran paladin in? Can't seem to find it on pfsrd
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What book was the iroran paladin in? Can't seem to find it on pfsrd
Iroran paladin unfortunately suffers heavily from the copyright issues of that website (since the gods of Golarion are part of the setting, which is not open content). Yeah, it gets labeled 'enlightened' paladin there.
And yeah, the archetype is 'meant' for unarmed... but it doesn't do much to support that style or actually encourage its use (besides taking up your divine bond). Unarmed tends to work best when you have some means to TWF, and that is hard on a gishy class like paladin. Since the archetype doesn't actually touch your weapon proficiencies, there is nothing stopping you from grabbing a greatsword (or katana). If it had some kind of flurry, then things would be different... but it doesn't. I usually like to make builds that are reach based, and just use the unarmed strike for kicking cheeky casters.
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Samurai Jack knowingly, or unknowingly based his combat style based off the book of the five rings. They show him using a katana, but having studded multiple weapons. The martial artist on the art crew studded kung fu. So why you see him in a kimono, and katana he fighting style if heavily influenced by kung fu. With all this in mind I recommend a few things.
Samurai(Order of the Ronin) You will need a lots 0f skill ranks. If you wish to do samurai jack. His skills out of combat are varied. It will be hard to do with a base of 4 ranks.
Samurai Jacks known skills include but not limited to. He is not a master in all. However he knows all the following.
Acrobatics, Climb, Craft: carpentry, Craft: calligraphy, Diplomacy, Intimidate, Knowledge: Arcane, Knowledge History, Linguistics, Perception, Ride, Sense Motive, Survival, Swim.
Monk Two level dip to gain Wis mod to AC, and Evasion. As to not need armor and be able to fight with your body as the weapon. In addition to using a verity of weapons.
I recommend you build Dex, and Wis as your main focus. As you will need AC with out armor on. Along with most of the skills used by samurai jack are covered by the two attributes. You can go with wakizashi over katana to make it finesse. Then go with slashing grace for dex to damage. Them yes katana is what jack used however in the game system. Str based fighting with using no armor is how you die fast. I will also recommend you look in to reading the Book of the Five Rings, and Hagakure. This will help you understand samurai. Jack follows the Bushido because it's the code he lives by.
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I'd have to say that it was definitely unknowingly, since all he did was train in multiple styles as a means to prepare himself for trials he would face when making the journey to fight against Aku, and a lot of the styles that he was taught did involve multiple types of weapons. In the first episode, he's seen using a bow and arrow, polearms, and hand-to-hand, for certain. In the future episodes, he uses things like primitive spears (while mounted, mind you), throwing axes, and I think even giant rocks.
But, he specializes in the Katana because it is both a family heirloom, a magical sword that can defeat evil (at least a +1 Holy Katana); whereas most other weaponry is disposable, primitive, or basically made. (In one episode, Jack's footwear is perhaps one of the most difficult things to ever make compared to even basic weaponry.) At best, some of them are Masterwork, but hardly any weapons are magical, and most certainly not like Jack's Sword.
There are also episodes where he uses armor, but it's usually destroyed in that battle's episode (in which case his ability to dodge/deflect attacks is what really saves his skin, and not by simply wearing a giant suit of metal).
The skills part would be difficult to do starting out, but if he takes a skill point and divvies it up among several of those skills, he could make it work (though for a lot of those skills, he won't be good enough for it to matter in my honest opinion).
For the Monk portion, I'd also suggest an Archetype to go with it, especially if using the Chained Monk. Master of Many Styles can represent his varied styles of training, or Zen Archer so you can nab some ranged options without having to invest in it from normal resources (Jack is fairly proficient in ranged combat, and meshes fairly well with the base Samurai).
The Wakizashi substitution is a good idea. Based on how Jack wields his Katana and the size of it compared to typical Katanas, its appearance and usage would be more similar to a Wakizashi than a Katana. Needless to say, this wouldn't be the first time people say they use Katana, when the size and form of the blade is more similar to a Wakizashi. Of course, he could nab Swashbuckler Finesse and still wield a Katana if he so wishes, but refluffing exists for a reason.
Are you open to Third Party Material? Flaming Crab Games Katana Duelist or Everyman Gamings Ronin would both be great fits for Jack. The Ronin especially, as it allows you to go dex to damage with Slashing Grace.
If you do plan on going Monk, I suggest purchasing a Blade of the sword saint. Additionally, if you make use of Acetic style you can use Monk abilities through the Blade of the Sword Saint and eventually even scale its damage up to 2d8.
Potent options for those Acetic style include taking punishing kick in addition to the stunning fist you gain from being a monk. That gives you the ability to not only impair opponents with your weapons but also to knock them down or away.
I'd grab the Martial Focus feat, or 3 levels of weapon master fight, in order to eventually grab Cut from the Air and Smash from the Air. Both are marvelous and are befitting of a man like Jack.
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My PFS legal Samurai Jack build (currently at level 3) involves multi-classing to try to match different aspects of Jack that stood out to me. Oh and the feat Crusader's Flurry is super important.
Ideally, Jack would be a mixture of mostly Unchained Monk and Samurai (read: oh how I long for the day Paizo hopefully released a hybrid class of UnMonk and Samurai. It will be glorious).
In terms of classes taken at each level (I've listed them in this order because to me, the first 4 levels represent Jack's training montage in Episode I):
1: Urban Bloodrager archetype 1 (Celestial bloodline) - because: Jack sometimes loses his sh*t, and also for the Celestial bloodline. He is a force for good after all. Also, Jack doesn't wear armour, so this will give you access to use wands of Mage Armour and Shield so you can bump your AC somewhat. Feats: Power Attack, Extra Rage
2: Crusader 1 (Cleric archetype) of Shizuru - because: Jack has used divine power (see Episode XVII: Jack and the Ultra-Robots). Bonus feats: Weapon Proficiency (Katana - thanks Shizuru for the favoured weapon!), Weapon Focus (Katana)
3: Unchained Monk 1. Bonus feat: Dodge (because you'll still really be needing AC). Feat: Crusader's Flurry. You are now able to use your deity's favoured weapon with Flurry of Blows.
4: Samurai (Ronin) 1.
5. Unchained Monk 2. Bonus feat: Combat Reflexes. Feat: blank. Choose what you like for your version of Jack :)
6: Samurai (Ronin) 2.
7: Samurai (Ronin) 3. Feat: Weapon Specialisation (Katana - your BAB should be high enough by now)
8: Samurai (Ronin) 4.
9: Unchained Monk 3. Feat: blank. Choose what you like for your version of Jack :)
10: Unchained Monk 4.
11: Unchained Monk 5. Feat: blank. Choose what you like for your version of Jack :)
Skills: max out Acrobatics. Put a little bit into Climb, Ride, Swim, Knowledge (local), and Survival.
Can you tell I'm a Jack fan? :)
EDIT: This (obviously) is an incomplete build. I haven't had time to finish it off, but hope this helps with ideas :)
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My PFS legal Samurai Jack build (currently at level 3) involves multi-classing to try to match different aspects of Jack that stood out to me. Oh and the feat Crusader's Flurry is super important.
Ideally, Jack would be a mixture of mostly Unchained Monk and Samurai (read: oh how I long for the day Paizo hopefully released a hybrid class of UnMonk and Samurai. It will be glorious).
In terms of classes taken at each level (I've listed them in this order because to me, the first 4 levels represent Jack's training montage in Episode I):
1: Urban Bloodrager archetype 1 (Celestial bloodline) - because: Jack sometimes loses his sh*t, and also for the Celestial bloodline. He is a force for good after all. Also, Jack doesn't wear armour, so this will give you access to use wands of Mage Armour and Shield so you can bump your AC somewhat. Feats: Power Attack, Extra Rage
2: Crusader 1 (Cleric archetype) of Shizuru - because: Jack has used divine power (see Episode XVII: Jack and the Ultra-Robots). Bonus feats: Weapon Proficiency (Katana - thanks Shizuru for the favoured weapon!), Weapon Focus (Katana)
3: Unchained Monk 1. Bonus feat: Dodge (because you'll still really be needing AC). Feat: Crusader's Flurry. You are now able to use your deity's favoured weapon with Flurry of Blows.
4: Samurai (Ronin) 1.
5. Unchained Monk 2. Bonus feat: Combat Reflexes. Feat: blank. Choose what you like for your version of Jack :)
6: Samurai (Ronin) 2.
7: Samurai (Ronin) 3. Feat: Weapon Specialisation (Katana - your BAB should be high enough by now)
8: Samurai (Ronin) 4.
9: Unchained Monk 3. Feat: blank. Choose what you like for your version of Jack :)
10: Unchained Monk 4.
11: Unchained Monk 5. Feat: blank. Choose what you like for your version of Jack :)Skills: max out Acrobatics. Put a little bit into Climb, Ride, Swim, Knowledge (local), and Survival.
Can you tell I'm a Jack fan? :)
EDIT: This (obviously) is an incomplete build. I haven't had time to finish it off, but hope this helps with ideas :)
That looks pretty good. Flurrying with a katana is mechanically pretty good, although his fighting style in the the cartoon looks at bit more like he is using power attack , vital strike,a nd perhaps finishing cleave a lot.
Tons of people already beat me to it, but I was thinking about a sacred fist warpriest of Shizuru. That way he could get Crusader's Flurry with the katana and he would still get help from the divines.
However, if we're going with season 5 Jack, would it be unreasonable to make him lose his connection to the divines and give him levels in some kind of fighter with heavy armor and firearm proficiencies? Place him under the sanity rules due to his PTSD and make him an outsider (native) due to his age-immune immortality.
Sorta kinda off-topic, but this thread reminded me of an article in Dragon Magazine (back in the '80's, when (I believe) it was still owned and operated by TSR) called "Jack... the Samurai?" I've often wondered if that article was where Tartakovsky got the idea for Samurai Jack. The article, by the way, was about coming up with setting-appropriate names for your character.
I would put him between the Sohei and weapon master monk archetype but use the unchained monk. Use the unchained monk as the chaise and pick and choose some of the options for those two arch types to replace you monk choices and I think that would make for a perfect samurai jack. (prolly high PB too)
I would think that the Wanderer Archetype for a human monk is built to be Samurai Jack. (Remember monks jump very well ;))
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I would think that the Wanderer Archetype for a human monk is built to be Samurai Jack. (Remember monks jump very well ;))
But do they jump good?
I'd say it's as simple as making a vanilla monk proficient with Katanas and having a flurryable katana. Plus make it Holy and Bane Robots/Cyborgs.
I know this isn't related to the question, but I thought I'd just leave a "historical" reference:
Dragon Magazine, May 1987: "Whaddya mean, Jack the Samurai?"
It was a memorable title for a Dragon article, and I was really surprised that no one talked about the reference when the cartoon came out.
Pssst. Take a look six comments above yours.