This is a variation on a build by Mercurial on the Paizo forums. I'll be playing to level 20 in the Way of the Wicked AP. I wanted to move away from the Eldritch Heritage path that Mercurial takes (but I'm open to considering it if it's truly that strong. The Orc and Serpentine bloodlines seem promising). This build is focused on a) doing lots of non-lethal damage with an Earthbreaker and natural attacks via Toothy, Razortusk, & Helm of the Mammoth Lord and b) making heavy use of Intimidate (thank you, Taking10). I'll add a Merciful Amulet of Mighty Fists to get the bonus non-lethal sneak attack damage on those as well. I realize that certain opponents will be immune the non-lethal damage. I think this build will still be reasonably effective in those instances.
**Where I Need Help: I'd like for this build to be effective at every stage of the game, but I'm not quite sure if I've selected the right feats/talents and ordered them correctly to accomplish this goal. And my ability scores seem like they could be doing more for me.** Frankly, beyond level 10, I haven't thought much about the order things are in. Please take a look and offer your insights!
Half-Orc Barbarian 2 (Urban Rager) / Unchained Rogue (Thug & Scout) 18 The Barbarian levels are taken first.
Starting Attributes
Strength: 15 (+2 racial bonus, +1 @ 4, 8, 12, 16, & 20)
Dexterity: 14
Constitution: 14
Intelligence: 10
Wisdom: 10
Charisma: 13
Traits
Alternate Racial Trait: Toothy
Berserker of the Society
Optimistic Gambler
Latent Psion
Feats and Class Abilities (Favored class bonuses going to 1/6 rogue talent to provide 2 bonus talents at level 8, 14 and 20. Where both a chained and unchained version of a rogue talent exists, I've taken the unchained version. Feats are odd levels, and rogue talents are even levels)
1: Power Attack
2: Intimidating Glare (Rage Power)
3: (Bludgeoner) Sap Adept* will retrain to Sap Adept at 6th level when I can afford the Merciful enchantment
4: Weapon Training --> Weapon Focus: Earthbreaker
5: Furious Focus
6: Strong Impression --> Intimidating Prowess
7: Dazzling Display
8: Surprise Attacks
8B: Combat Trick --> Shatter Defenses
9: Sap Master
10: Offensive Defense
11: Enforcer
12: Opportunist
13: Cornugon Smash
14: Bleeding Attack
14B: Double Debilitation
15: Razortusk
16: Slow Reactions
17: Lunge
18: Resiliency
19: Accomplished Sneak Attacker
20: Bonus Feat --> Dreadful Carnage
20B: Crippling Strike
Why do you have both Toothy and Razortusk? You won't get two bite attacks. Unless you can get a second head from somewhere.
Why do you have both Toothy and Razortusk? You won't get two bite attacks. Unless you can get a second head from somewhere.
Haven't done much with natural attacks before, but what you say makes sense. I don't think a second head is likely.
I'd rather go unchained barbarian for this. You keep the will save and get more useful abilities sooner.
Edit. Strike that. I figured it was a dex build. Why are you going urban barbarian?
Something highly entertaining about this build idea!
I'd rather go unchained barbarian for this. You keep the will save and get more useful abilities sooner.Edit. Strike that. I figured it was a dex build. Why are you going urban barbarian?
Thank you for this comment! It was originally going down the DEX build road, and I forgot to remove the Urban Rager archetype. For the purposes of this STR build, I think straight chained Barbarian would be best. Would you agree?
Something highly entertaining about this build idea!
Thanks @docroc! I'm really excited to play this guy.
I was trying to convince our group to play a half-orc war party in our next game. Then someone said that we should all play bards. Eventually we decided that we'd all play half-orcs who are all part of a deathmetal band (with everyone committing to dumping some skill points into various versions of Perform).
We later discovered that this isn't exactly an original idea... Band of Orcs
Anyway, this guy might end up being more of a bouncer/security guy rather than one of the on-stage members of the band ; )
If you have any thoughts on how to make it more fun and more (non-)lethal, please let me know!