Ranger - Castlevania style


Advice


1 person marked this as a favorite.

So I came up with a concept and was looking for some build ideas; Belmont undead hunter.

It requires a bit of gm discression, as 2/3 achetypes stack legally; with the other one replacing a lightly modified spell list.

So build as of right now is a Human, Ranger (Divine Hunter (Calistra), Corpse Hunter, Skirmisher).

Weapon finesse (1)
Weapon focus(1)
Whip mastery(2)
Slashing grace/pirana strike/combat reflexes (3)
????
profit/ kill undead?

Build ideas/advice would be cool; i've looked at swashbuckler(mysterious Avenger), Inquistor(vampire hunter). This just seemed to work for a undead hunting whip wielding non magical, non companion/nature centric character.


I see somebody watched Castlevania on Netflix recently.

I would like to comment, although the primary focus is on hunting Dracula, the Belmonts would have been trained to fight all manner of terrible beasts not just undead.

I think you shouldn't limit yourself to undead only (although you should be good at fighting undead).

Personally I think Inquisitor might be the best way to go, focusing on using a whip. But bear in mind that whips are just terrible in Pathfinder, and there's not much that can be done about it.

I also think you shouldn't try to ham fist this into a dex based build.

A molthuni arsenal chaplain warpriest would probably be the best build for mechanical damage, but doesn't have the skill points to support monster identification and other skills.


Well, the typical enemies you would see would be undead, magical beasts, monstrous humanoids, and evil outsiders. That seems like a good set for fighting the usual mobs in dracula's castle. While undead focus can be nice, there are lots of other monsters that will stand in your way.

Claxon- I think it is possible to get some of the core monster ID skills on a warpriest... although nothing else. I can get 4 skill points fairly easily with a human with 12 int (take from CHA, and then do a 16/14/14/14 for the warpriest's main stats; maybe some from str too since this might be finesse build). With that, you can grab knowledge for arcana, nature, planes, and religion. That covers most of the important monsters (such as the types I listed above).


Claxon wrote:

I see somebody watched Castlevania on Netflix recently.

I would like to comment, although the primary focus is on hunting Dracula, the Belmonts would have been trained to fight all manner of terrible beasts not just undead.

I think you shouldn't limit yourself to undead only (although you should be good at fighting undead).

Personally I think Inquisitor might be the best way to go, focusing on using a whip. But bear in mind that whips are just terrible in Pathfinder, and there's not much that can be done about it.

I also think you shouldn't try to ham fist this into a dex based build.

A molthuni arsenal chaplain warpriest would probably be the best build for mechanical damage, but doesn't have the skill points to support monster identification and other skills.

::sheeplishly:: yes and it's cool. Absolutly hunting others than undead, corpse hunter locks into undead only which is not great, but it gives the pass though undead areas; and some other things so i mean that could be dropped, for another archtype; Whips are terriable agreed.

Inquistor just didn't have the feats for it.

lemeres wrote:

Well, the typical enemies you would see would be undead, magical beasts, monstrous humanoids, and evil outsiders. That seems like a good set for fighting the usual mobs in dracula's castle. While undead focus can be nice, there are lots of other monsters that will stand in your way.

Claxon- I think it is possible to get some of the core monster ID skills on a warpriest... although nothing else. I can get 4 skill points fairly easily with a human with 12 int (take from CHA, and then do a 16/14/14/14 for the warpriest's main stats; maybe some from str too since this might be finesse build). With that, you can grab knowledge for arcana, nature, planes, and religion. That covers most of the important monsters (such as the types I listed above).

the Divine hunter gives Warpriest blessings calistra gives knowlege domain so you could touch them and get 15 + wis + ranger level on any monster... so that was the idea to get that and remove the AC and that didn't feel belmonty.


I built a fun Daring Champion whip wielder belmont stand in once. Almost any martial can be bent to whip wielding, you just need to budget for the huge feat investment.

Sczarni

Heh, I've actually been playing a Belmont inspired Warpriest/Dungeon Delver Infiltrator Ranger for a few years now. Due to Altitis, Richter Von Aubreck is only level 6 or 7 at this point.

Although optimization-wise being a worshiper of Calistria would have been an easy way to get access to a lot of feats through Faithful Combat Styles, thematically it made ZERO sense for an Undead hunter. So I instead made him a Neutral worshiper of Ahriman. Basically he and his people suffered at the hands of powerful undead, local clerics and gods weren't getting things done, so he went out into the world in search of a power that would help him accomplish his goals. In doing so he stumbled upon a ruined shrine to Ahriman and since Ahriman doesn't really care about anything other than seeing all mortals and mortal works destroyed, he was more than happy to lend his power to Von Aubreck. Afterall, most undead are just mortals in a new form, so screw 'em.

The concept has worked well for roleplaying the fallen/doomed hero archetype, though it usually throws other players for a loop when they realize I can't convert spells for spontaneous healing.

The main reason I opted for Warpriest/Ranger was to get access to Improved Whip Mastery a level earlier than a pure Warpriest by going;

L1: Warpriest 1 - Exotic Weapon Prof.: Whip for being a worshiper of Ahriman, Weapon Focus: Whip, L1 Feat Weapon Finesse, Human Bonus Feat: Exotic Weapon Prof: Scorpion Whip
L2: Warpriest 2
L3: Ranger 1 - L3 Feat Whip Mastery
L4: Ranger 2
L5: Warpriest 3, get the Bonus Feat and qualify for Improved Whip Mastery thanks to Warpriest bonus feat shenanigans despite BAB of +4
L6: Ranger 3 - Inflitrator: Undead gives my Human character Darkvision for 30 minutes per day now, L6 Feat Weapon Versatility to shore up my one trick pony damage type.

The Dungeon Rover archetype basically gives you the Trap Spotter Rogue talent in place of Track. Coupled with Perception being a Ranger class skill and a decent WIS, 'cause Warpriest, this little class feature has helped prevent three potential TPKs. Plus, it's totally fun to see the look on a GMs face when you calm down a swarm attack with Vermin Affinity.

Having the Scorpion Whip proficiency opens up the option of using special materials *cough*adamantine*cough* with your main weapon.


MrRetsej wrote:


Although optimization-wise being a worshiper of Calistria would have been an easy way to get access to a lot of feats through Faithful Combat Styles, thematically it made ZERO sense for an Undead hunter.

Unless of course said an undead, dracula, had wronged him in some way; say killing all of his family/loved one, thus a life consuming revenge plot would fit the fluff ;). But I hear you, i tried to replace corpse hunter to allow for wider selection of favored enemies. But I really like the idea of moving though graveyards/tombs/necrocoplis unhinded and some other fluff things about corpse hunter was cool.

Those are good things w/ the vermin, and the scorpion whip is a fair point... but i know that a dm friend of mine has baned the S-Whip since it is not clearly written.


Bahamutkotd wrote:
lemeres wrote:

Well, the typical enemies you would see would be undead, magical beasts, monstrous humanoids, and evil outsiders. That seems like a good set for fighting the usual mobs in dracula's castle. While undead focus can be nice, there are lots of other monsters that will stand in your way.

Claxon- I think it is possible to get some of the core monster ID skills on a warpriest... although nothing else. I can get 4 skill points fairly easily with a human with 12 int (take from CHA, and then do a 16/14/14/14 for the warpriest's main stats; maybe some from str too since this might be finesse build). With that, you can grab knowledge for arcana, nature, planes, and religion. That covers most of the important monsters (such as the types I listed above).

the Divine hunter gives Warpriest blessings calistra gives knowlege domain so you could touch them and get...

I am unsure how much you need that.

I was mostly bringing up skill points since warpriest has a lack of them. But Divine tracker is a ranger archetype, an unless one of your archetypes changes it, you have 6 skill points.

Overall, I would rate knowledge blessing and domain power with this effect poorly- you need to do a touch attack,which is a standard action. That is time you could spend attacking, or with spells. While the raw numbers are better (15 instead of 10, and you use wis rather than int).... the action economy is not that great.

Compared to the 'no action' of the skill, and it is far more attractive if you have skill points.

Anyway, flavor wise, if we are sticking to belmonts, then Calistria might catch the obssession for dracula's death, but belmonts also often have a righteous indignation element too. As seen if you look at "What is a Man?". Calistria tends to be indifferent to such moral qualms (and will gladly breach them if they are in the way). The belmonts seem more like, maybe a Ragathiel, or Iomadae types.

But that is just my interpretation of the character line. Your character can take a different tack of course.

Sczarni

Bahamutkotd wrote:
MrRetsej wrote:


Although optimization-wise being a worshiper of Calistria would have been an easy way to get access to a lot of feats through Faithful Combat Styles, thematically it made ZERO sense for an Undead hunter.

Unless of course said an undead, dracula, had wronged him in some way; say killing all of his family/loved one, thus a life consuming revenge plot would fit the fluff ;). But I hear you, i tried to replace corpse hunter to allow for wider selection of favored enemies. But I really like the idea of moving though graveyards/tombs/necrocoplis unhinded and some other fluff things about corpse hunter was cool.

Those are good things w/ the vermin, and the scorpion whip is a fair point... but i know that a dm friend of mine has baned the S-Whip since it is not clearly written.

You should check the Errata for Ultimate Combat. It clears up the Scorpion Whip completely. Basically you need Exotic Weapon Prof: Scorpion Whip and Exotic Weapon Prof: Whip to switch between the Benefits/Disadvantages of either one on the fly.


Vigilante (psychometrist) for Whip of Vengeance talent?


skill points you could get up to 9 with human on a ranger, and the knowledge domain is a good point.

"what is a man, but a misbable pile of secrets and lies." calistra deals in secrets knowledge as well. I agree a lot of the belmonts had the righous fury to kill dracula and set it back to right.

You have a fair interpitation, and you could use a warpriest of iomedea, and focus on whips as well, that's a fair point as well.


Ok so this is Necro, as heck but is because, to a playing a similar ranger to this one, if not just modified, using the Guide, Urban Ranger, and the skirmisher archetypes, for a shattered star campaign. Since corpse hunter doesn't work as well as a concept not so much hunting Dracula but trying to protect magdimar.


A Belmont with a whip?

Two levels of Gendarme Cavalier, Order of the Whip.
Two levels of Viking Fighter.
The rest are vanilla Slayer taking the Menacing Ranger Combat Style feats.


https://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/vampire-hunter/

If you take 1 level in Vampire Hunter, it's a +1 BAB, d8 health, +2 Ref/Will, a Bonus Combat Feat, Detect Undead at will as a move action (as Paladin detect evil), and 1 minute of Vampiric Focus (which I would recommend Vampiric Resolve, +2 Will Saves vs Mind Affecting effects for 1/minute).

You get a lot for just a 1 level dip in Vampire Hunter, but the best are the bonus Combat Feat and Detect Undead like a Paladin Detects Evil.


Since you're human, as a Vampire Hunter lvl1, you'd start with 3 combat feats and Detect Undead at will. After that, you can go into Ranger with favored enemy: Undead or Slayer or a Warpriest, or whatever you want :)


Oh my.


VoodistMonk wrote:

A Belmont with a whip?

Two levels of Gendarme Cavalier, Order of the Whip.
Two levels of Viking Fighter.
The rest are vanilla Slayer taking the Menacing Ranger Combat Style feats.

Problems, I have an issue with it being an Evil requirement, and intimidate doesn't seem like it would be useful outside of tormenting humans, which isn't the Belmont I'm thinking of but sure I suppose that's one way to paint them. Which also doesn't make the synergy w/ viking moot.

Ryze Kuja wrote:
If you take 1 level in Vampire Hunter, it's a +1 BAB, d8 health, +2 Ref/Will, a Bonus Combat Feat, Detect Undead at will as a move action (as Paladin detect evil), and 1 minute of Vampiric Focus (which I would recommend Vampiric Resolve, +2 Will Saves vs Mind Affecting effects for 1/minute).

If I was going to play in Vampire Hunter D game it would make sense.


Ah, I'm an Alucard fan, and think the Belmonts are all bark and no bite, so I picture all whip builds to be focused on hot air and empty threats, nothing actually scary or substantial... Just like that little punk Ritcher.

Overall, no, intimidation focused builds probably do very poorly against the undead, so don't listen to me. I can offer you no further insight.

Turns out, MY post is nothing but hot air, and not in any way substantial or helpful. Just like the Belmonts. Lol.

Community / Forums / Pathfinder / Pathfinder First Edition / Advice / Ranger - Castlevania style All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.
Recent threads in Advice