Any PC class character, created by an experienced optimizer. Wizards with high stats and the right spells can soak some damage and deliver a ridiculous amount with Touch attacks boosted by ongoing effects or wands wielded by their Familiars or Small sized constructs.
A Halfling nature oracle built for Dex and tanking can stand toe-to-toe at level 4 with a Bone Golem and not only survive but deal back 17 damage/round.
I witnessed a NG Male Dwarf Fighter 7 hit a 27 AC, pull together some spectacular saves for his class, and hold the front line against an adult white dragon whilst also delivering 48 damage on a full attack. I thought that was pretty impressive.
Of course I'm only commenting anecdotally. As far as the numbers of specific builds I'm assuming a Paladin or Warpriest with some kind of Swift action healing that keeps them up and fighting while also delivering heavy damage would be ideal.
Give up Divine Bond (and especially if we're in a home-game)? Don't think so.
Note: if you're the whiny munchkin sort, your paladin might not get one of those.
I was not considering Home Games because of all the infinite variations of house rules you can tweak. Like getting a dragon as your mount for divine bond. You could simply use Diplomacy and convince a dragon in a home game to be your friend and serve as a mount.
My original opinion still stands: The Chosen One archetype is strictly BETTER than the Core Paladin.
I have a halfling hunter that can deal out a lot of damage after a few levels. The Dex-based build means a decent AC even with light armor. Although without homebrew rules that give you feats like Weapon Finesse for free, you can't get the Dex-to-Damage feats like Slashing Grace or Dervish Dance until level 5. But with the right teamwork feats like Pack Flanking and the Dirty Fighter trait, you can dish out a lot of damage with your animal companion. Add in feats like Broken Wing Gambit and Paired Opportunists, you and your companion are doing AoO's like crazy.
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I'm going to say it, and many will disagree BUT: Swashbuckler
Here me out, admiringly he "avoids" instead of "Takes" the damage but +AC, buckler, special abilities to avoid damage, etc... makes him a tough hombre to take down
Precise damage ups his damage profile to extremely high levels. I will take a no cheese swash over a no cheese other martial any day of the week...
I have a halfling hunter that can deal out a lot of damage after a few levels. The Dex-based build means a decent AC even with light armor. Although without homebrew rules that give you feats like Weapon Finesse for free, you can't get the Dex-to-Damage feats like Slashing Grace or Dervish Dance until level 5. But with the right teamwork feats like Pack Flanking and the Dirty Fighter trait, you can dish out a lot of damage with your animal companion. Add in feats like Broken Wing Gambit and Paired Opportunists, you and your companion are doing AoO's like crazy.
Human un-Rogue, Fighter or swashbuckler can all take slashing grace on level 1, worth a single dip imo, then get it at level 3...
Dragon Disciple with prestigious spellcaster and full sorcerer casting.
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Half-Orc, Bloodrager 1/Skald X.
Take the Bloodline Familiar option instead of your first Bloodline power, get a Valet familiar so that it shares your teamwork feats.
For your feats take Amplified Rage at 1 and Skald's Vigor at 3. Enjoy +8 STR/+8 CON while singing and some amount of Fast Healing.
I say "some amount" because it's a bit unclear and there is debate on the topic. At the absolute most restrictive interpretation it's 2, at the most permissive it's 8. Some people will say it's 4 or 6. If you want to go Totemic Skald you could even theoretically up it to 10. Either way, Fast Healing is great and severely ups your tankiness.
I've personally built mine as a natural attack build, going with the Beast Totem line of rage powers with the intent being to pounce with 4 attacks eventually (bite racial from Half-Orc, claws from rage power, and gore from Helm of the Mammoth Lord). Also, a Furious Amulet of Mighty Fists is a wonderful 4000gp investment for that guy.
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Another sweet one is Bloodrager with the Aberrant bloodline with the Aberrant Tumor feat. Gain a tumor familiar, give it the Protector archetype. Split your damage 50/50 between you and the familiar and the familiar has Fast Healing 5 while attached to you. This only requires a single level of Bloodrager, then you can focus the rest on whatever you want for dealing solid damage.
I would have to side with either Bloodrager or Paladin. Difficult to chose between those for me.
Bladebound Kensai with Dervish Dance.
Very high AC and tAC, all good saves, incredible spike damage, 90% of a wizards versatility, enough skills to be all over the place out of combat.
Arcane spelleater bloodrager can dish and take damage in fun ways. Paladin or warpriest for the self healing route.
Our Spelleater Bloodrager enlarged himself and was promptly dropped to dead in two rounds while the cleric poured heals on him.
In another game that same player 1v1 the boss and survived as a vanilla paladin, thanks to the party witch of course.
At level 16, 10/4/2 Oracle/Rage Prophet/Barb, unraged and with only Righteous Might and Blessing of Fervor hits 4 times with a full attack using a LG size earthbreaker of giant bane and hits for 279 damage...
279. 1 round. There was 1 crit. This was vs a storm giant.
Next encounter.
Again, 4 hits with 1 crit vs a storm giant, 268 damage.
Each hit was 6d6 (4d6 base + giant bane) + 44/hit.
Able to buff hp up to 349 HP.
Can self-cast the heal spell.
Nothing comes close.
I have a halfling hunter that can deal out a lot of damage after a few levels. The Dex-based build means a decent AC even with light armor. Although without homebrew rules that give you feats like Weapon Finesse for free, you can't get the Dex-to-Damage feats like Slashing Grace or Dervish Dance until level 5. But with the right teamwork feats like Pack Flanking and the Dirty Fighter trait, you can dish out a lot of damage with your animal companion. Add in feats like Broken Wing Gambit and Paired Opportunists, you and your companion are doing AoO's like crazy.Human un-Rogue, Fighter or swashbuckler can all take slashing grace on level 1, worth a single dip imo, then get it at level 3...
Yeah. I was planning to take a dip or 2 into Fighter for a few feats next time I played her.
I like the paladin. Take Fey Foundling and then Power Attack, and you're able to deal great damage and keep yourself up by self-healing while wearing full plate. You can also contribute out of combat by being the party face and healing.
