All of this seems to indicate cavalier, or maybe a ranger with either archery or mounted combat styles (using a purchased mount instead of an animal companion for the first few levels).
Using a bow effectively needs at least a few feats (Point-blank Shot, Rapid Shot, Deadly Aim, maybe Manyshot).
Mounted combat needs a few feats as well (Mounted Combat, Spirited Charge, Ride-by Attack) and works better with a lance than with a longsword, but that's a minor element.
Quickdraw to rapidly switch weapons might be worth it (though not till you get to multiple attacks, so say at level 7 or level 9).
Using a bow with a shield is ... difficult. I'm not sure how you see this working.
Purchasable steeds tend to die very fast at higher levels (5+) once AOE energy attacks or big brute monsters start coming on-line. (Historical -- an aide-de-camp in the Napoleonic Wars might start a campaign with 20 horses or so, figuring to lose most of them over the year.)
If an animal companion doesn't work, Leadership might let you take a ridable cohort of some sort (hippogriffs and griffons are classic flying steeds, but there are a lot of possibilities.)
Quickdraw shields would be useful.
I agree that sword and shield probably needs a fighter, but I think a couple of ranger combat styles might work for you.
Bow and shield requires a buckler rather than anything heavier and still takes a -1 attack penalty, while not actually getting the benefit of the buckler. If you're willing to use a chakram or other one-handed thrown weapon instead you can use a light or heavy shield.
If you just want to ride and be able to fight you want the mounted combat feat to protect your mount. Anything more depends on what you're doing and isn't absolutely necessary.
If you're using a ranged weapon only at the start of a fight then you might well be acting in the surprise round. You don't necessarily need any more than quick draw and maybe opening volley. Almost the others depend on full attacks, or are only necessary when you're firing into a melee; deadly aim may be an exception and could replace opening volley.
Suppose you're going with a elf bow and shield/sword and shield ranger. I prefer the guide archetype, YMMV, it's not essential. Some degree of spellcasting sounds like it goes with your guy. Feats might go
1: Weapon finesse (use an elven thornblade and this gives dex-to-damage immediately)
Combat style 2: Improved shield bash
3: Upsetting shield style
5: Boon companion
Combat style 6: Shield master
7: TWF
9: Quick draw
Combat style 10: Shield slam
11: Mounted combat
13: Trick riding
Combat style 14: Bashing finish
15: Mounted skirmisher
Starting stats (20-point) might be: Str 12, Dex 16+2=18, Con 14-2=12, Int 8+2=10, Wis 13, Cha 12 (you'll want UMD and he doesn't seem entirely a social moron).
To my mind it comes together about level 9 or 11: A) you have an animal companion from level 4, it becomes useful at level 5. B) Is a thornblade (a stabbing sword) OK? From level 1 if so, though using your shield defensively becomes much easier at 6-7. C) you can use a bow any time, swapping it out becomes easier at level 9. D) you can ride your animal companion from level 5, protect it from 11.
If the slashing sword is non-negotiable we'd need to redesign, probably as a half-elf so a strength focus becomes easier.
One possible way would be to go Paladin. Everyone seems to think that the only way to go archer is with the full set of feats. While this is often the case there are other ways to make it work. Much of the paladins damage come from smite evil. The nice thing about smite evil is it works with any weapon. You can even switch weapons during combat and smite evil is still fully functional. Their animal companion is actually one of the strongest in the game. It starts with a 6 INT and eventually gains the celestial template.
The paladin has proficiency with martial weapons so he can use all the weapons you want. He may not be able to equal a dedicated archer, or sword and board, but he can do the basics. Go human for the extra feat, and take the basics in both combat styles. You will be relying on smite evil for most of your damage so go with the Oath of Vengeance for the extra smites.
No class has enough feats to fully master three styles of combat so the only way to make it work is to use class abilities as well as feats. Also without strong mount at higher levels mounted combat is going to be almost useless. You might be able to do something similar with an inquisitor by using bane and choosing the chivalry inquisition.
1: Weapon finesse (use an elven thornblade and this gives dex-to-damage immediately)
1) This only works if you are an elf or have something that grants elven weapon familiarity. Otherwise it's an Exotic Weapon.
2) How does it give you dex-to-damage without the Agile weapon enancement?
@ swiftbrook: like I said, 'Suppose you're going with a elf bow and shield/sword and shield ranger.' Also implied in the ability scores.
The elven thornblade description is what you're after for the source of the dex to damage.
You're right, I misread it. Sorry. Half elf with strength then?
No class has enough feats to fully master three styles of combat so the only way to make it work is to use class abilities as well as feats.A Fighter with the Martial Master archetype might do it. Martial Flexibility enables you to switch feats from round to round as needed.
Even the martial master archetype will have difficulty pulling off three combat styles. The biggest problem is that by the time the character came online the game would probably be winding down. Builds that do not work until after 12th level are not worth playing unless you are starting out at that level or above. For a normal game the character ends up being underpowered for most of the game.
Martial Flexibility is a limited resource and you don’t even get it till 5th level. At 5th level the Martial master has one flexible feat. He gains his 2nd flexible feat at 9th level, and his 3rd and finial one at 14th level. A fighter is also going to probably be using some of his regular feats for things other than combat feats. Most fighters should at least pickup Iron Will to boost their will saves.
The other problem with trying to do this with only feats is the character is going to incredibly MAD. Mounted combat usually requires a good STR, where archery requires a good DEX and decent STR. All characters need CON so this character is going to need all his physical stats to be good. Dumping WIS on a fighter is dangerous. Mounted combat is going to need a good riding roll so dumping INT is going to mean the character is useless out of combat. Then there is the fact that the fighter does not get an animal companion so his mount is going to be very weak, and will probably have to be replaced every time he turns around.
If he just wants to be able to fight from horseback on occasion that does not require much besides a decent ride skill. If he wants to do the full mounted combat routine that is where the problem is.
Level 1-20 feats in order
Nature Soul, Skill Focus: UMD (half elf bonus feat), power attack
deadly aim
Point blank shot
shield focus
animal ally
mounted combat
boon companion
With three feats just to have an animal companion, I would argue that a one level dip in a class that offers an animal companion would be better. You may lose a BAB and one feat, but you pick up the animal companion, save bonuses and other abilities.
Also, I would argue that you can't take Boon Companion because the prerequisite is an animal companion as a class feature.
While this does what you want there may be some problems. A lot of it depends on the type of game, and the other players. In a game where the characters are not optimized and the GM is not pushing the limit he may be fine. In a more challenging game he will be underpowered and will seem weak compared to the other players. The games I run are more brutal and a character like this would be hard pressed.
The biggest weakness is the characters poor will saves. Being half elf helps with enchantments but your base save vs will is still only +6 at 20th level. This is going to be a big problem especially at higher levels. Magic items can help but with having three combat styles you will need to spend more on weapons than most characters.
Two of the three skills you mentioned focusing on are not class skills. I figure you were probably planning on using traits to get them as class skills, but there is a better way. Trade out Multitalented for Fey Thoughts and Perception and UMD can become class skills. Also trade out Adaptability for Dual Mined for a +2 on Will saves. Use a trait to get +1 Will saves (Probably indomitable faith). Take Iron will instead of precise shot for another +2 to will saves. That will give you an extra +5 to your will saves. Don’t worry about precise shot because you are a switch hitter not an archer. When the enemy gets into melee you are in the middle of it so you won’t be using your bow.
Human Fighter x / Sohei 1
1. Shield Focus
1. Quick Draw
1. Power Attack
2. Weapon Focus: Longsword
3. Nature Soul
4. Unhindering Shield
5. Animal Companion
6. Weapon Specialization: Longsword
7. Mounted Skirmisher (Sohei)
7. Point Blank Shot
9. Armed Bravery
9. Precise Shot
11. Two Weapon Fighting
11. Upsetting Shield Style
13. Rapid Shot
13. Improved Shield Bash
14. Fighter's Finesse (weapon training)
15. Shield Slam
15. Shield Master
17. Manyshot
17. Trained Grace
Use a purchased mount prior to 5th level
Weapon Training: heavy blades at 5
Weapon Training: bows at 10
Level of Sohei can be taken earlier by pushing back Unhindering Shield
Feat order can be rearranged depending on personal play style and actual gameplay.
In Pathfinder, it's really hard to be a generalist and be effective. The game rewards specialization, not diversification.
Doing all the things you want...will be far less than optimal.
Personally, I would suggest almost no investment in archery or mounted combat. I'm not saying you can't do those things, just don't invest much in them.
I think the ideal class here is Ranger, possibly with the archetype that grants you Studied Target.
Ranger will grant you an animal companion, so you can have Epona. You don't really need feats with this. You can ride your mount, and be okay at stuff while mounted.
For archery, again if you only want to engage in archery before the enemy gets close then you don't really need any of the feats. You take at most 1 full round action of archery attacks, and then engage in melee.
Your main combat style will be TWF, where you will focus on wielding a longsword and shield. It's far from optimal, but can be functional. Thanks to ranger style feats you don't need to pump dex too much and can focus on strength.
Claxon actually hit exactly where I was gonna. Sorry been reading the post but unable to respond due to RL in the way. I think most people overlook how nice it is to be trained in all martial weapons...you are able to use all weapons...that is a base line. You are by default a archer, swordsman etc...just not like legolas or the dread pirate roberts. Since as you pointed out archery isnt your main focus I would go with a nice composite bow and take point blank and either rapid shot or deadly aim. Two feats are still a investment. Then since you are aiming for a long sword but no shield for follow up...really you just need power attack. Worst case first round you shoot the bow, drop it and pull out the longsword add the shield next round...or if you need to hit hard two hand the longsword. As for the mount...guess you can waste the two or three feats but honestly I dont recall ever needing it. If you go ranger go favored human +2 hit and damage over the most common race is not to be sneezed at...keep buffing it while adding other races and then when you can get instant enemy...that bonus to the longsword and bow is really nice (I would just go for the archery combat and just pick all the nice things) Talk to the GM sometime they might let you know what you might run in for favored enemies. Boon companion on the horse is kinda wasted imo.
If you want to be great at everything than the martial master is the way...take all the base feats like power attack, mounted combat, point blank and expertise...at level 5 you can adjust to the encounter...obviously what you favor you would invest in more but that would allow you to change by encounter
Too much in 1 character in my opinion.
If you are a Lancer, you will usually kill in a single hit and Ride by so you are not next to the target IF it is still alive.
If you are a mounted archer you are keeping away from the target usually with amounts superior movement. So needing a shield for defense will be just wasted feats and actions. Most your feats will need to be dedicated to archery.
If you are using a Sword and Board from horseback I recommend the Horselord archetype so you can spirited charge with a scimitar (15-20 critical x3 charges...YES PLEASE). which will still give you some feats to use off the mount. (Power attack and challenge should be decent)
But trying to squeeze Everything in and being good all around I think you are asking for too much from a single build.
I think you could do well as a horselord, using a scimitar and shield. You can carry a bow and IF you can fit deadly aim into the build you can use the bow as sort of an opening volley or a way to choose to disrupt a backline wizard before you can set up your deadly charge. But I would just free action drop the bow and draw the scimitar as part of the move action.
you may draw a weapon as a move action, or (if your base attack bonus is +1 or higher) as a free action as part of movement
To me, that would probably be the best route which will make you somewhat of a generalist but still have a good strong focus on using a scimitar. You will just be REALLY good with it on your mount.
The comment I want to make is EVERY time I see someone with a "switch-hitter" or "multi-focus" after like 1 level they've settled in on which of their options they are actually using and regret the feats they've now "wasted" on their non-main options.
Like you'll soon realize that pulling out a bow and trying to get a shot off is nowhere near as useful as having your sword out and moving and readying to attack or charging. As it'll be something you need to do and the arrow attack just delays that a round AND since it's only a side thing it'll be less accurate and do less damage than your sword. (this is different from having a back-up bow at low levels for flying enemies.)
Same thing with the mount, if you aren't being mounted as much as you can you'll more and more not use your mount since it'll just get in your way being so large.
Now maybe you'll be the first I know of to successfully pull off multiple combat plans. I just wanted to share what I've seen.
The thing is, I feel that for Link fighting from horseback or using a bow are ancillary tools, not the mainstays.
Link primarily fights with sword and shield. It is the Master Sword after all, not the Master Bow or Master Lance.
There are different incarnations of Link throughout the games, but the iconic version of Link is with his Master Sword and Shield.
IN BOTW, nothing is required for anything, but having certain gear at certain times makes things significantly easier.
I don't actually recall bosses that required having the highest level bow, although having a bow was definitely something that was required at times. But usually because zelda was (until BOTW) primarily a puzzle game. It required knowing/figuring out the right tactic to use in the situation. And if you knew the answer, usually required very little actual skill (this has been one of the biggest complaints I've actually seen with BOTW, as there are a whole host of people who find themselves unskilled enough in BOTW to successfully complete sections of the game).
So, after my thread for a link character, I basically decided I should build a character that gets A) an animal companion, B) uses a longsword and a shield, C) Uses a bow at the start of a fight, and D) Can use the bare minimums of mounted combat. How on earth do i fit this all into one character?
Hunter(3)/Cavalier(4)/(other martial)
- Hunter3 for Hunter Tactics, Cavalier4 for access to Horse Master, afterwards branch out as you like. Front-load with barbarian and Extra Rage for power in a combat-heavy campaign.
Your main feats will be Quick Draw, Boon Companion (if you need it; retrained eventually to Horse Master), and Mounted Combat. -- That's only three feats. Everything else is just gravy upgrading damage by dabs here and there.
This one sounds mildly interesting but at the same time something that doesnt appeal to me at all. Id be interested more to hear what the full build would look like.
Define "full build". -- If you mean 20th-level, I don't do those. Maybe 0.0875% of characters get played 1st to 20th, and I consider it pointless to even make comparisons of characters at that level. I play characters from 1st-level, and I build them that way. (I generally never design a character beyond 12th or even think about the nosebleed levels at all. In twenty years of playing I think I've had one guy up there.)
Martial class levels are Lego blocks; stack in the order you like. Barbarian front-loads power. Fighter front-loads feats. Hunter and Cavalier front-load Teamwork tactics.
Ideally you'll do that after knowing what feats or abilities you want and the order of their preference. It's also subsequence to knowing your stats, the generation of which you haven't informed us.
If you or your GM hate or forbid multiclassing, well then <shrug>. Go Cavalier and take Quickdraw; get a quickdraw shield and a bow.
Wow how to kill a thread in one post