The concept of the build is already done, we even started the game and the PC was a blast with everyone around the table laughing non stop at the nights out he called them to. Ofc also thanks to the GM that rolled with it heh. The issue is how to actually fill the mechanical side of the sheet.
So pretty much what im running is a CG lvl 1 Tiefling (Oni) spiritualist, no archetype, that follows Cailean with a Lust phantom .
Stats currently:
STR 20
DEX 12
CON 14
INT 10
WIS 14
CHA 7
Feat: Improv Initiative
The Lust phantom:
all 3 social skills + stealth.
Feat: Step Up
So the idea is to build the phantom into a tank/scout, while my spiritualist does the actual damage.
So for the phantom i intend to take both Antagonize and Following Step and then focus on skill bonus for both diplomacy and intimidation.
The issue is how to get the most out of the spiritualist himself.
For now im considering going into VMC and taking barbarian for the rage. The spiritualist would then get power attack at 5 and go to town on the enemies.
The clear flaw, is that this guy will have a very low AC, which im hoping to see if the phantom can cover.
Anyone got suggestion and ideais of how to make this PC better? For all purposes consider that anything but my class, race and phantom focus can be changed.
I'm not a fan of VMC on a class with no bonus feats. There's a feat which can keep your phantom up to par when you use normal multiclassing, and it doesn't look like you're going to be into spellcasting in a big way - how about just dipping barbarian and taking the phantom ally feat? You could even take the dip with the savage technologist archetype if you're worried about AC.
I'm not a fan of VMC on a class with no bonus feats. There's a feat which can keep your phantom up to par when you use normal multiclassing, and it doesn't look like you're going to be into spellcasting in a big way - how about just dipping barbarian and taking the phantom ally feat? You could even take the dip with the savage technologist archetype if you're worried about AC.
Yeah dipping at lvl 3 was something i also considered. The archetype i thought about was armored hulk.
How do you think these compare regarding the AC gap?
And more on that note, phantom ally gives 4 lvls to the phantom. Any drip that could benefit the build even more than barbarian by spending up to that amount?
Armored hulk takes you from a breastplate to full plate, +3 AC. Savage tech gives you +4 Dex so +2 AC, +2 CMD, though only when raging. But... ACP is a thing. It's nice to still be able to climb, swim or use acrobatics. Savage tech also helps you with your backup missile weapon.
Anything better? You could possibly take bloodrager instead, steelblood is basically the barbarian armored hulk archetype. This lets you use scrolls/wands from another spell list if you like. Id rager would be weird; it's compatible with steelblood too. Lust isn't technically on the list of spirits the id rager gets but ask your GM.
Weapon master fighter 3 lets you take a feat to get an advanced weapon training, or go for base fighter 3 if you'd like advanced armor training for more defence.
Those are nice variations for sure.
Bloodrager is even more frontloaded, so it would be one feat for blood rage, 1 rage power and profiency with heavy armor.
I thought the salamamder bloodline which would make the PC even more monstrous while giving him a second natural attack seems quite interesting.
this should cost only 1 level too.
On the other hand fighter also offers also the proficencies and with a investment of more lvls the weapon training which can go well with a gloves of dueling.
Hum... any interesting feat ideas that could go well with the bonus ones the fighter will grant?
A standard fighter 3 might spend a feat on advanced armor training (steel headbutt), keeping armor training 1, or they might trade AT1 in for a second AAT like armored sacrifice. Using your head seems right for a follower of Cayden Cailean.
A weapon master fighter 4 can't get a free advanced weapon training, but they can get one via a feat - warrior spirit, weapon sacrifice and fighter's tactics all seem possible. Fighter's tactics is like the inquisitor solo tactics ability, you'd want to get teamwork feats to make use of it.
Either kind of fighter could get Cayden Cailean's divine fighting technique for free by sacrificing shield proficiency. You'd probably want TWF as well to make full use of it which would require more dex somehow.
Aside from those and power attack which you're already aiming for and possibly extra rage/phantom ally, you could go for snake style for more defence one way or get armor of the pit for a different kind. Intimidating prowess and intimidate feats are possible. There are other styles and other tricks; what do you want to be good at?
Heh divine fighting technique would have been perfect, but i already got a player in the party that went to great lengths to fight with 2 weapons, while it would be very cool, i think it is better to just leave it to him this time around. Outside that, this style of combat also would be better with DEX, like you said, and i would rather not change my tiefling to an Asura over the Oni im already running this time. I will keep in mind for variation of this idea in the future.
The idea i was going for was pretty much just hitting things hard while getting durability from the phantom. Your suggestions did make it much better i believe.
I already took both "scaled skin" and "maw or claw" racial traits so i already got a +1 to natural AC without needing to spend a feat there as well as a natural head atk.
For now, out of what you said, i think i will be taking the weapon master fighter + Improved Unarmed Strike and then Snake style, which should help against "boss level" hits if i can buff the sense motive high enough.
I will be taking a look into the styles and the intimidation builds to see if i find something that i like better than the snake style.
I would be very interested in what other tricks you have in mind ofc haha, you gave me plenty of ideas already, so thanks.