Hey, everyone. I'm here again, looking to bring another concept into cold black and white stats! I don't think it's the most unconventional of concepts, fairly straight forward, but still I'd like some pointers in what way to pull it off.
Idea: The concept started with a relentless warrior, one who flew screaming into battle with their opponents swinging at them. At this description alone, I see the barbarian class with it's rage class feature and fast movement as a fitting choice. And more than likely, Improved Bull rush as a feat!
Here, comes the tricky part: I want the character to use a sword and a shield. The warrior archetype swinging a huge heavy knife 75 % the length of their own bodies simply doesn't appeal to me (Guts and Amiri get a pass here, of course). I'd rather have a character who alternately slashes and smashes (or at least uses the shield as part of a bull rush, to knock opponents off their feet).
Now, I am aware that sword/shield-builds are typically feat intensive which is why I'm open to the inclusion of fighter lvls in the build. This makes sense thematically, as the character is noble born, though to a father who was initially an adventuring Ranger. The character is essentially too reckless to not become an adventurer, but would probably still know a thing or to about high society and formal combat training.
A stat block I had in mind that, though far from optimized, would still fit the character is as follows:
Str: 15 (17, Human) Dex: 15 Con: 14 Int: 12 Wis: 12 Cha: 12
These stats are not set in stone, of course.
Sorry that I can't provide much in terms of a started build as I'm not really sure where to start.
I would love to mainly go for the Barbarian. The tireless blows suits the character's theme. Though, I'm still not adverse to multiclassing in order to get some vital feats in.
Option 1: Just go full viking archetype fighter.
Link: Viking Archetype
It gives you rage, keeps the fighter bonus feats for whatever you want and even gives you bonuses specifically for using a shield. It also allows for some nice intimidating, which you didn't mention, but is pretty nice. Theres nothing in the archetype that locks you into roleplaying it as an actual viking, so you can fluff your character however you like. You even keep the fighter's capstone if you ever get that far.
Option 2: Otherwise you could just be whatever fighter archetype gives you what you're looking for, then take the barbarian variant multiclass, which takes away 5 of your normal feats, but you're a fighter so you will have more than enough to accomplish anything you like.
In return you get just about everything iconic to barbarians, including greater rage, uncanny dodge and DR, without detracting from any fighter abilities.
Option 3: Another option would be to take whatever fighter archetype gives you what you're looking for, then take the Ulfen Guard prestige class, which gives you greater rage and non-fatigue rage and other things far quicker than normal barbarian multiclassing could.
Lucky for you, fighters have a stupid number of archetypes to fit any weird desire you have, and rage is something that is pretty easy to gain access to. There are far, far too many combinations to list if you start with fighter. On the other hand, Barbarians are sometimes slightly better at what they do, but what they do is generally less flexible.
Here's one:
Human fighter (mutation warrior) 4/barbarian (armored hulk) X
17 Str, 15 Dex, 14 Con, 12 Int, 12 Wis, 12 Cha (25-point buy; human +2 Str)
Alternate Racial Trait: Heart of the Fields
Traits: Birthmark, one other trait
Ftr 1- Double Slice, Improved Shield Bash, Two-Weapon Fighting
Bbn 1
Ftr 2- Quick Draw (use light quickdraw shield), Power Attack
Bbn 2- Rage Power (?)
Ftr 3- Mutagen (use for Str); Improved Bull Rush
Ftr 4- Shield Slam
Bbn 3- Improved Two-Weapon Fighting
...
Other feats to look at: Bashing Finish, Bleeding Critical, Cleave, Cleaving Finish, Critical Focus, Improved Critical (probably with scimitar), and Shield Master.
|
Viking is actually a really good archetype. You lose out on advanced weapon training in exchange for rage and rage powers, which isn't a bad trade off at all. You can even get greater beast totem and Come and Get Me, two of my favorite barbarian rage powers. Vikings get a natural bonus to their shield a.c And you can take Defender of the society for a +1 to your armor bonus too.
... I'd throw in an Iron Will feat there somewhere though. Maybe snag Heart of the Fey for a +1 to reflex and will, and get low light vision to boot. Superstition is also a good defensive rage power.
I would take Dual Talent Human to start with strong STR and 15/17DEX, so that you have enough DEX for Improved Two-Weapon.
Scarred Rager has the ability to turn Rage on and off every round, which creates very interesting options, such as using Reckless Abandon without any real downside or using full Elemental Rage every round for +2d6 damage.
Blood Conduit Bloodrager can go TWF with a weapon and unarmed strike while carrying a shield, and can channel Bloodrager touch spells with unarmed strike. "Unarmed Strike" is any kind of body-attack, so you can rush up to a target and smash them over the head with your shield-arm while casting Shocking Grasp. Primalist Bloodrager lets you combine Bloodline Abilities and Rage Powers as you like.
If you want a stylish, unorthodox Barbarian, you could go four levels of Weapon Master with scimitar, taking Advanced Weapon Training with Defensive Weapon Training (grants a shield bonus from your weapon) and Effortless Dual Wield. Combo it with Scarred Rager, taking Reckless Abandon and Elemental Rage. You can then dual wield Furious scimitars with Rage, Weapon Training + Gloves of Deuling, and extra bursts of elemental damage, gaining a shield bonus from your scimitars.