Hey folks!
So. I'm making my first ever (kinda) real melee character that I expect to go the distance. my previous melee experience has mostly been either a one shot, or advanced later on where bunches of feats and such are available. This is going to have to be PFS legal, so please keep that in mind.
First things. this is the stat block at level 1:
Trini the Beast
Female gnome bloodrager 1 (Pathfinder RPG Advanced Class Guide 15)
NG Small humanoid (gnome)
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +2
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Defense
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AC 15, touch 11, flat-footed 13 (+4 armor, +2 Dex, -2 rage, +1 size)
hp 15 (1d10+5)
Fort +7, Ref +2, Will +0 (+4 vs. charm and compulsion); +2 vs. illusions
Defensive Abilities black blood, warden of nature[APG]
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft.
Melee gnome ripsaw glaive +5 (1d8+9/×3)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft. (10 ft. with gnome ripsaw glaive)
Special Attacks bloodrage (7 rounds/day), warden of nature[APG]
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 1st; concentration +3)
1/day—dancing lights, ghost sound (DC 13), prestidigitation, speak with animals
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Statistics
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Str 19, Dex 14, Con 20, Int 8, Wis 7, Cha 15
Base Atk +1; CMB +3; CMD 14
Feats Power Attack
Traits irrepressible, trustworthy
Skills Bluff +2 (+3 to fool others), Craft (rope) +3, Diplomacy +7, Intimidate +6, Perception +2; Racial Modifiers +2 Craft (rope)
Languages Common, Gnome, Sylvan
SQ fast movement, gnome magic
Other Gear chain shirt, gnome ripsaw glaive, 20 gp
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Special Abilities
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Black Blood (3/day) (Su) Take S/P damage while bloodraging, imm. act. melee atk gains frost (2 rds.).
Bloodrage (7 rounds/day) (Su) +4 Str, +4 Con, +2 to Will saves, -2 to AC when enraged.
Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white only).
Fast Movement +10 (Ex) +10 feet to speed, unless heavily loaded.
Gnome Magic Add 1 to the DCs of any saving throws to resist illusion spells cast.
Power Attack -1/+2 You can subtract from your attack roll to add to your damage.
Warden of Nature +1 to hit and +2 AC vs. aberrations, oozes and vermin.
If you see anything non pfs legal, or suggestions on how to improve this, I'm all ears, but I'm fairly happy with my level 1 build. yeah, going Str focused on a gnome isnt the most optimal, but its not the end of the world, I'm hoping. My plan was to dip snakebite brawler at 2 to grab sneak attack and to ignore the 13 int req for combat expertise, then to grab that at 3, and imp trip at 5, then at 7 I'd grab combat ref from my bonus feat, and cornugon smash. with the longarm spell and a glaive, thats 20 ft reach altogether, which seemed pretty good for a fun little trip build, though i realize being small that it may be difficult to do so totally reliably.
my main crux is this: Since I'll likely have reach some of the time, and not provoke if i trip, is it worth the two feat tax to get imp trip? if not, what else should i take? if i dont do that, should i still dip brawler? i like that it gives me IUS to threaten at the 5 foot range as well. any other thoughts and ideas are welcome, what I really want is an option other than just hitting things.
thanks for reading my essay, and I appreciate all the advice!
I think Gnome Bloodragers are fine. The bonuses to CON and CHA help, and the penalty to STR is mitigated a little by bloodrage.
I probably wouldn't focus on tripping, a reach weapon and Combat Reflexes are all the investment you really need. I also probably wouldn't bother dipping, if you really want to qualify for Improved XXX feats you can always take DIRTY FIGHTING. If you like the other things you're getting then by all means keep the dip, it just doesn't seem worth it just for improved trip (also yes as a small character you'll take a penalty to your CMB).
My last note is that a -2 on will saves is pretty bad. Irrepressible helps with some of the worst effects, but there are bound to be times when you regret that (unless you're intentionally building a weakness into your character, then it's fine).
thanks for the responses. I think I'll drop the brawler dip then. I do have a hunter in my party who's doing teamwork with his pet, so what do you guys think of this feat path:
1. Power Attack
3. Furious Focus
5. Outflank
6. (Bonus) Combat Reflexes
7. Cornugon Smash
9. ??
11.??
Doesnt really give me anything to do but hit things, but i can still try to do maneuvers when I get the chance and I see an opponent who might be weak to them, I guess (sunder a spell component pouch, or the like). Any suggestions for feats at 9/11 or any feats that would better serve me in my current progression?
I appreciate it, but I'm pretty set on gnome, partially for roleplaying reasons. that part I don't mind being slightly less than optimal.
Reach weapon and Trip isnt as funny as Vicious Stomp and Greater Trip... I third the notion about dirty fighting. Its a gnome barbarian... who else would go for blows below the belt?