Thoughts on sword and shield or a archer

[ekibus]

So my thoughts on doing a shaman reach type kinda hit a snag. I have a level 4 skald reach build which looks really nice on paper but never seems to be contributing. So I'm worried I might hit the same snag with a shaman.

My level 11 inquisitor archer is probably my favorite class in the game..I've even considered going through with the build again. But I'd rather see if there is another option.

I've come up with a sword and shield slayer that looks fun...but I would rather do a full caster this time around and a shield would get in the way of casting..I've actually debating on doing a dip in slayer and then go the rest of the way as a occultist.. or maybe just go full slayer with a high umd.

This is for PFS and he just hit lvl 2 so I need to solidify the build and I have 3 weeks to iron this out (been stuck for probably a year now :P)

[Temperans]

The Shielded Mage feat let's you use a shield while casting somatic spells, and since its divine spells there is no spell failure.

[VoodistMonk]

Temperans wrote:

The Shielded Mage feat let's you use a shield while casting somatic spells, and since its divine spells there is no spell failure.

There is also Unhindering Shield, which makes a buckler count as a free hand.

[ekibus]

Ah so there are ways around it...sorta harsh requirements but still possible. Need to figure if it is possible to go the way I want or maybe just go warpriest

[VoodistMonk]

Sword and Board carries harsh requirements.

You end up with shield feats, weapon feats, TWF feats... it's a mess.

[Azothath]

Caster's Shield $3153 is what you want BUT in PFS it's a 'named item' and stuck as a light wooden shield (not a buckler or quickdraw shield). *meh*

Have you thought about trait: Magical Knack, Fighter 1 Lvl(for the HD), then Arcanist 2 lvls with Dimensional Slide, then going back to Fighter? It can be a solid build, gets around UMD and opens up self spell buffing via wands and spells(Shield, Infernal Healing, Shocking Grasp, Vanish, Long Arm, Gravity Bow...), couple pages of spell knowledge 1st, etc. It is a spread on the ability scores which isn't terrible (INT 12). You can TWF or Archer or just BBF. Yes you're down a bit on the power scale till 6th level. It's not super DPR but it has options.

Single classed warpriest isn't bad, can't really complain there.
Brawler can be a lot of fun and it's pretty flexible. You need to know your combat feats though as you'll be swapping them about as the situation demands.

otherwise you can review some class guides.

Gladius and cestus are excellent weapons.

[Secret Wizard]

ekibus wrote:

So my thoughts on doing a shaman reach type kinda hit a snag. I have a level 4 skald reach build which looks really nice on paper but never seems to be contributing. So I'm worried I might hit the same snag with a shaman.

My level 11 inquisitor archer is probably my favorite class in the game..I've even considered going through with the build again. But I'd rather see if there is another option.

I've come up with a sword and shield slayer that looks fun...but I would rather do a full caster this time around and a shield would get in the way of casting..I've actually debating on doing a dip in slayer and then go the rest of the way as a occultist.. or maybe just go full slayer with a high umd.

This is for PFS and he just hit lvl 2 so I need to solidify the build and I have 3 weeks to iron this out (been stuck for probably a year now :P)

Light shields never get in the way of casting.

Light shield + scimitar Nature Fang Druid is a full caster that can also play a combat based style.

[Temperans]

Arent you thinking of bucklers?

[Secret Wizard]

Temperans wrote:

Arent you thinking of bucklers?

Light shields leave a free hand, that's their advantage over heavy shields.

In contrast, bucklers allow both hands to be used if needed.

[Melkiador]

The light shield lets you hold another item in that hand. And moving a weapon from one hand to another is a free action. So the sequence is:
Move weapon to shield hand as free action.
Cast spell.
Move weapon back to free hand as a free action.

[Lelomenia]

If you are still looking at that channel build, consider getting Quick Channel early. If you Hex (Slumber or somesuch) and do your “everyone gets an extra reroll” heal channel as a single turn, I think you’ll still be a big contributor no matter how little impact you make with attacks of opportunity.

[ekibus]

Yeah leaning towards it still but after playing the skald I wanted to know if there is another way. Well that and someone at the game brought up me playing a occultist :P