Hello all,
I'm going to be an a Rise of the Runelords campaign soon, and was looking for some advise/opinions on a build. I'll be using a Gathlain Bloodrager focusing on Vital Strike. He's not very optimized, as he's a small size race, but I'm still trying to make him as useful as possible.
25 point buy:
Str 17
Dex 14 (+2 to 16)
Con 16
Int 8
Wis 8
Cha 11 (+2 to 13)
Racetype (Fey): Gathlain (Tree-Born alternate racial trait)
Class: 1 level Titan Fighter dip, the rest Primalist Spelleater Bloodrager, Arcane Bloodline.
Traits:
Two World Magic: Select a 1st level spell from a spell list other than your own. This spell is a 1st level spell on your class spell list (Lead Blades)
Reactionary: +2 to Initiative
At 1st Bloodrager level, taking a bloodline familiar (Greensting Scorpion, +4 bonus on Initiative)
1. Exotic Weapon: Butcher’s Axe, medium size
3. Power Attack
5. Furious Focus
7. Vital Strike & (Improved Initiative from Arcane Bloodline)
9. Flyby Attack (DM Approved)
10. (Combat Reflexes from Arcane Bloodline)
11. Improved Vital Strike
Spells:
1st Blade Lash
1st Protection from Evil
1st Enlarge Fey (as Enlarge Person but for fey, as per the spell rules in First World: Realm of the Fey)
1st Lead Blades (from Two World Magic trait)
1st Long Arm
2nd See invisibility
2nd False Life
2nd Resist Energy
2nd Protection from Arrows
3rd Heroism
3rd Clay Skin
Looks fairly optimised considering you're starting from the idea of a vital strike build. A couple of notes - you have a terrible will save with 8 Wis & poor progression. Protection from evil & heroism don't help when they're not active before you make the save. Cast them in advance when you can, though limited spell slots will be a pain there (spelleater's main ability is kind of wasted on most bloodragers.) Also get the best cloak of resistance you possibly can.
Clumsy maneuverability is really bad. Fly checks are mainly DC 15-20 and your skill starts at +1 (1 rank, class skill +3, dex +3, small +2, clumsy -8) at 1st level, before any armor penalty. Even though it means having a Con penalty you might reconsider tree-born.
Does Titan Fighter ignore the Strength requirement for Butchering Axe? I don't think so...
It doesn't, so a strength belt should be a high priority magic item, But once you have one, you're set.
Considering Clumsy Flying is really rough, I would try to fit Seasoned Flier. It's compatible with tree-born (it just asks for a fly speed, which you have) and will bump your maneuverability straight to average.
It might also be worth it to trade your SLAs for Fey Resilience (for DR/Cold Iron) or Whimsical Outlook (1/day roll twice on a will save and take better result).
I'd think about taking the Deathtouched trait, picking the second option. Also, Iron Will as a bloodline feat. Initiative is nice, but unless the other party members have a lot more burst damage potential, not failing will saves on a regular basis is vital.
Thanks for all the advice!
Swapping the SLA for Whimsical Outlook looks like a solid choice.
As for the clumsy fly speed, I agree that is isn't ideal, but the +2 Con is going to be more useful. My GM runs a tough game, so I need all the hit points I can use. That's the reason I wanted to have the Spell-eater archetype, just for the Fast Heal while raging.
I only have to make a DC 10 check when moving less than half speed, or higher when getting into fancy maneuvers. I'll pick up the skill as I go, I think.