Battousai the Manslayer Style character. How should I go about this


Advice


I Have been wanting to create a lethal Swordsmen Style character and I'd like Advice on how to carry it out.

The Image I have is some one like Kenshin Himura from the Samurai X series But the man he was During the revolution. A ruthless killer

I'd like to plan the build out to at least level 12 as this is for a future game
I want this character on hand for when I need him, as such I don't know what level he should be to start but I figured a level 12 build is a good start as I can work back from that if he needs to be a lower level or ask for more help if he needs more levels

My first issue is what is the build

Race Human or Half-Elf (this is not kenshin just some one inspired by him)

classes I am Debating a few

1st some combo of Unchained Monk + Weapon Master fighter + Ninja (No idea for levels for this one)
2nd Slayer (not sure what else to do with this) (not sure if there is a good archetype i could use)
3rd Unchained Monk + Unchained Rogue (Monk 8 / Rogue 4)

Silver Crusade

Maybe swashbuckler/monk.


There is a new swashbuckler archetype that mixes it with monk/ninja in a way. Check out the Okayo Corsair. By using the versitaile design trick you can finesse any 1 handed weapon and regain panache from it as well.


The most directly translation would be the sword saint samurai archetype.

Except, it's really terrible mechanically.

Kenshin's main thing was against anything except incredibly powerful opponents he would incapacitate in a single blow and was incredibly fast.

Unfortunately being fast doesn't do much good in a system that penalizes you for moving (can't make full attacks) and in a system that doesn't allow for single attacks to become too powerful because it would upset the paradigm of sacrificing attacks for movement.

To make it kind of work they gave iajutsu strike to the Sword Saint, but it:
1) requires the weapon to be sheathed, and sheathing is a move action
2) Can only be done once per opponent per day
3) Is a full round action that doesn't also allow for movement (until level 10)

But the damage bonus is only that of a sneak attack. It's like a worse form of sneak attack because you can only do it once per enemy on one attack. And the bonus damage is never enough to kill an enemy.


@ Claxon (well like i said its inspired by him I know i can't get it 100 % like in the show)

I though for a second a slayer with a nodachi and spear dancing style could work but I realize i can weapon finesse a Nodachi :/

That idea was to get a good damage source and reflect the image of many hit with a katana like weapon


JuliusCromwell wrote:


I though for a second a slayer with a nodachi and spear dancing style could work but I realize i can weapon finesse a Nodachi :/

That idea was to get a good damage source and reflect the image of many hit with a katana like weapon

I'm currently playing a Weapon Adept Unmonk 1/Daring Champion Cavalier 5 and it's amazing. The build really captures the feel of a wondering, vagrant ronin. A better option (not available during the creation of the above character) is Scaled Fist Unmonk 1/Okayo Corsair 5 wielding an Agile waveblade. The DPR get's intense and the Okayo really evokes a lot of the fast, lone swordsman vibe. Keep in mind that Slashing Grace isn't compatible with flurry, thus making the Agile enchantment the best means to add dex to damage.

If you're interested in polearms, Look at the Warrior Poet samurai archetype and the Bladed Brush feat.

The Ironbound Sword Samurai is literally Kenshin during his peaceful years.


@ Errant Inlad

so where do you plan to take the build in later levels?


JuliusCromwell wrote:


@ Errant Inlad

so where do you plan to take the build in later levels?

The build I'm playing, or the build I wish I was playing?

Both builds are crit fishers focused on high DPR and mobility. Flurrying with a waveblade lets you crit very often. Precise strike isn't multiplied on a crit, which means you want to boost other damage sources. Piranha Strike and an Agile weapon form the base damage for both builds. Cav boosts DPR with his challenge, while Swash boosts DPR with Weapon Specialization.

The Unmonk/Cavalier will continue taking Cavalier levels until he dies or the campaign ends. The damage from challenge and precise strike is simply too good to leave on the table.

The Unmonk/Okayo is slightly less clear cut. After Swashbuckler 5th you don't gain many worthwhile deeds or features. But your Precise Strike damage continues to grow, which makes more levels tasty. And your swash levels count as fighter levels for feat prerequisites.

On the other hand, continuing onward in Unmonk nets you many more options. Evasion, Fast Movement, Style Strikes, Ki Powers, ect. Keep in mind that Unmonk and Okayo levels stack for the purpose of meeting feat prerequisites. Taking Ascetic Style becomes very attractive in this build. If you want to devote the feats to it, taking the Weapon Style Mastery Feat plus another Style feat could be very worthwhile.

You also have the option of selecting a third synergistic class. Unmonk and Okayo have some overlapping features and you might prefer to diversify. Slayer for Sneak Attack or Samurai/Cavalier for Challenge. Order of the Cockatrice fits the fear that Kenshin struck into his foes. Hell, Unmonk 1/Slayer X could set you up for some amazing combo's with Dazzling Display and Shatter Defenses.

Community / Forums / Pathfinder / Pathfinder First Edition / Advice / Battousai the Manslayer Style character. How should I go about this All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.