I was wandering through old threads to prepare for an upcoming campaign, when I found this. I did not know Nightmare Fist feat-chain and it seems rather nice.
Combining the two, casting darkness upon yourself, you basically become the Batman (minus the orphaned trauma).
Is the Sanctified Slayor + Nightmare Fist any good? Anyone tried that? Seems like you could pile a good amount of damages, but I'm a bit at lost at how to build it.
My usual GM won't allow a tiefling or a drow, so no racial ability to cast darkness, unfortunately. What is allowed is: Core Rulebook, Ultimate Magic, Ultimate Combat, Advanced Player Guide and core races, core and base classes. (In the process of discussing the addition of *some* rules from Unchained, possibly Unchained classes).
I guess I would like to follow the idea stated above so:
Improved Unarmed Strike
Weapon Focus (Unarmed Strike)
Nightmare Fist
Nightmare Weaver
Shatter Defense at level 8
Sounds already feat heavy, I might take Human for the extra feat, but not being able to see in darkness hurt. The Shadow domain help at level 8, but not before, so might be problematic. I see no Inquisition that synergize very well with all that...
I don't know if I should:
- try to squeeze in Weapon Finesse to forgo Strength and focus on Dex as my hitting ability and CA provider and relies on Studied Target and Sneak Attack to add damages (but it might be hard in the first levels).
- Pick a race that see in darkness, forget the extra feat and try to balance things with: Wisdom > Dex / Strength / Con > Int > Charisma
Any ideas/things that have overlooked that would synergize with such a build?
Is Ultimate Intrigue allowed?
I could probably negotiate picking a feat from there, but not a class, so no Vigilante to play Batman. I just liked the idea of the build, I don't try to be Bruce Wayne, just thought it was a funny comparison.
I could probably negotiate picking a feat from there, but not a class, so no Vigilante to play Batman. I just liked the idea of the build, I don't try to be Bruce Wayne, just thought it was a funny comparison.
I was mostly asking because of the Menacing – Ranger Combat Style.
Since Nightmare Fist is a really deep featline, I think your best way around an intimidation build would be to pick up those feats with the Slayer Talents, if you had access to it of course.
Another good option is to add on the Cloaked Wolf archetype from Ultimate Intrigue as well. Notably, it gives you, as options for bonus feats, Improved Unarmed Strike and Stunning Fist.
My usual worry with the build itself is the fact that it takes so very long to set up. You need actions to Study Targets, actions to use full-round Darkness to intimidate, actions to buff yourself with Divine Favor/Shield/etc., actions to cast spells in combat, and then even actions to actually attack.
So I think action-choking will be a big concern.
A similar build I played before, in a high-level campaign, is a Sanctified Slayer + Cloaked Wolf who used Coup-de-Grace actions in combination with the Castigate inquisitor spell.
I used Studied Target to improve Castigate DC, made enemies helpless, and used a combination of Slaying Sprint + Merciless Butchery (qualifying for it early with Accomplished Sneak Attacker) to dispatch enemies in two turns.
Cloaked Wolf helped me qualify for Slaying Sprint with Dodge/Mobility/etc.