I have an idea for this character, but could use a bit of help with the build.
Setting - a huge city, prosperous - one of the biggest trading hubs in the known world. Very metropolitan, and quite corrupt. Slavery is significant to the economy. The merchant's guild - or its most powerful members - run the city.
One was an actress on the stage - and still acts occasionally, but since her father pushed her into taking over the business, does it a lot less.
The vigilante will have shared a stage with her many times. He's been her playtoy. Think Batman and Catwoman, but the's the one that's filthy rich and powerful. He's becoming a champion for the downtrodden, which she thinks is 'cute'.
She isn't the worst of them, merely incredibly self-centered, so he's not out to bring her down - in many ways, he's at her mercy.
He should come off as an earnest artist, not particularly wealthy, but not starving. He's a very good, popular actor.
I use the elite array for NPCs. Any advice for building this character? I'm open for whatever Vigilante specialization/archetype/whatever seems appropriate and makes him work. I want him in the 6th to 9th level range, easily able to handle mooks, but not so much those in charge (who tend to be 8th - 12th), and quite incapable of going after any of the merchant princes themselves.
I know that some of you are much better with the Vigilante than I am - what would you do?
It feels like you have half the concept, the social side of the Vigilante.
So... how do you envision him taking care of mooks? Punch their lights out (Avenger), Batman them from the shadows (Stalker), crime-fighting dog (Agathiel), spellslinger (Warlock), local neighborhood spider-hawk-bear (Wildsoul), etc?
It feels like you have half the concept, the social side of the Vigilante.
So... how do you envision him taking care of mooks? Punch their lights out (Avenger), Batman them from the shadows (Stalker), crime-fighting dog (Agathiel), spellslinger (Warlock), local neighborhood spider-hawk-bear (Wildsoul), etc?
I'm not sure. I've been trying to figure that out, actually.
Only one of my characters has considered taking levels in Vigilante and it was kind of a backstory reason (for the future). It was a dagger throwing build that was modeled of V for Vendetta. Something like level 8-11 were earmarked for Vigilante, but I haven't actually played it past 7.
I had a friend who did a bleed-based Cabalist in an evil campaign, but it felt a little clunky and underpowered if he was not able to get spill blood off. He also played a Flash-type Vigilante/Monk utilizing Pummeling Charge in a different game that seemed super effective(like literally 50+ dice if everything hit) at high level, but I don't know how it was actually built. Basically Pummeling Charge(maybe with Jabbing Style, not sure how) from off the map with Hidden Strike mimicking the Flash's Infinite Mass Punch.
A lot of Vigilante talents function as a feat, but then add additional things at higher levels. So even though they have to take Social Talents half the time, its still pretty effective. Like Lethal Grace gives Weapon Finesse, but also 1/2 level to damage if you are adding Str to damage. Or Shadow's Speed, 10' move speed when you take it and another 10' at level 10. Whereas Fleet just adds 5' and only when wearing light or no armor. Signature Weapon being Weapon Focus and Weapon Specialization.
An avenger vigilante is fine as a melee type. If the actor doesn't have level-appropriate gear then he shouldn't try to fight higher-level characters but should be fine against mooks.
An avenger vigilante is fine as a melee type. If the actor doesn't have level-appropriate gear then he shouldn't try to fight higher-level characters but should be fine against mooks.
Right. The party has made some comments about maybe working against one of the merchant princes, and this guy is meant to be of assistance, should they do so. The merchant is a priest of the god of tyranny and slavery, and mostly trades in slaves.
A build, huh? OK. Probably he should be a disguise expert and unarmed fighting could be useful with that.
Spoiler:
20 point build, level 8, assuming human - it's not complicated to change for others. Str 10, Dex 16+2level=18, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 16+2race=18, which gives F+3, R+10, W+5.
Feats & talents:
1: dirty fighting
Human: improved disarm
Vigilante social talent 1: renown
Vigilante talent 2: lethal grace (weapon finesse, + 1/2 level to damage)
3: improved dirty trick
VST3: social grace (disguise)
VT4: fist of the avenger (improved unarmed strike, + 1/2 level to damage)
5: kitsune style
VST5: many guises
VT6: shield of blades (power attack, add PA penalty to AC)
7: dirty disarm
VST7: great renown
VT8: sweeping strike (great cleave)
Using PA & shield of blades, and assuming a mithral shirt, that comes to Attack +9/+4, Damage 1d3+14, AC 21. Against tougher opponents he tries a dirty disarm then runs, against multiples he may use great cleave.
Some good ideas, but I use the elite array. Str 13, Dex 15, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 16 (racial bonus), +1 to Str and Dex from levels. I'm thinking with a weapon he could do better than fist of the avenger? That way he can have armor skin and up his AC.
I may want to work in skill focus for acting, too.
The build above certainly isn't optimised. But yeah, give him a rapier and power attack goes to +3 per point of penalty (1d6+13 damage using PA) and you can get a different talent. Armor skin could work given his lower Dex. Social grace could go to perform instead of disguise if you like to save you having to rejuggle feats.
The build above certainly isn't optimised. But yeah, give him a rapier and power attack goes to +3 per point of penalty (1d6+13 damage using PA) and you can get a different talent. Armor skin could work given his lower Dex. Social grace could go to perform instead of disguise if you like to save you having to rejuggle feats.
Many Guises should make his disguises simply amazing.
For an actor you could go for something like Teisatsu and go for a "ninja" build.
Something like:
Social/Vigilante Talents::
1. Renown
3. Discreet Inquiries
4. Any talent of choice
5. Many Guises
6. Any talent of choice
7. Celebrity Perks or Discount
8. Hide in Plain Sight
9. Mockingbird
alternatively,:
1. Morphic Mask
3. Renown
4. Malleable Flesh (Ex Disguise Self)
5. Celebrity Perks or Discount
6. Any talent of choice
7. Feign Innocence
8. Any talent of choice
9. Subjective Truth
If you aren't worried about 1 feat, you can get Masked Renown, letting you use your social talents for something else.
The important part is that you play more of a support/social/scout role. The first version takes goes for more of a stealth/disguise route, taking advantage of Many Guises and Mockingbird to disguise, distract, and overall do many spy stuff. The second version takes more of a shapeshifter route, with Morphic Mask you can change your appearance in minor ways to increase your disguise bonus. Meanwhile, Malleable Flesh lets you easily disguise as different races, while also getting some minor scape options.
In any case the combat can take any form specially since there is no need for going for high damage, but maybe a dip into Swashbuckler for thematic/style?
For an actor you could go for something like Teisatsu and go for a "ninja" build.
Something like:
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
If you aren't worried about 1 feat, you can get Masked Renown, letting you use your social talents for something else.
The important part is that you play more of a support/social/scout role. The first version takes goes for more of a stealth/disguise route, taking advantage of Many Guises and Mockingbird to disguise, distract, and overall do many spy stuff. The second version takes more of a shapeshifter route, with Morphic Mask you can change your appearance in minor ways to increase your disguise bonus. Meanwhile, Malleable Flesh lets you easily disguise as different races, while also getting some minor scape options.
In any case the combat can take any form specially since there is no need for going for high damage, but maybe a dip into Swashbuckler for thematic/style?
Thank you, there are interesting things to consider there! As an NPC, he's been going it alone, but he really should be more of a support character - as the party becomes involved, they'll take the spotlight. (assuming they do - it's a sandbox)
