I would like to rebuild my first PFS2 character into a Pathfinder Agent/Swordmaster concept. But I am not sure how to make it work best. Here's the build I came up with so far for 12 levels:
Human (Half-Elf) Ranger 12
Background: Bounty Hunter
Starting stats: Str +3, Dex +3, Con +2, Int +1, Wis +0, Cha +0
Starting skills: Acrobatics, Arcana, Athletics, Legal Lore, Nature, Occultism, Religion, Stealth, Survival.
Weapons: Guisarme, Longbow
Level 1: Precision Hunter's edge, Monster Hunter, Cooperative Nature, Experienced Tracker
Level 2: Pathfinder Agent dedication (Nature Expert), Cat Fall
Level 3: Athletics Expert, Natural Medicine
Level 4: Thorough Reports, Deft Cooperation
Level 5: Boosts to Str, Dex, Con, Wis; Survival Expert, Inspire Imitation
Level 6: Forced Entry, Swordmaster Dedication
Level 7: Athletics Master, Toughness
Level 8: Monster Warden, Assurance (Athletics)
Level 9: Nature Master, Cooperative Soul
Level 10: Boosts to Str, Dex, Con, Wis; Master Monster Hunter, Survey Wildlife
Level 11: Survival Master, Assurance (Survival)
Level 12: Environmental Grace, Harrying Strike
My problem is that I am not sure what I actually want the build to do. Basically my goal is to find good synergies with the options offered by the PF Agent/Swordmaster archetypes, which seem to revolve around three pillars: tanking/melee control, aid another in any skill, and using recall knowledge vs monsters a lot. I am not sure if I'm supposed to focus on just one of these or if there is a way to utilise all of those capabilities fully.
I've thought about it some more and decided that the recall knowledge angle is more useful for a Scrollmaster. And also looks like Cooperative Sould is not as useful as I thought since it only works on skill checks but not attack rolls. So I decided to change the build to a polearm fighter:
Human (versatile) Fighter 12
Background: Warrior
Starting stats: Str +4, Dex +1, Con +3, Int +0, Wis +0, Cha +1
Starting skills: Acrobatics, Athletics, Intimidation, Medicine
Weapons: Guisarme or another polearm
Level 1: Exacting Strike, Adopted Ancestry (Halfling), Cooperative Nature, Shield Block, Intimidating Glare
Level 2: Pathfinder Agent dedication (Medicine Expert), Continual Recovery
Level 3: Athletics Expert, Ancestral Paragon -> Halfling Luck
Level 4: Ward Medic, Deft Cooperation
Level 5: Boosts to Str, Con, Wis, Cha; Intimidation Expert, Watchful Halfling, Polearm Weapon Mastery
Level 6: Forced Entry, Swordmaster Dedication
Level 7: Intimidation Master, Battle Cry
Level 8: Impassable Wall Stance, Terrified Retreat
Level 9: Athletics Master, Helpful Halfling
Level 10: Boosts to Str, Con, Wis, Cha; Harrying Strike, Intimidating Prowess
Level 11: Medicine Master, Assurance (Medicine)
Level 12: Shoulder Catastrophe, Robust Recovery
Does it look like I'm on the right track to making a useful character here?
Dot. Don't have time at the moment but I'll try to investigate later.
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I've noticed the knowledge angle can work, even if you ignore knowledge skills. This is due to one of the lesser features of the dedication- getting scaling proficiency bonus on untrained skills.
Because you get a bonus to every 'skill', you have near infinite lore skills. Sure, it is just level+int as a bonus, but lore skills tend to get lower DCs for knowledge skills because they are so specialized ("easy" for a DC-2 or "very easy" for a DC-5; and i can see you arguing for the easiest DC possible with hyper specific lore skills).
I am not sure how well this synergies with proper knowledge builds, since there might be issues with recall knowledge related feats and the like. However, it means that you might be able to get a decent roll on anything as long as you have int.
....yes, this can be cheesy, and might vary depending on how much your GM low balls lore checks.
Careful Explorer is a really nice feat, especially for someone like a ranger that has a good perception proficiency. Even without a wisdom bonus, it's a free check on every trap/hazard you come across.