What are some builds / character concepts that either need multiclass dedication or benefit greatly from them?

[Bigdaddyjug]

So I've only just broken into PF2E. I was never really big on multiclassing in 1E, but I feel like I should dip my toe into it for 2E. So tell me a build or character concept that either needs multiclass dedication, o rbenefits from it so much you'd be an idiot not to take it.

[PossibleCabbage]

It doesn't come online until like 10th level but the human fencer swashbuckler who takes martial artist for stumbling style and stumbling feint who grabs the monk dedication with multitalented at 9th level then flurry at 10th has pretty amazing action economy.

You can feint (to gain panache) and attack twice with one action.

[gesalt]

Just about every non-monk unarmed build gets flurry of blows at 10 through monk archetype. At 10+ a fighter with monk dedication outperforms the monk at unarmed combat.

Similarly, at 6+ you can get a better champion by running a fighter with champion archetype.

Bow magus gets insane mileage off psychic archetype for extra true strikes and imaginary weapon. A cleric dedication is similar with some of its domain spells.

For levels 4-10 a monk with druid archetype is a better wild shape character than an actual druid.

For medium armor classes, it is generally better to leave dex at 10 and take sentinel dedication if going melee in order to optimize ability boosts. You can also abuse human to go from unarmored to plate through general feats at level 1 and sentinel at 2 if you want.

At 12+ a cha caster with wizard archetype is a better illusionist than an illusion wizard due to having the cha to make convincing illusions have a chance at succeeding

Swashbuckler and gunslinger archetypes pop up often on casters as a way to provide circumstance bonuses to ally attacks. Swashbuckler more on cha casters of course.

Many characters can benefit from archetypes that grant a worthwhile focus spell. Blessed One, psychic and witch are the common choices.

Sleepwalker archetype is phenomenal for rogues and tome thaumaturge. Advantage on all out of combat skill checks is some powerful stuff.

Alchemist archetype is a decent add-on for any build that can spare the int or human/half-elf multitalented

Parties with a bard can benefit from rogue archetype for dread striker. Ranged characters in particular appreciate easy access to flat-footed and possibly some extra precision damage.

[breithauptclan]

Any Investigator character benefits greatly from Wizard or Witch Archetype.

[Gortle]

There are some obvious mechanical adds to existing classes that have been covered above.

But there are also some archetypes that we really fresh classes in themselves. They have new abilities that aren't well covered in existing classes. These are new concepts for new characters and work well. I'll list a few I like:

Wrestler
Marshal
Chronoskimmer
Curse Maelstrom
Eldritch Archer
Fireworks Technician
Gray Gardener
Red Mantis Assassin
Shadowdancer
Sleepwalker
Snarecrafter
Cathartic Mage
Geomancer
SoulForger
Wellspring Mage
Spell Trickster

Plus a few more I'm personally less happy with but other people like:
Elementalist
Flexible Spellcaster
Ghost

[Dorian 'Grey']

I am going with Dwarf Druid(leaf/wild)[Fighter/Sixth Pillar] for upcoming Kingmaker game.

It should allow Wildshape to really shine his entire career.

Snarecrafter does seem intriguing....

[The Raven Black]

Magus with Cleric or Psychic for the OP focus spells.

Fighter with Magus for the nova Strike.

Barbarian or Fighter with Druid for the awesome Shillelagh beatdown.

Bard with Swashbuckler for the boosted buffer.

[PossibleCabbage]

I'm playing a Monk with the psychic multiclass with Tangible Dream for Shield Spam to activate Psi Strikes. It's 2 actions to get +1 AC, attack twice, and add +1d6 mental damage to each strike.

[roquepo]

Multiclass specifically? Rogue can get Triggerbrand Salvo at 12 with Gunslinger dedication. Both attacks apply Sneak attack and one of them has a +2 to hit. One of the best ways to play a skilled Gunblade user if you are willing to wait a bit for the true payoff (you need to be human for this to work, sadly).

Summoner works extremely well with Bard Dedication, to the point I wouldn't consider playing one without it unless we already have a Bard. Composition cantrips combine really well with everything the class wants to do.

Rogue Dedication is amazing for Sniper Gunslingers (Well, it is great in general, just specially strong for them) just for Surprise Attack alone, makes Vital Shot work extremely well as an opener.

Psychic dedication with Magus has been discussed to death in these forums. Depending on who you ask about Imaginary Weapon spellstrikes the answer will oscilate between really strong and gamebreaking, so yeah, something to consider I would say.

Inventor can give Dex classes access to d8 martial or d10 advanced finesse weapons at level 8. It can also upgrade Air repeater to a d6, equal to a repeating hand crossbow.

Swashbuckler Dedication gives casters access to One for All. Since caster optimization, besides spells, comes down to 3rd action and reaction optimization, it is always something to consider if you can boost Diplomacy.

Thaumaturge dedication helps a lot with double gun concepts with Ammunition Thaumaturgy. With it you don't have to rely on Slide pistols and their low range.

[Darche Schneider]

A Thaumaturge that wants to be good with talismans needs Talisman dabbler.

[Dragonchess Player]

PossibleCabbage wrote:

I'm playing a Monk with the psychic multiclass with Tangible Dream for Shield Spam to activate Psi Strikes. It's 2 actions to get +1 AC, attack twice, and add +1d6 mental damage to each strike.

This weekend, I roughed out a "super-ki" monk with the psychic multiclass: nagaji/hooded (Nagaji Spell Familiarity, Nagaji Spell Mysteries, [either Guarded Thoughts or Serpentcoil Slam], Nagaji Spell Expertise, Breath of Calamity); Ki Strike (occult), Psychic Dedication (Distant Grasp; telekinetic projectile), Basic Psychic Spellcasting, Ki Blast, Wild Winds Initiate, Psi Development (telekinetic rend), Expert Psychic Spellcasting, Meditative Focus, Wild Winds Gust, Master Psychic Spellcaster, Meditative Wellspring.

[Dragonchess Player]

Darche Schneider wrote:

A Thaumaturge that wants to be good with talismans needs Talisman dabbler.

I'm not sure I agree. The only thing the archetype has over Talisman Esoterica, Elaborate Talisman Esoterica, and Grand Talisman Esoterica is Quick Fix. Being able to gain Rapid Affixture at level 4 instead of level 7 and affixing talismans a bit faster is kind of niche, IMO; then there is the opportunity cost of a class feat for Quick Fix vs. a skill feat for Rapid Affixture.

[Red Griffyn]

roquepo wrote:

Inventor can give Dex classes access to d8 martial or d10 advanced finesse weapons at level 8. It can also upgrade Air repeater to a d6, equal to a repeating hand crossbow.

Not to burst the bubble but I assume you mean adding the 2h trait to the Aldori Sword? But you can't pick an advanced weapon for an inventor weapon. Personally as a GM I'd let that go, but best finesse weapons still remain capped at 1D8 unless your a L15+ weapon inventor who takes Enhanced Damage. Now there are ways to add backstabber (e.g., L9 kobold feat) to things which is almost equivalent on flatfooted enemies (even the assassin can double that bonus).

[roquepo]

Red Griffyn wrote:

roquepo wrote:

Inventor can give Dex classes access to d8 martial or d10 advanced finesse weapons at level 8. It can also upgrade Air repeater to a d6, equal to a repeating hand crossbow.

Not to burst the bubble but I assume you mean adding the 2h trait to the Aldori Sword? But you can't pick an advanced weapon for an inventor weapon. Personally as a GM I'd let that go, but best finesse weapons still remain capped at 1D8 unless your a L15+ weapon inventor who takes Enhanced Damage. Now there are ways to add backstabber (e.g., L9 kobold feat) to things which is almost equivalent on flatfooted enemies (even the assassin can double that bonus).

Thanks, seems like I missed the advanced weapon line. It is still worth the feats getting a d8 Rapier or Dogslicer, though.

[CaffeinatedNinja]

Sparkling Targe Magus really wants quick shield block from Bastion (even though the dedication is a lesser version of their lvl 4 feat.)

[Red Griffyn]

roquepo wrote:

Red Griffyn wrote:

roquepo wrote:

Inventor can give Dex classes access to d8 martial or d10 advanced finesse weapons at level 8. It can also upgrade Air repeater to a d6, equal to a repeating hand crossbow.

Not to burst the bubble but I assume you mean adding the 2h trait to the Aldori Sword? But you can't pick an advanced weapon for an inventor weapon. Personally as a GM I'd let that go, but best finesse weapons still remain capped at 1D8 unless your a L15+ weapon inventor who takes Enhanced Damage. Now there are ways to add backstabber (e.g., L9 kobold feat) to things which is almost equivalent on flatfooted enemies (even the assassin can double that bonus).

Thanks, seems like I missed the advanced weapon line. It is still worth the feats getting a d8 Rapier or Dogslicer, though.

Also no agile weapons per the innovation wording, so just the rapier. Almost all of the 1D6 1H finesse weapons are already agile, so its somewhat limited. But I will say that rapier is decent with the deadly die. Maybe the treasure vault will open up some options.