Hello, colleagues. A friend decided to run an adventure (starting at level 6). It should probably start next month. This is interesting, as Treasure Vault material will be available.
I thought of several characters, but due to the composition of the table (a magus, a warpriest, an archer warrior and a bard), I decided to go redeemer, but ended up changing my mind and created a paladin (sword ally).
What is leaving me most in doubt is the weapon to be used, but first let's go to the character:
Human (Versatile), Champion (Paladin), Level 6
str: 19, Dex: 10, Con: 16, Int: 10, Wis: 14, Cha: 16
Lvl 1:
Human: Canny Acumen (per); Natural ambition (Desperate prayer)
Class: Ranged Reprisal
Lvl 2:
Class: Resilient mind
Free Archetype: Sorcerer (Psychopomp)
Skill: Quick jump (may be useful)
Lvl 3:
General: Fleet
Lvl 4:
Class: Aura of Courage
Free Archetype: Basic Bloodline Spell (Sephulcral mask)
Skill: Intimidatin Prowess
Lvl 5:
Human: Clever improviser
Lvl 6:
Class: Litany Agains Wrath OR Smite evil (I would also like opinions on this)
Free Archetype: Basic Sorcerer Spellcasting
Skill: Titan Wrestler
So, what is happening? I'm considering using a large two-handed weapon (Maul) to attack hard, using reaction to defend my nearby allies. In all combat I must use sephulcral mask to damage nearby opponents and also demoralize whenever possible. In specific cases I should use shove (probably to push a monster away from a caster ally or push someone from a hole). When necessary I must use shield (cantrip).
I like that concept (paladin with a big hammer) and that's why I didn't think about using a weapon as a guisarme or halberd (although I didn't completely discard the idea).
Then came the new book and some weapons caught my attention: bec de corbin, long hammer and that dwarven flail (d10 reach). I don't think about using the latter (but I understant how strong it is). My question now is: Is Maul still a viable option or would it be better to lower the damage and use another weapon with reach and bludgeoning damage?
Thanks already for the help.
Thats the doubt. The idea is to be close the my melee companions. But sure it will not be possible all the time. I'm not there to be the most damage dealer (thats for the magus). That's why the long hammer of bec de corbin can be acceptable options. Thanks!
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The Long Hammer is another exciting option similar to the Bec de Corbin. It does not have the shove trait, but it does have trip as a similar alternative. The trait that intrigues me with the long hammer though is brace. Brace gives you a damage bonus on all Strikes with the hammer after readying an action to Strike with it. This damage bonus applies regardless of if you use the readied Strike or not. While this won't give a ton of value early on, I am intrigued by using it once you've picked up the champion feat Divine Reflexes, which gives you another reaction each round that can only be used for your champion reaction. That means if you find yourself in an advantageous position and want to force melee enemies to approach you, you can spend two actions to Ready an action to Strike a creature entering your reach. If a creature moves up, you can use your readied actions to swing at them once with your usual reaction and then a second time with Retributive Strike if they damage an ally in range, with both of these attacks gaining bonus damage from Brace.
It might be a rare circumstance that you want to make use of the brace trait, but I find it a compelling tactical idea. Oh and on top of that, I personally prefer the hammer critical specialization over the polearm, but the polearms maneuvering on critical hits can be very powerful when playing a defender character.
I haven't considered the brace trait. That makes me think a lot. Thanks! Long hammer sure would be a solid pick if my character was a dwarf, but now I'm considering taking a feat to get it.
I haven't considered the brace trait. That makes me think a lot. Thanks! Long hammer sure would be a solid pick if my character was a dwarf, but now I'm considering taking a feat to get it.
The Long Hammer is still a common weapon despite the dwarf trait. In this case the dwarf trait just makes it easier for characters to get with simple weapon proficiency, which isn't an issue for your champion with martial weapons proficiency.
Depending on how the harnessed shield trait works exactly (full deets were on a page not shown, 219 to be exact) a basic lance could be a good option for a one-handed reach spear. Especially if you can put a Shield Augmentation from Grand Bazaar on the Harnessed Shield to give its shield bash Trip (to get enemies prone and thus suffering Flat Footed) Blade Ally (as Second Ally) will let you get the crit specialization for the lance as well for a possible net -3 AC debuff to enemies.
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Reach weapon is good and goes to excellent if several PCs use those.
Take Ranged Reprisal (must have).
Choose Shifting for your Blade Ally as the default setting.
Choose the thrown weapon you like best that fits the number of hands you want to use (Trident for 1-handed is my go to weapon).
Put Returning on your thrown weapon ASAP.
Shift your weapon to your deity's favored or the one you prefer when you make your preparations. Shift it to whatever you need during the fight as required.
Thanks again, everyone. The discussion really helped me. I'll go with maul as a main weapon and when reach is needed i'll swap for a long hammer (since it's a common martial weapon). At level 10 I don't think i'll get radiant blade (to get flaming or holly). Devoted focus looks better, since i'm using a lot of focus points (and i'll use a lot of blade of justice in lvl 12). It will also allow me to keep the shifting rune.
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You could always join the legions of paladins using the gnome flick mace. Even post nerf its an absolutely wonderful weapon for a paladin (gives the opponents two bad choices. Attack you (the brick, especially with shield raised) or let you whack them while reducing damage on your opponents.
There are now some other 1 handed reach weapon choices but the flick mace continues to have the best crit effect and is reasonably easy to get through unconvential weapon
Forgot you mentioned you didn't like halberds etc.
I'm with you, hammers 4 life. Although I would prolly reflavor an existing polearm as a lucerne prior to using long hammer.
Oh and smite evil imo.
Yeah! Hammers fit the character's idea and that crit exp is just great, even in a D8 weapon. Smite evil is good and the character probably will smash minions with a maul and get the long hammer positioning behind the barbarian to proc the reactions and the smite evil damage.