New to 2nd edition, need character advice.

[Grimaldis]

Had a lot of good advice thrown my way in here with 1st edition, but I've finally taken the plunge and joined an ongoing 2nd edition game.

I've never played and only just started reading the rules over the last couple days. Downloaded the Pathbuilder app and been playing around with it quite a bit.

I will be replacing a character who is leaving an in progress Agents of Edgewatch. Currently 6th level. The existing players are:

1. Sorcerer - fire elemental bloodline
2. Wizard (divination) - witch
3. Bard - polymath muse, cat sith
4. Monk - Jalmeri Heavenseeker
5. Cleric - not sure (he is new also)

I am looking at making a dwarven fighter here but I really don't know which direction to take the build. Two handed? Reach? Sword amd board? Forget fighter and go barbarian?

Just a little lost and a touch overwhelmed by so many choices, haha. What do you all think benefits that group most?

[breithauptclan]

Four spellcasters and a Monk...

Probably a sword and board fighter. Or champion. Someone who can actually stand up to an enemy.

Monk can do that relatively well. Better if they are going for a grapple/trip build. But standing up to an enemy isn't what they are best at - it is having a lot of actions left after they attack twice and being rather mobile.

Barbarian doesn't do it so well. They are a high damage class, but their defenses are a bit lacking. Huge number of HP that they burn through really fast.

[Perpdepog]

I feel like either a fighter or barbarian would work well. Fighters do have sword and board feats if you think you might be needing your shield not just for yourself, but also your buddies. There's also the fighter's higher prof to consider because critting feels good, and with three casters you guys should be able to pile debuffs fairly quickly.

On the other hand, BARBARIAN GO THONK!!!!

Really I think you'll be happy either way. What do you value? That can also help make your choice. If you like to hit, then go fighter. If you enjoy seeing big damage number, then go barbarian. Fighters tend to play around more with the Press and Open traits, while barbs do lots of silly things with their rage. Barbs also have different benefits based on what instinct you take, too.

[gesalt]

Currently 6th level huh? Run a typical fake champion fighter with a two handed reach weapon, sudden charge and the champion dedication, lay on hands and champion reaction feats.

[HumbleGamer]

I'd go with a sword and board champion.

By lvl 7 you are going to have expert armor
By lvl 8 quick shield block will give you an additional reaction you can use to block.

By lvl 10 you'll be able to refocus x 2

in other words, during your rounds you'll have several choices both in terms of actions ( strike, raise shield, move, lay on hand, skills ) and reactions ( champion reaction & shieldblock ).

[Dorian 'Grey']

This group could use a Champion. The Monk has damage (Str?) and with 4 Casters, AoEs and Battlefield Control is covered. A Tank is perfect for this group.

Champion grants plenty in the arena. Lay on Hands is really good and as explained above your Reactions will save the Monk every round.

Go for a Grab build (Wrestler Dedication) to keep targets still, so Monk can Flurry and Stride. Increase Athletics to Master, grab Titan Wrestler and grab away!

EDIT
I forgotten that Wrestler comes with those Feats already!

Your purpose would be to lock a Target down while Monk kicks him repeatedly...lol.

I like Liberator, but any works fine.