Fairly new to PF2e, coming from a long time on D&D, so I am still learning a lot and so is our DM. As of now we are playing Abomination Vaults and we've been getting whomped fairly regularly to the point that my fighter went down twice this past session so to be safe I am going ahead and building a backup character. Problem is I don't really know what might best help our group. I'm not looking for min/max advice, just advice on which class might help us stay a little more afloat.
Current party consists of fighter (me)(2h melee), barbarian (2h melee), rogue (shortsword/bow), paladin (melee), and a cleric (mostly ranged). We didn't have a session zero and everyone else decided to keep their class a secret so we ended up really melee heavy lol.
DM thinks that maybe a caster (sorc for spells or bard for buffs/debuffs) would be useful or a ranger if we want to keep up the mostly melee/physical damage thing, but I am not sure which would be better or which caster might help the most since I have only played wizard in D&D.
Currently thinking maybe a druid or sorc, a ranger, or a bard if those are all poor choices. Any help is appreciated.
Druids are a fun, versatile class.
Maybe a Magus Starlit Span.
Rangers are not bad.
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Your GM is making good suggestions. A cleric staying at range can be adequate at both support and offense. I'd say a primal or arcane caster would be my pick to round them out.
If your cleric does not cast Bless often, then a Bard is your best bet.
Other wise an arcane caster, the best of which is the Sorcerer.
Bard tends to do well in any weapon heavy party because Inspire Courage/Courageous Anthem makes a BIG difference to folks using weapons. More hits and more crits is always a winner and although +1 may sound like a lot coming from D&D, because its boosting your hit and crit chance, it does more than you might think.
The Occult spell list isn't the best in AV, but it's got enough stuff that works reliably to do the job. It would let you bring some backup healing, some buffs, some debuffs, and some damage.
Alternately you can try to help your group with your Fighter. You can get a shield to reduce incoming damage. You could use a 2h Reach Trip weapon (like a Guisarme, which is still d10 damage) and trip enemies (this uses Athletics, which its easy for a Fighter to be good at).
That either forces them to spend an action standing up (and will provoke your AoO/Reactive Strike), or they stay down and are taking a -2 on all their attacks while the Rogue is now getting sneak attack with that bow.
Likewise if you have Intimidate and are fighting something that isn't immune to Fear, Demoralize for one action is a good way to make things easier to hit for everyone, including you.
I don't think Druid or Sorc are "poor" choices, but I also don't think you'll find either of them makes the party any stronger as compared to your Fighter.
Fairly new to PF2e, coming from a long time on D&D, so I am still learning a lot and so is our DM. As of now we are playing Abomination Vaults and we've been getting whomped fairly regularlyBecause everyone is new, I just want to confirm that your GM is handing out Hero Points regularly, and the players are making good use of them, yes?
That has a big impact on the "getting whomped" issue.
We're getting better at using them, we definitely aren't used to them compared to the occasionally, if ever, handed out inspirtation from D&D lol. Hero point is actually what saved me from my second down this last session.
If your cleric does not cast Bless often, then a Bard is your best bet.
Other wise an arcane caster, the best of which is the Sorcerer.
>Suddenly realizing I don't think she's cast bless once so far.
Bard tends to do well in any weapon heavy party because Inspire Courage/Courageous Anthem makes a BIG difference to folks using weapons. More hits and more crits is always a winner and although +1 may sound like a lot coming from D&D, because its boosting your hit and crit chance, it does more than you might think.
The Occult spell list isn't the best in AV, but it's got enough stuff that works reliably to do the job. It would let you bring some backup healing, some buffs, some debuffs, and some damage.
Alternately you can try to help your group with your Fighter. You can get a shield to reduce incoming damage. You could use a 2h Reach Trip weapon (like a Guisarme, which is still d10 damage) and trip enemies (this uses Athletics, which its easy for a Fighter to be good at).
That either forces them to spend an action standing up (and will provoke your AoO/Reactive Strike), or they stay down and are taking a -2 on all their attacks while the Rogue is now getting sneak attack with that bow.
Likewise if you have Intimidate and are fighting something that isn't immune to Fear, Demoralize for one action is a good way to make things easier to hit for everyone, including you.
I don't think Druid or Sorc are "poor" choices, but I also don't think you'll find either of them makes the party any stronger as compared to your Fighter.
DM was also thinking a bard would help the most. My only reluctance with a bard is I've personally never really played a more support-focused class so it's a bit intimidating. I'll do some research into bards and probably go with that for my backup.
Thanks for the info on the fighter as well. I am not building this backup with the hope my fighter dies, in fact I'd love to use him for the entire campaign, so knowing some options to try and keep him going is great as well.
DM was also thinking a bard would help the most. My only reluctance with a bard is I've personally never really played a more support-focused class so it's a bit intimidating. I'll do some research into bards and probably go with that for my backup.
Bard is one of my favorite classes, but it's very much a different mindset in how you play it. I think you'd like it if you got into it though. :)
Thanks for the info on the fighter as well. I am not building this backup with the hope my fighter dies, in fact I'd love to use him for the entire campaign, so knowing some options to try and keep him going is great as well.
No problem. :) Fighter is a great class and there's no reason this party can't do the entire adventure. Stay near the Paladin for some protection and have your Cleric use Bless for extra attack bonus.
>Suddenly realizing I don't think she's cast bless once so far.If your cleric does not cast Bless often, then a Bard is your best bet.
Other wise an arcane caster, the best of which is the Sorcerer.
Her positioning might not make sense for Bless; it sounds like she's in the back where everyone that wants buffs is gonna be in the front so they won't be in range of the aura anyways. The bard has a much bigger buff aura so it's less of a problem.
