[PF] Party Buffing

[The Random NPC]

I'm joining a Pathfinder group and, not knowing much about it, I decided to come to the Playground to find out which class/archetype you guys like the best for a party buffing role.

[Daftendirekt]

This hasn't really changed from 3.5 -- any full caster. Cleric and Wizard are still the best at this sort of thing.

Unless you're playing 3.P (Pathfinder with 3.5 allowed), the Bard lost a lot of its thunder. No Dragonfire Inspiration, no stacking of effects (i.e., DFI and Inspire Courage), and all that other tasty stuff to make your damage-dealers love you. Not to mention bardic music is now rounds/day instead of uses, and the effect doesn't linger at all after you stop.

[The Random NPC]

I was afraid of that, oh well. The DM says the rest of the party are new, so I suppose I'll try to make a character that will fill in any gaps left by the others.

[grarrrg]

Unless you're playing 3.P (Pathfinder with 3.5 allowed), the Bard lost a lot of its thunder. No Dragonfire Inspiration, no stacking of effects (i.e., DFI and Inspire Courage), and all that other tasty stuff to make your damage-dealers love you. Not to mention bardic music is now rounds/day instead of uses, and the effect doesn't linger at all after you stop.

With feats it's not horrendous.
It is still no 3.5 Bard though.

Lingering Performance (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/lingering-performance) lets your effects continue for 2 rounds after stopping.

Discordant Voice (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/discordant-voice) is a FAR cry from Dragonfire Inspiration (only adds 1d6), but it is Sonic damage, which is not widely resisted. Although, there is the TEN skill rank requirement....ugh.


Other options
Holy Tactician (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/paladin/archetypes/paizo---paladin-archetypes/holy-tactician) Paladin
Battle Scout (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/ranger/archetypes/paizo---ranger-archetypes/battle-scout) or Freebooter (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/ranger/archetypes/paizo---ranger-archetypes/freebooter) Ranger

[WeeFreeMen]

I know its a bit off topic..
but Im currently using a Fighter (Tactician/Phalanx Solider) to great effect with the Teamwork Feats.

A kind of indirect buff-bot if you will while still being effective in combat.

Have you looked into the Teamwork feats?

[Blyte]

if you are familiar with the warlord from 4e, you might like the [dragon order + honor guard] cavalier. He is like the warlord with no heals, instead they tank and melee really well. Anyhow he gives teamwork feats, party members extra actions, and has a great aid another bonus.

with "helpful" trait, "saving shield" feat, and the "body guard" bonus feat they get for free, you can really pump up a teammates ac. You can take the "gang-up" feat and stand next to a rogue and with tactician you can share the feat with him so you can both shield him and provide him with a flank.

I also recommend taking the swift aid feat, so you can aid another as a swift action, allowing you to attack, aid the rogue giving them a 6+ bonus to hit, and then bodyguard+saving shield him.

In the upper levels you can also zip across the battle field as an immediate action to protect someone. allowing you to hit the foe, and body guard+saving shield your ally.

at level 8 and level 15 you get awesome powers that allow you to give team mates extra move or even standard actions eventually, or bonuses to ac/hit/saves...

it's a great "fill the gap" kinda class.. when the group isn't missing a core role, but this option does definitely fill the role of tank.

[The Random NPC]

I've looked at a couple, but they seem to require everyone take them to do any good. If they did something for you, and something more if an ally has it, I would like them more.