[Pathfinder] Grappler Rogue?

[Nexaduro]

Greetings from picturesque The Shackles!
[BACKGROUND INFO]
I'm here because I'm designing a 'just in case' character for a pirate campaign I've been playing (PKing shenanigans do not mesh with Antihero); I have the idea in mind, but the major necessity is that they have Sneak Attack damage, and I've never built such a character since my low-level wannabe Tank rogue in my first game.

The basic premise really isn't (or shouldn't be, at least) all that complicated. A vicious, soiled-pants-evoking mercenary who uses a combination of Hamatula Strike (or some similar ability) and Strangler to whip a spiked chain around an opponent's throat at range and... Well, that should speak for itself. My GM isn't a literalist when it comes to interaction skills and such, my Ranger made thirty-some pirates wet themselves just by turning their captain into a pincushion, so something as brutally flavorful and cringeworthy as I have planned should work wonders (especially if I take some Intimidation feats to give it RAW clout).
[/BACKGROUND INFO]
Put simply, I need sneak attack damage, grappling ability, and some intimidation prowess tacked on if there's room. My main weapon will be a Spiked Chain, and I'll be taking Hamatula Strike and Strangler.

Aside from that, I'm pretty much lost, as it's all new to me. What Class(es) should I take? What Feats? What PrCs? Any help is muchly appreciated.

[grarrrg]

have Sneak Attack damage
...uses a combination of Hamatula Strike (or some similar ability) and Strangler to whip a spiked chain around an opponent's throat at range and...
Put simply, I need sneak attack damage, grappling ability, and some intimidation prowess tacked on if there's room. My main weapon will be a Spiked Chain, and I'll be taking Hamatula Strike and Strangler.

Aside from that, I'm pretty much lost, as it's all new to me. What Class(es) should I take? What Feats? What PrCs? Any help is muchly appreciated.

First off, Spiked Chain does NOT have Reach in Pathfinder (no "at range")

For race, go Half-Orc with the alternate trait that treats Spiked Chains as Martial Weapons. You also get a Racial +2 Intimidate.

Next, Hamatula Strike needs Improved Grapple.
Both Improved Grapple and Strangler need Improved Unarmed Strike.
Hamatula Strike also needs 7 Bab before you can take it.

Recommendations:
Unarmed Fighter (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/fighter/archetypes/paizo---fighter-archetypes/unarmed-fighter), Gets Light Armor, all Martial Prof's, and Full Bab. First level is Improved Unarmed Strike, and a No-Req Style feat. Second level is a bonus Combat Feat.

Maneuver Master (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/monk/archetypes/paizo---monk-archetypes/maneuver-master) Monk, gets Improved Unarmed Strike, and 2 No-Req bonus feats, of which you can take Improved Grapple

Master of Many Styles (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/monk/archetypes/paizo---monk-archetypes/master-of-many-styles) Monk gets Imp. Unarmed, and 2 No-Req bonus Style feats.

Why do I keep mentioning Style feats?
Snapping Turtle Clutch (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/snapping-turtle-clutch-combat), if an opponent misses you with a Melee attack, you can use an Immediate Action to attempt a Grapple with a -2 penalty.
Overall the best choice is probably Unarmed Fighter though, as you keep Full Bab, and can be any Alignment.


Last up, is our PrC. There is one that will suit your build nicely.
Low Templar (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/i-m/low-templar)
You need Mounted Combat feat (ugh) and Weapon Focus in 'any Martial weapon' (note: our Half-Orc has Spiked Chain as a Marital weapon :smalltongue:).
It has full Bab, and at level 3 gets +2 on ALL Combat Maneuvers, and +1d6 Sneak Attack. As an added bonus, you can turn Critical Hits into status effects, mostly only useful on _really_ high HP opponents, or those you don't necessarily want dead.
After level 3 it's more "meh" and you're better off going Rogue or something.

[Nexaduro]

Thanks Grarrrg, Unarmed Fighter sounds ideal... I had hoped for more Sneak Attack damage when I first get the whole spiky garrote thing going with Strangler, but I suppose the grapple itself suffices against a fair number of foes. The higher number of feats also means I could a few other interesting things I've been mulling on.

I had forgotten about Low Templar, even though I was just thinking about the Flag of Convenience feature earlier today. My GM has a rather different view on Leadership as well, so it could be interesting to work with.

[Bhaakon]

If you really like the imagery, you can snag whip mastery and a scorpion whip to grapple at range. It is hugely feat-intensive, however.

[grarrrg]

Lets see, we want 7 Bab ASAP, BUT we also want/need Sneak Attack early(er) in the build.
So let's pencil Hamatula Strike in for our 9th level feat slot, that gives us room to put some Rogue (or Ninja, or Vivisectionist) in the build.

Unarmed Fighter is great for 2 levels, and is only good after that for feats, and the 7th level ability, which lets you Grapple AND keep your Dex to AC AND make AoO's.
But Fighter 7 will have to wait, there are other things we can be doing.

Low Templar cannot be taken until 6 at the earliest.
Hmmm...

Take Fighter 2 > Rogue 3 > Low Templar 2 > Rogue +1 > Low Templar +1
Note: an "(L)" after a feat means it was gotten through Levels, not the class.
Fighter 1, Improved Unarmed Strike, Snapping Turtle Style, and Improved Grapple (L)
Fighter 2, Mounted Combat
Rogue 1, Strangler (L)
Rogue 2 burns a Talent on 'Weapon Training' to get Weapon Focus (Spiked Chain)
Rogue 3, Snapping Turtle Clutch (L)
Low Templar 1
Low Templar 2, ??? (L)
Rogue 4, burn a Talent on Combat Trick to snag Hamatula Strike as a Combat Feat.
Low Templar 3, ??? (L)

Hamatula Strike gained at level 8
Feel free to adjust levels as desired (2 Rogue levels can be swapped out for 2 Fighter levels for example).



For the Intimidate side of things, there are a few options.
Bullying Blow (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/arg-feats/bullying-blow-combat-orc), Orc only, make _1_ attack as a Standard action, if successful you get a Free Intimidate.
Good at low levels, poor when you get Iteratives and such.

Dazzling Display (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/dazzling-display-combat) somewhat useful on its own, MUCH more useful with the Thug Archetype (see below) or as a Pre-Req for:
Shatter Defenses (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/shatter-defenses-combat---final) any 'scared' opponent you hit is considered Flat-Footed until the END of your NEXT turn (this is MUCH more useful with the Rake Archetype).

Thug (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/rogue/archetypes/paizo---rogue-archetypes/thug) is a Rogue archetype that trades Trapfinding for +1 Round Shaken duration on Intimidate checks OR 1 Round of Frightened instead.
Rake trades Trapfinding to let you forgo Sneak Attack damage to get a Free Intimidate check, with a +5 on the check for every extra Sneak Dice you cash in.
Sadly, both trade Trapfinding, so you cannot take both.

Overall I'd say the Rake+Shatter Defenses is more useful (but more Feat intensive).