Defensive Character Builds. [PF]

[ZaradAnNasr]

Hello all. I have just started playing in in a new Pathfinder game, and due to my absolutely TERRIBLE luck with attack rolls (of my last 5 characters, only 1 has been able to do anything in melee, despite all being "melee capable" classes such as fighter, barbarian, cleric...) i have decided to make this character the party's tank. in order to fulfill this role, however, i need some help figuring out how best to "convince" enemies to attack me rather than the squishies, especially if there are large groups of enemies.

at present i have the following, and they are set in stone (DM Fiat, no take backs on character building)
Level 1 Human Fighter
STR 12
DEX 14
CON 12
INT 16 (DM Fiat as the character IS me and he seems to think i am smart)
WIS 10
CHA 8 (DM Fiat, as above except he thinks im not good with people)

FEATS: Combat Expertise, Dodge

I intend to get Combat Reflexes, and Stand Still in the next 2 levels, but after that am not sure what to do.

[Daftendirekt]

Take the Phalanx Soldier (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/fighter/archetypes/paizo---fighter-archetypes/phalanx-soldier) archetype. It allows you to wield a polearm one-handed (at no penalty) when using a shield. Enjoy that Heavy Shield + Guisarme with reach!

[Xerxus]

Those stats are really not fighter material. You should try to play a magus instead. It's a slightly more squishy fighter with magic. It might even be possible to keep that first level of fighter if your DM wants it. A magus is not really tank-material, though it wouldn't be impossible.

So I guess you want to be a Fighter. What you want to do here is try to get an archetype, as Daft says. The Phalanx Soldier is good, but his higher-level features are fishy. They require you to stand right next to those who you want to protect, which rarely works out well. Area of effect spells are not lenient.

One other possible route is to take the Polearm Master archetype, work in Combat Reflexes, Improved Trip and Greater Trip then go from there. This would at least make it hard for enemies to bypass you. Other feats that work well with this build are Fury's Fall, Pin Down, maybe Combat Patrol (though it may be too feat-expensive) and Whirlwind Attack (which is very expensive, though not so much if you want Combat Patrol as well).

The problem is that there are very few ways to force enemies to fight with you and they are either situational (You can't trip someone who's flying) or just bad (like Stand Still, don't take that unless you plan to retrain it to something else at level 4 or 8). If your DM usually attacks you because you are the designated tank then there really is no issue, just take the Armor Master archetype and wear an adamantine fullplate. If he doesn't attack you, then the only thing a character like that can really do is use the Antagonize feat. Which sucks.

[Edenbeast]

I like your concept :) I've played a fighter once with similar stats. The only difference is that I didn't go for full defensive, but used his "talents". I picked up the dualist prestige class. That was 3.5 btw. But I think the pathfinder dualist is just as good:
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/core-rulebook/duelist
The party's tank would not really describe your role, but when you say you want to draw enemies, that does fit the role of the dualist. They get some nice abilities, both defensive and offensive. And you get to use that INT and DEX to more extent. You'll get combat reflexes as a bonus feat. To qualify, you'll only need 2 ranks in both acrobatics and perform, and the feats mobility and weapon finesse. Dodge you already have, so that's good. Combat expertise is handy for you build, although I would have picked it up later and get the necessary feats first.

Edit: since you require BAB +6, you'll have plenty of chance to pick up the 2 required feats and invest in the two skills to be able to pick up duelist at level 7 :)

Edit 2: For archetypes, I think the Free Hand Fighter is really a good preparation towards dualist:
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/fighter/archetypes/paizo---fighter-archetypes/free-hand-fighter

Edit 3: Feats to pick up: Mobility and Weapon Finesse. Most likely you'll use a finesse weapon like a rapier. So after the two feats mentioned above, Weapon Focus (rapier) will never hurt. Improved Disarm could be funny. Improved Critical with rapier and some feats from the Critical Focus feat tree is nice to have.

[Wagadodo]

You are also missing a first level feat, unless you took a alternate human starting trait that trades away the feat.

One from 1st, one from fighter, and one from being human.

[ZaradAnNasr]

actually the feat is missing because of the way our character generation went. the characters are US, transported into a Fantasy world. We each had to pick 5 skills we Actually possess, and could have up to 3 feats if we could justify them. (EX: for someone to qualify for Improved Unarmed Strike, they would have to have Significant Martial Arts experience) With the DM having final say.
These feats took the place of any racial bonus feats and the 1st level feat.

Since i could only Justify 1 feat, i am short 1.

(that feat being Combat expertise. My Belegarth and Amtgard groups are CONSTANTLY telling me to stop fighting on the defensive.)

[Ubercaledor]

ok, wow. Has anyone told your DM about the addendum to Rule 0?

"...as long as everyone is still having fun"

[ZaradAnNasr]

We are having fun.

how often do you get to have a level 0 character with Exotic Weapon proficiency: Modern Firearms? (i could have justified it, but since i wanted my chain shirt instead of my wifes rifle...)

[Squirrel_Dude]

Phalanx Soldier or Tower Shield Specialist fighter if you want to go all defense as a fighter. A Kensai archetype Magus will work by letting you add your nice intelligence to your armor as well as your dexterity.

[ZaradAnNasr]

Well after considering what has been said here, and what the DM will allow me to do, I will be taking the Phalanx Soldier Archetype, and will be working toward the Stalwart Defender prestige class.