Character Concept: Commander

[CGNefarious]

So I've got this concept for a character who is basically a highly trained military commander, but I have no idea what classes I should be looking at. I was thinking maybe a Tactician from DSP, since it has that kind of feel to it and wouldn't be completely useless in a smaller party instead of a large battlefield. Besides maybe that, I'm kind of lost on what I should do. Are there any feats/classes/builds that compliment the idea of commanding large armies?

[jaydubs]

So you want a character who's competent in small-group battle, knows enough about the world to actually make informed decisions, and can inspire his men to fight better through his tactical advice and inspirational leadership?

Let me introduce you to the refluffed bard. Just drop all the references to music, and reflavor all the bardic performances as battlefield orders. If anyone asks you what class you are, call yourself something vaguely related and totally made up. Something like "militant thaumaturge" or "arcane commander."

[Vhaidara]

Tactician is a solid start, but I'd like to throw in a vote for the Warder, also from DSP. They're an Int based initiator, representing far more of a "lead from the front" type character. Focus on the Golden Lion discipline to grant bonuses and actions to your allies.

One idea I've been toying with is actually a triumvirate in command: A Tactician (strategist), a Vitalist (second in command), and a Zealot (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AbNq6NDkQ84JoacxMb-CxbQKwuXVWTEBpX2cIcNB7iA/edit) (front line leader)

[jaydubs]

It seems we have similar concepts in mind, just different approaches.

In my campaigns, many armies have central "command squads" composed of 1 bard, 1 wizard, and 1 cleric. To which are attached any number of of low level warriors, experts, adepts, and commoners to take make up the core of the army and support structure. And then specialists (rogues, rangers, extra casters, other player classes) are attached depending on the particulars of the mission to be executed.

The bard leads the men (sound boosted performance to cover the army), deals with any local populations (social skills), and handles any unusual tasks (general skill monkey and partial caster). The cleric handles all religious and restorative duties, as well as adding divine power at the point of contact with the enemy (channel energy in massed area, bless, prayer, etc.). The wizard covers all the magical needs not addressed by the bard and cleric, and lends cognitive power. The traditional reach cleric, archer bard, control wizard also form an effective group for direct combat.

I've been looking for alternate compositions though, so I'll give the Tactician/Vitalist/Zealot a look, especially since I have a player in my campaign that's been delving into psionics recently. Probably keep it to small scale commands though, since communes are usually limited to smaller numbers of targets than inspire courage and channel - strike teams and the like rather than full armies.

[Vhaidara]

I've been looking for alternate compositions though, so I'll give the Tactician/Vitalist/Zealot a look, especially since I have a player in my campaign that's been delving into psionics recently. Probably keep it to small scale commands though, since communes are usually limited to smaller numbers of targets than inspire courage and channel - strike teams and the like rather than full armies.

I went with those three because they all work off of a mechanic called "collective", where you have a certain number of allies that you can effect at any range with your abilities. Including abilities that normally only target you.

[CGNefarious]

That's actually a really cool idea. And I've recently fell in love with the DSP stuff, so I'm all for it. Tactician/Vitalist/Zealot seem like the perfect company sized command team. Now I kind of want to theorycraft an army as well. :amused:

Who would you make the general of such an army? Someone who would look over the battle and send out the orders, probably not focusing too much fighting himself?

[Vhaidara]

I would probably go for something like a Seer Psion. Keeps the psionic theme, and has a lot of long range scouting ability, along with an Int focus.

[Arbane]

If you want to keep it non-casting (and able to kick butt personally) a Warlord or a Warder from PoW (as mentioned) can do a decent job of leading from the front.

[Ssalarn]

If you want to keep it non-casting (and able to kick butt personally) a Warlord or a Warder from PoW (as mentioned) can do a decent job of leading from the front.

The Vanguard archetype for the Stalker also does a decent job of presenting an intelligent and battle capable commander-type character. Lots of skills, a version of Tactician that lets him choose any of his Teamwork feats to share right out of the gate, full BAB, and great proficiencies make for a pretty solid package. I also like the Tactician, my only qualm there is that the number of people he's actually able to coordinate for the first half of the game is really pretty small.

I have a battlefield commander character I'm playing currently who's a Warder/Vizier (Seer) and that works out really well, but it may be a little more magical than you're going for.