Rival Advice

[Doomeye56]

One of my players is getting ready to duel the champion of the city-state they're visiting. I want to make this this champion similar in premise to the Players character but different in design.

My player's character is a Soulknife(deadly fist, gifted blade) 3/Mystic (Aurora Fist) 3 and wants to go into Awakened Blade in a couple levels.

So I want to make an unarmed gish that hopefully dips into variant systems.
While i do have some ideas nothing has struck me as 'the one' so I figured I would crowed source you all fine individuals.

Most sources are open for use and opt. level can be fairly high.

[Necromancy]

Why is this post tagged Pathfinder?

[(Un)Inspired]

A psychic warrior seems like a good rival for a deadly fist soul knife. Take that archetype that mimics old 3.5 Tashslatora builds.

Maybe add some king of smack style claw attacks on top of the unarmed strikes.

[Elricaltovilla]

Why is this post tagged Pathfinder?

Because it's a Pathfinder game and refers to pathfinder specific material? The material in question happens to be 3rd party, but its still Pathfinder.

To Doomeye56:

You want an unarmed gish that uses 3pp stuff? I recommend starting with Warlord (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/path-of-war/classes/warlord), specifically with a Steelfist Commando (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/path-of-war/classes/warlord/warlord-archetypes/steelfist-commando-warlord-archetype), and then going into Mage Hunter (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/path-of-war/prestige-classes/mage-hunter). You can also dip a couple levels of magus for spellstrike, and since you're the DM you could rule that Magus Spellstrike works with Mage Hunter spells (which pull from the magus list). This will give you a CHA based gish character with an unarmed focus and an emphasis on daring, risky behaviors that crowds just love to watch (Gambits).

What level range/stats/budget are you working with for this enemy?

[Twilightwyrm]

Why is this post tagged Pathfinder?

Why wouldn't it be tagged Pathfinder? Pathfinder has Psionics now.

[Red Fel]

Why wouldn't it be tagged Pathfinder? Pathfinder has Psionics now.

Doctor Pathfinder: "I have Psionics, now. Psionics are cool."

Snark aside, I'm with Elric on this one. If this were a 3.X game, I'd have suggested countering his unarmed Psi with an unarmed Warblade; since it's PF, PoW really packs a... no, no, it's too early for puns. Point is, this is a perfect opportunity to introduce PoW (which is just so good), and you'll definitely give the guy a run for his money. Further, the Warlord really does feel perfect for a city champion; tough, capable, violent, and a bit flashy. The Steelfist Commando archetype (I almost typed Steelfish, and that now has to become a thing) makes him a frighteningly lethal combatant.

[Necromancy]

Doctor Pathfinder: "I have Psionics, now. Psionics are cool."

.

Dear god why

No wonder OP sounded like he was playing out some 3.0 splat book

[Vhaidara]

The Steelfist Commando archetype (I almost typed Steelfish, and that now has to become a thing) makes him a frighteningly lethal combatant.

Challenge accepted. Gillman Steelfish Commando.

I suddenly wish Villainous was a PF challenge allowing DSP.

[(Un)Inspired]

Challenge accepted. Gillman Steelfish Commando.

I suddenly wish Villainous was a PF challenge allowing DSP.

Not a Strongtail merfolk?

[Red Fel]

Not a Strongtail merfolk?

That idea doesn't have a leg to stand on.

... Well, it's later in the day, isn't it?

[Elricaltovilla]

Challenge accepted. Gillman Steelfish Commando.

I suddenly wish Villainous was a PF challenge allowing DSP.

I begged them to let me do that. Judges said no, cuz not enough of them know Pathfinder.

[(Un)Inspired]

That idea doesn't have a leg to stand on.

... Well, it's later in the day, isn't it?

I'm surprised Red Fel. That excuse sounds pretty fishy.

[Elricaltovilla]

I'm surprised Red Fel. That excuse sounds pretty fishy.

Woah, woah. Let's scale back the puns before the mods catch us.

[Red Fel]

Woah, woah. Let's scale back the puns before the mods catch us.

Good point. Let's stay on our best behavior before we get the hook.

[(Un)Inspired]

Woah, woah. Let's scale back the puns before the mods catch us.

Don't worry, I hear they practice catch and release.

[Elricaltovilla]

We should really finish the puns and get back to the topic at hand.

[(Un)Inspired]

We should really finish the puns and get back to the topic at hand.

You're right of course. I don't want to derail the thread and I'm afraid we're beginning to make waves.