PF: Garuda-blooded Aasimar Fighter/Ranger/Paladin build critique

[Randomthom]

Hey all,
I'd like a critique for my archery build for an ongoing campaign (Pathfinder rules but forgotten realms setting). I'll be joining the group at level 13.

The character's backstory is more-or-less fixed now but could be interpreted a number of ways. In short, they were raised among angels and fought in a war against demons but were captured near the end of the war. Captive for several months & tortured, escaped with the help of a Tiefling slave. Walked the material plane for a while serving as protector for a group of small mining villages in a mountainous region before deciding to take up the fight against demons again, and in doing so swearing fealty to the church of Tyr/Torm/Ilmater (The Triad) and becoming a Paladin.

There is a long version of this if anyone is interested to hear about it, I'm even considering writing a short story about the life of this character but for now it's just a 700-word synopsis.

Essentially I want this thing to be a demon/devil slayer.

I've actually considered the characters life in 3 stages.
Stage 1: Fighter (Archer archetype) with the heavenly armies.
Stage 2: Ranger (post-escape from capture & torture)
Stage 3: Paladin (Divine Hunter archetype) of the Triad (Torm/Tyr/Ilmater)

With that in mind, the levels for each class should come sequentially so basically one class at a time. What isn't defined is how many levels in each before moving on to the next step.

Rolls were 10, 17, 16, 16, 8, 13. Very healthy ;)

I'm thinking STR 17, DEX 16, CON 10, INT 13, WIS 8, CHA 16. When racials (+2 DEX & WIS) and 4th, 8th & 12th levels are applied it will look like STR 18, DEX 20, CON 10, INT 13, WIS 10, CHA 16.

I know some will advise dumping Int over Con or Wis but I expect to have a decent AC and strong saves (Divine Grace ftw).

The level split I'm considering is Fighter 5, Ranger 2, Paladin 6 (and continuing with Paladin hereafter).
Feats:
1. Angelic Blood, F1. Point Blank Shot, F2. Deadly Aim, 3. Weapon Focus: Composite Longbow, F4. Weapon Specialisation: Composite Longbow, 5. Point-blank Master, R2. Rapid Shot, 7. Snap Shot, P1. Precise Shot, 9. Improved Critical: Composite Longbow, 11. Angel Wings, 13. Improved Snap Shot.

Fort 15, Ref 14, Will 9 before items (planning on belt of incredible dex +6 and headband of alluring charisma +4 taking these to Fort 17, Ref 19, Will 11.

I did consider going fighter then inquisitor but I've played an Inquisitor recently so wanted something different.

Any thoughts for improvements? Have I overlooked something major? I'd love to hear your thoughts...

[Gallowglass]

positive: I like your backstory. Very cool.

oversights:

you can't take angelic blood. you have to have con 13+
you can't take angel wings. because you can't take angelic blood.

if you dump int to raise con to compensate, bear in mind that angel wings are useless unless you are in light armor, so you will be wear light armor so your AC might be less awesome.

suggestion:

pure build wise, I'd drop the two levels of ranger and be fighter 5/paladin 8.

the immediate difference would be dropping favored enemy and one feat (and class features you wont' use like track and wild empathy) in exchange for immunity to charm effects (who cares about will saves anymore), an extra smite each day and second level spells.

the longterm difference would be never getting 4th level spells. (thanks ranger!)

but if you really want it for that flavor text, its no biggie.

[Geddy2112]

I second Gallowglass in dropping the ranger and just going fighter/pally. If you want your character to have some mechanical representation of his time in the mountains, just throw some extra ranks into survival, and maybe dungeoneeing/engineering for the mining aspect.

You won't get the aura of resolve from being a divine hunter, but charm effects are rare and your saves will be through the roof. You will however, be able to shoot through your allies as if they were not there, and that is huge. Also, 2nd level pally spells!

Not only do you need 13 con for angel blood, but your character has been tortured, through war, and lived in the mountains. A 13 con seems a bit more fitting than a 13 int. You will be a bit light on skills, particularly without the ranger dip and not a lot of favored class bonus ranks to throw around. Also, I know you want strength for your composite bow to do damage, but a 14-16 should be good here. You have deadly aim and lots of shots, you don't need the 1-2 extra damage of strength at expense of intelligence or con.

As a later feat, you might want multishot. Also, I think weapon focus does not have to specify the composite part of longbow, it applies to all longbows? Not that it will likely ever come up, but worst case scenario you have to use a joe blow longbow, it should focus.

If you would like, you can send me your backstory by PM. I would be interested in reading it.

[Randomthom]

Thanks guys, good spot on the Angelic Blood, somehow missed that (primarily I guess because I was only thinking of it as a stepping stone to wings).

I'm actually considering ditching the wings & blood and just relying on magical means of flight since I'd only get 30 ft with average maneuverability from this anyway. I'm probably going to be starting with Celestial Armor which gives me flying once per day already (for 5 minutes I think?) at 60ft and good.

I'm still undecided about dropping the ranger levels, they fit the backstory well and I like the Favoured Enemy: Evil Outsiders. I'd also lose out on a lot of skill points as you rightly point out... something our party is already slightly lacking on... I think we'll be triggering traps with the summoners' summons!