Help Me Rebuild This Warlord

[Palanan]

I just came across an old build, something I’d worked up as a mid-level villain for a campaign that ended several years ago. Sadly the concept never made it into action—but that's just as well, since it was pretty terrible:


Fighter 5 / Kensai 2 / Master Samurai 2 / Warmaster 3

This is the 3.5 Kensai from Complete Warrior, plus a couple other PrCs from the 3.0 Sword and Fist. According to my notes, I was going for a cleave-intensive Leadership build with an overall samurai theme.

How could I rework this concept in Pathfinder? All official Paizo sources are on the table, no 3PP, and I’d like to stay as close as possible to the concept of a samurai warlord with a clan of loyal retainers. Where should I start?

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[legomaster00156]

You could probably start with the Samurai class. :smallwink:

[Elder_Basilisk]

You could do samurai (or cavalier if you want to use the class most people think is better) with VMC bard to qualify for battle herald. That get you a bevy of follower enhancing abilities while maintaining the full BAB personal combatant chassis.

[SpamCreateWater]

Exemplar (Brawler Archetype) with Cavalier VMC. Fluff the TWF as two strikes from a single sword - or wield two swords, whatever floats your boat.

Full BAB, Inspiring Prowess (Bardic Performance), Challenge, some other team leader based stuff.
Then take some levels in Battle Herald for Inspiring Command. Take Lingering Performance and Leadership and go to town - or take your cleave feats!

[Palanan]

Originally Posted by Elder_Basilisk
You could do samurai (or cavalier if you want to use the class most people think is better)….

I’m not set on the samurai class itself, but what about cavalier is better? I don’t see this warlord as being specialized for mounted combat, and I had the impression that was the cavalier’s main schtick.


Originally Posted by Elder_Basilisk
…with VMC bard to qualify for battle herald.

Not a huge fan of VMC. Is there another way to get Inspire Courage and Perform (oratory)?

[Wartex1]

There's an archetype foe Brawler and Monk that grants some Bardic songs. I believe the names are Exemplar for Brawler and Sensei for Monk.

[grarrrg]

I’m not set on the samurai class itself, but what about cavalier is better? I don’t see this warlord as being specialized for mounted combat, and I had the impression that was the cavalier’s main schtick.

A Mount is basically an Animal Companion from a much shorter list, you don't 'need' to ride it, and it can fight without you riding.
There are also a variety of archetypes that can either give you a more proper Animal Companion or trade Mount away entirely.

Sister-In-Arms (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/cavalier/archetypes/paizo-cavalier-archetypes/sister-in-arms-cavalier-archetype), Constable (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/cavalier/archetypes/paizo-cavalier-archetypes/constable-cavalier-archetype), and Daring Champion (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/cavalier/archetypes/paizo-cavalier-archetypes/daring-champion) all seem solid enough and trade away the Mount feature.


Not a huge fan of VMC. Is there another way to get Inspire Courage and Perform (oratory)?

There's an archetype foe Brawler and Monk that grants some Bardic songs. I believe the names are Exemplar for Brawler and Sensei for Monk.
Also Evangelist (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/Cleric/archetypes/paizo-cleric-archetypes/evangelist) Cleric