I am a lost on how to build what I want

[Nosta]

I am looking to Build Effective Reach weapon user,
Mostly A pike & shield Build.

I know of stuff like shield Brace But i am unsure of a good class set up. I want more than just X level fighters, and For it to be fairly competent build

The only stipulation is No magic using classes just pure melee ability

I am ok with multiclassing , dipping and prestiging

[Elricaltovilla]

What books are you allowed access to? How complicated of a character are you interested in using?

[Warchon]

What is your character's primary role? You like a reach weapon, are you looking for versatility in damage output, or are you willing to sacrifice offensive capability for sheer field control?
In the latter case, Combat Reflexes is a must, and being Large is worth the tradeoffs. Access to Enlarge Person effects would make that even better, but I don't know of anyone offhand who gets that without magic use.

[Nosta]

I am allowed all Books

I'd like a complex character i enjoy them

as for Dmg vs control, I'd like a good mix of both, but leaning more toward control

My Roll Not sure what would you call the roll of what I am trying to do ? o.o

[Warchon]

If you're not too worried about optimization, you might look at the Knight. The big thing he provides is that all his threatened squares area difficult terrain. If you're already threatening a ton of squares (through your Reach weapon and being Large or even larger) you're not only getting a ton of AoOs, but slowing your opponents down to boot. And if somebody tries to engage you face to face they are going to provoke multiple times just getting to you--you can't 5foot step in difficult terrain.

It's not a great class overall, but it does what you want.

You will probably also want to take some kind of Trip feat, since falling down provokes yet again.

[Warchon]

Throw Improved Combat Reflexes into the mix too if you wind up with a high Dex despite being Large, and you'll be almost impossible to move around.
The idea of this build would be to exert total control over the battlefield and severely punish anyone who tried to go where you want them not to.

The typical weapon for a character like this would be the Spiked Chain. AFAIK it is the only weapon that lets you attack at full reach AND right next to you, and it has a native Trip bonus to boot.

If your heart is set on the pike though, the Short Haft feat will let you attack/threaten next to yourself, though you lose reach for the round when you do so.

Mind, I'm a pretty amateur player. I'm sure others here will have better ideas than mine. :)

[Florian]

@Nosta:

You should reconsider the "no magic uses class" thing a bit. The combination of Human Fighter (Weapon Master) 3/ Occultist (Panoply Savant - Panoply of the Warrior) 2 as a repeatable building block (to F12/O8) makes for a very formidable melee combatant. Go for the complete TWF and Shield Bash lines, use Shield Brace and Combat Reflexes and supplement it with the floating feats that Panoply of the Warrior give you to adapt to the current situation.

[cZak]

The only stipulation is No magic using classes just pure melee ability

Do you consider Path of War 'no magic'?

The initiator classes have some great control features.
I'm intrigued with the Warlord class & eager to try out some theory crafting.

[Nosta]

Do you consider Path of War 'no magic'?

The initiator classes have some great control features.
I'm intrigued with the Warlord class & eager to try out some theory crafting.

No path of war is fine ^^

Got a build idea?

[Elricaltovilla]

Well for what you described, Pikeman's Training (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/path-of-war/feats/pikemans-training-combat/) from PoW:E gives you everything you want to do the basics. From there you can pick pretty much whatever martial class you want.

Warders are a strong defensive choice, while Warlords are more aggressive and showy option. Medics are another, very different, but still strongly "non-magical" PoW class that you can use. There are also several PoW archetypes available for the core classes that might work for you, including one for the fighter.

In terms of discipline choices, Piercing Thunder (polearm friendly) and Iron Tortoise (Shield/Tanking) are thematic and useful. You can also grab some Scarlet Throne or Thrashing Dragon maneuvers for more non-magical disciplines.

But really, the only thing you need to enable your combat style is Pikeman's Training.

[Nosta]

@ Elricaltovilla

I want a good mix of offense and defense

I am Considering Warlord as I tend to lean more in an offensive way

I am just wondering if any Archetypes would be good for me or should I take it plain

[Elricaltovilla]

Base warlord will be fine for what you want. If you want to make more use of your shield, then the vanguard commander archetype will help you do so.

[Nosta]

Currently working on a level 20
Fighter - Myrmidon (Human)

I'd like some in put on my feats




Fighter Combat Feats
LV1 Shield Focus
LV4 Improved Shield Bash -
LV8 Improved Bull-Rush
LV12 Shield Master -
LV15 Stumbling Bash - (Bonus Feat from Armor training )
LV16 Missile Shield -
LV20 Knocking Blows

Feats
LV1 Pikeman’s Training
LV1 Weapon Focus
LV3 Power Attack
LV5 Two Weapon Fighting
LV7 Shield Slam -
LV9 Combat Ref
LV11 Lunge -
LV13 Cut from The Air -
LV15 Spellcut -
LV17 Weapon Focus - (Heavy shield)
Lv19 Intense Blows -

[Nosta]

Also whats the over all Best non-exotic pole-arm for me taking everything in to consideration

[Elricaltovilla]

Weapon focus is not worth taking. Better off moving some of your more necessary feats down in level and saving higher level slots for Advanced Study so you can get 7th, 8th or 9th level maneuvers when they become available.

Defensive Expertise will improve your Touch AC and Reflex Save. Discipline Focus will increase your weapon damage and Save DCs. Piercing Thunder Style will make you a better tank. Victorious Recovery will help you recover maneuvers. Prodigious Two Weapon Fighting will let you use Strength instead of Dexterity for TWF, although I don't think you need TWF given the difference in reach between your two weapons.

Lucerne Hammer has the highest damage of the Martial polearm.

[cZak]

What are the other PC classes in your group?
Having additional martial PC's is a glorious opportunity for a Warlord.

- I looked at coordinating his gambits with feats to get the most; i.e. Imp Overun w Battering ram gambit. Beat the enemies CMD by 5 & knock him prone for even better AoO. AT 4th level you can have a +19 on this.

- Teamwork feat to share (Warleader): pick something that encourages your allies to work together; Phalanx fighter for saves & AC, Coordinated maneuvers if they like CMB stuff, Shield wall if you have sword&board types, etc...

- Look into the style feats & see if you can utilize
Golden lion style w Combat reflexes has some big fun

- Use a reach weapon & Tactical flanker is a handy toy


And that's without getting into the maneuvers or stances :smallbiggrin:


Best fun I imagine is coming up with the quips during a fight for your efforts.
I was imaging a follower of Cayden Cailean; boozing up & partying like a frat boy, laughing & taunting the enemy while boosting his allies morale

[SangoProduction]

With all books allowed, I'd recommend the Spheres of Might (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/using-spheres-of-might).

Specifically, the Sentinel (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/sentinel)class, with the Phalanx Soldier (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/martial-traditions#toc28) tradition. Of course, you could instead go for Pikeman tradition right below it, if you want to focus more on the spear than shield.

Spear Dancer (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/equipment-sphere#toc23), which you get from the Phalanx Soldier tradition, lets you wield two handed spears in one hand. Very useful if you want to use a shield.

Now, the best weapon to take is going to be the longspear. Don't overcomplicate things. It's got reach, and middling damage.

As for the actual martial talents, you'll want to spend it primarily on Guardian (Patrol Package) (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/guardian), Lancer, Open Hand (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/open-hand), and Shield (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/shield).

This is because (in order): Guardian grants effective reach, which can help lock down multiple opponents (also bonus AoO with Swift Reflexes (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/guardian#toc19)); Lancer lets you pin down anyone you particularly dislike, and at a 10ft range; Open Hand is all about tripping, and you know what reach is primarily used for; Shield is...well...because you've got a shield.

Also, from Equipment Sphere, there are some talents worth looking at. Polearm Mastery (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/equipment-sphere#toc19) for attacking (and threatening) those in your natural reach. Though you could just take Near and Far (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/3rd-party-feats/kobold-press/combat-feats-3rd-party-kobold-press/near-and-far-combat/) instead. Or take a 5ft step.
Next is Fast Draw (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/equipment-sphere#toc11), a slightly upgraded Quick Draw.
Then there's Finesse Fighting (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/equipment-sphere#toc12). Basically it's Weapon Finesse, but upgrades to Dex-to-Damage.
Tower Shield Mastery (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/equipment-sphere#toc29) lets you actually use a tower shield without the penalties to attack.
Shield Expert (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/equipment-sphere#toc20) is also rather cool for +1 to AC, and potentially some reduction in the penalty.
You could also take Pikeman Training (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/equipment-sphere#toc55) if things seem to really like charging your spears.