[Pathfinder 1E] Gestalt Shield Champion/Investigator backup build help

[Tempest Kitsune]

So, I've been on a bit of a kick on creating backup character builds recently. Not statted out, just having them there and ready to be filled in, y'know? Recently I stumbled across the idea for the titular gestalt. Using a Spellwarped Tiefling as the base. I'd like the assistance of the fine minds here in the Playground to fine-tune him. Here's the background lore that I've put together for him, if that'll help.

Basically, this Tiefling kid was the result of an affair. Tossed out with his mother, he's always been looked at with suspicion... And as an easy stooge to pin petty crimes on. So he started sharpening his intellect, watching other people in order to catch them out before they blamed their misdeeds on him. He also found that when he's carrying a weapon, people eye him with even more suspicion. But if all he carries is a shield? It brings down less attention. Or at least it leads to people not thinking he's aggressive. The fact that he's slowly figuring out ways to use that shield as an offensive, and even a ranged weapon, is his little secret.

[TronGuy]

I like the backstory.

I can imagine how you can make a good Shield Champion and how you can make a good investigator but I don't see how the two really help each other in a gestalt. Why those two classes/archetypes in particular?

[upho]

Like TronGuy, I like the background, at least as a good start to build on. And I also find the Shield Champion//Investigator pairing weird, having little to no mechanical synergies and feeling a bit incoherent/strained also in terms of flavor IMO (although flavor is of course also more subjective and easier to tweak).


Recently I stumbled across the idea for the titular gestalt.And what is that idea? What was it that made you consider this class/archetype pairing?

And speaking of, what do you see this PC's mechanical roles/functions as being in a party?

What does he do in combat? Tons of damage? Control/debuff? Party defense? Support? A little of all or none of these things?

Just as a tip, 7 levels of Shield Champion can be made into a fantastic switch-hitting control focused defender. Just imagine pairing the 7th level feature with say a distance dueling (PSFG) (https://www.aonprd.com/MagicWeaponsDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Dueling%20(PSFG) ) leveraging (http://d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/magic-weapons/magic-weapon-special-abilities/leveraging/) maelstrom shield (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/magic-armor/specific-magic-shields/maelstrom-shield/), a blinkback belt, Quick Draw, Greater Trip and Ki Throw (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/ki-throw-combat/) (yes, with ranged shield attacks and free trips), plus Improved Ki Throw (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/improved-ki-throw-combat/) for even more hilarity...


Using a Spellwarped Tiefling as the base.Are you talking about a) the 3.5 Spellwarped template from MM3, or b) some kind of PF homebrew or rare 3PP material? If a), what rules are you using to deal with the +3 LA? If b), could you please post a rules summary of a "Spellwarped Tiefling"?

The more you let us know, the more valuable input and advice you're likely to get! :smallsmile:

[Tempest Kitsune]

I like the backstory.

I can imagine how you can make a good Shield Champion and how you can make a good investigator but I don't see how the two really help each other in a gestalt. Why those two classes/archetypes in particular?
Basically the idea of a Captain America/Sherlock Holmes (Ala Downey Jr.) type character really appealed to me on a sense of "this would be so cool".


Like TronGuy, I like the background, at least as a good start to build on. And I also find the Shield Champion//Investigator pairing weird, having little to no mechanical synergies and feeling a bit incoherent/strained also in terms of flavor IMO (although flavor is of course also more subjective and easier to tweak).

And what is that idea? What was it that made you consider this class/archetype pairing?

And speaking of, what do you see this PC's mechanical roles/functions as being in a party?

What does he do in combat? Tons of damage? Control/debuff? Party defense? Support? A little of all or none of these things?

Just as a tip, 7 levels of Shield Champion can be made into a fantastic switch-hitting control focused defender. Just imagine pairing the 7th level feature with say a distance dueling (PSFG) (https://www.aonprd.com/MagicWeaponsDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Dueling%20(PSFG) ) leveraging (http://d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/magic-weapons/magic-weapon-special-abilities/leveraging/) maelstrom shield (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/magic-armor/specific-magic-shields/maelstrom-shield/), a blinkback belt, Quick Draw, Greater Trip and Ki Throw (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/ki-throw-combat/) (yes, with ranged shield attacks and free trips), plus Improved Ki Throw (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/improved-ki-throw-combat/) for even more hilarity...

Are you talking about a) the 3.5 Spellwarped template from MM3, or b) some kind of PF homebrew or rare 3PP material? If a), what rules are you using to deal with the +3 LA? If b), could you please post a rules summary of a "Spellwarped Tiefling"?

The more you let us know, the more valuable input and advice you're likely to get! :smallsmile:

In regards to spell-warped, my group uses 3.P, so we're allowed to layer on templates as long as they make reasonable sense. We use level adjustment for the XP, and one of our members made an excel character sheet with a dropdown for the LA. Depending on the LA, it calculates the new XP totals needed for each new level.

I really love the suggestions for gear.

As for the role, I was thinking he could be the guy that's disrupting enemy formations; knocking them prone, bull-rushing them into advantageous positions, tripping, disarming... and his Investigator abilities allow for extra damage, precision attacks, and a nice bonus to attacks and CMB.

I've gotten a mostly complete list of tentative feats, both for my normal track and for my Brawler track, and I'd like some feedback on those as well if possible.



Feats:

Bonus Combat Feats:

Talents



1
Skill Focus
2
Power Attack
3



3
Eldritch Heritage (For familiar)
5
Combat Expertise
5
Quick Study


5
Ranged Study
8
Weapon Focus
7



7
Martial Focus
11
Quick Draw
9



9
Point Blank Shot
14
Precise Shot
11



11
Ricochet Toss
17
Outslug Sprint
13



13
Outslug Style
20

15



15
Lunge


17



17
Outslug Weave


19



19