Stat My Character #1

[Naaman]

Hello all,

I thought it might be fun to see how others would build some of my characters that I have built or have floating around in my head. Also, I'm hoping that something like this will stimulate my inclination to get back into making artwork. Perhaps once a month I'll upload a character with some background, a general concept, and a drawing to see what folks come up with for stats.

So here is the first one:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53325518141_c67a276f27.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2pfcdHc)

Using all WOTC or all PF1 (no mixing), I'm looking for a two-pronged approach:

1) Getting the cultural feel of the character correct (via class, skill, and feat selection), and

2) Getting the mechanical feel of the character correct. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I've included a drawing to help describe the concept.

Name: Signe "Kragjumper" Lionfang

Short version: The character is a citizen of a human nation that dominates the geographical area. The nation has a religious-centered culture (good aligned with an emphasis on freedom for the commoners and strict accountability for officials) and is a member of a subculture that occupies the rural outskirts (of which heroic characters tend to favor the more outdoorsy classes, especially scout, barbarian, and ranger). Culturally, they are similar to Vikings with a splash of "generic western European fantasy" thrown in. She earned her nickname "Kragjumper" by completing the annual competition "The Highest Spire" (but in the mountains instead of a city... so, the "highest crag" or whatever) and defending that title several years in succession. (See Complete Scoundrel, pg 147.)

More details:

She is the youngest of 4 children, having three older brothers. The oldest is the current "clan champion" whose duties associated with the title essentially make him the highest ranking thane or huscarl among their people, and he is the regarded as the best warrior in the clan (save for those of his predecessors who are still living).

She is also a member of the nation's paramilitary emissary corps. Effectively a scout/reconnaissance specialist or security escort for diplomats and other high level dignitaries.

The nation is in a constant conflict with two factions -- an orc hoard that attempts to invade every couple of years and a necromancer cult (secretly run by a draoclich, but with various cells/covens spread throughout the southern forests operating in camps/caves and basically "in secret" as much as possible. The necro faction is also in an uneasy alliance with a vampire coven, while those two struggle against each other for power/territory). The nation's military forces (and many of the citizens who live on the outskirts) are well versed in fighting off orcs and undead, and such creatures are frequently encountered by Signe on her missions.

Alignment is Neutral Good.
Conceptually, she is what would amount to an Olympic-caliber athlete and is very good at running, jumping and moving swiftly on her feet and over terrain. Combat style focuses on charging attacks. I imagine her as being very likeable and having a high degree of confidence in herself without being overbearing or conceited.

For ability scores, I'd like to see what some folks would assign using whatever methods (elite array, point buy, roll, etc.) they are most familiar with. For the setting, it looks like most of the other characters I'm working on can be expressed adequately with a 40-point buy. But I'm having trouble getting this one to fit into that particular parameter.

I would like to see builds up to 10th level (or not too far past that) that "fully express" the concept, with a bit of min-maxing where convenient, but not to the point that it makes the character feel like it was built by a calculator.

If more info is needed, I'd be happy to include it.

Here is a link to the image. I will try to size it to fit in the message, as well.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/199359019@N07/53271148599/in/dateposted-public/



https://www.flickr.com/photos/199359019@N07/53325518141/in/dateposted-public/

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

She's holding a sword with a long hilt in one hand, so likely a bastard sword, give her a level of Exotic Weapon Master for Uncanny Blow. She's probably wearing breastplate armor, so medium, or light if it's mithral.

Variant Ranger (https://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#ranger) 1/ Ape Totem Barbarian 5/ Exotic Weapon Master 1, probably finish with Occult Slayer. Favored enemy is undead. Feats must include EWP: Bastard Sword, Weapon Focus: Bastard Sword, and Improved Initiative if going Occult Slayer. Gains Power Attack as a bonus feat, also take Leap Attack. I'd include Mage Slayer and possibly other feats that have that as a prerequisite. Maybe include Able Learner if needed. Can use Ranger wands, so wand chamber the sword and put a Wand of Rhino's Rush in it. Don't forget about skill tricks!

Gear would probably be a +1 Valorous Bastard Sword with a wand chamber, Wand of Rhino's Rush, magical Mithral Breastplate, Armbands of Might, probably a Wand of Camouflage, etc.

[Maat Mons]

For now, I’ll do some quick brainstorming on Pathfinder option. I’ll come back later to flesh something out.

Matching the picture would, I suppose, require studded leather armor. I consider a chain shirt to be mechanically superior, but it’s only a difference of 1 AC, so I guess it’s not a big deal. I think it would be quite plausible say that sword is a longsword.

Brawler (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/hybrid-classes/brawler/) with the Battle Dancer (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/hybrid-classes/brawler/archetypes/paizo-brawler-archetypes/battle-dancer-brawler-archetype/) archetype gives you Cha to AC in light or no armor and lets you substitute Cha instead of Int for the prerequisites of combat feats. This might be one of the better ways to make a good Cha score matter for a melee character. Brawlers normally like to use weapons from the close weapon group, but for +500 gp, any melee weapon can be made with the Versatile Design (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment/weapons/weapon-modifications/versatile-design/) modification, which lets you treat it as being in a weapon group it’s not actually in. So you can get your Brawler benefits with whatever weapons you like, except you need to take the Weapon Adept (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/weapon-adept-combat/) feat.

Paladin with the Gray Paladin (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/paladin/archetypes/paizo-paladin-archetypes/gray-paladin-paladin-archetype/) archetype lets you be NG or LN and maintain your abilities. Unfortunately, the lore implies that you had to have been LG when you first took a Paladin level. So that might be a no-go here.

Barbarian is probably fitting. The Invulnerable Rager (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/barbarian/archetypes/paizo-barbarian-archetypes/invulnerable-rager) archetype bumps your DR up to half your Barbarian level. Alternately, if you want even more Cha synergy, the Fearsome Defender (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/barbarian/archetypes/paizo-barbarian-archetypes/fearsome-defender-barbarian-archetype/) archetype will eventually get you Cha to initiative.

[Maat Mons]

Nothing I’m trying is really coming together. I like Brawler (Battle Dancer) 2 to make Charisma relevant. I also like Barbarian (Invulnerable Rager) 8 for DR 4/-. But since I’m going out of my way to get Cha to AC and a source of DR, it feel like I should try to keep my AC up. Meanwhile, I need Dex 20 to cap out my AC from studded leather armor, or Dex 24 if I make the armor out of Darkleaf Cloth (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment/special-materials/#darkleaf_cloth), which why wouldn’t I? Barbarian isn’t normally a Dex focused class, and I’d also be taking a -2 penalty to AC from Raging.

I could try a Dex-based Barbarian. The Urban Barbarian (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/barbarian/archetypes/paizo-barbarian-archetypes/urban-barbarian/) archetype would get me +4 Dex while Raging instead of +4 Str and Con. It also removes the -2 to AC normally imposed by Raging and lets me use any skills during Rage. Being Dex-based is a bit of a hassle though. I’d need Weapon Finesse to use Dex for attack rolls, Slashing Grace (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/slashing-grace-combat/) to be able to treat a longsword as a Finesse weapon, and Weapon Focus to meet the prerequisite of Slashing Grace. I’m not even sure if I can buy a longsword with the Agile (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/magic-weapons/magic-weapon-special-abilities/agile/) property. And that property is essential for Dex builds.

If Biffoniacus_Furiou is right in calling that armor a breastplate, I can reduce the Dex requirement by 2. But needing 20 Dex to cap out a mithril breastplate is still a big burden on my ability scores. I guess I could point-buy a 16, buy a +2 Dex item, and spare either my +2 from being human or my +2 from level up. But I’d much rather put all that into Strength. It’s a pretty big sacrifice, but Dual Talent variant humans (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/races/core-races/human/#alternate_racial_traits) get +2 to and two ability scores. I’d have to give up the bonus feat and extra skill points, but then again, it’s 3 feats and a magic item to make a Dex build work. This is my leading idea right now. I could even stick with Urban Barbarian to eliminate the -2 AC from Rage, but pick Str instead of Dex to keep my damage up. I’d lose the Con bonus, relative to standard Barbarian, but at least I don’t have to drop my HP after I finish Raging.

I could also just give up on Barbarian. Fighter’s bonus feats would help mitigate the feat costs of a Dex build. Or I could keep going in Brawler. Honestly though, I’d have trouble getting good milage out of Martial Flexibility, given my less-than-steal knowledge of Pathfinder feats. For a build that dips Brawler, I’d even considered the Snakebite Striker (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/hybrid-classes/brawler/archetypes/paizo-brawler-archetypes/snakebite-striker/) archetype to trade Martial Flexibility for 1d6 Sneak Attack. But I feel like I could get my head around the low-level version of Martial Flexibility. It’s only one feat at a time, four times per day. Even I should be able to find enough situationally-desirable feats to use that up. And it would be kind of a pain to try to set up opportunities to Sneak Attack. I’m not even sure I’d bother most of the time for 1d6 at level 10.

[Naaman]

She's holding a sword with a long hilt in one hand, so likely a bastard sword, give her a level of Exotic Weapon Master for Uncanny Blow. She's probably wearing breastplate armor, so medium, or light if it's mithral.

Variant Ranger (https://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#ranger) 1/ Ape Totem Barbarian 5/ Exotic Weapon Master 1, probably finish with Occult Slayer. Favored enemy is undead. Feats must include EWP: Bastard Sword, Weapon Focus: Bastard Sword, and Improved Initiative if going Occult Slayer. Gains Power Attack as a bonus feat, also take Leap Attack. I'd include Mage Slayer and possibly other feats that have that as a prerequisite. Maybe include Able Learner if needed. Can use Ranger wands, so wand chamber the sword and put a Wand of Rhino's Rush in it. Don't forget about skill tricks!

Gear would probably be a +1 Valorous Bastard Sword with a wand chamber, Wand of Rhino's Rush, magical Mithral Breastplate, Armbands of Might, probably a Wand of Camouflage, etc.

Keen eyes on the equipment. Where I'm at right now with the weapon is a homebrew sword that is essentially a "finessable bastard sword" exotic weapon (I call it a longblade; so, longblade is to bastard sword as elven courtblade is to greatsword).

It is also a breastplate. The rest of the armor still had to look like armor, so I stuck with a studded leather aesthetic to keep it looking a bit more primitive (compared to, say, a mithral set of greaves and shin guards, etc).


Nothing I’m trying is really coming together. I like Brawler (Battle Dancer) 2 to make Charisma relevant. I also like Barbarian (Invulnerable Rager) 8 for DR 4/-. But since I’m going out of my way to get Cha to AC and a source of DR, it feel like I should try to keep my AC up. Meanwhile, I need Dex 20 to cap out my AC from studded leather armor, or Dex 24 if I make the armor out of Darkleaf Cloth (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment/special-materials/#darkleaf_cloth), which why wouldn’t I? Barbarian isn’t normally a Dex focused class, and I’d also be taking a -2 penalty to AC from Raging.

I could try a Dex-based Barbarian. The Urban Barbarian (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/barbarian/archetypes/paizo-barbarian-archetypes/urban-barbarian/) archetype would get me +4 Dex while Raging instead of +4 Str and Con. It also removes the -2 to AC normally imposed by Raging and lets me use any skills during Rage. Being Dex-based is a bit of a hassle though. I’d need Weapon Finesse to use Dex for attack rolls, Slashing Grace (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/slashing-grace-combat/) to be able to treat a longsword as a Finesse weapon, and Weapon Focus to meet the prerequisite of Slashing Grace. I’m not even sure if I can buy a longsword with the Agile (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/magic-weapons/magic-weapon-special-abilities/agile/) property. And that property is essential for Dex builds.

If Biffoniacus_Furiou is right in calling that armor a breastplate, I can reduce the Dex requirement by 2. But needing 20 Dex to cap out a mithril breastplate is still a big burden on my ability scores. I guess I could point-buy a 16, buy a +2 Dex item, and spare either my +2 from being human or my +2 from level up. But I’d much rather put all that into Strength. It’s a pretty big sacrifice, but Dual Talent variant humans (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/races/core-races/human/#alternate_racial_traits) get +2 to and two ability scores. I’d have to give up the bonus feat and extra skill points, but then again, it’s 3 feats and a magic item to make a Dex build work. This is my leading idea right now. I could even stick with Urban Barbarian to eliminate the -2 AC from Rage, but pick Str instead of Dex to keep my damage up. I’d lose the Con bonus, relative to standard Barbarian, but at least I don’t have to drop my HP after I finish Raging.

I could also just give up on Barbarian. Fighter’s bonus feats would help mitigate the feat costs of a Dex build. Or I could keep going in Brawler. Honestly though, I’d have trouble getting good milage out of Martial Flexibility, given my less-than-steal knowledge of Pathfinder feats. For a build that dips Brawler, I’d even considered the Snakebite Striker (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/hybrid-classes/brawler/archetypes/paizo-brawler-archetypes/snakebite-striker/) archetype to trade Martial Flexibility for 1d6 Sneak Attack. But I feel like I could get my head around the low-level version of Martial Flexibility. It’s only one feat at a time, four times per day. Even I should be able to find enough situationally-desirable feats to use that up. And it would be kind of a pain to try to set up opportunities to Sneak Attack. I’m not even sure I’d bother most of the time for 1d6 at level 10.

The struggle is real! See my response above. For the moment, I like the idea of the awkwardness trying to make dex work... and I am currently relying on Urban Barbarian's Ferocity to get it done.

[Kurald Galain]

Conceptually, she is what would amount to an Olympic-caliber athlete and is very good at running, jumping and moving swiftly on her feet and over terrain. Combat style focuses on charging attacks. I imagine her as being very likeable and having a high degree of confidence in herself without being overbearing or conceited.


I suggest Ninja 2 / Siegebreaker Fighter 8 with the Charge Through and Spiked Destroyer feats, and eventually Greater Bull Rush.

Ninja always counts as having a running start for jumping, and can give herself a speed boost as a swift action. Siegebreaker is one of the best chargers in the game and can charge over someone (dealing damage) and end with a bull rush / overrun / armor spike combo, each of which deals damage. It's a fun combo and quite good at punching through a melee line to hit the squishy in the back.

Optionally, dip a level in Blood Conduit Bloodrager, both for the combat boost from raging, and because it gets a useful bonus feat and skips its prereqs. Undead bloodline adds a decent debuff to your charges.

[Naaman]

I suggest Ninja 2 / Siegebreaker Fighter 8 with the Charge Through and Spiked Destroyer feats, and eventually Greater Bull Rush.

Ninja always counts as having a running start for jumping, and can give herself a speed boost as a swift action. Siegebreaker is one of the best chargers in the game and can charge over someone (dealing damage) and end with a bull rush / overrun / armor spike combo, each of which deals damage. It's a fun combo and quite good at punching through a melee line to hit the squishy in the back.

Optionally, dip a level in Blood Conduit Bloodrager, both for the combat boost from raging, and because it gets a useful bonus feat and skips its prereqs. Undead bloodline adds a decent debuff to your charges.

This sounds pretty incredible. Not sure how I feel about the ninja levels (flavor wise). Although I could see renaming the class along cultural lines to essentially provide the role of a CAd Scout.

It's pretty amazing how much material there is for Pathfinder. One thing that impresses me (as well as overwhelms me) is just how many, and how detailed, all the archetypes are.

[SangoProduction]

Sticking to 3.5, I would say it's probably either ranger or scout, plus some barbarian. Possibly with Fangshield Barbarian replacement, so as to get better jumping via speed. (A reasonable GM would say that running counts as charging.)
Feats: Run. Battle Jump.
Items: Boots of Striding and Springing
Ring of Jumping
Gloves of Climbing.

Stats: Str > Con > Dex > Int > Wis > Cha

---

However, if we were to expand to Spheres of Might, we've got the Athletics sphere, which has specific packages for jumping, running and climbing, including some combat uses therein.
Based on the picture, they'd probably then want the Berserker and Brute spheres.
As for class, I would go with Conscript, for talents, and at least dip Savant, for the Conditioning insight, which lets you use an insight for advantage on physical skill or ability checks. (And you get a number equal to your Int.)
(We could swap Wis and Int. Fewer skill points, but higher base Survival check)

So then, we'd instead do
Str = Int > Con > Dex > Wis > Cha
I ended up with
Str: 16
Int: 16
Con: 14
Dex 11
Wis: 8
Cha: 7

[Naaman]

Sticking to 3.5, I would say it's probably either ranger or scout, plus some barbarian. Possibly with Fangshield Barbarian replacement, so as to get better jumping via speed. (A reasonable GM would say that running counts as charging.)
Feats: Run. Battle Jump.
Items: Boots of Striding and Springing
Ring of Jumping
Gloves of Climbing.

Stats: Str > Con > Dex > Int > Wis > Cha

---

However, if we were to expand to Spheres of Might, we've got the Athletics sphere, which has specific packages for jumping, running and climbing, including some combat uses therein.
Based on the picture, they'd probably then want the Berserker and Brute spheres.
As for class, I would go with Conscript, for talents, and at least dip Savant, for the Conditioning insight, which lets you use an insight for advantage on physical skill or ability checks. (And you get a number equal to your Int.)
(We could swap Wis and Int. Fewer skill points, but higher base Survival check)

So then, we'd instead do
Str = Int > Con > Dex > Wis > Cha
I ended up with
Str: 16
Int: 16
Con: 14
Dex 11
Wis: 8
Cha: 7

I'm not familiar with spheres of might. What source is it from? Sounds like it could add another dimension to my character conception process.

[SangoProduction]

I'm not familiar with spheres of might. What source is it from? Sounds like it could add another dimension to my character conception process.

http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/spheres-of-might

It's from DDS. It's a pathfinder subsystem.

[Kurald Galain]

This sounds pretty incredible. Not sure how I feel about the ninja levels (flavor wise). Although I could see renaming the class along cultural lines to essentially provide the role of a CAd Scout.
If you don't like the ninja, a two-level dip in Barbarian (with the Raging Leaper rage power) also counts as always having a running start, albeit only while raging.


It's pretty amazing how much material there is for Pathfinder. One thing that impresses me (as well as overwhelms me) is just how many, and how detailed, all the archetypes are.
Well that's why you have a whole forum here to ask for advice :smallredface:

[Maat Mons]

Wow, I have no idea where I was getting the notion that Battle Dancer Brawler got Cha to AC as a continuous, passive thing or that it came at 1st level. Well, trying to make a high-AC Barbarian wasn’t turning out anyway. So, I guess it wouldn’t have mattered even if it did work that way.

[H_H_F_F]

Wow, I have no idea where I was getting the notion that Battle Dancer Brawler got Cha to AC as a continuous, passive thing or that it came at 1st level. Well, trying to make a high-AC Barbarian wasn’t turning out anyway. So, I guess it wouldn’t have mattered even if it did work that way.

3.5's Battle Dancer from the Dragon Compendium does that at level 1, but it's only for when you're unarmored and unencumbered.