Faolyn
(she/her)
Where are you getting 12 exertion again? Your exertion doesn't stack. And with Heralds, it specifies you get those four exertion only if your first levels are Herald?But the pool isn’t smaller now. You have an exertion pool of 12 PLUS all your spell exertion.
You can also pull off some other interesting combos in other classes with a dip into fighter. Berserkers with Razor’s Edge anyone? Or an unarmed fighting style with an Adept to get that early d8 unarmed strike die?