Pathfinder 1E How do I Pathfinder???

[Sanzuo]

I've been asked by my friend to make a 10th level Pathfinder character. I thought I had left 3rd edition long behind me but I'm willing to try this game on his insistence.

I don't know anything about Pathfinder. He's a dyed-in-the-wool power gamer, I'm not. I expect he'll expect me to make some kind of OP character. What should I keep in mind, mechanics-wise when making my Pathfinder character? Is there a good place to discuss character optimization? What should my AC/Saves be at level 10? Etc.

Also any general advice is appreciated as well.

 

[jreyst]

You can find all of the rules for making characters (and the entire system) at d20pfsrd.com. Once you've read through them, if you decide you like the system and will play it for any duration, I highly recommend picking up the fantastic book Paizo put out. The art is amazing and you can stop a bullet with it due to its size/thickness lol

For optimization suggestions I suggest you check out the Paizo forums. They are MUCH more heavily read/commented on than the ones here on EnWorld.

 

[Herremann the Wise]

From the sounds of things, if you just produce a character that's over-optimized, I doubt you'll enjoy it that much. Why don't you just create a character that you would like to play? Take a concept or two and then mould it into a character - choosing feats and skills that help to round that vision out. The classes are very well balanced so whatever you choose, it should be effective both in and out of combat. About the only thing I would recommend is to keep to a single class without diluting it too much if you can.

A question: what class would you like to play or try out?

Best Regards
Herremann the Wise

PS: Pathfinder is testing out the six base classes they have coming up in their new book for next year - the cavalier, oracle, witch and summoner. If you want to try something different, give one of those a whirl.

 

[Starbuck_II]

Is there a good place to discuss character optimization?

I find Giant in the playground a good place, but make sure to let them know this is pathfinder.
Tell what books you have and using(just pathfinder, 3.5 books too, etc), how much money character has (standard wealth, low wealth, etc you get), and anything else (spellcaster, skill monkey, melee, etc role you wish to play).

What should my AC/Saves be at level 10? Etc.

Also any general advice is appreciated as well.

I don't know the mechnics of PF to know values needed, but I do remember 3.5's AC general rule.
Tank AC (Great AC): 20 + 1.5 (level).
Semi-Tank (good AC) 15 + 1.5 (level)
Skirmisher/Mage (Decent AC) 10 + 1.5 level
(Bad AC): 5 + 1.5 level

So at level 5, you want around 27 AC to be a good tank. More or less is okay, but you'll be hit more. Most people don't build tanks because it leads to turtling (mostly defenses with little attack ability).
People usually shoot for semi-tank. You'll get hit more often (20% more likely), but the resources you could have put into defenses could improve offenses (like better Str boosting or magic weapon items).