Please help with a new PC

[Tatsukun]

Hi all, I am making a new PC and I need some help / advice. The overall goal is to have a front line fighter type that's also fun to play out of combat. To do that, I want to pump up the skills (like Diplomacy, Sense motive, Knowledge (anything), other role playing type skills.)

So, here is what I am thinking…

Oh, it's 32 point buy, 3rd level 2,700Gp to start

Sir Matar Bahram, Paladin of the White.
32 year old male human Ranger 1 / Paladin 2.

STR 15
DEX 12
CON 14
INT 14
WIS 10
CHA 14

Feats = Exotic weapon Bastard sword, Weapon focus B. Sword, Combat Expertise

COMBAT
Primary attack - (MW) Bastard Sword +7 Melee 1D10 +2
Other Melee +5
Ranged Attack +4

AC (Full plate, Large Steel Shield, Dex) 21
HP 16 + 2D10
SAVES - Fort (+9) Reflex (+5) Will (+2)

OUT OF COMBAT
Skills (bonus)
Climb (4)
Concentration (6)
Diplomacy (8)
Know (Dungeon) (6)
Know (Nature) (6)
Know (Royalty) (3)
Know (Religion) (3)
Listen (4)
Ride (5)
Search (6)
Sense Motive (2)
Spot (4)
Survival (4)


So, here are the questions. I am thinking about pulling the Strength down to 14 and upping the Dex to 14. That way he might be able to get down to medium armor some day. Then again, 4th level will put Str up to 16.

This guy will go to Ranger 1 / Paladin 4 and then go Kensei, so I'm not worried about spells. He can use a wand if need be. Speaking of wands, what do people think of the idea of a small shield and a wand in the off hand. Are there any good Paladin spells for battle wands?

This guy's real value in battle is that he can use the bastard sword one handed with a shield, or can use it two handed if need be. The goal is to get an Adamantine sword before Kensei.

What do people think I should do with the money? Skills? The feat at 6th level?

Thanks for the help !

-Tatsu

 

[Inconsequenti-AL]

I'd seriously consider going with a buckler instead of a shield.... mainly because you could use the sword 2 handed if you feel the need to trade off the AC and to hit for raw damage.

Unless Expertise is a Kensai requirement I'd consider power attack instead. Just my taste, but I think it'd be more use to this character.

If you're going to stick expertise, then improved trip or disarm could be a good choice... given the guys strength (or weapon choice, in the case of disarm).

Don't know whether it fits with the concept, but survival skill might be worth considering, so you can use the track feat...

There's plenty of good paladin spells on the list and they're all 4th level or lower, so can be placed in wands. Holy sword is messy, Cure X spells, stat buffs, magic circles... As a style issue, the paladin only spells - I'm yet to see a paladin with the Craft Wands feat! So not sure who makes them?

 

[Tatsukun]

Oh, right. I forgot Track needed Survival. I've added it.

Also, yes, Combat Expertise is a Kensei requirement. It sucks, I would rather have power attack and improved sunder or maybe some good Pally feat. Of well.

Thanks!

-Tatsu

 

[Piratecat]

Consider using marshal (great core class from the Miniatures Handbook) instead of ranger. It'll give you a big advantage for your charisma, and has some nice synergies with paladin.

 

[Tatsukun]

I don't have the Mini book, so can someone tell me a little about Marshal? I tok Ranger because it had full BAB and some interesting skills. I needed full BAB so I could take Exotic Weapon at first level (with my Human bonus feat).

If the human bonus feat were able to be held until 2nd level, it would make it much nicer!

-T

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

Marshal has Cleric BAB, so it doesn't help you much... I think the Marshal skills are fighter and charisma oriented... The Marshal's special power is the ability to have auras (much like the Paladin in Diablo II) that affect your teammates. Minor auras give a bonus equal to your charisma bonus for various, very specific moments (bonus to trip attempts, to attacks of opportunities, to rolls to confirm critical hits, for example). Major auras (which you start getting at level 2 IIRC) affect more useful rolls (damage, to hit, saves, etc.) but the bonus you get depends on your level, not on your Charisma bonus.

AR

 

[Piratecat]

The marshal can also apply his charisma bonus to the whole group's skill checks for a specific ability score... for instance, boosting everyone's charisma-based skills for social encounters, or their dex-based skills for sneaking, or their wisdom-based skills to boost spot and listen. Very useful. Altamont is right about the BAB, though.