The 2nd best fighter...

[concerro]

Ability Scores:
STR: 16 (+3) (15 base, +1 level)
DEX: 22 (+6) (16 base, +2 racial, +1 level, +4 belt)
CON: 14 (+2)
INT: 10 (+0)
WIS: 13 (+1)
CHA: 10 (-1)
HP: 89 HP (10d10+30)
Saving Throws
Fort: +11 Ref: +10 Will: +8 (+10 against fear, 1/day reroll)
AC: 24 - Touch 14, Flatfooted 21 (+10 +1 full plate, +3 dex, +1 Ring of Protection)
Attacks: Longbow +22(x2)/+22/+17, d8+10 dmg (19-20/x3)
Class Abilities:
Weapon Training +2 (bows)
Weapon Training +1 (heavy blades)
Armor Training 2
BAB: +10 CMB: +15 CMD: 28
Feats:
Weapon Focus (longbow)
Weapon Specialization (longbow)
Deadly Aim
Improved Critical (longbow)
Critical Focus
Point Blank Shot
Iron Will
Improved Iron Will
Greater Weapon Focus (longbow)
Precise Shot
Rapid Shot
Manyshot
Skills:
Some stuff
Gear:
+3 composite longbow (+3 str mod)
Belt of +4 dex
+1 full plate
Cloak of Resistance +2
Handy Haversack
Masterwork greatsword
Ring of Protection +1
Lesser Bracers of Archery
700 GP in miscellaneous consumables, gear, non-portable goods, etc.


DPR
With Rapid Shot and Deadly Aim = 74.82
DA alone=63.71
Rapid Shot=60.42



Both of these builds before I modified them are posted on Paizo in the DPR thread. I am not the creator of the original builds.

 

[Ryan Blackwolf]

Don't forget vital strike. Rapid Shot is better at lower levels simply because if you hit with all three attacks you're doing 3x Damage, effectively. Rapid shot is also better against lightly armored targets and targets without DR. But when you start getting things with large amounts of DR and AC, you almost certainly will get more out of Vital Strike combined with deadly aim. The DR will only apply once, and you're not taking -4 (Rapid shot and deadly aim, if you use it) to your hits.

And if you want to swap over to some of the SPLATs for Pathfinder, Point Blank Mastery is amazing.

Anyways, just commenting on the topic. I like to think Fighter is THE BEST archer build. Ranger's are good and all, but I hate conditional modifiers. "If the target is a Humanoid, Goblin, you get +2 to hit and +4 to damage." I would much rather have a +1 ATK +2 DAM that always applies, than large amounts of damage I can only use once in a whole damn campaign.

 

[BriarMonkey]

Um... Really, why does it matter which is the "king of combat"? Shouldn't you play the character you want to play?

When all is said and done, each style can do things the other can not, and vice versa. There are strengths and areas they both excel, and both have areas they suffer for that strength. Play what floats your boat.

 

[concerro]

Um... Really, why does it matter which is the "king of combat"? Shouldn't you play the character you want to play?

When all is said and done, each style can do things the other can not, and vice versa. There are strengths and areas they both excel, and both have areas they suffer for that strength. Play what floats your boat.

Knowing which is best helps you determine how much of a concept you can sacrifice and still make a character that can survive.
Playing what you want to play assumes the DM caters the campaign to help you survive. If you are in PFS or the DM has just enough time to read an AP, but not a lot of time to change things then making a good character might not be an option.
I am not saying powergame, and ignore concepts, but knowing how things work mechanically is never a bad thing.
As an example for my next fighter my weapon of choice will be the cestus, and I will go TWF. Is it optimized, hecks nah, but it is good enough to survive.
If I had to go through Shackled City again that fighter would not see the light of day though.

 

[Dingo333]

Surprised no one has mentioned the sun blade for dexter

it is a short sword that deals bastard sword damage (1d10 not 1d6), it may cost around 50k but at 10 you can afford it, and changes damage to be in favor of dexter, in addition, it also has some other abilities (+4 vs evil, double dmg vs negative energy and undead (x3 on crits) and its sunlight power)

It actually wouldn't be bad for a paladin to use and go 2WF

It is a shame that this was cut off at 10th level though, besides the fact the 2 more levels earns you a second sun blade, 2 weapon rend (hit with main and offhand, deal additional 1d10+1.5 str) and greater 2 weapon fighting (your 5th and 6th attack) both need bab 11. Basically, 1 more level and you bypass brock so far in damage it is almost comical