Advise on build

[Indure]

I want to make a 2H front-liner with some support/utility spells and a pet. My current thought is that I would start with 1 level in 2H-fighter and then switch to Sacred Huntsman until at least rank 3.

From there I don't know what's best. Should I continue into SH, or pick up 2 more ranks into 2H-fighter for the overhand chop, then finish off SH? Or is there a better third option?

I don't really want the most min/max build that is dipping into every class to build a Frankenstein monster, but I also don't want to play +100 hours only to realize the build I'm using would be 100% better if I made a small change 90 hours ago.

I'm also not sure if it would be more beneficial to be SH or Cleric with animal domain.

[OnlyOffensive]

why not take barbarian for reckless stance and ranger? 2H fighter and cleric seems kinda an abomination, wasted cleric levels. Fighter definetely fits in any multiclass.

The utility from miserable cleric levels can be found anywhere, starting from basic potions and scrolls, ranger at least has unique spells or druid.

[EvilDonut]

I am doing a paladin with earthbreaker with 1 dip on vivisectionist, 5 on rogue and i think 4 or 6 on fighter as well. Plus, equipping necklace of doublecrossing. 2D6 base damage + 2D6 sneak attack from necklace + 1D6 sneak attack from vivisectionist + 1D6 sneak attack from accomplished sneak attacker + 3D6 sneak attack from rogue. Total: 8D6 damages while flanking, and retaining a very good survivability thanks to lay on hand ability, which i am focusing to.

It's pretty strong, to be honest.

[Grifta]

Just go full Sacred Huntsman, the bonus from overhead chop is nothing at level 15 (100 hours in) when so much is from Power Attack, weapon enhancements, etc. Especially when compared to an animal companion with 3 extra levels, and you with 3 level higher Caster Level and Spells.

After that, I would personally go Cleric (Crusader) with the Animal Domain (take Boon Companion Feat). If you compare this to an inquisitor, you're either getting level 7-9 spells and Fighter Feats, or Inquisitor Banes and Teamwork abilities.

[Graygan]

Elven Curve Blade... Get Keen if you can find it or improved critical at level 8. Every couple hits you're doing amazing amounts of damage.

[Grifta]

Having seen the availability of weapons later on, I would suggest a Falchion over Elven Curve Blade. Another bonus of the Crusader over inquisitor, you get a bonus feat at level 1 for Martial Weapon Proficiency. Another point for MWP over EWP (Elven Curved Blade), you can use any Martial Weapon if they're MUCH better than your current Falchion instead of waiting for only the ECB.

[Indure]

Originally posted by Grifta:

Just go full Sacred Huntsman, the bonus from overhead chop is nothing at level 15 (100 hours in) when so much is from Power Attack, weapon enhancements, etc. Especially when compared to an animal companion with 3 extra levels, and you with 3 level higher Caster Level and Spells.

After that, I would personally go Cleric (Crusader) with the Animal Domain (take Boon Companion Feat). If you compare this to an inquisitor, you're either getting level 7-9 spells and Fighter Feats, or Inquisitor Banes and Teamwork abilities.

So you would start inquisitor and switch to crusader for the last 5 levels?

[Uncanny]

Originally posted by Indure:

Originally posted by Grifta:

Just go full Sacred Huntsman, the bonus from overhead chop is nothing at level 15 (100 hours in) when so much is from Power Attack, weapon enhancements, etc. Especially when compared to an animal companion with 3 extra levels, and you with 3 level higher Caster Level and Spells.

After that, I would personally go Cleric (Crusader) with the Animal Domain (take Boon Companion Feat). If you compare this to an inquisitor, you're either getting level 7-9 spells and Fighter Feats, or Inquisitor Banes and Teamwork abilities.

So you would start inquisitor and switch to crusader for the last 5 levels?

What I think they means is: as a second option, instead of Sacred Huntsman, go full Crusader with Animal Domain. If it clears it up for you, the caster progression from Clerics and Inquisitors don't mix!

[Uncanny]

A second note I'd like to add is that pets/Animal Companions only progress if you level up in classes that have access to an Animal Companion and Animal Companions really start tapering off in power in mid-levels. If you multi-class into classes like Fighter or Vivisectionist, your animal companion will not level up and will slowly be out-scaled by the content you face!

I'd also like to chime in with a few recommendations of my own! As an alternative to Crusader/Cleric with Animal Domain, you may want to check out a Druid:

• Druid archetypes get 3/4 BAB (except for Feyspeaker with 1/2), so they finish at 15 BAB at level 20 like Clerics and Inquisitors and land hits!
  
• They also get full caster progression (up to level 9 spells) with a slightly different spell list than divine casters (with more pet buffs than divine casters!)
  
• They also have full Animal Companion progression at your Druid level (compared to -3 for Rangers and divine casters with Animal Domain)

If you are open to Druid and if you are willing to 2h with a spear (regular spear, not longspear) or quarterstaff, then consider a 1 level dip into Monk (I prefer Traditional monk because they have 2 extra Will save at level 1) which grants both a scaling AC boost from Wisdom (your main caster stat) and 1 extra full BAB attack with a spear or quarterstaff -> when you are not wearing armour! In human form with bracers equipped you have comparable AC to those guys wearing heavy armour, and later on if/when you do pick-up special monk robes then you'll have more AC!
Also on the odd occasion you do decide to ditch the 2h and wildshape, for a specific reason, your bonuses from armour do not get carried over into your wildshape but bracers and the monk bonus do!

[Uncanny]

When looking at your requirements, I just came up with a loose build that I'd personally want to try out! I'd take some archetype of Inquisitor and then take 1 or 2 levels into Monk to thematically open up the possibility of being this faster attacking, 2h quaterstaff-wielding, unarmoured, Inquisitor that has an animal companion and some divine spells.

Any kind of character with 11 levels into Inquistor for the Stalwart ability and an Evasion ability (such as from a level 2 Monk) will feel solid defensively.

There's also a lot of flexibility in this type of build! If you go Sacred Huntsmaster you can choose any domain and, with the Boon Companion feat, you can comfortably multiclass for 4 levels while your animal companion keeps pace! This could mean instead of a Monk dip, you could go 4 levels into Rogue for some sneak attack, a 2h Dex build (such as with 2h Elven Curve Swords using the level 1 and 3 Rogue Dex to Attack/Damage feats), Evasion, and some debuffs!

[Propsken]

Nerd Commando to the rescue!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4UqltmSKaEds5-qbSRtqajiE42K2gZyZ
The guy makes some good builds that you can use for inspiration - provided you can stand his accent for prolonged periods of exposure XD

[Darkfireslide]

For a pet and spells you can't go wrong with the standard two-handed style Ranger. Pick up Boon Companion at 5th level for full animal companion awesomeness and self buff yourself before wading into enemies with your Greatsword. No multiclassing required. Take Favored Enemy: Magical Beast to make the game much easier as well.

Mad Dog Barbarian lacks the spells but still gets an animal companion and Rage is another self buff with some options for utility.

[raubrey]

I like the Cleric because I don't like how the ones in the game are built. I do accept their defects since over-powered companions can be as bad for gameplay but it gives me a sense of security and efficiency (in many games).

I didn't go Crusader but standard healer so I'm missing out a bit of fun. The pets are really tough. I do want to play a hunter next game but the one you get in-game is built rather decent. Might be fun to run with two actually.

[nshawmc]

sacred huntsman is best for what you want really only option.

if you dont have to have a pet consider a crusader cleric. they are good front liners go strength domain for greatsword, tons of self buffs and some group buffs, and you also have some aoe heals to top off between fights.