Optimal Main Character Class

[ephemeral]

Hey all, searched around but didn't find what I was looking for.

Just bought the game for the Autumn sale and I was wondering what the Companions bring to the table and what the best MC would be to complement them. I know no spoilers and have no idea what the companions are, so I would like to prepare by having a MC that fits in nicely to the premade options. Ideally I'd love to eventually bring all the companions along to see all their stories.

On a personal note, I enjoy Sorcerers and Bards, and generally like utilizing skills and diplomacy. If I'd be better off rolling a Fighter, however, I'd do that.

Thanks!

[Mork]

A bard is a solid main character for the campaign if this is something you like to play.

[Immortal Reaver]

There is not any Druid, Paladin, Slayer, Monk and Pure arcane caster (1 companion is Transmuter wizard+rouge that is intended for building into Arcane trickster).

On Normal you can pick almost anything, on easy you can should be able to use up all feats on skills, and not have hard time.
You can easily pick either Sorcerer(CHA) for good number on Persuation, or Sage Sorcerer(INT) for enough skillpoints for Knowledge, Lore and Persuation skills.
If you want "Skill Monkey" then Bards - Archeologist(CHA) and Rouge(DEX) are best class that get most skill points, and have class features that raises points to skills.

[Gregorovitch]

Originally posted by ephemeral:

Just bought the game for the Autumn sale and I was wondering what the Companions bring to the table and what the best MC would be to complement them.

There isn't one really. You can play any class you like. There's no obvious no-brainer strongest party, every combo's got it's pros and cons. Some notes for you:

1. If you like playing with a lot of high end magic play a wizard or sorcerer. There isn't really a straight up wiz/sorc companion. There's no druid either if that's your bag.

2. If you want to play a melee you get an archane trickster, a bard, a magister and an inquisitor who can all cast spells for you albeit not such a high level which of course don't matter much if you prefer to gut 'em rather than fry 'em. Archane trickster gets pretty high level casting though, about one level behind where you would be as wiz/sorc through the game.

3. You get the choice of two priests, one tanky so perfect if you want to play a caster (or archer, bomber, bard etc), the other slightly better on the priest front but def backline only, so perfect if you want to play a melee MC.

4. You also get one solid uber-tank, one demon archer and one bomb-miester to choose from as well.

[mookymook]

for first playthru i'd recommend paladin - many, many desirable items are available for them as you progress through the game and you'll get good exposure to melee, some spell casting (divine) as a main character.

[haplok]

Originally posted by Gregorovitch:

2. If you want to play a melee you get an archane trickster, a bard, a magister and an inquisitor who can all cast spells for you albeit not such a high level which of course don't matter much if you prefer to gut 'em rather than fry 'em. Archane trickster gets pretty high level casting though, about one level behind where you would be as wiz/sorc through the game.

An wizard based Arcane Trickster has exactly the same access to spell levels as a Sorcerer of the same level.
Only he can also learn spells from scrolls, so knows way more of them. No spontaneous casting, obviously.

[haplok]

Originally posted by SoundofSilence:

I think a sword saint is the most fun for MC: combines both arcane spellcasting with melee abilities of fighter. Arguably the highest dps and best tank in the game, and can simplify things by going all levels sword saint, but only one in scaled fist monk (or not and get another 1x crit multiplier). Can focus on dex/str, int (to 16) and cha (for diplomacy and ac from monk)

Edit: Or do something similar to a kensai/mage using wizard/sorcerer, fighter, and eldritch knight.

If you play good character, don't do bard as the most important companion is a bard. Also, there is a good wizard companion as well (arcane trickster build).

I'd agree. There are good casters and party supporters available, as well as decent damage dealers (like Ekun, Nok-Nok, Amiri), but the tanking selection is lacking - unless you know what you're doing and you get really creative with companion builds, that is. There is one character built to tank, but she doesn't really excel even at that and is a no damage character on her default build.

A Sword Saint is the best tank in the game, barring none, and capable of really pumping the hurt as well.

[Gregorovitch]

Originally posted by haplok:

An wizard based Arcane Trickster has exactly the same access to spell levels as a Sorcerer of the same level.

I was referring to Octavia who starts with a Rogue level. This holds her back a bit in terms of casting level in my playthrough anyways, always one level behind my wiz MC.

[haplok]

AT is by far my favorite type of (almost) pure Arcane Caster.
She has same spell access as a sorcerer of her level would - actually greater, as she can study scrolls and wizards can get their 2 new spells knows form any spell level they have access to.

[ephemeral]

Some amazing replies, thanks a lot guys!

I think I've narrowed it down to a Paladin and a Sword Saint. I don't suppose you guys can post builds of both (or provide links for)?

My main goal is to have a frontline fighter who is capable of dealing respectable damage while not dying in a few hits. They don't have to have the best DPR or the best mitigation, but being able to do both is crucial. I'll probably be playing on Hard or Normal if that makes any difference.

[haplok]

I don't have a Paladin build, I'm afraid.

But here's my Sword Saint build:
https://rpgcodex.net/forums/index.php?threads/pathfinder-kingmaker-builds-and-strats-thread.124160/page-114#post-6121550

[Kurosu]

You have a lot of options but the ideal would be a CHA based class because it is only your MC charisma- persuasion that matters in persuade checks. Both the sword saint and paladin are good options. The latest however demands that you play Lawfull good so bear that in mind. I finished the campaign on normal as a 2-H hospitaler. Saves the cleric spot as well.

[haplok]

Actually this is false. You use the Persuasion score of character with the highest skill level in the party.
The only exception are a few skill checks when your main char is alone. But they are not particularly important. Mainly Nok-Nok's duel comes to mind, so better buff for it.

With some optimization, you can pass all skill checks in the game even with your main char, even with Charisma dumped to 5-7. Jut take advantage of skill boosters available (particularly bard Song of Competence and Tristan's Touch of Good ability, as well as Heroism/Greater or Good Hope, later may also use Ice Cream food bonus, Ring of Circumstances, equipment bonuses such as Authority mace / Unstoppable Khanda Bastard, Silver Tongue amulet, Perfection sword, Great Dreamer's Smile ring) as well as best Cha boosting items you have.

[ephemeral]

Originally posted by haplok:

I don't have a Paladin build, I'm afraid.

But here's my Sword Saint build:
https://rpgcodex.net/forums/index.php?threads/pathfinder-kingmaker-builds-and-strats-thread.124160/page-114#post-6121550

Awesome build!

I noticed though that you didn't take Exotic Weapon Proficiency. Do Magi get to skirt that requirement with their weapon bond?

[Grifta]

I had a lot of fun with Rogue, but the "missing" classes (classes not covered by companions) are Paladin, Druid, and Monk.

But, basically you can play anything as long as they have good Perception and Persuasion. You are the ruler of a nation after all, so you will be doing a lot of talking. Also, Perception is the most used skill in Pathfinder.

[ephemeral]

I'm really liking the sound of this! How does something like this look for a 19SS/1 Scaled Monk?

STR 16
DEX 14
CON 12
INT 16 (14+2)
WIS 8
CHA 14

Human/Half-Elf

Dazzling Display if Human/Skill Focus Persuasion if HE, Dodge, Falcata/Bastard Sword focus

Not going for ultra min-maxed, since I like Human/HE characters, but something along those lines would be nice.