Single Class Viability + fighters?

[Flip]

Hi all,

I read (but not certain if I remember correctly or have gone mad) that in Pathfinder, sticking to a single class (i.e a Fighter) is perfectly viable and powerful as opposed to D&D 3.5 where it seemed you were almost forced to multiclass in order to create powerful characters.

Are single classes viable or is MC strongly recommended?

Also one of my fav classes is boring old Sword & Shield warror but not as blunt bladed Tank (I hate this MMO mold that has filtered down into SP games) but as warrior that can dish out and take damage.

Looking forward to this game

[Sigmarsson]

I have not played the Beta, but I've seen some videoes of character making. The video of the fighter showed, at least to me, that a fighter is a good choice for a single class character. Tons of feats, every level, better armor use as you level up and a special level 20 ability. If you search Youtube for "Spidey1958" he has a 20 minuttes long video about the fighter class, and a lot of other videos too if you're interested.

[Flip]

Thanks Sigmarsson, will check out those vids. Appreciated!

[JODEGAFUN]

Absolute a single class character could done very well, but have in mind there are only 20lv to reach, so multiclass a mage/cleric you get not all spells. If 10/10 you get only lv 5, i think with caster lv 10 and 10 in another class you are weak.
But there are some combination which fit you well. I am not sure if they implemet the arcane knight for mage who want to fight, but instead of learning all the talents like wapon, light armor ect. i chosed 1 class fighter for my mage if i went this part in NW2 (you spare 4 ore 5 talent for one lv in caster and still got access to lv 9 spells).
But you are not forced to play mix class because well optimised single class is as good as mixed char (even better if you mix stupid)

[Grifta]

I've never multi-classed in the 8+ years that I've been playing Pathfinder pen & paper, this is over home-brew campaigns, and ~5 adventure paths (pre-made campaigns).

A lot of power-gamers will tell you that you have to "dip" into classes which means taking 1-2 levels to get some kind of ability that it unique to that class. For example, Paladin 2 gives you Divine Grace (add Charisma modifier to all save)

To each his own, but I prefer to build a single class, because you get the high level abilities that the class gives you. For example; Ranger 17 gets Hide in Plain Sight (Stealth even while someone is watching you).
Also, every class has a capstone ability, which is an amazingly powerful thing that they get at level 20. I mean, once you're level 20, the game is almost over, but it's still amazing. For example, Fighter 20 Weapon Mastery (With one weapon, all crits are auto-confirmed, you cannot be disarmed, and the critical multiplier is +1 higher), Basically you become a god with that one weapon, and, with the other fighter abilities up to that point, you wear Full Plate Armour as easily as if it were a t-shirt.

*edit spelling corrections*

[Flip]

Thanks all, great to hear single class is viable and there are some perks (Capstone) for doing so as well. Appreciate all the feedback! Looking forward to playing this on release :D

[Arendall]

In all my P&P experience, you can play the way you want, either by multiclassing or by staying a single class all the way around. Some characters ideas can only be done by multiclassing.
If you want to have a character throwing arcane and divine spell, the only way to do that it to take arcane class and divine class to end as a mysthic theurge.

[drABcoat]

Just to chime in here: In Pathfinder, multi-classing can actually be *quite* terrible for the reasons outlined in the previous posts here. There are some very cool "dips" and even straight multi-class builds you can make, but you have to be very deliberate in your level/feat choices if you want to go that route.

If you're unfamiliar w/how DnD 3.5 and PF work, I would probably recommend sticking to a class you like the flavor of, and *maybe* doing a prestige class.

Level 20 single-class characters were basically designed to get rid of a lot of the messy multi-class builds that were floating around, and they're instilled in archetypes now.

[Grifta]

Yea, I do have to give a shout out to Mystic Theurge that Arendall mentioned. I really want to try that at some point. That will probably be the first multiclass character that I play.

If you want a look at what the classes get, this game is INCREDIBLY close to the pen&paper. For the default version of the classes, check here:
http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/coreRulebook/classes.html
http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/advancedPlayersGuide/advancedBaseClasses.html (only Alchemist, Inquisitor, and Magus)

One caveat is that Rogue and Monk default classes are found in the "Pathfinder Unchained" tab on the left:
http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/unchained/classes/index.html

There are also obviously the 3 archetypes for each class, but that information is spread out all over the place. These links should give you 95% accurate information of what to expect in this game. The 5% difference is from the conversion computer game, but the abilities still work as intended.

[drABcoat]

^
Also, if you just google [pathfinder class/archetype name], d20pfsrd.com has everything you would need to research the game. I have spent...too much time there building toons in preparation for this game's release.

[Grifta]

:P I always avoid sending new people to d20pfsrd because it's got too much 3rd party stuff.

[drABcoat]

That sounds right. :D

[Flip]

Thanks for all the links and advise all, will check them out. Appreciated!

[Adeptus Stark]

In 3.5 PC games I liked to take 4 fighter levels for weapon specialization then go Paladin. In Pathfinder it's not feasable. Maybe 5 levels of Fighter first but would not seem as useful.

[ashurakain]

what bout a dip in 1 lvl for monk and then get 19 lvls in empyreal sorceror?
would that way give you the atk, def, and all spell things bonus with wisdom?

[Zerathule]

On these points, you have first to remember, Pathfinder IS NOT D&D 3.5X.
Pathfinder fighters get abilities D&D fighters don't.
It's the case for most classes.
While dipping a level or 2 can sometimes be better than keeping to a single class, this is not the norm, and is not without tradeoff.
Most classes in Pathfinder will get very neat abilities as they level up, either as new abilities, or improvement of current abilities.
For exemple, the Paladin, while Divine grace is a straight up boost to saves at level 2 (adding your CHA to all saves) your class defining abilities like lay on hands, smite evil etc ... will improve as you level, being more powerfull, and being able to use them more times a day.
Fighter gets more feats than any other class, but they gain also access to armor and weapon training, which are really great abilities.

Also, a level 20 fighter, with the two handed fighter archetype, is probably the most damaging character you can make in the game, and you can play it lots of different way (multiple big hits, one single crazy hit etc ...) and note this comment comes from someone who claims that casters are the one that are overpowered ^^ (it probably won't be the case in the CRPG, because most of abilities that makes a caster OP in the PNP won't be in the game)

Note that a level 20 fighter, even if built to be durable, won't be a tank in the MMO sense. Also, it won't be as survivable as a Paladin or Barbarian, both against physical attacks (Barbs can get insane DR/- and Paladins gets swift action lay on hands) but especially against casters.
In PNP, the fighter has two glaring weaknesses : lack of any kind of utility, and extreme weakness to magic.
Lack of utility won't be as much of a problem in a CRPG, especially as a lot of magic tricks probably won't be in game. (a melee fighter is useless against a dragon if he doesnt have flight for exemple etc ...)
Vulnerability to Magic might prove to be more challenging to overcome.
If you know what you're doing, a straight level 20 fighter, especially as a Two Handed Fighter, is going to be a beast, and will slay everything on its way, but you'll need support and to be carefull.
A paladin or barbarian will probably be a little less damaging (paladin will be extreme against some targets) but will be much more survivable.