Best class to start out as?

[Super Baked Guy]

So I started with a paladin because i assumed i would be lacking in front line fighters, but it appears like I am mistaken. Octavia is the only 'wizard' i have and she has a wasted level do to her having a level in rogue. So I'm thinking would a wizard or sorceror class be the best to start out as? I don't really know how many companions are available to you throughout the game, so as far as I know octavia is the only true spellcaster

[Mork]

Sylvan sorcerer is a great class to start with for new players.

Base ranger archer is solid but one of the companion is one of those and he is very strong.

Companions class
Tower Shield specialist (fighter)
Inquisitor
Bard
Dwarf cleric
Barbarian
Eldritch Scion (magus)
Wizard / Rogue / Arcane trickster (Octavia)
Ecclesitheurge (back line cleric healer/support)
Alchemist
Ranger
Rogue knife master
Kineticist (DLC)
Dark Elementalist (DLC)

[pi73r]

While you won't be lacking in frontline you will be lacking an actual tank so it's never a bad idea to play as a tanky character. It shouldn't matter too much if you are playing below hard anyway.

[jsaving]

For a new player I would recommend a sylvan sorcerer who take grease, burning hands (for swarms), shield, and magic missile. Animal companions are strong in Kingmaker, especially at low to mid levels where new players would struggle most.

Other builds, like melee sorcerer and sword saint, are stronger overall but require a lot more skill than new players are likely to have. So I'd stay away from them in a first run but be open to them as you get more experience.

[Zzyl_tsw]

Originally posted by Hingle McCringleberry:

Octavia is the only 'wizard' i have and she has a wasted level do to her having a level in rogue.r

It is absolutely not wasted, she is clearly designed for a prestige class : arcane trickster (dps mage)

[Mr. Hanky]

Wizard, Eldritch Knight build is the best

[Bibibobaba]

Paladin are the best class to have. A Paladin with Linzi are the best good foundation for good aligned party.
For Sorcerer and wizard it can be long before they be effective. You can make one in the Pathfinder Society when you reach potent level for a spellcaster. What I hate it the low ability for the mercenary made that way.
Like ZZyl said Octavia she made for an Arcane Trickster prestige class. That a pretty strong class.
WIth all the Bloodline I feel too that Sorcerer in Kingmaker are heavily design for be use as the main characters.
Also It have no monk and like Paladin and Sorcerer they are pretty strong. May be the best 3 class to start from my eyes. Scaled Fist for the monk. Dragon Disciple Prestige with Sorcerer. DIvine Guardian as Paladin will complete the best with all the companions.
I need to try the Aldory Defender\swordlord they seem to be a great choice too.

[CaimDark]

No clue what the best character is, but I started as one of the pre-made Paladins because I wasn't familiar with the mechanics and it worked out pretty well.

[Nokturnal]

You can change the classes of the companions you recruit to suit your needs.

For example I always change Valerie into a Paladin because her stats are perfect for a Paladin. Even if her story says "I wanna be a fighter instead because blah blah blah" ... STFU Your stats are perfect for a Paladin so be a Paladin, don't like a certain order? Don't join it, duh!

And yea Paladin is a perfect starting class as Paladins are OP AF. Can they tank? Yep. Can they DPS? Yep. Can they Heal? Yep... all bases covered lol

[FunkytownKing]

Inquisitor Monster Tactician or Bard Archaeologist. Given that Linzi comes first. I'd pick the Inquisitor for ease of use on my first playthrough

[alation13]

To me the Best MC class is Sacred huntsman.
1. You are the party skill monkey (also helps in areas you can'y use your party).
2. You have a pet that can tank damage, help with flanking, DPS, etc.
3. You have healing/buffing spells, extremely useful for both you, your pet, and later your party.
4. You can invest in Persuasion, Trickery and Perception. They are arguably the three most useful skills in the entire game.

[Martialis]

It is a long campaign. Play whichever class you enjoy the play style of the most, and then recruit companions and/or mercs to round out your party.

[Nariel]

Like Mork said base ranger archer is solid; good attack, free pet (Pets are good in this game) simple to level and you get some spells (mostly buff). For entry level, Ranger is good, but if your looking for more complex then Sorcerer is my pick

Also, yes, one of the companion is also a Ranger. So it's up to you if you want to double up on the same class :)

[alation13]

Originally posted by Martialis:

It is a long campaign. Play whichever class you enjoy the play style of the most, and then recruit companions and/or mercs to round out your party.

That actually goes both ways. Since you can recruit a full party of level one mercs straight after the tutorial, you may as well pick a class that offers the most benefits. This game is nothing like NWN or any of those "one character" games. Your Main character has to be useful for both rounding out your party as well as being able to do certain tasks like picking locks, persuading, fighting, etc when they are forced to act on their own.

EDIT: As pointed out by a number of people a pet is very useful, not just for the damage etc but the pets strength is added to your MC for determining the max carry capacity.

My party has a capacity of 7600lb BEFORE it even becomes encumbered, and a max of 22960 lb. No mods installed and no bags of holding etc. It is a dream for those of us who are OCD and NEED to pick up EVERYTHING.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2592860105

[asnjas19]

What difference does class make? Play whatever you want and adjust the difficulty. There is no best class for new players, only best difficulty.

[Xautos]

i found myself playing slayer archer. it seems to be okay at this point. it's gotten me a lot further than other classes so far.