Hey InEffect,

I have a question about your Elven Arcane Warrior build, which is what I want to use for my second playthrough (first one was a single-class hospitaler that just got SHREDDED during the last act and almost made me give up.) What is the purpose of the single Paladin level at 1? Precise Shot is nice but I couldn't get past level 19 on my last playthrough, so I'd never end up getting that second level at 20.

with the DLC and doing everything you do get 20. And there are faster ways of doing it, which are covered in the guide too.

I have all of the DLC so I must’ve missed some stuff on the first play through. Thanks for your fast response.

Yo, came back to the game after a break and want to try something different. Is there an effective tanking build for jaethal? What are your thoughts?

Sorry for this side question but do you remember where exactly you get the Bastard sword from Varnhold DLC? Both a friend and me choose power but we never got it in the main campaign. The DLC General is even in the Tavern and had it prior when we arrived but its nowhere to be found now.

pretty sure it's from the goblin.

Where is this unfair guide?

right next door? https://www.gog.com/forum/pathfinder_kingmaker/ineffects_unfair_guide/page1

Aha! Thanks! :)

Another question if I may: Your tank build for Valerie is amazing

(Fighter(TSS) 11/Alchemist(Vivisectionist) 3/Monk(Traditional) 1/Rogue(Thug) 4/Stalwart Defender 1)

Can any other companion fit the main tank role as efficiently?

Not really. Jae could, but she's saddled with an inquisitor level and can't be enlarged through normal means. I also generally make val a bard nowadays, but the build above is bit more lore-friendly, so I kept it.

You mentioned a while back that your "Aldori Freebooter" shield bash build needed some work since it's old, is there an updated version for it ?

This one

Role: Damage Dealer/Tank

Race: Aasimar(Angelkin)
Alignment: Any Lawful

Stats:
Str: 19 > 24
Dex: 15*
Con: 14
Int: 12
Wis: 10
Cha: 10

*You can drop dex if you don't care about double-slice. it will slow your early progression somewhat too.

Final Build: Ranger(Freebooter) 10/Monk(Traditional) 1/Fighter(Aldori Defender) 9

Main skills: Mobility 3, Perception
Suggested secondary skills: Persuasion. The rest doesn’t matter.

Detailed leveling breakdown:
Lvl 1: Fighter - Two-Weapon Fighting // Shield Bash
Lvl 2: Ranger
Lvl 3: Ranger - Two-Weapon Combat > Double Slice // Shield Focus
Lvl 4: Monk - Crane Style
Lvl 5: Ranger - Combat Reflexes
Lvl 6: Ranger
Lvl 7: Ranger - Outflank
Lvl 8: Ranger - Improved Two-Weapon Fighting
Lvl 9: Fighter - Improved Critical: Dueling Sword // Seize the Moment
Lvl 10: Fighter
Lvl 11: Fighter - Wings // Shield Master
Lvl 12: Fighter - Weapon Training: Heavy Blades
Lvl 13: Fighter - Bashing Finish
Lvl 14: Fighter
Lvl 15: Fighter - Weapon Focus: Dueling Sword
Lvl 16: Fighter - Weapon Training: Close // Weapon Training: Heavy Blades
Lvl 17: Ranger - Weapon Specialization: Dueling Sword
Lvl 18: Ranger
Lvl 19: Ranger - Greater Weapon Focus: Dueling Sword
Lvl 20: Ranger - Greater Two-Weapon Fighting

Spells by level in order of importance:
Lvl 1: Lead Blades(+extend metamagic rod)
Lvl 2: Sense Vitals(+extend metamagic rod)
Lvl 3: Delay poison(communal)

Slayer build from the main thread is the modern version of that. You can use bloodhound in the main hand there.

InEffect, your Inquisitor 1 / Cleric 19 is definitely the most interesting way of playing Jaethal, despite that "lost" first level. :) I was wondering if you considered:

1) Harrim: Cleric 1 / Druid 19

Advantages:
* memorize buffs & heals / spontaneously cast summons (similar to Jaethal)
* extra meat shield on a pet (I picked Smilodon)
* Cleric level gives nice proficiencies - plate armor, large shield, javelin or mace (I had Harrim named in Vordakai's Tomb, and the soul eater couldn't touch him

2) Linzi: Bard 1 / Sylvan Sorc 19

Advantages:
* Sylvan Sorc 20 is, according to you, a very strong build so this is a "minor loss" of a level
* Bard level gives some interesting proficiencies, including no arcane failure when using light armor and the possibility of using crossbows

most 'interesting' way is probablty a glutton wizard. Give her profane staff from the DLC, and with her undead bonuses, rod of undead and cloak of sold souls she'd reach ok-ish DC's.

Druid doesn't do much. If you want a druid caster you wand wiz7/dru3/theurge10, which harrim can't do. Another option to play a druid is feyspeaker shifter and Val does that job better if you need her to. With dru19/cler1 he gets to be a creeping doom bot and that's about it. Worst thing about his is he has a grand total of 0 redeeming qualities. 20PB, meh stat spred, useless god with useless domains... there is nothing that can be done apart from throwing a pity party and taking him for a ride 'just cause'.

Linzy is the same as Harrim. Bad stat spread, no redeeming qualities. Worse than a merc in every way possible. You technically can make her an ok tower shield tank by late-game in the spirit of valerie, but she'd have to sacrifice head slot for the top hat from linnorm cave to wear her stuff, so she needs some other cha slot to have at least some extra spells to justify her pitiful existence. It's doable, but is pain to do and all that effort is to be disappointed in the endgame. To hell with the bloody midget. Park her in town and forget she exists. If you want a bard that isn't val there is jae and reg that both can do the job better than linzy.