Pathfinder: Kingmaker - Paladin Tank Build

Here is a quick video build of a Paladin Tank in Pathfinder Kingmaker!
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[@BearThing]

Paladin Tank Monk(Scaled Fist) 1 / Paladin(Hospitaler) 16 Race: Aasimar (Musetouched) STR:12 DEX:18 CON:12 INT:8 WIS:13 CHA:18 Skills: Perception, Mobility Alignment: LG Deity: Irori 1) Monk 1 - Weapon Finesse, Crane Style 2) Paladin 1 - 3) Paladin 2 - Dodge 4) Paladin 3 - CHA+1 Mercy-Fatigued 5) Paladin 4 - Crane Wing 6) Paladin 5 - 7) Paladin 6 - Blind Fight, Mercy-Diseased 8) Paladin 7 - CHA+1 9) Paladin 8 - Crane Riposte 10) Paladin 9 - Mercy-Confused 11) Paladin 10 - Wings 12) Paladin 11 - CHA+1 13) Paladin 12 - Combat Reflexes, Mercy-Blinded 14) Paladin 13 - 15) Paladin 14 - Outflank 16) Paladin 15 - CHA+1, Mercy-Paralyzed 17) Paladin 16 - Seize the Moment --------------- 18) 19) 20)

[@jholland9850]

Last three levels rogue for finesse training?

[@ArcaneAgent]

Sure

[@OutcastPyros]

@@ArcaneAgent Could you do a build for a bit more traditional Paladin tank with heavy armor and greatsword. I don't mind dipping in to other classes but don't want to dip into monk when its going to take away from wielding two handed weapons and wearing heavy armour.

[@ArcaneAgent]

I started to. I made a sword and board shield tank paladin. And then with the same feats I just dipped monk and it was 10 times better

[@OutcastPyros]

@@ArcaneAgent but to get the monk benefits you can't use any heavy armor and that is not what I want to do. I don't mind if it's not as good as dipping into monk. Just a good solid heavy armor wearing paladin that works.

[@theoriginaljealot5946]

Years later, I still keep coming back to reference this because it is so good.

[@ArcaneAgent]

Makes me wanna make more of these videos

[@theoriginaljealot5946]

@@ArcaneAgent You totally should. Your videos are the gold standard for class builds in Pathfinder Kingmaker. Edit: ​And I imagine the same is true for your Pathfinder: WOTR videos, although I haven't picked that game up yet, so I haven't gotten into those videos of yours yet.

[@Dire_Strait13]

@@ArcaneAgentplease do so!!! Even if it’s just minor tweaks for updated patches, etc. I came across your channel and love your content! Would love to see more Owlcat games, and even more isometric CRPGs

[@poseidonzfury920]

I would actualy like to see your take on a Dark Elementalist. I know it widely considered a lesser subclass,but it would be super interesting to see what you can come up with. Great video by the way!

[@lesweezy5608]

Thank you so much for all your build guides! It has helped me make sense of all the choices and feel more comfortable and confident while making choices/playing the game. It's got me hooked in repeat playthrough planning too😅. Happy New Year!

[@ArcaneAgent]

Good job getting hooked and addicted hehe

[@realitybendergaming685]

I'm ready for another one of your great build videos. Plus I Love tanking

[@ArcaneAgent]

Thanks! I'll be streaming on twitch right after the video finishes

[@xiaominexiaomine7927]

Great build. Viable from level 1. With some damage dealers can tank for days on hard. Used it as a merc, along with wiz and slyvan. Later added (after lvl 13) strato's sword saint and its a party

[@gagegjersing3150]

Just bought this game today and Feel like ive spent more time on your channel then in game lol. Thanks for the content will be following here and on twitch

[@ArcaneAgent]

Dude thanks. I spend more time making builds than playing the game...

[@arcari13]

Oh my God, I've waited so long for a assimar paladin build 🥳🥳🥳

[@ArcaneAgent]

Asmr build incoming

[@valacarno]

@@ArcaneAgent Aasimar paladin build is an ASMR by itself. 😊 Thanks for the great content as always.

[@ArcaneAgent]

Yer welcome!

[@CCGorbie]

I have a Monk with a 52 AC and she takes way more damage than Valerie does with a 51 AC because of one simple factor you overlooked... Flat Footed. The Dex builds lose half their AC when flat footed.

[@alexmartins86]

Not with foresight 😉

[@EQ2snorkle]

I go Scaled Monk 1 , Vivisectionist 1 Then Hospitaler, way more dps early. also specialise in Nuchaku instead as you get MC in prologue and the +1 with 1-6 fire damage in act 1

[@guest971]

New pathfinder game coming out, hope to see you making builds for that one. Its enjoyable👌

[@ArcaneAgent]

September 2nd!

[@jholland9850]

Hopefully it also comes to xonsole eventually

[@Xegatheri]

unfortunately I was late for the premiere this time.. Great build, as always! Keep it up man

[@ArcaneAgent]

Its ok! We had 74 people watching the premiere live, and then we had 50 people watching on twitch, so that was fun!

[@jankeuter2030]

Hyped

[@ArcaneAgent]

Such hype

[@Atrahasis7]

Kinda bummed the only way to make a Paladin tank is some kind of silly looking robed angel with a kama. Something went terribly wrong in this rule system.

[@ArcaneAgent]

Its been wrong, so wrong. I mean they should make it 1 wisdom AC per level of monk, just like duelist

[@jordanfox470]

With further levels and cotw, could grab crusaders flurry to use your deitys weapon and still gain flurry of blows so you could use a stronger weapon with higher crit range like rapier or scimitar. Also, paired opportunist would be great for your team, when someone aoo's, you get an aoo. I'm running a similar build but on an arsenal chaplain and it's a massive aoo generator. Basically kills everything as it walks up to us.

[@ArcaneAgent]

Slayer vivisectionist with opportunity soon

[@jordanfox470]

@@ArcaneAgent yeah as soon as you go down the mod route and super deep btsl levels, some whacky opportunities show up. I have a slayer vivisectionist with 2 levels in eldritch scion and 4 in dd for the strength and wand usage. Craft magic item lets me put a wand of savage maw and blade tutor on him. With another wand of vampiric touch and his motherless, mutagen, savage maw, dragon disciple and skald rage power bite, that's a lot of bites. 6 main, 3 off, 5 bites with keen scimitars, I've named him 'CritFisher'.

[@edudiehl5553]

Heyyy this one use Kama! Definitely gonna use this build Thanks for the build Arcane:) Great build as always....

[@ArcaneAgent]

Enjoy!

[@Jarredpearman]

It works nicely as there is a decent kama that gives a straight +2 AC bonus when equipped. Because the artisan will often give you 2 you could dual wield them if you wanted to invest that way for stacking AC of 4.

[@ArcaneAgent]

Pew pew with the kamas

[@IwrestledSATANonce]

I hope your channel becomes famous within the community

[@ArcaneAgent]

I like your username lol

[@IwrestledSATANonce]

@@ArcaneAgent thanks. is this build viable with an Earth Breaker, and will the AC be effected greatly?

[@Porphyrogenitus1]

Nice, the Paladin build posted. Pro.

[@arrgylerawrgyle3784]

Glad you took my recommendation for hospitaler:)

[@ArcaneAgent]

Its why I love the community!

[@ericevans9186]

Tank builds aren't boring they are just meat and potatoes. You know stapels every party needs. Also for the main story, a tank Pali with high CHR isn't a bad way to go considering all the diplomacy checks and what not required of the main charactor.

[@ArcaneAgent]

Well get ready for this build

[@poets-speak]

In this build, if I wanted to take outflank earlier, could I grab it ASAP and just nudge all the other skills up a level? My understanding is that a single monk weapon is better than other options, because of the AC from crane wing?

[@Sbelrassler]

So you need a agile Weapon Rapiers have that a lot in my game (level 12) so perhaps improved crit rapier would be a good idea for this build

[@ArcaneAgent]

True

[@lokecx]

question: 1.what weopen this build recomended? one hand? two handed? 2.what armor should i be wearing?

[@TheOriginalJealot]

I think it's one hand with no offhand so you get the unarmed bonus from one of the monk skills.

[@JMDahl1964]

any chance you can do these against the wild hunt? It would be nice to see how their attacks stack up against this defensive build

[@ArcaneAgent]

Ive got to find them beneath the stolen land

[@SilverArrowsMP]

Questions for a noob: 1. What's the benefit of going mobility past 3? I only ask because if I want to play this on my MC, wouldn't it be better to stop at 3 and start adding Persuasion for the dialog checks considering there is always someone else in my party that focuses mobility? Also, at the starting stats you gave, you can get Blind Fight with zero points in Perception, so is there another reason you are taking it? 2. Does the weapon choice really matter since there is no crit focus going on this build? Can any "Monk" weapon be used instead? Really loving your builds. Using your Rogue Reach Amiri, Scaled Fist Tank on Valerie, and Necro on Harrim (obviously I have the Respec mod)

[@93overlord]

1. No point take mobility past 3. No point to take perception, you can take everything. But on practice, this game love roll lower half of arrey, and better to have more then 1 character in the party with it. wisdom based preferred. 2. Crane style works bad with 2h weapon, so, every monk weapon excluding staff - kama, sai, fists, nunchuks. i give you a tip. If you want make this build - dont take hospitalier. Take normal paladin.

[@ArcaneAgent]

I guess you could stop mobility at 3 and start pumping persuasion. Perception is always a good skill to detect traps, chests, hidden doors etc

[@SilverArrowsMP]

@@93overlord Thanks!

[@ragathielcross2179]

i cried soooo bad i was excited when i saw them add the alchemist in this game cause i thought that i could make my OP pally build using the Mind chemist but alas...they chose a crappy one instead...i wish there was a mind chemist to make super pally! back in the day i used pretty much this same build except added the mind chemist which gives u aanother big ac bonus through mutagen and you can up your CHA +4....but using a vivi in this is still fun just dump into dex

[@CamoflagedTumbleweed]

Looks like I found a good template to start my turnbased play through with. Charisma/persuasion seems like a good base for a leader. Thanks AA! Does Guardian Hearth stack with this? That would be crazy.. 🥦🦖

[@ArcaneAgent]

The cleric domain? I think so

[@AmbivalentActuality]

can't wait to see some stuff from baldur's gate 3 anyway thanks for the entertainment

[@ArcaneAgent]

I'm glad I can entertain

[@thegodwarsable]

I found this video very intuitive, any chance you can make a sorcerer guide and a high armoured class, preferably armoured hulk, or fighter?

[@ArcaneAgent]

Maybe...

[@jordanfox470]

If you want a dragon sorcerer, here's the build I use (keep in mind the stuff about metamagic/prestigious spellcaster requires the call of the wild mod, which you should really consider getting if you don't have it): If you want your dragon sorcerer to be stupid as well as unwise, you can dump int to 7 from 11 freeing up points to make either STR or DEX 16 at start. You won't need to worry overmuch about excess skillpoints in that case. STR>CHA>DEX>CON>WIS>INT. Progression with spellcasting level and max spell level listed as (x,y): 1: So1 (1,1): +1 hp. Feats: Spell Focus, Greater Spell Focus, Favoured Prestige Class (Dragon Disciple). Bloodline power: Blood Havoc mutation (replaces Claws, +1 damage per die for spells, stacks with +1 from dragon bloodline). Spells: Burning Hands(1), Shield(1) 2: So2 (2,1): +1 hp 3: So3 (3,1): +partial spell. Feat: Metamagic (Elemental Acid). Bloodline power: Dragon Resistances rather than a bloodline mutation. Spells: Magic Missile(1) 4: So4 (4,2) +1 CHA, +Bonus spell(level 1). Spells: Vanish(1), Burning Arc(2) 5: So5 (5,2): +partial spell. Weapon Focus: Bite. Spells: Enlarge(1), Mirror Image(2) 6: DD1 (5,2): +1 hp. Set Favoured Prestige Class Skill Focus (Persuasion) - You lose a spellcaster level here, regain it next level 7: DD2 (7,3): +1 hp. Feat: Prestigious Spellcaster (Dragon Disciple). Bloodline feat: Skill Focus: Knowledge (Arcane) or Toughness depending on whether you play stupid or non-stupid sorcerer. Spells: True Strike(1), Glitterdust(2), Fireball(3), Haste(3) 8: DD3 (8,4): +1 CHA, +1 hp. Spell: Dragon's Breath(4) or Controlled Fireball(4) 9: DD4 (9,4): +1 hp, Feat: Dazzling Display. Spells: Sense Vitals(2), Displacement(3), Wall of Fire(4) 10: DD5 (9,4): +1 hp. Bloodline feat: Blind Fight. -- You lose a spell level here, will regain at 15 11: DD6 (10,5): +1 hp. Feat: Outflank. Spell: Fire Snake(5) 12: DD7 (11,5): +1 CHA, +1 hp. Spells: Web(2), Resistance to Energy, Communal(3), Protection from Energy, Communal(4), Stoneskin, Communal(5). You gain Dragonkind I as an 1/day ability so this is start of life as a dragon. 13: Mo1 (11,5): +1 hp. Feat: Shattered Defenses. Monk feat: Crane Style 14: DD8 (12,6): +1 hp. Bloodline feat: Metamagic(Quicken). Spell: Sirocco(6). --- You gain Dragonkind 1 as spell from lineage here at the same time as you get your 6th level spells, so aren't limited to the 1/day use anymore 15: So6 (14,7): +bonus spell(level 6). Feat: Prestigious Spellcaster (Dragon Disciple). Spells: Dimension Door(4), Geniekind(5), Transformation, Contingency(6), Waves of Exhaustion(7) - note, to be allowed to select a level 6 bonus spell - which you are only allowed to because of the Prestigious Spellcaster taken this level bringing you to level 7 spells - the interface requires you to select the feat first. To do this just select +1hp (or whatever) when you reach the heritage tab, then after assigning skillpoints and the feat return to the heritage tab (click on the tab name to do so) and you'll be able to select bonus spell(level 6) 16: So7 (15,7): +1 CHA, + partial spell. Bloodline power: Blood Intensity mutation. Spells: Angelic Aspect(5), Heroism, Greater(6), Firebrand(7) --- Tired of fireballs capping at 10 dice? No more! You also gain Wings 17: So8 (16,8): +bonus spell(level 7). Feat: Elemental Focus: Fire. Spell Legendary Proportions(7), Stormbolts(8) (Or if you REALLY want to fill up your spellslots with heightened Sirocco for levels 7+, get Metamagic(Heighten) feat instead). 18: So9 (17,8): +partial spell. Spells: Particulate Form(7), Seamantle(8) --- Note that you gain Dragonkind III from lineage, making you bigger and tougher than ever and that it has a pretty scary aura 19: So10 (18,9): +bonus spell(level 8). Feat: Greater Elemental Focus: Fire. Spells: Frightful Aspect(8), Fiery Body(9) 20: So11 (19,9): +1 CHA, +1 hp. Spells: Summon Elder Elemental(8), Meteor Swarm(9).. or Tsunami, Weird, or Time Stop Total spell list: 1 Mage Armor(B), Burning Hands, Shield, Magic Missile, Vanish, Enlarge, True Strike 2 Resist Energy(B), Burning Arc, Mirror Image, Glitterdust, Sense Vitals, Web (or whatever) 3 Dispel Magic(B), Fireball, Haste, Displacement, Resist Energy, Communal 4 Fear(B), 2 of Dragon's Breath/Controlled Fireball/Wall of Fire, Protection From Energy, Communal, Dimension Door 5 Spell Resistance(B), Fire Snake, Stoneskin, Communal, Geniekind, Angelic Aspect, 6 Dragonkind I(B), Sirocco (fort save), Transformation, Contingency, Heroism, Greater 7 Dragonkind II(B), Waves of Exhaustion, Firebrand, Legendary Proportions, Particulate Form (or whatever) 8 Dragonkind III(B) - Stormbolts (fort save), Seamantle, Frightful Aspect, Summon Elder Elemental (or whatever) 9 Overwhelming Presence(B), Fiery Body, Meteor Swarm (or whatever... Meteor Swarm is traditional for nukers, but against Fey you might prefer Weird, Tsunami, or Time Stop - or just ripping them apart as a dragon, but it IS traditional, and when the COTW author implemented it in the mod it deserves to be used, and it looks nice too) About level 4 spells; Controlled Fireball is a perfectly valid replacement for Dragon's Breath or Wall of Fire if you prefer it; especially Wall of Fire is iffy; it is seldom worth using over another blasting spell with more immediate effect, but when it is, it can be very useful indeed. If you take Controlled Fireball, it needs an acid metamagic variant too. Metamagic Quicken(+4): Vanish, Burning Arc, Mirror Image, Sense Vitals, Fireball, Haste, Displacement, Wall of Fire, Dragon's Breath or Controlled Fireball, Dimension Door, Fire Snake Acid(+1): Burning Hands, Burning Arc, Fireball, Wall of Fire, Controlled Fireball if you have it, Fire Snake, Sirocco, Stormbolts

[@Raymondo500]

I have a build idea for a dex + int based Arcane Monk. Tiefling heritage with fridgid touch spell, increased int and dex. Sword Saint magus with touch as chosen weapon and becomes the weapon type when using stone fist. Stonefist doesn't allow negative strength to reduce damage and agile monk amulet adds dexterity bonus to damage. I believe touch attack ignore all but dex bonus to AC and that can be removed by Prescient Attack. Canny defense adds int bonus to AC, Lightning Draw adds int bonus to initiative. You can build towards using more of your spells, wand wielder for 1 round self buffing like True strike or touch spells or focus on using arcane points. Craft magic items mod allows you to craft wands but metamagic effects are impossible to include. Eldritch Arcana has a noble heritage that increases arcane points and 2 metamagic level reducing traits that likely are of interest. If money is a problem you can put both metamagic level reductions on electric touch and have intensify wands which racks up the damage a lot and cheaper than getting several empower wands. Increasing intelligence a lot would also get you more low level spell slots while also gaining AC and initiative and weapon finesse for hit chance to ignore strength penalty. Sadly an Eldritch Scion version would sacrifice a lot of AC and initiative in comparison that can be reacquired by getting a level in sacred fist but flurry of blows don't work with stone fist, monk fist deals 1d6 as well but stone fist targets touch AC. I don't know a good way to make an eldritch scion comparably good at avoiding hits than sword saint, a strength build might be better but you'd loose even more AC and initiative.

[@keats27]

of the games you mentioned, BGIII, Solasta, all the PF games...what do you consider the best?

[@ArcaneAgent]

Of the newer games? Solasta has thr better handle of 5e rules

[@seth_silverwing389]

Hey Agent I know this isn't related to this video but I cannot find any information on this anywhere and I thought that you might be able to help me. I have started a new playthrough as a Magus while playing on the Turn based mode that is now in the game and no matter what I do I cannot use my spell combat for a full round action to attack with my weapon and my spell despite not doing anything else on my turn (i am already near the enemy i want to attack and have made no actions so far) so i was wondering if you knew what I might be doing wrong. Thank you for any help you can offer

[@ArcaneAgent]

Do you have spell combat on? Do you have a 1 handed weapon? Have you already walked during the round. Is it at touch spell?

[@hatecorpse]

Some ideas on the Investigator would be awesome

[@ArcaneAgent]

On the inquisitor?

[@hatecorpse]

@@ArcaneAgent investigator, from the eldritch arcana mod I think it is. Or maybe into the wilds

[@orarinnsnorrason4614]

This is crazy. I know its a long time, don't know if you still play. But I was thinking if you have any Sorcadin builds? Sorcerer and Paladin smiter. Getting a few levels of sorcerer adds more slots for the Paladin to burn on smites.

[@TheOriginalJealot]

Can you explain that please? How does Sorc get Paladin more Smite slots?

[@orarinnsnorrason4614]

@@TheOriginalJealot It doesn't. I was thinking in fifth edition when I wrote that. You'd have to get more smite through a Mythic feat.

[@Dire_Strait13]

I just subscribed, playing Kingmaker on my Steam deck and man this helped a lot!! I still don’t know if I should go paladin or Sylvan Sorcerer or “Dex Scion” for my first character. Any tips? lol

[@ArcaneAgent]

Paladins can be very easy because they are very tanky. Sylvan sorc can be easy because they get a pet from level 1

[@blazenkks9491]

Any idea of how a reach weapon would function with this build? seems kinda cool with all the extra attacks of opportunity.

[@ArcaneAgent]

Reach weapons are mainly strength weapons, so you'll only get as many attacks of opportunity as you have dex modifier

[@benry007]

@@ArcaneAgent would it make much difference to the overall build if you switched the dexterity and strength scores and used something like a glaive? I'm new to the game and still wrapping my head round it, I've played 5e but not pathfinder.

[@ArcaneAgent]

The dexterity is not only for your attack, but also your defense

[@benry007]

@@ArcaneAgent but is it just giving you an extra couple of points of AC? Since the AC is so high an extra couple of point wouldn't make to much difference would it?

[@ArcaneAgent]

Yes. You can lower your dex and choose to use strength instead. However, why not double up on AC AND attack with one skill? Dex also allows you more attacks of opportunity

[@Moonryven]

enjoy your builds would like to see a druid tank build

[@ArcaneAgent]

I made one back in 2018 hehe. Druid monk

[@Moonryven]

@@ArcaneAgent wow will have a look enjoy druid alot but hate how they are not very tanky

[@ArcaneAgent]

Yeah druids get the short end of the sticj

[@waynetaylor3353]

Agent would you recommend a Paladin / Wizard multiclass combo or maybe a Eldritch Knight instead??

[@ArcaneAgent]

What do you want to achieve?

[@waynetaylor3353]

@@ArcaneAgent A paladin that has some practical offensive spellcasting abilities without overly compromising a Paladin's proficiency as a melee / support character. Thanks for your expert advice.

[@lilbrinx]

What kind of gear were you rocking on this one. I personally think it would be cool to show the gear also. Don’t get me wrong the build is awesome and I’ve paired it with other builds you’ve done but I’m just guessing on gear and I’m probably making a mistake

[@ArcaneAgent]

I wasnt wearing armor. I had a plus 4 natural armor amulet. A plus 4 deflection ring. And a plus magic armor bracelet

[@lilbrinx]

Thank you

[@johngleue]

Have you made a build yet where you incorporate more than 3 classes? I was just reading through the descriptions of the classes to see what could synergize with this specific build you've made here. Maybe a thug to lvl 4 to get weap training/uncanny. Pally possibly to level 2 or 3 so all attribute points would be dumped into dex and then a class for ab bonus and damage, like slayer? Or keep points in char and include a sorc class perhaps. I've no experience with slayer but the description sounded like it could synergize well. I could be way off though it's possible all those paladin levels are necessary for this build to be as viable as it is. I play on xbox so it's hard for me to experiment with builds without devoting tons of time leveling. And the re-level feature is bugged and breaks game. But yeah my main question is do you think a build with lots of classes (more than 3) could be good or even worth it?

[@ArcaneAgent]

Ive made a thug duelist Aldori defender build before

[@johngleue]

@@ArcaneAgent you're really good about replying back to comments and it's appreciated. Thanks, great videos!

[@ArcaneAgent]

Well right now when I only get 11 comments a day, I try to reply back

[@Jarredpearman]

John you could go with something like Scaled Fist 1, paladin 3-4 for saves and anti fear then do the abyssal eldritch scion with 4 points in dragon disciple for the spells and added str buffs which would make up for the BAB loss. Add in a few levels of vivisectionist for a significant duration mutagen effect and some sneak damage.

[@johngleue]

@@Jarredpearman wow, yeah that sounds cool!

[@laoxep]

Niiiice! What do you think about Halfling instead of Aasimar? Higher AC,Intelligence and saves but lower Strength,damage and no wings.

[@ArcaneAgent]

You could do that and grab cautious fighter, +2 ac while defensive fighting

[@laoxep]

@@ArcaneAgent Cool! Doesnt look as cool as wings in your build but its cool. Thanks!

[@ArcaneAgent]

Those wings are nice

[@omargoodman2999]

I don't think it's worth it. Cautious fighter + size bonus = wings, but you do less damage, are slower, less carry capacity, no halo. Halfling just couldn't compete without a way to speed up and supplement their damage at the very least.

[@ArcaneAgent]

What about a halfling cautious fighter with crane wing and also vivisectionist wings...

[@TheTdroid]

Hey, have you considered making a build for a Two-Weapon Fighting Bard? Between the College of Swords in 5th Edition and the Blade in 2nd Edition, it seems to be a popular variant of the Bard and my personal favorite. With decent Charisma and a few levels of Fighter (ideally Aldori for the free Dueling Sword proficiency), it should be possible to to with a Cornugon Smash/Shatter Defenses combo, compensating for the mid tier Base Attack Bonus. The standard Bard even gives you a way to spend a Bard Song to inflict Shaken without letting the enemy save at level 8. If you use human, you might even have enough feats to get Arcane Armor Mastery early so you can make use of Mithril Breastplates. Why Mithril Breastplates? They have 6 base armor, 5 max dex bonus and no skill or movement penalties. You can find a +2 one after getting a barony during a main quest and a +5 one in the endgame. Stat boosting items also allow you to unlock and use feats you normally couldn't, like TWF. A 15 Dex character can use Improved TWF when wearing a +2 Dex item and Greater TWF if wearing a +4 Dex item, though you need to have them on while levelling. Unequipping the item suppresses the effect of the feats. Only boosting items seems to work with this, so no spell buffs. But this also means that debuffs and poisons do not suppress these feats either. Crude outline of how I built my Blade: Attributes: 16 / 15 / 14 / 10 / 8 / 16 Or something like that. Could definitely be improved, but I think it works well as a starting point. I'm sure a dexterity version could be made too, but with how stat boosting items work, I find just going for strength to be better. Skills: Athletics, Mobility, Trickery, Perception, Persuasion. Just seems like a useful core skillset for any party. Classes Bard 16 / Aldori Defender 2 / 2 levels of whatever full BAB class you want You could also go Bard 14 / Dragon Disciple 4 / Aldori Defender 2 This gives you +4 Str, +2 AC a Dragon Bloodline and a bite attack, but you lose the option to reach 16 BAB at level 20. Levels 1 (Aldori Defender 1): TWF, Weapon Focus: Dueling Sword, Power Attack 2 (Bard 1): 3 (Bard 2): Arcane Armor Training, Arcane Armor Mastery // Allows you to use Mithril Breastplates without spellfailure. 4 (Bard 3): +1 Str 5 (Bard 4): Dazzling Display 6 (Bard 5): 7 (Bard 6): Cornugon Smash, Blind Fight 8 (Bard 7): +1 Str 9 (Aldori Defender 2): Improved TWF, Shatter Defenses // Make sure to have a +2 Dex item equipped 10 (Bard 8): 11 (Bard 9): Placeholder Feat 12 (Bard 10): Improved Critical, +1 Str 13 (Bard 11): Placeholder Feat 14 (Bard 12): 15 (Bard 13): Greater TWF // Make sure to have a +4 Dex item equipped 16 (Bard 14): Placeholder Feat, +1 Str 17 (Bard 15): Placeholder Feat Placeholder feats can go to things like skill feats, Arcane Strike, Teamwork feats etc. If you're not a human, Blind Fight can be moved to level 11. Because Bards can cast their spells while using a shield, having a weapon set with a shield (and ideally Shield Bash for the extra attacks) can also let it tank a bit better when needed.

[@ArcaneAgent]

I actually created a dual wield bard while streaming on www.twitch.tv/thearcaneagent last week. I just havent edited it yet

[@jordanfox470]

@@ArcaneAgent This takes advantage of the bug that lets you use combat trick over and over though right? table top and cotw don't let that happen :( Haven't found a way to make cotw allow it like vanilla does.

[@Jackpl]

I am currently monk 1/paladin 8 with your build. I just **had** to wear that pally armor you get from the Dwarven Ruins. How bad do I gimp myself? (Also using a nice dueling sword I found and not a monk weapon.)

[@ArcaneAgent]

That armor is good armor!

[@Dan-uf2vh]

most likely you are best off using armor early on and transitioning as the charisma armor overcomes normal armor

[@killerkost666]

wouldn't it be great to add a rogue level + accomplished sneak attacker for 2d6 precision damage on each attack given the amount of attacks we are doing with this char and the low base damage? Seems to me that it wouldn't sacrifice much in terms of defensiveness, while boosting the damage a considerable amount.

[@ArcaneAgent]

Always always add rogue hehe

[@jakubkonecny7369]

Why add rogue level if you can dip vivisectionist. Same benefits + mutagen :)

[@ArcaneAgent]

Cus rogue is my thing

[@rektaesthetics194]

New to the game and watching your videos religiously. Was wondering about huntsman build with animal companion and dual wielding battle axes?

[@ArcaneAgent]

Like a ranger? Battleaxes are 2 handed right?

[@rektaesthetics194]

@@ArcaneAgent omg you replied?! 🥰 great axes are 2 hand battle axe are 1 hand

[@ArcaneAgent]

Ah so you're looking for that kinda build

[@rektaesthetics194]

@@ArcaneAgent another reply? That's it. You asked for it. Im following your twitch and hitting you with that twitch prime when I catch you on. What time you stream? And what time zone?

[@ArcaneAgent]

I stream mondays at 2pm EST and Fridays at 3pm EST. However with that new Baldurs Gate 3 dropping Tuesday...i might stream Tuesday

[@Deumemoto]

I'm pretty new to pathfinder, will this build work for the table top rule set? Or are mechanics different in PK

[@ArcaneAgent]

A little different. But if your dm allows the feats, sure

[@IAmAnEvilTaco]

it's close enough, honestly. you can build this and a bit better than this in pnp, the problem with kingmaker is the lack of feats. the pnp game has more. edit: and your gm would probably allow a monk dip for paladin, scaled fist works very similarly. It's logical for a lawful fighter like a paladin to take a dip in monk, you can't rely on your weapons all of the time. Sometimes you just need your fist and your god.

[@ArcaneAgent]

Yeah what taco said

[@angelic8632002]

Can I have a link to the portrait you are using for this char? Its gorgeous and perfect for any kind of cleric/paladin build.

[@ArcaneAgent]

I got the portraits from the nexusmods.com under kingmaker potraits

[@angelic8632002]

@@ArcaneAgent many thanks :)

[@Lekopoulos]

This is a tank build which is obviously not doing actual damage despite the, admittedly small, investments for it. What would you change for a fully tanked up version?

[@ArcaneAgent]

To add more damage? Use a weapon that isn't slashing or piercing against a golem that has damage resistance

[@Lekopoulos]

@@ArcaneAgent Nope, since we're not going seriously for it, how to remove all damage :)

[@ArcaneAgent]

Hehe

[@Jarredpearman]

Keep in mind the investments in damage through team feats here will primarily benefit the other melee thus the tank is more the enabler than the damage.

[@ArcaneAgent]

Yeah and his buffs to every one is the biggest plus

[@TsukadaHina]

I love your paladin's portrait. Where is it from so I may also use it.

[@ArcaneAgent]

I got it from some portrait pack on nexus mods

[@ninou2246]

what weapons are the best to use with this build ?

[@gorefist3907]

Have you thought about making builds for the other party members?

[@ArcaneAgent]

Ive made some for jubilost, amiri, Octavia, valerie

[@marcelolinhares2465]

@@ArcaneAgent do link!

[@Sbelrassler]

I tried my critical team but against elementals and undead no crits no attacks of opportunitys, right?

[@razmeanie4519]

I don't think I can let all that charisma go unutilized by not getting persuasion, especially on the MC. Any reason you keep plugging mobility past 3?

[@ArcaneAgent]

No real reason except I know mobility helps you not get hit on attacks of opportunity. Make your persuasion as high as you desire!

[@Dan-uf2vh]

I feel that the mass smite evil is the more important; you can gain death wards from your other support casters and mass smite evil is both tremendously powerful and unique to the (non hospitaler) paladin

[@cashjohnson6522]

@arance agent How did you get theses stats on a 25 point buy?

[@ArcaneAgent]

Not a mercenary. It's a main character

[@cashjohnson6522]

@@ArcaneAgent thank you for the quick reply appreciate the answer.

[@Tespri]

How did you get stats so high? I made custom recruitable character to my party and I can't have same ability score. I have 12, 18,12,7,10,18

[@ArcaneAgent]

This isnt a custom recruit. Its a main character

[@Tespri]

@@ArcaneAgent Okay, so main character gets extra ability scores. Didn't know that, thanks.

[@ArcaneAgent]

Yup

[@AtreyusNinja]

sry guys i'm a lil n00b of this game, i'm trying to use this build on my paladin, is a "cosplay" character of Griffith from berserk, if i choose the god Sarenrae because of his Scimitar preference change anything? or this build is ment to fight w/o weapons ?_? (my english also kinda suck but, what i mean is, playing this build with a weapon is a huge nerf?)

[@ArcaneAgent]

It shouldn't change much at all. As long as you can still go lawful good for paladin

[@AtreyusNinja]

@@ArcaneAgent ok thx a lot !

[@longuemire748]

Excuse me, but what do you have to take in skill to create a character based on contreattack and riposte?

[@ArcaneAgent]

If you're talking about the fear from neverwinter nights 2, I don't think that's in this game. However the duelist prestige class is your best bet

[@longuemire748]

@@ArcaneAgent thank you :)

[@IAmAnEvilTaco]

this build is hilarious with a reach vivisectionist alchemist. take some of the same teamwork feats and give the vivi knockdown? attack of opportunity? knockdown. now have more easy taps on that guy. when he gets up? attack of opportunity again, if you have a dual wielding knifemaster rogue hanging in the front too? also with attack of opportunity stuff stacked? the damage is just absurd. it's a chainsaw of dps, and they're on their face the whole time. I appreciate that you called out paladin spells, we discovered they went from cha instead of wisdom. but some of them grant flat immunity to dangerous stuff, they're really like a baby cleric in terms of buffing. immunity to fear as a first level spell for your whole party? that's stupid.

[@ArcaneAgent]

Stupid good

[@jholland9850]

Should i buy a kama as soon as i can from oleg or wait?...

[@ArcaneAgent]

Asap.

[@marcusdangerfield3639]

Could you do a Spartan team build?

[@ArcaneAgent]

Like spears and huge shields?

[@marcusdangerfield3639]

Arcane Agent yea for at least 4 party members

[@ArcaneAgent]

Maybe, baldurs gate 3 comes out next week

[@hatterdmad8504]

What program are you using to build your characters?

[@ArcaneAgent]

My brain. Seriously I come up with an idea, and then see how I can do that in game.

[@hatterdmad8504]

Sorry, I didn't communicate that well. The program you are using in the background of your video. The one that shows all the levels, skills, and feats. I like how it shows everything. That would be incredibly useful when building characters in the future.

[@hatterdmad8504]

I'm stupid. Pathfinder: Kingmaker is the software. How did I miss that. (Face palms)

[@ArcaneAgent]

Oh I was confused. Are you playing tabletop? This video is for the CRPG video game

[@johnwallace5284]

is turn based or real time better in pathfinder kingmaker?

[@ArcaneAgent]

I prefer turn based. Let's you aim your fireballs perfectly

[@johnwallace5284]

@@ArcaneAgent thanks man. What game do you think is better pathfinder, DOS2 or deadfire?

[@ArcaneAgent]

Well ive never played dos2 or deadfire, so kingmaker it is for me hehe

[@johnwallace5284]

@@ArcaneAgent try deadfire its good

[@ragathielcross2179]

OK so i had to watch again lol..i used a similar build to this that i always used in the table top version and i gotta say one thing i HATE is in this game is that its real funny how we can have insane builds like ours then suddenly all monsters crit suddenly then it doesnt even matter lol....I got 66 AC and got obliterated because they all started critting all the sudden lol...guess i need to use harrim more to prevent crits lol

[@mindfortress105]

This may be the most effective but I still prefer my paladin to look like an actual paladin with heavy armor, a shield and a good mace or sword

[@Dan-uf2vh]

but there is thematical skirt & bikini armor potential here ^^

[@ray1dad]

What weapons do you use

[@ArcaneAgent]

Kamas I believe

[@nichghost5727]

How about the Iroran Paladin from Call of The Wild?

[@MegaBiblo]

I know this is a old video so doubt anyone will see it, But why go perception and not persuasion?

[@ArcaneAgent]

You can go persuasion sure. I like perception because I always wanted to see baddies and hidden things. Then again you might need perception to get greater and improved blind fight

[@MegaBiblo]

@@ArcaneAgent was asking i like passing the persuasion checks when you are without the other guys. I have one of them doing the perception thing,

[@shogunsxf]

I gave you a thumbs up just for the bible quote before even watching the video :)

[@ArcaneAgent]

Thanks man. I'm currently taking a break from videos as we are leaving for church camp in 19 days. So my focus is there right now with my Youth students

[@DefyWarlock]

A fighter build? no fancy spells, just armor and weapons and maybe some barbarian??? don't know, can't seem to make a decent one.

[@93overlord]

coz without buffs from others u will die or deal 0 dаmage

[@ArcaneAgent]

Slayer build?

[@ArcaneAgent]

Tru

[@Jarredpearman]

My latest run on hard mode I decided to further include archtypes that I had never used. I ended up with a frontline of a dwarf armored hulk and a shielded aldori swordlord that share the tanking duties. At level 12 their AC is up in the 50s with the barb right around 53 while in defensive rage and the swordlord around 58 when fighting defensively and her buffs active. While they don't have things like mirror image, they just added shield wall and they will both be using tower shields so I expect both these frontlines will be able to easily get over 70 AC needed to block all normal hits by endgame. In terms of tanks they have both made slow progress though are picking up and the dwarf racial for the barb gives an extra 4 AC against giants which includes Hargulka.

[@ArcaneAgent]

The only issue is when those stunning capable enemies roll a 20

[@jholland9850]

Ok. I have another stupid question... Why kamas instead of, say nunchucks for example?

[@ArcaneAgent]

You could use nunchucks if you wanted to

[@jholland9850]

@@ArcaneAgent was just curious as you get nunchucks for free in the prologue or whatever the jamandi castle bit is before you even get to olegs

[@saltee8460]

Dude i can't get that level 1 statspread for some reason wtf, i can literally only get the 18 dex and cha, no points left after.

[@ArcaneAgent]

Are you making it the main character or a mercenary

[@saltee8460]

@@ArcaneAgent You already answered the question in the comments, thanks!

[@lilbrinx]

What about a healer type? I need one for my team

[@arrgylerawrgyle3784]

Hospitaler doesn't have lay on hands connected to channel. Making this guy heal fairly decently also. Didn't highlight this in the vid but it is a great aspect to the build

[@ArcaneAgent]

Dangit I forgot to mention that

[@yanjiesu5399]

This seems a great build, but I see that you are playing turn based. Will that also do good at real-time turn base mode?

[@ArcaneAgent]

I'm more of a fan of turn based. Especially since you need position to launch fireballs. That bring said, I build my builds for turn based

[@marcelolinhares2465]

Could you do a paladin dmg build?

[@ArcaneAgent]

Yes

[@Dan-uf2vh]

There is thematical skirt & bikini armor potential here ^^ Paladins are traditionally super strong on saves but considerably less proficient in physical defense, next to the fighter.

[@ArcaneAgent]

Yep

[@bernhardwinkler9597]

Will this hold in unfair difficulty?

[@ArcaneAgent]

Ive never tested nor played unfair. However, this build has some good saves, good AC. And if youre able to cast mirror image that helps out immensely

[@bernhardwinkler9597]

Arcane Agent thanks for the answer. So i guess some bard levels might not be a bad idea? Will definitely try your build.

[@ArcaneAgent]

If bard gets some mirror image, yes

[@marcelolinhares2465]

Someone explain me why 13 wis?

[@ArcaneAgent]

Just for a little bit of will saves

[@marcelolinhares2465]

Why all that dex?

[@tekkenthings9339]

Hello!

[@ArcaneAgent]

Well hello there

[@escanor7938]

😍🥰😘

[@conorcraft6038]

Love the builds you've posted, but do you have a list of the music you use for the introductions? I like the intro music for this one, for instance, but don't recognize it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmS2eZ1jfrdni9k

[@ArcaneAgent]

I don't really write down my music, I get it from a non copyright website that I pay for

[@ArcaneAgent]

But that song is called, "if we never see tomorrow babe"

[@conorcraft6038]

Good to know, thanks!

[@Porphyrogenitus1]

@@ArcaneAgent "If we never gonna give you up, Never gonna let you down Never gonna run around and desert you Never gonna make you cry Never gonna say goodbye Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you"

[@BartoszBielecki]

Blind fight requires perception? What?!

[@cuoreflamante]

Hey! I just saw some of your videos (amazing content) and just wanted to ask you, are you in any way Catholic or Christian? For the biblical references in the intro, I mean

[@ArcaneAgent]

I'm a Christian. I'm also the fulltime youth pastor at our church. I try my best to provide a family friendly stream hehe. I mean I don't cuss period, and I try to avoid evil looking scenes or parts of the game

[@cuoreflamante]

@@ArcaneAgent Based. You just earned a new sub good sir.

[@ArcaneAgent]

Thanks. My lead pastor knows I play the games and even lets me stream them from the office after hours

[@rafaelkss2009]

How to build a super tank? Ofc HEAVY ARMOR AND UBER SHIELD. but not! Figures.

[@ArcaneAgent]

Welcome to pathfinder. Where high dex and monk and duelist and sword saint make you better than full plate mail

[@jordanfox470]

The sad thing is sword saint and duelist Canny Defense are bugged and stack together. You can make a high dex, very high int character and get ridiculous AC values while ignoring basically all of the AC feats, while also taking advantage of the high int to get 4-5 skills maxed.

[@jakubkonecny7369]

@@jordanfox470 if you dip one level for scalefist you can get dex + 2x int + cha to ac. Just +8 śtats items give you 16 AC :D

[@flyingdutchman8093]

Hello, saw you’re a Christian and it’s cool to see other Christian RPG players. Hey so this is a cool build, but what about a classic hammer and heavy armor paladin? I always pick paladin and would love to make one like my paladin that I played on WOW which was heavy armor, and a 2 hand hammer. I know this game is very punishing if you don’t build a character just right so I would hate to waste my little free time to just end up not have a character that is viable later in the game. Though I will likely play easy or maybe normal.

[@ArcaneAgent]

Everyone keeps asking for a heavy armor build tank. I'll need to make one and show everyone their AC. I'm not only a Christian I'm the youth pastor at my church!

[@flyingdutchman8093]

@@ArcaneAgent that would be great. I play a lot of RPGs but mostly of the JRPG genre not as much the CRPG. I’m playing divinity original sin 2 and had to look up builds for that too and I hear Pathfinder is really difficult. I’ve been really enjoying the builds and it will help a lot, though I’ll still likely play on an easier mode. Nice to be talking to a fellow pastor as well, I’m a worship/lead pastor in the UMC.

[@Jonnecy]

poggers mom Im on the internets :P

[@ArcaneAgent]

Haha

[@YeshuaMoshiaHaolam]

Dood, I luv your little bible verse pop ups.

[@ArcaneAgent]

Not only am I a bible believing gamer, I'm a youth pastor !!!

[@sariosario6631]

I hate every build with monk. It's like easy cheat build. Monk too imba

[@ArcaneAgent]

Monk is crazy imbalanced. I think their AC bonus should be per level of monk just like a duelist

[@deividassimkus9725]

i hate thes multiklasing things

[@ArcaneAgent]

Me too

[@johannesdolch]

Did you cheat? Without cheating those stats get you only 1 skilloint, not 2 and you cant take Crane Style without Dodge.

[@leebjorkman9063]

This game is so broken

[@rafaelcastor2089]

Tank builds are boring. I bet you're just gonna go for scaled fist 1, paladin 3 and then either go sorcerer so you'll have those defensive spells, get use magic device instead and just go around picking the obvious defense buffing feats or do an intimidate build with 1 thug, but hopefully i'm very wrong and you managed to find a more unique and exciting way of tanking

[@ArcaneAgent]

Tank builds are boring. I agree. But this build was geared towards buffing the entire team as well as having high saves to combat level 17 baddies

[@93overlord]

@@ArcaneAgent But what buff did you mean? I ask this only because Aura of Life - trash(similar scrolls very cheap and you need this only on melee char) And as a tank you wont heal in combat - Why dont pick just Paladin? Your party even get very strong offensive buff on 11 lvl wich have alternative in 1 priest domain. And also, you can make havy armor pall with 60+ AC on 17 lvl.

[@TheOriginalJealot]

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 6:23

[@ArcaneAgent]

And so beautiful is it being free, that we can neither work for it, nor earn it. But to only receive freely

[@TheOriginalJealot]

@@ArcaneAgent Amen, brother! Also, awesome vid and thank you for the amazing build. I'm using this as a template for my first playthrough (with only a few changes) and at level 6 I've got AC: 27, Flat Footed: 19, Touch: 24, Fortitude: 17, Reflex: 15, Will: 14, and 64 health. Playing through real-time on challenging, but I also want to play a turn-based run as well. Havin lots of fun so far when I get a chance to play! "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:8-10

[@ArcaneAgent]

@@TheOriginalJealot turn based is my favorite!

[@TheOriginalJealot]

@@ArcaneAgent I almost started on turn-based, because I've been a huge turn-based tactics/strategy fan since the days of Final Fantasy Tactics, Tactics Ogre, and Front Mission 3, but that itch is rarely scratched these days. Still, for some reason I went with real-time at the start of this playthrough and I'm actually enjoying it a lot more than I have with previous iterations of this genre in other games. I think I need to up the difficulty... I'm going through Trobold fortress and my party has been half-dead for the last several fights, and I'm basically out of heals, but I can keep just sending them against each group of enemies and they just auto-attack them into oblivion so fast while barely taking damage. Still... I think I'm going to wait to do that until my next playthrough because I think as soon as I move the difficulty above challenging, I'm going to find scaled up enemies anyway and it will be like a double increase in difficulty.

[@ArcaneAgent]

I love love love the the turn based mode

[@Bloodycupcake54]

Is anyone noticing the parallels to Jesus? Immune to death effects LG Hard 2 kill High charisma Divine blood Healing paladin

[@jeremymacdonald2073]

the game is very demonic. remember in the 80s when the church went against d&d. how old are you? you are grey af.

[@ArcaneAgent]

I'm 85 years old

[@jeremymacdonald2073]

@@ArcaneAgent no really are you like 50ish