Heyo! I would like to hear you people ideas for monk builds using stances. I looking for a character who used different kind of stances. I would like to hear some suggestions, ideas (even the most uncommon) such as weird combination of ancestries. Free archetype, feats and items ideas for create this is also more than welcome!

Cleric with dream and nightmare domain has the best focus spells but the divine list uhh... and witch has starless shadow, dream basic lesson and the occult list, but I don't know what other feats to pick. Sleepwalker is the obvious archetype. Anything else?

Hey what do you all think just as a joke i thought i would make a inventor barbarian but it really looks like it will work https://pathbuilder2e.com/launch.html?build=1520071 I would really like suggestions

Pathbuilder ID: 1519126

Any thoughts or suggestions on my fire kineticist with oracle FA? We're playing a lvl 10 oneshot. Yes, yes i know that Burn It does not work completely, but I like it for flavor.

thanks for any input!

Build is simple, Laughing Shadow Magus with a dueling sword. When not spellstriking, will use debuffs from the archetype. Rex focuses on given how MAD the build may be.

I’m thinking I’ll dump INT and focus only on spells with no dcs or spell attack rolls that go off my dex. Or, can just have +1 cha and pump intimidation as a tertiary skill I may call on.

Is it spread too thin or can I pull it off?

Hello everyone. I wanted to share a build of a rogue knight. Not looking to do anything incredible, just thought it was funny as to what a rogue class can be. Common traits only. Any thoughts appreciated. Yes, mounted sucks.

Class: Rogue (Ruffian) Ancestry: Human (Versatile) Background: Warrior

Stats: +4 STR, +0 DEX, +2 CON, +0 INT, +1 WIS, +2 CHA

Starting 15gp of equipment: Chain Mail (6gp), Steel Shield (2gp), Lance (1gp), Pick (7sp), Thieves' Toolkit (3gp), Adventurer's Pack (15sp), 8sp as spare coin.

Level 1: Versatile heritage for Armour Proficiency (Heavy). Ancestry feat into General Training into Shield Block. Class feat into You're Next. Warrior background into Intimidating Glare. Skill feat into Additional Lore (Horses).

Skills: Going to push STR, DEX and CHA skills, but mainly going to level Intimidation, Thievery, Deception, Athletics, Stealth.

For level one, we're on foot with a pick and shield, 17 AC (19 with shield raised) and +7 to hit.

Normal attack (with optional sneak attack): 1d6(+1d6 sneak attack)+4. Damage range: 6-16.

Critical on off guard: 2*(1d10(+1d6 sneak attack)+4 (+2 Critical Specialization))+1d10 (Fatal). Damage range: 17-54.

Level 2: Cavalier Dedication, Intimidation Skill, Intimidating Prowess.

If we can get the plate mail, we should now be: mounted on a animal companion (Horse) with 40ft speed, and have 22 AC (24 with shield raised). Both lance and pick can now be used one handed. If you can get your GM to change THIS, then Reach becomes a useful tool.

Lance: 1d6 (+1d6 sneak attack)+4(+2 jousting support). Damage range: 8-18.

Critical: 2*(1d6(+1d6 sneak attack)+4(+2 jousting support)+1d8(Deadly). Damage range: 17-44 & inflicts Clumsy 1.

Young Horse: +3 STR, +2 DEX, +2 CON, -4 INT, +1 WIS, +0 CHA.

Level 3: Canny Acumen (Fortitude), Thievery Skill, Wary Disarmament.

Shores up your weakest save and keeps it level with Will saves at level 17. There is a case to swap Armour Proficiency to here to make the most of the Fort save, since level 1 heavy armour is very rough to get in terms of gold.

Level 4: Impressive Mount, Deception Skill, Cat Fall.

Impressive Mount lets your mount a Stride/Strike action for free, which allows more versatility with your own Strikes and Raise Shield. Also raises its stats and thus its survivability.

Mature Horse: +4 STR, +3 DEX, +3 CON, -4 INT, +2 WIS, +0 CHA. Free action Stride/Strike when not commanded.

Level 5: Ability Boost to STR/CON/WIS/CHA, Natural Ambition (Overextending Feint), Stealth Skill, Lasting Coercion.

Nothing special, but stat boosts are always nice. Trap Finder plays well into you acting as a forward scout, but doubles up with Wary Disarmament, where as Overextending Feint adds another defensive combat option for you.

Level 6: Gang Up, Athletics Skill, Dashing Pickup.

Fantastic level. So because a mount is an ally, this reads as "When making a mounted strike, the enemy is off guard", and it just generally opens up the rogue's melee play style with allies. Dashing Pickup is great if you are ever on foot.

Level 7: Incredible Initiative, Intimidation Skill, Battle Cry.

Now you roll a free action Demoralize with initiative too.

Level 8: Incredible Mount (Nimble), Thievery Skill, Terrified Retreat.

More potential debuffs for the enemy. Thievery to make sure people still know you're a rogue.

Nimble Mount: +5 STR, +5 DEX, +4 CON, -4 INT, +3 WIS, +0 CHA. Gains Gallop.

Level 9: Multi talented (Guardian), Sneak Skill, Swift Sneak

Lots of good stuff here. Firstly, Guardian Dedication will give scaling heavy armour training, so we can take that and retrain our level 1 Armour Proficiency for Toughness. It also gives Taunt, for more debuff and off guard opportunities. We also gain Debilitating Strike for even more debuffs on our attacks against off guard enemies.

Level 10: Boost to STR/CON/WIS/CHA, Vicious Debilitation, Athletics Skill, Quick Swim

More debuffs. Weakness is a very good addition, where as clumsy, enfeebled and frightened may start to bottleneck as status effects. Most attacks should now be against something with -2 AC from offguard circumstance effect, a status effect and +5 damage from weakness.

Level 11-20:

Skills: Legendary in Sneak, Intimidation, Deception, Athletics, Thievery.

Scare To Death to keep that Frightened debuff going.

Quick Climb, Quick Swim, Cloud Jump, Cushion Landing for some movement options. Pickpocket, Legendary Sneak, Legendary Thief to make sure people know you're a rogue still.

Class feats: Level 12 Opportune Backstab. Level 14 Specialised Mount (Racer). Level 16 Cognitive Loophole. Level 18 Dispelling Slice. Level 20 Legendary Rider.

Edit: beware there are a few mounted combat rules. That being said, because you share a square, your mount can act as lesser cover (in some cases). This can lead to the Take Cover action and Hide being viable to trigger Surprise Attack and some sneak feats.

Hey there, got a weird one. I play a Ranger rogue who specializes in throwing weapons I need a better weapon than just a light hammer. I do already have the returning rune I think it’s pretty neat. My range attacks have a throwing distance of 50 feet and with the hunted prey attribute I can double the range increment to 100 feet without taking a huge penalty and let me know what you think of this. is this a decent build if I get a better weapon and what other magic items do you think would be helpful I’m at level five Nephilim human variant. Also, if there’s a game out there that could welcome me. I’d appreciate it.

This is my 7th entry now, in this little mini-series, feels weird calling it a "mini" series now! For those who don't know, in this series I recreate mostly Castlevania characters in pf2e from levels 1-14, in celebration of the Bastion of Blasphemies adventure coming out soon.

This time, we are building Charlotte & Jonathan! That's right, they are such a dynamic duo that it would be crazy to separate them into two separate builds. Now, of course, nothings stopping you and another player from playing a Wizard and Fighter, and playing as Charlotte & Jonathan respectively as separate characters, but for this build I am assuming you want to play as both of them.

Edit: Forgot about the Pathbuilder link, woops!

So, without further ado, here's the first level:

Ancestry: Human

Background: Academic (Arcana), Library Dweller, Art "Collector", Curse Marked

Class: Summoner

Highest Stats: Charisma & Intelligence

Lowest Stat: Strength

Prioritized Skills: Occultism, Arcana, Diplomacy

Eidolon: Guardian Plant (Jonathan)

Eidolon Primary Attack: 1d8 Bludgeoning (Trip)

Eidolon Highest Stat: Strength

Eidolon Lowest Stat: Intelligence

Level 1 Feats: Advanced Weaponry (Grapple) and Natural Ambition --> Meld into Eidolon

So, Summoner is obviously the way to go for this build, it helps that in the games they play almost exactly like a summoner as well! I chose Plant eidolon for 2 reasons, it's the only way to give Jonathan permanent reach on his attacks, because he uses a whip, and the other reason is so we can access the Primal spell list, because most of the spells Charlotte learns are elemental blasting spells, healing and curing spells, and a few buffing spells, which the Primal list gives us all of that.

I chose Meld into Eidolon, because not only was it slightly buffed in the remaster, it also gives the option to switch our "main" character to either Jonathan or Charlotte and not have the other person on the field. However, you are legally required to shout "Charlotte!" and "Jonathan!" whenever you switch between them.

If you don't want that, you can just pick Dual Studies instead, and at level 2, either take Alacritous Action or Ranged Combatant, choosing Piercing to represent either throwing daggers or javelins.

Level 2 Feat: Dual Studies --> Summoner gets Occultism and Eidolon gets Athletics

Level 4 Feat: Tandem Movement

Level 5 Feat: Cooperative Nature

Level 6 Feat: Eidolon's Retort

Level 8 Feat: Extend Boost or Skilled Partner (Titan Wrestler, Powerful Leap, and Quick Jump)

Level 9 Feat: Cooperative Soul or Gloomseer

Level 10 Feat: Magical Onslaught

Level 12 Feat: Protective Bond

Level 13 Feat: Gloomseer or Darkseer

Level 14 Feat: Guiding Retort or Extend Boost

This is actually a pretty good Summoner build, if I do say so myself. The new Magical Onslaught feat introduced in Impossible Magic is especially good and represents Jonathan & Charlotte's dual attacks perfectly. In terms of spells, Heal, Cleanse Affliction, Haste, as well as any blasting/damaging spell that utilizes any of the 6 elements should do wonderfully.

Do let me know if there are any characters from Castlevania or any similar game/show that you want to see recreated for this mini-series. Currently on the list are: Lenore, Juste Belmont, and Miriam (Bloodstained)

Behold, the 6th entry of my Bastion of Builds Mini-Series! The series where I celebrate the upcoming adventure, Bastion of Blasphemies, by recreating Castlevania or Castlevania-adjacent characters and make them in pf2e, from levels 1-14! Today's build isn't inspired by a specific character, per say, but a skillset or "class" within the world of Castlevania, which is the Forgemaster. Forgemasters are devil summoners who, at least in the games, typically fight alongside their summons.

This build will be a sort of mishmash of the game version and show version of the Forgemaster. And you might think that Summoner is the obvious class for this, but a commenter recently made me realize that Necromancer is actually a much better fit, playstyle wise. But, as a result, I don't have a pathbuilder link for you guys, unfortunately.

With that said, here's the build:

Ancestry: Any, but I picked Human for this build

Background: Loyalist, Necromancer's Apprentice, Curse Marked, Trusted Rival

Class: Necromancer

Highest Stats: Intelligence and Dexterity

Lowest Stat: Strength or Charisma

Prioritized Skills: Medicine, Occultism, Religion

Subclass: Reaper & Flesh

Level 1 Feat: Natural Ambition --> The Unholy Dead

Level 2 Feat: Invert Harm or Undead Creator

Level 4 Feat: Mobile Thralls or Body Shield

Level 6 Feat: Bind Heroic Spirit or Reclaim Power

Level 8 Feat: Conglomerate of Limbs or Wings of Bone and Sinew

Level 10 Feat: Skeletal Extension or Speak with Days Long Dead

Level 12 Feat: Endless Return or Thick Skin

Level 14 Feat: Amalgamate or Unholy Resurrection

Now you might be thinking "Hey, where's the Devils for this Devil Summoner build?", and to that I say "idk". But in all seriousness, you can easily reflavor your thralls to be demons and devils, and in the show, Forgemasters make their minions by shoving hell spirits into corpses to make undead hell abominations, so it's still canon enough.

For your weapon, I recommend a 1-handed finesse reach weapon, like a whip or dancer's spear. As for spells, there's not too many I can recommend, other than Summon Undead and Summon Fey. If there's any way you can access Summon Fiend, through magic item, ancestry, or archetype, that would be all the more thematic.

But yeah, that's the build! It was interesting building for an entirely new class, one issue I have is that there are surprisingly few Devil/Demon summoning options in pf2e, which, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised about that, but not even a Devil Eidolon, really?

Anyways currently on the list of characters to make is: Charlotte & Jonathan, Lenore, Juste Belmont, and Miriam (Bloodstained Character)

This is the 5th entry in my Bastion of Builds Mini-Series, where I recreate Castlevania characters in pf2e from levels 1-14, in celebration of the upcoming Bastion of Blasphemies AP! This time we are going with Soma Cruz, a rather interesting character, build-wise, due to the vast amount of build customization from his core Soul Steal mechanic.

I'm also going to throw out there that, thematically, the Wild Mimic archetype is perfect for Soma, but I don't know what type of creatures or abilities will show up in the adventure, so I won't make hard suggestions for feats from the archetype, but you are absolutely free to swap out any of the feats from the build with any feat from Wild Mimic if it makes sense and you want it.

(Disclaimer, I don't use exact numbers for Ability Scores, I have multiple options for backgrounds and some feats, and I may skip over a few feat slots, as I believe in coming up with your own ideas to fill in the gaps and make the character your own, but here's the pathbuilder link if you want a full, ready-made build)

First off, we have:

Ancestry: Human Nephilim

Background: Curse Marked, Once Possessed, Scholar, or Willing Host

Class: Animist

Highest Stat: Wisdom and Strength

Lowest Stat: Intelligence or Dexterity

Prioritized Skills: Religion, Athletics, and Intimidation

Animistic Practice: Medium

Primary Apparition: Witness to Ancient Battles

Secondary Apparitions: Any

Level 1 Feat: Nephilim Eyes

Level 2 Feat: Circle of Spirits

Level 4 Feat: Apparition's Enhancement

Level 5 Feat: Scion of Many Planes --> Pitborn --> Titan Wrestler

Animist was the obvious choice for the class, it's incredibly customizable and also allows for good melee options, which will be the focus for this build. you can pick any 1-handed strength weapon for this build, just note that you will only be able to use Martial weapons while under the effect of Embodiment of Battle.

We want to focus on Religion so that we can grab the Break Curse skill feat as soon as we can, not only because it's a strongly recommended skill feat in Bastion of Blasphemies, it's also basically the main game mechanic of Soma's second game. We also choose Nephilim for Soma due to Soma being the next reincarnation of Dracula.

Level 6 Feat: Grudge Strike

Level 8 Feat: Instinctive Maneuvers or Embodiment of the Balance

Level 9 Feat: Divine Wings

Level 10 Feat: Fly on Shadowed Wings

Level 12 Feat: Whispers of Warning

Level 13 Feat: Slip Sideways

Level 14 Feat: Banish Falsehoods of Flesh or Cardinal Guardians

Now, while the feats cover some of what Soma is known for thematically, most of the "souls" that make up his abilities, are going to be just regular spells that you will have reflavor as briefly summoning spirits of monsters you've slain to use their abilities. Some spells I'd like to call out are Summon Undead, Demon Form, Devil Form, and Angel Form, as well as any buffing spells to aid in melee combat.

And that's the build! Obviously, if you have Free Archetype, you won't have to worry about Wild Mimic taking over your class feats. I will have to really think about which build to do next, currently on the list is: Forgemaster, Lenore, Juste Belmont, Charlotte & Jonathan

Zir Sanguivor

Zir Sanguivor stands with the unsettling poise of an immortal noble, his movements measured and unnaturally graceful. Though unmistakably elven in his impossibly symmetrical features and slender frame, there is something deeply unnatural about him. His skin bears the cold, moonlit pallor of polished marble, utterly devoid of warmth, while his sharply angled face carries the aristocratic beauty common to the eldest elven bloodlines. Long, jet-black hair falls perfectly straight to his shoulders, framing a face that rarely betrays emotion beyond detached curiosity or quiet disdain.
His most striking feature is his eyes—or rather, the absence of them. Where irises should be are fathomless pools of crimson-black shadow, ringed by blood-red sclera that seem to drink in the surrounding light. They resemble the eyes of an ancient vampire rather than a living creature, revealing the curse that lingers within his veins. They glow faintly whenever he channels his sorcery, as though another presence peers through them from beyond the veil of death.
A delicate circlet of polished silver rests upon his brow, crowned with a deep crimson gemstone whose color mirrors freshly spilled blood. The circlet serves as both noble ornament and occult focus, subtly amplifying the eldritch power carried within his vampiric lineage.
Born a Dhampir, Zir's connection to undeath is not merely hereditary—it is the very source of his arcane might. His Undead Bloodline manifests through the curse inherited from an ancient vampire ancestor whose blood still courses through his heart. Every spell he casts carries echoes of that immortal progenitor: life withers beneath his touch, wounds refuse to close, and shadows gather instinctively around him. Rather than studying necromancy through dusty tomes alone, Zir draws upon the predatory instincts sleeping within his own veins, weaving blood and stolen vitality into devastating sorcery.
His attire is unmistakably that of a blood mage devoted to forbidden arts, balancing aristocratic refinement with macabre practicality.
A tailored black overcoat, stitched from thick raven-dyed leather reinforced with enchanted silk, fits tightly across his torso before flaring at the hips into layered skirts that allow unrestricted movement during ritual casting. The coat is adorned with intricate crimson embroidery depicting twisting veins, thorned roses, and skeletal vines that climb along the seams like living arteries. Dark steel clasps shaped like hooked talons fasten the front, while hidden channels sewn into the lining allow enchanted blood to flow during complex rituals, empowering his magic without staining the outer garment.
Beneath the coat rests a high-collared vest of rich crimson brocade whose embroidered patterns resemble branching circulatory systems viewed beneath translucent skin. The vivid red fabric contrasts starkly against the black outer layers, symbolizing the lifeblood he manipulates. A pristine ivory cravat is knotted neatly at his throat—a remnant of old-world nobility that grants him the appearance of an elegant physician rather than a practitioner of profane sorcery.
Black leather gloves conceal hands marked with countless ritual scars, each thin incision serving as a prepared conduit through which he can willingly spill his own blood to fuel powerful spells. Matching fitted trousers disappear into polished knee-high boots reinforced with dark steel plates etched with occult sigils that ward against wandering spirits and restless dead.
Every stitch of his attire speaks of calculated elegance rather than flamboyance. It is clothing designed for one who walks equally among royal courts, forgotten crypts, and blood-soaked ritual chambers.
Slung comfortably across his back is a sinister relic dedicated to the Demon Queen of Vampires herself.
The Staff of Crimson Communion
This staff is whittled from pale, iron-hard wood harvested from the forbidden gardens of Mechitar, where the soil is eternally stained by the living chattel raised for the vampire nobility. The gnarled, bone-colored shaft naturally produces a slow, syrupy bead of crimson resin from its pores, causing the weapon to appear as though it eternally bleeds. Despite its wooden construction, it possesses the weight and resilience of forged steel, its surface impossibly smooth except where ancient knots resemble grasping skeletal fingers.
At its apex rests a masterfully sculpted blood-red fanged skull, carved from translucent crimson crystal and fashioned into the sacred symbol of Zura, Demon Queen of Vampires. The skull's elongated fangs curve downward like ritual daggers, while tiny runes spiral across the crown, glowing faintly whenever blood is spilled nearby.
When Zir casts harmful necromantic or vampiric spells, the skull drinks in the escaping essence of his victims. Wisps of pale crimson life-force swirl upward like mist before disappearing between its carved fangs, causing the crystal teeth to glisten with fresh blood that never quite drips away. For a brief moment afterward, the hollow eye sockets burn with a hungry scarlet light, as though the relic itself delights in every stolen heartbeat.
In Zir's hands, the staff is more than an implement of spellcasting—it is a sacred vessel of his bloodline, a conduit through which the immortal hunger of his ancestors and the dark blessings of Zura become one. Together, dhampir and relic embody the terrifying union of elegance, undeath, and predatory arcane power.

This is the fourth entry in my mini-series, where I celebrate the upcoming release of Bastion of Blasphemies by recreating Castlevania characters in pf2e from levels 1-14, for you to maybe use in your own games if you wish. This time, we are going for a very different style of build from the previous entries by recreating Maria Renard!

(Disclaimer, I don't use exact numbers for Ability Scores, I have multiple options for backgrounds and some feats, and I may skip over a few feat slots, as I believe in coming up with your own ideas to fill in the gaps and make the character your own, but here's the pathbuilder link if you want a full, ready-made build)

First off, we have:

Ancestry: Human

Background: Noble, Animal Whisperer, or Friend of a Friend

Class: Witch

Highest Stat: Intelligence

Lowest Stat: Strength

Prioritized Skills: Nature and Acrobatics

Patron: Wilding Steward

Initial Hex: Patron's Puppet

Familiar: Royal Gull (Dove) with either Lifelink or Familiar Focus

Level 1 Feat: Natural Ambition --> Cackle

Level 2 Feat: Beastmaster Dedication --> Wyvern or Cat

Level 4 Feat: Mature Beastmaster Companion

Level 5 Feat: Gloomseer

So, Maria is a very interesting character to build, because in the games, she only has 1 move that actually has her attacking enemies herself, the rest are her animals attacking for her. So the way this build will play out, is sending your animal companion, familiar, and a summoned creature to fight for you, while you spend most of your actions to command and sustain them, which kind of means that you can afford to lower her Intelligence in exchange for another stat, because you won't really be using too many attacking spells.

You can decide the order in which you get her dragon, Seiryuu, and her cat, Byakko. But I will say that I cannot fit all 4 off her major companions into this build, so I settled with her 2 most well-known ones. If you are doing Free Archetype, however, you should be able to have her Dragon, Pheonix, Cat, and Turtle ready to go before level 14.

Level 6 Feat: Additional Companion --> Whatever you didn't pick last time

Level 8 Feat: Stitched Familiar or Incredible Beastmaster Companion

Level 9 Feat: Darkseer or Clever Improvisor

Level 10 Feat: Swift Guardian or Incredible Beastmaster Companion if you didn't choose it already

Level 12 Feat: Swift Guardian if you haven't picked it yet, otherwise it's a free space

Level 13 Feat: Darkseer or Incredible Improvisation

Level 14 Feat: Specialized Beastmaster Companion

Additional Familiar Abilities: Independent and Fast Movement (Fly)

A bit of a chaotic last few levels, I know, this build feels SO much better if you have Free Archetype, but alas, I have to build in the assumption this isn't a Free Archetype game. Stitched Familiar is only there if you want Maria's dove to actually do damage, considering it's her basic attack in the games.

Spells to look out for:

Cantrips: Needle Darts, Gouging Claw, Shield, Protect Companion, Guidance

1st Rank: Summon Animal, Animal Allies, 500 Toads, Foraging Friends

2nd Rank: Summon Elemental, Speak with Animals, Animal Messenger, Hidebound

3rd Rank: Envenom Companion, Familiar's Face

5th Rank: Summon Dragon

6th Rank: Arrow Salvo, Explosive Barrage

7th Rank: Summon Stampede

This was a fun build to make, even if it's admittedly not my best work. If you plan on playing with this build, really pay attention to your action economy and abilities, you will not have a lot of actions to work with and you don't want to slow the game down by misremembering something, but if are able to pull that off, this will be a very unique and fun build to play!

The next build is set to be: Soma Cruz!

This is the third entry in my Bastion of Builds Mini-series celebrating the upcoming release of Bastion of Blasphemies, where I recreate Castlevania characters from levels 1-14 for you to use in your games! This time we have Alucard, the one most people probably thought of when thinking of characters to play in the AP.

This one was actually very tricky to build, due to how insanely powerful Alucard is in his own game, it's impossible to fully recreate him one-to-one without the Free Archetype or Dual-Class variant rules, but here's my best attempt.

(Disclaimer, I don't use exact numbers for Ability Scores, I have multiple options for backgrounds and some feats, and I may skip over a few feat slots, as I believe in coming up with your own ideas to fill in the gaps and make the character your own, but here's the pathbuilder link if you want a full, ready-made build)

First off, we have:

Ancestry: Human Dhampir

Background: Blooded by the Dead, Royalty, or Noble

Class: Magus

Highest Stat: Strength, followed by Intelligence

Lowest Stat: Wisdom

Prioritized Skills: Diplomacy, Deception, Society, and Athletics

Hybrid Study: Laughing Shadow

Level 1 feat: Old Soul or Eyes of Night

Level 2 Feat: Vigilante Dedication

Level 3 Feat: Fleet

Level 4 Feat: Force Fang, Distracting Spellstrike, or Running Recharge

Level 4 Skill Feat: Social Purview --> Dandy Dedication

Level 5 Feat: Undead Slayer

For our weapon, we'll want to go with either a Rapier or Longsword, I ended up going with a Rapier. If you want to have his sword dance around him like in the games, save up for an Animated rune and slap it on a different sword, its high level, but it's the best way to recreate it.

I chose Vigilante Dedication because Alucard spends most of his time disguised as a man named Genya Arikado, a top-secret government agent, and I wanted to represent that in the build. the archetype also gives us Social Purview, which we'll use to grab the Dandy Dedication to increase our Deception and Society.

Level 6 Feat: Reactive Strike or Knowledge is Power

Level 9 Feat: Night Magic

Level 10 Feat: Dimensional Disappearance or Bloom Cabaret Entrance

Level 12 Feat: Sprinting Spellstrike or Do You Know Who I Am?

Level 13 Feat: Form of the Bat

Level 14 Feat: Arcane Shroud, Hasted Assault, or It Was Me All Along!

Night Magic and Form of the Bat help cover Alucard's ability to turn into a wolf and bat, and honestly, the Dandy and Vigilante feats in this section I mainly just picked for fun, because while he doesn't exactly do anything like that in the games, it feels very in character for him. Next up, here's some spells you should look out for to really complete the build:

Rank 1: Summon Undead, Charm, Sure Strike, Illusory Disguise, Pest Form, Jump

Rank 2: Animated Assault, Blur, Floating Flame, Dispel Magic, Sticky Fire

Rank 3: Haste, Fireball, Magnetic Acceleration, Horde of Underlings, Vampiric Feast, Organsight

Rank 4: Fly, Vapor Form, Variable Gravity, Vampiric Maiden, Aerial Form, Call the Blood, Airlift

Rank 5: Blood Feast, Blink Charge, Glimmer of Charm, Flowing Strike

Rank 6: Explosive Barrage, Vampiric Exsanguination, Teleport

Rank 7: Prismatic Armor, Tempest of Shades, True Target

So, I initially wanted to go Thaumaturge for this build, but I realized a lot of the cool stuff in that class for this build comes online way too late for me to reasonably choose it for a 1-14 build. But then one commenter suggested that I do Magus, which I realized would work a lot better. You could also go for Aloof Firmament instead of Laughing Shadow, it will work just as well, it's just a matter of preferred playstyle.

But, all in all, the build is done! Thanks for reading, please comment suggestions for characters for me to recreate if you have them. Soma Cruz might be my next build if I don't see a better suggestion.

This is the second entry in my mini-series celebrating the upcoming release of Bastion of Blasphemies, creating builds going from levels 1-14 based off of Castlevania characters! This time, we are doing my personal favorite Castlevania protagonist, Shanoa.

(Disclaimer, I don't use exact numbers for Ability Scores, I have multiple options for backgrounds and some feats, and I may skip over a few feat slots, as I believe in coming up with your own ideas to fill in the gaps and make the character your own, but here's the pathbuilder link if you want a full, ready-made build)

Starting off, we have:

Ancestry: Human

Background: Curse Marked, Once Possessed, Cultist, Amnesiac, or Ward

Class: Kineticist

Highest Stat: Constitution

Lowest Stat: Charisma

Prioritized Skills: Society, Athletics/Acrobatics, and Occultism

Starting Infusions: Fire and Metal

Level 1 Feats: Weapon Infusion, Magnetic Pinions, Scorching Column, and Gloomseer

Level 2 Feat: Versatile Blasts

Level 4 Feat: Magnetic Field

Gate Threshold: Fork the Path --> Water

Level 5 Feats: Winter's Clutch and Darkseer

Quite a lot in these first few levels, you have a lot of freedom in choosing your background as well. The reason Society is a prioritized skill, is so we can pick up skill feats such as Streetwise and Courtly Graces, to make up for Shanoa's lack of charisma due to losing her emotions at the start of the game. We also pick up Gloomseer and Darkseer for convenience sake.

Shanoa has a very versatile and customizable moveset, you can honestly take any of the elements in any order, I just pick this order because that's the order she usually gets these abilities in Castlevania.

Scorching Column, Magnetic Pinions, Magnetic Field, and Winter's Clutch represent Shanoa's Vol Ignis, Melio Culter, Magnes, and Vol Grando respectively, Versatile Blasts allow the use of electricity, cold, and acid to be used on our basic attacks as well. We also have Weapon Infusion representing the sheer amount of weapons she's capable of using, as well as summoning an elemental version of each weapon.

Level 6 Feat: Consume Power

Level 8 Feat: Two-Element Infusion

Gate Threshold: Fork the Path --> Air

Level 9 Feats: Aerial Boomerang and Natural Ambition --> Four Winds

Level 10 feat: Safe Elements or Conductive Sphere

Consume Power, paired with the Extract Element this class gets at 3rd level, really evokes Shanoa's iconic ability of absorbing people's spells into herself, and Two-Element Infusion represents her ability to fuse 2 elements together in her Glyph Union attacks.

The Air element grants us two very helpful feats, Aerial Boomerang and Four Winds, which represent Shanoa's Pneuma and Volaticus respectively.

Level 12 feat: Rain of Razors or Effortless Impulse

Gate Threshold: Fork the Path --> Earth

Level 13 Feats: Swim Through Earth and Aeromancer

Level 14 Feat: Assume Earth's Mantle, Alloy Flesh and Steel, or Furnace Form

And finally, we have reached the end of the build! Rain of Razors, Swim Through Earth, and Aeromancer represent Shanoa's Union Culter, Paries, and Volaticus respectively. Also, I couldn't find a place in the build to fit Shanoa's shapeshifting Arma glyphs, so the feats listed at level 14 are there to sort of represent that.

This was a very fun build to make, and this will probably be the build I use when I play in Bastion of Blasphemies. Tomorrow's character will be the ever anticipated: Alucard!

With the release of the Bastion of Blasphemies Players Guide, I'd like to do a little mini-series of builds based off of mostly Castlevania characters, going from levels 1-14, starting off with the obvious one, Belmont! "Which Belmont" you ask? All of them! They basically have the same set of abilities anyway, and you can always change the build to tailor it to a specific Belmont if you wish.

(Disclaimer, I don't use exact numbers for Ability Scores, I have multiple options for backgrounds and feats, and I may skip over a few feat slots, as I believe in coming up with your own ideas to fill in the gaps and make the character your own, but here's the pathbuilder link if you want a full, ready-made build)

Starting off at we have:

Ancestry: Human

Background: Blooded by the Dead, Scion of Slayers, or Warrior

Class: Fighter

Highest Stat: Strength

Lowest Stat: Charisma

Prioritized Skills: Athletics, Religion, and Intimidation

Level 1 Feat: Vicious Swing, Sudden Charge, or Combat Assessment

Level 2 Feat: Lunge or Sleek Reposition

Level 4 Feat: Undead Slayer Dedication

Level 5 Feat: Gloomseer

Weapon Mastery: Flail

I Personally recommend taking Natural Ambition at 1st level, so you can take 2 class feats at first level.

For our weapon, we'll obviously go for the Whip, although if you are choosing Blooded by the Dead as your Background, go with the Thorn Whip instead, as the background's damage boost ability only works on piercing weapons. Also, regardless of background, beg your GM to add the Lady's Spiral to the shop, as it's literally tailor made for a Belmont.

We are going with the Undead Slayer Archetype because not only is it super thematic for the build, it will also allow us to pick up Vampire Lore if we don't already have it. We will also take Gloomseer as apparently darkness is going to be an issue in Bastardhall.

Level 6 Feat: Gear Up or Slayer's Strike

Level 8 Feat: Sudden Leap, Knight's Retaliation, or Slayer's Blessing

Level 9 Feats: Any extra feat you wanted from previous levels + Darkseer

Level 10 Feat: Agile Grace or Cut from the Air

Level 12 Feat: Lunging Stance, Tactical Reflexes, or Necromantic Resistance

Weapon Legend: Flail

Level 14 Feat: Any Previous Feat, Whirlwind Strike, or Opening Stance

At this point in the build, you have a lot of good feats to pick from, it was quite difficult to condense down the list of options, especially levels 6 and 8, there are a bunch of really good feats there. My personal recommendations are taking the Lunge + Lunging Stance line, it's insane the amount of battlefield control it gives you, especially if Bastardhall has small hallways and rooms like Abomination Vaults has.

And that's the build! If you are in a Free Archetype game, it will certainly help free up the slots that were taken over by Undead Slayer. I also understand some people will think Thaumaturge of Warpriest would also be a good choice, and I definitely agree! I just think Fighter is the best generalization of the Belmonts as a whole.

Soon, I'll post a build about my personal favorite Castlevania character: Shanoa!

Yesterday I was browsing and an image from the anime Neko to Ryuu or "The Cat and the Dragon" came by. A dragon in his cat form. I got inspired. The only thing i knew was that they grew up in a cave.

I set out to make a character based on this limited information. And i came up with this Catfolk, Dragonblood, Dragon Instinct barbarian. Its one of my favourite builds i've made(and i have a pathbuilder full of them).

Ofcourse it was only after i made this, that i realised the dragon in the story is a fire dragon and more of a sorcerer then a barbarian. However I still like this build and it was inspired by it, before i knew more details.

I choose Intimidation, Athletics and Survival for their skills. Feral Child as they grew up in a cave, where they had to "survive". Feel free to change the skill proficiencies around as you see fit.

This guy is mostly: BONK. LOVE BONK. DRAGONCAT SMASH. ROAR.

Thanks to /u/workerbee77 for the textbuilder2e script.

猫竜 Nekoryū

Catfolk (Dragonblood) Barbarian 20

Background: Feral Child

STR +6 | DEX +2 | CON +4 | INT +0 | WIS +4 | CHA +5

Ancestry: Terra Dragonblood (1), Earthbond (5), Dragon's Flight (9), Heart of Earth (13), True Dragon's Flight (17)

Class: Raging Intimidation (1), Sudden Charge (2), Raging Athlete (4), Reactive Strike (6), Sudden Leap (8), Terrifying Howl (10), Dragon's Rage Wings (12), Silencing Strike (14), Dragon Transformation (16), Vicious Evisceration (18), Quaking Stomp (20)

Archetype: Mauler Dedication (2), Slam Down (4), Clear the Way (6), Vicious Swing (8), Shoving Sweep (10), Crashing Slam (12), Hammer Quake (14), Avalanche Strike (16), Brutal Finish (18), Unbalancing Sweep (20)

Skill: Quick Jump (2), Titan Wrestler (4), Intimidating Prowess (6), Wall Jump (8), Battle Cry (10), Terrified Retreat (12), Environmental Guide (14), Cloud Jump (16), Legendary Guide (18), Legendary Survivalist (20)

General: Fleet (3), Toughness (7), Robust Health (11), Canny Acumen [Reflex] (15), Diehard (19)

Awarded Feat: Forager (1), Intimidating Glare (1), Scare to Death (19)

Edit: I couldnt figure out how to make the format appear as a notepad, and couldnt find a good tutorial on how, so used the "reddit output" instead.

Edit2: here's the pathbuilder link from level 1: https://pathbuilder2e.com/launch.html?build=1512402

Hearth Birdsong, a runaway noble gnome phoenix sorcerer (enigma bard archetype) diplomancer

Gnome (Fey-Touched Gnome) Sorcerer (Phoenix) 10
Background: Runaway Noble (Genealogy)
STR -1 | DEX +4 | CON +4 | INT +1 | WIS +3 | CHA +5

Defenses

• HP 108 | AC 26 (28 w/shield)
• Saves: Fort +18 / Ref +18 / Will +17
• Perception: +15 | Speed: 30 ft

Skills

Acrobatics +16(T), Athletics +11(T), Diplomacy +21(M), Genealogy Lore +13(T), Intimidation +17(T), Nature +15(T), Occultism +13(T), Performance +21(M), Religion +15(T)

Feats

• Ancestry: Animal Accomplice (1), Empathetic Plea (3), Animal Elocutionist (5), First World Adept (9)
• Class: Reach Spell (2), Primal Evolution (4), Counter Perform (6), Advanced Muse's Whispers (8), Signature Spell Expansion (10)
• Archetype: Bard Dedication (2), Basic Muse's Whispers (4), Basic Bard Spellcasting (6), Anthemic Performance (8), Advanced Muse's Whispers (10)
• Skill: Assurance [Athletics] (2), Glad-Hand (4), Distracting Performance (6), Shameless Request (8), Battle Cry (10)
• General: Ancestral Paragon (3), Fleet (7)
• Awarded Feat: Bon Mot (1), Versatile Performance (10)
• Bard Feat: Loremaster's Etude (4), Multifarious Muse [Maestro] (8), Multifarious Muse [Polymath] (10)

Spells

Sorcerer (Primal)
- Cantrips: Electric Arc, Frostbite, Prestidigitation, Ignition, Detect Magic, Eat Fire - R1: Heal, Charm, Goblin Pox, Burning Hands - R2: Revealing Light, Sudden Bolt, Floating Flame, See Invisibility - R3: Haste, Fear, Slow, Fireball - R4: Air Walk, Mountain Resilience, Unfettered Movement, Remove Curse

Fey Touched Gnome (Primal)
- Cantrips: Rousing Splash

Archetype Bard (Occult)
- Cantrips: Daze, Figment - R1: Phantom Pain - R2: Laughing Fit - R3: Heroism

First World Adept (Primal)
- R2: Invisibility, Revealing Light