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Pathfinder: Kingmaker Single-Class Build – Slayer Archer

Posted on July 7, 2020

If you play Pathfinder: Kingmaker and looking for single-classs builds, this guide will show you a  single-class build for a Slayer (Deliverer) Archer build that puts out some hefty damage. It’s viable from start-to-finish and works great for your main character. Let’s check it out.

Part 1: Race Choice and Build Progression

Hey folks, I’m starting a series of single-class builds that are viable from start-to-finish for PKM. This is one of my favorite archer builds that peppers out some hefty damage and also acts as a skill monkey for the party. You can play it from start-to-finish on any difficulty level.

Pathfinder: Kingmaker Single-Class Build - Slayer ArcherOur level 10 Slayer clearing the room of undead. He was first in the initiative order, catching all the enemies flat-footed.

Starting Out

  • Race: Half-Elf, +2 DEX, Skill Focus Persuasion
  • Alignment: Lawful Good (Very important!)
  • Important Skills: Trickery, Mobility, Stealth, Perception, and Persuasion are my usuals.
  • Starting Stats: 14 or 16 STR and 19 DEX (–> 24 DEX) are most important. Fiddle with the others how you like, but you’ll want a decent Persuasion skill for Dreadful Carnage. I like 14-19-12-14-10-10 for more skill points.

Build Progression: Slayer (Deliver) 20.
1. Point-Blank Shot, Skill Focus: Persuasion (Half-Elf)
2. (Determined Zeal, replaces Slayer Talent) +2 to Will Saves + Diehard feat vs most enemies.
3. Precise Shot
4. ST: Trapfinding
5. Rapid Shot
6. ST, Menacing: Intimidating Prowess (+2d6 Sneak Attack)
7. Clustered Shot
8. ST, Menacing: Shatter Defenses
9. Manyshot (+3d6 Sneak Attack)
10. (Divine Anathema, Replaces Slayer Talent, +2d6 Damage to unaligned targets)
11. Improved Precise Shot
12. ST, Menacing: Dreadful Carnage (+4d6 Sneak Attack)
13. Improved Critical
14. ST: Deadly Aim
15. Accomplished Sneak Attacker (+6d6 Sneak Attack)
16. ST: Crippling Strike or Blinding Strike
17. WF: Longbow
18. ST Familiar (Hare) (+7d6 Sneak Attack)
19. Improved Initiative
20. ST: Hammer the Gap

Commentary

  • This build is a skill monkey, DPS, and face of the party all in one!
  • Most of your combat rounds will be full-round attacks because you’re attacking at range.
  • Why Half-Elf? I love Half-Elves not only for their extra Skill Focus feat, but they also get +2 to Perception, +2 to save vs Enchantments (looking at you, Nixie Tricksters), and sleep immunity. Determined Zeal (Slayer, Deliverer 2) will also give you an extra +2 on Will saves vs most enemies with this build. All of these are extremely viable racial bonuses in PKM.
  • Why Deliverer? Two main reasons. If you choose Lawful Good as your alignment, every enemy in the game that is not LG, NG, or LN will take an extra +2d6 Divine Damage on your attacks starting at level 10. Stack that with your Sneak Attack Damage and you will clean up in combat! Secondly, you’re going to want your Studied Target as a Swift Action (Slayer 7) so you can dish out a full round of attacks as often as you can. Certain Slayer subtypes do not gain Studied Target as a Swift Action.
  • Why Menacing and not the Archer Route? Shatter Defenses and Dreadful Carnage on a Slayer archer is a beautiful combination, as any enemy that is flat-footed (and that is open to precision damage) is now vulnerable to Sneak Attack. It can make for some brutal critical hits (see below). Also, archery feats are easily attainable without the Slayer Fighter style feats.
READ:  Pathfinder Kingmaker - All Summon Monster Stats Lists

Pathfinder: Kingmaker Single-Class Build - Slayer ArcherOur Slayer at Level 12 with a solid Many Shot critical hit.

Part 2: Strategy and Items of Note

Build Notes

  • Why take Trapfinding? Well, Trickery isn’t a standard skill for a Slayer. However, it becomes a class skill with Trapfinding. Since archers are DEX-based, it works perfectly. Also, I use my Slayer as my Rogue, so the bonus to Perception is always welcome. Since there is so much room in this build to fiddle around with feats, you may as well take it.
  • Trapfinding is brilliant to optimize the Necklace of Double Crosses, as well. Although the NoDC isn’t supposed to work with ranged attacks, it will (with certain limitations); with ranged attacks, the NoDC affects flat-footed enemies only (but not simply flanked targets, as it does in melee). Hence the importance of Shatter Defenses and Dreadful Carnage. When all of your cards align, you have + 11d6 damage on each attack with Sneak Attack (+7d6), the NoDC (+2d6), and Divine Anathema (+2d6).
  • To get Dreadful Carnage as soon as you can, you’re going to have to take your Slayer Fighting Style feats at levels 6, 8, and 12. If you want to shuffle around the feats some, you can. However, I recommend Clustered Shots before Manyshot (*shakes fist at elementals*).
  • Want a play a different race? Go for it! Any race that can receive a bonus to DEX can be used. Half-Orcs are great with their bonus to Intimidate and an extra skill point per level. Aasimir and Tieflings get nice racial bonuses, too.

Pathfinder: Kingmaker Single-Class Build - Slayer ArcherOur end game attack bonus is wonderfully ridiculous.

READ:  Pathfinder Kingmaker - All Summon Monster Stats Lists

Strategy Ideas

  • Dirge of Doom: If enemies are far away and you want them flat-footed… This build works really, really well when Linzi gets Dirge of Doom at level 8 (the same level you take Shatter Defenses). Dirge of Doom automatically makes enemies shaken if they’re subject to fear effects (that’s right, no save). With Shatter Defenses on your Slayer, every enemy that is open to the effects of Linzi’s song AOE is now flat-footed for your archer! I specifically give Linzi Improved Initiative at Level 7 so she (hopefully) can pop Dirge of Doom at level 8 and move into position before my Slayer’s turn in combat. It doesn’t always work, of course, but it’s really nice when it does! Put those Swiftfoot Boots, cast Expeditious Retreat, and you’re golden. Pro-tip: Hit your song first, then move.
  • Frightful Aspect: Your cleric will get access to Frightful Aspect at level 15. This has the same effect as Dirge of Doom (enemies are shaken, no saving throw).
  • Kill Afar First: If enemies are close to you, this where Dreadful Carnage shines. I like to take out an enemy that is far away, proc-ing Dreadful Carnage. Now, all of the enemies who are closer to you will most likely be shaken (and therefore flat-footed). Remember taking Intimidating Prowess at level 6? Now your STR bonus is added to your Intimidate checks. You’re welcome.

Pathfinder: Kingmaker Single-Class Build - Slayer ArcherAn end game critical hit of almost 400 damage. This is one attack of six.

Items of Note

  • Necklace of Double Crosses can be assembled immediately upon getting your Kingdom at level 5 or 6. All of the pieces of it can be found in Chapter 1.
  • It gives an extra +2d6 to Sneak Attack damage and an untyped bonus of +4 to Mobility, Stealth, and Trickery (hence my love for Trapfinding on a Slayer).
  • Great Gear Early On: Bracers of Archery (around level 6) and Death From Afar (around level 9, found in the second portion of the Tenebrous Depths) are items you’ll find and never unequip. Get these as soon as you’re able! Death from Afar gives you an untyped +4 bonus to all ranged attacks. Yes, it stacks with the Bracers of Archery. Yes, it’s insane. Yes, you’ll love it.
  • Better Bows: After defeating Vordaki, you’re going to want to pick up the Longbow of the Cold Moon as soon as you’re able. The Marksman Hat comes in around levels 13 or so that gives you a +2 to attacks while using Deadly Aim. These are all tasty choices for this build. Eventually, Kimo will craft you two exceptional bows (Mirrow Bow and Hunter’s Blessing).
  • Greater Invisibility: Having a party member cast Greater Invisibility on your Slayer is also a great way to get (most) enemies instantly flat-footed. Extend Rods FTW!
READ:  Pathfinder Kingmaker - All Summon Monster Stats Lists

 

 

That’s all we are sharing today in Pathfinder: Kingmaker Single-Class Build – Slayer Archer), if there are anything you want to add please feel free to leave a comment below and we’ll see you soon.

Credit to jasonpauldegraaf

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4 thoughts on “Pathfinder: Kingmaker Single-Class Build – Slayer Archer”

  1. Zarddin says:
    August 4, 2020 at am7:08

    Slayer is OP and Hedwirg is also OP with his stat points.

    So I’m testing right now the most OP thing I can think off and that is picking Hedwirg and Lawful Good and going 1 Fighter/1 Rogue/18 Slayer (Deliverer) and max two-weapon fighting.

    In theory it should be weapon dmg + STR + 13d6 (8d6 sneak attack + 2d6 sneak attack from Necklace of Double Crosses + 2d6 divine + 1d6 precise dmg from teamwork feat with EACH of his attacks and he should have 7 attacks each round.

    I will try this build with bow when I will play as chaotic neutral and as Spawn Slayer instead of Deliverer 🙂

    Reply
  2. Balderun says:
    October 13, 2020 at am11:36

    I’ve made the exact build as you wrote, but where do you get those extra points from for your attributes? 14-19-12-14-10-10
    If you take Str. 14, Dex. 19, Con. 12, Int. 14, Wis. 10 and Cha. 10, you would be 5 points too short even with the racial Half-Elf giving +2 to Dex.

    Additionally if you want more than 2 additional skill points you get them by increasing Int. to 12 (+1) and if you want another, you need to raise it to 16, because 14 doesn’t give you an extra skill point.

    Playing v. 2.1.4.

    Reply
  3. Everick says:
    November 13, 2020 at pm3:04

    Hi Balderun, you can get 14, 19, 12, 14, 10, 10 if you include the racial bonus from Half-Elf (be sure to set the Racial Bonus at the bottom of the screen). At least I seem to be able to at the time of writing this.

    Though, I had the same concern as you, Balderun. It’s mention in the starting off section that “Trickery, Mobility, Stealth, Perception, and Persuasion are my usuals.” for skills, but with 14 INT, you can only get 4 points max. I tried to fiddle with the starting stats, but without taking a negative somewhere else or lowering something more significantly, that’s not possible. jasonpauldegraaf – Can you please clarify?

    Reply
  4. Chino says:
    March 6, 2021 at pm1:35

    Hey, I’ve got a problem – at level 8. I have no ST, Menacing: Shatter Defenses on the list, just Dazzling Display and Power Attack (and inactive Intimidated Prowess already taken on level 6), did something change or is it a bug?

    Reply

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