Grampy_Bone
Arcane
How much is that exactly in numbers?
Since i'm going to replay on hard anyway it is good to see options. Care to share?
This isn't even that optimized. I'm still level 4.
Main Hero:
18 str 14 dex 16 con
Feats: exotic (falcata), weapon focus, weapon specialization, power attack, cleave, cleaving finish
AB: +8 (+4 bab, +4 str, +1 magic, +1 feat, -2 power attack)
Damage: 1d8+4(str)+4(power attack)+2(specialization)+1(magic) = (12+19)/2 = 15.5 average damage w/ x3 crit
crit deals average 46.5 damage roughly 10% of the time, 46.5 x .1=4.6, so that increases average damage to 20.
Also often gets free attacks when he kills stuff. It should also be obvious that there are significant tactical benefits to dealing 40+ damage in a single hit.
AC: 26 (10+10(+1 full plate)+1(ring of protection +1)+3(+1 large shield) +2 dex)
Valerie:
14 str 13 dex 19 con
(strength too goddamned low for power attack)
Feats: exotic (bastard), toughness, dodge, weapon focus, weapon specialization
AB:+8 (+4 bab, +2 str, +1 magic, +1 feat)
Damage: 1d10+2(str)+2(spec) = (5+15)/2=10 average damage w/x2 crit
crit deals average of 20 damage 10% of the time, so +2 average damage=12. No bonus attacks
AC: 26 (10+10(+1 full plate)+1(ring of protection +1)+3(+1 large shield) +1 dex +1 dodge)
This is without any stat-increasing items. Both of them have access to the same buffs so that is irrelevant. My guy deals almost double the damage and has more utility than her for no tradeoffs. The lack of 15 strength really hurts Valerie, upping that and getting her power attack does even things out a bit.
Next level Valerie will get her Tower shield for free which gives her +2 AC but that along with evasion and immunity to flanking are all she will ever get. Those bonuses are nice, sure, but there's no reason you can't give your fighter the tower shield specialist kit but still end up with far more power. Also, if you go with a 2-handed fighter you will sacrifice minor AC for a whole lot of damage. I actually made this guy as more of a theme build.
Really, if Valerie can't convert to Paladin at some point in the story, her stats are a crime.