Article-At-A-Glance
- Haunted Exorcist blends abilities from Spiritualist and Soul Warden classes effectively.
- The build excels against undead foes using Phantom, Control Undead, and Turn Undead.
- Strategic leveling, Samsaran race, and key spells enhance role as an anti-undead specialist.
- Equipment and feats improve combat effectiveness and survival chances in various scenarios.
Click on the level for more information
Description
This level 1 build centers on the Spiritualist class with the Haunted archetype, aiming to excel against undead adversaries. The character combines a variety of skills and traits to maintain high mobility and effectiveness in combat. Using a Kukri with Weapon Finesse allows dexterity-based attack strength, while the chain shirt enhances armor without a penalty thanks to the Armor Expert trait. The skills in Stealth, backed by the Silent Hunter trait, and Perception ensure readiness in diverse scenarios. This character is prepared to disrupt the undead with spells and channel energy, while maintaining robust defenses.
Stat Block
Haunted Exorcist: male, Samsaran Spiritualist 1; CR 1; Medium humanoid (Samsaran); HD 1d8; hp 8; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 13; Base Atk +0; Grp +0; Atk Kukri +2 (1d4/18-20) or Channel Energy -; Full Atk Kukri +2 (1d4/18-20); SA Channel Energy; SQ Haunted, Mystic Past Life, +2 racial bonus on saves against negative energy and death effects; AL Neutral Good; SV Fort +2, Ref +2, Will +5; Str 10, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 10.
Skills and Feats
Stealth +6, Perception +7, Knowledge (Religion) +4, Spellcraft +4; Weapon Finesse. Special Attacks and Qualities: Channel Energy deals damage to undead; Haunted provides unique roleplay flavor and combat potential; Mystic Past Life access to Control Undead spell.
Possessions
Chain Shirt, Kukri.
Description
At level 5, this Haunted Exorcist build excels in dealing with undead threats. Wielding a Kukri, the character combines Weapon Finesse and Piranha Strike for nimble and powerful attacks. With Shield Proficiency, they enhance their defense while maintaining mobility. Their spell selection includes healing and protection spells like Cure Light Wounds and Protection from Evil, allowing them to heal allies and ward off evil spirits. As a Samsaran, they possess innate resistance to negative energy, making them vital to any party facing undead foes.
Stat Block
Haunted Exorcist: gender, Samsaran Spiritualist 5; CR 5; Medium humanoid (Samsaran); HD 5d8; hp 32; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 17, touch 12, flat-footed 15; Base Atk +3; Grp +3; Atk Kukri +7 (1d4+2/18-20) or Kukri +5 (1d4+2/18-20); Full Atk Kukri +7 (1d4+2/18-20) or Kukri +5 (1d4+2/18-20); SA Channel Energy 2d6, Turn Undead; SQ Phantom (Hatred), Detect Magic, Shared Consciousness; AL N; SV Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +7; Str 10, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 10.
Skills and Feats
Stealth +9, Perception +11, Knowledge (Religion) +8, Spellcraft +8; Weapon Finesse, Piranha Strike, Shield Proficiency, Weapon Focus (Kukri). Special Attacks and Qualities: Channel Energy allows the character to release a wave of positive energy, affecting all undead creatures in the area. Shared Consciousness grants the ability to share senses with their Phantom.
Possessions
Chain Shirt, Kukri, Shield.
Description
The Haunted Exorcist[1] at Level 10 is a balanced Spiritualist build focused on dealing with undead threats and support spells. With the mystical Samsaran race, it excels in using a Kukri for high damage output, enhanced by Slashing Grace and Piranha Strike. The character sports Shield Proficiency for added defense and excel in mobility with Spring Attack. The Phantom’s Hatred allows for additional combat prowess against the undead.
Stat Block
[Haunted Exorcist]: Male, Samsaran Spiritualist 5/Soul Warden 5; CR 10; Medium humanoid (Samsaran); HD 10d8; hp 65; Init +6; Spd 30 ft.; AC 19, touch 12, flat-footed 17; Base Atk +7; Grp +7; Atk Kukri +11/+6 (1d4+3/18-20) or Spirit(ic Eldritch Touch); Full Atk Kukri +11/+6 (1d4+3/18-20); SA Channel Smite, Turn Undead; SQ Mystic Past Life, Phantom (Hatred), Shared Spells; AL LN; SV Fort +8, Ref +9, Will +12; Str 10, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 18, Cha 10.
Skills and Feats
Stealth +16, Perception +14, Knowledge (Religion) +10, Spellcraft +10; Weapon Finesse, Piranha Strike, Shield Proficiency, Weapon Focus (Kukri), Channel Smite, Slashing Grace, Improved Initiative, Turn Undead. Special Attacks and Qualities: Soul Shield, Destroy Undead.
Possessions
Chain Shirt, Masterwork Kukri, Light Shield.
Description
At level 15, the Samsaran Spiritualist/Soul Warden excels as an anti-undead specialist. Equipped with a Kukri and proficient with a shield for enhanced AC, it deals high damage through the synergy of Slashing Grace, Piranha Strike, and Improved Critical. The character’s spells, such as Control Undead and Purge Spirit, alongside Channel Smite, make dispatching undead enemies efficient. With strong defenses against negative energy and a versatile spell pool for healing and support, this build rivals traditional Clerics and Paladins.
Stat Block
Haunted Exorcist: none, Samsaran Spiritualist 5/Soul Warden 10; CR 15; Medium humanoid (spirit); HD 15d8; hp 90; Init +8; Spd 30 ft.; AC 23, touch 15, flat-footed 18; Base Atk +11; Grp +13; Atk Kukri +19 (1d4+6/15-20) or Shield Bash +17 (1d4+2); Full Atk Kukri +19/+14/+9 (1d4+6/15-20) or Kukri +17 and Shield Bash +17 (1d4+2); SA Channel Smite, Turn Undead; SQ Mystic Past Life, Phantom (Hatred), Resist Negative Energy; AL LG; SV Fort +13, Ref +9, Will +14; Str 10, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 18, Cha 10.
Skills and Feats
Stealth +20, Perception +22, Knowledge(Religion) +18, Spellcraft +18; Weapon Finesse, Piranha Strike, Shield Proficiency, Weapon Focus (Kukri), Channel Smite, Slashing Grace, Improved Initiative, Turn Undead, Dodge, Quick Channel, Mobility, Spring Attack, Improved Critical (Kukri). Spells (Level 15): Control Undead, Cure Critical Wounds, Spell Magic, Plane Shift, Dream.
Possessions
Chain Shirt, Kukri, Magic Shield, assorted potions.
Description
The Haunted Exorcist[1] is primarily focused on anti-undead abilities. At level 20, this build enhances damage against undead with the Kukri while being mobile and defensively sound. The character excels in healing and support roles, having strong spells to counter undead, and can channel energy to harm such creatures. The build uses a combination of the Spiritualist class and the Soul Warden prestige class to maximize effectiveness against undead foes.
Stat Block
Unnamed Character: male, Samsaran Spiritualist 10/Soul Warden 10; CR 20; Medium humanoid (Samsaran); HD 15d8+5d6+60; hp 155; Init +8; Spd 30 ft.; AC 30, touch 16, flat-footed 24; Base Atk +15; Grp +15; Atk +24 melee (1d4+7 Kukri) or +20 melee; Full Atk +24/+19/+14/+9 melee (1d4+7 Kukri) or secondary attacks; SA Channel Smite, Quick Channel; SQ Undead control, spells, turn undead; AL NG; SV Fort +14, Ref +13, Will +19; Str 10, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 18, Cha 10.
Skills and Feats
Stealth +28, Perception +30, Knowledge (Religion) +25, Spellcraft +25; Weapon Finesse, Piranha Strike, Shield Proficiency, Weapon Focus (Kukri), Channel Smite, Slashing Grace, Improved Initiative, Turn Undead, Dodge, Quick Channel, Mobility, Spring Attack, Improved Critical (Kukri). Special Attacks and Qualities: Channel Energy (to harm undead), Cure spells, Control Undead, Soul Warden abilities.
Possessions
Chain Shirt, Kukri, Shield, assortment of potions and scrolls.
Milestones Of Character Development
- Levels 1-5: Begin with the Spiritualist class, laying the foundation with Weapon Finesse for dexterity-based attacks. Equip yourself with a Chain Shirt and Kukri. Enhance mobility and precision with Piranha Strike. Ensure steady progress in skills like Stealth and Spellcraft, while learning essential spells such as Cure Light Wounds and Sanctuary to keep the undead at bay.
- Levels 6-10: Transition into the Soul Warden Prestige Class to strengthen anti-undead abilities. Gain Shield Proficiency for better defense and Protection from Evil to safeguard companions. This is when you’ll pick crucial spells like Control Undead, solidifying your role as an exorcist. Your phantom develops hatred toward the undead, aiding in combat.
- Levels 11-15: Embrace powerful offensive feats such as Improved Initiative for quicker action in battle and Turn Undead to drive off spectral foes. Emphasize mobility with Dodge and Spring Attack, and refine your Kukri technique with Slashing Grace. Important spell learnings, like Anti-Incorporeal Shell, ensure you remain the bane of all things undead.
- Levels 16-20: Finalize your build by integrating spells such as Heal and Entrap Spirit, which are critical for high-level undead encounters. Boost your combat efficiency with feats like Improved Critical for your Kukri. Standing alongside Clerics and Paladins, you emerge as a notable anti-undead specialist, ready to restore balance wherever darkness prevails.
Core Abilities & Features
The Haunted Exorcist leverages the unique blend of abilities from the Spiritualist class and the Soul Warden prestige class to craft an unwavering anti-undead specialist. The integration of the Haunted Archetype injects the character with flavorful interaction with spirits, setting a strong thematic backdrop as you wage war against the undead.
The build’s backbone is its leveling plan: Spiritualist 5/Soul Warden 10/Spiritualist +5. This path ensures you gain key class features crucial to resisting evil. The Samsaran race, with its Mystic Past Life Alternate Racial Feature, offers versatile magical prowess—specifically, accessing Control Undead, a spell central to the build’s theme.
Relevant ability scores are geared toward maximizing the build’s spellcasting and durability, with a focus on Wisdom and Constitution. This arrangement not only augments your primary casting stat but also ensures survivability. The selection of Silvent Hunter and Armor Expert traits further enhances stealth and nullifies chain shirt penalties, contributing to both infiltrative capacity and defense.
Equipment Progression
| Level Range | Equipment | Details |
|---|---|---|
| L1-5 | Masterwork Kukri | Grants an edge in early combat scenarios with improved hit chance. |
| L6-10 | +1 Chain Shirt | Provides better defense while maintaining mobility with Armor Expert trait. |
| L11-15 | +2 Shield | Boosts AC, essential for mid-level combat fortification. Works well with Shield Proficiency. |
| L16-20 | +3 Kukri | Enhances attack power, perfect for high stakes battles and improved damage output. |
Combat Scenarios
- Dungeon Crawls:
- Use Stealth to scout ahead, avoiding traps and locating undead targets. Guide your party through narrow corridors, utilizing your high Perception to spot potential threats. Disrupt enemies with spells like Control Undead to turn their minions against them while using Cure Light Wounds to sustain your exploration.
- Open Fields:
- Exploit mobility through Spring Attack to strike and retreat, keeping distance from larger groups of undead. Use spells like Purge Spirit or Anti-Incorporeal Shell to protect yourself and allies from incorporeal threats. Channel Energy and Turn Undead to dismantle large hordes.
- Ambushes:
- Rely on Improved Initiative to react swiftly. Call upon your Phantom to engage enemies while you strike with your Kukri enhanced by Slashing Grace. Quick Channel allows rapid deployment of Channel Energy, turning surprises in your favor as you regroup and retaliate.
- Defensive Stands:
- Position yourself strategically, using a shield for increased AC. Cast spells like Aid or Death Ward to bolster defenses. Use Channel Smite to devastate advancing undead, halting their momentum with decisive strikes. Fall back to Heal or Undeath to Death if overwhelmed.
- Urban Encounters:
- Blend into the environment using Silent Hunter to gather information inconspicuously. Adapt tactics with spells like Dimension Door for quick escapes or strategic repositioning. Maintain crowd control with spells like Displacement and Soulseeker while focusing key threats with Improved Critical-enhanced blows.
Weaknesses & Counters
| Weakness | Counter |
|---|---|
| Low Strength | Use Weapon Finesse to utilize Dexterity instead of Strength for attack rolls. |
| Limited Melee Range | Equip a kukri with Slashing Grace to improve damage output despite range limitations. |
| Slight Armor Class (AC) Penalties | Equip a Chain Shirt and use the Armor Expert trait to nullify armor check penalties. |
| Dependence on Spells for Healing | Cure spells like Cure Light Wounds, Moderate Wounds, etc., are essential gear. Carry a wand of Cure Light Wounds for more healing options. |
| Vulnerability to Magical Attacks | Use spells like Protection from Evil and Anti-Incorporeal Shell to create barriers against magic and supernatural effects. |
| Lower Initiative | Improve with feats like Improved Initiative to seize battlefield advantage early. |
| High Dexterity Dependency | Balance stats appropriately using the 15/20/25 Point-Buy system focusing on Dexterity and Wisdom. |
| Exposure to Stealth-based Threats | Utilize the Silent Hunter trait for enhanced Stealth to detect threats faster. |
| Resistance to Controls | Employ Control Undead with Mystic Past Life to harness mind-control capabilities against undead. |
| Limited AoE Damage | Channel Smite and Turn Undead feats help optimize damage against clusters of undead enemies. |
Roleplaying
Stepping into the shoes of a Haunted Exorcist, your character embodies the dichotomy between the spiritual and the corporeal, a walking battleground against undead forces. As a Samsaran, you draw on the wisdom of the ages, and your Mystic Past Life allows you unique control over spiritual entities, an essential facet of your role as an exorcist.
The Haunted Archetype imbues your character with a notable background of unrest. Your Phantom, steeped in hatred for the undead, becomes a constant reminder of your mission. Use this intense relationship to guide your character’s motivations and interactions, as it seeks release and vengeance against those who embody its trauma. The drive to eradicate evil spirits is both a burden and a duty, one that can lead to deep, resonant roleplaying opportunities.
Embracing the themes of redemption and conflict with unseen forces, you straddle the line between life and death. Your Spiritualist uses not only physical acumen but also deep spiritual strength to combat the undead. Interact with mortal and spectral entities alike with an understanding of your past lives, carrying the weight of unfinished business and the resolve to bring peace to tormented souls.
FAQ
What makes the Haunted Exorcist[1] build effective against undead?
The Haunted Exorcist[1] wields unique abilities from both the Spiritualist and Soul Warden. Their spells focus on anti-undead tactics, like Control Undead, for turning enemies. Abilities such as Turn Undead disrupt spectral foes significantly, offering a thematic edge. High Wisdom, along with spells and traits, enhances resistance and durability. The blend of Spiritualist features ensures its effectiveness in spiritual warfare. Phantoms with hatred towards undead boost combat efficiency.
How does the Samsaran race benefit the Haunted Exorcist[1]?
Samsarans offer mystical spellcasting benefits and the Mystic Past Life feature. This feature allows access to key spells like Control Undead. They’re naturally wise, complementing the build’s spellcasting needs well. Spiritual affinity matches the exorcist theme, enhancing roleplay depth. Samsarans can adapt spells to various undead challenges. Their racial wisdom bonus is crucial for critical spell efficiency.
What spells are crucial for the Haunted Exorcist[1] build?
Control Undead is pivotal for manipulating undead threats. Anti-Incorporeal Shell shields from intangible monsters. Heal provides critical recovery in tense situations. Entrapping spirits is enabled with Entrap Spirit, controlling incorporeal foes. Spells like Cure Light Wounds support party survivability. These spell choices build the core of the exorcist’s arsenal.
How should I allocate ability scores for a Haunted Exorcist?
Focus on maximizing Wisdom for spellcasting efficiency and power. Constitution boosts survivability, essential in undead combat. Dexterity aids mobility and combat effectiveness with weapons like the Kukri. A balanced approach considers necessary Dexterity for Weapon Finesse. Prioritize Wisdom and Constitution to handle undead encounters adeptly. Allocate points thoughtfully for sustained combat and spell casting prowess.
What equipment progression is recommended for levels 1-20?
Start with a Masterwork Kukri for improved early hit chances. A +1 Chain Shirt offers defense during mid-levels. Progress to a +2 Shield, boosting AC in crucial battles. For endgame, upgrade to a +3 Kukri for better damage. Each upgrade maintains balance between offense and defense. Consider corresponding armor and weapon traits for maximum efficiency.
How does the Haunted Exorcist[1] handle combat scenarios?
In dungeons, use stealth and spells to neutralize threats preemptively. In open fields, rely on the Spring Attack for mobility advantages. During ambushes, leverage Improved Initiative and your Phantom effectively. For defensive stands, bolster AC and use spells strategically. Urban encounters benefit from stealth and crowd control spells. Adapt strategies based on setting while retaining core abilities.
Call to Action Consider trying out the Haunted Exorcist[1] in your next Pathfinder game. Do you think the Haunted Exorcist[1] could be the best build in Pathfinder 1E? Join the discussion on the Stellar Dragons Discord server at https://discord.gg/uAPvgEq6Z7.
Author
Terms definitions
1. ↑ Spiritualist – The Haunted Exorcist – Pathfinder 1E ( The Haunted Exorcist )
The Haunted Exorcist
Okay so the previous two builds were cool and all but what if I want to play an anti-undeads, anti-evil spirits build?
Well, I do have a build for that. We’re picking the Haunted Archetype to add much flavor to our Character, and we’re picking the Soul Warden Prestige Class. Our leveling should look like the following:
Class
Spiritualist 5/Soul Warden 10/Spiritualist +5
Race
Samsaran with the Mystic Past Life Alternate Racial Feature (we need to pick Control Undead with it).
Ability Scores
Round up Con, then everything in Wis.
15Point-Buy
Str 10/Dex 14/Con 13/Int 10/Wis 16/Cha 10
20Point-Buy
Str 10/Dex 14/Con 13/Int 10/Wis 18/Cha 10
25Point-Buy
Str 10/Dex 16/Con 13/Int 10/Wis 18/Cha 10
Traits
Silent Hunter for that sweet Stealth Proficiency, Armor Expert to completely nullify the penalty on your Chain Shirt.
Favored Class Bonus
Moar HP.
Skills
Stealth, Perception, Knowledge(Religion) and Spellcraft.
Feats
1-Weapon Finesse
3-Piranha Strike
5-Shield Proficiency
7-Weapon Focus(Kukri)
Bonus 8-Channel Smite
9-Slashing Grace
11-Improved Initiative Bonus
11-Turn Undead
13-Dodge
Bonus 14-Quick Channel
15-Mobility
17-Spring Attack
19-Improved Critical(Kukri)
So, we are doing some surprisingly high damage with our Kukri via Slashing Grace+Piranha Strike+Improved Critical. Getting Shield Proficiency increases our AC by a few points, and Spring Attack turns us into a surprisingly mobile character.
Phantom
For this build, we will once again go for Hatred, picking feats such as Piranha Strike and the like. Our Phantom will have a weird hate of the Undead. Also, as a Haunted, it will be able to make us Sick to get more stats.
Spells Learned by Level
1-Virtue, Stabilize, Guidance, Resistance, Cure Light Wounds, Sanctuary
2-Detect Magic, Magic Fang
3-Read Magic, Protection from Evil
4-Control Undead, Cure Moderate Wounds
5-Aid
6-Gentle Repose
7-Identify, Cure Serious Wounds, Haste
8-Heroism
9-Fly
10-Purge Spirit, Cure Critical Wounds, Anti-Incorporeal Shell
11-Alarm, Death Ward
12-Dimension Door
13-Gaseous Form, Scrying, Raise Dead
14-Lesser Restoration, Plane Shift
15-Dream
16-Entrap Spirit, Heal, Undeath to Death
17-Displacement, Soulseeker
18-Speak with Soul
19-Sending
20-Restoration, Ectoplasmic Eruption
Equipment
Chain Shirt and a Kukri. Eventually a Shield of some sort.
Final Thoughts on the Build
You are the Anti Undeads build. You can Channel Energy to harm undeads, can smite them for absurd damage, plus you have various healing and anti undead spells that are fantastic for your job. As a Samsaran you naturally resist well Negative Energy shenanigans and you have some critically important buffs and restoring spells. This makes you a fantastic overall support and an anti-undead expert easily on par – even surpassing classes like the Cleric and the Paladin.
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