Article-At-A-Glance
- The Mountain Man[1] is renowned for its masteries, as we will explore in the guide.
- Explores an application of the Pathfinder 1E Brawler for character creation and development.
- Strategizes leveling paths, focusing on skills like Improved Unarmed Strike or Combat Style.
- Provides roleplaying insights to engage more deeply with your Mountain Man persona.
Click on the level for more information
At level 1, High Strength enables powerful strikes, and starting with traits like Heavy Hitter boosts damage further. As a Brawler with the Wild Child archetype, the character benefits from higher unarmed damage. Silent Hunter aids in stealth, and having Stealth as a class skill enhances tactical movement. A human with a focus on melee prowess, this character strikes fear with Intimidation and approaches encounters with a lumberjack’s grit.
Stat Block Level 1:
Mountain Man: male, human brawler (wild child) 1; CR 1/2; Medium humanoid (human); HD 1d10+1; hp 11; Init +1; Spd 30 ft.; AC 12, touch 11, flat-footed 11; Base Atk +0; Grp +4; Atk unarmed strike +4 melee (1d3+4) or dagger +1 melee (1d4+4/19–20); Full Atk unarmed strike +4 melee (1d3+4); SA none; SQ martial flexibility, brawler’s cunning; AL CN; SV Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +0; Str 18, Dex 13, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 12.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Intimidate +5 (1 rank), Survival +4 (1 rank), Handle Animal +5 (1 rank); Power Attack, Improved Unarmed Strike, Weapon Focus (Unarmed Strike), Brawler’s Cunning. Martial flexibility (1/day): swift action to gain combat feat.
Possessions: dagger, handaxe, chain shirt, crossbow.
This Mountain Man build combines the Wild Child Brawler and Unarmed Fighter for formidable unarmed combat. At level 5, it boasts an impressive combination of Power Attack, Dodge, and Mobility for both offensive and defensive capabilities. The bear companion enhances control, keeping enemies within reach while the character makes full use of high damage potential and effective movement with Lunge and Outslug Sprint.
Stat Block Level 5:
Mountain Man: male, Human Brawler 3/Fighter 2; CR 5; Medium humanoid (human); HD 5d10+10; hp 45; Init +1; Spd 30 ft.; AC 15, touch 11, flat-footed 14; Base Atk +5; Grp +8; Atk Unarmed Strike +9 (1d6+5) or Crossbow +6 (1d8); Full Atk Unarmed Strike +9/+3 (1d6+5); SA Martial Flexibility, Improved Unarmed Strike; SQ Brawler’s Cunning, Wild Child Companion; AL CN; SV Fort +7, Ref +2, Will +1; Str 18, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 10.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Intimidate +9, Survival +8, Handle Animal +8, Stealth +6, Profession(Lumberjack) +7; Power Attack, Weapon Focus (Unarmed Strike), Dodge, Mobility, Outslug Style.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Boon Companion Enhances bear effectiveness; Martial Flexibility – Adapt to combat needs.
Possessions: Handaxe, dagger, chain shirt, crossbow, survival gear.
This Mountain Man build excels in unarmed combat, relying heavily on strength to deliver powerful strikes while maintaining mobility and defensive capabilities. The build incorporates a bear companion that assists in combat by grappling foes. The character blends styles for versatile attack strategies using Weapon Style Mastery. A focus on Intimidate and Power Attack synergizes with Cornugon Smash, making him a dominating presence in any encounter.
Stat Block Level 10:
Mountain-Man: male, human Brawler (Wild Child) 5/Fighter (Unarmed Fighter) 5; CR 9; Medium humanoid (human); HD 5d10+5d10+20; hp 95; Init +1; Spd 30 ft.; AC 19, touch 15, flat-footed 18; Base Atk +9; Grp +14; Atk unarmed strike +15 melee (1d8+7) or bear companion +11 melee (1d8+4); Full Atk unarmed strike +15/+10 melee (1d8+7) or bear companion +11/+6 melee (1d8+4); SA Martial Flexibility, Improved Unarmed Strike; SQ Boon Companion, Combat Style (Outslug, Jabbing); AL N; SV Fort +9, Ref +4, Will +3; Str 19, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 10.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Intimidate +15, Survival +10, Handle Animal +10, Profession (Lumberjack) +10, Stealth +11; Power Attack, Weapon Focus (Unarmed Strike), Improved Unarmed Strike, Dodge, Mobility, Cornugon Smash, Lunge.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Outslug Style for added speed and evasiveness, Jabbing Style for continuous damage bonuses; Martial Flexibility to adapt to various combat situations.
Possessions: Handaxe, dagger, chain shirt, crossbow with 20 bolts, basic survival equipment.
The Mountain Man[1] at level 15 is a powerhouse in unarmed combat, darting in and out with Outslug Sprint and Lunge, effectively delivering high-damage strikes using Power Attack and Cornugon Smash. His bear companion, close in prowess, expertly grapples and rends foes. Combined, they deal massive damage per round.
Stat Block Level 15:
Mountain Man: male, human brawler (Wild Child) 3/fighter (Unarmed Fighter) 5/brawler (Wild Child) 12; CR 15; Medium humanoid (human); HD 15d10+45; hp 127; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 21, touch 14, flat-footed 19; Base Atk +15; Grp +21; Atk unarmed strike +21 melee (1d6+14); Full Atk unarmed strike +21/+16/+11 melee (1d6+14) and bear companion (1d8+2d4+42); SA Cornugon Smash, Weapon Style Mastery (Outslug Style, Jabbing Style); SQ Martial Flexibility, bear companion, Stealth as class skill (Silent Hunter trait); AL Chaotic Neutral; SV Fort +13, Ref +10, Will +7; Str 24, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 10.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Intimidate +23, Survival +15, Handle Animal +17, Profession (Lumberjack) +15, Stealth +15, Perception +16; Power Attack, Weapon Focus (Unarmed Strike), Improved Unarmed Strike, Boon Companion, Outslug Style, Dodge, Mobility, Cornugon Smash, Lunge, Outslug Weave, Outslug Sprint, Jabbing Style, Weapon Style Mastery, Jabbing Dancer, Jabbing Master.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Martial Flexibility to grant temporary Weapon Specialization, Sic ‘Em (swift action, +1d8+14).
Possessions: Handaxe, dagger, survival gear, Chain Shirt, crossbow.
This Mountain Man build is an unarmed combat powerhouse, leveraging the Wild Child and Unarmed Fighter archetypes to master both unarmed attacks and animal companionship. With a focus on Strength and impressive survivability in the wilderness, this character can deal massive damage through a combination of jab and style feats, while the bear companion provides additional combat support and control through grapples and powerful attacks. The build also boasts intimidating presence capabilities using Dazzling Display and Martial Flexibility to adapt tactics on the fly.
Stat Block Level 20:
Mountain-Man: Male, Human Brawler (Wild Child) 15/Fighter (Unarmed Fighter) 5; CR 20; Medium humanoid (human); HD 20d10; hp 200; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 25, touch 15, flat-footed 23; Base Atk +20; Grp +30; Atk Unarmed Strike +32 (1d8+14) or Dagger +31 (1d4+14); Full Atk Unarmed Strike +32/+27/+22 (1d8+14) with Outslug Style bonuses or Dagger +31/+26/+21 (1d4+14); SA Power Attack, Cornugon Smash, Jabbing Dancer; SQ Brawler’s Cunning, Unarmed Strike, Martial Flexibility; AL Neutral Good; SV Fort +17, Ref +11, Will +8; Str 26, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 10.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Intimidate (20 ranks), Handle Animal (20 ranks), Survival (20 ranks), Stealth (20 ranks); Power Attack, Weapon Focus (Unarmed Strike), Improved Unarmed Strike, Boon Companion, Outslug Style, Dodge, Mobility, Cornugon Smash, Lunge, Outslug Weave, Outslug Sprint, Jabbing Style, Weapon Style Mastery, Jabbing Dancer, Jabbing Master.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Jabbing and Outslug synergies for high DPR, Martial Flexibility for tactical adaptability.
Possessions: Handaxe, dagger, chain shirt, crossbow, essential survival gear.
Milestones Of Character Development
- Levels 1-5: Focus on establishing the foundation with Power Attack, Weapon Focus (Unarmed Strike), and Improved Unarmed Strike. Gain a bear animal companion through Boon Companion and enhance mobility with Dodge and Mobility.
- Levels 6-10: Develop combat techniques with Outslug Weave and Lunge, while increasing physical presence through feats like Cornugon Smash to demoralize opponents. Enhance the bear’s abilities with Improved Grapple and Continued Strength improvements.
- Levels 11-15: Progress to advanced combat styles with Jabbing Style and Weapon Style Mastery. Merge Outslug and Jabbing styles for maximum flexibility and leverage the bear’s Improved Natural Attack.
- Levels 16-20: Master Jabbing Dancer and Jabbing Master for unparalleled agility and offensive capabilities. Boost the bear’s defensive and combat skills with Stand Still, maintaining prowess as a formidable team in battle.
Core Abilities & Features
The Mountain Man[1] build capitalizes on the Wild Child Brawler archetype. With this, it ties a powerful animal companion, an imposing bear directly in combat strategy. This combination creates a unified fighting force that excels both in personal combat and through the actions of the bear. The key feature, Boon Companion, ensures the bear stays effective throughout the campaign.
Dual-style combat stands out as another crucial aspect. Features like Weapon Style Mastery allow blending of Outslug Style and Jabbing Style, enhancing mobility and targeted strikes. Essential feats like Power Attack and Cornugon Smash provide substantial damage and debuff opportunities. These work in synergy to create overwhelming combat pressure, allowing the player to smash foes with precision.
Martial Flexibility is the cherry on top, making this build adaptable on the fly. This ability lets players access situationally powerful feats temporarily, like Weapon Specialization. Alongside Dazzling Display, a tool for intimidation, the build empowers players to control the battlefield strategically, turning the Mountain Man[1] into a menacing presence even without a traditional weapon.
Equipment Progression
| Level Range | Equipment | Details |
|---|---|---|
| L1-5 | Handaxe, Dagger, Chain Shirt, Crossbow | Start with basic survival tools and lightweight armor. Use Crossbow for ranged attacks. |
| L6-10 | Brawler’s Mitts, Cloak of Resistance +1, Amulet of Natural Armor +1 | Enhance unarmed strikes and improve defenses. Cloak aids saving throws. |
| L11-15 | Belt of Giant Strength +2, Ring of Protection +2, Boots of Speed | Boost Strength for damage output, increase AC with Ring, extra speed for maneuverability. |
| L16-20 | Gloves of Dueling, Belt of Physical Might +4 (Str/Dex), Ring of Evasion | Maximize Combat Expertise with gloves, improve physical stats further, dodge area effects with Ring. |
Combat Scenarios
- Dungeon Crawls:
- In cramped quarters, capitalize on Mobility to navigate tight spaces without incurring attacks of opportunity. Use your bear to pin down enemies, utilize Stealth to avoid detection, and initiate combat with an unexpected Power Attack.
- Open Fields:
- In the open, unleash full attack rounds, exploiting Lunge and Outslug Sprint to engage and disengage fluidly. Command your bear to target isolated foes, maximizing its Improved Overrun and Grapple abilities for battlefield control.
- Ambushes:
- Use Stealth and Silent Hunter traits to set up ambushes. Combine Dazzling Display with Intimidate for crowd control and confuse foes. Coordinate with your bear to catch enemies off guard with its rapid successive combat maneuvers.
- Defensive Stands:
- Focus on forming a defensive perimeter utilizing your bear’s substantial AC boosts. Stand your ground with Dodge and Defensive Stance, using Jabbing Style for counterattacks that keep opponents on their toes.
- Urban Encounters:
- In cityscapes, maneuver through narrow streets using Outslug Style to avoid overcrowding. Combine Intimidate with Power Attack to disperse aggressive crowds, while your bear controls space by standing sentry at bottlenecks with Stand Still.
Weaknesses & Counters
| Weakness | Counter |
|---|---|
| Low Dexterity | Use ‘Chain Shirt’ (AC bonus +4) and ‘Dodge’ feat to increase AC |
| Poor Will Saves | Invest in ‘Iron Will’ feat and ‘Cloak of Resistance’ (+1 to +5 resistance bonus on all saving throws) |
| Limited Mobility | Use ‘Outslug Sprint’ and ‘Lunge’ for increased reach and tactical positioning |
| Reliance on Animal Companion | Equip ‘Amulet of Mighty Fists’ for the bear to enhance attacks; also ‘Boon Companion’ for enhanced level-based benefits |
| Low Intelligence | Maximize ‘Favored Class Bonus’ in skills, and prioritize key skills like Intimidate and Survival |
Roleplaying
The Mountain Man[1] lives a rugged, solitary life in the wilderness, estranged from society. Embrace this by describing the daily routines of your character as they chop wood, fish, and hunt. Situate your stories in the dense forests with towering trees and echoing animal calls. How does he draw strength from nature itself? Evoke the visceral experience of icy rivers, the biting winds across mountaintops, and the comforting silence of isolation. Your primary interactions will be with the bear companion, a loyal partner in this wilderness life, each day carefully navigating the balance between your human and ursine coexistence.
Reflect on the internal conflict of rejecting society’s start contrast but occasionally yearning for connections lost. Explain how this drives his mysterious edge when interacting with urban adventurers. Channel the instinctual protection of territory when danger approaches. Isn’t the Mountain Man[1]’s aloofness misunderstood wisdom combined with raw, primal might? You’re not just a fighter; you are the forest’s guardian, its relentless spirit embodied. So let your character pummel enemies with the power of earth and stone, all with a fierce yet noble purpose to protect his woodland home and beloved animal ally.
FAQ
What are the core abilities of a Mountain Man Brawler?
The Mountain Man[1] focuses on survivability and brute strength. Core abilities include improved unarmed strikes and damage reduction. Utilizing Combat Maneuver feats, it can trip and grapple opponents with ease. The Mountain-Man also benefits from additional rage powers, enhancing damage output significantly.
How should I allocate my skill points and ability scores?
Prioritize Strength and Constitution for maximum combat efficiency. Allocate skill points into Acrobatics and Climb, with Perception as a backup. This ensures versatility in movement and insight during combat. You may also consider minor investment in Intimidate for role-playing potential.
What feats best complement the Mountain Man[1] build?
Essential feats include Power Attack for increased damage and Combat Reflexes for extra attacks of opportunity. Weapon Focus (Unarmed) further enhances your martial skills. As the build progresses, Great Fortitude enhances survival, and Improved Grapple secures control over foes.
Which weapons and armor optimize the Mountain Man[1]?
Focus on unarmed combat with the Brass Knuckles and Gauntlets for extra damage. Avoid heavy armor; the Mountain-Man thrives in lighter armors like the Mithral Chain Shirt. This ensures maximum mobility without sacrificing defense.
How should the Mountain Man[1] position himself in different combat scenarios?
Always aim to be on the front lines, absorbing damage and disrupting enemies. Use natural terrain to block lines of sight and force enemies into choke points. Leverage your colleagues’ abilities by creating opportunities for flanking with your mobility.
Join us at Stellar Dragons with the Mountain Man!
Why not challenge yourself by playing a Mountain Man in your next Pathfinder 1E game? Do you think this could be the best Brawler build out there? Share your thoughts and experiences with us on the Stellar Dragons Discord athttps://discord.gg/uAPvgEq6Z7.
Authors
Terms definitions
1. ↑ Brawler – The Mountain Man – Pathfinder 1E ( The Mountain Man )
The Mountain Man
And now we are making the ultimate gigachad build. A boxer who lives as a lumberjack in the woods who has a bear companion and does homesteading away in the woods because screw society.
We will be taking the Wild Child Archetype and will be multiclassing into Fighter with the Unarmed Fighter Archetype. Our leveling should look like the following:
Class
Brawler (Wild Child) 3/Fighter (Unarmed Fighter) 5/Brawler (Wild Child) +12
Race
Human, put your floating +2 into Strength.
Ability Scores
Put everything in Strength
15Point-Buy
Str 17/Dex 13/Con 13/Int 12/Wis 10/Cha 12
20Point-Buy
Str 18/Dex 13/Con 14/Int 12/Wis 10/Cha 10
25Point-Buy
Str 18/Dex 14/Con 14/Int 14/Wis 10/Cha 10
Traits
Heavy Hitter for extra unarmed damage, Silent Hunter for Stealth as a class skill.
Favored Class Bonus
Skills. Weirdly enough.
Skills
Intimidate, Survival, Handle Animal, Profession(Lumberjack), Stealth and Perception for the ultimate Mountain Man. If you’ve got the points, Climb and Swim are nice to have a few points in.
Feats by Level
1-Power Attack
Human Bonus-Weapon Focus(Unarmed Strike)
Brawler-Improved Unarmed Strike
3-Boon Companion Bonus
4-Outslug Style
5-Dodge
Bonus 5-Mobility
7-Cornugon Smash
Bonus 7-Lunge
9-Outslug Weave
11-Outslug Sprint
13-Jabbing Style
15-Weapon Style Mastery
17-Jabbing Dancer
19-Jabbing Master
Boon Companion keeps our bear only one level behind in the long run, and via Weapon Style Mastery, we can combine two styles together, namely Outslug Style and Jabbing Style. Of course, we are also using Power Attack+Cornugon Smash for great effects.
Animal Companion
Type: Bear
Power Attack
Improved Overrun 3-+2 AC, +1 Str/Dex
+1 Intelligence
Improved Unarmed Strike 6-+4 AC, +1 Str/Dex
8-Improved Grapple
+6 AC, +2 Str/+1 Dex
Greater Grapple 13-+8 AC, +1 Str/Dex
14-Improved Natural Attack(Bite) 15-+1 Str
+10 AC, +1 Str/Dex
Combat Reflexes
19-Stand Still, +12 AC, +1 Str/Dex
So here we are, with a bear animal companion that will grapple our targets while we maul it to death with our jabs and uppercuts. Plus it deals some serious damage each turn so that’s great!
Equipment
Get yourself a handaxe for woodcutting, a dagger because survival in the woods and overall survival equipment. You can get away with a Chain Shirt for armor. Get yourself a Crossbow for hunting too.
Final Thoughts on the Build
Your bear deals 1d8+2d4+42 damage per round which is not too shabby (and you can learn Sic’em for an additional 1d8+14 as a swift action each turn!). You yourself can dart in and out of reach via Lunge+Outslug Sprint, and your full attack damage is a massive 36d6+86, totaling between yourself and your bear an average of, including Sic’Em, 262 points of damage per round and you aren’t even using a weapon. And all that is before using Martial Flexibility to grant yourself Weapon Specialization and all.
Do not forget to grant yourself Dazzling Display to flex to intimidate dragons into submission because you can.
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