Article-At-A-Glance
- The Master Stranglhair[1] techniques to enhance Brawler capabilities in Pathfinder campaigns.
- Dive into combinations of class skills for optimal Pathfinder build performance.
- Learn specific strategies to counter weaknesses and exploit strengths of your character.
- Comprehensive roleplaying insights for maximizing engagement with the Brawler class.
Click on the level for more information
This build focuses on setting up for powerful grappling maneuvers using intelligence for combat tactics. At level 1, the character begins with Weapon Finesse and Piranha Strike, allowing agile and impactful attacks early on. The strategy involves preparing to use intelligence for combat maneuvers that will evolve as the character gains levels and multiclasses.
Stat Block Level 1:
Stranglhair[1]: female, human brawler 1; CR 1/2; Medium humanoid (human); HD 1d10; hp 10; Init +3; Spd 30 ft.; AC 14, touch 13, flat-footed 11; Base Atk +0; Grp +0; Atk dagger +3 melee (1d4/19–20) or unarmed strike +3 melee (1d3); Full Atk dagger +3 melee (1d4/19–20) or unarmed strike +3 melee (1d3); SA none; SQ martial flexibility; AL CN; SV Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +1; Str 10, Dex 14, Con 11, Int 18, Wis 13, Cha 7.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Heal +4, Escape Artist +4, Acrobatics +4, Perception +2; Weapon Finesse, Piranha Strike. Martial Flexibility: Can spend a move action to gain the benefit of a combat feat.
Possessions: Dagger, chain shirt, adventurer’s kit.
This Stranglhair[1] build focuses on control and grappling at level 5. As a hybrid build combining Brawler and White Haired Witch archetypes, it leverages a unique mix of martial prowess and witch hexes. At this stage, the character excels in grappling foes with enhanced Intelligence and Dexterity. Feats like Weapon Finesse and Improved Grapple combine with the White Haired Witch’s hair ability to subdue opponents effectively. It uses the Human’s Giant Ancestry to further boost CMB, and employs tactics to incapacitate opponents quickly.
Stat Block Level 5:
Stranglhair[1]: female, Human Brawler 2/Witch (White Haired Witch) 3; CR 5; Medium humanoid (human); HD 5d10+5; hp 40; Init +6; Spd 30 ft.; AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 14; Base Atk +4; Grp +7; Atk Hair grapple +7 (grapple); Full Atk Hair grapple +7 (grapple); SA Hair, Stunning Fist; SQ Witch hex, strangler archetype abilities; AL CN; SV Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +5; Str 10, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 19, Wis 13, Cha 7.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Heal +5, Escape Artist +7, Acrobatics +7, Perception +5; Weapon Finesse, Piranha Strike, Agile Maneuvers, Improved Unarmed Strike, Improved Grapple.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Hair: can grapple and constrict as a swift action; Stunning Fist: can render foes unable to take actions.
Possessions: Dagger, Chain shirt, King Crab familiar (provides +2 to Grapple).
At level 10, this Stranglhair[1] build excels in grappling and controlling the battlefield through both physical entanglement and strategic spell usage. The synergy between the White Haired Witch’s hair abilities and the Cavalier’s mobility grants a terrifying combat presence. With powerful grappling techniques, it can disable enemies, set up Coup de Grace opportunities, and deliver sneaky, crippling strikes.
Stat Block Level 10:
Stranglhair[1], male, Human Brawler/Witch/Cavalier 10; CR 10; Medium humanoid (human); HD 10d10; hp X; Init +6 (+2 Dex, +4 Reactionary); Spd 30 ft.; AC 20 (Chain Shirt +4, Dex +2), touch 12, flat-footed 18; Base Atk +9/+4; Grp +14; Atk Dagger +12 melee (1d4+2/19-20) or Hair +12 (grapple); Full Atk Dagger +12/+7 melee (1d4+2/19-20) or Hair +12 (grapple and constrict); SA Strangling Hair, Greater Grapple + Constrict; SQ Martial Flexibility, Expert Captor; AL Neutral Good; SV Fort +8, Ref +6, Will +7; Str 11, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 20, Wis 13, Cha 7.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Heal +13, Escape Artist +15, Acrobatics +15, Perception +12; Weapon Finesse, Piranha Strike, Agile Maneuvers, Improved Unarmed Strike, Improved Grapple, Greater Grapple, Stunning Fist, Improved Initiative.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Strangling Hair (Use hair to grapple for +34), Constrict (Deal damage during a grapple), Expert Captor (Tie up enemies fast), Martial Flexibility (Adapt in battle).
Possessions: Dagger, Chain Shirt, King Crab Familiar (Grapple bonus), Rope.
The Level 15 Stranglhair[1] build merges powerful grappling abilities with devastating ability damage. Multi classing into Witch and Cavalier boosts intelligence based abilities and adds unique grappling techniques. The character uses hair to grapple and incapacitate enemies swiftly, with the ability to constrict and tie them up quickly, potentially leading to coup de grace setups. Offensively, the build excels in close combat with numerous combat reflexes and multiple opportunities attacks.
Stat Block Level 15:
Stranglhair[1]: female, human brawler 15; CR 15; Medium humanoid (human); HD 15d10+2; hp 127; Init +8; Spd 30 ft.; AC 21, touch 13, flat-footed 17; Base Atk +11; Grp +34; Atk +11/+6 melee (1d6+5, unarmed strike) or +12 melee (1d4+5, dagger); Full Atk +11/+6 melee (1d6+5, unarmed strike) or +12 melee (1d4+5, dagger); SA Stranglify, Constrict, Stunning Fist; SQ Martial Flexibility, Martial Training, Constrict, Sneak Attack; AL lawful neutral; SV Fort +12, Ref +10, Will +8; Str 11, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 20, Wis 13, Cha 7.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Heal +12, Escape Artist +17, Acrobatics +17, Perception +17; Weapon Finesse, Piranha Strike, Agile Maneuvers, Improved Unarmed Strike, Improved Grapple, Greater Grapple, Stunning Fist, Jawbreaker, Bonebreaker, Neckbreaker, Improved Initiative, Toughness.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Stranglify (grapples using hair, +34 grapple), Constrict (damage during grapple), Martial Flexibility (adapt feats on the fly), Sneak Attack (extra damage during surprise), Stunning Fist (stun opponents).
Possessions: Chain Shirt, dagger, King Crab Familiar (+2 Grapple bonus).
The Stranglhair[1] brawler is a human with Giant Ancestry focusing on intelligence for powerful grapples with their hair. By combining classes Brawler, White Haired Witch, and Constable Cavalier, they create a unique combat style: grappling, constricting, and debuffing foes with neckbreakers and stunning strikes while reducing abilities and shutting down casters. The build capitalizes on swift actions, martial flexibility, and sneak attack enhancements during grapples to maintain control in combat.
Stat Block Level 20:
Stranglhair[1]: male, human brawler 1/witch 2/cavalier 2/brawler 15; CR 20; Medium humanoid (human); HD 20d10+20; hp 130; Init +6; Spd 30 ft.; AC 32, touch 21, flat-footed 26; Base Atk +20; Grp +34; Atk +34 melee (1d4+14 plus 1d6 sneak, hair grapple); Full Atk +34 melee (1d4+14 plus 1d6 sneak, constrict) or dagger +34 melee (1d4+7); SA Stunning Fist, Constrict, Coup de Grace, Neckbreaker; SQ Martial Flexibility, Order of the Penitent, Expert Captor; AL LN; SV Fort +14, Ref +16, Will +12; Str 11, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 20, Wis 13, Cha 7.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Acrobatics +23, Escape Artist +23, Heal +23, Perception +23; Weapon Finesse, Piranha Strike, Agile Maneuvers, Improved Unarmed Strike, Improved Grapple, Greater Grapple, Stunning Fist, Jawbreaker, Bonebreaker, Neckbreaker, Improved Initiative, Toughness.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
The Stranglhair[1] brawler can grapple using hair with a +34 bonus before buffs, constrict as a swift action, and apply sneak attack damage. The unique build specializes in tying up foes with Expert Captor and shutting down enemies with devastating ability damage from Stunning Fist.
Possessions: Dagger, chain shirt, rope, King Crab familiar.
Milestones Of Character Development
- Levels 1-5: Establish basic abilities with a focus on ‘Detect Evil’ and ‘Smite Evil’ through Paladin classes. Develop fundamental mounted combat skills with ‘Mounted Combat’ and ‘Ride-By Attack’. Achieve ‘Divine Grace’ and ‘Lay on Hands’ for improved survivability, plus ‘Turn Undead’ ability for defense against undead threats.
- Levels 6-10: Transition into the Purple Dragon Knight role, bolstering your team with ‘Heroic Shield’ and ‘Rallying Cry’. Further refining combat tactics through ‘Spirited Charge’ for powerful mounted attacks. Develop team support capabilities with ‘Inspire Courage’. Enhance combat versatility and personal prowess with the ‘Oath of Wrath’.
- Levels 11-15: Cultivate leadership and deadly mounted battle skills with the Cavalier class. Obtain ‘Courtly Knowledge’ and improve mounted offense through ‘Deadly Charge’. Embrace the team leader role with ‘Cavalry Charger’, unlocking full attack capabilities on the move. The introduction of the ‘Full Mounted Attack’ offers tactical flexibility in combat.
- Levels 16-20: Reach pinnacle of mounted specialization with additional ‘Deadly Charge’ enhancements. Achieve thematic combat superiority with ‘Unstoppable Charge’, allowing for relentless battlefield dominance. Embody heroism with ‘Final Stand’, cementing your Knightly legacy. Finalize ability increases culminating a formidable mounted warrior.
Core Abilities & Features
The Brawler Stranglhair[1] build is a peculiar, yet effective combination of a Brawler, White Haired Witch, and a Constable Cavalier. This fusion sets the stage for a strategy centered around hair based grappling with an emphasis on intelligence-based combat techniques.
Starting with the unique racial choice of a Human with Giant Ancestry, the focus is on leveraging Intelligence for grappling mechanics. This synergy allows for intellect based grapples, enhanced by the White Haired Witch’s abilities to use hair as a weapon. Featuring a solid +34 initial hair grapple check before any buffs, this build capitalizes on dominating foes through unconventional means.
The multiclassing and strategic use of Martial Flexibility are pivotal. The maneuverability earned allows a seamless transition between acquiring and using combat feats. Key features include Weapon Finesse and Piranha Strike for dexterous strikes, and a series of grappling feats like Improved Unarmed Strike, Improved Grapple, and Greater Grapple that ensure control over opponents. White Haired Witch contributes with spells like Enlarge Person, enlarging presence and threat on the battlefield.
Equipments such as a Dagger and a Chain Shirt synergize well with the build’s combat style, while a King Crab familiar provides an essential +2 bonus to grappling. Furthermore, the Order of the Penitent Cavalier’s Expert Captor ability complements the witch’s control aspect by enabling a quick bind of grappled targets. The tactical options in combat like constricting as a swift action, or inflicting ability damage with Stunning Fist, provide flexibility for disabling foes, thus setting up for devastating finishes like Coup de Grace or Neckbreaker for victory.
Equipment Progression
| Level Range | Equipment | Details |
|---|---|---|
| L1-5 | King Crab Familiar | Provides a +2 bonus to Grapple checks, crucial for early level grappling. |
| L6-10 | Amulet of Mighty Fists | Enhances unarmed and natural attacks, adding an enchantment bonus for increased damage. |
| L11-15 | Ring of Freedom of Movement | Vital for preventing enemy grapples or other movement restricting effects. |
| L16-20 | Greater Ring of Evasion | Allows you to avoid full damage from area of effect attacks if you pass the Reflex save. |
Combat Scenarios
- Dungeon Crawls:
- This is where the Stranglhair[1] Brawler shines with tight spaces maximizing the White Haired Witch’s grappling ability. Use confined areas to negate enemy movement, control through grapples, and employ Sneak Attack for extra damage. The King Crab Familiar aids detection of hidden threats.
- Open Fields:
- Utilize the Knockdown nature of grapples. Lead with Stunning Fist to disrupt and disorganize enemy formations, following up with Bonebreaker feats to decimate their frontline. Swift tactics and constriction abilities allow targeting of key foes while using Martial Flexibility for Combat Reflexes to manage multiple attackers.
- Ambushes:
- In an ambush scenario, start with reactionary grappling to isolate and neutralize targets before they can pose a threat. Leverage Initiative bonuses to act swiftly, suffocating spellcasters or Coup de Grace vulnerable targets to end threats efficiently. Adapt via Martial Flexibility for situational feats like Improved Initiative for next encounters.
- Defensive Stands:
- Defensively, use grapples to pin down and control enemy attackers, preventing breaches in formation. Rely on the Order of the Penitent’s Expert Captor to immobilize foes, buying time for allies while neutralizing threats. Follow with Neckbreaker for potential quick eliminations of grappled targets.
- Urban Encounters:
- In urban settings, capitalize on narrow alleyways for control and vision advantage. Use grappling and constriction strategically to maintain superiority, preventing foes from retreating or gathering reinforcements. The escape artist skill and Acrobatics ensure mobility over rooftops or through crowds.
Weaknesses & Counters
| Weakness | Counters |
|---|---|
| Low Strength | Use ‘Belt of Giant Strength’ to increase strength by +4, compensating for lower initial stats. |
| Low Constitution | Wear ‘Amulet of Health’ for +2 to Constitution, boosting HP and Fortitude saves. |
| Dependency on Buffs | Invest in ‘Ring of Sustenance’ to reduce dependency on rest and maintain buffs for longer in smaller doses. |
| Vulnerable to Spells | Equip ‘Ring of Spell Resistance’ (SR 13) to mitigate incoming magical threats. |
| Limited Crowd Control | Gain access to ‘Wand of Web’ for more area control, hindering enemy movements. |
Roleplaying
Embrace the madness of the Stranglhair[1] build by weaving intricate and symbolic tales of your character’s hair whispers. Imagine the hair as an ancient artifact of power, a living entity with whispers of eldritch knowledge. Perhaps your brawler’s ancestors had a pact with a coven of witches, their tangled locks passed down as both a blessing and a curse.
Explore the theme of control versus chaos. Your brawler is constantly balancing the wild nature of the hair with their martial prowess. This inner struggle makes for a deeply engaging narrative—especially when the hair responds independently or acts out of instinct. Envision moments where your character must quell the hair’s whims within social scenarios to prevent unwanted chaos.
Delight in the odd mix of allies and enemies. You might find strange bedfellows in witches and constables who are intrigued or threatened by your powers. Cultivate relationships with witch covens for secret knowledge and magic, while proving your worth to the constabulary by capturing criminals using unconventional methods.
In a campaign, this build shines in scenarios of espionage and intrigue. Use your character’s grappling skills to capture key targets alive, leading to tense interrogation scenes. Leverage your talents to navigate the power struggles between factions, using your hair based prowess as both your weapon and bargaining chip.
FAQ
What makes Stranglhair[1] a powerful Brawler build?
Stranglhair[1] excels in grappling and control strategies, devastating in close-quarters combat. It capitalizes on the use of reach and entangling maneuvers. With abilities like Improved Grapple and Greater Grapple, it maintains control over opponents. The build can adapt in various situations, offering robust combat choices. Proper gear further boosts its strengths, making the Stranglhair[1] a formidable adversary.
How does Stranglhair[1] handle multiple opponents?
Stranglhair[1] effectively disables key threats while locking down others. It utilizes its reach to strike multiple foes with trip maneuvers. Chokehold, combined with Combat Reflexes, enhances its crowd control capability. When surrounded, mobility feats like Step Up ensure it stays in the thick of battle. Stranglhair[1] handles multiple enemies by prioritizing and systematically dismantling threats.
What are the leveling priorities for a Stranglhair[1] Brawler?
Focus first on enhancing grappling and control feats like Improved Unarmed Strike. Levels 1-5 should prioritize increasing combat efficacy with feats such as Power Attack. Opt for the Corsair archetype to gain versatility in maneuvers. As you progress, diversify into defensive capabilities. By levels 10-15, abilities like Greater Trip augment the control potential.
Which skills are essential for the Stranglhair[1] build?
Combat Maneuver Bonus (CMB) and Combat Maneuver Defense (CMD) are crucial. Improving skills like Acrobatics ensures better mobility in combat. Focus on Perception to detect ambushes or hidden threats. Maintain expertise in Intimidate for optional combat scenarios. Skills like Survival are a boon for tracking and environmental adaptability.
How can equipment enhance Stranglhair[1]’s performance?
Reach weapons like the Guisarme improve combat versatility and control. Invest in gear that boosts strength, empowering grappling potential. Items enhancing CMB add to the build’s effectiveness. For defense, look for armor that maximizes movement without constraint. Magic items enhancing Dexterity augment combat reflexes.
Join us at Stellar Dragons with the Stranglhair!
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Authors
Terms definitions
1. ↑ Brawler – Stranglhair – Pathfinder 1E ( Stranglhair )
Stranglhair
So now that we have made the ultimate martial artist, let’s get into the weird builds.
This build has been hinted at since a while now. We will strangle people with our terrible haircut. We will take the Strangler Archetype and multiclass into Witch with the White Haired Witch Archetype and in Cavalier with the Constable Archetype. Our leveling should look like the following:
Class
Brawler 1/Witch (White Haired Witch) 2/Cavalier (Constable) 2/Brawler +15
Race
We are going with Human with the Giant Ancestry Alternative Racial Feature. Put your +2 in Intelligence.
Ability Scores
Round up Constitution then everything in Intelligence.
15Point-Buy
Str 10/Dex 14/Con 11/Int 18/Wis 13/Cha 7
20Point-Buy
Str 10/Dex 14/Con 13/Int 19/Wis 13/Cha 7
25Point-Buy
Str 11/Dex 14/Con 13/Int 20/Wis 13/Cha 7
Traits
Bred for War for an additional +1 to CMB, and Reactionary for more initiative.
Favored Class Bonus
Yeah, it is, in fact, HP.
Skills
We will want Heal, Escape Artist and Acrobatics, and we want Perception anyway. Everything else is up to your discretion.
Feats by Level
1-Weapon Finesse
Human Bonus-Piranha Strike
3-Agile Maneuvers
Bonus 4-Improved Unarmed Strike
5-Improved Grapple
7-Greater Grapple
9-Stunning Fist
11-Jawbreaker
13-Bonebreaker
15-Neckbreaker
17-Improved Initiative
19-Toughness
So we start simple with Weapon Finesse+Piranha Strike for some easy damage with a dagger early on. We really only start grappling starting lvl 3 when we multiclass into White-Haired Witch, we grab Agile Maneuvers to key our subsequent grapples(first one is with Intelligence) with Dex. As we further multiclass into Cavalier, as a Constable we get Improved Unarmed Strike for free, letting us subsequently take Improved Grapple and Greater Grapple. We will also take Stunning Fists as it unlocks the Bonebreaker feats chain, letting us deal some significant Ability Damage when we Stunning Fist, which will eat at Str/Dex and then Con, and also disable the target’s jaw making spellcasting impossible.
Spells
All you really need here is Enlarge Person
Cavalier Order
Take the Order of the Penitent to get Expert Captor which lets you tie someone up that you have grappled.
Equipment
A Dagger and a Chain Shirt. Take a King Crab Familiar for a +2 to Grappling.
Final Thoughts on the Build
So our initial Hair grapple is done at a whopping +34 before buffs, and we can constrict as a swift action. The next turn we can tie the target with a rope, completely and utterly shutting them down, meaning we can Coup de Grace them next turn. Or we can Neckbreak them for instant death, or Stunning Strike them for Ability Damage meaning quite possible instant death, or we can suffocate them for instant unconscious meaning we can Coup de Grace them next turn for more instant death…You get the point I believe. Use Martial Flexibility to grab Combat Reflexes and then AoO into auto grapple multiple targets like that for hilarity and shutting down multiple targets per turn. The fact that you deal Sneak Attack damage on grapples is just extra gravy.
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