Article-At-A-Glance
- The Base Warpriest[1] excels in blending divine magic with martial expertise in Pathfinder 1E.
- Key abilities include Sacred Weapon, Fervor, and diverse combat-oriented blessings.
- This dexterity focused build enhances mobility, with a rapier as a primary weapon choice.
- Sustain robust combat versatility with strategic feat selections and equipment progression advice.
Click on the level for more information
Through a dexterity-focused build, this Human Warpriest, devoted to Besmara, excels at mobility and precise rapier attacks. Weapon Finesse and Fencing Grace allow attacks and damage with Dexterity, while Reactionary trait ensures a quick start. The combination of these allows for a relatively high AC and agile combat style. With a Chain Shirt and Rapier as starting gear, this burgeoning Warpriest has versatile options in both movement and combat.
Level 1 Stat Block
Warpriest Basa: male, Human Warpriest 1; CR 1/2; Medium humanoid (human); HD 1d10; hp 10; Init +7; Spd 30 ft.; AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 14; Base Atk +0; Grp +0; Atk rapier +4 (1d6+3); Full Atk rapier +4 (1d6+3); SA Sacred Weapon, Fervor; SQ Blessings (Trickery, Weather), Bonus Feat, Channel Energy; AL CN; SV Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +4; Str 10, Dex 16, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 10.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Swim +4, Profession (Sailor) +4, Climb +4; Weapon Finesse, Fencing Grace (Bonus), Weapon Focus (Rapier).
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Sacred Weapon increases weapon damage, Fervor aids in swift spell casting or self-healing.
Possessions:
Rapier, Chain Shirt, Holy Symbol of Besmara, Tricorn hat.
At level 5, the Warpriest excels in mobility and precision, equipped with Weapon Finesse and Fencing Grace for dexterous rapier combat. The dynamic blend of Dirty Fighting and Piranha Strike enhances combat prowess, while the blessings of Trickery and Weather offer versatile tactical options.
Level 5 Stat Block
Warpriest: Male Warpriest 5; CR 5; Medium Humanoid (Human); HD 5d10; hp 37; Init +3; Spd 30 ft.; AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 14; Base Atk +3; Grp +3; Atk Rapier +7 (1d6+4, 18-20/x2) or Piranha Strike Rapier +5 (1d6+8, 18-20/x2); Full Atk Rapier +7 (1d6+4, 18-20/x2) or Piranha Strike Rapier +5 (1d6+8, 18-20/x2); SA Sacred Weapon, Blessings; SQ Fervor, Channel Energy; AL Chaotic Good; SV Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +6; Str 10, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 10.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Swim +8 (5 ranks), Profession (Sailor) +8 (5 ranks), Climb +8 (5 ranks); Weapon Finesse, Fencing Grace, Weapon Focus (Rapier), Piranha Strike, Dirty Fighting, Dodge.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Fervor allows swift action healing and buffing spells, Trickery and Weather blessings provide adaptability in combat.
Possessions:
Rapier, Chain Shirt, Holy Symbol of Besmara, Tricorn Hat.
At level 10, the combination of Fencing Grace and Piranha Strike enhances melee prowess significantly. Using Spring Attack and Vital Strike feats, the character maintains high mobility while dealing serious damage. With the Trickery and Weather blessings, the character can adapt to various combat scenarios. The Alternate Favored Class Bonus yields additional combat feats, bolstering versatility without losing combat effectiveness.
Level 10 Stat Block
Warpriest: male, Human Warpriest 10; CR 9; Medium humanoid (human); HD 10d8+20; hp 75; Init +1; Spd 30 ft.; AC 19, touch 13, flat-footed 18; Base Atk +7; Grp +10; Atk +13 melee (1d6+5/15-20, +1 rapier) or +11 ranged; Full Atk +13/+8 melee (1d6+5/15-20, +1 rapier); SA Channel Smite, Vital Strike; SQ blessings (Trickery, Weather), fervor 5/day, sacred weapon; AL CN; SV Fort +9, Ref +6, Will +8; Str 10, Dex 17, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 10.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Swim +10, Climb +12, Profession (Sailor) +15; Weapon Finesse, Fencing Grace, Weapon Focus (Rapier), Piranha Strike, Dirty Fighting, Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Sacred Weapon (Rapier), allows using Dexterity for attack/damage, boosts damage as level increases.
Possessions:
+1 Rapier, Chain Shirt, holy symbol of Besmara, tricorn hat.
At level 15 this is a dexterous Warpriest harnessing agility and divine magic to become a mobile and lethal combatant. With Trickery and Weather blessings, along with the use of Fervor, this Warpriest can cast spells swiftly and chain devastating attacks like Spring Attack and Vital Strike. The build uses a rapier and focuses on mobility with feats like Combat Casting and Whirlwind Attack to maximize offensive potential while staying elusive in combat.
Level 15 Stat Block
Base Warpriest[1]: male, race: human, class: warpriest 15; CR 15; Size: Medium type: humanoid (human); HD: 15d8; hp: [calculate HP based on 10 Con and FCB use]; Init: +3; Spd: 30 ft.; AC: 27, touch 17, flat-footed 24; Base Atk: +15/+10/+5; Grp: +18; Atk: +21 melee (1d6+11/15-20, rapier) or +18 melee (trip); Full Atk: +21/+16/+11 melee (1d6+11/15-20, rapier); SA: Sacred Weapon 1d10, Channel Energy 7d6 (DC 21), Fervor, Channel Smite, Vital Strike, Greater Vital Strike, Improved Vital Strike; SQ: Blessings (Trickery, Weather), Fervor, Weapon Focus Chain, Improved Initiative; AL: CN; SV: Fort +12, Ref +14, Will +16; Str 10, Dex 21, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 10.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Swim +5, Profession (Sailor) +15, Climb +9; Weapon Finesse, Fencing Grace, Weapon Focus (Rapier), Piranha Strike, Dirty Fighting, Dodge, Weapon Specialization (Rapier), Vital Strike, Mobility, Spring Attack, Greater Weapon Focus (Rapier), Improved Trip, Channel Smite, Whirlwind Attack, Combat Casting.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Sacred Weapon means all weapons are treated as +5 weapons, Fervor allows for swift action spell-casting, mobility from Spring Attack and ability to reposition in combat via Whirlwind Attack keeps engagements advantageous.
Possessions:
+3 Rapier, +2 Chain Shirt, Holy Symbol of Besmara, Tricorn.
At level 20, the Warpriest of Besmara is a master of mobility and damage dealing, utilizing Vital Strike and Channel Smite to unleash 15d6+20 damage with a crit chance of 15-20 using a rapier. The character exploits the Sacred Weapon feature and the abundant feats gained through the Favored Class Bonus for a strong combat presence. The combination of cleric spell casting to 6th level and the ability to cast spells swift actions with Fervor offers excellent combat versatility and survivability.
Level 20 Stat Block
Base Warpriest[1]: male, human warpriest 20; CR 20; Medium humanoid (human); HD 20d8; hp 160; Init +7; Spd 30 ft.; AC 26, touch 16, flat-footed 21; Base Atk +15; Grp +20; Atk +29 rapier (1d6+20/15-20) or +27 rapier (1d6+30/15-20) with Vital Strike; Full Atk +27/+22/+17 rapier (1d6+20/15-20); SA Channel Smite, Vital Strike, Improved Vital Strike, Greater Vital Strike, Whirlwind Attack; SQ Sacred Weapon, Fervor, Blessings (Trickery, Weather); AL Chaotic Neutral; SV Fort +15, Ref +12, Will +18; Str 10, Dex 17, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 17, Cha 10.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Swim +23, Profession(Sailor) +23, Climb +23; Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus(Rapier), Fencing Grace, Piranha Strike, Dirty Fighting, Dodge, Weapon Specialization(Rapier), Mobility, Spring Attack, Greater Weapon Focus(Rapier), Improved Trip, Greater Weapon Specialization(Rapier), Channel Smite, Combat Casting, Improved Initiative, Improved Critical(Rapier), Toughness. Sacred Weapon: Rapier damage increased to match a higher weapon dice category.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Sacred Weapon means all weapons are treated as +5 weapons, Fervor allows for swift action spell-casting, mobility from Spring Attack and ability to reposition in combat via Whirlwind Attack keeps engagements advantageous. A high focus on rapiers provides a consistent hit chance.
Possessions:
+5 Rapier, +4 Chain Shirt, holy symbol of Besmara, tricorn.
Milestones Of Character Development
- Levels 1-5: The Base Warpriest[1] establishes agility with Weapon Finesse and complements it using Fencing Grace for Dexterity-based attacks. With Weapon Focus on the Rapier, this phase focuses on honing basic combat skills and introducing offensive maneuvers like Piranha Strike for increased damage output.
- Levels 6-10: Mastery in the rapier grows with Weapon Specialization. During this phase, combat adaptability enhances through feats like Vital Strike and improved evasion with Spring Attack. The ability to perform Dirty Fighting enables maneuvers like Improved Trip, extending combat versatility.
- Levels 11-15: The Warpriest becomes a dynamic battlefield presence. Advanced maneuvers such as Improved Vital Strike and Whirlwind Attack allow for devastating attacks while maintaining movement. Channel Smite integrates divine power into strikes, enhancing the assault with divine energy.
- Levels 16-20: Dexterity reigns supreme with feats like Improved Critical, dramatically increasing critical hit potential. Combat concludes with unparalleled ferocity through Greater Vital Strike. Tactics become seamless, pairing spells with devastating attacks, rendering the Warpriest both an agile spellcaster and formidable physical combatant.
Core Abilities & Features of the Base Warpriest
The Warpriest’s core lies in their fusion of divine magic and martial prowess. This build spotlights distinct abilities, starting with their Sacred Weapon feature. This allows different combat styles by enhancing weapon damage, a signature for Warpriests of all deities. Whether you worship Besmara or another god, Sacred Weapon transforms even low-damage weapons into tools of destiny.
Favored blessings play a significant role, here represented by Trickery and Weather. Trickery provides deception abilities, while Weather manipulates environmental conditions. These contribute substantially in combat scenarios, adding layers to the Warpriest’s tactical repertoire.
Fervor is another defining ability. It grants you the speed advantage to cast spells swiftly, enriching your combat and healing maneuvers. The combination of spells with Vital Strike and Channel Smite ensures that your damage output remains formidable, even against the toughest foes. This synergy between spellcasting and striking is what makes the Warpriest an exceptional character in Pathfinder campaigns.
Equipment Progression for the Base Warpriest
| Level Range | Equipment | Details |
|---|---|---|
| L1-5 | Masterwork Rapier | Essential for Weapon Finesse and to maximize Dexterity bonuses. |
| L6-10 | Mithral Chain Shirt | Improves on the regular Chain Shirt with reduced Armor Check penalty. |
| L11-15 | +2 Rapier | Further enhancements make it crucial for beefing up damage output. |
| L16-20 | +3 Rapier or Keen Rapier | Keen property doubles critical threat range, ideal for maximizing damage. |
Combat Scenarios
- Dungeon Crawls:
- In tight corridors, this build’s mobility is key. Leverage Spring Attack to dart in and out, utilizing walls for cover. Cast buff spells with Fervor as swift actions to enhance survivability. Use Improved Trip to knock enemies prone, gaining an advantage for allies.
- Open Fields:
- With no obstacles, maximize the range with Spring Attack. Start from a safe distance, then dash, strike, and retreat. Use Whirlwind Attack if surrounded, combined with Sacred Weapons for extra damage output. Spell buffs can enhance your resilience in lengthy skirmishes.
- Ambushes:
- High initiative due to Reactionary and Improved Initiative traits allows you to often act first. Use Channel Smite with Vital Strike for massive immediate damage. When surprised, utilize Dirty Fighting to disarm or trip foes. Darkness can be mitigated with Weather Blessings, giving a tactical edge.
- Defensive Stands:
- In siege scenarios, prioritize casting defense spells swiftly with Fervor. Use Mobility and Dodge to make yourself a challenging target. Enhance fortifications by directing allies using your combat skills. Vital Strike and Channel Smite are excellent to deal heavy damage without moving a lot.
- Urban Encounters:
- Crowded environments make mobility crucial. Utilize rooftops and narrow alleys. Fencing Grace enhances precision attacks, perfect for narrow quarters. Weather Blessing helps navigate adverse conditions, ensuring quick retreats or chases in rain-drenched streets.
Weaknesses & Counters of the Base Warpriest
| Weakness | Counter |
|---|---|
| Low Strength | Stick to finesse weapons like Rapier, which benefits from Dexterity instead of Strength. |
| Limited spell levels | Utilize the Fervor ability to cast spells as Swift Actions, maximizing spell versatility in combat. |
| Potential vulnerabilities to critical hits | Consider using spells like ‘Shield of Faith’ or ‘Mage Armor’ to boost AC temporarily. |
| Reliance on single weapon type for majority of abilities (Rapier). | Have a backup weapon like a Dagger for situations where Rapiers can’t be used effectively. |
| Limited combat presence against multiple foes without spell support. | Use ‘Whirlwind Attack’ to hit multiple enemies, boosted by ‘Haste’ spells for extra actions. |
Roleplaying the Warpriest of Besmara
Embrace the pirate theme with a Warpriest devoted to Besmara, the Pirate Queen. This character is not just a fighter; they’re a swashbuckling sailor whose faith is as fierce as their blade. On a stormy night, imagine your character standing at the helm, leading a crew of misfits through treacherous seas. Use the Trickery and Weather blessings to mirror the unpredictable nature of both the sea and the goddess they serve. Your Warpriest isn’t just a powerful combatant but a charismatic leader, negotiating truces or launching surprise raids with equal ease.
The Warpriest’s arsenal of skills reflects their nautical lifestyle. Climbing skill allows your character to scale the rigging effortlessly, while one’s prowess in Swim ensures survival in man overboard situations. In roleplay, emphasize their worldly wisdom and adaptability. Picture a scene where, during a tense negotiation, your Warpriest slyly shifts the conversation’s tide with a cleverly worded blessing or an unexpected shift in weather. They’re not the rough and tumble brute but a wily tactician who uses every tool at their disposal, from divine spells to a quick wit to keep their crew one step ahead of rival pirates and naval adversaries.
FAQ
What makes the Base Warpriest[1] unique in combat?
The Base Warpriest[1] excels in flexibility with both spells and weapons. Using Fervor, it can cast spells as swift actions in combat. Sacred Weapon allows it to adapt any weapon into a divine instrument. The ability to switch seamlessly between magic and melee is its defining edge.
How do blessings affect the Base Warpriest[1]’s combat strategy?
Blessings like Trickery and Weather offer tactical options beyond combat. Trickery enables deception, useful for surprise or misdirection. Weather allows environmental manipulation, such as creating fog or rain to gain the upper hand.
What are common weaknesses of the Base Warpriest[1] build?
The Warpriest struggles against enemies that are resistant or immune to spell damage. Low Strength impacts damage with non-finesse weapons. Try using spells or backup weapons to counter these weaknesses.
Why focus on the Rapier for weapon choice?
Rapiers are ideal for finesse fighting, compatible with Weapon Finesse and Fencing Grace. They have increased critical threat range, crucial for maximizing combat efficacy. The Warpriest’s Sacred Weapon feature enhances even a basic Rapier into a potent tool.
What skills complement the Base Warpriest[1]’s strategies?
Climb and Swim are ideal for mobility in various terrains. Profession (Sailor) matches thematic role-playing for a divine sailor on adventures. Investing in Acrobatics boosts maneuverability and escape options in encounters.
Join us at Stellar Dragons with the Base Warpriest!
Consider trying a Base Warpriest[1] in your next Pathfinder game. Do you think the Base Warpriest[1] could be the best build in Pathfinder 1E?
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Author
Terms definitions
1. ↑ Warpriest – Base Warpriest – Pathfinder 1E ( Base Warpriest )
Base Warpriest
Not two warpriests will be the same die to the differences of each Deity’s favored weapons, theme and domains(Blessings for Warpriests). However, due to Sacred Weapon, Warpriests open up combat styles that are usually seen as less viable due to higher weapon damage. This build is a good example of this.
Class
Warpriest 20
Deity
Besmara, the Pirate Queen
Blessings
Trickery, Weather
Race
We are going for Human, and we will put our floating +2 in Wisdom.
Ability Scores
Distribute equally between Dexterity and Wisdom
15Point-Buy
Str 10/Dex 16/Con 10/Int 10/Wis 16/Cha 10
20Point-Buy
Str 10/Dex 16/Con 14/Int 10/Wis 16/Cha 10
25Point-Buy
Str 10/Dex 17/Con 14/Int 10/Wis 17/Cha 10
Traits
Reactionary make us go first and we want to go first, Wisdom in the Flesh to add wisdom instead of strength to climb(useful as a sailor)
Favored Class Bonus
So this is where you usually hear me say something about HP being vital and whatnot. Except you can prepare cure spells and use a Wand of Cure Light Wounds without Use Magic Devices as it is on your spell list, so while still very much so useful, we can actually look elsewhere. Skills then? Nope. The Human’s Alternate Favored Class Bonus which gives you 1/6th of a new combat feat. Ayup. You read that right. Each 6 levels you gain a free feat, meaning one additional feat at lvl 6, 12 and 18. Also, they count as the bonus feats you already gain as a Warpriest so you can bypass certain prerequisites(namely BAB and count as fighter of same level for em which is crazy good)
Skills
Swim, Profession(Sailor), Climb
Feats by Level
1-Weapon Finesse
Human Bonus-Fencing Grace Bonus
1-Weapon Focus(Rapier)
3-Piranha Strike
Bonus 3-Dirty Fighting
5-Dodge
FCB 6-Weapon Specialization(Rapier)
Bonus 6-Vital Strike
7-Mobility
9-Spring Attack
Bonus 9-Greater Weapon Focus(Rapier)
11-Improved Trip
FCB 12-Greater Weapon Specialization(Rapier)
Bonus 12-Improved Vital Strike
13-Channel Smite
15-Whirlwind Attack
Bonus 15-Combat Casting
17-Improved Initiative
FCB 18-Greater Vital Strike
Bonus 18-Improved Critical(Rapier)
19-Toughness
We get the full Weapon Focus Fighter chain feat for the Rapier which is really good, with Weapon Finesse and Fencing Grace we attack and damage with Dexterity, Piranha Strike lets us deal even more damage, turning our damage output with the rapier in combination with Sacred Weapon easily comparable with a Two-Handed fighter specialist, Dirty Fighting is great both thematically and unlocks Improved Trip which is a fantastic combat maneuver, we get great mobility and combat presence via Spring Attack and Whirlwind Attack, as we are extremely mobile, and we can combine Spring Attack with the Vital Strike and Channel Smite feats for truly amazing damage without sacrificing mobility!
Equipment
A Rapier, a Chain Shirt and a (un?)holy Symbol of Besmara. And a tricorn because we are literally a warpriest of the goddess of piracy, common!
Final Thoughts on the Build
We have full access to the cleric spell list up to 6th level spells which is really, really good. And with Fervor we can cast these spells as a Swift Action. This lets us cast a spell and Spring+Vital Strike each turn which is downright insane, making us extremely mobile, good at spellslinging/buffing/healing/debuffing and still do significant damage.
At level 20, our Vital Strike+Channel Smite, pre-buff and with no magic items, deals some 15d6+20 damage with a crit range of 15-20. And we get to move before and after the attack to avoid getting stuck in melee with something that will subsequently try to eat our face(with good reason with that kind of damage).
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