Article-At-A-Glance
- Analyzes Warpriest Builds, outlining strengths and weaknesses for strategic gameplay.
- Illustrates adaptability in combat through various deity inspired weapon and feat combinations.
- Evaluates each build’s combat versatility, focusing on maneuverability and damage potential.
- Provides tactical tips for maximizing efficiency in both melee and ranged encounters.
Strengths & Weaknesses
| Build Name | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| Base Warpriest | Versatile in combat due to Sacred Weapon; maximizes Dexterity for attacks; gains combat feats quickly with Human’s Alternate Favored Class Bonus; impressive mobility with Spring Attack and Whirlwind Attack; proficient in cleric spells up to 6th level with swift casting using Fervor. | Requires careful management of ability scores due to reliance on multiple stats; limited to medium armor for optimal mobility; limited healing capacity. |
| Champion of Enlightenment | Combines Paladin and Monk classes for extra unarmed damage; high mobility with Outslug Style feats; can perform Flurry of Blows and Lunge; capable of smiting evil and chaos; gains Ki Pools for additional abilities. | Complex level progression with multiple class dips; limited cleric spell access capped at 3rd level; lower base attack bonus compared to single-classed builds. |
| Cultist of Rovagug[1] | Impressive AoE damage with Cleave chain feats; gains Sneak Attack with Surprise Follow Through; Sacred Tattoo for increased saves; can deal high cumulative battlefield damage with 5ft steps during Cleave. | High reliance on melee and HP, risking exposure to enemy attacks; considers unconventional, less survivable combat tactics; requires careful positioning for effective Cleaving. |
| Protector of the Community[2] | Switch-hitter capable with both bow and sword; gains Holy Vindicator’s self-healing and bonuses through Stigmatas; clustered multiple attacks into one for high damage potential; can channel energy offensively and defensively. | Takes damage from Stigmata active buffing; limited access to higher-level spells; potential healing of enemies when channeling energy. |
| Red Mantis[3] | High Dexterity gives fast and efficient attacks; Two-Weapon Fighting combined with Piranha Strike and Sneak Attack maximizes damage; capable of powerful assassination techniques; can utilize Red Mantis[3] spells for versatility. | Needs multiple feats to become fully effective; challenging early progression before solidifying class roles; limited in defense and reliant on surprise or stealth. |
Base Warpriest
The base warpriest[4] leverages Sacred Weapon to enhance less viable combat styles through increased weapon damage. This adaptability allows diverse builds based on the deity’s favored weapon and blessings, increasing versatility in combat.
- The ability to use the Human’s Alternate Favored Class Bonus to gain extra feats, bypassing prerequisites, creates a versatile warpriest who can excel in various combat styles and enhances adaptability in battle.
- Focusing equally on Dexterity and Wisdom may leave the warpriest with lower strength and constitution, potentially reducing melee damage output and overall survivability against high-damage foes.
- Using Spring Attack with Vital Strike and Channel Smite as a swift action, the warpriest can deliver high damage while avoiding retaliation, simulating a piratical hit-and-run combat style.
Champion of Enlightenment
The Champion of Enlightenment[5] is a master of unarmed combat. It combines Warpriest, Paladin, Monk, and Champion of Irori for an exceptionally balanced and powerful punching machine. This build excels in maneuverability and resilience, utilizing wisdom for attacks and powerful class features to dominate in melee combat.
- Incredible versatility in combat styles, blending Sacred Fist unarmed prowess with divine smiting abilities, and benefiting from high wisdom which is used for combat accuracy.
- While highly effective in multiple roles, the Champion of Enlightenment[5] can struggle with limited spellcasting capabilities, unable to harness higher-level spells.
- Utilize the Outslug Style and Lunge feat to maintain distance while punching foes, cleverly avoiding counterattacks by dancing just beyond reach.
Cultist of Rovagug
The Cultist of Rovagug[1] Warpriest build embraces combat with a focus on wide-reaching Cleave attacks and sneak attacks. Using a combination of Dwarf-only feats and Half-Orc traits, this build maximizes the Warpriest’s abilities.
- This build shines with its battlefield mobility and the ability to attack numerous enemies in one turn, leveraging Surprise Follow Through and Cleave feats to trigger sneak attacks.
- While the damage spread is impressive, individual attacks may lack the punch needed to quickly fell single, resilient targets, potentially exposing the Warpriest to counter-attacks.
- Using Tusked for a Bite Attack, the Cultist can incorporate additional damage into full attack sequences, further amplifying the sheer amount of attacks available per round.
Protector of the Community
The Protector of the Community[2] shines by utilizing Stigmatas and the Holy Vindicator to enhance damage and Channel Energy. Tengu Warpriest excels at ranged attacks, using Longbow feats, and proficiently switches to melee with the Aldori Dueling Sword.
- This build is lethal at a distance, boasting feats like Rapid Shot and Precise Shot, maximizing bow efficiency for high damage output.
- The self-inflicted bleeding from Holy Vindicator bonuses can become a liability, especially if healing resources are taxed.
- Use Manyshot and Clustered Shots to pierce enemy defenses, applying damage reduction only once for devastating effects.
Red Mantis
The Red Mantis[3] Warpriest build hypnotizes foes with its potent blend of sneak attacks. This results in dealing massive amounts of damage by tapping into Dexterity and Achaekek’s divine favor. This path involves a dexterous combination of Two-Weapons Fighting using Sawtooth Sabres and high buff magic to carve through enemies.
- The ability to unleash awe-inspiring damage output each round, often upwards of 270 damage without buffs, is this build’s greatest strength.
- The reliance on Dexterity-based combat necessitates a focus on acquiring many feats, leaving fewer resources for defensive capabilities.
- Your character can shapeshift into a Giant Mantis, adding versatility and allowing Bleed damage while channeling magical weapon bonuses, making you a surprise threat in many situations.
FAQ
What are the strengths of the Champion of Enlightenment[5] build?
The Champion of Enlightenment[5] is a versatile unarmed combatant. Combining Paladin, Monk, and Warpriest strengths, it excels in balance. Its focus on wisdom increases combat accuracy and combat resilience. It uses Outslug Style for advantage in close-quarters combat, delivering potent strikes.
How does the Red Mantis[3] build perform in challenging battles?
The Red Mantis[3] excels in agility and dealing massive damage. With Two-Weapon Fighting and Sneak Attack, it strikes quickly. Utilizing dexterity, it dodges foes and lands precise hits. This build specializes in surprise attacks, making it formidable in most encounters.
What unique abilities does the Protector of the Community[2] offer?
This build is a ranged powerhouse, utilizing longbow for devastating distance attacks. It excels in adaptive combat, switching to melee effectively. With Holy Vindicator’s abilities, it enhances damage output greatly. Channel energy flexibly for both healing and offensive power.
What gives the Cultist of Rovagug[1] build its edge?
The Cultist uses wide-reaching Cleave attacks to control battlefields effectively. It combines sneak attacks for increased damage spreads. Dwarf-only feats and Half-Orc traits boost its performance. This build focuses on multiple enemies, delivering high cumulative damage per round.
Can the Base Warpriest[4] effectively adapt to different combat styles?
Yes, the Base Warpriest[4] is adaptable, enhancing combat with Sacred Weapon. It maximizes Dexterity for attack finesse and speed. The Human’s Alternate Favored Class Bonus adds extra feats quickly. These features allow flexibility in various combat scenarios, enhancing the build’s versatility.
Join us at Stellar Dragons with the Warpriest!
Consider using one of these builds in your next Pathfinder game. Do you think the Comparison could be the best build in Pathfinder 1E? Join our discussion on Stellar Dragons Discord server at https://discord.gg/uAPvgEq6Z7.
Author
Terms definitions
1. ↑ Warpriest – Cultist of Rovagug – Pathfinder 1E ( Cultist of Rovagug )
Cultist of Rovagug
The final Warpriest build is a wild idea I had some times ago and wanted to test as this class is making some very fun but considered underpar combat styles much better. We will be taking the Cult Leader Archetype but staying Warpriest the whole way through.
Class
Warpriest (Cult Leader) 20
Deity
Rovagug
Blessings
War, Destruction
Race
We’re taking Half-Orc here with the Sacred Tattoo Alternate Racial Feature. Put the floating +2 in Wisdom.
Ability Scores
Put everything in Strength and laugh very very hard.
15Point-Buy
Str 15/Dex 13/Con 10/Int 10/Wis 16/Cha 10
20Point-Buy
Str 16/Dex 13/Con 12/Int 10/Wis 16/Cha 10
25Point-Buy
Str 17/Dex 13/Con 12/Int 10/Wis 16/Cha 10
Traits
Tusked to get a Bite Attack, Fate’s Favored to double all Luck Bonuses(including that of Sacred Tattoo giving us +2 to all Saving Throws!!!)
Favored Class Bonus
Hit Points. We will be doing a lot of melee so we will need all the HP we damn can.
Skills
As a Cult Leader we get a few more skills, so invest in Stealth, Perception, Acrobatics and Disguise(We do not want people to know we worship Rovagug at all).
Feats by Level
1-Racial Heritage(Dwarf)
3-Power Attack
5-Cleave
7-Surprise Follow Through
9-Greater Cleave
11-Improved Surprise Follow Through
13-Goblin Cleaver
15-Cleave Through
17-Orc Hewer
19-Giant Killer
As a Half-Orc, we count as both Orc and Human for everything, meaning we qualify for Racial Heritage, which allows us to take Dwarf only feats. Power Attack is a no-brainer with a Greataxe. We are doing a Cleave build, and with Surprise Follow Through, we make our Cleave targets Flat-Footed meaning our Sneak Attack triggers on each attack. We can take a 5foot step as a free action between each Cleave attacks, and via the Goblin Cleaver feat chain, those targets do not need to be adjacent to each other, meaning in our round we can go around the entire battlefield hitting everything over the head with our Power Attacking, Sacred Weapon, Fervor buffed, Sneak Attacking Greataxe.
Equipment
A Chain Shirt and a Greataxe. A Unholy Symbol. Aim for items that grant more speed.
Final Thoughts on the Build
Ok. So, we can do a full attack action with our Greataxe and Bite attack for damage looking like 6d8+1d4+24d6+83. Which don’t get me wrong, it’s not bad at all for pre-buff damage. But our main method of fighting, namely Great Cleave+Cleave Through let us do so much more than that. It all depends on the number of enemies in an encounter, but our damage per enemy is 2d8+6d6+25 pre-buff. And we can keep hitting enemies once each as long as they are either within reach or within reach of a five foot step.
With good initial placement, you can literally go around the entire battlefield hitting everything for maybe not all that much damage per creature, but your total damage will be downright ridiculously high and make long and tedious battles with many enemies end in a few rounds as you keep attacking all of them each turn.
Let me give you an example. You are fighting an army, you start surrounded by mooks and each five foot step lets you get in range of three new targets. At the end of a 30ft movement, you will have attacked 26 different creatures for a damage total in one round, again, pre-buffs, of 52d8+156d6+650 damage, for an average of 1126 points of damage per round.
2. ↑ Warpriest – Protector of the Community – Pathfinder 1E ( Protector of the Community )
Protector of the Community
This one is a very interesting build that lets us get Stigmatas to significantly increase our damage output and our Channel Energy abilities. We will be taking the Holy Vindicator Prestige class. Our leveling should look something like the following:
Class
Warpriest 10/Holy Vindicator 10 (Erastil)
Deity
Erastil
Blessings
Community, Animal
Race
Tengu, these ravenfolks get some neat bonuses and some fun weapons proficiencies which we will make use of.
Ability Scores
Everything in Dexterity
15Point-Buy
Str 10/Dex 16/Con 12/Int 10/Wis 16/Cha 10
20Point-Buy
Str 10/Dex 18/Con 12/Int 10/Wis 16/Cha 10
25Point-Buy
Str 12/Dex 19/Con 12/Int 10/Wis 16/Cha 10
Traits
Reactionary for extra Initiative, Rich Parents to get the best equipment from the get go.
Favored Class Bonus
HP, we will be predominantly at range but never a bad idea to invest in it anyway
Skills
Knowledge(Religion), Perception, maybe some Survival too.
Feats by Level
1-Point-Blank Shot
Bonus 1-Weapon Focus(Longbow)
3-Precise Shot
Bonus 3-Rapid Shot
5-Deadly Aim Bonus
6-Manyshot
7-Weapon Finesse
9-Alignment Channel Bonus
9-Clustered Shots
11-Weapon Focus(Aldori Dueling Sword)
13-Slashing Grace(Aldori Dueling Sword)
15-Improved Precise Shot
Bonus 15-Channel Smite
17-Piranha Strike
19-Improved Initiative
Precise Shot, Rapid Shot and Manyshot significantly increase our capabilities with our Longbow, and as a Tengu, since we are automatically proficient with all sword like weapons, we can invest in the Aldori Dueling Sword too, turning us into a great switch-hitter with minimal investment.
Holy Vindicator
We can bleed in exchange of getting our Holy Vindicator level to AC, Attack, Damage, Caster level or Saving Throw. This is huge, but it does mean we take damage each round. But that’s fine because all Cure spells we cast on ourselves are automatically Empowered.
You know, Cure spells, those we can Spontaneously cast and with Fervor as a Swift Action letting us still do our full attack? Yeah. Also, Higher BaB means four iterative attacks at lvl
20. Oh, and when we Channel Smite, we make our enemies sickened and take Bleed damage too. Unfortunately our Channel Energy is Positive so we are also healing them(unless it is an undead or evil outsider via Alignment Channel). Still, a neat upgrade to our melee combat.
Equipment
A Masterwork Composite Longbow, a Chain Shirt and a Aldori Dueling Sword, along with a Buckler and a Holy Symbol.
Final Thoughts on the Build
You can self-buff through the roof between your Stigmatas and Fervor for self-buffing, which amplifies our Range Combat into a very, very dangerous archer build that can still do melee very well, and we can heal ourselves fairly well too. If we use Manyshot and Clustered Shot, we apply DR only once on all of our attacks, and our damage in one round looks like 6d10+102, again, applying DR only once and pre-buff. That’s a buckload of damage for an archer alright.
3. ↑ Warpriest – Red Mantis – Pathfinder 1E ( Red Mantis )
Red Mantis
One Organization in Golarion is feared beyond any other, and it is that of the Red Mantis, a group of zealots dedicated to Achaekek, the Mantis God and killer of false deities. To emulate him, they accept contract murders on anyone in Golarion that is not the legitimate ruler of a country.
They also happen to have both a dedicated Warpriest Archetype called the Mantis Zealot, and a Prestige Class called Red Mantis Assassin. Of course, we will be taking both for this build. Our leveling should look like the following:
Class
Warpriest (Mantis Zealot) 5/Red Mantis Assassin 10/Warpriest (Mantis Zealot) +5
Deity
Achaekek
Blessings
Death, Trickery
Race
Human again, this build requires a surprising amount of feats okay? Put that +2 in Dex.
Ability Scores
Put Everything in Dexterity
15Point-Buy
Str 10/Dex 16/Con 12/Int 10/Wis 14/Cha 14
20Point-Buy
Str 8/Dex 16/Con 12/Int 10/Wis 14/Cha 16
25Point-Buy
Str 8/Dex 18/Con 12/Int 10/Wis 14/Cha 16
Traits
Reactionary for extra Initiative, Birthmark to always have our Unholy Symbol on us and not have to carry something that can immediately identify us as a Red Mantis.
Favored Class Bonus
Yeah, HP it is once again.
Skills
Intimidate, Stealth, Perception, Acrobatics and Disguise will be our main go to.
Feats by Level
1-Weapon Finesse
Bonus 1-Weapon Focus(Kukri)
Human Bonus-Two-Weapons Fighting
3-Slashing Grace(Kukri)
Bonus 3-Weapon Focus(Sawtooth Sabre)
5-Alertness
Bonus 6-Weapon Specialization(Sawtooth Sabre)
7-Slashing Grace(Sawtooth Sabre)
9-Improved Two-Weapons Fighting
Bonus 10-Greater Weapon Focus(Sawtooth Sabre)
11-Piranha Strike
Bonus 12-Greater Weapon Specialization(Sawtooth Sabre)
13-Double Slice
15-Improved Critical(Sawtooth Sabre)
Bonus 6-Greater Two-Weapons Fighting
17-Improved Initiative
19-Toughness
Bonus 19-Two Weapons Rend
So we do start off passing ourselves off as a kukri user, as we cannot use Weapon Finesse with the Sawtooth Sabre until we take our first level in Red Mantis Assassin. But as soon as we do we switch to our Deity’s main weapon and start ripping apart our enemies with a combination of Two-Weapons Fighting, Piranha Strike and Sneak Attack buffed with some nasty buffs from Fervor and our free Weapon Focus feat chains, downright savaging our enemies into gore all over the place in a matter of seconds.
Red Mantis Assassin
We continue our Sneak Attack progression, and can turn into a Giant Mantis that deals Bleed damage and uses our Sawtooth Sabre magical bonuses.
Red Mantis Spells gained by Level
6-Vanish, Disguise Self
7-Obscuring Mist
8-True Strike
9-Invisibility, Mirror Image
10-Cat’s Grace
11-Alter Self
12-Feather Fall, Fly, Haste
13-See Invisibility
14-Fog Cloud
15-Summon Swarm, Dimension Door, Greater Invisibility
Equipment
A pair of Kukri, a pair of Sawtooth Sabre that you hide in your possessions, a Chain Shirt. Eventually you want the Red Mantis series of magic items
Final Thoughts on the Build
You can Fascinate a target for three rounds then coup de grace em for a bajillion damage, and a full attack deals some 6d8+36d6+1d10+133 damage pre buff. That is some damage alright. That is an average of 270 damage per round. Pre Buffs. Yeah, you are absolutely tearing your targets a new one.
4. ↑ 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).
5. ↑ Warpriest – Champion of Enlightenment – Pathfinder 1E ( Champion of Enlightenment )
Champion of Enlightenment
Now, that is cool and all but what if I want to punch people in the face really hard with cleric spells? Well, the Warpriest does have an Archetype dedicated to that called the Sacred Fist, which we will combine with a multiclass of Paladin, Monk and the Prestige Class Champion of Irori. Our leveling should look like the following:
Class
Warpriest (Sacred Fist) 7/Paladin 1/Monk 3/Champion of Irori 9
Deity
Irori
Blessings
Strength, Rune
Race
Human again We are putting that floating +2 in Wisdom.
Ability Scores
Put everything in Wisdom.
15Point-Buy
Str 14/Dex 14/Con 10/Int 10/Wis 16/Cha 10
20Point-Buy
Str 14/Dex 14/Con 14/Int 10/Wis 16/Cha 14
25Point-Buy
Str 14/Dex 14/Con 14/Int 10/Wis 18/Cha 10
Traits
Heavy Hitter lets you deal +1 damage with your fists and Reactionary gives you a +2 to Initiative which is nice.
Favored Class Bonus
Hit Points, we need them hit points.
Skills
You need at least 5 in Knowledge(Religion) and either Linguistics or any other Knowledge by level 11. Besides that, everything should go into Acrobatics and Perception.
Feats by Level
1-Toughness
Bonus 1-Improved Unarmed Strike
Human Bonus-Dirty Fighting
3-Weapon Focus(Unarmed Strike)
5-Channel Smite
Bonus 6-Outslug Style
7-Guided Hand
9-Lunge
11-Outslug Weave
13-Outslug Sprint
15-Dodge
17-Mobility
19-Improved Dirty Trick
Via Outslug Style, we can dance in and out of the reach of an opponent, forcing them to move around to meet us, and with Guided Hand, we attack using our Wisdom modifier which is all kinds of nice. Channel Smite let us do some heavy damage to undeads which is very nice too.
Champion of Irori
We get some Smite for extra damage, and some very good bonuses to our Unarmed Strikes, plus we can do all Knowledge checks untrained which *is* pretty damned cool.
Equipment
Literally nothing but a Holy Symbol
Final Thoughts on the Build
We can cast spells up to 3rd level which is still very nice for some buffing and offloading some healing from our healers and Support classes, and we can get close and personal in melee with some very decent damage and mobility. We get Flurry of Blows and three Ki Pools for various shenanigans which is very, very nice too. Plus we can Smite both Evil and Chaos for some more damage too. And despite using our fists, we still attack from reach via Lunge+Outslug Weave, making us capable of staying out of harm’s reach too. We still have fervor meaning we can heal ourselves and Flurry of Blow+Lunge for great effects.
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