Article-At-A-Glance
- This build combines Mantis Zealot Warpriest archetype and Red Mantis[1] Assassin prestige class.
- Dexterity and divine influences like Achaekek deity ensure stealth and agile combat strategies.
- Lethal weapon finesse through kukris, transitioning to Sawtooth Sabres for peak performance.
- Overcomes typical weaknesses like limited HP and heavy armor reliance via strategic defenses.
Click on the level for more information
The Red Mantis[1] Warpriest focuses on dexterity and agility, utilizing weapons like the Kukri until Sawtooth Sabres are viable. With high initiative from traits, the build starts with Weapon Finesse and Weapon Focus (Kukri) for enhanced precision. The foundation is built on dual-wielding and leveraging dexterity for both offense and defense.
Level 1 Stat Block
Red Mantis[1] Warpriest: male, human Warpriest (Mantis Zealot) 1; CR 1; Medium humanoid (human); HD 1d8+1; hp 9; Init +5; Spd 30 ft.; AC 14, touch 12, flat-footed 12; Base Atk +0; Grp +0; Atk Kukri +3 melee (1d4+0); Full Atk Kukri +3 melee (1d4+0); SA none initially; SQ Blessings (Death, Trickery); AL LE; SV Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +4; Str 10, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 14.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Intimidate +6, Stealth +7, Perception +6, Acrobatics +7; Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus (Kukri), Two-Weapon Fighting.
Possessions:
Kukri, chain shirt, basic adventurer’s gear, Birthmark (for unholy symbol).
At Level 5, the Warpriest (Mantis Zealot) excels in agility and combat finesse. Utilizing dual weapons, primarily kukris due to early weapon finesse needs, this build maximizes attack accuracy and frequency. Key strengths include improved stealth, disguising skills, and the deadly precision of Slashing Grace combined with Piranha Strike. The combination of blessings, skills, and warpriest abilities make this character both a stealthy assassin and a formidable fighter.
Level 5 Stat Block
Character Name: male, Human Warpriest (Mantis Zealot) 5; CR 5; Medium humanoid (human); HD 5d8+5; hp 39; Init +3; Spd 30 ft.; AC 18, touch 14, flat-footed 14; Base Atk +3; Grp +3; Atk Kukri +9 (1d4+3/19-20); Full Atk Kukri +9/+4 (1d4+3/19-20) and Kukri +9/+4 (1d4+3/19-20); SA Channel Energy 3/day, Fervor 4/day; SQ Blessings (Death and Trickery), Mantis Zealot Features; AL LE; SV Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5; Str 10, Dex 18, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 14.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Intimidate +9, Stealth +11, Perception +9, Acrobatics +11, Disguise +9; Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus (Kukri), Two-Weapon Fighting, Slashing Grace (Kukri).
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Ferocity (SU): Greater effectiveness in battle; War Blessing: Death provides swift actions to stabilize targets.
Possessions:
Pair of Kukris, Chain Shirt armor, assorted disguises, unholy symbol of Achaekek embedded as a birthmark.
The Red Mantis[1] build at level 10 is a deadly dual-wielding Warpriest (Mantis Zealot) 5/Red Mantis[1] Assassin 5. Specializing in Dexterity-focused combat, this build utilizes Two-Weapons Fighting with a Sawtooth Sabre and Kukri. The character is adept at using Piranha Strike and Sneak Attack mechanics. Benefiting from the Death and Trickery blessings, along with spells like Invisibility and Mirror Image, the character excels in stealth and surprise attacks. The build emphasizes high damage per round, multi-attack strategies, and spell-enhanced combat.
Level 10 Stat Block
Red Mantis[1] Warpriest: male, human Warpriest (Mantis Zealot) 5/Red Mantis[1] Assassin 5; CR 10; Medium humanoid (human); HD 5d8+5d8+20; hp 70; Init +4; Spd 30 ft.; AC 19, touch 14, flat-footed 15; Base Atk +7; Grp +7; Atk Sawtooth Sabre +11 melee (1d8+5/18-20) or Kukri +11 melee (1d4+5/18-20); Full Atk Sawtooth Sabre +9/+4 melee (1d8+5/18-20) and Kukri +9 melee (1d4+5/18-20); SA Sneak Attack +3d6, Spells; SQ Fervor, Blessings (Death, Trickery), Weapon Focus (Sawtooth Sabre), Red Mantis[1] Transformation; AL LE; SV Fort +11, Ref +10, Will +9; Str 10, Dex 18, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 16.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Intimidate +13, Stealth +17, Perception +15, Acrobatics +17, Disguise +13; Piranha Strike, Weapon Focus (Sawtooth Sabre), Greater Weapon Focus (Sawtooth Sabre), Two-Weapons Fighting, Improved Two-Weapons Fighting, Slashing Grace (Kukri).
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Fervor for self-buffing, Red Mantis[1] Transformation allows morphing with added bleed damage, Invisibility and Mirror Image for deception.
Possessions:
Chain Shirt, Sawtooth Sabre, Kukri, Red Mantis[1] series magic items, assorted survival gear.
At level 15, this build excels in high damage and versatility. The Warpriest (Mantis Zealot) combined with Red Mantis[1] Assassin classes provides devastating attack capabilities. Using Sawtooth Sabres for maximum DPS, the feats are optimized for Two-Weapons Fighting styles and Sneak Attack, boasting an incredible damage output. With spells like Greater Invisibility, Dimension Door, and Haste, the build adds battlefield mobility and strategic depth.
Level 15 Stat Block
Red Mantis[1] Warpriest: male, human Warpriest (Mantis Zealot) 5/Red Mantis[1] Assassin 10; CR 15; Medium humanoid (human); HD 15d8+45; hp 117; Init +11; Spd 30 ft.; AC 22, touch 16, flat-footed 16; Base Atk +15; Grp +19; Atk Sawtooth Sabre +23 melee (1d10+8/15-20) or Kukri +23 melee (1d4+4/15-20); Full Atk Sawtooth Sabres +21/+21/+16/+16/+11 (1d10+8/15-20) and Kukris +20/+15 (1d4+4/15-20); SA Sneak Attack 6d6, Fervor, mutagen; SQ Blessings (Death, Trickery), change shape (giant mantis); AL LE; SV Fort +13, Ref +14, Will +14; Str 12, Dex 18, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 16.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Intimidate +23, Stealth +27, Perception +27, Acrobatics +27, Disguise +23; Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus (Kukri), Two-Weapon Fighting, Slashing Grace (Kukri), Weapon Focus (Sawtooth Sabre), Alertness, Weapon Specialization (Sawtooth Sabre), Slashing Grace (Sawtooth Sabre), Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Greater Weapon Focus (Sawtooth Sabre), Piranha Strike, Greater Weapon Specialization (Sawtooth Sabre), Double Slice, Improved Critical (Sawtooth Sabre), Greater Two-Weapon Fighting, Improved Initiative, Toughness, Two-Weapon Rend.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Sneak Attack improves damage; Fervor enhances blessings and weapon proficiencies; Change shape allows transformation into a giant mantis with spell combat benefits.
Possessions:
Pairs of Kukri and Sawtooth Sabre, Chain Shirt, Red Mantis[1] magic items.
By level 20, this Red Mantis[1] Warpriest, built on a foundation of ruthless efficiency, is a devastating force in combat. Armed with enchanted Sawtooth Sabre and Kukri, this character uses Two-Weapon Fighting to deliver ferocious multi-attack rounds. Buffed by spells like Haste and backed by powerful Sneak Attack capabilities, the build averages around 270 damage per round, even before buffs. Spells like Greater Invisibility and Dimension Door enhance mobility and survivability. The character’s ability to transform into a Giant Mantis, along with high Stealth and Disguise skills, makes them elusive and deadly. Favored with Trickery and Death blessings, they are the embodiment of Achaekek’s divine wrath.
Level 20 Stat Block
Red Mantis[1] Warpriest: male, human Warpriest (Mantis Zealot) 10/Red Mantis[1] Assassin 10; CR 20; Medium humanoid (human); HD 20d8; hp 180; Init +8; Spd 30 ft.; AC 35, touch 20, flat-footed 27; Base Atk +20; Grp +28; Atk Sawtooth Sabre +33/+28/+23/+18 melee (1d10+11/17-20) or Kukri +33/+28/+23/+18 melee (1d8+8/18-20); Full Atk Sawtooth Sabre +33/+28/+23/+18 melee (1d10+11/17-20) and Kukri +33 melee (1d8+8/18-20); SA Sneak Attack +6d6, Spells; SQ Blessings (Death, Trickery), Mantis Transform; AL LE; SV Fort +12, Ref +16, Will +12; Str 8, Dex 18, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 16.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Intimidate +28, Stealth +36, Perception +30, Acrobatics +30, Disguise +28; Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus (Kukri), Two-Weapon Fighting, Slashing Grace (Sawtooth Sabre), Weapon Focus (Sawtooth Sabre), Alertness, Weapon Specialization (Sawtooth Sabre), Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Greater Weapon Focus (Sawtooth Sabre), Piranha Strike, Greater Weapon Specialization (Sawtooth Sabre), Double Slice, Improved Critical (Sawtooth Sabre), Greater Two-Weapon Fighting, Improved Initiative, Toughness, Two-Weapon Rend.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Capable of transforming into a Giant Mantis, dealing bleed damage. Decent Sneak attack damage. Access to a suite of spells, including Vanish, Haste, Greater Invisibility.
Possessions:
Enchanted Sawtooth Sabre, Kukri, Red Mantis[1] magic items, Chain Shirt.
Milestones Of Character Development
- Levels 1-5: Begin as a Warpriest (Mantis Zealot). Focus on weapon finesse with kukri while building dexterity through strategic feats and blessings. Start with critical feats like Weapon Finesse and Two-Weapons Fighting to maximize combat efficiency.
- Levels 6-10: Transition into Red Mantis[1] Assassin prestige class. Gain access to abilities like Sneak Attack and transforming into a Giant Mantis. Start using the Sawtooth Sabre with a combination of special weapon feats like Weapon Specialization for enhanced damage output.
- Levels 11-15: Further develop combat skills with feats such as Improved Two-Weapons Fighting and Greater Weapon Specialization. Use advanced spells such as Greater Invisibility and Dimension Door to improve stealth and combat positioning.
- Levels 16-20: Cap abilities with the Warpriest class, enhancing support and buffing capabilities through Fervor. Include high-level feats like Two Weapons Rend for frequent high-damage attacks. Maximize gear strategy by acquiring powerful Red Mantis[1] magic items and focusing on cumulative damage techniques.
Core Abilities & Features
The Warpriest Red Mantis[1] build derives its strength from a strategic mix of the Mantis Zealot Warpriest archetype and the Red Mantis[1] Assassin prestige class. Starting with five levels in Mantis Zealot provides foundational priestly powers and melee capability. This setup is complemented by ten levels in Red Mantis[1] Assassin, unlocking lethal assassination features and unique monstrous transformations. Returning to Warpriest after enhances both combat prowess and divine spellcasting, making it a balanced yet fearsome mix of holy warrior and sly executioner.
Divine Influence and Dexterity
Choosing Achaekek as the deity grants access to the unique blessings of Death and Trickery. These add layers of utility and stealth to the character, making ambushes and subterfuge second nature. Putting maximum points into Dexterity is a masterstroke for anyone wielding dual weapons; dexterity increases weapon finesse, attack rolls, and enhances defense, perfect for a killer outfit that relies on agility and precision. With scores like Dex 18 in a 25-point buy, this agility allows deft strikes from the shadows.
Weapon Mastery and Feats
This build is all about weapon finesse, starting with kukris before transitioning to the Sawtooth Sabre once Red Mantis[1] expertise is acquired. The feat progression reflects this, like Weapon Finesse for agility-based attacks, Weapon Focus for proficient strikes, Slashing Grace for converting dexterity into damage output, and talents like Improved Two-Weapon Fighting ensuring continuous, relentless assaults. Piranha Strike and Sneak Attack capabilities craft a lethal blend of burst damage and cunning misdirection.
Sneak Attacks and Divine Buffs
As a Red Mantis[1] Assassin, enhancing Sneak Attack is key, turning each strike into a potential critical. Transformations into a terrifying mantis grants further options for dual attack maneuvers, bleed effects, and unholy presence. Fervor, a Warpriest’s divine ability, layers these attacks with holy might, altitude blessings flow into quicker strikes or protective shields, creating damaging gales of holy wrath on unsuspecting foes.
Equipment Progression
| Level Range | Equipment | Details |
|---|---|---|
| L1-5 | Pair of Kukri, Chain Shirt | Start with Kukri to utilize Weapon Finesse, combined with the Chain Shirt for optimal defense. |
| L6-10 | Pair of Sawtooth Sabre, Cloak of Resistance +1 | Switch to Sawtooth Sabre after acquiring Red Mantis[1] Assassin levels, and add the Cloak for enhanced saving throws. |
| L11-15 | Amulet of Natural Armor +1, Belt of Incredible Dexterity +2 | Boost defense further with the Amulet and enhance your primary stat with the Belt. |
| L16-20 | Ring of Protection +2, Red Mantis[1] Series Magic Items | Increase survivability with the Ring; seek out Red Mantis[1] magic items as they become available to complete your build. |
Combat Scenarios
- Dungeon Crawls:
- The Warpriest Red Mantis[1] excels in tight spaces using Vanish and Disguise Self to scout ahead, escorting with Stealth. Surprise attacks with Sawtooth Sabres coupled with Sneak Attack inflict heavy damage. Vanish lets you retreat and strike from the shadows again.
- Open Fields:
- Maximize your mobility using Cat’s Grace and Fly to traverse the landscape effortlessly. Haste enhances your attack flurries, allowing more attacks with Two-Weapons Fighting. Stay nimble and out of reach, picking off targets one by one using your range advantage.
- Ambushes:
- Urban terrain and Partial Cover become your allies. Use Invisibility and a high Acrobatics skill to position yourself perfectly for the Sneak Attack. Mirror Image can buffer against unexpected foes while your clones confuse adversaries. With Piranha Strike, you maximize damage as they fumble for direction.
- Defensive Stands:
- Summon Swarm and Fog Cloud create obstructive and damaging barriers. Use Greater Invisibility to strike unseen while allies secure chokepoints. With Improved Critical and Sneak Attack on your Sabres, any breach costs them dearly.
- Urban Encounters:
- The Birthmark trait aids anonymity while underhand tactics come into play. Initiate fights on your terms with Dimension Door for positioning. Quickly dispatch and use Feather Fall for rooftop escapes. Paired Kukris are excellent for crowd control, supported by Intimidate checks to scatter enemies.
Weaknesses & Counters
| Weakness | Counter |
|---|---|
| Low Strength Score | Focus on Dexterity-based combat with Weapon Finesse and Slashing Grace for effective melee attacks. Use spells like Cat’s Grace to enhance Dexterity. |
| High Feat Requirement | Select the Human race for an additional bonus feat, and prioritize essential feats like Weapon Finesse and Two-Weapon Fighting early. Use Fervor for temporary buffs. |
| Reliance on Sneak Attack | Utilize spells such as Invisibility and Vanish to gain sneak attack opportunities. Improved Initiative and Reactionary trait help to act first in combat. |
| Need for Disguises | Carry a Birthmark trait as an Unholy Symbol and master skills such as Disguise and Stealth to conceal identity. |
| Limited Hit Points | Select HP as your favored class bonus and consider taking the Toughness feat for additional durability in battle. |
Roleplaying a Red Mantis Warpriest
Imagine becoming a fearsome zealot for Achaekek, the Mantis God. As a Red Mantis[1] Warpriest, you cloak yourself in the religion’s devout fervor. Your character isn’t just a killer. They’re a divine instrument targeting false leaders and tyrants, reshaping power in Golarion. Embody a religious fanatic, driven by faith more than personal gain. Use this as a catalyst for your character’s commitment to their deity’s cause, allowing no room for deviation from the divine plan.
Delve into the dual nature of your role. You’re both a preacher and an assassin, dispensing Achaekek’s justice. This internal struggle can be fascinating: maintaining faith while performing morally questionable tasks. Your journey can explore themes of sacrifice and righteousness versus sin, lending depth to your character’s actions. Each contract is a sacred duty, a step in an endless chain of devotion, making every mission profoundly personal.
Opportunities to Engage
Your high Dexterity makes you swift and agile, outrunning foes or closing gaps silently. Use it to perform daring feats of acrobatics. Your blessings of Death and Trickery offer thematic hooks to influence encounters. Maybe you use Death’s power to instill fear and respect, making others second-guess crossing you. Trickery could manifest as cunning plans or outsmarting enemies before delivering the fatal blow.
Interact with party members from a standpoint of meticulous planning and strategic alignment with your deity. Craft them into allies, tools for the Mantis cause to use your influence to steer decisions towards the group’s greater benefit. While holding strong beliefs, your Priest can remain enigmatic, occasionally forsaking their peers’ input for divine will when decisions seem too secular. Strike a balance between divine duty and companionship, ultimately weaving a tale of strategy, faith, and loyalty in the intricate game of politics and assassination.
FAQ
What makes the Red Mantis[1] Warpriest a unique build?
The Red Mantis[1] Warpriest skillfully combines divine and assassination powers. Using the Mantis Zealot archetype, it roots in priestly abilities while excelling in melee. The Red Mantis[1] Assassin prestige class unlocks monstrous transformation, enhancing lethality. Dexterity-enhanced combat with iconic Sawtooth Sabres makes battle both swift and devastating.
How does Dexterity influence the Red Mantis[1] Warpriest build?
Dexterity is vital for maximizing the Red Mantis[1] Warpriest’s agility and precision. High Dexterity enhances attack rolls, defense, and speed for dual-wielding weapons. It synergizes with Weapon Finesse and Slashing Grace feats, turning Dexterity into damage output. As the build relies on nimbleness, Dexterity lets it excel in surprise attacks and Avoid threats.
What role does weapon choice play in developing this build?
Weapon choice is crucial in shaping this build’s combat efficiency. Starting with kukris develops finesse before transitioning to Sawtooth Sabres. Sabres are essential; they align with Red Mantis[1] expertise, allowing dual-weapon techniques. Combined with feats, they optimize Dexterity-based combat, delivering precise and deadly strikes.
What challenges might the Red Mantis[1] Warpriest encounter?
Challenges often include reliance on Sneak Attacks and low Strength. Without Stealth or Invisibility, Sneak Attacks may falter. The build’s light armor choice can also invite vulnerability to heavy hits. Area of Effect spells may threaten its defenses without mobility. Selecting feats wisely and carrying support spells can mitigate these weaknesses.
How can players incorporate role-playing as the Red Mantis[1] Warpriest?
Role-playing as the Red Mantis[1] Warpriest offers rich storytelling avenues. Picture your character as a devoted zealot and holy assassin. Balance between divine duty and mortal desires sparks internal conflict. Interacting with companions through a fanatical lens adds intrigue. Merge faith driven acts with stealth and cunning during adventures.
Join us at Stellar Dragons with the Red Mantis Warpriest!
Why not explore playing as a Red Mantis[1] Warpriest in your next game? Do you think the Red Mantis[1] could be the best build in Pathfinder 1E? Join our discussions on the Stellar Dragons Discord server at https://discord.gg/uAPvgEq6Z7.
Author
Terms definitions
1. ↑ 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.
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