Pathfinder Bloodrager Build Guide

Update

Want to play an archer Bloodrager?  They are nice!  Well, when this guide was originally posted, the advise was for Bloodragers to focus on being melee fighters.  Well, after some number crunching, it is clear that the Bloodrager can make for great archers. In fact, the Barbarian, Bloodrager, Fighter Monk (Sohei), Paladin, Ranger, Slayer are the classes that made it into Optibuilds’ Greatest Martial Archers PDF.

                    Introduction

The purpose of this Pathfinder Bloodrager Build Guide is to provide a “quick tips checklist” of things to do to when making a Bloodrager build.  It will start by reviewing the Structure & the Strengths / Weaknesses of the class.  It will follow by giving quick tips on how to take advantage of the structure / strengths of the class and make up for the weaknesses of the class.

Structure of the Class 

1. As with all classes, you can customize through the selection of leveling feats, skills, traits, race, and multiclassing.
2. Customization: The class allows for further customization through the selection of Bloodlines (which will give your certain bloodline powers and a selection of feats to choose from).  It also allows for customization through the selection of spells.  Finally, see my comments about the Primalist Archetype.
3. The Bloodrage Ability (exactly like rage, but not) allows the class to increase its strength, will saves, and constitution to increase it melee prowess.
4. The Selection of Spells available to Bloodrager has some attack / defense / utility oriented spells.  Your number of known spells is small in number.  Your spells per day are even smaller in number.  The typical Bloodrager at 13^th level would be able to cast 4 (1^st), 3 (2^nd), 1 (3^rd), and 1 (4^th) level spell per day.
5. Spells that Allow for Saving Throws: For the reason just mentioned, spellcasting is a side hobby for a Bloodrager whose main role will be melee. Accordingly, the optimized Bloodrager will likely only have a high enough Charisma score to cast 4^th level spells (Cha of 14). This means the Bloodrager will not be very effective casting spells that allow for a saving throw.  This drastically cuts down on the selection of spells available for an optimized build.
6. Skills: The build has a moderate amount of skill points and the following skills: Acrobatics (Dex), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Perception (Wis), Ride (Dex), Spellcraft (Int), Survival (Wis), and Swim (Str).

Archetypes

The Primalist Archetype is ridiculous (Banned by PFS). This is a strong statement coming from an optimizer.  That said, let me explain.  It allows you the option to replace your Bloodline Powers, which you get at levels 4, 8, 12, 16 , and 20 with rage powers (so potentially 10 rage powers) and you don’t have to give up anything to have this option at your disposal.  So first, essentially, every Bloodrager must be a Primalist. Second, since you could get 10 rage powers (which is the same amount that a Barbarian gets and is the main thing that makes a barbarian different than a Bloodrager) you should only play a barbarian for specific builds where need a Barbarian archetype that offers something that a Bloodrager cannot.  Primalist Bloodragers are standard Barbarians with extra feats and the ability to cast spells.  The only Barbarians left to play are the ones that rely on the Invulnerable, Urban, and Primal Barbarian Archetypes in my opinion. Third, it makes every other Bloodrager Archetype a prime choice because if those Archetypes had any weaknesses, they can simply be replaced with outstanding rage powers.  

Other Great Archetypes: 

• Blood Conduit – If nothing else, this would make Bloodrager a good 1 level dip for a multiclass build if you are looking to get Improved Trip at 1st level without having to take Combat Expertise.  Playing this Archetype out as a Bloodrager would also seem to make for a great combat maneuver build.  I have not compared such a build with other maneuver builds, but my impression is that it would compare favorably.  You just need to choose the correct Bloodline and maybe the correct rage powers via the Primal Archetype.
• Bloodrider – You basically get a horse, camel, pony, or wolf, which moves a little faster than normal, in exchange for giving up uncanny dodge, improved uncanny dodge, and fast movement.  At 9th level you mount does get to share your spells. However, the question is how does a Bloodrager with a mount compare to other Martial Classes that have access to a limited mount selection (Ranger, Paladin, Cavalier, Samurai, and certain archetypes of other martial classes)?  I think favorably for builds like the Bloodrager Archer in Greatest Marital Archers PDF, Spirited Chargers, and likely other builds as well.
• Crossblooded –  You better have a plan for pumping up your Will Save.  If you do, then variety when it comes to selecting bloodline spells, powers, and feats may be nice. So for the right build, maybe this is the way to go.  In general, it is not.  So, I will rank this Archetype overall okay!
• Greenrager – If you don’t need bloodline feats for your build concept, then trading in those feats for the ability to cast summon natures ally spells later than other summoning classes may be an alright trade-off.  That said, your summons are going to just be distractions for the enemy, so this archetype is at best okay.
• Metamagic – I just don’t see the spells or enough spells that I would want to build a Bloodrager metamagic attacker around.  There may be such a build out there, but I don’t know what it is.  So I give this a no thank you.  It just seems like a trap!
• Rageshaper – You don’t give up much, but then you don’t get much.  And if I wanted to be able to Extend Spells, I would rather go the Metamagic Archetype route. However, you know I don’t want to do that either.
• Spelleater – So you give up uncanny dodge, improved uncanny dodge, and damage reduction for so in combat healing in the form of swift action healing and bloodraging fast healing.  Its not a horrible trade-off.  It may even be optimal.  Thing is, though, that it is not earth shattering so I give it and okay.
• Steelblood – Not a bad class for adding so Armor Class protection to your build level 5 thru 7 and after.  It is definitely an archetype that the Bloodrager Archer in Greatest Marital Archers PDF has to consider.
• Untouchable Rager – So give up spellcasting, which is not bad for a bloodrager, in exchange for spell resistance that works only when I bloodrage.  Nah.

Strengths & Weaknesses

1. The Bloodrager is at full BAB.
2. It has strong Fort Saves and a poor Will & Reflex Save.
3. The Bloodrager has no alignment restrictions
4. The class has the second highest hitpoint progression D10
5. The class is proficient with light armor, medium armor and shield (except for Tower Shields).  Further, the Bloodrager can cast bloodrager spells while in light or medium armor and while bloodraging.
6. The class maxes at 4th level spells.
7. Since the Bloodrager will need to keep a decent Wisdom given its low Will Save, will need a 14 Cha to cast 4th level spells, will need a 16 Str (before race stat increases) to shine in melee, will need a 14 Con to shine in melee, and has a good selection of class skills (so don’t dump your Int), the class has no dump stats.

Build Advice 

Choose the Primalist Archetype unless you are playing PFS or unless your GM bans the Archetype.

Sure up your weaknesses.   The poor Will Saves can be addressed with Iron Will, Improved Iron Will, the proper selection of race, traits, racial traits, and Cloaks of Resistance.  Your also have access to the Protection v. Evil spell.  Your poor Reflex Saves are less important.  You have spells to protect you against energy blast, if you know what’s coming.  Also, Reflex Save failure normally does not mean death.  That said, you could take Improved Reflexes, racial traits, traits to protect you.  Maybe even a ring of evasion if you have the extra cash.

Choose Your Stats: They will probably look something like the following for a 25 point build: Str (16), Con (14), Dex (10), Int (10), Wis (14), Cha (14).  A 20 point build might look like the following: Str (16), Con (14), Dex (10), Int (10), Wis (12), Cha (13).  Now this assumes that you will pick a class that gives you a +2 in Strength and will not lower you Charisma score.

Choose your skill set.  You skill selection should be to maximize: i) Perception (because everyone optimized character does); ii) Handle Animal (because did you read the Optibuilds Skills PDF Part 1); and iii) Acrobatics (you’re a melee guy who could use the mobility and improve fighting defensive bonus).  If you do not dump your Intelligence below 10, this should leave you with 1 skill point per level extra.  If your favorite class selection is a skill point, if you make a Human with the skilled racial ability, or if you make a build with Int 12, then you will have additional skill points at your disposal.  Intimidate is probably your 4^th best skill.

Choose a Fighting Style.  You are likely going with a Two-Handed Melee Weapon, though there might be some creative ways to make an unarmed build or a sword and board build.  You will carry an Adaptive Longbow Composite for time when you have to let go of some arrows.  You definitely have Power Attack.  Other than that, you should just research the melee guides that already exist for different ways to build a Two-Handed Weapon Fighter, Unarmed Fighter (probably Dragon Style), or Sword and board Fighter.

Choose Your Spells. As mentioned earlier, you do not want the spells that allow for a saving throw.  This leaves offensive spells, defensive spells and utility spells.  Accordingly, the optimized spell selection is really reduced to these options:

1^st) Blade Lash, Endure Elements,  Enlarge Person, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Magic Missile, Mount, Shield, Protection from Chaos/Evil/Good/Law, Stone Fist, Strong Wings (if your race is a Strix), Touch of Sea, Thunderstomp (as written you can choose to use your CMB), True Strike

2^nd) False Life, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Resist Energy, Scorching Ray, See Invisibility, Slip Stream, Spider Climb

3^rd) Countless Eyes, Fly, Haste, Heroism, Keen Edge, Greater Magic Weapon, Monstrous Physique, Phantom Steed, Protection from Energy, Thunderstomp Greater, Vampiric Touch, Wind Wall

4^th)  Elemental Body I, Ghost Wolf, Monstrous Physique II, Stoneskin, Wall of Ice

Remember that some spell you can purchase through items (boot of speed for haste, winged boots for flying, keen weapon for keen edge, etc…).  If you are going to buy the spell equivalent, then do not learn the spell.  Learn something else.

Choose Your Bloodline: At first glance, Aberrant, Arcane, Destined, Elemental (Air especially) and Fey are the best.

Choose Your Gear: At a minimum, by 13^th level you will want a +1 Furious Courageous Melee Weapon, +4 Belt of Strength, +3 Cloak of Resistance, +1 Ring of Protection, +1 Amulet of Natural Armor, +1 Adaptive Longbow Composite, Rod of Extend Lesser, +5 Mithril Chainmail

 Conclusion 

Okay, I think the class is that simple.  You will likely be a Two-Handed Weapon brute with a little spell potential.  I serious think that you can have fun with the Bloodrager class.  I do not think it is more optimal than playing a barbarian.  I do not think it is more optimal that playing s Sorcerer.  However, it should be effective and allow a person used to playing a melee character to transition slowly into the spellcaster world.

I got some build ideas in mind, expect a Bloodrager PDF soon!

Other Pathfinder Hybrid Guides

Arcanist Build Guide
Brawler Build Guide
Bloodrager Build Guide
Hunter Build Guide
Slayer Build Guide
Investigator Build Guide