General Information: Best Party

Learn the best party composition for pathfinder kingmaker, focusing on a strong protagonist build and the benefits of mercenaries and animal companions.

The protagonist in pathfinder kingmaker is central to your adventure, acting as the 'battlefield general'. While role-playing is key, gameplay mechanics and combat effectiveness become paramount, especially as difficulty increases significantly by the middle of Chapter 2. This guide prioritizes making combat easier by making concessions to role-playing flights of fancy.

The ideal protagonist is a micromanagement-heavy character, often a fighter/mage (Magi), due to their power in pathfinder kingmaker. Protagonists receive 25 attribute points during character creation, more than any other character, and the essential Persuasion skill fits well with a tank build.

Companions vs. Mercenaries

Companions are unique NPCs with their own storylines, but many encounters in pathfinder kingmaker are over-tuned. Mercenaries, hired from Anoriel Eight-Eyes, can be custom-created and are generally more powerful than pre-generated companions. The cost of mercenaries scales with your protagonist's level, allowing for a full party of mercenaries before the end of Chapter 1 if you are thrifty and strategically delay leveling up. Mercenaries only get 20 attribute points, compared to the protagonist's 25.

Animal Companions

Animal Companions are exceptionally strong, dominating the early game and providing useful distractions throughout. Preferred choices include the Leopard, Smilodon, and Wolf. The Smilodon offers the most attacks and damage, while the Leopard and Wolf have trip attacks. Animal Companions have very high stats, capping at 46-49 Armor Class. While they may fall behind offensively later due to Damage Reduction issues, they can be buffed and serve as sturdy distractions. They also increase carrying capacity, simplifying overworld travel.