pf2e champion guide

PF2e Champion Guide ⸺ Comprehensive Plan (02/04/2026)

Today’s date is 02/04/2026 05:54:38. This comprehensive guide details the remastered Champion, a versatile class exceeding tanking, offering a dynamic and multifaceted experience.

The Pathfinder 2e Champion class represents a divine warrior, a stalwart defender and righteous instrument of their deity. No longer solely defined as a ‘tank,’ the remastered Champion boasts expanded capabilities, moving beyond a hyperfocused role. This guide serves as a premier resource, especially for players familiar with Paladins from other editions, as the Champion effectively incorporates that archetype within PF2e’s framework.

You embody a devoted servant, bearing a weighty mantle and pursuing a cause that sets you apart. Champions freely share powerful defenses with allies and innocents, wielding divine power to vanquish foes. Understanding the Champion’s evolution is key; it’s about more than just absorbing damage – it’s about controlling the battlefield and inspiring those around you. This guide will explore the intricacies of building and playing this exceptional class.

II. Champion Class Overview

The Champion in Pathfinder 2e is a martial class deeply connected to the divine, functioning as a frontline defender and a beacon of faith. Unlike previous iterations, the remastered Champion isn’t limited to purely reactive defense. While retaining access to crucial abilities like Shield Block – even without maximizing the bonus from raising a shield – it now offers a broader range of tactical options.

Champions excel at making themselves difficult targets, utilizing abilities to control enemies and protect allies. They are proficient in Athletics, enabling maneuvers like Grapple, Trip, and Shove, alongside the potent Retributive Strike. Effective Champion play hinges on understanding how to build a character that effectively utilizes these tools, creating a truly impactful presence on the battlefield.

III. Key Abilities & Stats

For Champions, prioritizing key abilities is crucial for maximizing effectiveness. Strength is generally considered a primary stat (rated A/B), directly influencing attack rolls, damage output, and Athletics checks – vital for controlling the battlefield through maneuvers like Grapple and Trip. Constitution is paramount for survivability, bolstering hit points and resilience against debilitating effects, ensuring the Champion remains a steadfast presence in combat.

However, don’t neglect Charisma, as it fuels the Champion’s divine influence and access to certain class features. A balanced approach, leaning heavily into Strength and Constitution, with a respectable Charisma score, will create a well-rounded and formidable Champion capable of both enduring punishment and delivering righteous blows.

III.A. Strength as a Primary Stat

Strength is undeniably a cornerstone of the Champion’s build, functioning as a primary stat for several critical aspects of gameplay. It directly impacts your attack rolls with melee weapons, determining your accuracy in delivering punishing blows to foes. Furthermore, Strength governs the amount of damage you inflict, scaling your offensive potential as you increase this attribute. Beyond direct combat applications, a high Strength score is essential for excelling in Athletics checks.

These checks are vital for battlefield control, allowing you to Grapple, Trip, or Shove enemies, disrupting their strategies and protecting your allies. A robust Strength score ensures the Champion isn’t merely a defensive wall, but an active participant in shaping the flow of battle.

III.B. Constitution for Survivability

Constitution is paramount for a Champion’s longevity on the battlefield, directly influencing your Hit Points (HP) and resilience against debilitating effects. A higher Constitution score translates to more HP, allowing you to withstand greater amounts of damage before falling. Crucially, it also bolsters your Fortitude saves, protecting against poisons, diseases, and other harmful conditions that could cripple your effectiveness in combat.

As a front-line defender, the Champion will inevitably attract enemy attention, making survivability non-negotiable. Investing in Constitution ensures you remain a steadfast presence, capable of absorbing punishment and continuing to protect your allies, even under intense pressure. It’s a foundational stat for any durable Champion build.

III.C. Charisma for Divine Influence

Charisma serves as the conduit for the Champion’s divine power, directly impacting the potency of their spells and abilities. While not as central as Strength, a respectable Charisma score significantly enhances the effectiveness of your divine repertoire, allowing you to better support allies and smite foes with righteous fury. It influences the DC of your spells, making them harder for enemies to resist.

Furthermore, Charisma plays a vital role in social interactions, allowing you to effectively represent your deity and navigate complex social situations. A Champion is often an emissary of faith, and a strong Charisma score facilitates fulfilling that role. It’s a key component for Champions who lean into the roleplaying aspect of their devotion.

IV. Champion Dedications & Feats

Champion Dedications and Feats are the cornerstone of customizing your character, allowing you to specialize and refine your build. At Level 1, your dedication choice defines your core playstyle, setting the foundation for future development. Carefully consider these initial options, as they heavily influence your character’s trajectory.

As you progress to Levels 4 and 8, a wealth of feats become available, offering opportunities to expand your capabilities. These feats range from enhancing your defensive prowess to bolstering your offensive potential, or even deepening your connection to your deity. Strategic feat selection is crucial for optimizing your Champion’s effectiveness in combat and beyond;

IV.A. Level 1 Dedications ⸺ Core Choices

Level 1 Dedications are pivotal, establishing your Champion’s fundamental identity. These choices aren’t merely mechanical; they define your character’s thematic focus and long-term potential. Selecting a dedication is a commitment, shaping how you approach challenges and interact with the world. Consider your desired playstyle – do you envision a stalwart defender, a righteous warrior, or a beacon of faith?

Each dedication unlocks unique abilities and influences subsequent feat selections. These early choices dictate how effectively you can utilize core Champion mechanics, like Retributive Strike and divine defenses. Thoughtful consideration at this stage ensures a cohesive and powerful build, maximizing your Champion’s impact on the battlefield and beyond.

IV.B. Level 4 Feats ⸺ Expanding Capabilities

Level 4 Feats represent a significant power spike for the Champion, allowing for specialization and refinement of your core dedication. These feats build upon your initial choices, enhancing existing abilities and introducing new tactical options. This is where you begin to truly define your Champion’s niche within a party, solidifying their role as a protector, striker, or support character.

Focus on feats that synergize with your dedication and address any weaknesses in your build. Consider options that improve your defenses, bolster your offensive capabilities, or expand your utility outside of combat. Careful selection at this stage ensures continued growth and effectiveness as you progress through higher levels.

IV.C. Level 8 Feats ⸺ Advanced Options

Level 8 Feats unlock truly advanced capabilities for your Champion, offering powerful options that dramatically alter your playstyle. These feats represent mastery of your chosen path, granting access to potent abilities and synergistic effects. At this stage, you’re no longer simply building a Champion; you’re crafting a unique and formidable force on the battlefield.

Consider feats that push the boundaries of your dedication, maximizing its potential and addressing any remaining shortcomings. Explore options that provide significant advantages in specific combat scenarios or enhance your ability to support your allies. Strategic selection here will define your Champion’s endgame power and effectiveness.

V. Champion Playstyle & Role

The Champion’s playstyle revolves around unwavering defense and strategic control, making them a cornerstone of any party. They excel at drawing enemy attention, mitigating damage, and disrupting opponents’ plans. Tanking in Pathfinder 2e isn’t about raw hit points; it’s about making yourself a difficult and undesirable target. This is achieved through skillful use of abilities like Grapple, Trip, Shove, and, crucially, the Champion’s signature Retributive Strike.

Beyond defense, Champions possess divine power to bolster allies, offering support and protection where needed. Understanding how to effectively utilize these tools is paramount to maximizing the Champion’s impact on the battlefield.

V.A. Tanking Strategies in PF2e

Effective tanking in Pathfinder 2e transcends simply possessing high hit points; it’s about battlefield control and manipulating enemy focus. Champions achieve this by becoming an inconvenient target. Utilize Athletics checks – Grapple to immobilize, Trip to knock enemies prone, and Shove to disrupt positioning. These actions force enemies to spend their actions reacting to you, protecting your squishier allies.

The Champion’s Retributive Strike is a core component, punishing attackers for focusing fire. Remember, a strong Athletics skill is fundamental to successful tanking, regardless of class. Prioritize abilities and feats that enhance your control and resilience, making you a formidable obstacle on the battlefield.

V.B. Retributive Strike — A Core Defensive Tool

The Champion’s Retributive Strike is paramount to their defensive capabilities. This reaction allows you to redirect an enemy’s attack back at them, dealing damage and potentially applying conditions. It’s not merely damage reflection; it’s a deterrent. Enemies will think twice before relentlessly targeting a Champion who can actively punish their aggression.

Optimizing Retributive Strike involves understanding trigger conditions and maximizing damage output. Feats and gear can enhance its effectiveness, increasing the damage or adding additional effects. Mastering this ability is crucial for controlling the battlefield and protecting your party. It’s a cornerstone of the Champion’s role as a protector and a resilient force.

V.C. Supporting Allies with Divine Power

Champions aren’t solely focused on personal defense; they excel at bolstering their allies; Their divine connection grants access to abilities that enhance the party’s survivability and effectiveness. This support manifests through sharing defenses and providing divine aid in crucial moments. You are an emissary of a deity, a devoted servant who shares power.

Consider feats that grant temporary hit points or protective auras. Utilizing spells and reactions to shield allies from harm is vital. A Champion’s ability to redirect attacks, combined with supportive abilities, creates a synergistic dynamic, making the entire party more resilient. Effective teamwork is key, and the Champion is a central pillar of that cooperation.

VI. Champion Build Concepts

The Champion’s versatility allows for diverse build concepts, catering to various playstyles. Here at Nerds on Earth, we aim to provide a one-stop shop for character ideas. We’ll explore five distinct concepts, each with a “Pathmap” – a list of potential mechanical options to guide your build. These concepts range from staunch defenders to righteous strikers and faith-focused emissaries.

Remember, the Paladin class is now integrated into the Champion, making this your premier paladin resource. These builds aren’t rigid prescriptions, but rather starting points for crafting a unique Champion. Consider how your chosen deity and personal convictions will shape your character’s path and mechanical choices.

VI.A. The Divine Protector ⸺ Focused on Defense

This Champion build prioritizes unwavering defense, shielding allies and absorbing damage. You are an emissary of a deity, a devoted servant with powerful defenses shared freely. Focus on maximizing AC and utilizing abilities like Shield Block, even without the full +2 bonus from raising a shield – it remains valuable. Retributive Strike is crucial, making enemies think twice about attacking your companions.

Invest in Athletics for control options like Grapple, Trip, and Shove, further protecting your team. Prioritize feats and dedications that enhance survivability and reaction triggers. This build excels at drawing enemy attention and becoming an immovable bulwark, a beacon of hope on the battlefield.

VI.B. The Righteous Striker, Balancing Offense & Defense

The Righteous Striker Champion blends potent offense with stalwart defense, refusing to be merely a shield. While Paladins traditionally excel at damage in other editions, this build leverages the Champion’s unique strengths to deliver impactful strikes alongside reliable protection. Utilize Retributive Strike not just defensively, but to punish aggressors and disrupt enemy plans.

Focus on feats that enhance both martial prowess and divine resilience. A strong Athletics skill remains vital for battlefield control, creating openings for attacks or protecting vulnerable allies. This Champion isn’t about avoiding conflict, but controlling it, delivering righteous judgment with every swing.

VI.C. The Emissary of Faith — Roleplaying Focus

Embrace the Champion’s core identity: a devoted servant of a deity, carrying a weighty mantle and pursuing a unique cause. This build prioritizes roleplaying opportunities, focusing on how your Champion’s faith shapes their actions and interactions. You are a beacon of divine power, offering protection to allies and innocents, and wielding your abilities to uphold your deity’s tenets.

Mechanically, this translates to prioritizing feats and skills that enhance social encounters and support capabilities. While combat prowess is important, the Emissary’s strength lies in inspiring others and embodying their faith. Consider how your deity influences your Champion’s choices, creating a compelling and nuanced character.

VII. Gear & Equipment Recommendations

Optimizing a Champion’s gear centers around maximizing protection and enhancing divine abilities. Prioritize armor offering the highest AC, as the Champion excels at drawing enemy attention. Full plate is ideal, but consider alternatives based on your campaign’s availability and your character’s specific needs. Weapon selection should balance versatility and damage output; a versatile weapon allows adaptation to various combat scenarios.

Amulets and rings are crucial for augmenting your Champion’s divine power. Seek items that bolster Charisma, enhance defensive capabilities, or provide access to additional divine spells or effects. Don’t underestimate the value of utility items like potions and scrolls, providing crucial support during challenging encounters.

VII.A. Armor Choices for Maximum Protection

As a frontline defender, the Champion thrives with robust armor. Full plate armor represents the pinnacle of protection, offering unparalleled AC and physical resistance. However, its high Strength requirement may necessitate careful character planning. Alternatives include splint armor, providing excellent protection with a slightly lower Strength demand, or banded mail for a balance between protection and mobility.

Consider armor with special properties, such as resistance to specific damage types, to further enhance survivability. A shield is paramount, even if it doesn’t grant the full 2 from raising it, as it remains a core defensive tool. Prioritize maximizing AC to make yourself a difficult target.

VII.B. Weapon Selection ⸺ Versatility & Damage

Champion weapon choices should balance damage output with tactical flexibility. While capable with various weapon types, martial weapons generally suit their combat style. Longswords offer a good blend of reach, damage, and versatility, while greatswords provide substantial damage at the cost of maneuverability. Polearms, like glaives or halberds, excel at controlling the battlefield and reaching distant foes.

Consider weapons with special properties, such as those dealing additional damage types or granting unique effects. A focus on weapons that synergize with your dedication and feats is crucial. Remember, a Champion isn’t solely a damage dealer; weapon choice should complement their defensive role.

VII.C. Amulets & Rings ⸺ Enhancing Divine Abilities

Amulets and rings are vital for augmenting a Champion’s divine capabilities and bolstering defenses. Prioritize items that enhance Strength, Constitution, and Charisma, the Champion’s key stats. Amulets granting resistance to common damage types, like bludgeoning or piercing, significantly improve survivability. Rings offering bonuses to Athletics checks are invaluable for controlling the battlefield through grapple, trip, and shove actions.

Consider magical items that amplify Retributive Strike’s effectiveness or provide additional defensive options. Items boosting saving throws against mental effects are also beneficial, protecting against debilitating spells. Carefully select accessories that complement your chosen build and playstyle, maximizing your Champion’s potential.

VIII. Multiclassing Options for Champions

Multiclassing offers Champions exciting avenues for customization, though careful planning is crucial. Considering the Pathfinder 2e Remaster, Paladin is now integrated into the Champion class, diminishing the need for a dedicated Paladin multiclass. However, dipping into Fighter can significantly enhance combat prowess, granting additional feats and weapon proficiencies. This synergizes well with the Champion’s existing strength-based focus.

Be mindful of delaying Champion class features. A small Fighter investment can provide a substantial boost to damage output, while maintaining the core defensive strengths of the Champion. Explore options that complement your build’s theme, ensuring a cohesive and effective character.

VIII.A. Paladin Synergies (Considering Remaster Changes)

With the Pathfinder 2e Remaster, the Paladin class is largely subsumed within the Champion, fundamentally altering multiclassing considerations. Previously, a Paladin dip offered divine spellcasting and smiting capabilities. Now, the Champion embodies these aspects, reducing the incentive for a dedicated Paladin multiclass. However, a minimal investment – perhaps a single level – could unlock specific Paladin feats or ancestry options unavailable to a pure Champion.

Evaluate if these niche benefits outweigh delaying core Champion progression. The Champion already excels at defense and divine empowerment, making a substantial Paladin investment largely redundant. Focus instead on optimizing Champion features and exploring synergistic Fighter options.

VIII.B. Fighter Multiclass ⸺ Increasing Combat Prowess

A Fighter multiclass presents a compelling option for Champions seeking to amplify their martial capabilities. Investing levels in Fighter grants access to a wider array of weapon and armor proficiencies, alongside crucial feats enhancing combat effectiveness. Specifically, Fighter’s access to weapon specialization feats can significantly boost damage output, complementing the Champion’s defensive strengths.

Consider a 1-2 level dip for essential feats like Weapon Specialization or Shield Mastery. Further investment depends on desired combat focus. This synergy transforms the Champion into a formidable frontline combatant, capable of both enduring punishment and delivering substantial damage. Prioritize feats that synergize with your Champion dedication.

IX. Advanced Champion Tactics

Mastering advanced tactics elevates a Champion beyond a simple defender. Effective tanking in Pathfinder 2e isn’t solely about high AC; it’s about controlling the battlefield. Utilize Athletics checks – Grapple, Trip, and Shove – to disrupt enemy positioning and protect allies. A well-timed Shove can create crucial space, while a Trip can render a foe flat-footed.

Optimize Shield Block, even with reduced benefits from the remaster, and leverage Reactive Strikes to punish attackers. Understanding enemy actions and predicting their movements is key. Champions excel at drawing aggro, but proactive control is paramount. Remember, a strong Athletics skill is fundamental to effective tanking and battlefield manipulation.

IX.A. Utilizing Athletics for Control (Grapple, Trip, Shove)

A Champion’s strength isn’t just for hitting hard; it’s for battlefield control. Athletics checks – Grapple, Trip, and Shove – are vital tools. Grappling an enemy effectively removes them as a threat, focusing enemy attacks on you. A successful Trip leaves foes prone, granting allies advantages on attacks and hindering movement. Shoving disrupts enemy formations and can push them into hazards or away from vulnerable allies.

Prioritize investing in Athletics. These maneuvers aren’t just about raw strength; understanding positioning and timing is crucial. Combine these actions with Retributive Strike to maximize defensive capabilities and truly dominate the battlefield, making it incredibly inconvenient for enemies to target others.

IX.B. Optimizing Shield Block & Reactive Strikes

Even with remaster changes, Shield Block remains a cornerstone of the Champion’s defense. While not granting the full +2 bonus from raising a shield, it’s still incredibly valuable. Combine it with feats and gear to maximize its effectiveness. Reactive Strikes, triggered by enemy attacks, offer opportunities for counterattacks and further deter opponents.

Consider feats that enhance Reactive Strikes, increasing their frequency or damage. Positioning is key; anticipate enemy movements to maximize your reactive potential. A Champion excels at drawing attacks, and skillfully utilizing Shield Block and Reactive Strikes transforms that focus into a significant advantage, controlling the flow of combat.