Clerics are the backbone of any successful party, and having the MC fill this role ensures healing and buffing are always available.
Most guides will tell you the meta: Sylvan Sorcerer (for the pet that tanks while you learn the rules), Vivisectionist (for sneak attack damage that trivializes act 1), or Monk (Scaled Fist) into Paladin for unholy touch AC.
After all that, I believe the single best starting class for a deep , satisfying , first playthrough is: pathfinder kingmaker best starting class
I’m here to give you the deep, uncomfortable answer. It’s the min-maxed Sword Saint. It’s not the overpowered Kineticist. It’s not the reliable Paladin.
The Inquisitor doesn’t win by overwhelming force. They win by seeing the truth , judging the moment , and surviving long enough to cast the decisive spell . Clerics are the backbone of any successful party,
The best starting class is
The Sorcerer is widely considered the strongest main character class for a first playthrough. It’s the min-maxed Sword Saint
These are powerful. They are correct on paper. But they lie to you.
Why the Inquisitor? Because it mirrors the game’s own philosophy.
Players should note that the game provides pre-made companions for almost every role. When choosing a starting class, consider who you want to avoid redundancy with:
As the protagonist, you are the leader of your kingdom. High Charisma naturally boosts your Persuasion skill, which is vital for succeeding in many game-altering dialogue checks.