If I were to rank the best, most powerful, S-Rank mythic paths, the top two would be full-caster Angel and Lich, since merged spellbooks are unbelievably OP and both paths have insane abilities. Then Trickster, as it’s incredible for almost any martial build, followed closely by an Azata spellcaster, particularly with a crowd control focus. Lich for martials is still A-rank, and that’s what this build will focus on. Specifically a Death Knight build. It certainly works for Trickster and you are welcome to build it that way, but Lich is a perfect fit for theme. See my main Pathfinder page if you’d like ideas for other builds, including a lich spellcaster build.
Briefly, this is a mounted build with the Wide Sweep scythe. This scythe allows you to automatically hit all enemies in range if you hit the enemy you are attacking, like an AoE effect. Certain Lich abilities such as Vampiric Blade ramp up the damage and give life steal, while others give multiple sources of temp HP’s from Siphon Life, False Grace and Feast of Blood, and still others greatly increase damage when charging. Finally you have access to Lich spells like the completely bonkers Repurpose, which lets you reanimate virtually any enemy in the game.
For class you don’t necessarily need to go with cavalier. Fighter/Mutation Warrior, Slayer/Spawn Slayer or Deliverer, and of course Ranger/Demonslayer are all great options. I will pick Cavalier/Gendarme because of the cavalier charge-amplifying abilities and bonus feats.
Build Progression
Level 1: Again I will assume Human for race, but you have more than enough feats. A motherless tiefling can be nice for the extra bite attack for example. I will once again go with Pickpocket for background
- Stats: Str 19 Dex 14 Con 12 Int 10 Wis 10 Cha 14. Don’t need a high con since your mount will be taking most hits, charisma does have synergy with a cavalier ability (moment of triumph) and late game your HP’s will come from charisma
- Skills: Mobility is very important, UMD gives the ability to cast anything from a scroll, Athletics, and anything else. Persuasion is a class skill
- Feats: Power Attack, Mounted Combat, Spirited Charge
- Order: I prefer Cockatrice as you gain Dazzling Display free at level 2, but since Shatter Defenses has been nerfed a bit don’t feel compelled to choose it
- Deity: Anything that allows evil alignment, Urgathoa is great because you get extra dialogue options
- Alignment: Just needs to be evil, I tend to lean neutral evil but it’s your choice
Level 3: Cleave and Cleaving Finish, and with your scythe you’ll be making the most out of these feats
Level 4: +Str, which is what you’ll always increase
Level 5: Outflank, which you also want on every melee character and pet, and I often equip melee companions with weapons that have high crit range
Level 6: Lunge
Level 7: Combat Reflexes, and this will get even better at level 11 when your companions increase crit range. If you prefer take Weapon Focus–Scythe here and take CR at level 9
Level 9: Improved Critical–Scythe, Weapon Focus–Scythe
Level 11: Great Cleave. Don’t use it, but take it because it gives us Improved Cleaving Finish
Level 12: Improved Cleaving Finish. Between reach via Lunge and the Wide Sweep scythe, this is a significant increase in power, which also activates on attacks of opportunity
Level 13: Improved Initiative, great on its own and opens the door to Mythic Imp Init
Level 15: Shatter Defenses is still good, but really whatever feats you want from this point forward. You can start on the Blind Fight feat chain, or Intimidating Prowess, I chose Bull Rush leading toward Greater BR
Level 17: Whatever you like, I went with Greater Bull Rush, proccing more AoO’s
Level 18: Here’s where I take Blind Fight just to offset concealment that True Seeing doesn’t reveal
Level 19: I take Metamagic: Heighten Spell which give some more casts of certain Lich spells. In fact you can take it earlier, around lvl 17 if desired
Level 20: Whatever you want
Mythic Progression
Level 1: Close to the Abyss for the extra gore attack. Leading Strike is really eacy to proc just with you and your horse. If on unfair, consider Last Stand here
Level 2: Mythic Power Attack
Level 3: Ever Ready is perfect here almost regardless of build
- Skeletal Champion: I like Marksman the best because it’s ranged
- Lich Power: Death Rush, since cavs are all about charging and this pimps it out even more
Level 4: Mythic Improved Critical, scythe. Skeletal upgrade will be Fighter I.
- Feat: Shatter Defenses, Wpn Foc: Longbow, Wpn Training: Bows
Level 5: Mythic Charge, to make charges even more ridiculous and absurd. If you have a skald merc to provide pounce, so you charge and full atack
Level 6: Mythic Improved Initiative
- Lich Power: Fear Control for great bonuses to attack and damage
Level 7: Mythical Beast
Level 8: Mythic Ability: Always a Chance to avoid those embarrassing 1’s. You will hit even on a 1
- Skeleton Upgrade: I go for Barbarian I to get Inspire Ferocity and Reckless Stance which benefits the entire party. If you’re not up for this, go to Cleric I for spells, or Inquisitor for bane
Level 9: Transformation complete! I take Last Stand here, but really take whatever you want
- Lich Power: Weapon of Death, which works on all demons
Level 10: Up to you. Skeleton Upgrade: cleric, magus or inquisitor all work fine.
Equipment/Gear
Neck: Vellexia’s Magnifying Amulet. Before that, amulets of initiative
Armor: Doesn’t matter a lot due to our horse, but Chainmail of Comradery for extra damage. You can change the look of your gear by talking to the golden golem, so if pick adamantine full plate or hellknight armor if u like the look
Shirt/Robe: Shirt of Blazing Fighter at first, later the Wandering Conman to help AoO’s. Hang on to the Robe of Seven Sins…put it on, cast your buffs, then swap it out if you want
Belt: + to Str and Con for most of the game, but later Belt of Physical Flow for Str +Dex, as Con becomes a –
Gloves: Fencer’s Gift, late game Gloves of the Deathdealer if you read the book in Baphomet’s Prison
Boots: Boots of the Stampede, no brainer
Helmet: Wind Master’s Helmet early on, eventually get Hat of the Bitter End
Glasses/eyes: Broken Trickster
Cloaks: cloaks of resistance early, but the Bound of Possibility is terrific for liches later on. Don’t forget to have an ally wear Wrath of the Undead cloak
Rings: Ring of Imminent Demise, Bane of Spirit (or give to a companion), Ring of Evasion
Bracer: this should be your phylactery. Before that, keep the lucky bracers
Weapons: In chapter 1 go for glaives and bardiches. After that, Wide Sweep scythe as I’ve already indicated above. Remember it’s easy to make this a +5 weapon with the Greater Magic Weapon spell. You get it at the start of chapter 2. If facing only one enemy try any other scythe you want, such as Finnean or Rotten Dissector.
Quick slots: Grandmaster Rod can increase the damage of some of your lich spells; greater quicken MM or Skeletal Finger gives you the ability to cast and still full attack; extend MM rod extends your buffs, such as Bone Shield, Vampiric Blade, Eyes of the Bodak; Jharsygax; any scrolls in the game thanks to UMD; Signet of House Vespertillio and Lucky Dice are always nice.
Okay that’s it, I hope this build is helpful for those of you wanting to lean into undeath by chopping people’s heads off. Feel free to leave comments below.