Actually I've been juggling that myself, other classes I've been juggling dipping (or even majoring in) are Crusader or Templar, but I could never find any good guides for the latter or any builds for Pal/Cru/FoR.
I don't mind adding in the cleric levels and then swapping into FoR. We just hit level 11 today, so I can re-spec to Pal 4/ Cle 5/ FoR 2. We just recently added a Druid, an Illithid Healer (He chose the class because he chose such an OP Race) And I've been building 2 Cohorts in preparation for Leadership, once I figure out all the Leadership rules. Also you seem to disregard Smite Evil as well as Turn Undead (Smite uses the CHA Modifier)
So I guess my question is should I go Pal/Cle/FoR, Pal/Cru/FoR, Cru/Cle/FoR or some other variation. I've been interested in trying the crusader out and was thinking of a Full-Scale re-spec when SoU begins. Honestly if Crusader could qualify for Fist of Raziel on it's own, I probably would just play a Crusader/FoR and never look back. Of course there's also stuff like Ruby Vindicator Knight to continue Maneuvers.
Also, Turns are mostly going to be used as fuel for Divine Might/Shield if I can afford them, That should boost my Great Cleaving (I already pretty much kill everything, but this would be killing everything faster)
Speaking of which while it's here
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I've built and rebuilt my first Cohort (A warforged) so many times now my eyes have gone starry. The first was a Brawler/Knight/Legendary Dreadnought build. With variations on the level around. Then I build a Warblade before finding out that Cohorts can't use those special abilities. There's always the comedy option of things like Rogue or Ninja (I will greatly sacrifice versatility for the funnies) and I think I narrowed down the classes/prestiges that I can use
>Classes with Full BAB progression
Knight - Solidifies Tanking, Bulwark Defense, AI probably wont use Fighting Challenge
Brawler - Solid unarmed fighting class, can wear Heavy Armor (Adamant) gets Fighter Bonus Feats (no Weapon Specialization)
Bowman - Surprisingly Archers Focus does not in fact require you to fight with a bow, has Weapon Specialization, has Sneak Attack, has Fast Movement
Ultimate Ranger - Solid 2-Handed (Also Mithril counts as light armor), Pet, Sneak Attack
Fighter - Favored Class, has Weapon Specialization, Bonus Feats
>Classes with 15 BAB/Dipping Classes
Rogue - Skill Monkey, Hilarious option
Ninja - Skill Monkey, Kill Skills, Hilarious option
Noble - Buffs, won't/can't effectively use them
Monk - Flurry of Blows, Free Cleave, Evasion. Otherwise worthless
Prestige Thoughts
>Full BAB Prestige Classes
Legendary Dreadnought - Completely unkillable tank. Takes a while to get to (BAB +23, 15 Intimidate, Great Cleave, Improved Knockdown (Int 13+), Lightning Reflexes, Improved Critical) but he's a Cohort anyway he levels along side me.
Foe Hunter - The One Shot Rifle class, against Hated Foe will murder, everything else, slightly less murder (Requires Ultimate Ranger)
Knight of the Middle Circle - Upside is Blind-fight, extra AC, and True Strike. On the Downside Wis-Based Casting, on the upside it's only up to Spell Level 3 if I really want it.
Man at Arms - The 'Master of None' for fighting classes, still able to kick ass with a variety of weapons.
Purple Dragon Knight - Kind of a wasted feat (mounted combat) but pretty destructive, Synergizes well with Legendary Dreadnought.
Tempest - Solely for the Ultimate Ranger, has to take a Worthless feat for it, but winds up a dealer of death. Also a Bonus Feat every other level after the 10th.
Vigilant - Hi, I would like to be more immortal please. Easy Requirements, makes for a hard tanking build. Could easy pull this and Legendary Dreadnought to become Immune to Death.
Weapon Master - The opposite of the Man at Arms, a 'Master of One' with that one being a weapon of choice. Since it needs a High-Dex for class feats, there's no reason to not pick up the Two Weapon Fighting. Even just focusing on a single weapon makes it a killer.
>2/3 BAB Prestige Classes)
Dragon Devotee - Stat boosts and ability, Only 5 levels.
Drunken Master - Comedy option, can use bottles as weapons, plus it's a Construct getting smashed. Actually not a bad class feats and skill wise.
Initiate of Draconic Mysteries - Boosts unarmed damage, gets to turn into a Huge Dragon at the end, Fear Aura, Qualifies easily
Shadowblade - Not sure if it can use the Unseen Weapon feats, otherwise a good choice if I dip into Rogue or Ninja
Shadowdancer - Again if I go Rogue or Ninja it's actually not a bad choice.
Skullclan Hunter - What do we fight alot? Undead. Here's a prestige class that's all about killing the undead. Not a bad choice considering only 10 levels.
The thought process is either going bare handed (From Brawler) Or potentially Dual-Wielding 2-Handed weapons (because of the Iron Golem model) which is why Ranger/Tempest is even on here. Though I have no trouble resting on single Halberd or Scythe.
What class I didn't bring up was Wizard, since Constructs don't take an Int hit. and the booster Con adds to survivability. I was thinking of a Cleric/Skill Monkey for the second Cohort anyway, but I haven't even begun to plan them out.
EDIT
>Builds attempted
Knight/Brawler/Legendary Dreadnought (Took to long to deal proper damage, Brawler kind of pointless except to fill levels. Unkillable though)
Brawler/Legendary Dreadnought (Decent enough, the build requires 13 Int and not much else, as well as access to Tumble)
Ultimate Ranger/Tempest/Legendary Dreadnought (Failed: Not enough feats to reach LD by Level 25, Can't reach Intimidate 15 by Level 25)
Ultimate Ranger/Tempest/Weapon Master (Tanky due to natural con, but has to settle on Mithril armor. Otherwise not a bad build at all, Great Cleave + 2 Greatswords, +Two Weapon Fighting Feats clears enemies like nothing else. Probably work better with Halberds or Scythes due to the enhanced Crit ratio)