PF: Low-level barbarian/ranger

[zioth]

I'm helping someone create a half-orc barbarian/ranger for a Pathfinder campaign, but I don't have much experience with Pathfinder feats, traits etc. The campaign starts at level 1, and the first level is barbarian. Any suggestions for level 1? Any for when and how to multiclass into ranger, and what to do for the first five levels or so?
 
One important detail, which will obvious hurt optimization, is that the player is very new, so we're trying to keep the character simple. This means that Power Attack, if it's taken at all, will be saved for higher levels when the player is more familiar with the basic mechanics of rage, animal companion etc.
 
Thanks!

[zioth]

Here is the one and only bump.

[Yirrare]

Some more info on what kind of character he wants to play would be nice. I mean, what is he trying to accomplish with his levels of barbarian and ranger? To clarify: does he want a "thog smash" beatstick with a big weapon, an archer of the forest or what?

My knowledge of pathfinder is pretty much only from one adventure, but I would love to help if you give me a better idea of what he wants to play.

Best Regards
Yirrare

ps. If it is at all interesting, I played an archery based ranger in that pathfinder game. Between the support of archery in pathfinder and our DM allowing v3.5 items (hello splitting enhancement) he was a minigun. ds.

[zioth]

The character is a half-orc barbarian. She has a small turnip farm, and believes she's found a dragon egg. She collects certain things obsessively (boots, books, eggs), and she loves a good fight. She uses a greatsword, and I think the player wants to stick with that (rather than going for TWF or archery). She's very interested in having an animal companion (a large dog which she'll call a riding dog, but she's way too big to ride it).
 
Yes, she's a somewhat comical, simple character, but she's entering into a group of good to excellent optimizers, and she doesn't want to be left behind.
 
The rest of the party so far (they're still designing their characters) are an inquisitor or summoner, an alchemist grenadier, and a bard/paladin. The bard/paladin wants to be a diplomancer. There may be one more character as well.
 
 
I noticed that there's a two-handed fighting Ranger combat style, so we'll probably go with that. Any archetypes, feats or traits we should be looking at?

[Yirrare]

Thanks for the added info. That helps to get an idea of where to start.
As I said, my knowledge of pathfinder is limited, so I can't really add much apart from what you said there. But here are my small ideas:

I personally really liked the idea of a switchhitter ranger (at the bottom of the link), which is something of a mix between an archer and a two-handed fighter. But I don't know if that is at all what your friend wants.
Also, the feat boon companion can help get the animal companion a more viable despite the multiclassing.
I'll come back if anything else come to mind.

Best Regards
Yirrare

[zioth]

Thanks! That guide was quite useful. I wonder if the player might be insterested in switching to straight ranger.