According to rules
Each character begins play with a single favored class of his
choosing — typically, this is the same class as the one he chooses at
1st level. Whenever a character gains a level in his favored class, he
receives either + 1 hit point or + 1 skill rank. The choice of favored
class cannot be changed once the character is created, and the choice
of gaining a hit point or a skill rank each time a character gains a
level (including his first level) cannot be changed once made for a
particular level. Prestige classes (see Prestige Classes) can never be
a favored class.
Emphasis mine. The word "typically is confusing me. It seems like my favored class does not need to be the same class that my first level is in. For example, I could roll a level 1 Rogue but choose Wizard as my favored class.
According to my understanding of the rules, when I create a character at 1st level, the favored class must be the one which I choose as a 1st level class and the choice of favored class cannot be changed once the character is created.
If it would be possible, then it makes no sense to me … Created character at 1st level must choose his favored class …
It sounds like a way to abuse rules in a way to get more benefits … f.e. taking Barbarian at 1st level means starting with 12 hit points, instead of 10 HP, when you would not "typically" choose Fighter as a favored class at a 1st level, but after 2nd level following with 20 levels of Fighter …
Best Answer
You are not required to pick your favored class as the class you choose at level 1. You could pick Fighter as your Favored and then take a level in Ranger or vice versa, it is just typical that people choose their first class as their favored.
For example lets say Richard wants to take a dip in fighter for the bonus feat and armor proficiency at level 1, but will then be taking 19 levels in Ranger. It would make much more sense for him to have Ranger as his favored class than fighter.