paizo.com Recent Posts by Belafonpaizo.com Recent Posts by Belafon2024-03-18T22:11:11Z2024-03-18T22:11:11ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Can racial heritage be use to give me the fcb of a gnome?Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43yfl?Can-racial-heritage-be-use-to-give-me-the-fcb#42024-03-18T20:50:47Z2024-03-18T20:38:07Z<p>It does, but as always it's a matter of tradeoffs.</p>
<p>If all you want is the FCB, then spending that feat means you are a feat behind (that you could have spent on Extra Hex) for the first 5 levels. 6-11, the only difference is that you have given up your FCBs. At 12th level you finally get one more hex than you would have otherwise. So the question is: do you really expect your campaign to spend a lot of time at 12th level or above?</p>It does, but as always it's a matter of tradeoffs.
If all you want is the FCB, then spending that feat means you are a feat behind (that you could have spent on Extra Hex) for the first 5 levels. 6-11, the only difference is that you have given up your FCBs. At 12th level you finally get one more hex than you would have otherwise. So the question is: do you really expect your campaign to spend a lot of time at 12th level or above?Belafon2024-03-18T20:38:07ZRe: Forums: Advice: Is Paragon Surge OP?Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43yff?Is-Paragon-Surge-OP#72024-03-18T19:50:48Z2024-03-18T19:39:47Z<p>The bonus feat is what makes it. . . out of scale. (I'm not going to say overpowered, but it's definitely better than average.) Once per day being able to add the absolute perfect feat for the situation, be it combat against <a href="https://www.aonprd.com/FeatDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Tandem%20Evasion" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">a specific type of enemy</a>, a <a href="https://www.aonprd.com/FeatDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Signature%20Skill" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Skill unlock</a>, <a href="https://www.aonprd.com/FeatDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Stable%20Spell" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">environmental conditions</a>, or <a href="https://www.aonprd.com/FeatDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Xenoglossy" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">meeting new people</a>, is pretty amazing.</p>
<p>And like you pointed out, shapechanger bloodline and ring of continuation can give you all the CRB crafting feats without having to actually spend feats on any of them. There are other shenanigans as well. A feat that you can change to any other feat once per day is very powerful.</p>The bonus feat is what makes it. . . out of scale. (I'm not going to say overpowered, but it's definitely better than average.) Once per day being able to add the absolute perfect feat for the situation, be it combat against a specific type of enemy, a Skill unlock, environmental conditions, or meeting new people, is pretty amazing.
And like you pointed out, shapechanger bloodline and ring of continuation can give you all the CRB crafting feats without having to actually spend feats on any...Belafon2024-03-18T19:39:47ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Move Action and SpellsBelafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43ydk?Move-Action-and-Spells#162024-03-17T21:40:47Z2024-03-17T21:27:51Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">wraithstrike wrote:</div><blockquote>(lots)</blockquote><p>The original PF1 designers (particularly Sean K. Reynolds) had a lot to say about how <a href="https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2q57r?Design-team-comment-about-haste-and-full-attacks#1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">English is a fluid language</a> and people would try to read way more into the text than was actually written or intended. My favorite is Sean's <a href="https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2ln8z?Can-a-Life-Oracle-with-Channeling-take#30" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">"if it walks like a duck"</a> post. I really suggest everyone read it. Here's part of that post:
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Quote:</div><blockquote><p>Sometimes rules aren't going to have the exact same name or wording.
</p>
• Part of that is because things are designed by different people and one prefers one wording to another.
<br />
• Part is because we don't want similar chunks of text near each other to be identical, because that's an awkward read and is boring.Note that the descriptions for flaming and frost aren't exactly identical, even though they work basically the same way. And would you really want the cleric class ability to be written as "channel energy (positive)" or "channel energy (negative)"? And the paladin ability as "channel energy (positive)"? And the necromancer ability "channel energy (positive, Turn Undead only)" or "channel energy (negative, Command Undead only)"? I mean, c'mon, try using that in a sentence. :/
<br />
• Part is because between book A and book B we've decided a better way to phrase a rule so it's clear to more people, so B's rule looks or is named just a little different than A's rule.
<br />
• Part is because English is a very flexible language, and whether you say "Sean kissed Jodi on their first date" or "Jodi was kissed by Sean on their first date," you should understand there was a kiss.
<br />
• Part of it is we have to wrap some text around a piece of art or make sure that a paragraph ends at the bottom of a page so a new header can start at the top, so we alter a word or two so the lines break differently. Not important words like "as a cleric of your level," but stuff that keeps the same intent. A paladin's ability could have been written as "Channel Energy: You channel energy as a cleric of your level. Paladins always channel positive energy, never negative energy, etc. etc." but it's cleaner to present it the way it is, rather than presenting negative channeling as a possible option for the paladin and then taking it away in the next sentence.
<br />
• And part of it is sometimes we make mistakes and don't write things as clearly as we should, or forget some obscure combination in this very complex game, or an author use a pre-errata wording of an ability when writing a new ability.</blockquote><p>He also talks about how GMs aren't robots and other very good insights. But the most important takeaway is that if you are trying to differentiate between two things that are worded nearly identically (like the movement of <i>flaming sphere</i> and <i>aggressive thundercloud</i>) you shouldn't be.
<p>In this particular case we can argue until we are blue in the face about whether <i>aggressive thundercloud</i> "is because between book A and book B we've decided a better way to phrase a rule so it's clear to more people" or not. And certainly the language can be parsed to argue that "your speed tells you how far you can move in a round" and "it moves 30' in a round" are somehow different things.</p>
<p>There's absolutely no rule that saying "movement speed" is <b>different</b> from saying "moves X in a round." I can't stop a GM from deciding that they are different.</p>wraithstrike wrote:(lots)
The original PF1 designers (particularly Sean K. Reynolds) had a lot to say about how English is a fluid language and people would try to read way more into the text than was actually written or intended. My favorite is Sean's "if it walks like a duck" post. I really suggest everyone read it. Here's part of that post: Quote:Sometimes rules aren't going to have the exact same name or wording.
* Part of that is because things are designed by different people and one...Belafon2024-03-17T21:27:51ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Can you extend a spell affected by enduring blessing mythic abilitiy?Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43yeu?Can-you-extend-a-spell-affected-by-enduring#182024-03-16T21:40:47Z2024-03-16T21:30:11Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Maniacwyrm wrote:</div><blockquote><p> Expense isnt a problem at mythic levels with 1 MP and 1 hour allowing me to regenerate all my spells and consume spell being a thing.</p>
<p>I just realised as a half elf with access to paragons call and idealise and the powerful change i can use paragons surge to give a +10 to int and unlike foxs cunning once i do spell tinkerer it is in effect a permanent +10 bonus to int right?</p>
<p>So they will get the extra spell slots? </blockquote><div class="messageboard-quotee">Maniacwyrm wrote:</div><blockquote> Anyway does it work or not? If it doesnt i can stick with my original plan of heroism or angelic aspect or form of the fey. This is merely the most direct way i can boost my spellcasters by targetting their primary stat int </blockquote><p>It works, subject to a lot of caveats. First, it only works on other half-elves. Brown-fur transmuters can make personal transmutations into touch, but that doesn't get rid of the other limitation of (half-elf only). Secondly, it's an enhancement bonus so it wouldn't stack with any other enhancement bonuses (like a headband of vast intelligence).
<p>Third, it's still not permanent. You need to cast it every 12 hours. Actually probably more like every 8 or 9, because if you missed casting at exactly 12 hours then when the 24 hour+ casting expired the bonus would become temporary for at least a short time, knocking down the spells per day until another casting hits 24 hours AND the caster rests to regain slots. That's where the "resources" bit comes in. If you're casting this every 8 hours, you are spending three spell slots and 9 arcane reservoir points (powerful change, share transmutation, and spell tinker 3 times per day each) per target.</p>
<p>So you can do it, but is it really worth it for the +4 INT over the caster getting a headband +6? (Bearing in mind that your build's max bonus is +6 until 20th level.)</p>Maniacwyrm wrote:Expense isnt a problem at mythic levels with 1 MP and 1 hour allowing me to regenerate all my spells and consume spell being a thing.
I just realised as a half elf with access to paragons call and idealise and the powerful change i can use paragons surge to give a +10 to int and unlike foxs cunning once i do spell tinkerer it is in effect a permanent +10 bonus to int right?
So they will get the extra spell slots?
Maniacwyrm wrote:Anyway does it work or not? If it doesnt i...Belafon2024-03-16T21:30:11ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Can you extend a spell affected by enduring blessing mythic abilitiy?Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43yeu?Can-you-extend-a-spell-affected-by-enduring#122024-03-17T14:08:53Z2024-03-16T19:20:28Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Maniacwyrm wrote:</div><blockquote><p> Ah i see, so unless i can extend the duration it will be a temp buff. Sad but a +6 to dcs is still pretty ok.</p>
<p>Is there any way to increase the duration? </blockquote><p>You are an arcanist, yes? The Spell Tinkerer exploit can increase the remaining duration by 50%. You can't use it on a given spell more than once, so for practical purposes you'd have to cast each spell (and immediately tinker it) every 12 hours to make sure there's always at least one casting that has been in effect longer than 24 hours. That gets expensive in terms of spell slots and arcane reservoir points.Maniacwyrm wrote:Ah i see, so unless i can extend the duration it will be a temp buff. Sad but a +6 to dcs is still pretty ok.
Is there any way to increase the duration?
You are an arcanist, yes? The Spell Tinkerer exploit can increase the remaining duration by 50%. You can't use it on a given spell more than once, so for practical purposes you'd have to cast each spell (and immediately tinker it) every 12 hours to make sure there's always at least one casting that has been in effect longer...Belafon2024-03-16T19:20:28ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Can you extend a spell affected by enduring blessing mythic abilitiy?Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43yeu?Can-you-extend-a-spell-affected-by-enduring#82024-03-16T19:10:48Z2024-03-16T19:03:32Z<p>Bonuses are considered "temporary" if they last 24 hours or less. That does not increase spells per day. Even if you cast it every day, the "source" of the bonus (the individual casting of the spell) doesn't last more than 24 hours.</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">CRB page 555 wrote:</div><blockquote><p>Intelligence: Temporary increases to your Intelligence score give you a bonus on Intelligence-based skill checks. This bonus also applies to any spell DCs based on Intelligence.</p>
<p>Wisdom: Temporary increases to your Wisdom score give you a bonus on Wisdom-based skill checks and Will saving throws. This bonus also applies to any spell DCs based on Wisdom.</p>
<p>Charisma: Temporary increases to your Charisma score give you a bonus on Charisma-based skill checks. This bonus also applies to any spell DCs based on Charisma and the DC to resist your channeled energy.</p>
<p>Permanent Bonuses: Ability bonuses with a duration greater than 1 day actually increase the relevant ability score after 24 hours. Modify all skills and statistics related to that ability. This might cause you to gain skill points, hit points, and other bonuses. These bonuses should be noted separately in case they are removed.</blockquote><p>Bonuses are considered "temporary" if they last 24 hours or less. That does not increase spells per day. Even if you cast it every day, the "source" of the bonus (the individual casting of the spell) doesn't last more than 24 hours.
CRB page 555 wrote:Intelligence: Temporary increases to your Intelligence score give you a bonus on Intelligence-based skill checks. This bonus also applies to any spell DCs based on Intelligence.
Wisdom: Temporary increases to your Wisdom score give you a bonus...Belafon2024-03-16T19:03:32ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Move Action and SpellsBelafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43ydk?Move-Action-and-Spells#132024-03-16T01:40:49Z2024-03-16T01:30:23Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Diego Rossi wrote:</div><blockquote><p> For the people who think that the Sphere can move two times, how do you think that works for dealing damage?</p>
<p>Does the Sphere move once, enter a creature square, stop, deal damage, then back up and re-enter the square, dealing damage again?
<br />
or
<br />
Does it move twice and deal damage only at the end of all of its moves? </blockquote><div class="messageboard-quotee">Flaming sphere wrote:</div><blockquote> If it enters a space with a creature, it stops moving for the round. . .</blockquote><p>If it enters the space of a creature it stops for the round. It can't move any farther that round.
<p>The only reason you would use two move actions to move the sphere in the same round is if you need to move it more than 30'. And, very importantly, you're giving up your standard action to make that second move.</p>Diego Rossi wrote:For the people who think that the Sphere can move two times, how do you think that works for dealing damage?
Does the Sphere move once, enter a creature square, stop, deal damage, then back up and re-enter the square, dealing damage again?
or
Does it move twice and deal damage only at the end of all of its moves?
Flaming sphere wrote:If it enters a space with a creature, it stops moving for the round. . .
If it enters the space of a creature it stops for the round. It...Belafon2024-03-16T01:30:23ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Move Action and SpellsBelafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43ydk?Move-Action-and-Spells#72024-03-15T03:50:47Z2024-03-15T03:43:27Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Diego Rossi wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Belafon wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">CRB page 180 wrote:</div><blockquote><p>Speed
</p>
Your speed tells you how far you can move in a round and still do something, such as attack or cast a spell.</blockquote>Humans have a movement speed of 30' per round but can move twice (for a total of 60'). So the spell's movement speed/rate isn't necessarily the limiting factor.</blockquote>Humans have a <b>basic speed of 30'</b>, and a Flaming sphere <b>moves 30 feet per round.</b>. They are two different statements.</blockquote><p>You’re trying to parse the language way too fine. You are trying to draw a distinction between
</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Quote:</div><blockquote>Your speed tells you how far you can move in a round</blockquote><p>And
</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Quote:</div><blockquote>It moves 30 feet per round</blockquote><p>Saying “a movement <b>speed</b> per round is different than a movement per round” isn’t supported in the rules and in this particular case would lead to the conclusion that <i>flaming sphere</i> can only be moved once per round but <a href=" https://www.aonprd.com/SpellDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Aggressive%20Thundercloud" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><i>aggressive thundercloud</i></a> can be moved twice in a round because “it has a fly speed of 20 feet.”Diego Rossi wrote:Belafon wrote: CRB page 180 wrote:Speed
Your speed tells you how far you can move in a round and still do something, such as attack or cast a spell.
Humans have a movement speed of 30' per round but can move twice (for a total of 60'). So the spell's movement speed/rate isn't necessarily the limiting factor.Humans have a basic speed of 30', and a Flaming sphere moves 30 feet per round.. They are two different statements.You’re trying to parse the language way too fine. You...Belafon2024-03-15T03:43:27ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Move Action and SpellsBelafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43ydk?Move-Action-and-Spells#52024-03-14T22:00:48Z2024-03-14T21:54:12Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">CRB page 180 wrote:</div><blockquote><p>Speed
</p>
Your speed tells you how far you can move in a round and still do something, such as attack or cast a spell.</blockquote><p>Humans have a movement speed of 30' per round but can move twice (for a total of 60'). So the spell's movement speed/rate isn't necessarily the limiting factor.
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Mysterious Stranger wrote:</div><blockquote>A move actions is a specific type of action. You can use it to move, but it can also be used for other things. The spell states you use a move action to direct the spell. That does not make directing the spell a move.</blockquote><p>True enough, but directing the spell <i>is</i> a move action.
</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">CRB page 181 wrote:</div><blockquote>You can take a move action in place of a standard action.</blockquote><p>So yes, you can move it twice.
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>For years, I thought that the only move action you could take as a standard was to physically move yourself. However I found that line about move actions as standard actions and haven't found anything contradicting or limiting it.</span></p>CRB page 180 wrote:Speed
Your speed tells you how far you can move in a round and still do something, such as attack or cast a spell.
Humans have a movement speed of 30' per round but can move twice (for a total of 60'). So the spell's movement speed/rate isn't necessarily the limiting factor. Mysterious Stranger wrote:A move actions is a specific type of action. You can use it to move, but it can also be used for other things. The spell states you use a move action to direct the spell....Belafon2024-03-14T21:54:12ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: Dex-based melee users kinda get the shaftBelafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43ycx?Dexbased-melee-users-kinda-get-the-shaft#202024-03-14T21:50:47Z2024-03-14T21:39:21Z<p>Kinda like what Sir Longears said, it's all about balance.</p>
<p>Should there be an armor property to add STR to AC?
<br />
Should there be a feat to add STR to Initiative?
<br />
Should there be a feat to add STR to Reflex saves?</p>
<p>Even if your answer is "yes" then should STR-based classes be able to get them for free? There are options to add Dex to hit (Weapon Finesse), Dex to damage (agile weapon property), and scaling damage with BAB (Piranha Strike, the equivalent of Power Attack but intended for Dex builds). Or you could be a "balanced" build - a mix of strength and dexterity. It's all about what you choose to prioritize.</p>Kinda like what Sir Longears said, it's all about balance.
Should there be an armor property to add STR to AC?
Should there be a feat to add STR to Initiative?
Should there be a feat to add STR to Reflex saves?
Even if your answer is "yes" then should STR-based classes be able to get them for free? There are options to add Dex to hit (Weapon Finesse), Dex to damage (agile weapon property), and scaling damage with BAB (Piranha Strike, the equivalent of Power Attack but intended for Dex...Belafon2024-03-14T21:39:21ZRe: Forums: Advice: The double hackbutBelafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43ycr?The-double-hackbut#32024-03-13T09:03:53Z2024-03-13T06:49:28Z<p>6d6 for large. 8d6 for Huge.</p>
<p><a href="https://paizo.com/paizo/faq/v5748nruor1fm#v5748eaic9t3f" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">size changes and damage dice progression FAQ</a></p>6d6 for large. 8d6 for Huge.
size changes and damage dice progression FAQBelafon2024-03-13T06:49:28ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: How would desna's 2nd evangelist boon interact with clustered fire balls and bloodline arcanaBelafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43yce?How-would-desnas-2nd-evangelist-boon-interact#22024-03-12T21:34:46Z2024-03-12T21:28:08Z<p>There are several FAQ analogies, but the closest one would probably be the Arcane Trickster's <a href="https://paizo.com/paizo/faq/v5748nruor1fm#v5748eaic9o2t" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Surprise Spells</a> class feature.
<br />
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Quote:</div><blockquote><p> Arcane Trickster: How does the Surprise Spells class feature work with spells like magic missile and fireball?</p>
<p>The Surprise Spells class feature allows the Arcane Trickster to add his sneak attack dice to spells that deal damage that target flat-footed foes. This damage is only applied once per spell. In the case of fireball this means it affects all targets in the area, with each getting a save to halve the damage (including the sneak attack damage). In the case of magic missile, the extra damage is only added once to one missile, chosen by the caster when the spell is cast.</blockquote><p>Desna's Starlit Caster is only 2d6 damage to one of the cluster bombs and you have to choose which of the cluster bombs gets increased when you cast the spell (before any saving throws are made). Unless you have widely spread out enemies it won't really matter since each creature only makes one save, regardless of how many of the cluster bombs it is in the radius of.
<p>The 2d6 Starlit Caster damage would get +4 bonus damage. The boon damage is untyped so it wouldn't get a bonus from the solar bloodline (fire damage only).</p>There are several FAQ analogies, but the closest one would probably be the Arcane Trickster's Surprise Spells class feature.
Quote: Arcane Trickster: How does the Surprise Spells class feature work with spells like magic missile and fireball?
The Surprise Spells class feature allows the Arcane Trickster to add his sneak attack dice to spells that deal damage that target flat-footed foes. This damage is only applied once per spell. In the case of fireball this means it affects all targets in...Belafon2024-03-12T21:28:08ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Ships: Sailing & CombatBelafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43y9g?Ships-Sailing-Combat#22024-03-07T15:40:48Z2024-03-07T15:34:36Z<p>Tempest Rising (Skull and Shackles Volume 3) has a table of random storm hazards on page 73. Depending on how serious the hazard is a wave might range from "DC15 Reflex save or fall prone" all the way to "Bull Rush with +30 CMB, treat all creatures as flat-footed, if CMB check succeeds creature is swept overboard."</p>Tempest Rising (Skull and Shackles Volume 3) has a table of random storm hazards on page 73. Depending on how serious the hazard is a wave might range from "DC15 Reflex save or fall prone" all the way to "Bull Rush with +30 CMB, treat all creatures as flat-footed, if CMB check succeeds creature is swept overboard."Belafon2024-03-07T15:34:36ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Does this armor combo work?Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43y7u?Does-this-armor-combo-work#102024-03-07T08:21:40Z2024-03-07T08:17:04Z<p><a href=" https://paizo.com/paizo/faq/v5748nruor1fm#v5748eaic9t7t" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Relevant FAQ</a>
<br />
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Quote:</div><blockquote>(Mithral) does not change the armor’s actual category, which means that you can still store a creature one size category larger in a hosteling mithral fullplate, and you can’t enhance a mithral breastplate with special abilities that require it to be light armor, like brawling (though you could enhance it with special abilities that require it to be medium armor), and so on.</blockquote><p>Relevant FAQ
Quote:(Mithral) does not change the armor’s actual category, which means that you can still store a creature one size category larger in a hosteling mithral fullplate, and you can’t enhance a mithral breastplate with special abilities that require it to be light armor, like brawling (though you could enhance it with special abilities that require it to be medium armor), and so on.Belafon2024-03-07T08:17:04ZRe: Forums: Advice: Fly Speed/Airwalk for Wolf MountBelafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43y7z?Fly-Speed-Airwalk-for-Wolf-Mount#52024-03-06T16:30:47Z2024-03-06T16:21:24Z<p>A <a href="https://www.aonprd.com/MagicWondrousDisplay.aspx?FinalName=Flying%20Ointment" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Flying Ointment</a> is indeed 2250. It grants <i>overland flight</i> for 9 hours. If all you are looking for is an occasional way to get off the ground for the duration of a combat, then an oil of <i>fly</i> is only 750 gp each (lasts 5 minutes). This is what most melee PCs carry around as an emergency consumable.</p>
<p>Unless you are using <a href="https://www.aonprd.com/SpellDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Air%20Walk" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><i>air walk</i></a>, which specifically says that mounts can be trained to use the spell as a trick, you will need to push your mount with Handle Animal (or work with your GM to make a custom trick).</p>A Flying Ointment is indeed 2250. It grants overland flight for 9 hours. If all you are looking for is an occasional way to get off the ground for the duration of a combat, then an oil of fly is only 750 gp each (lasts 5 minutes). This is what most melee PCs carry around as an emergency consumable.
Unless you are using air walk, which specifically says that mounts can be trained to use the spell as a trick, you will need to push your mount with Handle Animal (or work with your GM to make a...Belafon2024-03-06T16:21:24ZRe: Forums: Advice: Any good ways to negate armor penalties?Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43y6w?Any-good-ways-to-negate-armor-penalties#182024-03-05T22:50:46Z2024-03-05T22:44:25Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Azothath wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Heather 540 wrote:</div><blockquote> I'd like to suggest the magic item Bracers of Armor... can get a little pricey... </blockquote>•that• is the logical stinky elephant in the room that everyone is trying to ignore/avoid as the item and bonus is <b>intentionally overpriced.</b> </blockquote><p>(bolding mine)
</p>
What do you mean by this? The bonus is priced per the standard "bonus squared x 1000" formula.</p>
<p>Are you saying there are cheaper ways to get a higher bonus? Sure, for most classes. I don't think anyone is avoiding that fact. But the bracers exist specifically to give classes that can't wear armor (monk) a reliable way of having an armor bonus. They are sometimes an option other classes might want to explore (arcane casters or insanely high dex-bonus builds), particularly if you are playing in a CRB only game.</p>Azothath wrote:Heather 540 wrote: I'd like to suggest the magic item Bracers of Armor... can get a little pricey...
*that* is the logical stinky elephant in the room that everyone is trying to ignore/avoid as the item and bonus is intentionally overpriced. (bolding mine)
What do you mean by this? The bonus is priced per the standard "bonus squared x 1000" formula.Are you saying there are cheaper ways to get a higher bonus? Sure, for most classes. I don't think anyone is avoiding that fact....Belafon2024-03-05T22:44:25ZRe: Forums: Advice: Can a crossblooded sorcerer take the unique bloodline alternative capstone?Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43y6p?Can-a-crossblooded-sorcerer-take-the-unique#32024-03-04T16:20:49Z2024-03-04T16:11:59Z<p>I don't see why you couldn't take the Unique Bloodline.
<br />
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Alternate Capstone wrote:</div><blockquote>A character can’t select a new capstone if she has previously traded away her class capstone via an archetype.</blockquote><p>Crossblooded doesn't trade away the 20th-level bloodline power, it just lets you choose between two.I don't see why you couldn't take the Unique Bloodline.
Alternate Capstone wrote:A character can’t select a new capstone if she has previously traded away her class capstone via an archetype.
Crossblooded doesn't trade away the 20th-level bloodline power, it just lets you choose between two.Belafon2024-03-04T16:11:59ZRe: Forums: Advice: Any good ways to negate armor penalties?Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43y6w?Any-good-ways-to-negate-armor-penalties#122024-03-04T16:10:50Z2024-03-04T16:03:15Z<p>There are definitely enough options available to completely negate Armor Check penalties.</p>
<p>Mithral Fullplate has an ACP of -3
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The <i>comfort</i> magic quality reduces that by 1 (bringing it to -2)
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The Armor Expert and Sargavan Guard traits each reduce by 1 (for a total of 0)
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•The <a href="https://www.aonprd.com/EquipmentArmorDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Nimble" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Nimble</a> armor modification also reduces the penalty by -1. It also increases the max dex bonus by 2, at the cost of -1 to the armor bonus.</p>
<p>For Arcane Spell Failure chance, your options are more limited unless you have specific class features that help.
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Again using the typical "best" heavy armor - full plate has a 35% ASF.
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Mithral reduces that by 10% to 25%
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Even if you spend two feats (Arcane Armor Training and Arcane Armor Mastery) and a swift action, that's only 20% reduction, still leaving you with a 5% failure chance.</p>
<p>The better option may be the Still Spell metamagic feat. There's no ASF on spells without somatic components. While a rod of Still Spell has not been explicitly published, you can talk to your GM about whether or not you can buy one. <a href="https://www.aonprd.com/MagicWondrousDisplay.aspx?FinalName=Metamagic%20GemStill%20Amber" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Still Amber metamagic gems</a> and <a href="https://www.aonprd.com/MagicTattooDisplay.aspx?FinalName=Caster%27s%20TattooNormal" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Caster's Tattoos</a> definitely do exist but can get quite expensive. Again there are class abilities that can help (such as a Universalist wizard's 8th-level school power) and there's the incredibly stupid <a href="https://www.aonprd.com/FeatDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Sacred%20Geometry" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sacred Geometry</a>. That feat is banned by most GMs because - a)it can really slow down the game and b)it's extremely powerful because by about 5th or 6th level it's almost always a success.</p>There are definitely enough options available to completely negate Armor Check penalties.
Mithral Fullplate has an ACP of -3
The comfort magic quality reduces that by 1 (bringing it to -2)
The Armor Expert and Sargavan Guard traits each reduce by 1 (for a total of 0)
*The Nimble armor modification also reduces the penalty by -1. It also increases the max dex bonus by 2, at the cost of -1 to the armor bonus.
For Arcane Spell Failure chance, your options are more limited unless you have...Belafon2024-03-04T16:03:15ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Tiefling "invisible to undead"Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43y6g?Tiefling-invisible-to-undead#32024-03-02T07:00:45Z2024-03-02T06:51:01Z<p>I'd go with D. Any form of "breaks on attack" could be a total pain on tracking which undead the tiefling is visible or invisible to. Since Natural Invisibility can be a supernatural ability, that's the closest analogue.</p>
<p>(Yeah, that table is. . . unbalanced. There's a huge difference between "can hold breath for 3 rounds longer than normal" and "+2 racial bonus to Charisma.")</p>I'd go with D. Any form of "breaks on attack" could be a total pain on tracking which undead the tiefling is visible or invisible to. Since Natural Invisibility can be a supernatural ability, that's the closest analogue.
(Yeah, that table is. . . unbalanced. There's a huge difference between "can hold breath for 3 rounds longer than normal" and "+2 racial bonus to Charisma.")Belafon2024-03-02T06:51:01ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Sharding and DeflectBelafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43y6a?Sharding-and-Deflect#32024-03-02T00:00:47Z2024-03-01T23:56:03Z<p>This is one of those "use common sense" situations. It vanishes no matter what.</p>
<p>Though I am kinda amused by the idea of a shady pair using a sharding/deflect combo to create and sell a whole bunch of weapons, it's definitely twisting the language to create an unintended (and disruptive) reading.</p>This is one of those "use common sense" situations. It vanishes no matter what.
Though I am kinda amused by the idea of a shady pair using a sharding/deflect combo to create and sell a whole bunch of weapons, it's definitely twisting the language to create an unintended (and disruptive) reading.Belafon2024-03-01T23:56:03ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: What would I have to do to continue putting out Pathfinder 1st Edition content?Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43y66?What-would-I-have-to-do-to-continue-putting#22024-03-01T21:40:46Z2024-03-01T21:28:34Z<p><a href="https://paizo.com/community/forums/pathfinder/firstEdition/thirdParty/products" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Here</a> is the forum you want to ask your questions in.</p>
<p>Commercial publication of PF1 falls under Paizo's <a href="https://paizo.com/pathfinder/compatibility/first" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Compatibility License</a>.</p>
<p>The far easier way to do it is using the <a href="https://help.pathfinderinfinite.com/hc/en-us/categories/12777144310039-Community-Content-Creator-Questions" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pathfinder Infinite</a> community content creation site. Complying with the terms of use is a lot easier than the Compatibility License, and you get to use the Golarion setting for your products. The difference is that Paizo takes a cut of the sales of Infinite products.</p>Here is the forum you want to ask your questions in.
Commercial publication of PF1 falls under Paizo's Compatibility License.
The far easier way to do it is using the Pathfinder Infinite community content creation site. Complying with the terms of use is a lot easier than the Compatibility License, and you get to use the Golarion setting for your products. The difference is that Paizo takes a cut of the sales of Infinite products.Belafon2024-03-01T21:28:34ZRe: Forums: Advice: Is locking stuff useful?Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43y5k?Is-locking-stuff-useful#42024-03-01T07:50:48Z2024-03-01T07:44:57Z<p>I have not bought one, but I did hear a story about people using one when I was going to conventions:</p>
<p>A group who played PFS together a lot came up with a strategy after playing a fair number of PFS scenarios and seeing what kind of situations recurred often. One party member (rogue, I think they said) bought the key. Their standard procedure for entering a room was to have the barbarian open the door while the rogue stood next to it. If things inside the room looked troublesome, the keybearer would close and lock the door. Giving the entire party time to buff up and plan their attack, as PFS NPCs rarely have a way to open locked doors. Once they were buffed up the rogue would pick the lock and they would go in blazing.</p>
<p>Also could potentially be used to run away from a really bad situation, slowing down any NPCs behind them.</p>I have not bought one, but I did hear a story about people using one when I was going to conventions:
A group who played PFS together a lot came up with a strategy after playing a fair number of PFS scenarios and seeing what kind of situations recurred often. One party member (rogue, I think they said) bought the key. Their standard procedure for entering a room was to have the barbarian open the door while the rogue stood next to it. If things inside the room looked troublesome, the...Belafon2024-03-01T07:44:57ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Wizard Archetype Spell Sage Spell Study - Scribing Spells and Other CraftingBelafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43y5g?Wizard-Archetype-Spell-Sage-Spell-Study#52024-02-29T16:10:52Z2024-02-29T15:59:05Z<p>As per <a href="https://paizo.com/paizo/faq/v5748nruor1fm#v5748eaic9qbz" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">this FAQ</a> you can use scrolls of spells that are not on your class spell list (like a wizard using a scroll of <i>bless</i>) to fulfill crafting requirements.</p>
<p>If you can take the time to activate a scroll during crafting, there's no reason you couldn't take the time to use Spell Study. (Or Spell Kenning, or other similar abilities.)</p>As per this FAQ you can use scrolls of spells that are not on your class spell list (like a wizard using a scroll of bless) to fulfill crafting requirements.
If you can take the time to activate a scroll during crafting, there's no reason you couldn't take the time to use Spell Study. (Or Spell Kenning, or other similar abilities.)Belafon2024-02-29T15:59:05ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Spell Combat (not Spellstrike!) with a Sharding WeaponBelafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43y47?Spell-Combat-with-a-Sharding-Weapon#32024-02-29T06:20:46Z2024-02-29T06:12:19Z<p>The people saying you can use Spell Combat with thrown weapons are relying on the rules on thrown weapons from CRB page 141
<br />
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Quote:</div><blockquote>Melee weapons are used for making melee attacks, though some of them can be thrown as well. Ranged weapons are thrown weapons or projectile weapons that are not effective in melee.</blockquote>and <div class="messageboard-quotee">Quote:</div><blockquote><i>Thrown Weapons</i>: Daggers, clubs, shortspears, spears, darts, javelins, throwing axes, light hammers, tridents, shuriken, and nets are thrown weapons.</blockquote><p>Looking at the following tables, you can see that the dagger is a melee weapon (that can be thrown) while the shuriken is a ranged weapon (that is thrown).
<p>And adding that to the description of Spell Combat
<br />
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Quote:</div><blockquote>...As a full-round action, he can make all of his attacks with his melee weapon at a –2 penalty and can also cast any spell from the magus spell list with a casting time of 1 standard action...</blockquote><p>So even if you throw a dagger, the argument is that you're still "making an attack with a melee weapon" because the dagger is classified as a melee weapon.
<p>I don't personally believe that is intended, I'm pretty sure "making an attack with a melee weapon" means "making a melee attack." But people will be "excessively nitpicky."
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—————————————-
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Your question about the <i>sharding</i> weapon property suggests that the above argument is not correct. That you can't use Spell Combat while throwing a dagger. Then you make the case that a <i>sharding</i> weapon would count as "making an attack with a melee weapon" because the actual weapon didn't leave your hand. But that's trying to parse the language even finer than the above argument. You are still making a ranged attack.</p>The people saying you can use Spell Combat with thrown weapons are relying on the rules on thrown weapons from CRB page 141
Quote:Melee weapons are used for making melee attacks, though some of them can be thrown as well. Ranged weapons are thrown weapons or projectile weapons that are not effective in melee.
and Quote:Thrown Weapons: Daggers, clubs, shortspears, spears, darts, javelins, throwing axes, light hammers, tridents, shuriken, and nets are thrown weapons.
Looking at the following...Belafon2024-02-29T06:12:19ZRe: Forums: Advice: What reason is there to use Axes over swotds ?Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43y3a?What-reason-is-there-to-use-Axes-over-swotds#202024-02-27T00:30:46Z2024-02-27T00:21:23Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">JuliusCromwell wrote:</div><blockquote><p>Ok Another Question Any Good weapon abilities beside just strait +s to it.
</p>
I can't imagine anything that would Trigger on critical but is there just some Genericly good weapon Abilties </blockquote><p><i>Keen</i> is, of course, quite good if you aren't taking the Improved Critical feat. There are many other good ones, but most of them are at least slightly dependent on your build.
<p>There are actually quite a few weapon qualities that trigger on a critical hit. Everything from the elemental burst abilities (<i>flaming burst, shocking burst</i>, etc.) to <a href="https://www.aonprd.com/MagicWeaponsDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Exhausting" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><i>exhausting</i></a>, up to Vorpal. Are any of them worth it? Eh, probably not except in specialized builds.</p>
<p>For the general "which weapon?" question: after 13 years of doing theorycrafting and a ton of actually playing the game I've come to the conclusion that unless you are playing a Vital Strike build (which wants the biggest weapon dice possible) or a build that needs to crit (swashbuckler to regain panache, using critical feats, etc.) you can really divide weapons into two categories. Low damage (20 x2) and good damage (everything else).</p>
<p>Math shows that some weapons do more damage than others. And it is true. But when you are in an actual campaign the difference between a 1d6 (19-20 x2) and 1d8 (20 x3) is minuscule. Because what really matters is "how often does that ever so slightly better weapon end the fight earlier?" The answer is "very rarely." Use the fun weapon.</p>JuliusCromwell wrote:Ok Another Question Any Good weapon abilities beside just strait +s to it.
I can't imagine anything that would Trigger on critical but is there just some Genericly good weapon Abilties
Keen is, of course, quite good if you aren't taking the Improved Critical feat. There are many other good ones, but most of them are at least slightly dependent on your build. There are actually quite a few weapon qualities that trigger on a critical hit. Everything from the elemental...Belafon2024-02-27T00:21:23ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Do elemental styles...Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43y2j?Do-elemental-styles#62024-02-25T08:01:36Z2024-02-24T21:38:46Z<p>Did some more digging and it looks like it's just editing errors.</p>
<p>The Advanced Player's Guide <a href="https://legacy.aonprd.com/advancedPlayersGuide/advancedFeats.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">table of feats</a> explicitly says that the benefits of Elemental Fist only apply to unarmed strikes. The expanded feat description omits that specific limitation, but it is in the book.</p>
<p>As for the Elemental Strike question, here's the full text of Elemental Fist:
<br />
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Quote:</div><blockquote><p>Source Advanced Player's Guide pg. 158
</p>
You empower your strike with elemental energy</p>
<p>Prerequisites: Con 13, Wis 13, Improved Unarmed Strike, base attack bonus +8.</p>
<p>Benefit: When you use Elemental Strike pick one of the following energy types: acid, cold, electricity, or fire. On a successful hit, the attack deals damage normally plus 1d6 points of damage of the chosen type. You must declare that you are using this feat before you make your attack roll (thus a failed attack roll ruins the attempt). You may attempt an elemental fist attack once per day for every four levels you have attained (see Special), and no more than once per round.</p>
<p>Special: A monk of the four winds receives Elemental Fist as a bonus feat at 1st level, even if he does not meet the prerequisites. A monk may attempt an Elemental Fist attack a number of times per day equal to his monk level, plus one more time per day for every four levels he has in classes other than monk.</blockquote><p>The text "Elemental Strike" in that description <i><b>has</b></i> has to be an error and it should say "Elemental Fist." It <b>cannot</b> be referring to the <a href="https://www.aonprd.com/FeatDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Elemental%20Strike" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Elemental Strike</a> feat, since Elemental Fist is in Advanced Player's Guide (released August 2010) and Elemental Strike is in Inner Sea Races (released September 2015).Did some more digging and it looks like it's just editing errors.
The Advanced Player's Guide table of feats explicitly says that the benefits of Elemental Fist only apply to unarmed strikes. The expanded feat description omits that specific limitation, but it is in the book.
As for the Elemental Strike question, here's the full text of Elemental Fist:
Quote:Source Advanced Player's Guide pg. 158
You empower your strike with elemental energyPrerequisites: Con 13, Wis 13, Improved Unarmed...Belafon2024-02-24T21:38:46ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Do elemental styles...Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43y2j?Do-elemental-styles#42024-02-23T22:10:48Z2024-02-23T22:03:57Z<p>Huh.</p>
<p>APG is over 14 years old and I just realized that Elemental Fist doesn't actually say anything about the attack having to be an unarmed strike.</p>
<p>Clearly that's how it's supposed to work.</p>Huh.
APG is over 14 years old and I just realized that Elemental Fist doesn't actually say anything about the attack having to be an unarmed strike.
Clearly that's how it's supposed to work.Belafon2024-02-23T22:03:57ZRe: Forums: Advice: Making a Human Gunslinger With Mythic Ranks. Need Some HelpBelafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43y0t?Making-a-Human-Gunslinger-With-Mythic-Ranks#72024-02-22T20:30:47Z2024-02-22T20:24:46Z<p>A key question is "what are your other party members playing, and what paths are they taking?"</p>
<p>Champion is by far the best path for maximizing a gunslinger's combat potential. However if no one else is taking the Marshal path you might want to consider it (or dual-pathing) in order to maximize overall party good.</p>
<p>Gunslingers are pretty close to a traditional archer. You want most of the same feats. Rapid Shot, Deadly Aim, Precise/Improved Precise Shot, etc. The one key difference is the reload time. Unless you are playing a musket master archetype you can't reload a two-handed firearm as a free action. Even with Rapid Reload and Alchemical Cartridges. Make sure you have figured out your required loads.</p>A key question is "what are your other party members playing, and what paths are they taking?"
Champion is by far the best path for maximizing a gunslinger's combat potential. However if no one else is taking the Marshal path you might want to consider it (or dual-pathing) in order to maximize overall party good.
Gunslingers are pretty close to a traditional archer. You want most of the same feats. Rapid Shot, Deadly Aim, Precise/Improved Precise Shot, etc. The one key difference is the...Belafon2024-02-22T20:24:46ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Quick draw and TWF.Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2s45z?Quick-draw-and-TWF#242024-02-22T19:52:32Z2024-02-22T19:47:56Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">BUD87 wrote:</div><blockquote> I have a question regarding quick draw. It doesn't specify weather the weapon has to be on you specifically. Could you draw the weapon as a free action if it's attached to your mount while riding it? </blockquote><p>As Derklord said, it's a more general question. If you could normally draw it as a move action, then yes you could quick draw it (subject to the specifics of that feat).
<p>Historically there were ways of sheathing/storing weapons on horses for easy access. Though they often took a lot longer to put away than to draw. The PF1 rules don't delve to that level, so it's really a GM decision. Personally I do allow players to draw weapons from their mounts as a normal draw. As long as they aren't being ridiculous about the number of weapons and have clearly defined what is on their PC and what is on the mount (and therefore not draw-able when dismounted).</p>BUD87 wrote:I have a question regarding quick draw. It doesn't specify weather the weapon has to be on you specifically. Could you draw the weapon as a free action if it's attached to your mount while riding it?
As Derklord said, it's a more general question. If you could normally draw it as a move action, then yes you could quick draw it (subject to the specifics of that feat). Historically there were ways of sheathing/storing weapons on horses for easy access. Though they often took a lot...Belafon2024-02-22T19:47:56ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Critical ConfirmationBelafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43xzz?Critical-Confirmation#102024-02-19T05:00:48Z2024-02-19T04:56:41Z<p>So, when you really dig down into the game design this is actually two rules rolled into one that's tripping you up.</p>
<p>First: Crit range. Every weapon has a crit range. For many weapons the crit range is only "20." Others are 19-20 or 18-20. Now set that aside for the moment.</p>
<p>Second: For most types of rolls, including attack rolls, Natural 20s always succeed and Natural 1s always fail.</p>
<p>Put those two rules together and now you see why a Natural 20 always threatens a crit. (Because a 20 always succeeds and every weapon has a crit range that includes "20.") However a Natural 19 doesn't always automatically succeed, so even if the weapon's crit range includes "19" a 19 might not hit.</p>So, when you really dig down into the game design this is actually two rules rolled into one that's tripping you up.
First: Crit range. Every weapon has a crit range. For many weapons the crit range is only "20." Others are 19-20 or 18-20. Now set that aside for the moment.
Second: For most types of rolls, including attack rolls, Natural 20s always succeed and Natural 1s always fail.
Put those two rules together and now you see why a Natural 20 always threatens a crit. (Because a 20 always...Belafon2024-02-19T04:56:41ZRe: Forums: Advice: What are some good level 1 feats for inquisitors?Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43xyg?What-are-some-good-level-1-feats-for-inquisitors#32024-02-15T19:38:57Z2024-02-15T19:30:34Z<p>My Zealot (with Lethal Grace) took Deceitful as his first level feat. Toughness is always good. Best choice really depends on whether your campaign is a lot of combat or a lot of intrigue.</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Mysterious Stranger wrote:</div><blockquote>Vigilantes are also only proficient in simple weapons. </blockquote><div class="messageboard-quotee">Ultimate Intrigue wrote:</div><blockquote>Vigilantes are proficient with all simple and martial weapons.</blockquote><p>My Zealot (with Lethal Grace) took Deceitful as his first level feat. Toughness is always good. Best choice really depends on whether your campaign is a lot of combat or a lot of intrigue.
Mysterious Stranger wrote:Vigilantes are also only proficient in simple weapons.
Ultimate Intrigue wrote:Vigilantes are proficient with all simple and martial weapons.Belafon2024-02-15T19:30:34ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Animal companion and deityBelafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43xv9?Animal-companion-and-deity#152024-02-11T06:10:51Z2024-02-11T05:59:22Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Tom Sampson wrote:</div><blockquote> I wouldn't even look for PFS rulings for insight or clarification. Many PFS rulings are ultimately rationalizations where they explain their rulings by taking a creative interpretation of the rules or a selective implementation of realism but the real reason was just that the PFS team wanted to nerf or change certain things with a houserule. </blockquote><p>James Jacobs was a guest at DragonCon about a decade ago. Someone asked him about the impacts PFS had on the rules of the game as a whole. His response (paraphrasing somewhat, as it was 10+ years ago) was something like “PFS is great for helping us refine our material. I don’t really play in the PFS campaign. When I GM a game it doesn’t matter if some rule is vague, I’ll make a ruling on the spot. If an item I gave the players turns out to be too powerful, I’ll steal it or counter it in some other way. Since PFS is a huge amount of people all playing - or attempting to play - in the exact same way, they cant do that. It finds those ambiguities and overpowered things and brings them to our attention. And when we do a reprint or a new book we can fix them.”
<p>Which is to say that other than campaign-specific rules (no crafting, no evil character options), PFS rulings were the exact opposite of what you suggest. They didn’t have an end goal and rationalize their way to it; they had material that needed a ruling and made the best one they could. And it wasn’t done in a vacuum. The PDT may not have put every PFS clarification into the official FAQ, but the PFS team talked to the designers constantly. Heck, one of the PFS developers was/is in a long-term relationship with one of the designers.</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Tom Sampson wrote:</div><blockquote> why does Paizo do these things? Ultimate Campaign is just casually adding new restrictions to Pathfinder Core rules. But I never bought Ultimate Campaign and it isn't anywhere on the PRD or official FAQs either.</blockquote><p>PaizoCon, this time, but someone asked a panel about the animal companion “changes.” The unanimous answer was that it wasn’t a change. It was never intended that people could boost the INT of their gorilla, hand it a sword and some armor, and have it act just like a PC. But they could see how people could read that if they parsed the language too finely.
<p>Tom, your posts seem to shade towards the side of “I have been reading it in this powerful way, and these clarifications make it less powerful.” Which may be true. But that’s not because Paizo was seeking out ways to lower the overall power level. Rather, because your interpretation (along with others, not singling you out) was not what was originally intended. When Paizo did take the Nerf Bat to something, they were pretty explicit about what they were doing. See: Summoner (Unchained).</p>Tom Sampson wrote:I wouldn't even look for PFS rulings for insight or clarification. Many PFS rulings are ultimately rationalizations where they explain their rulings by taking a creative interpretation of the rules or a selective implementation of realism but the real reason was just that the PFS team wanted to nerf or change certain things with a houserule.
James Jacobs was a guest at DragonCon about a decade ago. Someone asked him about the impacts PFS had on the rules of the game as a...Belafon2024-02-11T05:59:22ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Animal companion and deityBelafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43xv9?Animal-companion-and-deity#52024-02-10T00:11:14Z2024-02-10T00:07:57Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Tom Sampson wrote:</div><blockquote> PFS rulings cannot be relied upon for insight outside of PFS play, since those rulings are really just houserules made for PFS organized play. PFS rules are also known to be deliberately restrictive when it comes to what you can or cannot do with an animal companion and as such also insist you must use handle animal checks to instruct your animal companion to do anything even if they understand Common, that animal companions with 3 int or higher are just semi-intelligent at best, . . .</blockquote><p>The first part of the statement is true. PFS houserules are houserules. Importantly, a huge chunk of them (basically the entire campaign clarifications document) fall into the realm of “this is clearly wrong or prone to multiple interpretations. We got tired of waiting for the overall design team to fix/clarify this material. Rather than banning it all, the PFS team has decided to go with the following interpretations.” I would never make the argument that “PFS said this, so that’s what you have to do!” (Heck, if your home game group wants to ignore stuff in the CRB, that’s fine too. You do you.) But PFS clarifications are a good place to look if you want to know the consensus of <i>a group of Paizo employees</i> if there is no other “official” word. As always, discuss with your GM.
<p>As for the rest of this post, there’s an entire sidebar in Ultimate Campaign (page 143) on how animal companions with an intelligence of 3 or more are still animals. And therefore can’t (or won’t) do many of the things a person can do. There’s a clear distinction drawn between animals (even one with an INT of 10 or higher) and PC races. The sidebar includes the following:
<br />
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Quote:</div><blockquote> Even if an animal’s Intelligence increases to 3 or higher, you must still use the Handle Animal skill to direct the animal, as it is a smart animal rather than a low-intelligence person </blockquote><p>Tom Sampson wrote:PFS rulings cannot be relied upon for insight outside of PFS play, since those rulings are really just houserules made for PFS organized play. PFS rules are also known to be deliberately restrictive when it comes to what you can or cannot do with an animal companion and as such also insist you must use handle animal checks to instruct your animal companion to do anything even if they understand Common, that animal companions with 3 int or higher are just semi-intelligent at...Belafon2024-02-10T00:07:57ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Animal companion and deityBelafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43xv9?Animal-companion-and-deity#22024-02-09T20:40:47Z2024-02-09T20:31:02Z<p>As with many things in PF1 the overall Paizo design team did not respond to questions about this but the Paizo PFS team did. Their answer was <a href=" https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tasz&page=3?Animal-Companions-and-Deities-in-PFS#126" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">No, other than a few specific exceptions</a>.</p>
<p>Other than that, there’s no “official/rules” answer. Talk to your GM.</p>As with many things in PF1 the overall Paizo design team did not respond to questions about this but the Paizo PFS team did. Their answer was No, other than a few specific exceptions.
Other than that, there’s no “official/rules” answer. Talk to your GM.Belafon2024-02-09T20:31:02ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Ride-by-AttackBelafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43xub?RidebyAttack#82024-02-09T03:00:47Z2024-02-09T02:53:10Z<p>Important to note that Sean K. Reynolds was one of the original designers of the PF1 ruleset. And was a Paizo employee and head of the rules response team when he posted that you aimed to pass beside your opponent with a ride-by attack. </p>
<p>Hyperliteralism has been the bane of the rules forum since the first release of PF1. Many of Sean’s posts contain some variation on "It works because that's what it's supposed to do. Use common sense, people."</p>Important to note that Sean K. Reynolds was one of the original designers of the PF1 ruleset. And was a Paizo employee and head of the rules response team when he posted that you aimed to pass beside your opponent with a ride-by attack.
Hyperliteralism has been the bane of the rules forum since the first release of PF1. Many of Sean’s posts contain some variation on "It works because that's what it's supposed to do. Use common sense, people."Belafon2024-02-09T02:53:10ZRe: Forums: Advice: What Minimum level to fight a Tarrasque and win?Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43xnz?What-Minimum-level-to-fight-a-Tarrasque-and-win#72024-01-30T02:52:42Z2024-01-30T02:48:50Z<p>As Diego said, it’s very build-dependent. There are three main questions:
<br />
1. Do the players know they will be fighting the Tarrasque?
<br />
2. Do the <i>characters</i> have any way to know about the Tarrasque’s abilities?
<br />
3. Will the players have a chance to build their characters (feats, equipment, etc.) towards defeating the Tarrasque?</p>
<p>If the answer to any of those questions is “no” then the fight could be difficult even for high-teens characters. If the party is “let’s build Tarrasque-killers!” then the levels could be a lot lower. Especially with ranged characters. A <i>distance</i> longbow easily outranges the maximum range of the spines. A 9th-level archer with Rapid Shot, Many Shot, Clustered Shot can easily do more than 55 points of damage a round. So let’s use three of them. And a sorcerer to ready <i>dimension door</i> if the Tarrasque does get close. Then it’s just a matter of buffing their attack bonus as high as possible. <i>Haste, heroism</i>, etc. Make the 5th party member a bard. Spend their money to boost those bonuses as high as possible. Green shoanti war paint and a dervish sikke for the bard, etc.</p>As Diego said, it’s very build-dependent. There are three main questions:
1. Do the players know they will be fighting the Tarrasque?
2. Do the characters have any way to know about the Tarrasque’s abilities?
3. Will the players have a chance to build their characters (feats, equipment, etc.) towards defeating the Tarrasque?
If the answer to any of those questions is “no” then the fight could be difficult even for high-teens characters. If the party is “let’s build Tarrasque-killers!” then...Belafon2024-01-30T02:48:50ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Another rule question (Evangelist)Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43xl5?Another-rule-question#42024-01-27T00:04:55Z2024-01-21T20:42:37Z<p>The answer is “Yes”</p>
<p>She gets the Hit Dice, base attack bonus, saving throw bonuses, and skill ranks of the Evangelist class instead of the base class. For every other purpose the aligned class ability means she counts as having gained a level in the base class. Including how many arcanist levels she has for determining when she gains exploits and the strength of her exploits.</p>The answer is “Yes”
She gets the Hit Dice, base attack bonus, saving throw bonuses, and skill ranks of the Evangelist class instead of the base class. For every other purpose the aligned class ability means she counts as having gained a level in the base class. Including how many arcanist levels she has for determining when she gains exploits and the strength of her exploits.Belafon2024-01-21T20:42:37ZRe: Forums: Advice: Strongest Spell School in Mythic?Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43xkv?Strongest-Spell-School-in-Mythic#22024-01-27T00:04:01Z2024-01-21T00:05:02Z<p>Enchantment and Conjuration are probably still the strongest overall.</p>
<p>Evocation gets the biggest "buff" in Mythic games; not only are the mythic versions of the spells much better, abilities such as Channel Power can circumvent SR and other defenses. But Channel Power can be used with spells of any school.</p>
<p>Transmutation and Illusion seem to be the least improved. Both of them become amazing vs. non-mythic creatures, but aren't actually that great vs. mythic creatures.</p>
<p>That's in general, personal opinion terms. For specific builds, a certain spell from a certain school may of course be overwhelming.</p>Enchantment and Conjuration are probably still the strongest overall.
Evocation gets the biggest "buff" in Mythic games; not only are the mythic versions of the spells much better, abilities such as Channel Power can circumvent SR and other defenses. But Channel Power can be used with spells of any school.
Transmutation and Illusion seem to be the least improved. Both of them become amazing vs. non-mythic creatures, but aren't actually that great vs. mythic creatures.
That's in general,...Belafon2024-01-21T00:05:02ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Does taking a readied action count as ending your turn again?Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43xh7?Does-taking-a-readied-action-count-as-ending#92024-01-16T15:40:58Z2024-01-16T15:36:17Z<p>As others have said, this wouldn't count as ending your turn twice.</p>
<p>However, <i>in this particular case</i> it's easy to apply common sense. Why is the save required? Because the squares adjacent to the pit are sloped and tricky footing. If the fighter made the save on his turn and did not move with his readied action he doesn't need to make another save. If his readied action involves moving and he ends in a square next to the pit, he should make a save.</p>As others have said, this wouldn't count as ending your turn twice.
However, in this particular case it's easy to apply common sense. Why is the save required? Because the squares adjacent to the pit are sloped and tricky footing. If the fighter made the save on his turn and did not move with his readied action he doesn't need to make another save. If his readied action involves moving and he ends in a square next to the pit, he should make a save.Belafon2024-01-16T15:36:17ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Theoretical Animal Ally + Bonded Mount Oracle levels?Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43xfz?Theoretical-Animal-Ally-Bonded-Mount-Oracle#72024-01-15T19:40:56Z2024-01-15T19:33:38Z<p>No, I didn't misread the clarifications, I just forgot the HD progression of animal companions. You are correct.</p>No, I didn't misread the clarifications, I just forgot the HD progression of animal companions. You are correct.Belafon2024-01-15T19:33:38ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Theoretical Animal Ally + Bonded Mount Oracle levels?Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43xfz?Theoretical-Animal-Ally-Bonded-Mount-Oracle#52024-01-15T05:50:57Z2024-01-15T05:34:08Z<p>So let me see if I understand the core of what you are trying to do:</p>
<p>•Animal Ally gives you an animal companion of your character level -3.
<br />
•Bonded Mount revelation gives you an animal companion of your oracle level.
<br />
•So you want to stack the two of them to have an animal companion of (oracle level + (character level -3)).</p>
<p>And you want to know if it's possible to do it any earlier than 5th level, correct?</p>
<p>Not if you are doing only one retrain. If you want this to work you can't get Bonded Mount until after Animal Ally. And you can't get Animal Ally until character level 4. So you'd need to find an oracle build who gets either a feat or a revelation at exactly 4th level. Which, as far as I know, doesn't exist. With two retrainings this is no problem at level 4.
<br />
[Spoiler omitted]</p>
<p>However I really question if it's worth it. The PFS animal companion level limiter was put it because things were getting. . . excessive. At 11th level your wolf would theoretically be the equivalent of a 19th-level wolf but the limiter brings it back down to a 12th-level wolf. Is one level to your companion worth 2 feats (and limiting your choices)?</p>So let me see if I understand the core of what you are trying to do:
*Animal Ally gives you an animal companion of your character level -3.
*Bonded Mount revelation gives you an animal companion of your oracle level.
*So you want to stack the two of them to have an animal companion of (oracle level + (character level -3)).
And you want to know if it's possible to do it any earlier than 5th level, correct?
Not if you are doing only one retrain. If you want this to work you can't get Bonded...Belafon2024-01-15T05:34:08ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: Chaldira - Desna DuotheistBelafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43xfi?Chaldira-Desna-Duotheist#32024-01-12T17:30:57Z2024-01-12T17:27:09Z<p>Obviously we are talking about the GM allowing something that isn't normally permissible.</p>
<p>Having said that, those two deities' Exalted boons aren't particularly synergistic, and Desna's Exalted boons are pretty "meh" in general, so I don't see any balance issues if you are just taking the Deific Obedience feat. If you're thinking about using Diverse Obedience things do get more interactive - like Desna's obedience initiative bonus being affected by Chaldira's 2nd Sentinel boon. That specific example isn't particularly egregious, but if you had Diverse Obedience I'd limit you to one deity's boon each time you got to choose (i.e. you could take Desna's 2nd Evangelist boon, but you wouldn't get any of Chaldira's 2nd boons). Ditto for Evangelist or Sentinel Prestige Classes: only one boon of each level.</p>Obviously we are talking about the GM allowing something that isn't normally permissible.
Having said that, those two deities' Exalted boons aren't particularly synergistic, and Desna's Exalted boons are pretty "meh" in general, so I don't see any balance issues if you are just taking the Deific Obedience feat. If you're thinking about using Diverse Obedience things do get more interactive - like Desna's obedience initiative bonus being affected by Chaldira's 2nd Sentinel boon. That specific...Belafon2024-01-12T17:27:09ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: This may sound dumb, but rule 0 is not "the gm can do whatever they want" nor anything to that line of effect.Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43xaz?This-may-sound-dumb-but-rule-0-is-not-the-gm#92024-01-05T18:50:58Z2024-01-05T18:46:07Z<p>Rule 0 can be paraphrased differently by everyone. My definition has always been:</p>
<p>“The ‘rules’ as presented in the book are just guidelines. The GM is free to add, subtract, modify, or ignore those guidelines. Both when setting up a campaign or in the middle of an encounter, the most important thing is to make your campaign one that is enjoyable for your particular group of players.”</p>
<p>In your particular case, talk to the GM and offer constructive criticism for the future. Many times in my PFS GM career I had to say “let’s take a 5-minute break” not because we needed a break but because the players had done something that blocked the plot from progressing and I needed time to figure out a reasonably organic way to get back on track. It sounds like the GM was setting up a sequence that involved your party trying to regain their gear. And he got frustrated and responded badly rather than coming up with an alternative explanation. Maybe some flowers around your campsite that bloom a couple hours before dawn and give off an extremely strong soporific (everyone falls asleep).</p>
<p>By the same token it’s important for the players to work with the GM. If the GM is trying to start a plot line, gloating about how a PCs abilities or a player’s cunning planning keep the thing from happening isn’t going to make the GM happy. Again using this example, if the GM comes up with the “flower” idea, don’t spend time arguing about how that wouldn’t work either. A good GM will work with you and meet somewhere in-between. “Because you need less sleep than most creatures, you wake up earlier than the thieves expected. You startle one and he drops his loot as he flees.” So you would still have some of your gear.</p>Rule 0 can be paraphrased differently by everyone. My definition has always been:
“The ‘rules’ as presented in the book are just guidelines. The GM is free to add, subtract, modify, or ignore those guidelines. Both when setting up a campaign or in the middle of an encounter, the most important thing is to make your campaign one that is enjoyable for your particular group of players.”
In your particular case, talk to the GM and offer constructive criticism for the future. Many times in my...Belafon2024-01-05T18:46:07ZRe: Forums: Advice: Picking the community brain (gestalt character)Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43xaa?Picking-the-community-brain#182024-01-04T22:30:58Z2024-01-04T21:35:57Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Liliyashanina wrote:</div><blockquote><p> Bloodrager/Oracle
</p>
You do need a feat (mad magic) to cast spells while Bloodraging, but oracle offers ragecycling, good will saves, lots of utility and goes of the same casting stat.</blockquote><p>Along these lines, what’s your GM’s position on Prestige Classes? 5 levels of Barbarian/Oracle followed by Rage Prophet/Oracle could be very strong.
<p>Or Oracle and Sorcerer for 4 levels, then Mystic Theurge/Fighter for 2 levels, then Mystic Theurge/Eldritch Knight.</p>Liliyashanina wrote:Bloodrager/Oracle
You do need a feat (mad magic) to cast spells while Bloodraging, but oracle offers ragecycling, good will saves, lots of utility and goes of the same casting stat.
Along these lines, what’s your GM’s position on Prestige Classes? 5 levels of Barbarian/Oracle followed by Rage Prophet/Oracle could be very strong. Or Oracle and Sorcerer for 4 levels, then Mystic Theurge/Fighter for 2 levels, then Mystic Theurge/Eldritch Knight.Belafon2024-01-04T21:35:57ZRe: Forums: Advice: Picking the community brain (gestalt character)Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43xaa?Picking-the-community-brain#42024-01-03T22:55:57Z2024-01-03T22:51:50Z<p>I’ll offer my general gestalt advice: one of your classes should have mostly passive class abilities (things that don’t take a standard or move action to activate). Because while gestalt characters have many more options than regular characters their action economy does not change. </p>
<p>Having said that, fighter makes a great choice for gestalt because their class abilities (and most of their bonus feat choices) are passive. How about an Oracle (Battle Mystery)/Fighter? That gives you full 9-level divine spellcasting as well as good front lining.</p>
<p>Another option is a fighter gestalted with sorcerer or wizard. Not as good front lining but it doesn’t look like you have much in the way of arcane spellcasting either.</p>I’ll offer my general gestalt advice: one of your classes should have mostly passive class abilities (things that don’t take a standard or move action to activate). Because while gestalt characters have many more options than regular characters their action economy does not change.
Having said that, fighter makes a great choice for gestalt because their class abilities (and most of their bonus feat choices) are passive. How about an Oracle (Battle Mystery)/Fighter? That gives you full...Belafon2024-01-03T22:51:50ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: Are there any Archetypes that could have easily been Alternate Classes instead, based off of how many class features get replaced/altered?Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43xab?Are-there-any-Archetypes-that-could-have#32024-01-03T22:25:57Z2024-01-03T22:22:30Z<p>I guess it depends on what we think an “Alternate Class” is supposed to be. You are absolutely right that the Green Knight not only changes many class features, it’s also a far different theme than that of the base cavalier.</p>
<p>However the Antipaladin, Ninja, and Samurai are different in one key way: not only do they change theme and class features, they also have archetypes of their own that hew closer to the alternate theme. </p>
<p>There definitely could have been many archetypes changes to be a newly themed alternate class. The martial artist (monk) could have been the basis for many “punchy, not necessarily meditative” archetypes.</p>I guess it depends on what we think an “Alternate Class” is supposed to be. You are absolutely right that the Green Knight not only changes many class features, it’s also a far different theme than that of the base cavalier.
However the Antipaladin, Ninja, and Samurai are different in one key way: not only do they change theme and class features, they also have archetypes of their own that hew closer to the alternate theme.
There definitely could have been many archetypes changes to be a...Belafon2024-01-03T22:22:30ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: Benefits of using a Fragile Weapon.Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43x9b?Benefits-of-using-a-Fragile-Weapon#42024-01-02T01:20:57Z2024-01-02T01:18:57Z<p>Double-checked myself (it was a few years ago). Wasn't a barbarian, it was a human fighter whose other feats were TWF and Power Attack. Originally built a barbarian but decided the fighter's extra feat and extra 70 gold was better.</p>Double-checked myself (it was a few years ago). Wasn't a barbarian, it was a human fighter whose other feats were TWF and Power Attack. Originally built a barbarian but decided the fighter's extra feat and extra 70 gold was better.Belafon2024-01-02T01:18:57ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: Benefits of using a Fragile Weapon.Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43x9b?Benefits-of-using-a-Fragile-Weapon#32024-01-01T23:40:57Z2024-01-01T23:32:52Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Masalic wrote:</div><blockquote><p> I honestly haven't the foggiest why one would use a fragile weapon over something else.
</p>
I mean if you look at say the terbutje, get past the fragile thing it's literally just a longsword functionally.</p>
<p>I know there are some builds centered around the fragile aspect of these weapons, but would they really be worth having to constantly repair your weapon all the time? </blockquote><p>The <b>primitive materials</b> section is just that: primitive. It's an additional set of rules the designers included in case you wanted to set your campaign at a lower technology level than "Golarion standard."
</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Ultimate Equipment wrote:</div><blockquote>The standard Pathfinder Roleplaying Game campaign takes place in a time period similar to the medieval and early Renaissance age of iron and steel. But even in fantasy campaigns set in this era, some cultures lack steel, and some lack metalworking entirely. Sometimes this deficit is due to geographical remoteness, lack of resources, repression by a strong overlord, or societal taboos. Other campaigns might be set before the medieval era, or in a dark future where apocalypse survivors eke out livings with the best tools they can scavenge. Some might even choose a lower level of technology as a point of pride, for religious reasons, as an assertion of superior martial prowess, or even to honor ancestral warriors by using their bones to make weapons, allowing them to symbolically keep fighting for their tribe or family from beyond the grave.</blockquote><p>Other than technological limits, material availability, or roleplaying reasons, would a player with access to the full set of PF1 rules build a character using primitive or otherwise fragile weapons? Probably not except in extremely specific circumstances. I played in a "kill as much as you can" level 1 tournament one year. Built a Barbarian using <a href="https://www.aonprd.com/FeatDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Disposable%20Weapon" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Disposable Weapon</a> and as many obsidian kukris as I could afford. Did pretty good. Didn't win but every roll of 18-20 eliminated an enemy.Masalic wrote:I honestly haven't the foggiest why one would use a fragile weapon over something else.
I mean if you look at say the terbutje, get past the fragile thing it's literally just a longsword functionally.I know there are some builds centered around the fragile aspect of these weapons, but would they really be worth having to constantly repair your weapon all the time?
The primitive materials section is just that: primitive. It's an additional set of rules the designers included in...Belafon2024-01-01T23:32:52ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: You ever wanted to drop a build not because it was bad but because you felt it was too powerful?Belafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43x6u?You-ever-wanted-to-drop-a-build-not-because#132024-01-01T02:00:58Z2024-01-01T01:54:41Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Masalic wrote:</div><blockquote>To a total of 9d6+10...at level 3. What I'm trying to say it as long as you have the ammo for it, if you hit anything, its gonna die. In a very brutal and painful way i might add, and im not sure most DM's would be cool with you one shotting everything while being 4'8</blockquote><p>You're looking at 2550 in equipment (out of an expected WBL of 3000 for a third level character). And 50 gp per attack. And 10 minutes prep per attack.
<p>Which is to say this sounds more like a theorycrafted build than something that saw actual play and turned out to be too powerful.</p>
<p>I've had a couple of PFS builds that turned out to be so powerful I held way, way back. But I really enjoy roleplaying so it turned out great for me as I turned those characters into "teachers" who congratulated others on doing well or "entitled jerks" who (role-played that they) believed it was everyone else's responsibility to do the actual work.</p>Masalic wrote:To a total of 9d6+10...at level 3. What I'm trying to say it as long as you have the ammo for it, if you hit anything, its gonna die. In a very brutal and painful way i might add, and im not sure most DM's would be cool with you one shotting everything while being 4'8
You're looking at 2550 in equipment (out of an expected WBL of 3000 for a third level character). And 50 gp per attack. And 10 minutes prep per attack. Which is to say this sounds more like a theorycrafted build...Belafon2024-01-01T01:54:41ZRe: Forums: Advice: ROTRL Bloodrager featsBelafonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs43wzg?ROTRL-Bloodrager-feats#52023-12-21T03:16:37Z2023-12-21T03:10:02Z<p>I’m trying to understand why feint would be useless against giants. Was your GM referring to feinting in general or simply suggesting that many of the giants would have <i>true seeing</i> (and therefore prevent you from using Moonlight Stalker Feint)?</p>
<p>If you do decide to make this build, I would suggest Greater Feint at 13th level. Your party members will love you.</p>I’m trying to understand why feint would be useless against giants. Was your GM referring to feinting in general or simply suggesting that many of the giants would have true seeing (and therefore prevent you from using Moonlight Stalker Feint)?
If you do decide to make this build, I would suggest Greater Feint at 13th level. Your party members will love you.Belafon2023-12-21T03:10:02ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: Wait a sec, what is going to replace Deck of Many Things?Bureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43u0j?Wait-a-sec-what-is-going-to-replace-Deck-of#202023-06-15T13:37:58Z2023-06-14T19:31:26Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">CorvusMask wrote:</div><blockquote> I mean it doesn't HAVE to be a deck possibly? </blockquote><p>"Have you tried not being a deck?"CorvusMask wrote:I mean it doesn't HAVE to be a deck possibly?
"Have you tried not being a deck?"Bureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)2023-06-14T19:31:26ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Glitterdust vs. InvisibilityBureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43r43?Glitterdust-vs-Invisibility#282023-02-02T22:56:00Z2023-02-02T22:55:34Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Chell Raighn wrote:</div><blockquote> Well I’d say we left enough holes in his boat… we can just let it sink now… his invisible glitterdust coated boat… </blockquote><p>Once the boat is underwater it will have total cover from land. (But still no concealment.)Chell Raighn wrote:Well I’d say we left enough holes in his boat… we can just let it sink now… his invisible glitterdust coated boat…
Once the boat is underwater it will have total cover from land. (But still no concealment.)Bureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)2023-02-02T22:55:34ZRe: Forums/Paizo: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Paizo and TYPE40Bureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6si70?Paizo-and-TYPE40#212022-12-05T20:49:36Z2022-12-01T23:12:56Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Quote:</div><blockquote>Type40 is a multi-award winning design studio with a shared vision “to help gamers have as much fun as we can” by producing the highest quality inworld artifacts for gamers, collectors, and enthusiasts across both the physical and digital spaces. Type40 has been producing award-winning games, art, and artifacts for over a decade. Find out more on our website here!</blockquote><p>My work has been doing a lot of cybersecurity testing lately - specifically sending out phishing e-mails and scolding those who click on the links. Some of them are pretty good and this paragraph reminds me a lot of those. It doesn't quite tell you what it is but it sounds kinda interesting and is deliberately a little confusing. (Does an "producing inworld artifacts" for a RPG mean they write something in a book? Or do they mean a real-world replica of something described in the book? Maybe I should click to find out.)
<p>Which is another way of saying I have been conditioned to NOT click on that link and find out more about Type40.</p>Quote:Type40 is a multi-award winning design studio with a shared vision “to help gamers have as much fun as we can” by producing the highest quality inworld artifacts for gamers, collectors, and enthusiasts across both the physical and digital spaces. Type40 has been producing award-winning games, art, and artifacts for over a decade. Find out more on our website here!
My work has been doing a lot of cybersecurity testing lately - specifically sending out phishing e-mails and scolding those...Bureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)2022-12-01T23:12:56ZRe: Forums/Paizo: General Discussion: The Inescapable "Paizo Is Going Down the Drain" DerailsBureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43m5q?The-Inescapable-Paizo-Is-Going-Down-the-Drain#42022-05-08T13:23:19Z2022-05-05T21:01:20Z<p>Flag and move on.</p>
<p>Posting leads to engagement leads to argument leads to continuing to see "it."</p>Flag and move on.
Posting leads to engagement leads to argument leads to continuing to see "it."Bureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)2022-05-05T21:01:20ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: Becoming a venture agentBureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43m51?Becoming-a-venture-agent#42022-05-04T21:17:04Z2022-05-04T21:17:04Z<p>Historically - anywhere from two weeks to two years.</p>
<p>It depends on how much bandwidth the Paizo staff has, and what the priority list looks like. As the backlog of promotions and resignations gets bigger updating the VO statuses creeps up the list.</p>Historically - anywhere from two weeks to two years.
It depends on how much bandwidth the Paizo staff has, and what the priority list looks like. As the backlog of promotions and resignations gets bigger updating the VO statuses creeps up the list.Bureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)2022-05-04T21:17:04ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: Building-Up KoanPlot Thickens (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43loi?BuildingUp-Koan#32022-04-10T04:46:40Z2022-04-10T04:46:40Z<p>I'm exactly 172.172172(repeating)% sure this thread is an attempt at a koan.</p>I'm exactly 172.172172(repeating)% sure this thread is an attempt at a koan.Plot Thickens (alias of Belafon)2022-04-10T04:46:40ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Is death by removal of CON buff intended?Bureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43lje?Is-death-by-removal-of-CON-buff-intended#352022-04-02T22:28:38Z2022-04-02T22:28:38Z<p>You all are aware that for the past dozen or so posts you've been saying the same thing with different shadings?</p>
<p>All of you are playing the game the same way, you're just looking at it from different perspectives. No one is going to "win the argument" since no one is wrong.</p>You all are aware that for the past dozen or so posts you've been saying the same thing with different shadings?
All of you are playing the game the same way, you're just looking at it from different perspectives. No one is going to "win the argument" since no one is wrong.Bureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)2022-04-02T22:28:38ZRe: Forums: Website Feedback: Paizo Blog: ... Cover illustration for volume 2. Click to enlarge.What's...What it says on the Cover (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5la7m?-Cover-illustration-for-volume-2-Click-to#62022-04-01T18:26:13Z2022-04-01T18:26:13Z<p>A better question might be: "On what date did the ability to comment get integrated into blog posts?"</p>A better question might be: "On what date did the ability to comment get integrated into blog posts?"What it says on the Cover (alias of Belafon)2022-04-01T18:26:13ZRe: Forums: Advice: help me please!Bureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43k3x?help-me-please#102022-01-16T20:52:37Z2022-01-16T20:23:44Z<p>What, exactly do you need help with?</p>
<p>Proving to your girlfriend that your definition of "controller" is the one she should be using, or finding a way for your girlfriend to play a character she will enjoy?</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Advice Boards: We don't just do Pathfinder, we also provide relationship advice.</span></p>What, exactly do you need help with?
Proving to your girlfriend that your definition of "controller" is the one she should be using, or finding a way for your girlfriend to play a character she will enjoy?
Advice Boards: We don't just do Pathfinder, we also provide relationship advice.Bureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)2022-01-16T20:23:44ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: Additional Resources UpdatesWhat it says on the Cover (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2szrc&page=14?Additional-Resources-Updates#6512021-07-06T15:28:55Z2021-07-06T15:28:55Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Sara Marie wrote:</div><blockquote><p> <span class=messageboard-ooc>Updates and reports of any errors with the <a href="http://paizo.com/pathfinderSociety/rpg/additional" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Additional Resources</a> will go here.</span></p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc><b>What can I report here?</b></span>
<br />
<span class=messageboard-ooc>Any kind of HTML markup display issue (like an unclosed link, italics tag, or similar)</span>
<br />
<span class=messageboard-ooc>There is an editorial error in either the PDF or HTML version of the document</span></p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc><b>What shouldn't I report here?</b></span>
<br />
<span class=messageboard-ooc>Questions about rules clarifications or how Additional Resources work</span>
<br />
<span class=messageboard-ooc>Requests for additions to the Additional Resources</span>
<br />
<span class=messageboard-ooc>Debates on any of the content of the Additional Resources</span></p>
<p><span class=messageboard-bigger><span class=messageboard-ooc>Any comments posted that don't adhere to the above will be removed without notification.</span></span> </blockquote><p>Sara Marie wrote:Updates and reports of any errors with the Additional Resources will go here.
What can I report here?
Any kind of HTML markup display issue (like an unclosed link, italics tag, or similar)
There is an editorial error in either the PDF or HTML version of the document
What shouldn't I report here?
Questions about rules clarifications or how Additional Resources work
Requests for additions to the Additional Resources
Debates on any of the content of the Additional Resources
...What it says on the Cover (alias of Belafon)2021-07-06T15:28:55ZRe: Forums: Starfinder General Discussion: Class FlavorBureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43eba?Class-Flavor#42021-06-06T13:12:23Z2021-06-06T13:12:23Z<p>What is it with the classes in this system. When I look at a class I get an image in my mind of a bunch of devs sitting around a table coming up with really cool ideas. And when they are all done they high five. Then the head powergamer comes in, slams a gavel down on the table and screams "WE NEED MOAR POWER!" Operative is a prime example. I mean.. what? Why? </p>
<p>P.S. Please stop overtuning all the fun into the ground. Thanks.</p>What is it with the classes in this system. When I look at a class I get an image in my mind of a bunch of devs sitting around a table coming up with really cool ideas. And when they are all done they high five. Then the head powergamer comes in, slams a gavel down on the table and screams "WE NEED MOAR POWER!" Operative is a prime example. I mean.. what? Why?
P.S. Please stop overtuning all the fun into the ground. Thanks.Bureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)2021-06-06T13:12:23ZForums/Organized Play: General Discussion: Random: Organized Play Foundation (the non-profit entity)Plot Thickens (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43dky?Random-Organized-Play-Foundation#12021-05-10T21:46:23Z2021-05-08T05:53:34Z<p>While doing my taxes I had to search the IRS database to verify some entities were, in fact, registered charitable organizations. While I was there I decided to look up the OPF (not for my taxes, just for fun). It is registered, though the <a href="https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/cor/352622735_201712_990PF_2019022716131435.pdf" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">last report I could find</a> was from 2017. Most of it is only of mild interest but the description of <b>direct charitable activities</b> is quite good:</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Activity One wrote:</div><blockquote>The Organized Play Foundation paid the travel expenses, administration costs and other related costs to promote education and provide intellectual sporting opportunities in the areas of critical reasoning, mathematics, logic and law in accordance with the information included in the form 1023 application that is currently pending.</blockquote><p>While doing my taxes I had to search the IRS database to verify some entities were, in fact, registered charitable organizations. While I was there I decided to look up the OPF (not for my taxes, just for fun). It is registered, though the last report I could find was from 2017. Most of it is only of mild interest but the description of direct charitable activities is quite good:
Activity One wrote:The Organized Play Foundation paid the travel expenses, administration costs and other related...Plot Thickens (alias of Belafon)2021-05-08T05:53:34ZRe: Forums: Starfinder Society: Paizo Blog: Starfinder Society Guide Update: Year 3Plot Thickens (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6shdg&page=2?Starfinder-Society-Guide-Update-Year-3#562020-09-16T22:42:28Z2020-09-16T22:41:07Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">TOZ wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">BigNorseWolf wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Steven Schopmeyer wrote:</div><blockquote> Why wouldn't you get the cool things that are printed there? </blockquote>That would be the maple syrup. </blockquote>Honestly, your analogies are nonsensical and just confusing the issue. </blockquote><p>But those analogies are like yellow squash on a grey day!TOZ wrote:BigNorseWolf wrote: Steven Schopmeyer wrote: Why wouldn't you get the cool things that are printed there?
That would be the maple syrup. Honestly, your analogies are nonsensical and just confusing the issue. But those analogies are like yellow squash on a grey day!Plot Thickens (alias of Belafon)2020-09-16T22:41:07ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: An apology...There I Fixed It (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs42rck?An-apology#312019-09-20T16:14:30Z2019-09-19T20:16:58Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">pjrogers wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Douglas Edwards wrote:</div><blockquote> Theres really no polite way to say how I feel about goblins. </blockquote>I used a thick black marker to totally cover over the goblin on the back of the 2e CRB. </blockquote><p>I used a thick black marker to write in tengu stats in the 2E CRB. I can show you right here where it shows tengu in the Core Rulebook, in ink, so you can see I was right when I said it was a playable race.pjrogers wrote:Douglas Edwards wrote: Theres really no polite way to say how I feel about goblins.
I used a thick black marker to totally cover over the goblin on the back of the 2e CRB. I used a thick black marker to write in tengu stats in the 2E CRB. I can show you right here where it shows tengu in the Core Rulebook, in ink, so you can see I was right when I said it was a playable race.There I Fixed It (alias of Belafon)2019-09-19T20:16:58ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: Alchemist Fast BombKestrel Shadowmind (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs42lwh?Alchemist-Fast-Bomb#82019-06-25T22:14:52Z2019-06-25T21:58:11Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">BigNorseWolf wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">CigarPete wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">BigNorseWolf wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Davor Firetusk wrote:</div><blockquote> Yes though it is a strong trade-off to do all those feats by then. You can go very Nova, but will very quickly run out of bombs. </blockquote>Something i don't see alchemists doing nearly enough is since you have point blank precise rapid shot anyway is doing archery on the mooks to save bombs for novaing the wizard. </blockquote>Alchemists only get prof with simple weapons, so would either need to invest a feat or take the Grenadier archetype to give proficiency with Long bow. </blockquote>The downside to the grenadier archetype being... </blockquote><p>Those pitiful grenadiers can’t take the mindchemist archetype. They are stuck as relative morons.
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Seriously: grenadier is a fun archetype and certainly a powerful one to play. The main downsides are that it blocks off a fair number of other archetypes and that you get less bombs (with the PFS rule of extra bombs replacing brew potion). Nobody’s going to complain about a player with a grenadier, but it isn’t a “must take” archetype.</span></p>
<p>Edit: Curse your ninja skills, Auke. We seriously both went for the same example?</p>BigNorseWolf wrote:CigarPete wrote: BigNorseWolf wrote: Davor Firetusk wrote: Yes though it is a strong trade-off to do all those feats by then. You can go very Nova, but will very quickly run out of bombs.
Something i don't see alchemists doing nearly enough is since you have point blank precise rapid shot anyway is doing archery on the mooks to save bombs for novaing the wizard. Alchemists only get prof with simple weapons, so would either need to invest a feat or take the Grenadier...Kestrel Shadowmind (alias of Belafon)2019-06-25T21:58:11ZRe: Forums: Starfinder Society: Question for the Department of Expectations ManagementBureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs42kkp?Question-for-the-Department-of-Expectations#32019-05-23T04:19:53Z2019-05-22T20:05:14Z<p>Also, why can no one ever get our name right?</p>Also, why can no one ever get our name right?Bureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)2019-05-22T20:05:14ZForums: PaizoCon: [PaizoCon 2019] Into the Perplexity: The Second Trial Author Edition with Thurston Hillman (for levels 5-8) - Sunday afternoon, 1:00-5:00 pm, 2019Belantria (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/events/v5748mkg1vkh4#12019-05-09T12:06:37Z2019-05-09T01:33:40Z<p>Hard Mode activated!</p>
<p>Belantria returns to the Perplexity a year after his first visit. He hopes this one will go better but knows it won't.</p>Hard Mode activated!
Belantria returns to the Perplexity a year after his first visit. He hopes this one will go better but knows it won't.Belantria (alias of Belafon)2019-05-09T01:33:40ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: Lvl 5 PC should not be able to bypass DR/EpicThere I Fixed It (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs42gsh?Lvl-5-PC-should-not-be-able-to-bypass-DREpic#262019-02-13T02:24:05Z2019-02-11T21:23:16Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Shikigami Manipulation wrote:</div><blockquote>Benefit: While using Shikigami Style, you can treat any magical item you’re using as an improvised weapon as if it granted an enhancement bonus on attack and damage rolls equal to the item’s caster level divided by 4 (minimum +1), to a maximum bonus of +5.</blockquote><div class="messageboard-quotee">There I Fixed It wrote:</div><blockquote>Benefit: While using Shikigami Style, you can treat any magical item you’re using as an improvised weapon as if it granted an enhancement bonus on attack and damage rolls equal to the item’s caster level divided by 4, to a maximum bonus of 1/4 of your character level (minimum +1).</blockquote><p>Shikigami Manipulation wrote:Benefit: While using Shikigami Style, you can treat any magical item you’re using as an improvised weapon as if it granted an enhancement bonus on attack and damage rolls equal to the item’s caster level divided by 4 (minimum +1), to a maximum bonus of +5.
There I Fixed It wrote:Benefit: While using Shikigami Style, you can treat any magical item you’re using as an improvised weapon as if it granted an enhancement bonus on attack and damage rolls equal to the...There I Fixed It (alias of Belafon)2019-02-11T21:23:16ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: Pathfinder society starting goldWhat it says on the Cover (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2p4oj?Pathfinder-society-starting-gold#152018-03-20T06:14:57Z2018-03-16T17:37:38Z<p>Hey, uh, check out the date of the original post.</p>Hey, uh, check out the date of the original post.What it says on the Cover (alias of Belafon)2018-03-16T17:37:38ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: Ultimate Wilderness - ETA to Legal for PFS PlayTristifer (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2uri0&page=3?Ultimate-Wilderness-ETA-to-Legal-for-PFS-Play#1102018-03-15T00:50:49Z2018-03-15T00:39:34Z<p>Hooray! Mentor can still be my spirit guide! (Totem Guide)</p>Hooray! Mentor can still be my spirit guide! (Totem Guide)Tristifer (alias of Belafon)2018-03-15T00:39:34ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: Why I cant make progress in Pathfinder Society?Bureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2uug0&page=4?Why-I-cant-make-progress-in-Pathfinder-Society#1682018-02-01T06:06:37Z2018-01-31T23:02:38Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Thomas Hutchins wrote:</div><blockquote> What is Chaos looking for? </blockquote><p>Attention.Thomas Hutchins wrote:What is Chaos looking for?
Attention.Bureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)2018-01-31T23:02:38ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: Limitations in Pathfinder SceneriosVroomfondel (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2urlq&page=2?Limitations-in-Pathfinder-Scenerios#652017-12-10T04:09:04Z2017-12-10T03:50:57Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Disk Elemental wrote:</div><blockquote>So I'm confused, are you asking for more railroads, or less? </blockquote><p>We demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!Disk Elemental wrote:So I'm confused, are you asking for more railroads, or less?
We demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!Vroomfondel (alias of Belafon)2017-12-10T03:50:57ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Upgrading augmentationsTwonky (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2uqyh?Upgrading-augmentations#42017-11-28T04:54:39Z2017-11-28T04:54:39Z<p>Oh I'm not going to try to apply logic to it. Personal Upgrades can be boosted but not others. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing some rule buried in several paragraphs of text.</p>Oh I'm not going to try to apply logic to it. Personal Upgrades can be boosted but not others. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing some rule buried in several paragraphs of text.Twonky (alias of Belafon)2017-11-28T04:54:39ZForums: Rules Questions: Upgrading augmentationsTwonky (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2uqyh?Upgrading-augmentations#12017-11-27T23:21:19Z2017-11-27T23:21:19Z<p>So, if I understand this correctly you <b>cannot</b> upgrade an Augmentation by paying the difference between the two models. If I have Dermal Plating MK2 and want to change to Mk3, I can’t spend 11,025 credits (the difference in the prices), I have to spend the full 17,975 for Mk3 and the Mk2 gets taken out (not reusable) in the process. Ditto for upgrading a Wyrmling Dragon Gland to a Standard Dragon Gland.</p>
<p>The only exception is a Personal Upgrade, which specifically says you can boost it by paying the difference.</p>
<p>Have I got that right?</p>So, if I understand this correctly you cannot upgrade an Augmentation by paying the difference between the two models. If I have Dermal Plating MK2 and want to change to Mk3, I can’t spend 11,025 credits (the difference in the prices), I have to spend the full 17,975 for Mk3 and the Mk2 gets taken out (not reusable) in the process. Ditto for upgrading a Wyrmling Dragon Gland to a Standard Dragon Gland.
The only exception is a Personal Upgrade, which specifically says you can boost it by...Twonky (alias of Belafon)2017-11-27T23:21:19ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: Is the Sun nuclear?What it says on the Cover (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2uqfj?Is-the-Sun-nuclear#402017-11-20T16:23:13Z2017-11-20T16:23:13Z<p>To <a href="https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3JdWlSF195Y" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">answer the question in the thread title</a>:
<br />
The sun is a mass of incandescent gas.
<br />
A gigantic nuclear furnace.
<br />
Where hydrogen is built into helium
<br />
at a temperature of millions of degrees.</p>To answer the question in the thread title:
The sun is a mass of incandescent gas.
A gigantic nuclear furnace.
Where hydrogen is built into helium
at a temperature of millions of degrees.What it says on the Cover (alias of Belafon)2017-11-20T16:23:13ZRe: Forums: Starfinder Society: Suggestion/review on society starship weapon layoutBureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2upzc?Suggestionreview-on-society-starship-weapon#142017-11-13T19:00:45Z2017-11-13T19:00:45Z<p><b>Mathematics Management Department:</b></p>
<p>Barring an unforeseen “super-rep” boon it’s going to be close to impossible to get 45 reputation with a faction during Season 1. 18 scenarios with perfect success is only 36 rep. Add 3 for the faction-specific slotless boon (such as Theoretical Historian). Estimate 4 or 5 potential rep for faction-specific scenario goals. The total is still short of the 45 reputation for Tier 4.</p>
<p>Summary: next year’s Guide will likely be out before anyone can reach a Capstone.</p>Mathematics Management Department:
Barring an unforeseen “super-rep” boon it’s going to be close to impossible to get 45 reputation with a faction during Season 1. 18 scenarios with perfect success is only 36 rep. Add 3 for the faction-specific slotless boon (such as Theoretical Historian). Estimate 4 or 5 potential rep for faction-specific scenario goals. The total is still short of the 45 reputation for Tier 4.
Summary: next year’s Guide will likely be out before anyone can reach a Capstone.Bureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)2017-11-13T19:00:45ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: What Do You Do With Your Prestige?Cardamus Ispherion (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2u9qu?What-Do-You-Do-With-Your-Prestige#62017-04-03T00:06:53Z2017-04-02T17:50:08Z<p>Islands, noble estates, boats, and followers.</p>Islands, noble estates, boats, and followers.Cardamus Ispherion (alias of Belafon)2017-04-02T17:50:08ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: Is this legit?Bureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2u3bx?Is-this-legit#472017-10-12T17:09:05Z2016-12-30T00:32:19Z<p>Hey, this Pathfinder stuff is fun! I'm glad we stopped by and tried it. I'm definitely going to come to one of your local game days. I've got to run but here's these token things my girlfriend and I got. What am I supposed to do, roll a die?</p>
<p>Nice! I won something! Ooh, that will be cool on my character. What? Oh, yeah, we got numbers from the DM but my girlfriend took the cards and papers. She went ahead to get seats for the costume contest.</p>
<p>No, sorry, I don't have a clue. No, I can't come back, after the contest is the dance. What do you mean you can't give it to me without a number. This is bogus.</p>Hey, this Pathfinder stuff is fun! I'm glad we stopped by and tried it. I'm definitely going to come to one of your local game days. I've got to run but here's these token things my girlfriend and I got. What am I supposed to do, roll a die?
Nice! I won something! Ooh, that will be cool on my character. What? Oh, yeah, we got numbers from the DM but my girlfriend took the cards and papers. She went ahead to get seats for the costume contest.
No, sorry, I don't have a clue. No, I can't come...Bureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)2016-12-30T00:32:19ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: Silver Crusade Trait "Force For Good" quirky wording.Cardamus Ispherion (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2u374?Silver-Crusade-Trait-Force-For-Good-quirky#62016-12-26T05:05:01Z2016-12-26T05:05:01Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">John Compton wrote:</div><blockquote> While it is counter-intuitive for the trait's flavor, you're right that it could strengthen a chaotic, evil, or lawful aura. I don't know that it's a problem. If someone wants to rock a preposterously evil aura in Pathfinder Society, it's almost never going to give them an undue advantage—often a disadvantage, in fact. </blockquote><p>I never did manage to convince that far too upstanding paladin Dame Arafel to smite someone after I let them <a href="http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/ultimateMagic/spells/imbueWithAura.html#imbue-with-aura" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">bask in the glory of Asmodeus</a>.John Compton wrote:While it is counter-intuitive for the trait's flavor, you're right that it could strengthen a chaotic, evil, or lawful aura. I don't know that it's a problem. If someone wants to rock a preposterously evil aura in Pathfinder Society, it's almost never going to give them an undue advantage—often a disadvantage, in fact.
I never did manage to convince that far too upstanding paladin Dame Arafel to smite someone after I let them bask in the glory of Asmodeus.Cardamus Ispherion (alias of Belafon)2016-12-26T05:05:01ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: [Spoilers] The Season 7 RailroadViscount Faldamont (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tr1s&page=2?Spoilers-The-Season-7-Railroad#732016-06-30T01:23:13Z2016-06-30T01:23:13Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Steven Schopmeyer wrote:</div><blockquote> Osprey hate seems more meta than anything else.</blockquote><p>Save that hate for someone who deserves it.
<p><span class=messageboard-bigger><b>Drendle Dreng</b></span></p>Steven Schopmeyer wrote:Osprey hate seems more meta than anything else.
Save that hate for someone who deserves it. Drendle DrengViscount Faldamont (alias of Belafon)2016-06-30T01:23:13ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: Paizo Blog: New Adventures to Kick Off SummerBureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5liwk?New-Adventures-to-Kick-Off-Summer#132016-06-28T02:39:54Z2016-06-28T02:39:54Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Liz Courts wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Finlanderboy wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Liz Courts wrote:</div><blockquote> #notafaeriedragon </blockquote>FUn sponge! </blockquote>The Department of Expectation Management did get a fresh restock of those, thanks. </blockquote><p>Those killjoys give the Bureau a bad name.Liz Courts wrote:Finlanderboy wrote: Liz Courts wrote: #notafaeriedragon
FUn sponge! The Department of Expectation Management did get a fresh restock of those, thanks. Those killjoys give the Bureau a bad name.Bureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)2016-06-28T02:39:54ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: PFS Character Retraining rules, a bit over the top?Plot Thickens (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tppf?PFS-Character-Retraining-rules-a-bit-over-the#472016-06-09T03:30:19Z2016-06-09T03:30:19Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Gratuitous Old-Timer wrote:</div><blockquote>Back in my day we didn't have retraining. If you took Run at 1st level, you had it for the rest of your career. Why, what's the world coming to that the young whippersnappers get something nice, but of course it isn't good enough for them...</blockquote><p>In all seriousness, just allowing retraining at all is a major boon to players. There's a fine line to walk between giving something nice and creating an exploitable situation. If all Prestige retraining costs were done away with it's quite likely that every Standard player who owned Ultimate Campaign would suddenly have max hit points. From a monetary standpoint, it's dirt cheap to get those extra hit points. Even lowering the costs to 1 per 2 days, it would only cost 3PP to get two extra hit points. Suddenly the D6 of the arcane casters doesn't look so bad.
<p>The point is that while lowering/removing PP costs would help a few people who messed up their builds and didn't realize it until it was too late, there would be far more people planning their character's career around retraining.</p>Gratuitous Old-Timer wrote:Back in my day we didn't have retraining. If you took Run at 1st level, you had it for the rest of your career. Why, what's the world coming to that the young whippersnappers get something nice, but of course it isn't good enough for them...
In all seriousness, just allowing retraining at all is a major boon to players. There's a fine line to walk between giving something nice and creating an exploitable situation. If all Prestige retraining costs were done away...Plot Thickens (alias of Belafon)2016-06-09T03:30:19ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: Sharing consumables (PFS Rules Change?)Plot Thickens (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tn2c&page=6?Sharing-consumables#2662016-05-06T15:35:17Z2016-05-05T18:34:43Z<p>The thread has reached Heinlein. I think we all know what comes next.</p>The thread has reached Heinlein. I think we all know what comes next.Plot Thickens (alias of Belafon)2016-05-05T18:34:43ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: Do you like evil boons?Cardamus Ispherion (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tjid&page=3?Do-you-like-evil-boons#1332016-04-11T01:38:29Z2016-04-10T16:38:24Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">John Compton wrote:</div><blockquote>Some well-reasoned responses to Harold Evans.</blockquote><p>John while your viewpoint - and indeed your original question - was about the impact of evil boons on the campaign world, my takeaway is that Harold is looking at it from a meta perspective. He does not want to see <b>any</b> additional options that would encourage or even give an option for players to take an "evil" path and indeed would prefer to see the entire campaign realigned to reward good behaviour. To have PFS be a tool for advocating outside-game good behaviour as well. Especially for the youths that are playing.
<p>I can see the viewpoint. I can without a doubt say that my parents would <b>never</b> have let 12 year-old me play Pathfinder Society games. They might have been slightly more willing if the entire campaign revolved around good characters fighting the forces of evil. Where characters are rewarded for donating their money to good causes and for bringing wrongdoers to face the rightful authorities while being punished for looting everything in sight (currently sometimes required to gain full rewards) or coup-de-grasing fallen enemies (currently usually irrelevant). Especially with the expanded push for PFS in schools and libraries, there is good reason to have it encourage ethically and morally acceptable behaviour.</p>
<p>So, yes I do see the viewpoint. However that would be a completely different campaign. It <i>might</i> be a discussion to have for a hypothetical PFS 2.0, but the massive change this would make is not really relevant to the campaign as it is.</p>
<p>[Spoiler omitted]</p>John Compton wrote:Some well-reasoned responses to Harold Evans.
John while your viewpoint - and indeed your original question - was about the impact of evil boons on the campaign world, my takeaway is that Harold is looking at it from a meta perspective. He does not want to see any additional options that would encourage or even give an option for players to take an "evil" path and indeed would prefer to see the entire campaign realigned to reward good behaviour. To have PFS be a tool for...Cardamus Ispherion (alias of Belafon)2016-04-10T16:38:24ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: You know you're in trouble when you get to the table and...Cardamus Ispherion (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2qnjr&page=37?You-know-youre-in-trouble-when-you-get-to-the#18072016-05-25T21:54:09Z2016-03-24T21:26:47Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Fromper wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Stephen Ross wrote:</div><blockquote> why do people turn to my aasimar Cleric and expect him to be the diplomat of the party with an 8 Cha and 1 rank in Diplomacy at 7th level... •sigh• out come the wands and scrolls... </blockquote>This is why I don't use the word "cleric" when introducing my pirate PC. Yes, Besmara gives him divine power, including the ability to use Cure wands, but that's all the healing he can provide. Yet when some people hear the word "cleric", they automatically translate it to "healer" in their head. </blockquote><p>I cured an entire party of that habit once. After combat: "we're all hurt, why don't you just channel?" "Uh...OK? I'll choose to not affect myself, though. (roll) Everyone take 3 points of damage." "I thought you were a cleric!" "I am, but I thought the pentacle and the sermon on how Asmodeus is the source of strength kinda gave away what was going to happen there. Anyway, who wants some <i>infernal healing</i>?"Fromper wrote:Stephen Ross wrote: why do people turn to my aasimar Cleric and expect him to be the diplomat of the party with an 8 Cha and 1 rank in Diplomacy at 7th level... *sigh* out come the wands and scrolls...
This is why I don't use the word "cleric" when introducing my pirate PC. Yes, Besmara gives him divine power, including the ability to use Cure wands, but that's all the healing he can provide. Yet when some people hear the word "cleric", they automatically translate it to...Cardamus Ispherion (alias of Belafon)2016-03-24T21:26:47ZRe: Forums: Advice: How to build a character that makes nobody else have fun; or how I learned to not fear power creepBaleatar (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tit3&page=2?How-to-build-a-character-that-makes-nobody#682016-03-15T10:54:06Z2016-03-15T03:08:29Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">bdk86 wrote:</div><blockquote><p>In my experience (Living Greyhawk-Bandit Kingdoms; Living Arcanis) where this was a thing, it leads to continued escalation between players/authors. You inevitably reach a point where people are terrified to play outside their trusted friends, certain builds are the only acceptable ones, and it's not that fun a time for everyone involved. </p>
<p>Hard encounters are fine, when they are at the appropriate difficulty level by level/APL. Tier 1-5 can be challenging without being completely unforgiving, whereas Tier 7-11 generally should be challenging with less margin for error. Making every fight an optimized meatgrinder is not fun, though, and inevitably deters new players from wanting to play at all.</blockquote><p>I relatively recently moved to a new area (which as I have come to learn was Bandit Kingdoms Territory) and I've seen the legacy of this living on in Pathfinder. And not in a good way.
<p>I was GMing a scenario that I considered fairly challenging. Not unfair levels of hard in my mind. And the players absolutely destroyed it. Their builds had nothing extraneous. Nothing but "kill it as quickly as possible." When I said something about the power level of the table the response was "this was the Bandit Kingdoms. If you didn't play like that you died."</p>
<p>We were talking about our characters and I mentioned the one "power" character I have is a Wheeling Charge Wayang Cavalier that I never play because the entire combat is "I charge it and it dies." "Oh yeah," replies one player. "I have one of those too but I never play it because it's my weakest character." "Doesn't killing everything so fast and without variation get boring?" "No, this was the Bandit Kingdoms and that's how we all played."</p>
<p>I've seen some GMs use absolutely lethal tactics. Nothing illegal but always the deadliest option. If given the choice between a squishy PC who poses absolutely no threat and a tough PC who could take out the NPCs, kill the squishy first. Why? Because "There are more encounters later and that's how we did it in the Bandit Kingdoms."</p>
<p>This season the tables have turned on the former Bandit Kingdomers and the newer players have a chance to shine. Because 7-int non-human pure combat characters are not able to make the skill checks that show up so often in season 7. I don't consider this a good situation - a lot of the Bandit Kingdomers are only showing up to play if they are sure the scenario has a lot of combat (so their characters will "matter"). But maybe some good will come of it and they will build more balanced characters.</p>
<p>So yeah, once you get into that "all combats must be brutally hard" mindset it's just a little step before you lose the ability to role-play and to build balanced characters. There's really two groups of people. Those still stuck in the Bandit Kingdoms days of be the "right" build or die and the (fortunately larger) group of people who play Pathfinder.</p>bdk86 wrote:In my experience (Living Greyhawk-Bandit Kingdoms; Living Arcanis) where this was a thing, it leads to continued escalation between players/authors. You inevitably reach a point where people are terrified to play outside their trusted friends, certain builds are the only acceptable ones, and it's not that fun a time for everyone involved.
Hard encounters are fine, when they are at the appropriate difficulty level by level/APL. Tier 1-5 can be challenging without being completely...Baleatar (alias of Belafon)2016-03-15T03:08:29ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: Reconsider the Blood Money ban.Plot Thickens (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2t7ep&page=5?Reconsider-the-Blood-Money-ban#2232016-01-20T03:33:44Z2016-01-20T03:33:44Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">kinevon wrote:</div><blockquote><p> To be honest, ElterAgo, there are a lot worse combinations that are still legal for PFS.
</p>
Dazing metamagic, for instance.
<br />
Toppling metamagic, or a medium or better built trip/disarm PC.
<br />
Color Spray Oracles
<br />
Just for a starter.</blockquote><p>How to play the most unusual <i>color spray</i> oracle ever (in a Tier 10-11 game):
<p>"Well since I'm an oracle I'll <i>color spray</i> him in the face."
<br />
"Sigh, how many HD does that affect?"
<br />
"There's no upper limit to <i>color spray</i>."
<br />
"No, I mean how many HD can you knock unconscious thanks to your Awesome Display revelation."
<br />
"Who said anything about a Heavens Oracle? I'm an Ancient Lorekeeper of Battle. And now that's he's stunned and dropped that +3 weapon he was holding I'm going to pick it up!"</p>kinevon wrote:To be honest, ElterAgo, there are a lot worse combinations that are still legal for PFS.
Dazing metamagic, for instance.
Toppling metamagic, or a medium or better built trip/disarm PC.
Color Spray Oracles
Just for a starter.
How to play the most unusual color spray oracle ever (in a Tier 10-11 game): "Well since I'm an oracle I'll color spray him in the face."
"Sigh, how many HD does that affect?"
"There's no upper limit to color spray."
"No, I mean how many HD can you knock...Plot Thickens (alias of Belafon)2016-01-20T03:33:44ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: PFS Azlanti?Plot Thickens (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2t6ip?PFS-Azlanti#312015-12-14T19:29:23Z2015-12-14T19:29:23Z<p>Dude, this is awesome!</p>
<p>Imma gonna play this scenario and deliberately fail. +2 to all my stats for the cost of two <i>restoration</i>s? Hells Yeah!</p>
<p>OK Bro, who wanna run this for me? I'll speed run it for you afterwards!</p>Dude, this is awesome!
Imma gonna play this scenario and deliberately fail. +2 to all my stats for the cost of two restorations? Hells Yeah!
OK Bro, who wanna run this for me? I'll speed run it for you afterwards!Plot Thickens (alias of Belafon)2015-12-14T19:29:23ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: [PFS] Pearly White Spindle Ioun Stone and DeathPlot Thickens (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2q517&page=2?PFS-Pearly-White-Spindle-Ioun-Stone-and-Death#682015-10-22T12:51:02Z2015-10-22T12:51:02Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Shifty wrote:</div><blockquote><p> Hp damage is quite evidently not all damage,which has been clearly explained.</p>
<p>That you asked the question above makes you d quite firmly. </blockquote><p>I'm not making the argument that the Ioun stone makes you immune to death by HP damage.
</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Plot Thickens wrote:</div><blockquote><p> So, informal poll here:</p>
<p>Are <b>the people arguing that the Ioun stone makes you immune to death by HP damage</b> doing so because:
<br />
A) You are pointing this out in hopes of getting the item errata'd, FAQed, or banned
<br />
B) You are making the case because you want to use that interpretation to make your characters more powerful or
<br />
C) You believe that the intention really was to make a cheap item that would make you immune to HP death? </blockquote><p>I'm asking what reason the people who <b>do</b> believe it makes you immune to death <b>by HP damage</b> have for making the argument.
</p>
[Spoiler omitted]
<br />
So which group do <b>you</b> find yourself in? I'm pretty sure it's not group A from your posts. If it's group B, that's fine. If it's group C, that's fine too. Just trying to get a sense of the sentiment behind the arguments.</p>Shifty wrote:Hp damage is quite evidently not all damage,which has been clearly explained.
That you asked the question above makes you d quite firmly.
I'm not making the argument that the Ioun stone makes you immune to death by HP damage.
Plot Thickens wrote:So, informal poll here:
Are the people arguing that the Ioun stone makes you immune to death by HP damage doing so because:
A) You are pointing this out in hopes of getting the item errata'd, FAQed, or banned
B) You are making the...Plot Thickens (alias of Belafon)2015-10-22T12:51:02ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: [PFS] Pearly White Spindle Ioun Stone and DeathPlot Thickens (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2q517&page=2?PFS-Pearly-White-Spindle-Ioun-Stone-and-Death#622015-10-22T02:20:32Z2015-10-22T02:20:32Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Plot Thickens wrote:</div><blockquote><p> So, informal poll here:</p>
<p>Are the people arguing that the Ioun stone makes you immune to death by HP damage doing so because:</blockquote><div class="messageboard-quotee">Shifty wrote:</div><blockquote><p> My view is that it (may) prevent you dying, if the death was due to -hp damage.
</p>
.
<br />
.
<br />
.
<br />
Let me add D)</p>
<p>D) They don't actually see the bigger picture and make this into more than it is and assume -hp damage = ALL damage. </blockquote><p>I'm confused. Are you putting yourself in category D?Plot Thickens wrote:So, informal poll here:
Are the people arguing that the Ioun stone makes you immune to death by HP damage doing so because:
Shifty wrote: My view is that it (may) prevent you dying, if the death was due to -hp damage.
.
.
.
Let me add D)D) They don't actually see the bigger picture and make this into more than it is and assume -hp damage = ALL damage.
I'm confused. Are you putting yourself in category D?Plot Thickens (alias of Belafon)2015-10-22T02:20:32ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: [PFS] Pearly White Spindle Ioun Stone and DeathPlot Thickens (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2q517&page=2?PFS-Pearly-White-Spindle-Ioun-Stone-and-Death#582015-10-23T17:10:58Z2015-10-21T22:56:53Z<p>So, informal poll here:</p>
<p>Are the people arguing that the Ioun stone makes you immune to death by HP damage doing so because:
<br />
A) You are pointing this out in hopes of getting the item errata'd, FAQed, or banned
<br />
B) You are making the case because you want to use that interpretation to make your characters more powerful or
<br />
C) You believe that the intention really was to make a cheap item that would make you immune to HP death?</p>So, informal poll here:
Are the people arguing that the Ioun stone makes you immune to death by HP damage doing so because:
A) You are pointing this out in hopes of getting the item errata'd, FAQed, or banned
B) You are making the case because you want to use that interpretation to make your characters more powerful or
C) You believe that the intention really was to make a cheap item that would make you immune to HP death?Plot Thickens (alias of Belafon)2015-10-21T22:56:53ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: New 5-Star GM in New OrleansBureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2t0dl?New-5Star-GM-in-New-Orleans#82015-10-15T23:16:25Z2015-10-15T23:16:25Z<p><a href="http://paizo.com/paizo/blog/v5748dyo5lhnx?Fair-Winds-and-Following-Seas" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">I think there's another 5-star in your area.</a> He's not a home-grown hero, though. (And may have retired from PFS) :)</p>I think there's another 5-star in your area. He's not a home-grown hero, though. (And may have retired from PFS) :)Bureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)2015-10-15T23:16:25ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: An Argument for the Eldritch ArcherBureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2szxs&page=2?An-Argument-for-the-Eldritch-Archer#772015-10-11T05:46:25Z2015-10-11T05:46:25Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Renlar wrote:</div><blockquote> Wow, I really did not expect this kind of response but I am very grateful that I was able to kick off so much constructive discussion around the archetype. Since John has chimed in (thanks John!) about revisiting this thread on Monday,... </blockquote><div class="messageboard-quotee"><a href="http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2szxs?An-Argument-for-the-Eldritch-Archer#4" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">John Compton</a> wrote:</div><blockquote>It's late here, and my intention is to wait at least until I am back at work before making any decision on this front. I also encourage the community to weigh in. </blockquote><p>1. John didn't promise an immediate decision.
</p>
2. Paizo is closed on Monday for a U.S.A. holiday.</p>Renlar wrote:Wow, I really did not expect this kind of response but I am very grateful that I was able to kick off so much constructive discussion around the archetype. Since John has chimed in (thanks John!) about revisiting this thread on Monday,...
John Compton wrote:It's late here, and my intention is to wait at least until I am back at work before making any decision on this front. I also encourage the community to weigh in.
1. John didn't promise an immediate decision.
2. Paizo is...Bureau of Managing Expectations (alias of Belafon)2015-10-11T05:46:25ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: Boon Trading ThreadKetephel (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2p5c7&page=33?Boon-Trading-Thread#16172015-08-02T01:04:16Z2015-08-02T01:04:16Z<p>By the way, anyone know what this year's GenCon boons are? (GM and otherwise)</p>By the way, anyone know what this year's GenCon boons are? (GM and otherwise)Ketephel (alias of Belafon)2015-08-02T01:04:16ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: "Have your body recovered by a rescue team" Does the body have to be dead?Cardamus Ispherion (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2sbpi?Have-your-body-recovered-by-a-rescue-team#262015-06-05T16:51:05Z2015-06-05T16:51:05Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Dhjika wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">DM Livgin wrote:</div><blockquote> Thanks for the replies everyone. My take away is that other than the scenarios that explicitly direct the consequences of failure, table variation can be expected. </blockquote>I had a character that got feebleminded and dominated - after the rest of the party plane shifted away - I used body recovery to get my "body" back (and extra money for the heal). </blockquote><p>You were already feebleminded and dominated. Why would I bring someone foolish enough to be taken over by the enemy back with me when there are more worthy targets?
<p>[Spoiler omitted]</p>Dhjika wrote:DM Livgin wrote: Thanks for the replies everyone. My take away is that other than the scenarios that explicitly direct the consequences of failure, table variation can be expected.
I had a character that got feebleminded and dominated - after the rest of the party plane shifted away - I used body recovery to get my "body" back (and extra money for the heal). You were already feebleminded and dominated. Why would I bring someone foolish enough to be taken over by the enemy back...Cardamus Ispherion (alias of Belafon)2015-06-05T16:51:05ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: "Chronicle fishing". What is it, and why it is a bad thing?Plot Thickens (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2sbkp?Chronicle-fishing-What-is-it-and-why-it-is-a#442015-06-02T12:42:03Z2015-06-02T12:42:03Z<p>Hi guys!</p>
<p>I'm a new player, my friend just brought me to a game a couple of months ago. Now I'm obsessed with Pathfinder. I bought all the books and scenarios already, this game is amazing!</p>
<p>So I read an online guide that said Zen Archers were really powerful so that's what I'm building. Here's my projected build.
<br />
[Spoiler omitted]</p>
<p>I found on the chronicles where I can get a longbow that has a x4 crit modifier and an item that will increase the damage dice of my bow so I'll be playing those scenarios first. What I really want is an item that adds wisdom to damage. I found one thing but it's for 3.5. Can anyone help me find a legal way to do this?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>Hi guys!
I'm a new player, my friend just brought me to a game a couple of months ago. Now I'm obsessed with Pathfinder. I bought all the books and scenarios already, this game is amazing!
So I read an online guide that said Zen Archers were really powerful so that's what I'm building. Here's my projected build.
[Spoiler omitted]
I found on the chronicles where I can get a longbow that has a x4 crit modifier and an item that will increase the damage dice of my bow so I'll be playing those...Plot Thickens (alias of Belafon)2015-06-02T12:42:03ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: Who knows who the Decemvirite Are?Cardamus Ispherion (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2s9zh?Who-knows-who-the-Decemvirite-Are#22015-05-17T01:02:32Z2015-05-17T01:02:32Z<p>You must be like me.</p>
<p>Ally yourself to the power of Asmodeus. He will give you the strength to see through the petty disguises those weaklings use to keep themselves in the shadows. And weaklings they are. They had to call upon this awe-inspiring cleric of Asmodeus you see before you to save themselves from a terrible threat.</p>
<p>I learned many of their identities in that incident. And my minions and proteges search out more for me even now.</p>You must be like me.
Ally yourself to the power of Asmodeus. He will give you the strength to see through the petty disguises those weaklings use to keep themselves in the shadows. And weaklings they are. They had to call upon this awe-inspiring cleric of Asmodeus you see before you to save themselves from a terrible threat.
I learned many of their identities in that incident. And my minions and proteges search out more for me even now.Cardamus Ispherion (alias of Belafon)2015-05-17T01:02:32ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Illuminating DarknessPlot Thickens (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lhfm?Illuminating-Darkness#372015-05-08T23:25:23Z2015-05-08T02:03:30Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Mark Seifter wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">GreyYeti wrote:</div><blockquote><p> Sorry to darken the mood, but there is an error in your example:</p>
<p>Feya can't counterspell the dark slayer's hightened deeper darkness spell-like ability, because spell-like abilities cannot be counterspelled. (CRB 221)</p>
<p>But otherwise that blog was very enlightening. </blockquote>Ah that's true. The special ritualistic <i>heightened deeper darkness</i> must have counted as a spell, since SLAs normally can't be heightened. Tricksy dark folk! </blockquote><p>But clearly Feiya has some tricks of her own since she used a lesser reach metamagic rod on a 4th level spell.Mark Seifter wrote:GreyYeti wrote:Sorry to darken the mood, but there is an error in your example:
Feya can't counterspell the dark slayer's hightened deeper darkness spell-like ability, because spell-like abilities cannot be counterspelled. (CRB 221)
But otherwise that blog was very enlightening.
Ah that's true. The special ritualistic heightened deeper darkness must have counted as a spell, since SLAs normally can't be heightened. Tricksy dark folk! But clearly Feiya has some tricks of...Plot Thickens (alias of Belafon)2015-05-08T02:03:30ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: Core Only - How does it change things?Ketephel (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rx4g?Core-Only-How-does-it-change-things#462015-01-27T20:01:32Z2015-01-27T15:15:11Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">The Masked Ferret wrote:</div><blockquote><p> Yes, I am planning a gnome Barbarian/Paladin/Sorcerer/Draconic Disciple.</p>
<p>I am looking forward to still making the GM quiver in "WTF!!!", even with core only. </blockquote><p>•sigh•The Masked Ferret wrote:Yes, I am planning a gnome Barbarian/Paladin/Sorcerer/Draconic Disciple.
I am looking forward to still making the GM quiver in "WTF!!!", even with core only.
*sigh*Ketephel (alias of Belafon)2015-01-27T15:15:11ZForums: Pathfinder Society: Paizo Blog: Year of the Sky KeyCardamus Ispherion (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lg7j?Year-of-the-Sky-Key#12014-06-16T19:05:15Z2014-06-16T19:05:15Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Quote:</div><blockquote>One can only imagine the havoc a particularly trigger-happy Pathfinder could inflict with a nuclear resonator.</blockquote><p>I can assure you that - should it exist - such a device would not be initiated by me as long as you are all dutiful in performing your obediences to Asmodeus. I further deny that such a device was "accidentally" left in Skyreach under a permanent <i>invisibility</i> spell.
<p>Now, begin the prayers!</p>Quote:One can only imagine the havoc a particularly trigger-happy Pathfinder could inflict with a nuclear resonator.
I can assure you that - should it exist - such a device would not be initiated by me as long as you are all dutiful in performing your obediences to Asmodeus. I further deny that such a device was "accidentally" left in Skyreach under a permanent invisibility spell. Now, begin the prayers!Cardamus Ispherion (alias of Belafon)2014-06-16T19:05:15ZRe: Forums: Advice: how to deal with druid/earthlide.....Cardamus Ispherion (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2quf6?how-to-deal-with-druid-earthlide#162014-03-31T00:32:54Z2014-03-31T00:32:54Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">John Compton wrote:</div><blockquote><p> A particularly smart enemy might even spot the druid but feign ignorance to lure her closer or make the druid think that she had avoided notice. Bluff's a great skill, and Sense Motive doesn't go above +10 on most druids.</p>
<p>•• spoiler omitted •• </blockquote><p>That ninja owes me. And I don't mean diamond dust. The next time I see her we're going to have a long conversation about exactly what her soul is worth.John Compton wrote:A particularly smart enemy might even spot the druid but feign ignorance to lure her closer or make the druid think that she had avoided notice. Bluff's a great skill, and Sense Motive doesn't go above +10 on most druids.
** spoiler omitted **
That ninja owes me. And I don't mean diamond dust. The next time I see her we're going to have a long conversation about exactly what her soul is worth.Cardamus Ispherion (alias of Belafon)2014-03-31T00:32:54ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: How to RP a cleric of asmodeusCardamus Ispherion (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2qoo2?How-to-RP-a-cleric-of-asmodeus#262016-01-27T15:43:11Z2014-02-16T03:34:28Z<p>How, oh how, did I miss this thread for so long? Great Asmodeus, allow me a short break from preaching of your power to respond to this fellow aspirant.</p>
<p>Now young Akolbi, I shall instruct you in the ways of Asmodeus.</p>
<p>1) The Law is Paramount. The law must be followed in all cases.
<br />
-If an adversary kills several of your companions but local laws demand that you must bring him to trial rather than ending him yourself, you must do so no matter how just your claim.
<br />
[Spoiler omitted]
<br />
-If local law forbids the active worship of a deity (such as the case in heathen Rahadoum) you must temporarily cease your prayers.
<br />
[Spoiler omitted]</p>
<p>2) All Must Know Their Place.
<br />
-If you are tasked by a Venture-Captain to explore a backwards region, it is not your place to question why he would send you.
<br />
[Spoiler omitted]
<br />
-If peasants, servants, or slaves fail to give their masters the proper respect that is due, you should chastise them for their lack of decorum.
<br />
[Spoiler omitted]</p>
<p>3) Cooperation in Clearly Defined Roles.
<br />
-Any journey, exploration, or revival meeting will go much smoother if all participants are aware of the functions they are expected to perform prior to the moment such an event is upon you. A signed contract is an excellent way to ensure the duties are understood.
<br />
[Spoiler omitted]
<br />
-All groups need a leader and who could be a better leader than a dedicated servant of Asmodeus? One who understands order and is used to giving direction? None.
<br />
[Spoiler omitted]</p>
<p>I know that I have managed to instruct you well. Now please excuse me. Something called the "Moonscar" awaits and I have several <i>dictum</i>s to prepare.</p>
<p>Cardamus Ispherion
<br />
Evangelist of Asmodeus</p>How, oh how, did I miss this thread for so long? Great Asmodeus, allow me a short break from preaching of your power to respond to this fellow aspirant.
Now young Akolbi, I shall instruct you in the ways of Asmodeus.
1) The Law is Paramount. The law must be followed in all cases.
-If an adversary kills several of your companions but local laws demand that you must bring him to trial rather than ending him yourself, you must do so no matter how just your claim.
[Spoiler omitted]
-If local...Cardamus Ispherion (alias of Belafon)2014-02-16T03:34:28ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: Cleric creation questionCardamus Ispherion (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2q7m9?Cleric-creation-question#192013-09-30T17:02:25Z2013-09-30T17:02:25Z<p>Only one deity should be worshipped on Golarion. He brings order to the chaos of the world, stays the hand of the destructor, and greatly rewards those who follow him. </p>
<p>Create a cleric of Asmodeus.</p>Only one deity should be worshipped on Golarion. He brings order to the chaos of the world, stays the hand of the destructor, and greatly rewards those who follow him.
Create a cleric of Asmodeus.Cardamus Ispherion (alias of Belafon)2013-09-30T17:02:25ZRe: Forums: GM Discussion: Among the Gods a RANT (some spoilers)Cardamus Ispherion (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2puei?Among-the-Gods-a-RANT#142013-06-09T23:34:46Z2013-06-09T23:34:46Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Eric Saxon wrote:</div><blockquote>I mean common folks, at a certain point the Decemvirate would start running out of VCs if these sort of asses were the only ones hired for the job. </blockquote><p>...whistles quietly. Nothing to see here.Eric Saxon wrote:I mean common folks, at a certain point the Decemvirate would start running out of VCs if these sort of asses were the only ones hired for the job.
...whistles quietly. Nothing to see here.Cardamus Ispherion (alias of Belafon)2013-06-09T23:34:46ZRe: Forums: GM Discussion: Requiem for the Red Raven [SPOILERS]Cardamus Ispherion (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2ps3o?Requiem-for-the-Red-Raven-SPOILERS#82013-05-24T01:28:54Z2013-05-24T01:28:54Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">John Compton wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Violetta the Enchantress wrote:</div><blockquote><p> And then there are those of us who <i>killed</i> the phoenix... <i>twice</i>.</p>
<p>It's fitting that the rewarded Pathfinders toe the mid-ground between <i>too nice</i> (your group) and <i>not nice at all</i> (my group).</p>
<p>:D </blockquote><p>Waddya mean "not nice at all?" Your group allowed at least a few creatures to survive...until they had outlived their usefulness...and/or enchantment spell duration.
</p>
</blockquote><p>They were peasants and they were in rebellion. I do not apologize for my actions, but neither do I revel in them. It just had to be done.John Compton wrote:Violetta the Enchantress wrote:And then there are those of us who killed the phoenix... twice.
It's fitting that the rewarded Pathfinders toe the mid-ground between too nice (your group) and not nice at all (my group).
:D
Waddya mean "not nice at all?" Your group allowed at least a few creatures to survive...until they had outlived their usefulness...and/or enchantment spell duration.
They were peasants and they were in rebellion. I do not apologize for my actions, but...Cardamus Ispherion (alias of Belafon)2013-05-24T01:28:54ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: PFS Vivisectionist QuestionCardamus Ispherion (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2pejo?PFS-Vivisectionist-Question#142013-01-25T02:12:43Z2013-01-25T02:12:43Z<p>The word of Asmodeus has been spread throughout Atlanta and parts (far) beyond. Order has been preached, contracts duly and faithfully upheld exactly to the letter, converts have been made from Tien Xa to •spoiler omitted•, and I have accumulated much power and wealth - as is rightful for someone as great as I. </p>
<p>- Venture Captain Cardamus Ispherion, Evangelist of Asmodeus.</p>
<p>[Spoiler omitted]</p>The word of Asmodeus has been spread throughout Atlanta and parts (far) beyond. Order has been preached, contracts duly and faithfully upheld exactly to the letter, converts have been made from Tien Xa to *spoiler omitted*, and I have accumulated much power and wealth - as is rightful for someone as great as I.
- Venture Captain Cardamus Ispherion, Evangelist of Asmodeus.
[Spoiler omitted]Cardamus Ispherion (alias of Belafon)2013-01-25T02:12:43ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: The Prevalence and Culture of Splitting RaisesKetephel (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2ok8x&page=2?The-Prevalence-and-Culture-of-Splitting-Raises#762012-07-31T11:42:14Z2012-07-31T11:42:14Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Snorter wrote:</div><blockquote><p>Don't let that stop you posting here.</p>
<p>Come back as a ghost, and haunt the ones who let you die.</blockquote><p>Oh don't worry, I still have a level 11, level 9, and a couple of 1s.
</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Rogue Eidolon wrote:</div><blockquote>Ugh, that must be awful to lose the character in the 6th game at the con, though I guess it's better than losing the character partway through without a spare (particularly bad if planning to play a higher tier scenario). I guess the character was new when the con began? </blockquote><p>No, I was playing some higher scenarios for most of the con with a different character. To be more exact it was Ketephel's 6th scenario (not all at the con and some GM credit). I've had this weird situation where every game day I can make it to there are no 1-5 or 1-7s that I can get credit for (even as GM). As soon as I got a character to level 3 he zoomed right through to level 8. This was going to finally give me a level 3 I could get into some of the 3-7s with.
<p>The point here was that conventions are a complete crapshoot, especially at low levels. What would I have done if I had been one of the three out of six survivors of that tier 1-2 scenario? I don't know. On the one hand if someone has put a lot of effort into a character (and wasn't a complete jerk) I would feel bad not raising it. On the other that would cut severely into my resources and if I died in the next 3 or 4 (or more) scenarios I would be in the same position (relying on the charity of others).</p>
<p>Once you hit tier 5-9 I find that chipping in for raises becomes fairly standard practice (with the outliers of selfish people who will never chip in and characters or players that others feel are so bad they don't "deserve" the help), although it is generally expected that you will spend the PA if you have it first.</p>Snorter wrote:Don't let that stop you posting here.
Come back as a ghost, and haunt the ones who let you die.
Oh don't worry, I still have a level 11, level 9, and a couple of 1s.
Rogue Eidolon wrote:Ugh, that must be awful to lose the character in the 6th game at the con, though I guess it's better than losing the character partway through without a spare (particularly bad if planning to play a higher tier scenario). I guess the character was new when the con began?
No, I was playing...Ketephel (alias of Belafon)2012-07-31T11:42:14ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: The Prevalence and Culture of Splitting RaisesKetephel (alias of Belafon)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2ok8x&page=2?The-Prevalence-and-Culture-of-Splitting-Raises#642012-07-31T03:11:35Z2012-07-31T03:11:35Z<p>So this will probably be my only post as this character, but I just wanted to throw in that in my experience conventions are by far the <i>worst</i> about people refusing to pay for raise dead. Especially at low levels. Why? Because you have a lot of new players who are either a)"Trying it out" with pregens and walk away to another part of the con as soon as they get a chronicle, b) spent all their money as soon as they got it, or c) So determined to save up for that Adamantine dagger their sorcerer really needs they won't chip in for anything.</p>
<p>A slight derailment about range vs. melee that I've seen by playing with a fairly large sample of people multiple times:[Spoiler omitted]</p>
<p>Why the only post? Because I just permanently died on my 6th scenario at a con. It's a horrible time to die because there aren't enough resources to res you and you've already put a lot of time into the character.</p>So this will probably be my only post as this character, but I just wanted to throw in that in my experience conventions are by far the worst about people refusing to pay for raise dead. Especially at low levels. Why? Because you have a lot of new players who are either a)"Trying it out" with pregens and walk away to another part of the con as soon as they get a chronicle, b) spent all their money as soon as they got it, or c) So determined to save up for that Adamantine dagger their sorcerer...Ketephel (alias of Belafon)2012-07-31T03:11:35Z