Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Advanced Player's Guide (OGL)

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Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Advanced Player's Guide (OGL)
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Take your Game to the Next Level!

Explore new and uncharted depths of roleplaying with the Pathfinder RPG Advanced Player's Guide! Empower your existing characters with expanded rules for all 11 Pathfinder Roleplaying Game core classes and seven core races, or build a new one from the ground up with one of six brand-new, 20-level base classes. Whether you're designing your own monstrous helpers as an enigmatic summoner, brewing up trouble with a grimy urban alchemist, or simply teaching an old rogue a new trick, this book has everything you need to make your heroes more heroic.

The Pathfinder RPG Advanced Player's Guide is a must-have companion volume to the Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook. This imaginative tabletop game builds upon more than 10 years of system development and an Open Playtest featuring more than 50,000 gamers to create a cutting-edge RPG experience that brings the all-time best-selling set of fantasy rules into the new millennium.

The 336-page Pathfinder RPG Advanced Player's Guide includes:

  • Six new base classes: the monster-hunting inquisitor, the explosive alchemist, the noble cavalier, the prophecy-haunted oracle, the monster-crafting summoner, and the hex-weaving witch
  • More than a hundred innovative new feats and combat abilities for characters of all classes, including Steal, Point-Blank Master, and Bouncing Spell
  • Variant class abilities, rules subsystems, and thematic archetypes for all 11 core classes, such as the antipaladin, the hungry ghost monk, and the urban ranger
  • Hundreds of new spells and magic items, from phantasmal revenge to the Storm King's Cloud Castle
  • A wealth of fantastic equipment, such as fireblast rods and fortune-tellers' cards
  • New prestige classes like the Master Chymist and the Battle Herald
  • ... and much, much more!

ISBN-13: 978-1-60125-246-3

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Last Updated - 12/01/2010

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good

5/5

good addition to the collection offers good spells and feats, came in on time and I bought the non-mint and I haven't noticed any damage to it.


Players: Buy this after the Core Rulebook

5/5

If you own a Core Rulebook and a Bestiary, what Pathfinder book should you buy next? A campaign setting book or an adventure module would be good answers, but if you're looking for more character options, the best answer would be the Advanced Player's Guide. This was Paizo's first big player-oriented hardcover to be released after the Core Rulebook, and it's safe to say they knocked it out of the park. This book has stood the test of time and still contains fantastic options for the game even though it was released several years ago. If you're playing PFS on a budget, for example, and you have to be choosy with what books or PDFs you buy, start with the Advanced Player's Guide. You'll find enough options in there to keep you busy for years.

What follows is a chapter-by-chapter review. Do keep in mind that this book pre-dates the publication of classes like the magus, vigilante, kineticist, etc., so you won't find options directly designed for them. In addition, because it's part of the RPG line, it does not contain Golarion-specific flavour (though everything in here is compatible with the setting). As a whole, I would classify the art as in the lower-middle spectrum of what Paizo can do, with a lot of reused mediocre stuff from earlier books. The layout as a whole, however, is quite nice.

Chapter 1 (Races): After an Introduction that's really just an expanded table of contents, Chapter 1 expands the options available for Core races (those found in the Core Rulebook). For each race, a sentence or two describes how each of the Core classes and the so-called Base classes (those found later in this book) are represented within the culture. I found this section was fairly generic and tried too hard to make it sound like each class was common in each race, so there wasn't anything that seemed special. Next up are alternative racial traits for the Core races. These are important in that they allow a player to swap out one of the special features of a race (like an elf's automatic familiarity with elven weapons, or a gnome's resistance to illusion) for a different special feature. In other words, it's a good way to customize your PC just a little more and ensure that not all dwarfs are skilled at stonework, for example. Last, this chapter presents new favoured class options for each of the Core races: instead of the normal rule that a new level in a favoured class provides 1 hit point or 1 skill point, these new options allow a particular race to get something different. For example, a gnome with the favoured class of bard could get an extra round of bardic performance each day, or a half-orc with the favoured class of fighter could get an additional +2 to stabilization rolls when dying. Note that each race only has new favoured class options for handful of classes (not all of them). Unlike the alternate racial traits, I wasn't particularly impressed with the flavour or thought given to the new favoured class options: many of them didn't seem to have any particular tie to the race. Half-orcs, for example, can increase their bomb damage if their favoured class is alchemist, while human paladins can start to get energy resistance--there's nothing in the write-up of these races that make these bonuses seem natural or logical. From an optimization perspective, these new favoured class options are quite useful--I just wish they were better from a storytelling perspective.

Chapter 2 (Classes): One of the most important things that the Advanced Player's Guide brings to Pathfinder is the introduction of six new "Base" classes: the Alchemist, Cavalier, Inquisitor, Oracle, Summoner, and Witch. I don't have a lot of space to review each one, so I'll try to be concise.

The Alchemist fills a real niche in the game, is quite versatile, and would be really fun to play. They get special abilities to rapidly make alchemical items (of course), but also can manufacture bombs, cast magic spells (in the form of drinkable "elixirs"), and temporarily "hulk out" by drinking a "mutagen." As a GM, my only concern is the fact that the bombs resolve against Touch AC, so in games I've run the alchemist PC hardly ever misses and does substantial amounts of damage as an area effect. I also think that perhaps the mutagen feature should have been reserved for a specific "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" archetype, as I don't thik it fits well as part of the basic assumption of alchemists.

The Cavalier could probably have been better represented as a Fighter archetype. Cavaliers are mounted knights who swear an oath to follow the precepts of a particular order. Different orders provide different bonuses, Cavalier's mounts are hardier than normal, and the class provides PCs and their allies with some limited use of teamwork feats (discussed below). As written, the class is fairly bland, and I don't think it fills a hole in what could be covered well by other classes. You also see Cavaliers relatively rarely in gameplay because, frankly, they're just inferior to other builds (and I should know, because I've played one for a couple of years now!).

The Inquisitor is one of those classes I'm a bit torn about. The idea is that they're specialists in rooting out corruption and heresy within their faith, which is thematically really cool: but I don't see how that fits naturally with the activities of the vast majority of adventuring parties in the game. The class is conceptually unique and has a lot of cool and useful abilities, some of which seem to fit from a flavour perspective (like Bane) but others that just seem kind of random (like Monster Lore and Cunning Initiative).

The Oracle is another interesting class that I'm unsure about conceptually. Mechanically, they're spontaneous divine spellcasters who don't worship deities per se but instead strive to unravel a particular "mystery." As they advance in level, they get "revelations" which are special powers. Some of the revelations are really cool, and the mysteries are very flavourful. I like the class better after reading it carefully, though I'm still not sure about the name of the class (since divination isn't the focus) nor about the vague relationship they have to deities. They are a divine spellcasting class that is much simpler to play than clerics (though less effective), and thus potentially a good choice for new players.

The Summoner as presented in this book is infamous as the most overpowered class in all of Pathfinder, to the point where most GMs and PFS disallow it. "Unchained" Summoners (as they're usually called in contradistinction to a different type from another book) are, of course, really good at summoning lots of monsters, which is annoying for everyone at the table because it dramatically slows down gameplay. But more problematically, each Summoner gets an "eidolon" which is a bit like a completely customizable and incredibly powerful monstrous animal companion. If you have an Unchained Summoner, you may as well be playing a solo campaign because you probably don't need anyone else in the party to win most encounters. I'm not sure how the Unchained Summoner ever made it through playtesting, but it stands as an example that even great companies like Paizo can make major mistakes.

The Witch is a full (up to 9th level spells) spellcasting class that receives special powers called hexes. Some of the hexes are really flavourful and cool, and the concept of the class as a whole is one I really like. There are two things about the class I'm not a fan of: first, familiars are a major part of the class and as both a player and a GM I find familiars really annoying to deal with (because they rarely contribute positively to a play experience); second, each witch receives bonus spells depending on what "patron" they choose, but the patrons are just abstract concepts (like "Agility" or "Water") and have no substance or flavour to them, and no real potential for story development. I think it was a bland and almost forgettable way of implementing a really cool idea (mysterious forces granting a character power in exchange for . . .?). I should also note that one of the witch's hexes, Slumber, has proven overpowered and problematic at a lot of tables.

So as a whole, I think the Alchemist is a real success, while Witches, Oracles, and Inquisitors are solid additions to the game. The Cavalier is mostly forgotten, while the Summoner is a good example of what not to do in terms of game design.

The Classes chapter then continues by offering each of the Core classes something special, often in the form of "archetypes." If you don't already know, archetypes are packages of abilities that swap out some of the features of a class in exchange for other features, and they've become an important part of most builds for experienced players. Here's a summary of what each Core class gets.

1) Barbarians receive a lot of cool new options for rage powers (though, oddly, a lot of them relate to consuming alcohol) and several archetypes that don't change a lot of class features but that are quite good;

2) Bards get some fantastic and (sometimes quite dramatic) archetypes, at least as written--but admittedly, I don't hear about them being played very often;

3) Clerics receive the introduction of "subdomains", which are, as the name indicates, "branch" domains. A cleric with the Sun domain, for example, could now choose the replacement special power and domain spells of the Light subdomain. It's a way to allow the further customization of clerics since they don't have a lot of class features to trade out for archetypes;

4) Druids get archetypes that are all terrain-based and quite formulaic, along with a handful of "animal shaman" archetypes that have the same essential ability to gain an aspect of a particular animal's powers.

5) Fighters get a lot of archetypes, most of which are poor in terms of flavour ("Archer" or "Two-Handed Fighter") but some that are quite nutritious, as it were, to aiding particular combat styles;

6) Monks get a lot of archetypes, most of which are pretty bland but some, like the Zen Archer, the Monk of the Four Winds' Slow Time ability, and the Monk of the Healing Hand's capstone power are pretty cool;

7) Paladins get archetypes that are okay, but there's some clunky features for the Divine Defender and Sacred Servant. There's also the introduction of the Antipaladin (formally an "Alternate" Class) which I know a lot of people demanded but I'm just not a fan of the concept because I think it devalues the essential goodness of the Paladin idea;

8) Rangers get new archetypes and some new combat styles. I really like the Guide archetype, as the Terrain Bond feature seems much truer to the niche that rangers should fill as wilderness experts. The Infiltrator and Skirmisher archetypes also get some cool stuff;

9) Rogues receive 30 new rogue talents and 12 new advanced rogue talents to choose from, though most are of the "1/day, roll two d20s and take the better" on a specific skill check type. I like the Fast Getaway talent (allowing a rogue to sneak attack and then withdraw), and imagine it would keep a lot of rogues alive. The class also receives several archetypes, but most are pretty thin and forgettable (though the Cutpurse could be used to devastating effect depending on GM discretion);

10) Sorcerers receive 10 new bloodlines, and although I'm not an expert on the class, they look useful and meaningful;

11) Wizards get new elemental schools to specialize in, and some of the special powers look like a lot of fun (like the Air school's Cyclone power or the Water school's Wave power). There's also the introduction of "Focused Arcane Schools" which you can think of as "super specialization" in a particular aspect of a School in order to gain replacement powers.

Whew! A lot of stuff in that chapter. Moving on.

Chapter 3 (Feats) contains a *lot* of new feats. The summary table which gives a one-line description of each one fills four pages. Many of the new feats are standalone things, but others can be grouped by type: several give an additional use of class features ("Extra Rage Power", "Extra Rogue Talent", etc.), make it easier to use the new combat maneuvers introduced at the end of the book, create new metamagic options for spellcasting (with "Dazing Spell" responsible for a lot frustration to GMs), etc. A new type of feat, Teamwork Feats, are introduced for the first time in this chapter. The idea with Teamwork Feats is that if two PCs (or allied NPCs) have the same feat, they both get bonuses in particular situations: for example, if two PCs have the "Allied Spellcaster" teamwork feat, they each get a +2 bonus on caster level checks to overcome spell resistance. I do like the concept, but the proven problem is that it's often hard to get other players at the table to have their PCs take the same one that you're taking, and the bonuses provided by the feats aren't so amazing that groups are inclined to carefully coordinate.

Chapter 4 (Equipment) contains about 25 new weapons (including some of those fun, weird polearms D&D veterans will recognize), a handful of new types of armor, a lot of new pieces of adventuring gear, and several new alchemical items. There's not a lot here that's earth-shattering, though some items, such as Weapon Blanch, have become de rigeur for every smart adventurer. It would have been nice if more of the equipment was illustrated, and that better choices were made on what was essential to illustrate: I know what an hourglass looks like, for example, and don't need a picture, but seeing what a "light detector" looks like would have been interesting.

Chapter 5 (Spells) has 57 pages of options for spellcasters of every stripe. Reading through, I noticed a surprising number of cool Paladin spells, a lot of Bard "finale" spells (that are cast and instantly end bardic performance), and a lot of ninth level spells. Some of the spells I really liked include Blaze of Glory, Fire Snake, and Hero's Defiance, and the picture of Cacophonous Call on p. 209 is hilarious. Every spellcaster is bound to find something useful, but there are some problematic ones introduced in this chapter, like the Create Pit line, that GMs need to be aware of.

Chapter 6 (Prestige Classes) introduces eight new options that PCs could, but probably won't, strive for. Pathfinder long had a reputation for not making much of the prestige class concept, and that's only recently begun to change. Really fast verdicts: 1) Battle Herald: Love the concept, but everything is tied off an "Inspiring Command" bonus which just progresses too slowly, making the entire prestige class weak; 2) Holy Vindicator: no design room for the concept, and the abilities don't help; 3) Horizon Walker: the bonuses in some terrains are fantastic and in others completely "meh"; 4) Master Chymist: Classic Jekyll & Hyde alchemist; 5) Master Spy: I liked this more than I thought I would, and could see it used for a lot of NPCs or maybe a PC (in just the right campaign). Gets clever and useful foils to most means of detection, but abilities come on line much later than they should for most adventures; 6) Rage prophet: Not impressive. 7) Stalwart Defender: Good, cool abilities that fit the theme, and a good capstone power.

Chapter 7 (Magic Items) has something of everything: magic weapons, armor, wondrous items, minor and major artifacts, etc. The new metamagic rods are really powerful considering the price, the new staves are pretty boring, and there's a lot of stuff geared specifically for the new classes, which makes sense. If you've dumped Strength and are relying on Muleback Cords, you've got this book to thank. My only regret is that the chapter introduces so many fun cursed magic items, and I hardly ever get an opportunity to use any in a game.

Chapter 8 (New Rules) is an important chapter containing three new concepts: additional combat maneuvers, hero points, and traits. [I'm almost done, but have run out of space here. The end of the review can be found at: http://jhaeman.blogspot.com.au/2017/07/advanced-players-guide-rpg.html]


A very awesome book

5/5

this expands almost perfectly on what the core is.

They add some very solid and original class ideas.

This a must buy for some that like pathfinder


5/5


The Shinning Example of What Pathfinder Books Should Be

5/5

The Advanced Player's Guide (APG) is to this day one the best books for Pathfinder. It introduces a number of (now iconic) classes unique to the system.

The overall balance of the book is amazing. Alchemist and Inquisitor are probably the two most well-balanced classes in the game, and the latter is what I consider to be the best designed one in all of Pathfinder.

We get a few alternate rules that are pretty cool, such as word casting and character traits. We even get new combat maneuvers added to the fold!

The possibilities of character creation allowed by this book greatly increases the variety and fun of Pathfinder. If you can only buy a single expansion book, buy this one.

The book is not perfect, of course. The Summoner class (and even more so, its archetypes) would really benefit from clearer wording. It's sad to see cool ideas such as word casting being completely abandoned after this...

Still, those are minor problems in comparison to all the good stuff that is included in the APG, and the book still deserves its 5-star rating.


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If this has been discussed in the thread already, I apologize. But I wonder what the ability/feat “Steal” entails? As we already have a Sleight of Hand skill.


I'm speculating that "Steal" allows in-combat theft? Or makes it easier?

Silver Crusade

Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

Steal is a new Combat Maneuver that allows you to snatch stuff from the enemy during combat.


Interesting. I wonder what the limits on that is. Like could they just open up your Bag of Holding/Handy Haversack and grab whatever is in there? Or does it have to be something exposed?

I guess we will find out in a couple of weeks.

Liberty's Edge

I would think because its used in combat it could only be used for stuff in reach/ visable. Nothing in packs, pouches, bags of holding, ect.. But you should be able to try and grab a bag or pouch if you can see it.


Any word on combat maneuvers other than "steal"?

Silver Crusade

Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber
LoreKeeper wrote:
Any word on combat maneuvers other than "steal"?

Dirty Trick, Reposition, Drag :)


Gorbacz wrote:
LoreKeeper wrote:
Any word on combat maneuvers other than "steal"?
Dirty Trick, Reposition, Drag :)

Okay, any word on what these do? Also, do any/all of them require a different "base" feat compared to the current ones? (i.e. not PowerAttack or CombatExpertise)

Dark Archive

Pathfinder Pathfinder Accessories Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Starfinder Charter Superscriber
LoreKeeper wrote:
Gorbacz wrote:
LoreKeeper wrote:
Any word on combat maneuvers other than "steal"?
Dirty Trick, Reposition, Drag :)

Okay, any word on what these do? Also, do any/all of them require a different "base" feat compared to the current ones? (i.e. not PowerAttack or CombatExpertise)

Dirty trick is throwing sand in someone's eyes etc, so probably some sort of penalty. Drag is Anti-Bullrush.


LoreKeeper wrote:
Gorbacz wrote:
Dirty Trick, Reposition, Drag :)
Okay, any word on what these do?

I assume Drag, Dirty Trick, and Reposition all have to do with hiring a transvestite prostitute. At least that's what Eddie Murphy suggested when I asked him.

Actually, Steal might be related, too.


Oh, yes... just got my "next week or so" mail...


Me too !!! Yay !!!

evilash wrote:
Oh, yes... just got my "next week or so" mail...


evilash wrote:
Oh, yes... just got my "next week or so" mail...

No fair! My "next week or so" email message shows the last chapter of Kingmaker AP and the first of the Serpent Skull but doesn't include my Advanced Player's Guide! ...double checked, still shows my preorder included in my order history. Hmmmmm.....


Papa-DRB wrote:

Me too !!! Yay !!!

evilash wrote:
Oh, yes... just got my "next week or so" mail...

Hopefully we'll start seeing them ship Monday! please oh please Monday!


I'd post this in the customer service thread and ask Cos or Sara Marie to look into it.

-- david
Papa.DRB

ps. You must be ordering not under teh RPG subscriber...

Maveric28 wrote:
evilash wrote:
Oh, yes... just got my "next week or so" mail...

No fair! My "next week or so" email message shows the last chapter of Kingmaker AP and the first of the Serpent Skull but doesn't include my Advanced Player's Guide! ...double checked, still shows my preorder included in my order history. Hmmmmm.....

Liberty's Edge

I pre ordered my copy. I hope to get a email soon. :)


Hmm, Sleight of Hand already allows you to steal during combat, though you provoke an AoO. In fact, there's a feat in Dragon Compendium called Cutpurse that lets you use Sleight of Hand to steal during combat without provoking one.

There's also Master Pickpocket in City of Stormreach that does the same thing (except you get +4 bonus if grappling and take -10 and not -20 penalty when pickpocketing as a free action). Cutpurse has no Dex requirement (but requires Improved Unarmed Strike), so it's easier to qualify while Master Pickpocket needed more ranks in Sleight of Hand and Dex 15+ (and is clearly better).

So I wonder how "Steal" works and whether I should forfeit yet MORE feats from my games, or ignore this new CM? Hmm....


E-mail recieved...now the waiting begins


Maveric28 wrote:
No fair! My "next week or so" email message shows the last chapter of Kingmaker AP and the first of the Serpent Skull but doesn't include my Advanced Player's Guide! ...double checked, still shows my preorder included in my order history. Hmmmmm.....

I think they begin with the subscribers, and since you're not a subscriber to the RPG line your preorder of the APG will probably be processed separately after the subscriber copies has gone out.


Pathfinder Adventure Path, Rulebook, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Hm, I received the e-mail for the my adventure path suscription but not for the RPG suscription. Now I'm worried the APG will be available later for me than the AP's. ^^

Liberty's Edge

magnuskn wrote:
Hm, I received the e-mail for the my adventure path suscription but not for the RPG suscription. Now I'm worried the APG will be available later for me than the AP's. ^^

Same here. But I just sub. to the AP not the core Pathfinder RPG. But I did pre order the Players Guide.


evilash wrote:
Maveric28 wrote:
No fair! My "next week or so" email message shows the last chapter of Kingmaker AP and the first of the Serpent Skull but doesn't include my Advanced Player's Guide! ...double checked, still shows my preorder included in my order history. Hmmmmm.....
I think they begin with the subscribers, and since you're not a subscriber to the RPG line your preorder of the APG will probably be processed separately after the subscriber copies has gone out.

Nope, same story for me.....no email, and I subscribe to the RPG only, at that.

EDIT: Hopefully, it's just that the emails are slowly trickling out over the week.


Got my email! (awaits anxiously!)

Dark Archive

Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Charter Superscriber

I think I may be more excited about the APG's release than I was about the core book itself. Ship them already, dang it, or else just bill me and unlock the PDFs!

Silver Crusade

Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

Paizo, please take my money ! Now !


Pathfinder Maps, Pathfinder Accessories Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Starfinder Charter Superscriber

Got my 'standby' to 'standby' email last night and I only subscribe to the RPG line currently. The only other thing I have ordered are the miniatures for the new class iconics, but I have not received an email of any sort regarding them. Nor were they mentioned in the 'Standby for the APG' email I got; they will apparently be shipped separately, which is fine by me. I don't want the minis to slow down the book getting to me.


Maybe if we ask nice and send cookies or cupcakes, (one of my friend's is a would class baker so think about it) Paizo would would on lock the pdfs. I don't mind being waiting a little longer like say monday. Let me know what kind of Cupcakes/ Cookies you would like.


Well I know Josh likes Oreos...


magnuskn wrote:
Well, I'm getting to be 35 tomorrow, so I fear it's 1975. <sigh> Where did the years go? :p

I've got eleven years up on you....so don't complain about feeling old.

Still it's funny how many of us have the same birth date.


WOO! Got my e-mail and there's a pre-note on my account... Maybe tomorrow then?


*fidgets in his chair, hitting refresh on his e-mail page*


So, if the preorders ship with a day or two, when will it be available for the general population?

My boss is going to be stepping down from his job at the end of next week and we're wondering for a going away present for him?

Liberty's Edge

Pathfinder Pathfinder Accessories Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber
Pathos wrote:

So, if the preorders ship with a day or two, when will it be available for the general population?

My boss is going to be stepping down from his job at the end of next week and we're wondering for a going away present for him?

Preorders tend to ship within a week of the notice rather than a day or two. The book and PDF will be on sale to the general public on the first day of GenCon. The only people who might get it earlier (and might get it later, especially if they're international) are subscrivbers and pre-orders.

Liberty's Edge

Razz wrote:

Hmm, Sleight of Hand already allows you to steal during combat, though you provoke an AoO. In fact, there's a feat in Dragon Compendium called Cutpurse that lets you use Sleight of Hand to steal during combat without provoking one.

So I wonder how "Steal" works and whether I should forfeit yet MORE feats from my games, or ignore this new CM? Hmm....

I think Steal is another move anyone can try to do, not a feat. Another thing you can do with CMB and CMD. Sorry to get off topic.


CapeCodRPGer wrote:

I think Steal is another move anyone can try to do, not a feat. Another thing you can do with CMB and CMD. Sorry to get off topic.

There's a feat called Master Pickpocket that lets you grab items off an enemy with Sleight of Hand. I know it's an official PFRPG feat, but I don't remember where it came from. (I tend to copy/paste feats I like into a Word file so I can access them quickly without looking through umpteen books).


Pathfinder Adventure Path, Rulebook, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
Illithar wrote:
WOO! Got my e-mail and there's a pre-note on my account... Maybe tomorrow then?

Hm, I'm getting concerned... I got my e-mail for the adventure path books, but none so far for the APG. I hope it will be ready for early next week and not delayed. I've been waiting so much for the book. :-(


Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
magnuskn wrote:
Illithar wrote:
WOO! Got my e-mail and there's a pre-note on my account... Maybe tomorrow then?
Hm, I'm getting concerned... I got my e-mail for the adventure path books, but none so far for the APG. I hope it will be ready for early next week and not delayed. I've been waiting so much for the book. :-(

I had something similar a month or two ago with the Gamemastery Guide, for what ever reason it wasn't in my confirmation e-mail, but it was in the shipment when it went out.


Pathfinder Adventure Path, Rulebook, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
Justin Franklin wrote:
magnuskn wrote:
Illithar wrote:
WOO! Got my e-mail and there's a pre-note on my account... Maybe tomorrow then?
Hm, I'm getting concerned... I got my e-mail for the adventure path books, but none so far for the APG. I hope it will be ready for early next week and not delayed. I've been waiting so much for the book. :-(
I had something similar a month or two ago with the Gamemastery Guide, for what ever reason it wasn't in my confirmation e-mail, but it was in the shipment when it went out.

I hope so, otherwise I'll have to get out the heavy guns. :p


Gorbacz wrote:
LoreKeeper wrote:
Any word on combat maneuvers other than "steal"?
Dirty Trick, Reposition, Drag :)

So Drag isn't a new option Bardic Performance? ;)

Liberty's Edge

Molly Dingle wrote:
So Drag isn't a new option Bardic Performance? ;)

Looking fabulous is never an option; its a requirement.

Dark Archive

Pathfinder Pathfinder Accessories Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Starfinder Charter Superscriber
CapeCodRPGer wrote:
Razz wrote:

Hmm, Sleight of Hand already allows you to steal during combat, though you provoke an AoO. In fact, there's a feat in Dragon Compendium called Cutpurse that lets you use Sleight of Hand to steal during combat without provoking one.

So I wonder how "Steal" works and whether I should forfeit yet MORE feats from my games, or ignore this new CM? Hmm....

I think Steal is another move anyone can try to do, not a feat. Another thing you can do with CMB and CMD. Sorry to get off topic.

Sorry to continue on the off topic. I think Razz is refering to having to get theoretical Improved Steal/Greater Steal feats to make the manoeuvre effective.


Greedy player here... seeing as the book's already been leaked (greaat) any chance on an earlier release of the PDF to subscribers? It certainly didn't give me a warm fuzzy when I saw that.


nathan blackmer wrote:
Greedy player here... seeing as the book's already been leaked (greaat) any chance on an earlier release of the PDF to subscribers? It certainly didn't give me a warm fuzzy when I saw that.

I would think that it is quite unlikely that Paizo will, because a store broke the release date, move up their timetable for releasing the book.


Blazej wrote:
nathan blackmer wrote:
Greedy player here... seeing as the book's already been leaked (greaat) any chance on an earlier release of the PDF to subscribers? It certainly didn't give me a warm fuzzy when I saw that.
I would think that it is quite unlikely that Paizo will, because a store broke the release date, move up their timetable for releasing the book.

Yeah me too, but it never hurts to ask, right? I mean we are subscribers and the advantage of that is getting it first. I certainly won't have any hard feelings if I dont, its a great company and I love the product, but its still worth asking.


Someone released early?

That's it...everyone light up your torches and sharpen your pitchforks.

They must be punished.


drkfathr1 wrote:

Someone released early?

That's it...everyone light up your torches and sharpen your pitchforks.

They must be punished.

*rabble rabble rabble*


Pathfinder Adventure Path, Rulebook, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
nathan blackmer wrote:
Blazej wrote:
nathan blackmer wrote:
Greedy player here... seeing as the book's already been leaked (greaat) any chance on an earlier release of the PDF to subscribers? It certainly didn't give me a warm fuzzy when I saw that.
I would think that it is quite unlikely that Paizo will, because a store broke the release date, move up their timetable for releasing the book.
Yeah me too, but it never hurts to ask, right? I mean we are subscribers and the advantage of that is getting it first. I certainly won't have any hard feelings if I dont, its a great company and I love the product, but its still worth asking.

Well, I'd love to have the book to read over the weekend... ^^

Liberty's Edge

I don't care if it's leaking already, but a solid date as to when subscribers will have access to the PDF would be nice.

Even if you don't have one, just lie.


For subscribers to get their PDFs early, I imagine that the relevant staff would need to come in over the whole weekend to ensure that the relevant subscribers were all billed correctly, and the PDFs enabled.

I expect that they'd rather have their weekend off! So continue to be patient... it's only a few more days!


anyone else thing corporate espionage, I just really excited about every thing happening. Paizo must be doing something right for other corporation to step in and muck thing up. I thinking BP is trying to systematically throw every one off the trail of the mess. Starting with Paizo and there fans I wonder who is next.

"Yes now the gamer geeks are of out trail next, Dog owners." you watch there is going to be some kind of crazy dog scandal next.

any way the cupcake or cookie offer is still on the table, just need an address and how many you want.

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Last updated: August 19, 2016.

Race and Class

Alchemist, Choices When "Casting": If I makes an extract of a multiple-choice spell (such as protection from energy), do I make that choice when I create the extract, or when I drink it?

You make the choice when you drink it.

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Alchemist and infusions: Can I use the infusion discovery to create an infused extract of a personal-range formula (such as true strike), which someone else can drink?

Yes, you can. The design team may decide to close this loophole in the next printing of the Advanced Player's Guide.

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Alchemist: If an alchemist has the Fast bombs discovery, can he use Rapid Shot, Two-Weapon Fighting, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, haste, and similar abilities and effects to add more attacks?

As written, yes, all of these apply because fast bombs "functions just like a full-attack with a ranged weapon."

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Alchemist: Does the Accelerated Drinker feat from Cheliax, Empire of Devils allow a character to drink an alchemist extract as a move action?

No.

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Alchemist: Does the damage bonus from the Point Blank Shot feat apply to bombs?

Yes.

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Alchemist: Does an inferno bomb, poison bomb, smoke bomb, or stink bomb cause bomb damage in addition to the special effect listed for those discoveries?

Yes. For example, a smoke bomb deals bomb damage and creates an area of smoke.

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Alchemist: For the purposes of an alchemist's class abilities, are poisons considered alchemical items?

Yes.

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Alchemist: Is an alchemist a spellcaster for the purpose of crafting magic items other than potions?

As written, no, alchemists are not spellcasters, and therefore can't select feats such as Craft Wondrous Item.
The design team is aware that this creates some thematic problems with the idea of an alchemist creating golems and so on, and plan to examine this in the future.

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Alchemist: What kind of action is it to use an extract, mutagen, or throw a bomb?

It is a standard action to use an extract, mutagen, or throw a bomb. This action includes retrieving the necessary materials from the alchemist's supplies, in the same manner as retrieving a material component is included in the act of spellcasting.

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Archetype Stacking and Altering: What exactly counts as altering a class feature for the purpose of stacking archetypes?

In general, if a class feature grants multiple subfeatures, it’s OK to take two archetypes that only change two separate subfeatures. This includes two bard archetypes that alter or replace different bardic performances (even though bardic performance is technically a single class feature) or two fighter archetypes that replace the weapon training gained at different levels (sometimes referred to as “weapon training I, II, III, or IV”) even though those all fall under the class feature weapon training. However, if something alters the way the parent class feature works, such as a mime archetype that makes all bardic performances completely silent, with only visual components instead of auditory, you can’t take that archetype with an archetype that alters or replaces any of the sub-features. This even applies for something as small as adding 1 extra round of bardic performance each day, adding an additional bonus feat to the list of bonus feats you can select, or adding an additional class skill to the class. As always, individual GMs should feel free to houserule to allow small overlaps on a case by case basis, but the underlying rule exists due to the unpredictability of combining these changes.

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Barbarian Increased Damage Reduction: The increased damage reduction rage power says it increases the “barbarian’s damage reduction”, but does that refer to the barbarian class feature “damage reduction” or to any damage reduction the barbarian might possess. In particular, the invulnerable rager archetype trades away the barbarian’s damage reduction class feature for a new ability called invulnerability that gives a slightly different form of damage reduction, so would the rage power work with that?

The rage power refers to the class feature damage reduction, meaning that it doesn’t help invulnerable ragers’ invulnerability class feature. The suggestion for the archetype to take that rage power in the suggested rage powers is in error and will be removed in the next errata.

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Barbarian, Lesser Spirit Totem: Who decides who the spirits attack, and what effects affect the spirits?

The barbarian decides who the spirits attack each round. The spirits are not affected by effects that aid their attacks or damage (such as bardic performance or bless) or penalize their attacks or damage (such as bane or darkness). The spirits always strike from your direction. They do not get flanking bonuses or help a combatant get one.

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Barbarian--Totem Warrior: Does this archetype allow you to take more than one type of totem rage powers?

No, the line in Ultimate Combat is in error; a barbarian cannot select from more than one group of totem rage powers.
This error will be corrected in the next printing of Ultimate Combat.
This answer originally appeared in the 9/11/12 Paizo blog.

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Cavalier: Do animal companion levels from the druid class stack with cavalier mount levels?

If the animal is on the cavalier mount list and on the list of animal companions for your other class, your cavalier and druid levels stack to determine the animal's abilities. If the animal is not on the cavalier mount list, the druid levels do not stack and you must have different animals (one an animal companion, one a cavalier mount).
For example, if you are Medium druid and you choose a horse companion, levels in cavalier stack to determine the horse's abilities. If you are a Medium druid and you choose a bird companion, levels in cavalier do not stack to determine the bird's abilities, and you must choose a second creature to be your mount (or abandon the bird and select an animal companion you can use as a mount).
This same answer applies to multiclassed cavalier/rangers.
(Note that the design team discourages players from having more than one companion creature at a time, as those creatures tend to be much weaker than a single creature affected by these stacking rules, and add to the bookkeeping for playing that character.)

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Cleric, Outsider Subdomains: How am I supposed to use the planar binding domain spell granted by these subdomains?

This is an error, in that there is an alignment incompatibility between the outsider subdomains and the magic circle spells needed to bind the respective types of outsiders. For example, a chaotic cleric with the Protean (Chaos) subdomain would need to cast a [lawful] magic circle against chaos domain spell to bind a chaotic protean, but her chaotic alignment prevents her from doing so (see Chaotic, Evil, Good, and Lawful Spells in the Core Rulebook).

The solution is to allow the use of that planar binding domain spell without requiring the magic circle spell. (If the cleric wanted to create a calling diagram to improve her chances, she could enlist the aid of another caster to cast the required magic circle spell.)

This text will be updated in a future printing of the Advanced Player's Guide

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Druid, Animal Shamans: At what class level do these archetypes gain wild shape?

The animal shaman archetypes for the druid class do not gain wild shape until class level 6.

(The other druid archetypes in this book use clearer phrasing to explain that the character doesn't gain the ability until level 6, and the animal shamans should also use that language. Furthermore, the descriptions of the modified wild shape class ability should include "This ability replaces wild shape.")

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Druid, Eagle Shaman: How can I take the form of a roc if a roc is Gargantuan and the maximum size I can reach with wild shape is Huge?

The lack of suitable giant bird stat blocks in official Paizo products hinders the rules options for this archetype.

To remedy this problem, an eagle shaman druid can use wild shape to take the form of a Medium eagle (as if applying the giant creature simple template to a Small eagle), and can use wild shape to take the form of a Huge roc (as if applying the young creature simple template to a Gargantuan roc). Abilities of the assumed form are determined by which beast shape spell the wild shape ability functions as, as determined by the eagle shaman's effective druid level.

This ruling only applies to the eagle shaman, not any other kind of animal shaman archetype.

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Half-Elf or Half-Orc: Can a character of either of these races select human racial favored class options?

Yes. Half-elves and half-orcs may select racial favored class options, archetypes, traits, and so on, as if they were a full member of both races (a half-elf can select elf and human rules elements, a half-orc can select human and orc rules elements).

Edit 9/26/13: This is a reversal of an earlier ruling. This resolves a discrepancy between this FAQ, another APG FAQ, and a Core Rulebook FAQ.

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Half-Orc--Toothy: Does this alternate racial trait stack with the Razortusk feat (page 168) granting you two bite attacks?

This is one of those areas where we tried to get at the same idea multiple ways. In this case, the answer is no, unless you somehow manage to get an extra mouth. Generally speaking, natural weapons can only be used once per round each. This also applies to the Animal Fury barbarian rage power (Core Rulebook, page 32).

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Holy Vindicator: Thise class has an ability that gives him a sacred bonus to AC until "struck in combat." Does a touch attack count as being "struck"? What about a spell like magic missile or fireball?

The ability lasts until an opponent makes a successful attack roll against the vindicator's Armor Class.

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Horizon Walker: How long does the terrain mastery ability (page 265) last when the character grants the bonus to his allies?

This ability basically works like hunter's bond (companions), except the character is lending his terrain bonus instead of his enemy bonus. Like hunter's bond (companions), it lasts a number of rounds equal to the character's Wis modifier (minimum 1).

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Inquisitor: Does an inquisitor's bane ability (page 40) affect both ends of a double weapon?

No. In general, the game treats double weapons as if they were two different weapons, and an ability, spell, or effect that changes or augments "a weapon" only applies to one end of a double weapon.

Sometimes the rules are redundant and specifically call out that an ability that affects "a weapon" (such as a paladin's divine bond) only affects one end of a double weapon. Sometimes the rules aren't redundant (such as the magic weapon spell, or the inquisitor's bane ability), but the general rule still applies: the double weapon is treated as two separate weapons.

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Inquisitor: If an inquisitor uses Solo Tactics (Advanced Player's Guide, page 40) with the Outflank feat (APG, page 165), does the enemy provoke attacks of opportunity when hit with a critical hit?

Yes, but only when the inquisitors allies score a critical hit against a foe that they both flank. In this case, the enemy provokes an attack of opportunity from the inquisitor. The reverse is not true, since her allies can only gain bonuses from teamwork feats if they themselves possess them.

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Inquisitor: Some of the inquisitor abilities still refer to the scaling bonuses from the playtest version of the class. What is the rule for these abilities?

(This information will appear in the APG errata document; this FAQ entry is here to address these recurring inquisitor questions until the errata is posted.)

Page 41: In the Slayer class feature, change the text to read as follows.

Slayer (Ex): At 17th level, an inquisitor learns to focus her judgment. Whenever an inquisitor uses her judgment ability, she must select one type of judgment. She is treated as if she were 5 levels higher for the purposes of determining the bonus granted by this judgment. Unlike other types of judgment, the one enhanced by this ability cannot be changed for the remainder of the judgment.

Page 41: In the True Judgement class feature, delete the sixth sentence.

Page 222: In the flames of the faithful spell, change the second sentence of the description to read as follows.

If you are using the judgement class feature, your weapon gains the flaming burst property instead.

Page 288: In the jurist special weapon ability, in the first paragraph, delete the last sentence.

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Master Chymist: For the dual mind advanced mutagen (page 269), if you makes your second save and change forms, does that cost one of your uses of the mutate ability?

Yes. In effect, the chymist is spending a use of the mutate ability to override a failed saving throw. If she doesn't have any daily uses left of the mutate ability, she doesn't have any uses to spare to activate this override.

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Master Chymist: For the mutate ability (page 268), if the character is unable to take a standard action on her next turn, is she still forced to mutate against her will, and if so, what sort of action does she take to do so?

Being forced to change form is a penalty the master chymist risks. She shouldn't be able to ignore that penalty just because she can't take a standard action on her next turn (for example, if she is nauseated). Under these circumstances, she must use all of her available actions on her turn to change form. For example, if nauseated, she must use her available move action to mutate. If restricted to just a swift action on her next turn after the triggering effect, she must use that swift action to mutate. If she is helpless, the transformation doesn't occur until the first turn where she can take a standard action (or whatever is available to her) to mutate.

For example, if she is helpless from a hold person spell, the only action available to her is the full-round action to break free. Once she is free of that spell, on her next turn (the first turn where she can take other actions) she must spend a standard action to mutate.

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Monk ki mystic archetype: The ki mystic ability seems like it alters the monk’s ki pool ability, but it doesn’t say “This ability alters ki pool.” Is this because the ki mystic’s ki pool is a separate second pool that can only be used for the powers described in the ki mystic archetype, and the monk then also receives the regular ki pool that works as normal?

No. When Advanced Player’s Guide was written, archetypes were new and the “this alters” language didn’t exist yet, meaning archetypes in this book, including ki mystic, never include it, even when they should by current standards. The ki mystic ability alters ki pool. At 3rd level, a ki mystic gets a ki pool of Wisdom modifier points that can be used for the abilities listed in the archetype. At level 4, this upgrades to a ki pool of 1/2 monk level + Wisdom modifier + 2 points, which is a single ki pool (the ki mystic does not gain two) that can be used in all the usual ways a monk can use ki, plus those mentioned in the archetype.

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Oracle: Can an oracle select a revelation more than once?

No, unless the revelation specifically states you can.

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Oracle: Can I use my Charisma modifier for cleric spells and effects that use Wisdom, such as spiritual weapon?

As written, those effects say "Wisdom" (because they were written before the idea of the oracle class as a Charisma-based caster), so an oracle has to use her Wisdom modifier.
However, it is a perfectly reasonable house rule to allow an oracle to use her Charisma modifier (or bonus) for cleric spells that refer to the caster's Wisdom modifier (or bonus).

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Oracle: Does an oracle of lore with the sidestep secret (page 50) revelation use her Charisma to calculate her CMD instead of her Dexterity? If she is flat-footed, does she lose her Charisma bonus to AC?

An oracle of lore with the sidestep secret revelation uses her Dexterity to calculate her CMD since no provision is made in the text to use her Charisma for that statistic. She does, however, lose her Charisma bonus to AC whenever she is flat-footed, since her Charisma modifier is being used in place of her Dexterity modifier.

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Oracle: Does the haunted curse (page 44) affect the items in an oracle's spell component pouch?

The question here is whether or not the haunted curse makes is so that to cast any spell using a material component, the oracle has to first spend a standard action to find the right material component. Fortunately for oracles everywhere, this is not the case. The items in a spell component pouch are nebulous and not defined (intentionally, so as to prevent casters from having to track the amount of bat guano they are carrying). As a result, this curse has no effect on such components. For ease of play, this extends to all material components, including expensive ones.

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Oracle: Does the haunted curse affect how long it takes to draw a weapon?

No. The curse affects the "retrieve a stored item" action. If you are using the "draw a weapon" action (such as to draw a dagger from a belt sheath), that is a different kind of action and the haunted curse does not affect it.
If you were attempting to retrieve a dagger from your backpack, that would count as a "retrieve a stored item" action and the curse would interfere.

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Oracle: How can the revelation "Mantle of Moonlight" (page 48) force a target into a rage when that spell only affects willing targets?

The mantle of moonlight's touch attack forces a creature into a state with the same game effects as a rage spell, even though that spell normally only works on willing targets. There is no saving throw. The oracle affects one creature per use of this ability.

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Oracle: What kind of DR does an oracle get from the righteous might spell?

If the oracle chose the "all cure spells" option for her spells known, treat that as "channels positive energy" for the purpose of righteous might. If she chose "all inflict spells," treat that as "channels negative energy" for the purpose of righteous might.

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Oracle Bones Mystery: What exactly does the raise the dead revelation mean when it says you can summon a skeleton or zombie to serve you? Do I need a corpse? If not, can I just summon whatever I want, like a tarrasque fast zombie?

The raise the dead doesn’t require a corpse; you summon the creature (rising up out of the earth is a potential visual for this effect). You summon the base creature from the Bestiary in either case (human skeleton or human zombie) aside from the modifications from the revelation (adding extra HD, fast or bloody, and the advanced template). At the GM’s discretion, an oracle with a noticeably different body or bone structure might summon skeletons and zombies with this ability that look cosmetically more similar to the oracle than to a human, but this doesn’t affect their game mechanics.

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Oracle of Life, Energy Body: How many times per round can I use this ability to heal someone?

The text says "once per round." Regardless of whether you are passing through an ally's square or an ally is passing through your square, the healing can only occur once per round.

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Paladin: The sacred servant archetype (page 117) gets a domain. Does the sacred servant get all of the benefits of that domain, such as granted powers?

Yes.

Unless the text specifically says otherwise, when a character gains a cleric domain, they gain all benefits associated with that domain: granted powers, access to domain spells, and a domain spell slot at each spell level they can cast.

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Paladin: For the "nimbus of light" ability of the Warrior of the Holy Light archetype (page 118), what kind of light does it count as for the purpose of overcoming darkness effects? Is there a limit to how often a paladin can activate this ability? Does the 12th-level ability affect the paladin, or just her allies?

The ability counts as light up until 8th-level, at which point it counts as daylight. Activating the "nimbus of light" expends one use of her lay on hands ability. All effects of the nimbus affect the paladin as well as her allies (the game considers you an ally of yourself).
The APG update will include these clarifications.

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Rage Prophet: Does a rage prophet's savage seer ability allow him to stack his barbarian or oracle levels with his rage prophet levels to qualify for rage powers and mysteries?

No.

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Rogue: Does the dodge bonus from the “offensive defensive” rogue talent (page 131) stack with itself? Does it apply to everyone, or just to the target I’m attacking?

There are two issues relating to this rogue talent.

One, in the first printing it provided a +1 circumstance bonus against the attacked target, which was a very weak ability. The second printing update changed it from a circumstance bonus to a dodge bonus, but accidentally omitted the “against that creature” text, which made it a very strong ability.

Two, it doesn’t specify whether the dodge bonus stacks with itself, and because this creates a strange place in the rules where bonuses don’t stack from the same source but dodge bonuses always stack. While we haven’t reached a final decision on what to do about this talent, we are leaning toward this solution: the dodge bonus only applies against the creature you sneak attacked, and the dodge bonus does not stack with itself. This prevents you from getting a dodge bonus to AC against a strong creature by sneak attacking a weak creature, and prevents you from reaching an absurdly high AC by sneak attacking multiple times in the same round.

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Ranger: How does a ranger with the infiltrator archetype (page 126), which causes him to lose his favored terrain class feature, use his camouflage and hide in plain sight class features?

A ranger with the Infiltrator archetype can use the camouflage and hide in plain sight class features whenever he is using his adaptation class feature, regardless of the terrain he is in.

Update: On page 126, in the Infiltrator archetype, in the adaptation class feature, add the following sentence to the end of the second paragraph.

The ranger can use the camouflage and hide in plain sight class features whenever he is using adaptations.

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Sorcerer: Is the aquatic sorcerer bloodline (page 136) supposed to get geyser as a bonus spell at sorcerer level 9, even though that’s normally a 5th-level sorcerer/wizard spell and unavailable to sorcerers before caster level 10?

Yes, and the sorcerer learns it as a 4th-level spell. Note that geyser is also a 4th-level druid spell (available at character level 7), so the aquatic sorcerer gaining it at character level 9 as a 4th-level arcane spell isn’t too powerful.

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Subdomains: Can druids, inquisitors, and other classes with access to domains take the subdomains listed in the cleric section of the APG?

Yes, as long as they follow the rules for subdomains on page 86. A character who does not worship a deity (such as some druids and paladins) may select any one subdomain appropriate to a domain available to his or her class.

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Summoner: Can I use life link when it's not my turn, I'm paralyzed, or I otherwise can't take actions?

Although the ability is listed as a free action, it's something a summoner should be able to do at any time the eidolon would take enough damage to send it back to its home plane, even if it's not his turn (as is normally the case when he's being attacked), he's helpless from Strength or Dexterity poison, he's under a hold person spell, and so on. In other words, it's not an action at all, and shouldn't be listed as such.

Update: APG page 56, in the Life Link description, paragraph 1, sentence 2, delete "as a free action"

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Summoner: How does a summoner's life bond (page 57) work? The eidolon goes away when the summoner is unconscious, so it's very unlikely that this ability would trigger.

The ability should trigger when damage to the summoner would reduce him to less than 0 hit points, not just when it would kill him. (The 2nd printing of the APG includes this updated information.)

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Summoner: If I choose the reach evolution for my eidolon, how many of its attacks gains increased reach?

The ability description says "pick one attack," not "pick one attack type." So if your eidolon has two claws and you pick "claw" for the reach evolution, only one claw gets increased reach. (The reach evolution is intended to let you emulate having a dragon-eidolon, as a dragon's bite attack has greater reach than its claws.)

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Summoner: What's the minimum level to take the improved natural armor evolution (page 60) for an eidolon?

The description of the evolution says, "This evolution can be taken once for every five levels the summoner possesses." Unfortunately, that text is unclear.
A summoner can select this evolution once for levels 1—4, again for levels 5–9, a third time at levels 10–14, a fourth time at levels 15–19, and a fifth time at level 20.
This wording will be clarified in the next update document and print run for the APG.
Update: Page 60: Change the the Improved Natural Armor evolution to read as follows: "Improved Natural Armor (Ex): An eidolon's hide grows thick fur, rigid scales, or bony plates, giving it a +2 bonus to its natural armor. This evolution can be taken once at 1st level, and again at 5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th."

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Summoner: When I summon my eidolon that was banished or dismissed, how many hit points does it have when it appears?

Whatever hit points the eidolon had when it was dismissed or banished (rather than killed), that is how many hit points it has when it is summoned again.

Update: APg page 55, in the Eidolon description, in paragraph 2, in sentence 2, change "unchanged from the last time it was summoned" to "unchanged from the last time it was dismissed or banished."

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Witch, Cackle Hex: Can I use my standard action and move action to cackle twice in one round, extending another hex by two rounds?

No, you can only use cackle once per round.
This is being considered for clarification in a future printing of the Advanced Player's Guide.

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Witch, Cackle Hex: Does my character literally have to cackle madly when I use this hex, or is that just flavor text?

Your character actually has to cackle—probably in a strong voice, akin to the volume and clarity necessary for verbal spell components.

Edit 7/19/13:
If the witch is in a silence effect, she can't use the cackle hex.
If the target is in a silence effect, it is unaffected by the cackle.
This may require some clarifying text in the next printing of the Advanced Player's Guide.

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Witch, Cauldron Hex: Is a witch who selects this hex at 1st level able to use the Brew Potion feat, even though Brew Potion has a "caster level 3rd" prerequisite?

Yes.

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Witch, Disguise Hex: What's the time limitation for this hex?

The hex's description should say that the witch can use the ability for a number of hours per day equal to the witch's class level. (This was added in the 2nd printing of the APG.)

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Witch, Evil Eye Hex: Can I use this hex more than once on a target?

Yes. As long as you apply a different penalty with each use of the hex (AC, ability checks, attack rolls, saving throws, or skill checks), you can have multiple penalties on the same target. Applying the same hex penalty to a target just resets the duration to the most recent use of the hex.

Example: On round 1, you hex the target's AC. On round 2, you hex the target's attack rolls, so the target now has two evil eye hexes on it. On round 3, you hex the target's saving throws, so it now has three evil eye hexes on it. On round 4, you hex its AC again, resetting the duration of the AC-hex (which does not add an additional –2 penalty to its AC). The same thing would happen if two witches were using evil eye on the same target--as long as each evil eye hex applied a penalty to a different thing, they'd all apply.

This doesn't violate the general rule for stacking penalties--each evil eye effect is basically a different source, even though they stem from the evil eye hex (the evil eye hex is much like 5 separate weak hexes under a common umbrella). In the same way that multiple castings of bestow curse on the same target should stack as long as they do different things (penalize Strength, penalize Dex, penalize attack rolls, take no action, and so on), multiple uses of the evil eye hex stack as long as they're targeting different game statistics.

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Witch, Flight Hex: Can my witch use her feather fall and levitate abilities on other creatures?

No. All aspects of the flight hex affect only the witch (though she can carry objects or creatures as part of her weight allowance as described in those spell effects). (The 2nd printing of the APG includes this updated information.)

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Witch, Fortune Hex: How often can a creature "benefit" from this hex? If it lasts more than one round, does it end after the first time it is used?

When a creature becomes the target of the fortune hex, it gains the benefit of that hex once per round, until the hex runs out, as determined by the level of the witch that created the effect. Once it ends, the creature cannot again be the target of that hex for 24 hours.

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Witch, Healing Hex: Can I use this hex to damage undead? If so, how often can I affect a particular undead?

The hex acts like the appropriate cure wounds spell, so it damages undead.
When used this to damage undead, it should have the same once-per-24-hours limitation as its healing usage (even though that's not a "benefit" to the targeted undead).
For clarity, where the hex currently says:
"Once a creature has benefited from the healing hex, it cannot benefit from it again for 24 hours."
It should actually say:
"Once a creature has been affected by the hex, it cannot be affected by it again for 24 hours."
This will be updated in the next printing of the APG.

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Witch: If a hex says it can only affect a creature once every 24 hours, does that mean no other witch can use it on that target?

No, the restriction only applies to that particular witch using that hex, and doesn't prevent other witches from using their own hex with that name on the target.

For example, if Esmerelda uses her healing hex on Gustav, she can't use it on him again for 24 hours. Morda can still use her healing hex on Gustav during Esmerelda's no-healing-hex time period (and doing so prevents Morda from using it on him again for 24 hours). Repeat ad infinitum for any other witch using the healing hex

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Witch: If I take levels in a prestige class that advances my spellcasting, do I continue to gain bonus spells from my patron as I gain levels?

No. That is a class feature of the witch class, and the standard "+1 level of spellcasting" prestige class ability only advances spells known, spells per day, effective spellcaster level. (You retain the patron spells from your familiar based on your actual witch level, of course.)

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Feats and Traits

Arcane Blast: Is using this feat (page 150) a spell-like or supernatural ability?

It is a supernatural ability.

Update: Page 150, add this sentence to the end of the Arcane Blast feat description: "This is a supernatural ability."

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Bodyguard: The Bodyguard feat says that I can spend one of my attacks of opportunity to aid another the AC of an adjacent ally, but it doesn’t say one way or the other whether this removes other restrictions on aid another? Particularly, do I need to threaten the attacking enemy? Also, has that enemy provoked an attack of opportunity from me?

You still need to fulfill all requirements of aid another, including threatening the attacking enemy. Bodyguard uses up one of your attacks of opportunity for the round, but the enemy hasn’t provoked an attack of opportunity from you, nor are you making one (which is relevant for abilities like Paired Opportunist).

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Cloud Step: How does this feat (and Spider Step) interact with a level 20 monk who can fall an unlimited distance?

Both of those feats should allow the monk to travel up to 50 feet (if it weren't for the level 20 change to "unlimited," the mathematical progression of the monk class's slow fall ability would be 100 feet, and half that is 50 feet). The 2nd printing of the APG will reflect this information.

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Gang Up: Does this feat (page 161) allow you to flank a foe with ranged weapons?

The Gang Up feat allows you to count as flanking so long as two of your allies are threatening your opponent. The feat makes no mention of ranged attacks being included, and since flanking specifically refers to melee attacks, ranged attacks do not benefit from this feat. (JMB, 8/13/10)

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Magical Lineage (trait): Can I use this trait to adjust a spell's effective level below the unmodified spell's original level?

No. For example, it won't allow you to alter a wizard's fireball into 2nd-level spell.

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Perfect Strike: Can I use this feat with unarmed strikes?

As written, you can only use the feat with the specific weapons mentioned in the feat description.

So why does the feat have Improved Unarmed Strike as a prerequisite, if you can't actually use it with unarmed strikes? Because the feat is intended to be a cool thing that monks can do, and monks get IUS automatically (barring an archetype that replaces that feat), so having IUS as a prerequisite means it's easy for monks to learn Perfect Strike but more difficult for other classes. The prerequisite could have been "monk level X," but that would mean that only monks could take the feat (prohibiting even other martial arts classes or archetypes).

Note that the zen archer archetype allows you to use the feat with a bow, which means there's a precedent for creating an unarmed-combat archetype that modifies the feat for use with other weapons.

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Racial Heritage: Can a human with this feat take levels in an archetype that requires you to be of a specific race?

Yes, the Racial Heritage feat allows you to qualify for archetypes that have the chosen race as a requirement, assuming you still meet all of the other requirements to take levels in the archetype.

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Selective Spell: As written, this allows you to selectively ignore spells like black tentacles and antimagic field. Is that the intent of the feat?

No, it only affects instantaneous-duration spells. The APG errata will clarify this. (SKR 10/08/10)

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Gear and Magic Items

Creating Items and Caster Level: The APG magic items chapter says (on page 282), "The creator's caster level must be as high as the item's caster level." This contradicts the Core Rulebook. Which is correct?

That line in the APG is an error. An item's caster level is not a prerequisite for item creation unless it is specifically mentioned in an item's Requirements line (for example, an amulet of natural armor).

(SKR 8/30/10)

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Effective Level Increases From Magic Items: Several items in the APG increase a character's effective level for class abilities, such as the necklace of ki serenity for monks, robes of arcane heritage for sorcerers, and silver smite bracelet for paladins. What exactly does that entail?

The necklace says it affects "the size of his ki pool and the level-based effects of his ki pool ability (such as bypassing damage reduction)." Thus, increasing the monk's effective level for the ki pool ability just increases the number of ki points and what sort of DR the monk's unarmed strikes bypass. Other abilities that depend on ki points (wholeness of body, abundant step, and empty body) are not part of the ki pool ability, and the magic item doesn't affect those abilities or when the monk gets access to them.

The robes say "treats her sorcerer level as 4 higher than normal for the purpose of determining what bloodline powers she can use and their effects. Note that bloodline powers, bloodline arcana, bonus spells, and bloodline feats are three separate abilities of the sorcerer class; the robes only affect the bloodline powers.

The bracelet says "treats her paladin level as 4 higher than normal for the purpose of her smite evil class feature." As the only level-based aspects of smite evil are the bonus to damage rolls and how many times per day she can use it, those are the two things the bracelet affects.

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Huntsman: How much of a bonus does a weapon with the huntsman property add to your Survival checks?

The bonus is equal to the enhancement bonus of the weapon.
This information will be included in the next printing of the APG.

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Staves: The staves in the magic item section of the Advanced Player's Guide appear to be at half the normal price. Is this correct?

No, the staves in the Advanced Player's Guide are incorrectly priced and should be double the listed price. These staves have been reprinted in Ultimate Equipment with the correct price.

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Weapon Cord: What kind of action is it to recover a weapon attached to your wrist with a weapon cord?

As originally published, this was a swift action. The design team has changed this to a move action. This will be updated in the next printing of the Advanced Player's Guide.

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Spells

"Does not stack with" and spells with effects other than bonuses: What does it mean if a spell tells me it doesn’t stack with another spell or "similar effects" if some of the effects aren't bonuses?

If you have two spells with effects other than bonuses and those spells or effects are called out not to stack, that means that the effects that apply to the same rules component or situation do not stack, so if they apply different non-bonus effects to the same rules component, the most recent spell takes precedent. For example, aspect of the falcon specifically doesn't stack with any other effect that expands the threat range of a weapon, such as Improved Critical or keen. This means that the part of aspect of the falcon that applies to criticals doesn't stack with those effects, but it doesn't prevent someone with Improved Critical from receiving the competence bonuses on attack rolls and Perception checks. If a character with Improved Critical (light crossbow) cast aspect of the falcon, his criticals would change from 17–20/x2 to 19–20/x3. Similarly, blessing of fervor does not stack with haste, which means that the increased speed, extra attack, and attack roll/AC/Reflex save bonuses wouldn't stack between the two spells, but if you had both spells active, you could still get those three benefits from haste while choosing to stand up as a swift action or apply metamagic to a low-level spell.

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