Nightmare Boots

[Scott Fernandez]

Boots, Nightmare
Aura faint evocation and transmutation; CL 3rd
Slot feet; Price 7,500 gp; Weight 3 lbs.
Description
Prized by the various Hellknight orders and the elite tiefling skirmishers of Cheliax these hobnailed boots are made of an inky black leather trimmed with a crimson mane of fiendish horsehair. While moving in the thick of battle the wearer may call upon many of the dreaded Nightmare's infernal powers. First, during a Run or Charge action burning sparks spray from the boots iron shod soles capable of catching combustible materials on fire along the wearers path. Second, as a swift action while moving through threatened squares or during a Withdraw action the boots shroud the wearer in a cloud of black smoke granting concealment (20% miss chance). The smoke persists until the wearer's movement ends or for 1 round if using the Withdraw action. Finally, three times per day as a free action the wearer can command the boots to ignite dealing 1d6 points of fire damage on a successful hit against the target of an Attack action, Charge, or Spring Attack.
Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, burning hands, pyrotechnics; Cost 3,750 gp

[Neil Spicer]

Kind of interesting. Follows the template very well...all the way down to the name of "Boots, Nightmare." Someone did their homework. It also seems reasonably priced. A handful of powers, all thematically appropriate. It's successfully tied into Golarion lore, but not in a jarring way. So they're demonstrating some chops by showing their ability to get things right when it comes to the campaign setting. The item itself also isn't overpowered and I like how some of its abilities encourage the use of various actions (like Withdraw, Charge, and Spring Attack) for tactical reasons that would involve these boots. There's more to it than just the duplication of a spell effect or a monster ability (despite the obvious tie-in to nightmares).

A very solid item concept.
Written well.
Perfect attention-to-detail on the use of the template.
And mechanically interesting.
This is Superstar thinking and Superstar design.

Vote to Keep. And a likely Top 32 vote-getter from me, as well.

[Sean K Reynolds]

Good description, cool theme, neat effects, price seems about right. Author is capitalizing game terms that aren't capitalized, but that habit can be fixed.

Keep!

[Ryan Dancey]

Keep

[Mark Moreland]

Can the concealment effect be used as many times as one wants/needs? Probably needs a limit on that to avoid abuse. Other than that, really well done. There are a few capitalization and punctuation errors, but I can overlook those for a thematically and mechanically sound item like this.

Keep!

[Alexander H MacLeod IV]

Nice Golarion hooks, so points for that.

My one question is with the final power... does the wearer use the boots as a weapon that deals 1d6 fire damage, or do the boots flash with fire when the wearer attacks with whatever weapon he's using dealing the 1d6 fire in addition to the usual weapon damage?

[Matt Goodall]

Ok, these boots do look cool. The Golarion flavor is obvious, although tieflings aren’t exactly first class citizens in Cheliax so I’m not sure exactly how many elite tiefling skirmishers there are, but that is a quibble. The sparks power is fine, although I would prefer to have the choice of not spraying sparks if I don’t want to. The smoke cloud is also useful and I like how the duration depends on whether you withdraw or not. The wording could be changed, it sounds like you have to be moving through threatened squares, or withdrawing to use it. Like Alex I wonder how the fire damage comes about. How does this interact with reach weapons? Also it could be clearer that you have to be the one to make the successful hit, and it should probably be a melee attack, not a ranged attack. I like that you specifically call out charges and spring attacks, but I notice that you can’t use this power while making a full attack which seems a bit strange. Especially because you can choose between a full attack and an attack action after you make the first attack. The cost seems about right, the smoke power is unlimited but only works while you are moving.

Welcome to the ranks of RPG Superstar! Your item definitely fits the theme and Cheliax is a good choice, a lot of people like playing those dirty devil worshippers. :-) Keep making good choices and keep on tightening up your work. Best of luck!

[Jim Groves]

Very nice.

I take the wording, “the wearer may call upon many of the dreaded Nightmare's infernal powers”, to mean that these powers are optional. So if you don’t want to use the spark ability (which is ‘capable’ of igniting combustibles), that is your choice. In this case, I think the passive language is intentional.

Basically you always have concealment when you move through threatened squares or while withdrawing. As SKR says, it is priced about right. A continuous or use activated pyrotechnics spell is not that expensive at CL 3. It is a damn clever idea, and I can’t see it as being exploitive. Not like the infamous boots of continuous expeditious retreat.

I would like the damage clarified though. I don’t mind if it comes from the boots, but explaining it would prevent weird Rules Forum discussions. You have words to spare.

Awesome! Great use of Golarion flavor!

You’ve stomped on some of the competition with these boots of yours, I look forward to your archetype!

[Scott Fernandez]

Thank you so much to all the judges! I'm still reeling from the shock. This is awesome! I hope my Archetype stuns and amazes my fellow Paizonians!

--I wanna Vrock... VROCK!!!!

[Gorbacz]

Wow, the King of Vrocks didn't submit a vrock-themed item. However ... this is my favourite item of the 32 ! Vrock the casbah, Majesty !

[Russ Taylor]

These don't grab me like they do the judges. Part of it is the first sentence mentioning elite tiefling skirmishers, where what I know of tieflings says they are reviled and despised in Cheliax. I also want mechanics for settings inflammable objects in your path on fire. The unneeded caps are jarring, though to be fair I'm sure my turnover errors are jarring too.

My favorite part of the item is the description (excellent) and the fiery attack, though this needs a bit of mechanical cleanup. Given that it's just 1d6 fire, I'm assuming it applies to the wearer's melee attacks (presumably all of them).

Generally, I'm a rules nut, and I'm expecting crisper rules over better flavor.

[Sean Huguenard]

These are pretty interesting boots, and made me consider getting them over the usual BoSS for my melee characters. Could use a bit more tightening with the crunch, and the bit about "elite tiefling skirmishers of Cheliax" made me raise an eyebrow, but I like these.

[Nicolas Quimby]

I like that the effect is at least partially dependent on what sort of movement actions you're taking. It makes your item feel more interactive and more responsive to what's happening on the battlefield.

[Abraham spalding]

I like the idea of these boots -- the mechanics are a bit loose in my opinion (boots ignite and deal damage on your charge -- with a greatsword for example) but otherwise I quite like this one. I really like the idea of the fog concealment (though wording could be cleaner), and the sparks could really be fun in the right area.

[Quandary]

I agree that it`d be nice to have clearer imagery how the flaming boots deliver damage thru/in addition to the attack. Re: `elite tiefling skirmishers`, it`s not so much that there aren`t elite tieflings, some tiefling may well be nobles in Cheliax, but the phrase sounds more like a military specialist branch. Something like `prized by the various hellknight orders, as well as other combat-minded individuals with an interest in fiendish matters (often tieflings)` would get across the idea without sounding too cheese-meta-gaming.

But otherwise, it seems a solid item... Good luck on future rounds!

[Swamp Druid]

While I love the word nightmare I don't like the item name. I'm not sure why because it definitely fits with the item's theme.

I like the effects except for the fire damage effect. I would prefer it just be limited to a specific attack action. Here I would limit it to a charge. Otherwise, there's an odd disconnected feeling of boots dealing fire damage through your melee weapon.

[John Bennett]

Congrats, man! Where can I order a pair of these? I love the flavor and the idea of a warrior charging down his foe with sparks coming off his boots.

[That Old Guy]

THERE it is! The first

WHAPOW!

entry I've read. I liked other ideas, I liked other authors, but this item?

BAM!

These boots are going on the feet of the upper-echelon Hellknights in Korvosa for my Curse of the Crimson Throne campaign that just started as standard issue items. Congrats - first item to go STRAIGHT from the boards into my game this year!

[Mark Thomas]

Very action movie, good solid grasp of rules and creating an item that appeals to tactical players is an excellent example of designer thinking. Nice one!

[Scott Fernandez]

Thanks all for the compliments and critiques! Keep it coming, I'm never put off by fresh eyes seeing issues I may have missed.

--Vrock'em Sock'em Robots

[Matthew Stinson]

Best item I've seen so far.
One question, when running or charging is there a way to not make the boots catch everything on fire? It doesn't say that ability can be suppressed, but it doesn't say it can't either.

[Ma Gi]

Lets get some artwork for this and put it in a book. Personally I think it should let you suppress the spark ability since the Chelaxian's wouldn't like their cities burnt down when they have Hellknight parades for example. Also I agree with the fire damage bonus only applying to melee attacks. Other than the few ambiguous wordings I give it an A+. Maybe we could expand them to the other elements as well. Say like:
Boots, Tempest
Aura faint evocation and transmutation; CL 3rd
Slot feet; Price 7,500 gp; Weight 3 lbs.
Description
Prized by the [insert group] and the elite [insert race] skirmishers of [insert nation] these sleek boots are made of a iron sheen trimmed with a plethora of mythic avian tail feathers. While moving in the thick of battle the wearer may call upon many mythic powers. First, during a Run or Charge action you may have electrical sparks spray from the boots iron shod soles capable of catching combustible materials on fire along the wearers path. Second, as a swift action while moving through threatened squares or during a Withdraw action the boots may shroud the wearer in a storm of blue-gray mist granting concealment (20% miss chance). The mist persists until the wearer's movement ends or for 1 round if using the Withdraw action. Finally, three times per day as a free action the wearer can command the boots to storm dealing 1d6 points of electric damage on a successful hit against the target of an Attack action, Full-Attack action, Charge, or Spring Attack with a melee weapon.
Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, shocking grasp, pyrotechnics; Cost 3,750 gp

What'd you think?

[Urizen]

If it weren't Cheliax from the Golarion setting being preceded by 'elite tiefling skirmishers', the visualization would be pretty bad-ass. But like everyone else who remarked, they're not exactly first class citizens; rather the opposite in the country's caste system. But I can seriously imagine a Hellknight making use of these; I know I would if I had a PC going deciding to take up that PrC and get pimped out wearing these kicks. ;-) I'd definitely like to see an art work ordered with this magic item being used in the active tense.

Betcha Gene Simmons would want a pair. \m/

[Todd Stewart]

I adore the flavor here, and it's a rather useful item as well for various types of characters - Hellknights or otherwise. Some small ambiguity on the spark/fire damage and if it's on a weapon or if you're assumed to be doing damage to someone by a kick or just proximity to your feet. Suffice to say I really like this one. Keep vrocking :)

[GeraintElberion]

Jim Groves wrote:

I take the wording, “the wearer may call upon many of the dreaded Nightmare's infernal powers”, to mean that these powers are optional. So if you don’t want to use the spark ability (which is ‘capable’ of igniting combustibles), that is your choice. In this case, I think the passive language is intentional.

It's just the passive version of 'can'.

"The wearer can call upon many of the dreaded Nightmare's infernal powers."

It gives the same conditional meaning but with active voice.

/nitpick

[Scott Fernandez]

As for elite tiefling skirmishers, second class citizens have always been prime fodder for a nations legions. Its probably one of the few places the hellborn can succeed in Cheliax.

--Vrock trooper

[Eric Bailey]

Scott, welcome to RPG Superstar! These boots are certainly visually appealing, and I can completely see Hellknights or Cheliax bravos stomping around in them. Mechanicaly, they're a little iffy for me. Of all three of the powers, I am most interested in the smoke effect. It's not quite up to the power of a cloak of displacement, since it takes effect when you move. So it's really only hindering attacks of opportunity or readied actions, except in a rare case where your attacker follows you after you withdraw. Still, I think it's probably a bit under-cost when you add the other two elements in.

I'm not clear on how or when I'd ever see the run/charge power actually do anything. How often do you move over combustible terrain? For me, it starts to creep toward violating the "don't make the GM's job harder" rule. The final power, as already discussed, is unclear on what type of attack you need to make to gain the fire damage. Do you need to make unarmed strikes with the boots? Do the flames engulf any weapons you're holding?

Regardless, it's an item that I could actually see taking, even against boots of speed or boots of striding and springing. So nice work, and I'm looking forward to seeing what else you've got for us.

[Scott Fernandez]

The spark power I always envisioned using in places with lots of things to burn. Libraries, shops, a forest road strewn with leaves in the fall...

Spoiler:

there's also an encounter in a PFS module (I think it's one with grand master torch) where you blow up a mill.

The ignite power is a short range burning hands basically. It's only used when combined with movement like during a charge, spring attack, etc. and visually bursts out from the boots when you hit. It gives mobile combatants some extra melee oomph at mid levels (where I priced the boots).

The cloud of smoke is really to protect during movement while threatened. I thought burning a swift action was something a lot of melee types didn't get to do very much. It's also nice for chargers that probably don't take mobility.

[Whyte Tyger TA]

There isn't much to be said that hasn't already been said. Definately one of the top three items this year, IMO.

Only one problem...

I know a Cavalier that really wants a pair of Nightmare Horseshoes now!

*grins*

[Daniel Gunther 346]

This is perhaps the most solid item I've read so far...however, I am having images of the Road Runner come to mind when I think of the smoke effect. Nicely done. I've got a feeling your Round 2 archetype is going to be something to behold.

[Abraham spalding]

Whyte Tyger TA wrote:

I know a Cavalier that really wants a pair of Nightmare Horseshoes now!

*grins*

Yeah I could have really seen these as horseshoes instead of boots -- I think that's my only real disconnect here speaking in terms of fluff: Nightmares don't wear boots.

[Power Word Unzip]

Eric Bailey wrote:

I'm not clear on how or when I'd ever see the run/charge power actually do anything. How often do you move over combustible terrain? For me, it starts to creep toward violating the "don't make the GM's job harder" rule.

Eh, it's not as uncommon as you might think. Grassy fields after a few weeks of drought are flammable as all get out, and a building with wooden flooring or rugs (or a dock) would probably count, as well. It would require GM adjudication - but since we have rules for smoke and catching on fire, I don't think it makes the GM's job that much harder.

I like this item. I don't love it, but I like it. In fact, every time I read it, it grows on me a little more.

[Matthew Morris]

I do like this item. Again the tiefling thing is off, but that's a minor quibble. "Elite tiefling skirmishers of Taldor" would be wrong, but we can let this slide.

These actually strike me as being a nice bonus for infernal monks, with the movement and concealment. While I'm not as 'wowed' as some of the other posters, I do like the item.

Good job Scott. Hopefully your Archtype will have the bedvrock of this to build on.

[Jeremiziah]

Yeah, this is bada**.

Nothing really to add, just wanted to say congratulations! Great idea, well executed!

[Azmahel]

I could care more about this item. It has some flair and a tight theme, but some questions keep nagging me:
What does the ignition mean in rules terms?
Does the fire damage apply to all attacks the wearer makes ( even ranged ones), only melee attacks or only kick attacks?

And then it has some Overtunes of SiaC and SAK, and In my eyes it doesn't do quite enough to overcome them and get a ticket to awesome-land. so it is somewhere in the middle for me.

be careful with your Golarion references. as you noticed some people might be set off by small details.

Keep that in mind for your Archetype and it shall be Awesome.

[Curaigh]

Congratulations Scott!
STR 17 (overall)
DEX 18 (see use in my campaign)
CON 14 (see use in every campaign)
INT 14 (mechanics)
WIS 16 (word style/writing)
CHA 17 (visuals)

Smoke, move, fire. I like it. :) Pretty close to my submitted item so I am a little biased. This is pretty simple and straitforward (except the fire damage). The wordchoice is good and evocative: fiendish-horse hair trim hobnailed are concrete images I can grab. If you follow the same pattern in your archetype you will do well.

Again, congratulations:)

[Scott Fernandez]

Thanks again all. I'm glad people enjoy the boots. I've had this concept in mind for a couple of years now, though the mechanics got pulled out of my head a month ago when I was sleeping. I'm usually a story driven gm but since pathfinder came out I've been trying to get back to the basics, encounter, treasure, map, stat blocks...

--A Vrockwork Orange

[Russ Taylor]

Scott Fernandez wrote:

As for elite tiefling skirmishers, second class citizens have always been prime fodder for a nations legions. Its probably one of the few places the hellborn can succeed in Cheliax.

Oppressed minorities tend to make up good old expendable infantry, not elite troops. Folks are right to call that out as a pretty iffy addition to canon.

[Power Word Unzip]

Scott Fernandez wrote:

Thanks again all. I'm glad people enjoy the boots. I've had this concept in mind for a couple of years now, though the mechanics got pulled out of my head a month ago when I was sleeping. I'm usually a story driven gm but since pathfinder came out I've been trying to get back to the basics, encounter, treasure, map, stat blocks...

--A Vrockwork Orange

Scott, something tells me that if it comes down to giving my vote to you or another designer, I will pick you just because I like all the awful vrock puns you keep pumping out. :)

[Scott Fernandez]

Everyone's gotta have a gimmick! Being on old Planescape GM I always dug the blood war and especially it's shock troopers, for the Demons it was the Vrock and the devils had the Barbazu. Back in the day Dragon magazine had a reoccuring article in their April (fools) issue called "bard on the run" that used monster names to replace words in song titles. The "I am a Vrock, I'm a tanar'ri" parody of Simon & Garfunkel's "I am a rock" killed me. The rest is history.

--I'm the King of Vrock, there is none higher. Sucka PC's should call me sire!

[Russ Taylor]

It's cool, obviously the shock troops didn't hold you back, and maybe they pushed you forward :)

[Charles Dunwoody]

I like this item. It has interesting powers and isn't very expensive relatively speaking. The flavor is good too (not the taste of the boot, you know what I mean, need more sleep).

[James Olchak]

Others have already commented on the slightly mushy mechanics surrounding the extra fire damage on a charge, or igniting where you run (stay off of those dry bridges), but the fluff of this item is top drawer.

A legion of Hellknights charging through a cloud of black smoke and sparks--brilliant. Evocative item.

[Ask A RPGSupersuccubus]

Scott Fernandez wrote:

Boots, Nightmare

Aura faint evocation and transmutation; CL 3rd
Slot feet; Price 7,500 gp; Weight 3 lbs.
Description
Prized by the various Hellknight orders and the elite tiefling skirmishers of Cheliax these hobnailed boots are made of an inky black leather trimmed with a crimson mane of fiendish horsehair. While moving in the thick of battle the wearer may call upon many of the dreaded Nightmare's infernal powers. First, during a Run or Charge action burning sparks spray from the boots iron shod soles capable of catching combustible materials on fire along the wearers path. Second, as a swift action while moving through threatened squares or during a Withdraw action the boots shroud the wearer in a cloud of black smoke granting concealment (20% miss chance). The smoke persists until the wearer's movement ends or for 1 round if using the Withdraw action. Finally, three times per day as a free action the wearer can command the boots to ignite dealing 1d6 points of fire damage on a successful hit against the target of an Attack action, Charge, or Spring Attack.
Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, burning hands, pyrotechnics; Cost 3,750 gp

Disclaimer:

Ask A RPGSuperstar Succubus is posting from the point of view of a CE aligned succubus – fairness is an adjective applicable to hair coloration, balance is what a couple of mortals on opposite ends of a plank pivoted on a rocky spire above a drop of several hundred feet into a pool of molten basalt frantically try to do, and logic is something which proves anything a demon of adequate status and charm requires it to demonstrate.

Is the item Pretty?
Well, I'm not sure that hobnailed boots could be properly termed 'pretty', but the description certainly makes them sound snappy.

Does the item help a demonic seductress to keep a paladin house pet?
Not without getting very creative.

Is the item otherwise useful?
Possibly.

Other Comments? (including World Domination potential on the evil laughter scale, where appropriate)
Whilst they have a certain appeal from a dressing up sense for some social situations, they seem rather too oriented towards combat for my personal use, with the possible exception of the clouds of smoke to cover a rapid withdrawal option. On cobbles or any other hard surface, the hobnails will be problematic with attempts at stealth in that they will tend to clatter, but then again I get the impression that stealth is one of the last things that the designer had in mind.
This item's something more for minions/hired muscle to wear. It's unfortunate, but sometimes a bit of violence and burning things is the only solution when more reasoned debate fails.

Gollum Rating:
Fisssh.

PS

Scott Fernandez wrote:

...along the wearers path...

Watch your apostrophes... Folk may start to grumble and nitpick about those or lack thereof in later rounds if your entries aren't so awesome that they get distracted from looking at that sort of thing. ;)

[Marie Small]

These are scary in an "I'm coming to get you" kind of way. :) That the boots cover one's retreat is a nice touch.

Well done. :)

[Nick Bolhuis]

This item is really cool. Excellent flavour, mechanics and attention to detail. Not much else to say, a really well though out item.

I would definitely use this.

[Tom Phillips]

Scott Fernandez wrote:

First, during a Run or Charge action burning sparks spray from the boots iron shod soles capable of catching combustible materials on fire along the wearers path.

Cool.

Scott Fernandez wrote:

Second, as a swift action while moving through threatened squares or during a Withdraw action the boots shroud the wearer in a cloud of black smoke granting concealment (20% miss chance). The smoke persists until the wearer's movement ends or for 1 round if using the Withdraw action.

Very cool.

Scott Fernandez wrote:

Finally, three times per day as a free action the wearer can command the boots to ignite dealing 1d6 points of fire damage on a successful hit against the target of an Attack action, Charge, or Spring Attack.

Wow! This is some serious Superstar mojo. I love the theme and flavor of these boots. They're perfect for an evil fighter, cavalier, or anti-paladin. Or, heck, for any player-character that just wants to be intimidating. The powers are fun and evocative, and I love how they scale in power and awesomeness.

Excellent job!

[Scott Fernandez]

Ask A RPGSupersuccubus wrote:

PS

Scott Fernandez wrote:

...along the wearers path...

Watch your apostrophes... Folk may start to grumble and nitpick about those or lack thereof in later rounds if your entries aren't so awesome that they get distracted from looking at that sort of thing. ;)

Funny I did the same thing with my Grave Robber... Good catch. I won't be making that mistake a third time!

--Schoolhouse Vrock

[Stormrunner]

Heh. I read this and my first thought was "tiefling flamenco dancer".