Hi. I'm interested in recreating the main character, Geralt of Rivia, from the computer game "The Witcher".
Geralt has had his body enhanced by mutagens, to push his strength beyond that of a normal man, to fight off monsters, and specializes with two-handed swords.
He also has some magic ability. Examples of mutagens from the game are: Nightvision, Healing, Evasion, etc.
None of his magic effects are incredibly powerful, but they do help out in a big way. He has the power of air to move rubble out of the way, and fire to burn his foes.
From what I imagine, he'd have to be part Fighter, and Alchemist, but what about the magic?
If I was to level up a character who was managing three classes, I imagine I'd have a tough time. So... if anyone could help me get an idea of how to go about doing that, I'd be very grateful.
One major concern is that the character would be weak. I wouldn't get the levels I needed for actual class benefits until much later on.
Is there any way to make it work?
Magus with Craft(Alchemy) and Brew Potion :)
PS: I share your interest in the badassery that is Geralt.
If I were to role a magus, I wouldn't have access to the Alchemist mutagens though. Correct?
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The Witch Hunter class from Super Genius Games isn't a bad start either. :)
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Hi. I'm interested in recreating the main character, Geralt of Rivia, from the computer game "The Witcher".
Geralt has had his body enhanced by mutagens, to push his strength beyond that of a normal man, to fight off monsters, and specializes with two-handed swords.
He also has some magic ability. Examples of mutagens from the game are: Nightvision, Healing, Evasion, etc.
None of his magic effects are incredibly powerful, but they do help out in a big way. He has the power of air to move rubble out of the way, and fire to burn his foes.
From what I imagine, he'd have to be part Fighter, and Alchemist, but what about the magic?
If I was to level up a character who was managing three classes, I imagine I'd have a tough time. So... if anyone could help me get an idea of how to go about doing that, I'd be very grateful.
One major concern is that the character would be weak. I wouldn't get the levels I needed for actual class benefits until much later on.
Is there any way to make it work?
It's a ranger archetype. Swap out the spells and hunters bond for signs and potions. Work from there.
It's a ranger archetype. Swap out the spells and hunters bond for signs and potions. Work from there.Hi. I'm interested in recreating the main character, Geralt of Rivia, from the computer game "The Witcher".
Geralt has had his body enhanced by mutagens, to push his strength beyond that of a normal man, to fight off monsters, and specializes with two-handed swords.
He also has some magic ability. Examples of mutagens from the game are: Nightvision, Healing, Evasion, etc.
None of his magic effects are incredibly powerful, but they do help out in a big way. He has the power of air to move rubble out of the way, and fire to burn his foes.
From what I imagine, he'd have to be part Fighter, and Alchemist, but what about the magic?
If I was to level up a character who was managing three classes, I imagine I'd have a tough time. So... if anyone could help me get an idea of how to go about doing that, I'd be very grateful.
One major concern is that the character would be weak. I wouldn't get the levels I needed for actual class benefits until much later on.
Is there any way to make it work?
That makes sense! He technically is a hunter... And being a ranger would allow me to wear medium armor.. Hmm...
Well, the easy part, swap the ranger spell list for the alchemist extract list. Then determine how the signs scale over levels, and they become spell like abilities. Id say compare to the witches hexes for balance.
I use Hero Lab. How could I switch out the spell list? Aaaaand, The spells are not lingering effects. Burning Hands is pretty much the entirety of his Fire ability, so that's why I think I need to get a spellcaster class in there somehow.
ive been assuming a custom archetype. As for switching the spell list, when you prepare spells, fill the slots with spells of the alchemist list instead of the ranger one. Spells per day stays, so hero lab won't need to change a thing. Oh, but remember, they are alchemist extracts now.
No need for lingering effects on the signs. Example.
Igni Sign: Spell like ability: Burning Hands 3+WIS mod per day
Maybe Inquisitor/Alchemist Spells + Mutagens + decent melee abilities
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The problem with taking levels in Magus and Alchemist. You end up with alot of low level powers that work well. But don't function well to gether. They are the same spells for the most part so they don't stack. The only part that is not coverd by magus is the healing and evasion. You can recover the evasion with 2 levels of rogue. Making the healing potions is the only thing you can't do.
With that Lets talke Spell DC. With Str your primary stat. Your chances of spells working at mid to high level play is low. Starting with high Str and Int. Will not help as you level and gain ability points and items.
I don't care for Magus class over all. The only exception I found is the Hexcrafter. With the ability to use witch hex. It removes alot of the problems a normal Magus have. The Hex's alow them to function out side there normal limitations.
I don't care for alchemist. They can be made in to good melee characters. So there high on the list of what your tring to do. But do rember they are limited. And the limits they have is why I probly will never play one.
Example 1
Magus HexcrafterXX/Rogue2
Feat: Extra Hex: Culdron
Example 2
AlchemistXX/Rogue2
Example 3
Magus HexcrafterXX/Rogue2/Alchemist2
To meny splash class that don't and to power. Over all less effective. Even with the ability to make cure light potions.
So did you ever come up with a good build for a Witcher?? I'm just starting a CC campaign and would love to play someone similar to Geralt.
Greetings, fellow travellers.
This topic pops up every so often. By using the Search function you could come up with a dozen more threads like this, where all the nitty-bitty details have been discussed.
I still lean towards a ranger/sorc (abberrant or fiendish bloodline) or ranger/alchemist multiclassing, but that's just me and I don't own/want to use UM.
Geralt is mostly about hitting something with one of his two swords and has special knowledge about the monsters - the ranger fits nicely.
True, he can cast spells and uses potions, but this can be provided by the ranger (to a lesser degree) and the sorc/alchemist. For the potions just grab the feat.
Ruyan.
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I think the Inquisitor is a great fit for a witcher style character. Monster Lore is a class feature, as is being a loner, intimidating and very adaptable to all kinds of circumstances with both the flexibility of Judgement and their pretty solid divine spell list.
Adding Brew Potion allows them to 'over prepare' some buff spells and you can take a Domain (Rage?) to give you an 'overdrive' / mutagen feel.
But with just cosmetic description of the judgements and using Divine Favor/Divine Power/Bull Str/Etc you can get a nice buff chain going.
Also, the Bane Ability and the ability to change your judgements mid-combat can give a good sense of "Stance" switching, and just the feeling of being utterly prepared at all points in time.
THe Mutagens of the Alchemist are kinda cool, but really I think the Inquistor is more 'in theme' as it's just a Feat for Brew Potion where Alchemist adds in the bombs and bizare spell casting style.
It also isn't hard to image the Witcher order as some splinter Divine group of some Diety who has lost contact with the 'mother church' and hasn't seen a Cleric or other real 'divine' leader so the hands of the chruch (the Witchers) just recruit and train with the 'understood mission' (Protecting Humanity from monsters) while not really having a 'deeper' theology.
The Inquisitor, as well as the Magus, is far too much "magical" and depending on their spells, which is not the case for the Witcher from the games and novels.
Any ties to institutionalized faith is a far stretch, also not supported by game or fiction.
Comes down to in how much detail you want to model your Geralt after the character in the video game, I guess.
Ruyan.
I would say that First and Foremost, that Geralt is a Fighter. The potions and spells are nice augmentations, but in the end of the day most things die by his sword. I would go Fighter(Weapon Master Archetype)With Craft Alchemy/Knowledge Nature/Dungeoneering to start.Then multiclass as you would(even in the game though there are many personal choices you can make to augment your own version of Geralt, but all of these would have a Fighter base.)
If you were to create your own class, aspects of other classes I would look at besides fighter are, Wizard(Elementalist), Inquisitor(Monster Lore), Alchemist(Mutageons). If anything it could be a Prestige Class, I think this would be too much to incorperate into any class an keep it balanced, and not spread it too thin one way or the other.
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For The Most Part Geralt Was a Magus(Kensai)/Alchemist(Vivisectonist)IMHO.
I would say Geralt would be Ranger 1 (Favored Enemy: Magical Beast), at least 5 Alchemist (Vivisection) levels, and the rest would be Magus (Kensai) and maybe a few dips into Mobile Fighter.
There is a new archetype called Mutation Warrior for the fighter. This allows the fighter to take mutagens as if it were an alchemist. So maybe an Inquisitor/Fighter with brew potions and a solid alchemy skill. Also Brawler gets an archetype that gives mutagens also.
I would go into ranger/alchemist gestalt with changed spell-list to include rather kinetic stuff than classic natural.
A Mutation Warrior with high intelligence and Kirin Style covers a lot of bases... maybe a couple levels of Exploiter Wizard and Magical Knack to get a highly customized base of minor magic?
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Kineticist 2 Fighter(Mutation Warrior) 18 with max ranks in craft alchemy, ranks in craft weapon, and eldritch heritage+improved Eldritch Heritage(impossible) for brew potion and the ability to skip the spell prerequisites. It doesn't really turn on per se until level 11ish but it's the best I've found.
A lot of advice you've been given is pretty complicated. Just build a Vivisectionist Archetype+Beast Morph archetype alchemist. Yes those archetypes stack. No need for any multiclassing or anything. You don't need a high int, build Str/Dex/Con, upgrade your mutagens when you can, get an alchemist Vest so you don't take mental stat damage.
The Vivisectionist part will give you "all day" damage potential, especially with your Extracts, particularly Invisibility and Greater Invis. Beastmorph archetype will simulate a lot of geralts potions and such.
The next closest thing is an Investigator.
Nothing fully grabs what Geralt is without bending the rules. He's beyond the power level of PF characters, having higher base stats than others and a wider breadth of training than can be represented by one class. The most accurate portrayal of him would require gestalt rules. The closest class to being Geralt, however, is probably the Bloodrager. Thematically wrong, but mechanically close. Full BAB, Arcane Casting, Fast movement, Uncanny Dodge, Bloodline representing his Mutations . . . all very Geralty. Slap on some Craft: (Alchemy) and the Brew Potion feat and you're getting pretty close. A quick level of Slayer wouldn't be outta place either.
It's honestly not perfect, but Geralt feels awfully out of reach for us PF players. He's just way, way too badass.
Nothing fully grabs what Geralt is without bending the rules. He's beyond the power level of PF characters, having higher base stats than others and a wider breadth of training than can be represented by one class. The most accurate portrayal of him would require gestalt rules. The closest class to being Geralt, however, is probably the Bloodrager. Thematically wrong, but mechanically close. Full BAB, Arcane Casting, Fast movement, Uncanny Dodge, Bloodline representing his Mutations . . . all very Geralty. Slap on some Craft: (Alchemy) and the Brew Potion feat and you're getting pretty close. A quick level of Slayer wouldn't be oughtta place either.
It's honestly not perfect, but Geralt feels awfully out of reach for us PF players. He's just way, way too badass.
I'd say a beastmorph vivisectionist Alchemist fits far better than a bloodrager. Please do look at the two archetypes.
Don't start with more than 12-14 int. Focus on melee stats. Something like human 20 pb. Dual talent racial can also work to up dex or con.
16 str
14 dex
14 con
12 int
13 wis
10 cha
Mutagen, especially with its upgrades are thematically appropriate for Geralts combat stimulants. The right choice in extracts will also do you well in emulating geralt.
What does Geralt do? Does Vivi-beast alch do it?
-Mixes and drinks custom potions to augment himself. Check
-schools people in combat. Check
-uses minor magical tricks. With the right extracts, yes
-heal wounds well. Yes, look at mutagen and discoveries for it
-have the skills to do lotsa stuff. 6+int says yes
-seduce women- with cha 10, maybe harder than expected. If you trait for social skills you can invest to do this.
This build would require only powerattack and maybe some save feats. This leaves you open to take some utility feats, like the human one that gives you a second FCB, skill focus feats, feats for bonuses to 2 skills, and extra discovery feats.
he's a freakin GESTALT get over it.
Hi. I'm interested in recreating the main character, Geralt of Rivia, from the computer game "The Witcher".
Geralt has had his body enhanced by mutagens, to push his strength beyond that of a normal man, to fight off monsters, and specializes with two-handed swords.
He also has some magic ability. Examples of mutagens from the game are: Nightvision, Healing, Evasion, etc.
None of his magic effects are incredibly powerful, but they do help out in a big way. He has the power of air to move rubble out of the way, and fire to burn his foes.
From what I imagine, he'd have to be part Fighter, and Alchemist, but what about the magic?
If I was to level up a character who was managing three classes, I imagine I'd have a tough time. So... if anyone could help me get an idea of how to go about doing that, I'd be very grateful.
One major concern is that the character would be weak. I wouldn't get the levels I needed for actual class benefits until much later on.
Is there any way to make it work?
hes a superstitious barbarian , takes care of healing, nightvision, enhanced str in boosts.
the "magic" could be handled with magic items.Other options would be to make an inquisitor (witch hunter)/alchemist (maybe even a rage chemist)
For anyone still following this thread (or picks it up later) I too would agree that Magus (Kensei) with Craft: Alchemy and Brew Potion would be the closest fit. Witcher as a Inquisitor (witch hunter) and various builds of a Ranger also sound pretty interesting and could certainly work to capture the feel of the character.
For those who claim the need for custom classes, spell lists, Gestalt builds, or 1 level or this and splash / dip 2 levels of that, etc I boldly disagree. (Disclaimer: I'm so against such builds that I flat out forbid them in my weekly table top game which has run for years without complaints.) However that is not to say such builds do not have a place in other campaigns.
Bare in mind, you do not need a perfect one-to-one comparison for the class to work well and still feel like the original "Geralt of Rivia". What you need is something which will capture the general feel of the character and a DM who is willing to allow you to play such a character and work with you on creating a campaign that allows your class features to shine.
In the lore of the Witchers they were not simply a mercenary band that decided to crack skulls for a living but evolved in answer to a problem that others were not prepared to deal with. This statement however is not much different from the question of why does any PC class arise?
Another thing to consider when designing such as character is Geralt was from the Witcher order of the Wolf, which then means that just because you Witcher build isn't an exact copy of Geralt does not mean your Witcher build "isn't right" nor is inferior, you could simply be of a different Witcher group, or have trained under a different master.
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Looking at what he can do, I think that Investigator is the best fit right out of the box. It has the alchemy/magic, the reliance on intelligence and studying your opponent in combat, and the talents can make up for any other gaps. Sure the BAB isn't the best, but that can be compensated for with a couple of feats or traits.
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I actually managed to work out a rough Witcher archetype for rangers:
Replace spells with alchemy gained at the same level and progression.
Replace Hunter's Bond with Brew Potion, Poison Use, and Poison Resistance.
Replace Favored Terrain with Alchemist discoveries.
I think that strikes the right balance, you get a martial character who uses alchemy to help kill monsters. Doesn't get the high end alchemy extracts nor as many discoveries as a pure alchemist, but the power level seems about right.
Tell me what you think.
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It is nothing compared to Succubus in a grapple! I think I shall be off to prepare myself for some tasty necromancy!