first purchases for levels 1.2 and 1.3


Pathfinder Society

The Exchange 5/5

Ok, you've finished your first game or two, gotten a little money (less than 1,000 gp), what's the first few things you buy?

Not the Wand of CLW or whatever you spend PP on, the "good to have" things that you seem to buy for every PC to get him thru the next few games and into 2nd level...

Master work armor?
Long Composite bow?
courtier's outfit?
Bison Mount?

what?

Grand Lodge 4/5 ** Venture-Agent, Colorado—Denver

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Masterwork primary weapon. That extra +1 to hit is very helpful.

Grand Lodge 2/5 RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32

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Additional pylons

Masterwork armor (if applicable)
Masterwork weapon
Backup weapons of alternate materials/damage types
Oil of grease
Air crystals/potion of air bubble
Potion of touch of the sea
Alchemist's fire x3 (actually I usually get these with my starting 150)
Scrolls/oils of magic weapon

The Exchange 5/5

Jiggy wrote:

Additional pylons

Masterwork armor (if applicable)
Masterwork weapon
Backup weapons of alternate materials/damage types
Oil of grease
Air crystals/potion of air bubble
Potion of touch of the sea
Alchemist's fire x3 (actually I usually get these with my starting 150)
Scrolls/oils of magic weapon

all of these are good ideas - now my comments:

I'm not sure about the masterwork weapon - 300 gp is alot!
Potion of air bubble I would likely do as an oil
I normall do a set of "grenades" - (2 Alchemist fires, 2 Acid flasks, 2 Holy Waters - total cost is 110gp) just incase something is resistant to fire (tieflings), and holy water works often when nothing else does.

Is oil of magic weapon better/worse than oil of bless weapon?

4/5

Magic weapon = you can hit incorporeals. Will not be as useful at higher levels when you have a magic weapon, but might make a huge difference at low levels.
Bless weapon = get passed DR. Will not be as useful low (in my opinion...not many things have DR/good at low level) but will become more useful as you level.

Since this seems to currently be geared towards a martial, I'll chime in on the caster side since I play a lot of those, and some don't have to spend money on weapons/armor:

- Level 1 Scrolls (Some Suggestions: Remove Fear, Remove Sickness, Protection from Evil, Expeditious Retreat, Magic Weapon (for someone else), Obscuring Mist, Comprehend Languages, Vanish)

- Level 2 Scrolls (Some Suggestions: Remove paralysis, Suppress Charms & Compulsions, Command Undead, Invisibility, Rope Trick, Spider Climb, See Invisibility, Darkvision, Glitterdust) ~ Yes, I do buy these for my low levels. Having a level 2 spell available at level 1 is pretty awesome

- Cracked Dusty Rose Prism Ioun Stone (500 gp, +1 initiative)

- Some sort of weapon. It can be the worst weapon you can think of, but if you have one out, at the very least you can provide a flank

- Some of the other stuff mentioned in above posts as well

3/5

Honestly I try to avoid spending money at all when I can.

I am the guy that never buys consumables with gold.

My advice would be to save it. You do not have to buy something. Save up until you have the fame to buy what you want to buy. Fame usually slows me down in my purchases.

My first purchase is to help my character do what they do best.

The Exchange 5/5

Finlanderboy wrote:

Honestly I try to avoid spending money at all when I can.

I am the guy that never buys consumables with gold.

My advice would be to save it. You do not have to buy something. Save up until you have the fame to buy what you want to buy. Fame usually slows me down in my purchases.

My first purchase is to help my character do what they do best.

not even rope? backpack? how about a Masterwork Backpack?

what would you buy besides consumables?

Darkwork Shield?

Lantern Lodge 5/5

Unless there's something particularly egregious upcoming (Hard Mode Games, Modules, Bonekeep), the only consumables I'm buying are being bought with prestige.

My first chunk of gold goes towards a masterwork backup weapon(which will be my primary weapon in the short-term while I wait for a +1 "actual" primary weapon). Hide/Scale/Chainshirt can last long enough to have money for magic armor, as well, so masterwork armor isn't a priority.

I like to spend 85gp for a skeleton key on any non-rogue, especially if my DEX is 14 or lower.

Silver Crusade 2/5

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Andrew Roberts wrote:

Magic weapon = you can hit incorporeals. Will not be as useful at higher levels when you have a magic weapon, but might make a huge difference at low levels.

Bless weapon = get passed DR. Will not be as useful low (in my opinion...not many things have DR/good at low level) but will become more useful as you level.

Don't underestimate the value of automatically confirming critical threats.

Quote:


- Some sort of weapon. It can be the worst weapon you can think of, but if you have one out, at the very least you can provide a flank

Aid another while providing a flank can really help your martial/rogue buddy take down that opponent. It's reasonably easy to hit AC 10 when you, yourself are flanking.

The Exchange 5/5

Jayson MF Kip wrote:

Unless there's something particularly egregious upcoming (Hard Mode Games, Modules, Bonekeep), the only consumables I'm buying are being bought with prestige.

My first chunk of gold goes towards a masterwork backup weapon(which will be my primary weapon in the short-term while I wait for a +1 "actual" primary weapon). Hide/Scale/Chainshirt can last long enough to have money for magic armor, as well, so masterwork armor isn't a priority.

I like to spend 85gp for a skeleton key on any non-rogue, especially if my DEX is 14 or lower.

clearly we set different priorities.

My first major buys are likely to be MW Armor/Darkwood Shield to lower the ACPenilities, and to start on the road for Magic Armor/Shield.

Chainshirt armor is fine (leather Lamallar is better for Dex up to +3), but I never buy Hide or Scale as it slows the PCs movement to much (staying in light armor, unless the PC is a dwarf, even it that has to be leather).

And the MW armor bought is likely to be the same set that gets enchanted (sometime around 2nd or 3rd level), unless I switch him out to Mistmail.

skeleton key is a good idea, unless the PC has a rank in Disable Device (something common for me) then I look to buy MW Thieves tools.

Speaking of MW Tools - normally I pick up 2 or 3 for skills the PC uses alot, whatever he has ranks in.

Masterwork weapon is usually not on my list till 2nd level, unless the PC is an archer, then I pick it up with PP. (Masterwork Long Comp Bow, Str bonus).

OH! and spiked gauntlet for nearly every PC...

My favored backup weapon is a silvered light mace... simple light weapon, blunt and silver. This often replaces the club I put on nealy all starting PCs (as a backup weapon).

2/5

Ditto on the silver light mace (lycanthropes have high DR and can come at a low CR) & spiked gauntlet

Cold Iron anything, esp. arrows. Cheap.

MW tools for your day job, especially if then you can take 10 to get a 20.

Sleeves of Many Garments, 200 g.p. gets you into the fancy balls & ready for most environments, and can make an impromptu disguise in an enemy uniform.

Reach weapon for crowded times or just to get that first blow from an AoO.

Ranged weapon for missile combats, and ranged throwing weapon for a quick toss on the move.

If weight allows, all the stuff mentioned in The Confirmation briefing.

Tattoos that tell of your adventures. :)

A partially charged wand on your chronicle. Even if for an ally. :)

Ditto on the scrolls above (even if not for you to use) adding Feather Step, Jump, & Endure Elements.

One or more CLW potions (for those lacking other healing) to get somebody who can use the wand conscious.

Healer's kit

Likely more stuff that I'm forgetting.
Cheers

Sczarni 5/5 5/55/5 ***

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Ranged weapon. Every character of mine has one by 2nd level, and it's usually Darkwood.

Sleeves of Many Garments. Even my 11th level characters still wear theirs.

Flawed Dark Blue Rhomboid Ioun Stone. Until I can afford Eyes of the Eagle this is my go to Perception booster.

Alkali Flask. My favorite alchemical weapon. Only 5gp more than an Acid Flask, and it does double damage against oozes. Yes, please.

Masterwork Backpack. Until I can afford a Handy Haversack.

Masterwork (preferably Mithral) Buckler. +1 AC, no ACP, no ASF. Unless I'm a two-handed weapon type.

And flavor items. My Vudrani "Snake Charmer" bought a basket and a tiny viper. My Undine bought a Brine Dragonhide Breastplate with PP and an Underwater Light Crossbow. My Tengu bought worms to snack on. That sort of thing.

The Exchange 3/5

Isn't 1.3 = 2?

The Exchange 5/5

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Professor X wrote:
Isn't 1.3 = 2?

LOL!

shows my math needs work.
yes.
I should have said 1.1 or 1.2 - for the first chronicles...

Dark Archive 4/5

Depends on the character my Ranger/Wizard has not bought anything yet he is now level 4, I might spend some money now or I might wait till level 5 depending on what I end up playing/running.

My first purchase for alot of characters lately is usually at least 4k in cost (Headband, Belt or Mithril breastplate), sometimes I settle for +1 Fullplate (Paladins/Cleric) which is actually quite a bit cheaper.

Dark Archive 4/5 5/5 ****

For martials, armor for sure. First buy the best you can(usually my 2.1, but may vary). Opponents attack bonuses will not keep up, at ly east early on.

Most martials will have good attack bonuses, so you can probably wait on the masterwork.

Casters, totally different. Get several of your utility and defensive spells in scrolls... Such as Mage armor. Find a couple to boost your effectiveness in combat, realizing that the save dcs will be subpar. Keep your eyes open for limited use wands in your chronicles.

4/5

If we're gonna talk PA, after you get that wand of Cure Light Wounds/Infernal Healing for 2 PA, there's some other things people may want to get for 2 PA:

- Wand of Longstrider, Magic Missile, Mage Armor (especially for monks), Shield, Bless, Feather Step, Obscuring Mist, Abundant Ammunition, Faerie Fire, Grease, Vanish, Ill Omen (No save, but allows SR)
- Potion of Fly
- Scroll of Dimension Door (At level 1!!!)
- 2-Pack Scroll of Fly, Communal Resist Energy, or Haste
- 5-Pack Scroll of Glitterdust, See Invisibility, or Darkvision
- Oil of Daylight

1/5

Depends on the character.

For martials with high strength, I like to pick up a strength rated composite longbow early with cold iron arrows.

Grand Lodge 4/5

Andrew Roberts wrote:

Magic weapon = you can hit incorporeals. Will not be as useful at higher levels when you have a magic weapon, but might make a huge difference at low levels.

Bless weapon = get passed DR. Will not be as useful low (in my opinion...not many things have DR/good at low level) but will become more useful as you level.

Since this seems to currently be geared towards a martial, I'll chime in on the caster side since I play a lot of those, and some don't have to spend money on weapons/armor:

- Level 1 Scrolls (Some Suggestions: Remove Fear, Remove Sickness, Protection from Evil, Expeditious Retreat, Magic Weapon (for someone else), Obscuring Mist, Comprehend Languages, Vanish)

- Level 2 Scrolls (Some Suggestions: Remove paralysis, Suppress Charms & Compulsions, Command Undead, Invisibility, Rope Trick, Spider Climb, See Invisibility, Darkvision, Glitterdust) ~ Yes, I do buy these for my low levels. Having a level 2 spell available at level 1 is pretty awesome

- Cracked Dusty Rose Prism Ioun Stone (500 gp, +1 initiative)

- Some sort of weapon. It can be the worst weapon you can think of, but if you have one out, at the very least you can provide a flank

- Some of the other stuff mentioned in above posts as well

Some of those scrolls aren't legal to purchase until you get 5 Fame, which is going to be at 2.0 or higher...

Items I tend to get:
Cold iron cestus (similar to spiked gauntlet, but higher crit range)
Potion of CLW
MW armor, usually a chain shirt (I seldom build tanks)
MW backpack (usually increases carrying capacity more than its higher weight burns, until I have the Fame/gp for a Handy Haversack)

For a ranged PC: various weapon blanches

At 5 Fame:
Anytool (or it an Alltool?)
Initiative Ioun stone
Various skill Ioun stones (as appropriate for the PC's skills)
Possible: feather token (whip)

5/5 5/55/55/5

MW weapon and armor. Getting those is like leveling.

At level 3
Pearl of power for the memorized casters. PFS does a pretty good job of keeping you off the 15 minute workday, and being able to memorize 3 utility spells and use them because you know you can get them back is incredibly handy.

4/5

kinevon wrote:


Some of those scrolls aren't legal to purchase until you get 5 Fame, which is going to be at 2.0 or higher...

That begs a question, though. Can you buy a cure light wounds wand at level 1 with 2 PA? Many, many people do. Level 1 wands aren't "always available."

5/5 5/55/55/5

Andrew Roberts wrote:
kinevon wrote:


Some of those scrolls aren't legal to purchase until you get 5 Fame, which is going to be at 2.0 or higher...
That begs a question, though. Can you buy a cure light wounds wand at level 1 with 2 PA? Many, many people do. Level 1 wands aren't "always available."

Yes, The PP system isn't inside the normal fame rules.

4/5

BigNorseWolf wrote:
Andrew Roberts wrote:
kinevon wrote:


Some of those scrolls aren't legal to purchase until you get 5 Fame, which is going to be at 2.0 or higher...
That begs a question, though. Can you buy a cure light wounds wand at level 1 with 2 PA? Many, many people do. Level 1 wands aren't "always available."
Yes, The PP system isn't inside the normal fame rules.

...exactly my point.

Therefore, you can also own a level 4 scroll at level 1 through PA.

Scarab Sages 5/5

Andrew Roberts wrote:

...exactly my point.

Therefore, you can also own a level 4 scroll at level 1 through PA.

Or a scroll of 5 level 2 spells - or 2 level 3 spells (fly can be very helpful at low level when few writers expect it)

Alchemical grease at 5gp, with long duration and good bonus. Vermin Repellent (also 5gp).

I like spiked gauntlets for everyone - as one can threaten without having to take out anything - I often make it my silver weapon as well.

Cold Iron Chakram for 2gp is a nice martial ranged throw weapon - 1d8+strength slashing damage - I have some of my non-proficient low level characters buy them - because a missile weapon seems to be forgotten by low level martial characters a lot.

Also, for everyone proficient, who didn't dump strength, a long spear is a good addition. When you don't want to use a spell or effect, assiting with reach to AC or to hit at low level can be very effective.

Obscuring Mist scrolls are a friend when attacked at range, or when the enemy puts down a darkness you can't see it (because they can't see in the mist - usually).

Command Undead scroll is usually an early purchase for anyone with it on their list or anyone with a decent UMD skill (to hit the 23 check).

Oil of Magic Fang or Oil of Magic Weapon

Smelling Salts

Air crystals or air-bubble potion sponge

The Exchange 5/5

nosig wrote:

Ok, you've finished your first game or two, gotten a little money (less than 1,000 gp), what's the first few things you buy?

Not the Wand of CLW or whatever you spend PP on, the "good to have" things that you seem to buy for every PC to get him thru the next few games and into 2nd level...

Master work armor? Long Composite bow? courtier's outfit? Bison Mount?

what?

This thread seems to be wondering a bit from what I was hoping for when I started it. My fault I guess for not being clear with what I was asking (a problem I often have).

After your first and second game with a PC... maybe after the third, what equipment do you seem to buy with the 500-1000-1500 gold that it has earned... and that is all we have to work with.

Is there anything you seem to pick up frequently?

Suggestions so far that have been helpful (or that I was already doing):

1) Masterwork armor (if applicable)
2) Darkwood shield (even for an Alchemist or Rogue, as the ACP is 0)
3) Masterwork weapon (this might be to expensive at +300)
4) Backup weapons of alternate materials/damage types (Silver light mace?)
5) Whetstone (+1 damage on the first bladed weapon hit, cost is 2 cp.)
6) Oil/scroll of grease, air bubble, touch of the sea, magic weapon
7) Air crystals (maybe replaced with air bubble above)
8) Alchemist's fire and/or acid/alkali flask and/or Holy Water flask (at least 3)
9) Cold iron cestus/spiked gauntlet (the gauntlet is Core book and doesn't require any access, but the cestus has a higher crit range)
10) Potion of CLW
11) MW backpack (unless the PC strength is really low)
12) Smelling Salts! (forgot that one! thanks!), Vermin Repellent, Alchemical grease

After 5 Fame (so at the end of the range I am looking at in this thread):
a) Anytool (or it an Alltool? - I need to check this one for cost and access)
b) Initiative Ioun stone (expensive maybe at 500 gp)
c) Various skill Ioun stones
d) Sleeves of Many Garments (need to check on this one cost and access?)

edited: to add in a few extras...

4/5

I would encourage you to add level 1 scrolls to the list.

The problem I have with most of these lists is that most of them assume the PC is martial-based.

The Exchange 5/5

OH! and a Club or 3 and sling (even if we don't spend the 0.2 gp on Cold Iron Bullets).

5/5 *****

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Castilliano wrote:
Sleeves of Many Garments, 200 g.p. gets you into the fancy balls & ready for most environments, and can make an impromptu disguise in an enemy uniform.

These are awesome if for no other reason than the Swarmsuit

The Exchange 5/5

andreww wrote:
Castilliano wrote:
Sleeves of Many Garments, 200 g.p. gets you into the fancy balls & ready for most environments, and can make an impromptu disguise in an enemy uniform.
These are awesome if for no other reason than the Swarmsuit

agreed. but...does it require 5 Fame to buy? or am I missing something?

Most of my PCs have been starting with Masters of the Fallen Fortress (1 PP gained) and WBG (also 1 PP gained) so they don't have 5 Fame until after the first game as a 2nd level PC... which might be a Tier 1-2 mod like Murders Mark.

Silver Crusade 2/5

5 fame for anything not on the always available list. The list includes:

mundane items
1st level scrolls
1st level potions and oils
+1 weapons and armor.

So, those spiffy miscellaneous magic items that cost 50-500 gp have to wait for that 5 fame mark. *sigh*

Now, when you buy things for up to 150 gp or up to 750 gp with prestige points, you bypass the fame requirements. Thus, those first level wands and the like.

The Exchange 5/5

DesolateHarmony wrote:

5 fame for anything not on the always available list. The list includes:

mundane items
1st level scrolls
1st level potions and oils
+1 weapons and armor.

So, those spiffy miscellaneous magic items that cost 50-500 gp have to wait for that 5 fame mark. *sigh*

Now, when you buy things for up to 150 gp or up to 750 gp with prestige points, you bypass the fame requirements. Thus, those first level wands and the like.

LOL! yeah, but my current 1st level PC has only 1 PP (from WBG), so I'll need to play a second time before he can pick up his first wand... and it that game is MotFF then that would be all his PP.

So I was kind of wondering about what to buy before playing one of the Tier 1-2 repeatables (Murder's Mark, or Crypt, or the first Thornkeep for example) that will boost him to 2.2.

Silver Crusade 2/5

nosig wrote:
DesolateHarmony wrote:

5 fame for anything not on the always available list. The list includes:

mundane items
1st level scrolls
1st level potions and oils
+1 weapons and armor.

So, those spiffy miscellaneous magic items that cost 50-500 gp have to wait for that 5 fame mark. *sigh*

Now, when you buy things for up to 150 gp or up to 750 gp with prestige points, you bypass the fame requirements. Thus, those first level wands and the like.

LOL! yeah, but my current 1st level PC has only 1 PP (from WBG), so I'll need to play a second time before he can pick up his first wand... and it that game is MotFF then that would be all his PP.

So I was kind of wondering about what to buy before playing one of the Tier 1-2 repeatables (Murder's Mark, or Crypt, or the first Thornkeep for example) that will boost him to 2.2.

First Steps and Confirmation might be better scenarios for you, then, since they can be repeated (but only for level-1 characters), and potentially give the full 2 prestige points. Follow those two up with a module, and boom! level 2.2 and up to six prestige.

The Exchange 5/5

well, yes, First Steps and Confirmation would be better for getting PP... but we play what we have offered, and for some PCs it's one for others? we get We Be Goblins and Masters of the Fallen Fortress.

Here is a thread where I suggested playing First Steps first... and some of the posters said they like to start with MotFF...

Scarab Sages 5/5

nosig wrote:
nosig wrote:

Ok, you've finished your first game or two, gotten a little money (less than 1,000 gp), what's the first few things you buy?

For my melee folks (which as those who know me know I don't have so many) I get both potions of infernal healing and potions of enlarge person. The both spells are long casts that are standard actions in potion form. If a fight looks particularly bad an infernal healing potion will heal 1 point a round for a minute and auto-stabilize (and sometimes stop bleed - though some GMs rule infernal healing is not magic healing). One can drink the potion at battle start - I have used an oil of infernal healing for an animal companion.

A comprehend language scroll and obscuring mist scroll are on the list for casters, sometimes for melee to have on hand. and if I am not going to have a wand, I usually get a couple scrolls just in case.

I have stopped spending 2pp on a mage armor wand for arcane casters - my high level witch still has charges on his wand - once you get up to the level with an extend rod a mage armor is all day - it stopped being used. So buying scrolls for the rough fights is more common - when I just not bother figuring my caster is going to get hit.

Stillgut is almost always bought in the first 1500gp - I used to buy the cheaper sooth syrup but stillgut can be drank while nauseated to get another save.

Lets put Antitoxin and Antiplague on the usually buy early as well.

Distilled Terap Sap for characters that can vanish prevents monsters with scent from pin-pointing you (of course they know when you are within 20 feet and it is short duration) - it also helps with scent attacks in that radius. Also if the character is low strength I sometimes don't buy it until I get a pathfinder pouch since it weights a half pound.

Liquid Ice is on the list for those with Ray of Frost - Alchem acid for those with acid splash (for that matter three acid flasks are standard for first games unless high cost armor or weapon is needed.

If you have an animal companion - then a training harness is always on my list - (if your animal gets injured it takes a DC 12 to give it a trick - and I always work to get to the +15 where one can take 10 on push outside of combat).

On my standard first chronicle buy - sometimes in starting equipment - depending on strength of character - crowbar, ear-plugs, two spring-loaded wrist sheaths, a pathfinder's kit.


For casters, ill buy an offensive wand first, and the wand of CLW second.

You most need the additional firepower at low levels, and a wand of, say, magic missile is really nice to have at level 1-4. It drops off in usefulness after that

For divine types, a wand of bless is good, it's always a useful addition, and helps you pace yourself.

And i often use Prestige for intermediate items, like a MW weapon (usually less than 375), or MW half plate, or a MW mighty composite bow.

Grand Lodge 4/5

Once you have 5 Fame, an Ioun Torch is a good purchase.
I think the one I mentioned is called the Traveler's Anytool, and I think it is from UE or AA. 250 gp, IIRC, is the cost.

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