PFS Prankster - Advice & Qeustions

[Shoemaker]

I am planning on making a PFS gnome prankster. I have a few questins about the archetype, and I would like some advice on making him viable. I do not need him to be min maxed only helpful to the group.

Questions

the swap ability replaces the Loremaster ability. I read somewhere on this forum that the swap ability is gained at level 5, however the archetype does not list a particular level when this ability is gained so I assume the actual truth is the ability is gained at level 1. Is this correct?

I plan to utilize vanish often at higher levels in order to use swap and dirty trick ability without provoking attacks of opportunity. Has anyone or an FAQ established if the steal or the dirty trick combat maneuvers would break invisibility? What about sleight of hand?

Gnome bard (prankster)

STR 10
DEX 14
CON 12
INT 12
WIS 8
CHA 19

Feats (order of selection advice appreciated)
Spell focus illusion
Improved initiative
Threatening illusion
Go unnoticed
Greater steal (does the swap ability count as improved steal here?)

Traits
Excitable
Magical lineage - silent image

Spells known (selection order appreciated again)
Silent image
Confusion
Hideous laughter
Vanish
Grease
Disguise self

Tactics
Inspire courage
Threatening illusion to provide flanks
Mock to debuff engaged creatures

Any advice and help here is greatly appreciated.

[Shoemaker]

Bueller? BUMP

[TGMaxMaxer]

The Steal and Dirty Trick Combat maneuvers break invisibility. They are attack rolls. All combat maneuvers are attack rolls, even if they don't do damage. Attack rolls break invisibility.

It says Swap replaces Lore Master, but doesn't say what level it is gained. There are several abilities that are gained before the level the things they replace would be gained, since it doesn't say unless it is FAQ'd (I don't know of one) it is gained at 1st.

You don't need Greater Steal, since you get the effects of Greater steal by beating the CMD by 10, and it is infinitely easier to get skill bonuses than CMB bonuses. A 1st level bard, with a 14 dex like you have, should have a Sleight of hand bonus of +6, while you would have a CMB of +0. Sleight of Hand should be level +3 +dex + items/spells/feats. Scales much better than your small sized CMB, and Imp Steal/Gr Steal bonuses wouldn't add to Sleight of Hand checks anyways.

Casual Illusionist feat also gets you a +2 to Bluff, Disguise, and Sleight of Hand so long as you have a use of gnome magic. For PFS, you can spend 2pp on a wand of Recharge Innate Magic (ARG Gnome spell) to basically be a Pearl of Power for gnome magic.

I would also suggest a 2 level dip into crossblooded Sorc, Fey/Arcane (+2 compulsions, using metamagic feats (Threatening Illusion) means DC +1, arcane bond item for +1 cast/day).

Effortless Trickery Feat is good for you, concentrate to maintain as a swift, will be useful if you really want to use those illusions.

Find a trait that gives a bonus on Sleight of Hand, initiative is good, but something that gives you bonuses to a skill you plan to build around is better.

Possibly take Wayang Spellhunter for Ghost Sound, it qualifies for Threatening Illusion as far as flanking is concerned.

[Shoemaker]

Does sleight of hand break stealth if not used as a combat maneuver?

If invisible, can I sleight of hand as a skill? Unclear because RAW says we cannot use that skill in combat.

[TGMaxMaxer]

Think of it this way, the invisibility spell is designed so that direct contact/damage/penalty to the enemy breaks it, whether by physical or magical area of effect. An arrow, a tanglefoot bag, or just stealing their favorite sword is a hostile act on your part, the same as a magic missle or a slow spell that caught them in the AoE.

You can collapse a bridge they are on, or drop a portcullis on them, but not stick a bomb in their pocket, or steal their weapon or wand or potion etc.

I run a lot of PFS games, and most of the other GMs I've played under in 3 states now would say that any roll or check that requires contact with him or his worn or carried gear would be an offensive action that broke invisibility.

If he was unaware, and not in combat, you might be able to stealth up to him, pick his pocket, and stealth away, but not with the very specific wording of invisibility spell intact.

[Kelladorf Wizzlefarb]

"You mean I won't be the only prankster in the Society any more?" asks a small, blue skinned gnome with green hair sticking out in all directions.

"I don't do that combat maneuver stuff, though. I mostly just make fun of enemies, first to demoralize them, then to mock them, so they can't concentrate on what they're doing in fights."

Versatile Performance with Perform: Comedy as my intimidation skill to demoralize enemies, leaving them shaken (-2 to hit rolls, saves, skill checks, etc), then Mock bardic performance while their save is still at -2 to give them additional -2 to hit that stacks with the -2 from being shaken.

"Remember that Mocking people only works if they understand you, so be sure you have the Gift of Tongues" alternate racial trait that lets you learn 2 languages for each rank in linguistics "and learn as many languages as you can."

Here's a link to a thread I started when I made this character. And this one. And this one.

[Shoemaker]

Kelladorf Wizzlefarb wrote:

"You mean I won't be the only prankster in the Society any more?" asks a small, blue skinned gnome with green hair sticking out in all directions.

"I don't do that combat maneuver stuff, though. I mostly just make fun of enemies, first to demoralize them, then to mock them, so they can't concentrate on what they're doing in fights."

Versatile Performance with Perform: Comedy as my intimidation skill to demoralize enemies, leaving them shaken (-2 to hit rolls, saves, skill checks, etc), then Mock bardic performance while their save is still at -2 to give them additional -2 to hit that stacks with the -2 from being shaken.

"Remember that Mocking people only works if they understand you, so be sure you have the Gift of Tongues" alternate racial trait that lets you learn 2 languages for each rank in linguistics "and learn as many languages as you can."

Here's a link to a thread I started when I made this character. And this one. And this one.

Very helpful.

Thank you!