PFS - level 1 zen archer (stats & gear) help


Advice


I will be playing my first PFS session tonight and would like some suggestions for my zen archer monk.

here are the stats I've picked, feel free to make suggestions. any and all suggestions are welcome. I know toughness isn't always a favorite but I took it due to having no con bonus, so alternatives are welcome.

dwarf, zen archer level 1
Str 14 (+2), Dex 13 (+1), Con 11 (+0), int 10 (+0), cha 5 (-3), wis 10 (+5)
AC: 16, Touch: 16, Flat: 15 (+5 wis, +1 dex)
HP: d8 + toughness
fort 2, refl 3, will 7
melee: tickles
ranged: (long/short)bow
feats: toughness, precise shot
current wearth: 150gp (PFS starting)

gear:
option 1: longbow composite (100), 50gp remaining for what?
option 2: longbow (75), 75gp remaining for what?
option 3: shortbow (30), 120gp remaining for what?

I don't know how to gear him, I think going with a standard longbow and spending the remaining 75g on maybe misc

misc items I could buy:

arrows!

sunrod 2gp - maybe, I already have DV so seems redundant hemp rope 1gp grappling hook 1gp caltrops 1gp bear trap 2gp

smelling salts 25gp

our party will be:
me, zen archer lvl 1 fighter lvl 1
cleric lvl 2
investigator lvl 2
barb 1
? lvl 1 (maybe ranged? idk)

Scarab Sages

You really don't need the 20 wisdom. Here is my favored 20 point buy array for all dwarven monks in PFS:

STR: 16
DEX: 14
CON: 14
INT: 12
WIS: 16
CHA: 5

The STR will give you a static bonus to damage that you need, and the ability to effectively Melee if you need to. Dex is used for low level to hit, ac, saves, and initiative. More Con is always useful. Int is needed for Skills and the bonus language, which are important in PFS.

This will give you a well rounded array that will make you more useful in and out of combat.

For the gear, a standard longbow will be fine. You will need to buy a new bow to get the +3 str bonus anyway, which you can afford after one or two scenarios.

Scarab Sages

For level One, I Would go...

STR: 10 DEX: 16 CON: 14 INT: 12 WIS: 18 CHA: 5

Buy a standard Longbow. Composite variants are going to cost 100 + an extra 100 for every point of Strength. Use the other 75 for general adventuring gear (Monk's kit, Masterwork Backpack) and ARROWS. Blunt Arrows, Cold Iron Arrows, and Common Arrows.

Points can be taken out of Dexterity and put into Str for the rebuild at level 2, for:

STR: 14 DEX: 14 CON: 14 INT: 12 WIS: 18 CHA: 5

That's when you can go ahead and get yourself a fancy Darkwood Composite Longbow. You get Weapon Focus at 2, so the loss of a point of Dex isn't crippling by any stretch. Wisdom will become your Ranged to-hit at Level 3, and you can Flurry with Deadly Aim by then, as well.

I recommend doing two scenarios and then a re-playable module (such as Thornkeep) at Level 1, just to minimize the sting you're going to feel at 2.


Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

FYI if you are in a hurry to upgrade, after your first adventure you should have 2 prestige. Spend them for:
Darkwood, Masterwork, Composite Longbow with strength modifier of +3. Comes in under 750 gp. Or if you opt for less strength, +2 str mod.

Fir your first mod, even the basic shortbow is fine. You are going to drop it asap anyway.

Community / Forums / Pathfinder / Pathfinder First Edition / Advice / PFS - level 1 zen archer (stats & gear) help All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.
Recent threads in Advice