Skald and Lesser Spirit Totem


Rules Questions

Liberty's Edge

This seems really really good if I'm reading it right so I want to confirm that I am reading it right.

It reads that everyone who accepts my raging song, gets these spirits and thus the attacks? Does this work with summoned monsters as well?

If it works this way, at level 3 it's going to be an additional +5 attack with 1d4+3 energy damage from EVERYONE in the party who takes the bonus as long as they are adjacent to an enemy.

Also, it appears that unconscious bodies automatically accept the raging song, so would they get these attacks as well?

Finally, would this happen the same round I start my performance for myself; I believe my allies would get the attacks but would my spirits get an opportunity to attack on the same initiative that I start the performance?

Liberty's Edge

After reading a bit more I'm pretty sure this works.


I like it, never really thought about this totem tree (even though it is called out in the ability description), I instantly thought beast totem. But this one could be so much better in a low martial class party.


This ability seems like its going to be problematic for bodies.

"A spirit comes out of the thing on the ground and hits you"

'I had 'nough of that guy, thought I put him down already, oh well, this should finish it'

Grand Lodge

There really isn't any way to pump them though.

See this FAQ.


i'm more concerened about if you can actually see them.

according to the FAQ, neither positive buffs apply, but neither negative buffs LIKE DARKNESS (so they see through total concealment).

so the question is can you actually see the spirit attack an invisible opponent and thus know his position?


blackbloodtroll wrote:

There really isn't any way to pump them though.

See this FAQ.

Yes, there is.

1) It's called multiplication:

Summon 1d4+1 (empowered, superior summons, blah blah blah) monsters and you get 1d4+1 extra attacks, 1d4+1 extra area damages at level 10, etc.

2) If "you" are the owner of the effect, a single level in Bones Oracle for the bleeding wounds revelation (which affects negative energy damage inflicted by effects created by "you" vs the spirits themselves) can cause a massive bleed.

3) If "you" aren't the owner of the effect, a single level in Bones Oracle, since you decide who the spirits attack, will allow you to heal from negative energy and you can thus have the spirits attack you for free healing.


Arksangiel wrote:

3) If "you" aren't the owner of the effect, a single level in Bones Oracle, since you decide who the spirits attack, will allow you to heal from negative energy and you can thus have the spirits attack you for free healing.

Or if you don't want that level of investment and have a decent CON score, you could just pick up the Necromantic Affinity feat.


aceDiamond wrote:
Arksangiel wrote:

3) If "you" aren't the owner of the effect, a single level in Bones Oracle, since you decide who the spirits attack, will allow you to heal from negative energy and you can thus have the spirits attack you for free healing.

Or if you don't want that level of investment and have a decent CON score, you could just pick up the Necromantic Affinity feat.

Even easier...


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Easier still is play a Dhampir, who react to energy as if they were undead.

Liberty's Edge

Can anyone confirm if this would use my BAB or the allies BAB?

Dark Archive

It specifically states that it uses your stats, including your Charisma modifier, for the Spirit. That means your BAB, as well.


Seranov wrote:
It specifically states that it uses your stats, including your Charisma modifier, for the Spirit. That means your BAB, as well.

It doesn't really say, although I would assume that they use their own stats. The only exception is ability score, since it specifically mentions it. It doesn't say "your stats," or anything that mentions BAB. The actual text only says: "If the rage power's effects depend on the skald's ability modifier (such as lesser spirit totem), affected allies use the skald's ability modifier instead of their own for the purposes of this effect."

Using their own BAB actually seems to make more sense. Otherwise any rage powers that grant natural attacks would get really confusing. And it's more beneficial anyway. It means anyone with full BAB gets to use that. People with 1/2 BAB will probably be declining the buff anyway.

Dark Archive

Quote:
Benefit: While raging, the barbarian is surrounded by spirit wisps that harass her foes. These spirits make one slam attack each round against a living foe that is adjacent to the barbarian. This slam attack is made using the barbarian’s full base attack bonus, plus the barbarian’s Charisma modifier. The slam deals 1d4 points of negative energy damage, plus the barbarian’s Charisma modifier.

Since it would replace "Barbarian" with "Skald" it specifically states it would use the Skald's full base attack bonus plus their Charisma modifier. There is nothing in the ability that would suggest that it uses someone else's BAB.


Seranov wrote:
Quote:
Benefit: While raging, the barbarian is surrounded by spirit wisps that harass her foes. These spirits make one slam attack each round against a living foe that is adjacent to the barbarian. This slam attack is made using the barbarian’s full base attack bonus, plus the barbarian’s Charisma modifier. The slam deals 1d4 points of negative energy damage, plus the barbarian’s Charisma modifier.
Since it would replace "Barbarian" with "Skald" it specifically states it would use the Skald's full base attack bonus plus their Charisma modifier. There is nothing in the ability that would suggest that it uses someone else's BAB.

If that's the case, why did they feel the need to mention using the skald's charisma modifier, if it's implied everything works that way already? And actually, it says:

"When starting an inspired rage, the skald chooses which rage powers (if any) to add to the song, and all affected allies gain the benefit of these rage powers, using the skald's level as their effective barbarian level."

THEY use the rage powers, using your level as THEIR barbarian level, so of course they would use their own stats (except ability scores, since that's specifically called out). Similarly, THEY would get to decide who the spirits attack, not you.


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heh...for all the PMs we've been trading, I hadn't seen this thread until tonight, Trei0.

As for the meat and potatoes, my reading is that the spirits utilize the Skald's BAB. I can't reconcile the idea that the ability would provide an asymmetric buff.

For sake of player friendliness in PFS, I defer to each player, who I require to declare at the start of their turn whether they accept the rage so I know whether I can target them with Saving Finale. The declaration also helps the GM keep track of things. Each player receives one of these condition cards at the beginning of the session as a reference. I made them in Open Office and pass them out while going over the rules for Inspired Rage. Every table gets the explanation before we begin play. Since they're declaring at the start of their turn, they're more likely to remember to use the slam, as well.

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