Catfolk racial climb and nimble climber talent


Rules Questions


What is the purpose of the catfolk racial rogue talent "Nimble Climber" stating "If she has the climber racial trait, she can take 10 on her Climb checks even when in immediate danger or distracted."
http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/advancedRaceGuide/featuredRaces/catfolk. html

By the rules, anyone with a climb speed can already always take 10: "A creature with a climb speed has a +8 racial bonus on all Climb checks. The creature must make a Climb check to climb any wall or slope with a DC higher than 0, but it can always choose to take 10, even if rushed or threatened while climbing."
http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/skills/climb.html#climb

As such, that extra blurb on that talent is irrelevant.


I notice people include that bit from the rogue talent as a good reason to take it. I don't see how it helps given a catfolk with the racial climb already can do it.


Bump! Anyone have inputs?


Catfolk with the "Climber" racial trait already have a climb speed. As a result the talent's second ability (take 10....) is pointless since they can already take 10 when climbing when in danger (as per the rules for having a climb speed).

This would not be the first time something 'enabled' you to do something you could already do. The original version of Prone Shooter 'allowed' crossbow users to shoot while prone (something they could already do).

Grand Lodge

Just one of those things in Paizo content that's meant as a trap so that people with a bit of system mastery can feel proud about avoiding.

Although the rogue jokes that can come from this practically write themselves.

"At least you're not limited to using it once per day!" tops my list.


They can publish as many useless rogue talents as they want, just so long as they publish the ones that matter.

Namely, the talent on that very same page, Vicious Claws. Best. Talent. Ever.


Okay, so I'm not being an idiot and missing something. It actually is pointless.

And Avoron, I agree. If you're going with a catfolk rogue, the vicious claws is a necessity. Alternate racial trait to pick up claws at 1d4. Exemplar feat to bump it to 1d6. Another feat (Improved natural attack) to bump it to 1d8. Every claw hit does 1d8 and, if you are flanking, it is 1d8 + xd8 for however many normal d6's you get from sneak attack. :-)

Weapon Finesse and TWF only improve upon this.

Thanks all! Really glad I wasn't just banging my head against the wall uselessly trying to figure out what I must be missing as there was nothing to miss. :)


Pathfinder Maps, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Maps, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

That is not the only problem with this rogue talent. The Advanced Player's Guide has a different, non-racially exclusive rogue talent by the same name.


David knott 242 wrote:

That is not the only problem with this rogue talent. The Advanced Player's Guide has a different, non-racially exclusive rogue talent by the same name.

I never caught that!

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