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Hello all,
I'm planning on making a Tarzan'ish character based off natural attacks and an animal companion for PFS. Could someone help give advice or build suggestions?
Below are the standards I want to keep with this concept:
1) Ranger or Mad Dog Barbarian
2) Wolf or Dog animal companion
3) Using natural attacks or primitive/simple weapons
4) Be useful throughout levels 1 - 11.
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Some concerns I have is that some/most of the Ranger's Natural Weapon Combat Style feats may be banned in PFS?
Also, from my understanding a Barbarian can't Handle Animal while raging and I'm not sure if any ways to get around that. PFS rules are strict so the only time I could issue a command to my AC is before or after raging.
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The only way to use handle animal during rage is with Coherent Rage, but that's not a PFS legal option.
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Tarzan is, and you just described, a Wild Child Brawler. Though Tarzan really should have an Ape animal companion. Which, of course, you can get at lv1.
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I assume my best option is going the Ranger route. If going the Natural Weapon Combat Style feats route, are
Aspect of the Beast - Legal
Improved Natural Weapon - I assume this is supposed to be Improved Natural Attack?
Rending Claws - Legal
Eldritch Fangs - I assume this is supposed to be Eldritch Claws
Multiattack - Not Legal
So Eldritch Fangs and Improved Natural Weapon can't be selected in PFS as those exact feats don't exist. Is there an Errata or FAQ for this that would allow otherwise?
I could take Aspect of the Beast and Rending Claws and I could pick up Eldritch Claws with a regular feat at 6th level. Would I be doing pitiful damage though with this?
Natural Attacks would be preferred but I could resort to Simple Weapons if my damage output is going to be at about 1/2 or less than most front liners in PFS.
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Tarzan is, and you just described, a Wild Child Brawler. Though Tarzan really should have an Ape animal companion. Which, of course, you can get at lv1.
Appreciate the Wild Child Brawler suggestion CHB. I'm playing at a PFS charity event this weekend and I'm not looking to buy the ACG anytime soon so I'm looking more towards the Core and APG classes.
While I want to have that Tarzan feel, I'm looking more towards a wild dog or possibly a wolf. Not sure how I'd feel about walking around town (which is common in PFS) with a large Ape or Tiger.
It would be a chimpanzee, not a large ape and especially not a tiger. Actually Wild Child Brawler looks perfect and best fit for Tarzan.
You assume wrong.
Martial Flexibility will allow you to gain those feats temporarily on the fly as a Wild Child, plus you get free effective Two-Weapon Fighting for your unarmed strikes.
You can also take the Adopted Trait, which would let you gain a Bite attack.
Your Natural and Unarmed Attacks will also be dealing more damage, because Brawlers increase damage the way Monks do.
What you want to do, as you described, will be better pulled off both mechanically and flavor wise by taking Wild Child, instead of a Ranger.
I'm not looking to buy the ACG anytime soon so I'm looking more towards the Core and APG classes.
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I'm not looking to buy the ACG anytime soon so I'm looking more towards the Core and APG classes.Welcome to Pathfinder, the game where the designers themselves give you everything for free via the Pathfinder Reference Document
PFS requires the player to own the book in either hardback or pdf of the race, class, feats, etc that you're using. Since I don't own the ACG, it would not be legal for me to show up with a Brawler at a Society table. This is why I'm looking at Core and APG classes as options.
Also, How do you get a bite attack from the Adopted Trait? Racial Traits are different than Race Traits.
As a Human, I could take 'Racial Heritage' and select Half-Orc which would then make me eligable to take the feat 'Razortusk' later. Maybe this is what you meant as the Adopted Trait option you mentioned isn't legal (Race Traits and a Race's Racial Traits are 2 different things).
If brawler is out i think a barbarian is your best plan. Go have a dagger as your weapon and get a level monk to boost your bare chest AC and get improved unarmed strike. Possibly Martial artist if you dont have the book that allow a trait to get neutral good monks. I would skip the animal companion and focus on killing stuff.
Pehaps a brutal pugilist since Tarzan seem to wrestle with the animals he figth more than hitting them. If you must have a animal companion get one wis the feat.
I'm not looking to buy the ACG anytime soon so I'm looking more towards the Core and APG classes.Welcome to Pathfinder, the game where the designers themselves give you everything for free via the Pathfinder Reference DocumentPFS requires the player to own the book in either hardback or pdf of the race, class, feats, etc that you're using. Since I don't own the ACG, it would not be legal for me to show up with a Brawler at a Society table. This is why I'm looking at Core and APG classes as options.
Also, How do you get a bite attack from the Adopted Trait? Racial Traits are different than Race Traits.
As a Human, I could take 'Racial Heritage' and select Half-Orc which would then make me eligable to take the feat 'Razortusk' later. Maybe this is what you meant as the Adopted Trait option you mentioned isn't legal (Race Traits and a Race's Racial Traits are 2 different things).
chbgraphicarts is probably referring to the Tusked race trait from Orcs of Golarion, which you can grab with Adopted.
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Class – Ranger
Race – Human
Traits -
* ?
* ?
Stats -
Str: 17 (+2 racial included)
Dex: 14
Con: 14
Int: 10
Wis: 13
Cha: 10
1) Ranger 1: Bab +1 | Racial Heritage: Half-Orc (lvl 1), Razortusk (human), +1hp
2) Ranger 2: Bab +2 | Aspect of the Beast: Claws of the Beast (combat style), +1hp
3) Ranger 3: Bab +3 | Power Attack (lvl 3), +1hp
4) Ranger 4: Bab +4 | +1 Str, +1hp
5) Ranger 5: Bab +5 | Boon Companion (5), +1hp
6) Ranger 6: Bab +6/+1 | Improved Natural Attack: Claws (combat style), +1hp
7) Ranger 7: Bab +7/+2 | Scent (lvl 7), +1hp
8) Ranger 8: Bab +8/+3 | +1 Wis, +1hp
9) Ranger 9: Bab +9/+4 | FREE (lvl 9), +1hp
10) Ranger 10: Bab +10/+5 | +1hp
11) Ranger 11: Bab +11/+6/+1 | FREE (lvl 11), +1hp
Animal Companion: Leopard, Dog, Wolf, or Badger
or possibly
Class – True Primitive Mad Dog Barbarian
Race – Human
Traits -
* ?
* ?
Stats -
Str: 18 (+2 racial included)
Dex: 14
Con: 14
Int: 8
Wis: 12
Cha: 10
1) Barbarian 1: Bab +1 | Racial Heritage: Half-Orc (lvl 1), Razortusk (human), +1hp
2) Barbarian 2: Bab +2 | +1hp
3) Barbarian 3: Bab +3 | Power Attack (lvl 3), +1hp
4) Barbarian 4: Bab +4 | Beast Totem, Lesser (rage power), +1 Str, +1hp
5) Barbarian 5: Bab +5 | Extra Rage Power: Reckless Abandon (5), +1hp
6) Barbarian 6: Bab +6/+1 | , +1hp
7) Barbarian 7: Bab +7/+2 | Extra Rage Power: Hurling Charge (lvl 7), +1hp
8) Barbarian 8: Bab +8/+3 | Increased Damage Reduction 1 (rage power), +1 Str, +1hp
9) Barbarian 9: Bab +9/+4 | Extra Rage Power: Increased Damaged Reduction 2 (lvl 9), +1hp
10) Barbarian 10: Bab +10/+5 | +1hp
11) Barbarian 11: Bab +11/+6/+1 | FREE (lvl 11), +1hp
My Barbarian build could probably use a lot of help. I know there's a rage power for a bite attack but it's at a -5 atk and only when raging. Figured at the cost of 1 more feat I could get the same thing that's +5atk better useable anytime.
I'm a bit torn between Mad Dog and Mounted Fury archetypes. Mad Dog loses a lot of rage power feats but the AC selection is same as Druid's whereas Mounted Fury is stuck with Horse/Wolf or Boar/Dog if small at later levels.
Any thoughts / ideas between the Ranger and Barbarian options?
** spoiler omitted **
or possibly
** spoiler omitted **
My Barbarian build could probably use a lot of help. I know there's a rage power for a bite attack but it's at a -5 atk and only when raging. Figured at the cost of 1 more feat I could get the same thing that's +5atk better useable anytime.
I'm a bit torn between Mad Dog and Mounted Fury archetypes. Mad...
I dont see Tarzan in any of them, but other than that they look fine to me.
Edit: and remember to max out swim skill for johnnys sake;)|
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Your playing this weekend.
To get to level 2 you need 3 sessions. Idk how many games you will be playing that day but I recommend doing your level 2 rework as a wild child once you buy the book.
It is the best fit currently.
I would just look to be effective at level 1. Perhaps a druid level 1 with a chimp/ape animal companion. Use a club and your 1st level spells to pimp out your club.
At level 1 its more about surviving till your concept comes alive....and with a re we irk its almost better to just play an efficient level 1 character then rework to your design at 2. Its hard to get a full concept rolling at level 1.
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Your playing this weekend.
To get to level 2 you need 3 sessions. Idk how many games you will be playing that day but I recommend doing your level 2 rework as a wild child once you buy the book.
It is the best fit currently.I would just look to be effective at level 1. Perhaps a druid level 1 with a chimp/ape animal companion. Use a club and your 1st level spells to pimp out your club.
At level 1 its more about surviving till your concept comes alive....and with a re we irk its almost better to just play an efficient level 1 character then rework to your design at 2. Its hard to get a full concept rolling at level 1.
Would a 1-3 level start in True Primitive Barbarian be safe and then take levels in Wild Child Brawler after? Hurling Charge and Raging Hurler rage powers seem interesting. Being able to throw a Spear and make an unarmed attack both in a charge seems worthwhile.
Maybe something like Barbarian 2 / Wild Child 9
or Barbarian 3 / Wild Child 8?
I could play the Barbarian option above and buy the ACG later possibly.
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Curious, but why has there been a few mentions of Wild Child Brawler but no mention of Nature Fang Druid?
Class – Nature Fang Druid
Race – Human
Traits -
* ?
* ?
Stats -
Str: 17 (+2 racial included)
Dex: 14
Con: 14
Int: 8
Wis: 14
Cha: 10
1) Druid 1: Bab +0 | Racial Heritage: Half-Orc (lvl 1), Razortusk (human), +1hp
2) Druid 2: Bab +1 | +1hp
3) Druid 3: Bab +2 | Power Attack (lvl 3), +1hp
4) Druid 4: Bab +3 | Aspect of the Beast: Claws of the Beast (talent), +1 Str, +1hp
5) Druid 5: Bab +3 | Keen Scent (5), +1hp
6) Druid 6: Bab +4 | Improved Natural Attack: Claws (talent), +1hp
7) Druid 7: Bab +5 | Eldritch Claws (lvl 7), +1hp
8) Druid 8: Bab +6/+1 | FREE (talent), +1 Wis, +1hp
9) Druid 9: Bab +6/+1 | FREE (lvl 9), +1hp
10) Druid 10: Bab +7/+2 | FREE (talent), +1hp
11) Druid 11: Bab +8/+3 | FREE (lvl 11), +1hp
Animal Companion: Druid list selection
1) They get the Studied Target Slayer ability
2) They get 1d6 Sneak Attack
3) They get Slayer Talents (able to get Ranger Combat Style feats via this)
4) AC from Druid list at full BAB
5) Full caster level (Barkskin, Greater Magic Fang, Animal Growth, + more)
Not trying to create a Tarzan replica but more of a Wild clawing/biting character like Gau from FF6 or San from Princess Mononoke. Does the above build seem doable and are the stats ok? I'll have to buy a Headband of Wisdom +2 around level 6 to be able to cast 5th and 6th level spells later on. My DC's will be low, will I be losing out a lot on the Druid's offensive spells?
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Do you have the EXP laying around to add that many levels? GMs typically do but if your starting at level 1 with no back exp then you habe alot more time to theory craft and design it correctly.
I have 1 cronicle atm, and I'll be playing 2 or so scenarios this weekend. But, next weekend I'll be playing this character in a few Emerald Spire modules so that'll take me from 2nd level to 4th and on the 29th I'll be going through another 2 Emerald Spire modules.
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Curious, but why has there been a few mentions of Wild Child Brawler but no mention of Nature Fang Druid?
** spoiler omitted **
1) They get the Studied Target Slayer ability
2) They get 1d6 Sneak Attack
3) They get Slayer Talents (able to get Ranger Combat Style feats via this)
4) AC from Druid list at full BAB
5) Full caster level (Barkskin, Greater Magic Fang, Animal Growth, + more)Not trying to create a Tarzan replica but more of a Wild clawing/biting character like Gau from FF6 or San from Princess Mononoke. Does the above build seem doable and are the stats ok? I'll have to buy a Headband of Wisdom +2 around level 6 to be able to cast 5th and 6th level spells later on. My DC's will be low, will I be losing out a lot on the Druid's offensive spells?
You may not have noticed, but you can't get Eldritch Claws at level 7 since you won't have +6 BAB. That may impact your decision making.
I think you're not getting the advice you're looking for because of how you phrased the question. Most people think of tarzan as being loin-cloth clad and grappling/pummeling/stabbing with his knife, not as a creature that grew claws and fangs.
There are a number of very good options in the Advanced Class Guide for what you're trying to accomplish. The Mad Dog Barbarian is probably the best option from what you've got this far, with Beast Totem, but you'll be relying on weapons and your base stats until you get to rage at 4th level.
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Nature Fang works, but I would not waste the feat on razortusk when you can get tusked as a trait. Also, unless you really need the flavor of human, I would just go half-orc instead of wasting the bonus feat on racial heritage.
Well, the Racial Heritage opens up Keen Scent and Razortusk. For a trait, Tusked is good but at a -5 to hit and 3/4 bab I'd probably never see it hit.
You're absolutely right that Half-Orc would be the better option or even Kitsune or better yet Tengu....but I'd rather have this character be a Human that's wild/feral, which will cost me some feats but I'm ok with that.
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Curious, but why has there been a few mentions of Wild Child Brawler but no mention of Nature Fang Druid?
** spoiler omitted **
1) They get the Studied Target Slayer ability
2) They get 1d6 Sneak Attack
3) They get Slayer Talents (able to get Ranger Combat Style feats via this)
4) AC from Druid list at full BAB
5) Full caster level (Barkskin, Greater Magic Fang, Animal Growth, + more)Not trying to create a Tarzan replica but more of a Wild clawing/biting character like Gau from FF6 or San from Princess Mononoke. Does the above build seem doable and are the stats ok? I'll have to buy a Headband of Wisdom +2 around level 6 to be able to cast 5th and 6th level spells later on. My DC's will be low, will I be losing out a lot on the Druid's offensive spells?
You may not have noticed, but you can't get Eldritch Claws at level 7 since you won't have +6 BAB. That may impact your decision making.
I think you're not getting the advice you're looking for because of how you phrased the question. Most people think of tarzan as being loin-cloth clad and grappling/pummeling/stabbing with his knife, not as a creature that grew claws and fangs.
There are a number of very good options in the Advanced Class Guide for what you're trying to accomplish. The Mad Dog Barbarian is probably the best option from what you've got this far, with Beast Totem, but you'll be relying on weapons and your base stats until you get to rage at 4th level.
Good catch StrangePackage, I could grab Eldritch Claws at 8th level from Slayer Talent: Ranger Combat Style.
I've been looking over Mad Dog for quite a while but I'm having a hard time accepting it. You can't Handle Animal while Raging and Mad Dog loses 2nd, 6th, and 10th rage power adds. I made a build earlier in this thread with Mad Dog but not sure how great it'd be.
I figured if I referenced Gau from FF6 or San from Princess Mononoke I'd have zero responses since they aren't as well known. Idea is for a wild character that bites and claws their "prey" and has an animal companion. Possibly raging or using some kind of earthen magic to enhance their strength. The Druid idea seems pretty strong with Greater Magic Fang and Animal Growth along with Bull's Strength, Barkskin, and other spells to beef up combat effectiveness.
You can also take the Adopted Trait, which would let you gain a Bite attack.
By what means? And if you say "Half-Orc Toothy" that's the wrong kind of trait you're thinking of.
A Race Trait would be something that can be coupled with the regional/religion/faith/combat traits.
a Racial Trait, such as the Half-Orc's "Toothy" under Alternate Racial Traits are completely different and not granted by the adopted trait.
I've seen this misconception a half-dozen times on the forums.
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You can also take the Adopted Trait, which would let you gain a Bite attack.
By what means? And if you say "Half-Orc Toothy" that's the wrong kind of trait you're thinking of.
A Race Trait would be something that can be coupled with the regional/religion/faith/combat traits.
a Racial Trait, such as the Half-Orc's "Toothy" under Alternate Racial Traits are completely different and not granted by the adopted trait.
I've seen this misconception a half-dozen times on the forums.
He was referring to the "Tusked" trait from Orcs of Galarion but it kind of sucks since it's a secondary attack (full bab -5). Razortusk feat or Half-Orc's racial Toothy are much better if you're expecting to actually hit anything with a bite.
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Nature Fang works, but I would not waste the feat on razortusk when you can get tusked as a trait. Also, unless you really need the flavor of human, I would just go half-orc instead of wasting the bonus feat on racial heritage.Well, the Racial Heritage opens up Keen Scent and Razortusk. For a trait, Tusked is good but at a -5 to hit and 3/4 bab I'd probably never see it hit.
You're absolutely right that Half-Orc would be the better option or even Kitsune or better yet Tengu....but I'd rather have this character be a Human that's wild/feral, which will cost me some feats but I'm ok with that.
Razortusk is still a secondary attack if used as a part full attack, and thus takes the -5 as well.
The feat and the trait literally do the same thing, they are just written differently.
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Nature Fang works, but I would not waste the feat on razortusk when you can get tusked as a trait. Also, unless you really need the flavor of human, I would just go half-orc instead of wasting the bonus feat on racial heritage.Well, the Racial Heritage opens up Keen Scent and Razortusk. For a trait, Tusked is good but at a -5 to hit and 3/4 bab I'd probably never see it hit.
You're absolutely right that Half-Orc would be the better option or even Kitsune or better yet Tengu....but I'd rather have this character be a Human that's wild/feral, which will cost me some feats but I'm ok with that.
Razortusk is still a secondary attack if used as a part full attack, and thus takes the -5 as well.
The feat and the trait literally do the same thing, they are just written differently.
*Sigh* You're right, I overlooked that. Guess I'd have to settle with either Half-Orc or Kitsune if I want to have a Bite at full BAB when full attacking.
I think you're not getting the advice you're looking for because of how you phrased the question. Most people think of tarzan as being loin-cloth clad and grappling/pummeling/stabbing with his knife, not as a creature that grew claws and fangs.
I agree, this is why I think Wild Child Brawler fits so well, because this is indeed "Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs" and not some other savage feral warrior motif, as are all the other suggestions and the OP's stated preferred direction.
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How about the below build for a Gau / San type of character.
Class – Nature Fang Druid
Race – Kitsune
Traits -
* Reactionary
* ?
Stats -
Str: 10 (-2 racial included)
Dex: 18 (+2 racial included)
Con: 14
Int: 12
Wis: 14
Cha: 9 (+2 racial included)
1) Druid 1: Bab +0 | Weapon Finesse (lvl 1), +1hp
2) Druid 2: Bab +1 | +1hp
3) Druid 3: Bab +2 | Piranha Strike (lvl 3), +1hp
4) Druid 4: Bab +3 | Aspect of the Beast: Claws of the Beast (talent), +1 Dex, +1hp
5) Druid 5: Bab +3 | FREE (5), +1hp
6) Druid 6: Bab +4 | Improved Natural Attack: Claws (talent), +1hp
7) Druid 7: Bab +5 | FREE (lvl 7), +1hp
8) Druid 8: Bab +6/+1 | Eldritch Claws (talent), +1 Dex, +1hp
9) Druid 9: Bab +6/+1 | FREE (lvl 9), +1hp
10) Druid 10: Bab +7/+2 | FREE (talent), +1hp
11) Druid 11: Bab +8/+3 | FREE (lvl 11), +1hp
An Agile Amulet of Mighty Fist should allow my bite,claw,claw to all have damage based off Dex right? Kitsune allows me to take a human form and when going "feral" transform into a Kitsune. Any feat or trait suggestions? I have 1 free talent and a lot of free feats to spend. :)
EDIT: Maybe Spell Focus: Transmutation, Spell Specialization: Greater Magic Fang, and Varisian Tattoo: Avaria? Would boost my Transmutation spells by 1 level and Greater Magic Fang by 3 levels total. Would give me an earlier boost of +1atk/+1dmg for both myself and my AC. Not sure if that and the +1 level boost to Barkskin and other Druid transmutation spells would be worth it though.