How to up my will save?


Advice

Grand Lodge

I'm going for a very feat intensive mounted teamwork build, as a result I've basically forgone any class progression and dipped 4 martial classes (plus 3 levels of hunter, but I wouldn't strictly call that a "martial class"). at my current lvl (5), my will save is only a 1. I'll be taking 2 levels of monk which helps, but other than that all my other classes have basically no will save.

So basically, what all gear/items can I use that will increase my will save?


If you have a decent charisma and LG allignment dip 2 levels of paladin :) After all what is even more dipping if you are dipping this much.


  • Anything that bumps your Wisdom score (Headband, etc).
  • Cloak of Resistance +X.
  • Iron Will (feat).
  • Cap of the Free Thinker for mind-affecting effects (doesn't technically increase your will save, but greatly improves your chances of succeeding on a save).
  • Clear spindle ioun stone with a wayfinder (gives protection from mental control and possession, as Protection from Evil).

  • Grand Lodge

    Cracked green prism
    cloak of resistance
    headband or ioun stone of wisdom
    Knights Pennon

    Feat iron will

    Sovereign Court

    Guess other stuffs to consider Luckstone and seducer's bane bracelet.

    if allowed (Mythic magic item) Cape of free will (it's like cloak of resistance, with will being +1 higher).

    Grand Lodge

    Half Elf has will bonuses

    A good wisdom will help too (ie, a headband if you do not need the mental boost somewhere else)

    Sovereign Court

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    "I've upped my will save, now up yours."

    Grand Lodge

    Ughbash wrote:
    If you have a decent charisma and LG allignment dip 2 levels of paladin :) After all what is even more dipping if you are dipping this much.

    Not really what I'm going for. And my charisma sucks.

    Dips I have are 1 into Brawler - Wild Child for Combat Expertise with low int, 1 into Cavalier for a free teamwork feat, 3 into hunter (and at least 1 more eventually for second lvl spells) for free Outflank, free teamwork feats, and teamwork feats to pet.

    All of these have wolf on the mount/companion list.

    Also 2 levels of fighter for two bonus feats, two levels of monk-sohei for bonus feats (Combat Reflexes and Mounted Skirmisher). Boon Companion covers the lack of Animal Companion progression for these.

    The rest of my levels will go into classes that have a fully leveled animal companion (probably hunter for spell progression). So no Paladin dip--and my guy is also true neutral so that doesn't work.

    The wisdom headband is definitely something I already planned on getting since it'll help for my hunter spells.

    Specifically this is for PFS, but any recommendations are useful in case someone else happens across this thread with the same question.

    edit: I can't seem to find the Ioun stones you guys are referencing.. From the ones I can find, green seems to be for attack rolls and clear spindle seem to be for sustenance. Can you link the stones you guys are talking about?


    @claudekennilol, it's not the Ioun stone itself, it's the resonant power when you put it into a Wayfinder. I think that Wayfinders are allowed in PFS. Someone else will have to verify.

    Grand Lodge

    Ioun stones

    Cracked Green Ioun stone You can choose either attacks or saves when you buy the cracked one for 4k. Can not resonate with a wayfinder since it is cracked.

    Wayfinder more than 100% PFS legal. It is the mark of a pathfinder. If you played to confirmation you can get a free one or you can buy one for 250gp from your season 6 guide. This also has a list of Resonated powers for each stone. Clear spindle is a good way not to get dominated.

    You should also seek Boons from chronical sheets that boost saves associated with will. Carrion hill MODULE has Fighting between the stars boon which gives +1 to confusion and fear effects. Its un typed and permanent. It doesn't get crossed out and the MODULE will get you an entire level.


    I have to say that I like the build, claudekennilol.


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    The Human Diversion wrote:
    "I've upped my will save, now up yours."

    "It's my Will Save, and I need it now!"

    Although expensive, Boots of the Battle Herald and a courageous weapon would help out big time.

    Grand Lodge

    Cheburn wrote:
    @claudekennilol, it's not the Ioun stone itself, it's the resonant power when you put it into a Wayfinder. I think that Wayfinders are allowed in PFS. Someone else will have to verify.

    Ah, thanks. I've never taken that close a look at the Wayfinders (I mean, I know the default ones cast light). I thought that you could just slot an Ioun stone in it and it worked as it normally works without fear of it getting sundered. I didn't realize the stone had different effects when slotted into a wayfinder.


    To be honest, weaknesses like this are why I don't like these kind of hyper focused conglomeration builds.

    But at least you are doing the responsible thing and trying to figure out how to make up for the weakness so you don't kill your allies after a confusion spell. Most of the people that seem to try these kinds of builds refuse to consider that at all. Apparently it is always someone else's responsibility to keep them from killing the team.

    Cheburn and Fruian gave most of them.

    The other things would suggest are:
    1) Have a folio and save the re-roll for a will save.
    2) Buy a Wand of Protection From Evil. At the start of every scenario, hand it to a caster and tell him to use it on you if it seems like you might have been targeted by a charm type spell (for that additional save attempt). Maybe get one for each of the alignments so that it will work with non-evil opponents.

    But neither of those will help much if you save hasn't been first improved by some of the other stuff.

    3) One of the traits gives you a +1 to will saves.


    Tribal Scars and other similar background feats can add +1 to Will saves.

    If you have good Charisma, you can take Steadfast Personality.

    Grand Lodge

    Secret Wizard wrote:

    Tribal Scars and other similar background feats can add +1 to Will saves.

    If you have good Charisma, you can take Steadfast Personality.

    I don't have good charisma, I don't know if I'd qualify for that feat, too. My ethnicity is mwangi to match the "jungle-raised-by-wolves" vibe I was going for--definitely not a "northern tribe".

    Lune wrote:
    I have to say that I like the build, claudekennilol.

    OMG. I had a super long post detailing the thought process behind my build... When I hit submit, it took me to some random page.

    So long story short, here's the link. I'm human for +2 str and spent my bonus feat on undersized mount (wouldn't've had to spend the feat if I were already small but I get the +2 str to my important melee stat). I had to start with a wolf because it's on all the mount/animal companion lists. Important trait = Magical Knack so my hunter level is boosted so I only have to cast Ant Haul once or twice a day depending on when the adventure starts. I could have picked a different trait if I were small because then I wouldn't need to rely on Ant Haul. I don't get my first iterative attack until level 8 (which is when I get mounted skirmisher), so since I'm mounted my move actions can be spent on brawler's Martial Flexibility to get a combat feat I qualify for.

    If I started over, I would probably forego Tandem Trip until much later so I could get these important feats much sooner Pack Flanking, Broken Wing Gambit, Paired Opportunists, and to a lesser degree Escape Route (remember Outflank is for free from hunter lvl 2). For instance, Escape Route as my cavalier feat is much more useful to share than Tandem Trip--but I didn't realize how useful Escape Route would be until too late. At this point, I'll probably retrain Tandem Trip into one of the above and take TT at lvl 9.

    link to build

    ElterAgo wrote:

    To be honest, weaknesses like this are why I don't like these kind of hyper focused conglomeration builds.

    The other things would suggest are:
    1) Have a folio and save the re-roll for a will save.
    2) Buy a Wand of Protection From Evil. At the start of every scenario, hand it to a caster and tell him to use it on you if it seems like you might have been targeted by a charm type spell (for that additional save attempt). Maybe get one for each of the alignments so that it will work with non-evil opponents.

    Actually, the monk dip helps a ton, if I had went straight hunter my will save would have topped out at 3* at lvl 11. Now I hit 4* at level 8 (though it still doesn't grow beyond that). So I'm actually better than most martial classes because of the monk dip. *These are straight from class levels and not counting item/gear/feat bonuses.

    Thanks for the extra suggestions.


    Clear spindle ioun stone with a wayfinder (gives protection from mental control and possession, as Protection from Evil)
    is from Seeker of Secrets.
    Lots of good stuff in there but make sure it's legal for PFS.

    Grand Lodge

    Matt2VK wrote:

    Clear spindle ioun stone with a wayfinder (gives protection from mental control and possession, as Protection from Evil)

    is from Seeker of Secrets.
    Lots of good stuff in there but make sure it's legal for PFS.

    Seeker of Secrets was literally made for PFS and is almost entirely PFS legal. Look at the first page, the title for chapter 1 "Welcome to the Pathfinder Society".

    But yeah, that definitely seems the way to go. For only 4k, that's a steal.


    Fruian Thistlefoot wrote:

    Ioun stones

    Cracked Green Ioun stone You can choose either attacks or saves when you buy the cracked one for 4k. Can not resonate with a wayfinder since it is cracked.

    Wayfinder more than 100% PFS legal. It is the mark of a pathfinder. If you played to confirmation you can get a free one or you can buy one for 250gp from your season 6 guide. This also has a list of Resonated powers for each stone. Clear spindle is a good way not to get dominated.

    You should also seek Boons from chronical sheets that boost saves associated with will. Carrion hill MODULE has Fighting between the stars boon which gives +1 to confusion and fear effects. Its un typed and permanent. It doesn't get crossed out and the MODULE will get you an entire level.

    Just remember that in PFS only the full price ioun stones give resonant powers. The flawed or cracked ones don't.

    Grand Lodge

    unforgivn wrote:
    Fruian Thistlefoot wrote:

    Ioun stones

    Cracked Green Ioun stone You can choose either attacks or saves when you buy the cracked one for 4k. Can not resonate with a wayfinder since it is cracked.

    Wayfinder more than 100% PFS legal. It is the mark of a pathfinder. If you played to confirmation you can get a free one or you can buy one for 250gp from your season 6 guide. This also has a list of Resonated powers for each stone. Clear spindle is a good way not to get dominated.

    You should also seek Boons from chronical sheets that boost saves associated with will. Carrion hill MODULE has Fighting between the stars boon which gives +1 to confusion and fear effects. Its un typed and permanent. It doesn't get crossed out and the MODULE will get you an entire level.

    Just remember that in PFS only the full price ioun stones give resonant powers. The flawed or cracked ones don't.

    Yeah, that's fine. It's only 4k.

    Edit: I should say that the clear spindle ioun stone is only 4k and protects from possession and mental control. You were referring to one of the two stones that give a straight up +1 will save then it's obviously more than 4k. I would argue that immunity to two not-uncommon types of saves is strictly better than +1 overall (especially when it costs half as much).

    Grand Lodge

    Would Druid be a good dip for him?

    Wild Whisperer would give you an inspiration pool (2 uses to bump a save) and can be used to pump some skills (free for survival, ride and handle animal, skills you will likely use often)

    Nature Fang, if you go farther into it then dip, gives you talents as well as studied target bonuses.

    Survivor is also an option, but not a good one.


    A one level dip in Cleric with Protection Domain is a simple +3 for will. Also comes with the ability to play around with some clerical power, since Separatist basically gives you free reign to grab any other domain with a useful level 1 power. The whole teamwork angle can benefit from 1 minute Bless as well in any situation where you've got a moment to use it.


    Yo, Claude: Moon Clan gives you +1 Will.

    Scarab Sages

    Are you good and seem to be charismatic? For 400 gold, you can have an Oil of Bestow Grace. You gain a bonus to your Saves equal to your Charisma Modifier. Lasts for 4 minutes.


    Secret Wizard wrote:
    Yo, Claude: Moon Clan gives you +1 Will.

    No dice; this feat requires you to be Shoanti, and the OP's character is Mwangi. This is why you use the Archives of Nethys for stuff from the campaign setting books.

    Grand Lodge

    Cao Phen wrote:
    Are you good and seem to be charismatic? For 400 gold, you can have an Oil of Bestow Grace. You gain a bonus to your Saves equal to your Charisma Modifier. Lasts for 4 minutes.

    I wish I could go back and edit the first post... For the third time, I am not charismatic.

    Grand Lodge

    Fruian Thistlefoot wrote:

    Cracked green prism

    cloak of resistance
    headband or ioun stone of wisdom
    Knights Pennon

    Feat iron will

    I'm liking the pennons. I can have a lance in one hand and my scimitar in the other (high crit for outflank). So I'd get a bonus from the pennon and threaten a pretty wide area. They're kinda expensive, though.


    Is this PFS or home game?

    if its a home game (and this may mess with your other saves i don't know) ask your GM if you can use fractions for your saves so you have the normal +2 or so at level 5

    Grand Lodge

    Koshimo wrote:

    Is this PFS or home game?

    if its a home game (and this may mess with your other saves i don't know) ask your GM if you can use fractions for your saves so you have the normal +2 or so at level 5

    Specifically for this guy it's for PFS, but that's still good general advice.

    Grand Lodge

    IDK what THIS thing is on his back but Samurai of old use to carry them too. Find out if your DM allows such a device.

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