|
So, I posted an errata request last week about the Hallucinogenic Aura ability. Yes, it's level 13 and not likely to impact many games. I'm currently playing Eyes of the Ten and am trying to play All for Immortality. The AfI GM is reasonably concerned with the ability and asked if it was possible for me to retrain it.
My unfortunate response: I can't because there are no rules in Ultimate Campaign to facilitate retraining any occult class features.
Besides "shelf that character," what appropriate responses are out there for this situation? Were this a home game instead of PFS, it would be totally reasonable to avoid towns. Unfortunately, PFS briefings assume you're at certain places at certain times, frequently running around cities.
Regional Venture-Coordinator, Baltic
|
So, I posted an errata request last week about the Hallucinogenic Aura ability. Yes, it's level 13 and not likely to impact many games. I'm currently playing Eyes of the Ten and am trying to play All for Immortality. The AfI GM is reasonably concerned with the ability and asked if it was possible for me to retrain it.
My unfortunate response: I can't because there are no rules in Ultimate Campaign to facilitate retraining any occult class features.
Besides "shelf that character," what appropriate responses are out there for this situation? Were this a home game instead of PFS, it would be totally reasonable to avoid towns. Unfortunately, PFS briefings assume you're at certain places at certain times, frequently running around cities.
Retrain the 13th level of psychic to any other class?
|
|
Retrain the 13th level of psychic to any other class?So, I posted an errata request last week about the Hallucinogenic Aura ability. Yes, it's level 13 and not likely to impact many games. I'm currently playing Eyes of the Ten and am trying to play All for Immortality. The AfI GM is reasonably concerned with the ability and asked if it was possible for me to retrain it.
My unfortunate response: I can't because there are no rules in Ultimate Campaign to facilitate retraining any occult class features.
Besides "shelf that character," what appropriate responses are out there for this situation? Were this a home game instead of PFS, it would be totally reasonable to avoid towns. Unfortunately, PFS briefings assume you're at certain places at certain times, frequently running around cities.
I would very much prefer to not have to screw up my character that much to address this issue. I'm somewhat close to being able to qualify for the Loremaster prestige class, but I would still need to retrain feats and possibly spells to qualify (e.g. does Mind Thrust V count as 1 divination spell or 5 for the purposes of the divination prerequisite?). That would cause collateral issues, as well, such as no longer progressing my phrenic pool, cognatogen, and warped brain class features. I am unwilling to consider any options that stop or slow my spellcasting progression as this character has always been my dedicated caster. Even with just a level retrain to Loremaster, you're asking me to spend a minimum of 17 prestige (likely more, as I would probably need to retrain spells known) to avoid a class feature.
I think there's also the reasonable concern of this being either the only or one of the only class options out there where a class feature makes you question if you can reasonably continue to play the class within organized play.
|
|
One member of my EotT table brought up this point/solution:
I feel like the 'always on' was more funny/flavor to explain why you get a confusion aura, and no one thought too closely on how it would affect crowds of people. The 1d4 rounds seems more of the balancing factor.
I'd compare this to the aura of madness that the cleric domain gets. That one you have to turn on/off for a number of rounds equal to your level, but has no number of rounds and also only works on enemies. I would think a better solution would make the 'always on' part more fluff (everyone feels contact high, haha) and then do a turn on/off for enemies kind of thing.
|
|
Are there any prestige classes which grant '+1 level of psychic spellcasting ability' per level? I can't think of any (though they are quite common for arcane and divine casters), but that would allow you to continue developing psychic spellcasting w/o gaining other class abilities.
Loremaster is the closest prestige class for the existing character and it's a minimum of 17 prestige for me to retrain.
|
One thing you could consider doing is learning calm emotions. Assuming it's commoners you are worried about, they'll probably only succeed on a natural 20. Of those, half will take a non-agressive action. So roughly 25% of the time that you start a riot in a group of 15. Less in smaller groups.
This assumes that you appear unexpectedly in the midst of a group. As the GM I would probably allow all sorts of clever ideas to get around the drawback without having to use a spell every time you meet someone. Have one of your party members act as a "herald"'and tell people to beware that being in your presence can cause them to lose touch with reality. If you are coming across one or two farmers at a time I'd allow the party to ready to grapple one if he looks like he is preparing to harm himself or others.
Unfortunately I'd say in general that this ability is far more suited to an NPC than an adventurer. There's plenty of spaces for such an ability (even uncontrolled) in fantasy. On the "evil" side someone who causes chaos wherever she goes. On the "benign" side a respected but avoided dreamer living a bucolic life in solitude outside a small village.
|
My friend, you must not think of this as some kind of flaw, or a liability. This is the beginning of your ascension. Your power transcends the boundaries of physical space and the limitations of the human mind. Why should common mundane social standards hold you back? When I reach a level of power comparable to yours, I'll expect others to respect my presence, not the other way around.
Still. As a merchant by day, I can understand the difficulties. I've done some research within the Archives on folks with similar capabilities. And let me tell you, your particular manifestation is a rare anomaly; The best I could assemble was from theorycraft! I wonder if there are any more like you in the Society...
Hmm? Oh, thank you Navia. Now then, mister... Mickey. Let me share my research notes with you.
- Tower shield to keep the aura at bay? Psychic magic is not restricted by armor. Unsure if aura 'folds' around corners.
- Bag of Holding and a means of breathing within? Indignant, but effective in a pinch.
- Hiring a minion to speak on your behalf might work for the less pressing tasks. I'm sure you can speak with someone in the Society to get that taken care of.
- Familiars are amazing stand-ins. Might require a few revisits with a Trainer. A memory wipe spell or two. Perhaps some exotic blood transfusions for an Eldrich Heritage? Ravens are popular 'faces' for preoccupied arcanists.
- The Psychic spell list is fascinating. It seems to have Resilient Sphere available. There are potentially alternatives. Must research further.
- Psychic Evolutions possible? Must experiment on Navia's brain at some point in the future.
Are there any prestige classes which grant '+1 level of psychic spellcasting ability' per level? I can't think of any (though they are quite common for arcane and divine casters), but that would allow you to continue developing psychic spellcasting w/o gaining other class abilities.Loremaster is the closest prestige class for the existing character and it's a minimum of 17 prestige for me to retrain.
But you can't retrain from a base class into a prestige class.
|
Are there any prestige classes which grant '+1 level of psychic spellcasting ability' per level? I can't think of any (though they are quite common for arcane and divine casters), but that would allow you to continue developing psychic spellcasting w/o gaining other class abilities.Loremaster is the closest prestige class for the existing character and it's a minimum of 17 prestige for me to retrain.But you can't retrain from a base class into a prestige class.
I don't think this is true. Otherwise why is there a paragraph discussing synergies between base classes and prestige classes?
|
|
I don't think this is true. Otherwise why is there a paragraph discussing synergies between base classes and prestige classes?Are there any prestige classes which grant '+1 level of psychic spellcasting ability' per level? I can't think of any (though they are quite common for arcane and divine casters), but that would allow you to continue developing psychic spellcasting w/o gaining other class abilities.Loremaster is the closest prestige class for the existing character and it's a minimum of 17 prestige for me to retrain.But you can't retrain from a base class into a prestige class.
Retraining: Can I retrain out of my base classes and use my prestige class levels to meet the requirements for that prestige class?
No.
The retraining rules say, "If retraining a class level means you no longer qualify for a feat, prestige class, or other ability you have, you can't use that feat, prestige class, or ability until you meet the qualifications again." Therefore, if you retrain out of the base class and that causes you to no longer meet the requirements of the prestige class, you no longer have access to the class features from that prestige class, and therefore can't use that prestige class to meet the requirements of anything (including itself).Update 10/16/13: In any case, you cannot use rule elements from a prestige class to meet the requirements of that prestige class.
Update 10/16/13: New ruling: You cannot use retraining to replace a base class level with a prestige class level.
|
Are there any prestige classes which grant '+1 level of psychic spellcasting ability' per level? I can't think of any (though they are quite common for arcane and divine casters), but that would allow you to continue developing psychic spellcasting w/o gaining other class abilities.
I've been researching this lately and I can tell you with absolute certainty that there are at least two Prestige Classes. Skyseeker and Veiled Illusionist fail to note any requirements of the kind of spell-casting occurring. That's what lets you make an Oracle/Veiled Illusionist as easily as a Sorcer/Veiled Illusionist or an Inquisitor Skyseeker as much as a Paladin Skyseeker.
|
|
Additionally, Loremaster reads as follows:
"Spells per Day/Spells Known: When a new loremaster level is gained, the character gains new spells per day as if he had also gained a level in a spellcasting class he belonged to before adding the prestige class. He does not, however, gain other benefits a character of that class would have gained, except for additional spells per day, spells known (if he is a spontaneous spellcaster), and an increased effective level of spellcasting. If a character had more than one spellcasting class before becoming a loremaster, he must decide to which class he adds the new level for purposes of determining spells per day."
So correction, there are at least three.
|
Additionally, Loremaster reads as follows:
"Spells per Day/Spells Known: When a new loremaster level is gained, the character gains new spells per day as if he had also gained a level in a spellcasting class he belonged to before adding the prestige class. He does not, however, gain other benefits a character of that class would have gained, except for additional spells per day, spells known (if he is a spontaneous spellcaster), and an increased effective level of spellcasting. If a character had more than one spellcasting class before becoming a loremaster, he must decide to which class he adds the new level for purposes of determining spells per day."So correction, there are at least three.
Mystery cultist is also silent as to the type of spellcasting. I suspect Envoy of Balance is as well.
