To discuss!
I really don't have any idea what character to make. I am thinking a caster, harm focused cleric, champion, or fighter but I don't know. If anyone has any advice that would be appreciated.
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Based on what everyone is going for at the moment I'm leaning towards a barbarian or a monk. I am open to be anything though I enjoy the challenge of creating a character from scratch : )
Druid why don't you just think about what you'd like to play and do it. Looks like we've got a ranger and a healer already so what would you like to play out of those you've mentioned? If you want to go caster I'm happy to be a Barbarian or Monk, if you want to be a Champion I'm happy to be a wizard of sorcerer :D
Ok, this is the character I think i'm going to go with: Character Sheet
Yeah, my friend who plays a 6th level 1st edition Druid was pleasantly surprised by the cantrips and spells a 1st level 2nd edition Druid has access to. If that power bump holds true to the other spell casters it’ll help a lot with magic classes feeling underpowered at low levels.
I never know if I want the versatility of a wizard or a blasting focused druid with a bear companion.
A couple of logistics.
Everyon, please post the following:
Player Name:
Character Name:
PFS#:
Level:
Faction
We'll be targeting to start the 26th. I should note that I'll be sporadically posting the 29th through the 2nd (Labor Day Weekend) due to Dragon*Con, but the intro has some socialization and exposition.
After Labor Day weekend, I'll be committing to making at least one post daily. I would appreciate if everyone else does the same. If needed I can bot people or delay them, and it would be particularly nice if people let me know when they'll be unavailable.
I have some handy PBP templates HERE The first is a template for adding your stat block to show on your character. The other is for how to format your Reaction (if applicable.)
I'm sure I'll have more, but there's a start!
Ok, here's one of the places I get to admit my lack of knowledge: The Pathfinder Society. I take it that PFS is a way to keep official track of characters as they have adventures and level up and possibly even die, but the mechanics of registering a character and the meanings of choosing a faction are something I just haven't gotten into yet.
Specifically:
1. Gaining a PSF number was easy, as was registering a 2nd edition character. But what about these factions? How much do they matter? Should I just pick one based on which symbol I like the best? Are there deeper story or gameplay or social reason to pick one over the other? I'd like to do this right, so some guidance here would be welcome.
2. Is there anything else I should know about the PFS? Anything I should read up on in general or for this game in particular?
Thanks!
First off, the PFS2 Guide can be found HERE
Factions: Factions are generally RP decisions, but mechanically you're gaining fame with them which open up different options and boons. For the purposes of this it won't largely matter, but if you choose one that best suits the concept of your character it likely will help. Factions are detailed HERE . Some scenarios are tied to specific factions and provide a minor benefit, but it's not something to be overly worried about.
Since I mentioned Boons, boons are minor character perks primarily earned through play. Currently most are things that can offer one time bonuses, others give you additional options for downtime, or minor bonuses to a skill.
In general, beyond reading the Guide, there isn't a lot to worry about for the duration of the scenario. At the end, you'll get a Chronicle sheet which I'll explain later; it'll contain the record of the treasure and experience you get. The benefit there is that you can take the character you played here, and use them at a local game, or a convention out of state, or a virtual table top... it's a fun way to play if you don't have a consistent group.
I'm happy to answer questions if that doesn't cover anything :)
Player Name: DruidOfTheMoon
Character Name:Rodlen Beimaer
PFS#: 204543-2003
Level: 1
Faction: The Grand Archive
Player Name: Ragashingo
Character Name: Sparks Clearpath PFS (It wouldn’t let me create a character of the same name or delete the old character so I compromised. Let me know if this is not ok.)
PFS#: 2373828-2004
Level: 1
Faction: Radiant Oath
I have a question, if I have magic scrolls as my starting consumables from pathfinder training, how can I copy them to my spellbook?
I'm not super familiar with how Scribing Scrolls works in PF2. I'll check that out later, but give me a poke if I don't answer that tonight.
I’m interested to see how a melee Sorcerer plays. :)
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I'm in the exact same boat. Seems cool but then I think about what I'm going to lose and it doesn't seem so great. Luckily PFS progression is terribly slow with online play so I'll have a lot of time to think about it. That being said once my stats are set they are set, and getting the right stats to mutliclass into monk gives me a hit to everything else.
In some cases, I think multiclassing could be really cool. Take the tentative path I’ve mapped out for my Ranger:
1. Animal Companion
2. Hunter’s Aim
4. Favored Enemy (animal? Beast?)
6. Mature Animal Companion
8. Blind Fight
10. Incredible Animal Companion
12. Distracting Shot
14. Targeting Shot
16. Greater Distracting Shot
18. Impossible Volley
20. Ultimate Skirmisher
Now... swap in the minimum three Champion Feats:
1. Animal Companion
2. Champion’s Dedication
4. Ranged Reprisal
6. Champion’s Reaction (Paladin)
8. Mature Animal Companion
10. Incredible Animal Companion
12. Distracting Shot
14. Targeting Shot
16. Greater Distracting Shot
18. Impossible Volley
20. Ultimate Skirmisher
By 6th level, possibly with some jury rigging and retraining along the way, I’d have a Ranger that, each turn, also takes a shot at an enemy who attacks a nearby ally while providing that ally 8 damage resistance to the first attack made against it.
Important Update: Due to logistical issues, the Gameday will be postponed to starting September 9th This makes my life a bit easier as I won't have to worry about posting until after Dragon*Con, but is a bit longer of a wait, unfortunately. So take your time making characters.
I'll probably be starting to offer some RP opportunities around the 6th so check back around then, or feel free to ask any PbP or PFS questions.
Multiclassing feats seem to be a lot better for some classes than others, both for the parent class and the multiclass. There are some unique builds possible, though it also opens the potential for things that just don't work out as well as they would have single classed.
I will say that I looked at the Sorcerer / Monk multiclass, then decided that Monk / Sorcerer was better... then realized that I didn't want to give up the Monk class feats and went pure monk.
Ranger champion definitely looks pretty interesting, though.
Well... to pass the time, how about some chat? I'm all for role-play, but it sounds like that comes later, so how about this:
One of the big reasons I wanted to get into a 2e game so quickly was to explore all the rule changes. I've set up and run a few mock combat scenarios with my Ranger and built a champion because I love that sort of heavy defense/support gameplay, but I don't really have the time to explore all the nuances of the other classes. Since we have a nice diverse group here, I think it might be fun to talk some about how we see our classes working mechanically in 2nd edition.
For the Ranger, I saw a few different paths weaving their way through the Class Feats: A build that would always have the perfect arrow for the job, a build that could grant a surprising amount of tactical support to one or more allies, a build that could slice and dice and slice and dice some more with two weapons, a build that makes heavy use of snares to turn the battlefield into a minefield, and the build I'm going to pursue that makes heavy use of an animal companion.
I'd love to explain my best case scenario combat strategy and ask a couple of rules questions, but first I'd like to hear from the rest of you. How do you see your character playing and taking advantage of the new 2e rule set? Do you have any questions about your character or the rules relating to them? Have you found any neat loopholes or annoying roadblocks in the new rule set?
I'll ask my questions and talk more about my Ranger in a bit, but I'd really love to hear from everyone else too, if only so I don't accidentally take and hold the floor too long!
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I'm building this character after an old Ad&D 2e character I loved. Dwarven Battlerager. Whenever a pick up a new/updated system I like to 'relive' an old character first and see how the new system feels with the old character, like a baseline v. new data.
From the build process, he's pretty similar. Biggest difference is armor availability. This character is definitely going to rely on high HP instead of high AC or moderate/high for both. Between Barbarian HP, Dwarf Feat/Mountain's Stoutness, and Feat/Toughness with healer support I think he'll be able to win a war of attrition...
I'm just look at how to keep his To Hit/Damage in the same league, while keeping the RP-flavor in line too. This is where Feat selection gets tricky, and how to pick knowing they only pop up so often.
Oh. I think I calculated proficiency wrong across the board. I did untrained = +0, trained = +2, etc when it should be trained = +2 +1[level] at 1st level. I was looking at ACs and armor and leveling up after Aspero’s comments and read that things like AC increase by one each level... which was news to me... so I’ve got a bunch of numbers to increase. Yay me.
On armor, specifically, I thought it was a bit odd that you can only reach something like an 18 or 19 armor class even with the heaviest armors, but that slowly advancing proficiency bonus make it make more sense.
New rules. New mistakes. New opportunities to learn.
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I did the same thing for the longest time and still do because I'm switching back and forth between 1e and 2e constantly like I'm sure many of you are.
I had the same thought pattern Wolfspirit! In the end I decided to stay true to my concept even if it may not be optimal. I like the idea of a dragon blooded Ulfen half elf sorcerer who learns from a monk how to reach her maximum potential. I may change my mind before we begin though.
Ok, so here's a Rules Question I've been pondering regarding the animal companion Support Benefit for a Bird. On page 215 in the rulebook, we have:
Your animal companion supports you. You gain the benefits listed in the companion type’s Support Benefit entry. If the animal uses the Support action, the only other actions it can use on this turn are basic move actions to get into position to take advantage of the Support benefits; if it has already used any other action this turn, it can’t Support you.
And then under the Bird's Support Benefit we have:
The bird pecks at your foes’ eyes when you create an opening. Until the start of your next turn, your Strikes that damage a creature that your bird threatens also deal 1d4 persistent bleed damage, and the target is dazzled until it removes the bleed damage. If your bird is nimble or savage, the persistent bleed damage increases to 2d4.
What happens if I position my bird adjacent to two creatures, like so, and manage to hit each with an arrow? (That would be Action 1: Command Bird to Support, Action: Arrow at Wolf1, Action 3: Arrow at Wolf2)
Do I get the persistent damage and effect on just one of the creatures or on both of them?
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How does 2E define 'threaten'? (I don't have my books with me...) Does the target just have to be within reach and the character have a weapon in hand? If so, then I'd agree.
In 1E I believe you had to attack/be attacked by a creature to be considered threatening, or at least to give flanking/be engaged in melee. If this is still true then I think you'd only be able to target a wolf the bird attacked.
I suddenly foresee MANY bird companions...
Threatened always referred to the squares directly around a creature. Basically, if you were adjacent to an enemy then you and it were threatening each other. It played into attacks of opportunity in that doing anything other than a 5-foot step would see you get attacked. Creatures with Reach threatened a one step larger area.
In 2e, most characters can’t perform attacks of opportunity by default, but I believe the definition of threaten is mostly unchanged. That said, imagine a bird surrounded by eight wolves and uses its Support action and then had the Ranger toss in something like a flask of Alchemist fire that splashed on all eight wolves. Would I really get to apply eight instances of persistent damage in a single turn?
My own interpretation is that the bird should need to use one of its actions to support the Ranger for each instance of damage. That would mean a young bird could apply two instances of the effect if the Ranger managed to hit two different creatures next to the bird. And, later, if/when the bird gains a 3rd action, the Ranger could conceivably find a way to apply the damage effects to a maximum of three targets in very rare situations.
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Or just use a Bear:
Support Benefit Your bear mauls your enemies when you create an opening. Until the start of your next turn, each time you hit a creature in the bear’s reach with a Strike, the creature takes 1d8 slashing damage from the bear. If your bear is nimble or savage, the slashing damage increases to 2d8.
I could, but that hard to remove persistent damage combined with a small but noticeable chance for the enemy to be unable to attack anything each round is too fun. That plus the higher fly speed got me to choose the bird. It also felt easier to keep a bird nearby than a bigger creature.
(Traditionally, Sparks had a snake curled around her bow over top the highly detailed painting of itself she made of it... or she would have. She never reached a high enough level in her unfortunately short lived 1e game. I didn’t like the snake as much in 2e. No poison, mostly.)
Just poking in here; we're 5 days out from (finally) being able to start up. Can everyone confirm you're still here and interested in playing? I'll start up an RP a bit the next couple of days
Yep. Still here. :)
Yay! A beginning! Quick question while I’m pondering my introduction: What season are we in and how’s the weather this fine day? A celebration during a snowy winter day will be quite different than one in the middle of scorching summer heat, after all.
Got a busy Monday, so look for my first official post early this evening, most likely.
Umm. I imagine late spring. Overall the weather is quite pleasant.
I hadn't checked them too thoroughly, but if there's any questions, I'm happy to look at them.
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I'm a little confused. Herolab seems to think I should have a boon called "Horizon Hunters Champion" is this accurate or should I have to earn this boon first? Do we get any kind of boon for our first PFS2 character like we did with our first PFS 1 character?
If you get a chance I would very much appreciate it if it went over my sheet and made sure it is up to your standards. This is my first pBp game (simultaneously with another one that also just started) Any feedback you can give will be most appreciated!
My character was built with herolab and the CRB side by side so it should be legal.
Spell attack seems low at +2? The key stat for a Sorcerer is Charisma, you list a 16(+3) for your Charisma and Spell Attack is equal to Key Stat + Proficiency, and your proficiency should equal 2[Trained] + 1[Level]. All together, I think you should have a Spell Attack of +3[Cha] + 2[Trained] + 1[Level] = +6. Likewise, the Spell DC would be 10+ Key + Proficiency, or 10+ 3[Cha] + 2[Trained] + 1[Level] = 16.
I don't see your Dragon Claws bloodline spell listed anywhere. You get that at 1st level.
Dragon Claws:
Cast [one-action] verbal
Duration 1 minute
Vicious claws grow from your fingers. They are finesse unarmed attacks that deal 1d4 slashing damage and 1d6 extra damage of a type determined by the dragon in your bloodline (see the table in dragon breath). Your scales from blood magic glow with faint energy, giving you resistance 5 to the same damage type.
Heightened (5th) The extra damage increases to 2d6, and the resistance increases to 10.
Heightened (9th) The extra damage increases to 3d6, and the resistance increases to 15.
That seems pretty cool! :)
P.S. I'm the one who forgot to add their level to all their proficiency bonuses, so please double check everything here!
Your first faction boon is free! So choose whatever you like.
Essentially, you choose which faction you're representing by selecting that one for the mission. That way you're not tied to a specific faction if you don't want to be... though it costs prestige to get a different boon.
Don't worry about that for now, though.
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Thank you for pointing that out! That's what I get for placing my faith in a computer program instead of doing it all myself! I'm going to have to go over this with a fine tooth comb!
Thank you both for the feedback :)
Spell attack seems low at +2? The key stat for a Sorcerer is Charisma, you list a 16(+3) for your Charisma and Spell Attack is equal to Key Stat + Proficiency, and your proficiency should equal 2[Trained] + 1[Level]. All together, I think you should have a Spell Attack of +3[Cha] + 2[Trained] + 1[Level] = +6. Likewise, the Spell DC would be 10+ Key + Proficiency, or 10+ 3[Cha] + 2[Trained] + 1[Level] = 16.
I don't see your Dragon Claws bloodline spell listed anywhere. You get that at 1st level.
Dragon Claws:
Cast [one-action] verbal
Duration 1 minute
Vicious claws grow from your fingers. They are finesse unarmed attacks that deal 1d4 slashing damage and 1d6 extra damage of a type determined by the dragon in your bloodline (see the table in dragon breath). Your scales from blood magic glow with faint energy, giving you resistance 5 to the same damage type.
Heightened (5th) The extra damage increases to 2d6, and the resistance increases to 10.
Heightened (9th) The extra damage increases to 3d6, and the resistance increases to 15.That seems pretty cool! :)
P.S. I'm the one who forgot to add their level to all their proficiency bonuses, so please double check everything here!