You Have Questions, We Have Answers

Paracountess Bingo. Ooh, I really want to play that game now!

While I love the fluff about kitsune always breeding kitsune, in a world with gods anything can happen.

Hmm

I don't care what Paizo says, my kitsune character is convinced that his fox familiar is his half brother because OBVIOUSLY Kitsune and foxes can interbreed.

So there!

GM Hmm wrote:

Paracountess Bingo. Ooh, I really want to play that game now!

While I love the fluff about kitsune always breeding kitsune, in a world with gods anything can happen.

Hmm

I don't care what Paizo says, my kitsune character is convinced that his fox familiar is his half brother because OBVIOUSLY Kitsune and foxes can interbreed.

So there!

There's a proud tradition of somewhat delusional PCs insisting that non-canonical things are true and still being an utter blast to have at the table. I know of a barbarian who believes only Jadwiga from Irrisen can cast magic, that all other spellcasting is elaborate smoke and mirrors, and that Jadwiga are angry trees that exhale bees whenever they talk.

Paul Jackson wrote:

GM Hmm wrote:

Paracountess Bingo. Ooh, I really want to play that game now!

While I love the fluff about kitsune always breeding kitsune, in a world with gods anything can happen.

Hmm

I don't care what Paizo says, my kitsune character is convinced that his fox familiar is his half brother because OBVIOUSLY Kitsune and foxes can interbreed.

So there!

There's a proud tradition of somewhat delusional PCs insisting that non-canonical things are true and still being an utter blast to have at the table. I know of a barbarian who believes only Jadwiga from Irrisen can cast magic, that all other spellcasting is elaborate smoke and mirrors, and that Jadwiga are angry trees that exhale bees whenever they talk.

This post makes me happy. That is all.

Removed a post and the responses to it. This metaphor was gross, let's not make lewd remarks in this thread please.

There's a proud tradition of somewhat delusional PCs insisting that non-canonical things are true and still being an utter blast to have at the table. I know of a barbarian who believes only Jadwiga from Irrisen can cast magic, that all other spellcasting is elaborate smoke and mirrors, and that Jadwiga are angry trees that exhale bees whenever they talk.

I still remember a character from a table a few years back that insisted he belonged to the orthodox church of Sarenrae, and therefore used a mace like any good cleric should.

John Compton wrote:

There's a proud tradition of somewhat delusional PCs insisting that non-canonical things are true and still being an utter blast to have at the table. I know of a barbarian who believes only Jadwiga from Irrisen can cast magic, that all other spellcasting is elaborate smoke and mirrors, and that Jadwiga are angry trees that exhale bees whenever they talk.

I still remember a character from a table a few years back that insisted he belonged to the orthodox church of Sarenrae, and therefore used a mace like any good cleric should.

I once played at a table with a very dumb half-orc barbarian who thought he was a tall goblin.

about the Racial Heritage/Adopted change.

Is Goblin stuff still unavailable? Is other racial feats/traits available otherwise for all the other races that are Boon races? Is the Additional Resources that reference these have changes to reflect this opened up particular?

Just askin'

about the Racial Heritage/Adopted change.

Is Goblin stuff still unavailable? Is other racial feats/traits available otherwise for all the other races that are Boon races? Is the Additional Resources that reference these have changes to reflect this opened up particular?

Just askin'

It appears that if you have a racial boon that opens up a normally non legal race to use for this purpose. You can. So unless you have a Goblin Race boon laying around, you cannot.

about the Racial Heritage/Adopted change.

Is Goblin stuff still unavailable? Is other racial feats/traits available otherwise for all the other races that are Boon races? Is the Additional Resources that reference these have changes to reflect this opened up particular?

Just askin'

I don't think this has changed in the new FAQ.

OK, actually read the FAQ in this section. Seems it is clarifying the restriction, not opening it up for Adopted and feats from Racial Heritage.

Now I wonder if my Half Orc is illegal for taking an Orc trait. Is it?

OK, actually read the FAQ in this section. Seems it is clarifying the restriction, not opening it up for Adopted and feats from Racial Heritage.

Now I wonder if my Half Orc is illegal for taking an Orc trait. Is it?

Yes. always has been. the orc section is banned , you would need an orc boon to open it up.

There are no Orc boons that I know of, though the Additional Resources for that companion book does not have any of the disclaimers the others do, whether it is vague or not.

This would be a change for the Orc feats/traits when an Half Orc is using them. Is this a clarification that would make the once legal Orc trait (Tusk) Illegal for any race to take, Racial Heritage or not, that is not an (full blodded) Orc?

The race traits in "Orcs of Golarion" are explicitly stated to be applicable to both orcs and half-orcs, so no boon would be needed.

The race traits in "Orcs of Golarion" are explicitly stated to be applicable to both orcs and half-orcs, so no boon would be needed.

However, merits noting, one must possess a copy of "Orcs of Golarion" to have access to the material.

GM Hmm wrote:

Paracountess Bingo. Ooh, I really want to play that game now!

While I love the fluff about kitsune always breeding kitsune, in a world with gods anything can happen.

Hmm

I don't care what Paizo says, my kitsune character is convinced that his fox familiar is his half brother because OBVIOUSLY Kitsune and foxes can interbreed.

So there!

Ew ... that's gross....

Just to be clear ..

PFS FAQ wrote:

All other methods of gaining new spells (such as by gaining a level or purchasing access to an NPC's spellbook) function as described in the Core Rulebook and relevant class descriptions.

We can still assume that every spell for every class is available to learn from a NPC between scenarios, right?

You mean like fireball (yes) or something like a slyph only spell (no) when you are human?

Blackbot wrote:

Just to be clear ..

PFS FAQ wrote:

All other methods of gaining new spells (such as by gaining a level or purchasing access to an NPC's spellbook) function as described in the Core Rulebook and relevant class descriptions.

We can still assume that every spell for every class is available to learn from a NPC between scenarios, right?

You mean like fireball (yes) or something like a slyph only spell (no) when you are human?

The former.

The new wording is better, but still sounds like "If you ever find an NPC wizard, here's how much you have to pay..."

James Risner wrote:

Blackbot wrote:

Just to be clear ..

PFS FAQ wrote:

All other methods of gaining new spells (such as by gaining a level or purchasing access to an NPC's spellbook) function as described in the Core Rulebook and relevant class descriptions.

We can still assume that every spell for every class is available to learn from a NPC between scenarios, right?

You mean like fireball (yes) or something like a slyph only spell (no) when you are human?

The former.

It always annoyed me that this was something you could do but was written so vaguely almost nobody I met (including VOs) knew about it.

The new wording is better, but still sounds like "If you ever find an NPC wizard, here's how much you have to pay..."

obviously you never asked me or people I play with or had me as a GM (as it's listed on the back of your chronicle along with other helpful end of scenario options). It is the final option if there's no wizarding types at your table.

Again - I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT.
Kyle said it here, for example.
And it is better worded now that the word "rare" has gone from the FAQ (which was confusing in its own right).

Both of these facts do not fix the issue that this (in my opinion) very important aspect of prepared arcane spellcasters is buried in the FAQ, worded in a way that doesn't really say "Look, there WILL be an NPC you can purchase the spell from, don't worry about it."

The reference to the Always Available list is of no importance here, by the way, as it says nothing about spells. Learning spells is not referenced in that section nor in the Spells section.

(Please note that I'm not attacking you. I'm annoyed that 4 years after the relevant FAQ first hit the web this important aspect is still something you have to learn from the messageboards.)

You do need to pay attention to the size of the town/city you're in as that affects the "always available" options, see pg 20 PFS RPG Guide. With so many scenarios starting/ending in Absalom or good sized city it is almost never an issue.

During your downtime you can wander over to absolom, even if your previous adventure ends in Podunk and the new one starts in Boondocks.

(baring 1 or 2 very specific exceptions)

Bongo BigBounce wrote:

Looking for some clarification on snake companions. Can they wear anything at all without Extra Item Slot? It seems the FAQ calls out no barding, no neck, no nothin'. If so it seems quite unfair to those who wish to have a serpentine companion. Am I missing something?

Snakes haven't been able to wear Barding or Neck slot items for several years now. Nothing about this update changes that.

Sometimes an option isn't mechanically equal to all other options.

According to Disney's Robin Hood a snake can wear at least a hat and cloak... :)

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=disney+robin+hood+snake&qpvt=disne y+robin+hood+snake&qpvt=disney+robin+hood+snake&qpvt=disney+robin+h ood+snake&FORM=IQFRML

So if I have an improved sage familiar and an Animal Companion if I have my AC as my "combat animal" what can my familiar do? What constitutes other challenges? Knowledge checks? all spell like ability off the table (improved familiar)?

The second is a familiar or mundane pet that does not participate in combat or other challenges. Such familiars grant their basic special ability, such as a bat's +3 bonus on Fly checks, the Alertness feat, and access a witch's spells.

Thanks

The race traits in "Orcs of Golarion" are explicitly stated to be applicable to both orcs and half-orcs, so no boon would be needed.

So my character, Uh Oh, is safe. Would those using Racial Heritage be able to take those Orc feats/traits? Would the Half - Orc being always available be enough for the use of Racial Heritage/Adopted for this book and the Race Guide?

John Francis wrote:

The race traits in "Orcs of Golarion" are explicitly stated to be applicable to both orcs and half-orcs, so no boon would be needed.

So my character, Uh Oh, is safe. Would those using Racial Heritage be able to take those Orc feats/traits? Would the Half - Orc being always available be enough for the use of Racial Heritage/Adopted for this book and the Race Guide?

The Advanced Race Guide follows different rules than other books. To get at "true orc" stuff from ARG you need a "true orc" boon. Half-orcs aren't sufficient.

Orcs of Golarion follows the milder regime for which you can use Racial Heritage.

I have a question about the non-combat pets section:

The second is a familiar or mundane pet that does not participate in combat or other challenges. Such familiars grant their basic special ability, such as a bat's +3 bonus on Fly checks, the Alertness feat, and access a witch's spells.

I think a Spiritualist Phantom that doesn't manifest would count as a non-participating pet too? It's just providing passive bonuses and doesn't take time or table space. Specifically, I'm thinking about an Exciter Mesmerist who in principle has a Phantom, but *can't* manifest it, so it's really just some Skill Foci feats.

I have a question about the non-combat pets section:

Quote:

The second is a familiar or mundane pet that does not participate in combat or other challenges. Such familiars grant their basic special ability, such as a bat's +3 bonus on Fly checks, the Alertness feat, and access a witch's spells.

I think a Spiritualist Phantom that doesn't manifest would count as a non-participating pet too? It's just providing passive bonuses and doesn't take time or table space. Specifically, I'm thinking about an Exciter Mesmerist who in principle has a Phantom, but *can't* manifest it, so it's really just some Skill Foci feats.

Literally came here to answer this. I wanted to make a multiclass spiritualist who left their Phantom un-manifest using the shadow themed archetype...but also had a companion via shadow dancer.

I have a question about the non-combat pets section:

Quote:

The second is a familiar or mundane pet that does not participate in combat or other challenges. Such familiars grant their basic special ability, such as a bat's +3 bonus on Fly checks, the Alertness feat, and access a witch's spells.

I think a Spiritualist Phantom that doesn't manifest would count as a non-participating pet too? It's just providing passive bonuses and doesn't take time or table space. Specifically, I'm thinking about an Exciter Mesmerist who in principle has a Phantom, but *can't* manifest it, so it's really just some Skill Foci feats.

A spiritualist's non-manifested phantom can count as a non-participating pet, as long as it is only granting passive bonuses like skill focus and the bonus on saving throws against mind-affecting effects.

Markov Spiked Chain wrote:

I have a question about the non-combat pets section:

Quote:

The second is a familiar or mundane pet that does not participate in combat or other challenges. Such familiars grant their basic special ability, such as a bat's +3 bonus on Fly checks, the Alertness feat, and access a witch's spells.

I think a Spiritualist Phantom that doesn't manifest would count as a non-participating pet too? It's just providing passive bonuses and doesn't take time or table space. Specifically, I'm thinking about an Exciter Mesmerist who in principle has a Phantom, but *can't* manifest it, so it's really just some Skill Foci feats.

A spiritualist's non-manifested phantom can count as a non-participating pet, as long as it is only granting passive bonuses like skill focus and the bonus on saving throws against mind-affecting effects.

Would a familiar with the protector archetype count as a passive pet if its master used the familiar's shield master ability to divert some of his damage to his familiar? Or would that be considered 'participating'?

Linda Zayas-Palmer wrote:

Markov Spiked Chain wrote:

I have a question about the non-combat pets section:

Quote:

The second is a familiar or mundane pet that does not participate in combat or other challenges. Such familiars grant their basic special ability, such as a bat's +3 bonus on Fly checks, the Alertness feat, and access a witch's spells.

I think a Spiritualist Phantom that doesn't manifest would count as a non-participating pet too? It's just providing passive bonuses and doesn't take time or table space. Specifically, I'm thinking about an Exciter Mesmerist who in principle has a Phantom, but *can't* manifest it, so it's really just some Skill Foci feats.

A spiritualist's non-manifested phantom can count as a non-participating pet, as long as it is only granting passive bonuses like skill focus and the bonus on saving throws against mind-affecting effects.

Would a familiar with the protector archetype count as a passive pet if its master used the familiar's shield master ability to divert some of his damage to his familiar? Or would that be considered 'participating'?

Yeah, that's definitely a participating creature.

Markov Spiked Chain wrote:

I have a question about the non-combat pets section:

Quote:

The second is a familiar or mundane pet that does not participate in combat or other challenges. Such familiars grant their basic special ability, such as a bat's +3 bonus on Fly checks, the Alertness feat, and access a witch's spells.

I think a Spiritualist Phantom that doesn't manifest would count as a non-participating pet too? It's just providing passive bonuses and doesn't take time or table space. Specifically, I'm thinking about an Exciter Mesmerist who in principle has a Phantom, but *can't* manifest it, so it's really just some Skill Foci feats.

A spiritualist's non-manifested phantom can count as a non-participating pet, as long as it is only granting passive bonuses like skill focus and the bonus on saving throws against mind-affecting effects.

Would the Shadow Jump ability of the Shadow Caller be considered participating?

I mean your just jumping into your shadow, so it seems passive to me.

New FAQ wrote:

Can I purchase spellcasting services at higher than the minimum caster level?

You may purchase spellcasting services at higher than minimum caster level if the spell appears on the prestige award list in the Pathfinder Society Roleplaying Guild Guide. Spellcasting services for all other spells can only be purchased at minimum caster level. Spells purchased with Prestige Points are always at minimum caster level.

It appears that I now have an illegal item. I paid to have Continual Flame at CL20 put on a mundane item. From my reading of the FAQ, this is now not legal. What do I do with that item? Do I get to sell it back at full price?

Sorry if I missed an official response to my question. Since the item I purchased appears to be illegal now, can I sell it back at full price?

I have a character that an item with Continual Light cast at Third level, which was done by another character that was with us. Is that still legal? (It was paid for using the PFS rules)

Third level is minimum level so I don't think there is a problem.

If the PC was higher level when cast, I would assume that a GM initial on the chronicle indicating the casting should be sufficient. The area I quoted dealt with spellcasting service done by NPCs.

It wasn't miniimum caster level, it was high enough to get through deeper darkness.

Yeah, I have the Player's PFS number and GM inits on the chronicle.

caster level isn't how you get through deeper darkness: spell level is.

Merlin casts light (first level spell)at caster level 20
Orko casts deeper darkness (second level spell) at caster level 7.

Deeper darkness wins.

Merlin casts deeper darkness at caster level 2
Orko casts Continual flame, heightened to 3rd.

Heightened Continual flame wins

Ah, that is it, it was Heightened. I knew it was something.
Sorry, I have 40 characters and don't have time to search it out.

Regrettably, I did not see this blog until just now. Fortunately, I did see it. I can't stress enough how important I believe it is to PFS play for the PFS staff to pursue these types of communications. I can't count the number of times I've had something come up that was answered by a FAQ or developer post that helped resolve the issue. As a GM, an official response takes the burden off of me as a GM and quashes any question of fairness or bias from the player. As a player, an official response provides closure, regardless of how I feel about the impact.

Of all the things that the PFS staff does for the campaign, I find the willingness to clarify the rules to be the most valuable and as a player, the most invigorating.

However, for every time that something was answered, something was not. Setting aside things that cannot be answered definitively or by example, there are multitudinous questions that can be answered and should be answered on the campaign level. To that extent, I have questions that I believe would benefit the campaign with official answers. I will create a separate posts for them.

1. Character's making inferences - Are characters allowed to makes educated guesses based on character knowledge and discernible information, regardless of failed skill checks?

For example:
A. A caster casts mirror image. Rogue fails a Spellcraft check, but surmises that the spell must be mirror image and ask the wizard to dispel that spell.

B. A ranger with Improved Precise Shot, fails a Spellcraft on displacement but when the ranger misses after having hit with the same accuracy i.e. same roll on the die, realizes that the protective spell cannot be once that provides concealment.

C. A cleric succeeds at a Spellcraft check against a caster and decides the caster must be one of the types that can cast the spell.

D. A character takes sneak attack damage from an NPC and decides that the NPC is most likely a Rogue.

E. A character fails to find a trap after an initial search, but decides to keep looking (I've had a VL GM at Paizocon tell the table you can't keep searching for traps if you fail the first time because your character is convinced there are no traps.)

2.Spellcraft - Does success at Spellcraft check include knowing the spell beyond just what it is called?

Animal Companions -

3. Basic combat There is already a FAQ which states that animals know how to use (meaning that they they do not have to be pushed) feats that they have. In other words, an animal that has Spring Attack can use the feat when using the Attack command, without having to be Pushed. The Combat rules for PF identify several actions that are universal for all combatants:

Total Defense, 5' step, Attacking Defensively, Withdraw, etc.

Can we get clarification that companions may use these actions as part of other actions without being Pushed to do so? For example, if told to Heel in combat, the animal would naturally Withdraw. If told Down in combat, the animal might take a 5' away from the last creature attacked (providing there was room and it did not increase the animal's danger). Obviously this would still be subject to GM discretion.

4. INT and/or Linguistics Can we get some examples of what an animal with higher INT and/or Linguistics might be allowed to do without having to be Pushed? Once again, this is still subject to GM discretion and by no means represents an exhaustive list of what is possible. But some official recognition as to whether exceptions can be made would be very helpful on a campaign level.

Thanks.

I notice they removed the "my pathfinder society" link from the webpage. I cannot find where the heck we are supposed to got to report scenarios anymore. Why was this deleted and where do we go now?

Click on the Create An Event button.