Bohdan Maksymenko's page

Humpty-bumpty.

Haha, sorry about the grammar. I'll fix it.

At 1-st level the duration is supposed to be 1 hour, I'll fix that.

The Int to damage should apply at a level where it's modifier is positive. I'll push it back.

As for the spells... Well, it's specifically noted as being immediately destroyed by Disintegrate (if it beats it's SR, when it gets SR), just like a wall of force would be, and just like a Phantom or Eidolon would be stopped by Banishment.

So, I think it would count as a construct, yes.

Thanks for the comments!

Edit: also, i just realized that Constructs DO have a Fort save. I'll add one shortly.

Made a thing for a homebrew game, and I need some peer reviews for balancing and maybe ideas if you're feeling generous. :)

The Archetype

Enjoy.

The theme I'm trying to capture is a mix of the classical Unseen Servant spell, but turned up to 11 and made the main focus, with some influence from the Servant of the Ring and Servant of the Lamp from eastern stories (can't remember the name, sadly).

Basically a Conjurer that makes a living Battlefield Control spell instead of summoning living creatures.

I think you'd be well served making it a Fighter or Barbarian archetype.

Greetings.

It's been a while since I've posted on the Paizo forums, and I'm now wiser and older (then before, at least ;})

This started as an idea - if we can have Sorcerer features with a feat chain, why not Oracle features?

There seemed to be a design void for a character that's blessed (and cursed) with divine power to mirror the Arcane one.

I've made a small feat chain to do just that.

Enjoy! Comments and suggestions are welcome.

Link

To clarify, i meant that it can only be active for that number of rounds PER DAY. The altered propostion would be:

You can activate it as a swift action instead of a standard one, doesn't cost any points, but it only lasts for a number of rounds equal to your Arcanist level per day? Or would 1/2 level be better?

Perhaps have the exploit be of a different structure?

Say, you can activate it as a swift action instead of a standard one, doesn't cost any points, but it only lasts for a number of rounds equal to your Arcanist level? Or would 1/2 level be better?

Does anyone know a way to fix the Exploit?

I'm open to any suggestions.

Am I missing something here, or can you just refill your reservoir out of combat effectively for free by poking a spell-casting ally? Sure, they get sickened while you do it, but it's temporary.

Yes, you are right. That's the problem with the exploit. No wonder it's not PFS-legal.

Anyway, what do you think about 1+Cha times/day as a limit for the exploit?

Bump.

Hello, Paizo boards. It's been a while, but the question is am positing is nevertheless of some interest.

How to improve the Arcanist Exploit Fiendish Proboscis from Horror Realms?

First, i want you to look at the text of the ability.

From Archives of Nethys:

Fiendish Proboscis (Su) (Horror Realms pg. 6): The arcanist can spend 1 point from his arcane reservoir as a standard action to grow a long, articulated proboscis covered with small spiky hairs. The appendage grows from the arcanist’s face and houses a highly flexible, muscular tongue tipped with a cartilaginous barbed quill. The proboscis lasts for 1 round per arcanist level, during which time the arcanist cannot speak or use verbal components. The arcanist can end this exploit’s effects early as a swift action. As a standard action, the arcanist can attack a target with the proboscis’s tongue. This is a primary natural weapon with a 10-foot reach. Attacks with the tongue resolve as a touch attack. If the arcanist uses his tongue and hits a creature capable of casting spells or using spell-like abilities, he drains a portion of the target’s magical ability and adds 1 point to his arcane reservoir (points gained in excess of the reservoir’s maximum are lost). If the arcanist hits a creature that cannot cast spells or use spell-like abilities, the tongue instead drains a portion of the target’s life force and heals the arcanist of 1d6 points of damage. Regardless of the target’s ability to use magic, the tongue’s unnerving siphoning of magical or life energy causes the struck creature to become sickened for 1 round.

Let's look at the ability, it's design flaws, and look at ways to improve it so that it is more fun, and simultaneously more balanced. Let's start by taking parts of the text, and examining it's effects.

The arcanist can spend 1 point from his arcane reservoir as a standard action to grow a long, articulated proboscis covered with small spiky hairs. The appendage grows from the arcanist’s face and houses a highly flexible, muscular tongue tipped with a cartilaginous barbed quill.

This is mostly flavour text, but it does mean there is a cost associated with the exploit. Namely, 1 point from the character's arcane reservoir.

The proboscis lasts for 1 round per arcanist level, during which time the arcanist cannot speak or use verbal components.

This is the first drawback of the exploit. No Verbal components means that most spells that classes with access to this exploit are off limits. It's a hard it, right? Well, not really. We'll get to why exactly that is the case in a minute.

The arcanist can end this exploit’s effects early as a swift action. As a standard action, the arcanist can attack a target with the proboscis’s tongue. This is a primary natural weapon with a 10-foot reach. Attacks with the tongue resolve as a touch attack.

This explains the mechanics of the exploit. The important things are that it's a touch attack (pretty nice, througth mostly inconsequential), it has a reach of 10 ft. (meaning you don't have to stand in meele to use it), you can only make 1 attack with it (since it's a standard action), and you can dissmiss it without much issue.

If the arcanist uses his tongue and hits a creature capable of casting spells or using spell-like abilities, he drains a portion of the target’s magical ability and adds 1 point to his arcane reservoir (points gained in excess of the reservoir’s maximum are lost).

This, now this is the real purpose for the exploit. Now, sure, there are some other uses, like sapping hp and applying mediocre debuffs, but this is the real reason the exploit is so powerful.

If the arcanist hits a creature that cannot cast spells or use spell-like abilities, the tongue instead drains a portion of the target’s life force and heals the arcanist of 1d6 points of damage.

Eh. This is fine mostly. Not much damage, but it's still worth exploiting (pun intended).

Regardless of the target’s ability to use magic, the tongue’s unnerving siphoning of magical or life energy causes the struck creature to become sickened for 1 round.

This, like the previous part, is mostly fine. Not gamebreaking, and it doesn't leave a lot of room for abuse.

"BUT WAIT!"

You might say.

"As an Outer Rift exploit, isn't it limited by the following rule?"

All of the following exploits can be learned by arcanists of any alignment, but these exploits come with a risk. If you use an Outer Rift exploit and in doing so reduce your arcane reservoir to 0, you immediately gain the stain of one manifestation from the accursed, demonic, hellbound, or possessed corruption. The GM chooses which corruption, manifestation, and stain you receive; this stain persists for 24 hours. Reducing your arcane reservoir to 0 in this way multiple times within a 24-hour period results in a new stain for each such instance, and each time you do so you reset the timer for all stains gained in this manner to 24 hours. At the GM’s option, multiple instances of abusing exploits in this manner could result in a permanent corruption, but otherwise these corruptions are temporary and do not progress. You can never gain a gift from a corruption in this way.

And you'd be right. Well, "right". You see, while it is true that you gain a stain of a corruption, this doesn't actually matter because of the purpose of Fiendish Proboscis. You can indefinelty hold on to 2 points, activate the exploit for 1, and still have 1, thus not meeting the requierments for the above ruling. And then you have more points (if you're higher than level 1) to spend on recharging further, thus gaining infinite points in your Arcane Reservoire.

Depending on interpretation, you could even argue that the user can gain infinite healing. Since RAW, it never states that the target loses HP. Sit down, activate the exploit, and use it on an ally that can cast or your familiar, or something you've summoned or captured.

Now, i want to try and change this exploit to be more balanced without being overly powerful like it is now. It's a cool idea for sure. The implementation is what needs work.

So, my question is: how would you change the exploit to be more balanced and/or fun to use?

I'm not sure if this was asked before, but here is my question:

Is waiting for polymorph better than Feral Mutagen(https://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/alchemist/discoveries /paizo-alchemist-discoveries/feral-mutagen)?

I'm starting at level 1, and I expect to level to 2 pretty soon. I want to build a polymorph alchemist in the future, and I'm asking if it is better to grab Feral Mutagen right away, or save a discovery on something else, and wait for nat. attack polymorph spells.

No, its a single tool, but is transmutes into a suitable toll. E.g. a sculptor gets sculptor tools, a painter gets a paintbrush.

Yeah, I went for D. Here is a sheet in case anyone wants to use it.

Powersculpt tools
CL ? Aura: no aura

This +1 artistans tool is tattered and worn, but inherently psionic. To use its metapsionic properties, a Manifester has to hold it in hand when he manifests a power. Once per day, this rod grants the power manifested through it one Metapsionic feat embedded in its psionic structure without requiring psionic foci or additional power points to be expended. This item is an ancestral relic, when it is enhanced as per the relic rules, it grants 1 use per enchancement bonus of any Metapsionic feats engrained within. Metapsionic feats are added as if being special weapon properties, with Metapsionic feats consuming 2 Power Points equivalent to a +1 property, 4 PP = +2, and 6 PP= +3 and so on. It contains 1 Metapsionic feat, chosen at random, consistent with is enchancement bonus.

Well, you see, there is this thing called a "character concept" that I can't ignore, its like a feat prerequisite or something.. So no amulets or weapons, sorry.

Hello, people, so, I'm playing a 3.5 game on Mythweavers, and our GM gave our(1-st level, geshtalt) characters an ancestral relic that advances as we level. I'm playing a Shaper/Psywar, but like a caster, I won't advance Psywar past level 5.

My question is: What effect should this ancestral relic have? I've written up a few options. Tell me if they're balanced, and which you like most.The relic is artisans tools.

A) These tools function as a rod of metapsionics, granting any power manifested while they are held a free metapsionic feat enhancement X times per day.

B) These tools provide a +X Manifested Level to any metacreativity power manifested while they are held.

C) These tools function as a Tork of power preservation, -1 PP cost to powers.

D)They hold power points which they can utilise to use metapsionic feats engrained in them on powers.

If you have any thoughts on this, or can share your own idea on the design of this artifact, post here.

OK, then I'll gat the SRD, and start building my wizard.

'Ello?

Could I see what spells the cleric usually prepares?

How would you feel about a control/summon conjurer wizard?

So I've read your game thread, and see you have these roles filled:
Defender
Striker
Blaster
Disabler
Healer
Divine utility

I can make a conjurer to fill the following roles:
Area control
Summoner
Arcane utility.

OK, I'll try to hold back on char creation. Tell me, what roles does the party fill? What role do you need filled?

P.S. I'm thinking of being either some sort of wizard, but I can always branch out I to other character concepts.

Hello, I responded to one of your gaming ads, and would like to know more about the rules, and the game itself. Is this DnD 3.5, or something else?

OK, where do I post?

Still need players?

Hmm, very interested, i'm thinking about playing a were-spider cleric. Will post the character soon.

Thats me >©<.

Uhh, guys, d20srd.org isnt working.

Hmm ok ill try making the d20 system, are you sure the PF conversion is off the table?

Can i use the gamma world-to-payhfinder conversion found here? Also using the Dream scarred press Psion?

Mage of Swords wrote:

Hello

Dotted:
Ammon, Knight of Ragathiel
Bohdan Maksymenko (I have not been able to access the character yet)
Nikolaus de'Shade - Shoanti Bloodrager
The Pale King - Varisian Kapenia Dancer Magus
GM Red Box - cleric of Desna
Mage of Swords - Blind Fighter
Shub-Niggurath's cousin AI - Occultist
Isin Ghar
ShadowFighter88 - Varisian Transmuter Wizard

I have provided a link in my previous post. Whould you allow DSP psionics?

Ok point taken. I anybody wants to DM an MCA game post here.

I whould like Psychic/Alchemist or a Psychic/Magus.

Maybe develop a new spell?
The random eidolons are pretty complicated, perhaps a creature built around the feared creatures fears?

I'll just throw this idea here, thank you.
How about crafting MCAs with the occult classes?

Sorry if i upset anyone, it's just that i like gishes and the Mutational Mind screamed "I'M A GISH!" to me.
I get upset(read - a raging barbarian) when you get cool flavour with hot garbage mechanics and you apparently only get a one-of-a-kind archetype for every class, like there arent two dex-baced arechtypes with different flavour or two archetypes with different mechanics but the same flavour.

So? The mutational mind still isnt a playable gish.
Title change was very on spot througth.

So you see, the archetype nudges you character into the gish route without having the buffs to pull it off. I can see the solving of this problem in 2 ways:

1. Give them polymorph/general meele buff spells either througth the archetype or add them to their spell list.

2. Give them 2/3 BaB and d8 HD.

I am not saying that a fighter without a Bulls strength is useless or that a cleric without divine might can never hit, BUT.

I AM saying that in order to be more effective, the magus can cast Monstorous psyche on himself, the wizard can kill stuff in meele wth the Beast shape line of spells, and the bloodrager needs his buffs to do the most damage.

I don't i'm a qwick reader througth.

I personally have never found buff and polymorph spells to be all that necessary.

To each their own.

About what class are you talking about?

BTW i am not saying they're must-haves.

And yes, to each their own.

As a side note i want to make the following quotes:

Mutation Mind attempts to turn the psychic into a melee threat, and doesn't come close to succeeding. If psychics got access to polymorph spells, this would be a great complement to a polymorph build. Unfortunately, they get no such option so even if you invest heavily in complementary options you're still likely to fall behind a single-class Fighter. If you want a similar concept that works, play an Alchemist.

Oof. This archetype is painful. Unless you like the flavor, I’d highly suggest skipping it. The Strength bonuses you get are pretty much wasted on your squishy chassis; you don’t want to be punching things! The fact that your INT takes a hit while you’re under the influence is the real travesty here. There are a few tools that a touch-spell focused psychic might consider… until 7th level and Phrenic Empowerment rears its ugly head. Using your phrenic amps then becomes a liability as you risk further damaging your INT score should you be hurt in a fight. Stay far away from this one.

Mutation Mind: This is a prime example of a bad archetype, IMO. The aim here is to turn your Psychic caster into a gish type of character, while you do keep your d6 HD, poor BAB and lack of weapon and armor proficiencies. The entire archetype revolves around the idea of trading your phrenic amplifications for bodily mutations, which let you increase your Strength score and grant you additional capacities such as tremorsense, darkvision or combat maneuver bonuses. It does not really help you become a competent melee combatant and if you want a magic-user that can hold their own in combat, I would recommend you look for other classes in Occult Adventures (the Occultist might suit you, for instance) or other sourcebooks (the Magus is standing right there, waiting for you). Definitely not a good option, in my humble opinion.

Don't know, but yeah the Psychic is lacking in some polymorph spells that would further enhance combat ability (don't know what other buffs they might have), though it does make for an interesting dip. And being a psychic caster it can also wear Full Plate.

I don't know what Treantmonk is either.

Treantmonk is a person famous for pioneering the red/orange/green/blue color-coded rating system. Heres an example:

As : can percieve, you arent ging to buff the archetype in the next errata, arent you?

Yeah, youre hard to kill in full plate but you can never match a polymorph wizards damage output.
As a dip - maybe but that shouldnt be the aim here, in my perspective, the aim is to have a fully functional sigle-class character, besides, doesn't Paizo abhor multiclassing?

Well that clears out some stuff.

But what can you tell me about the Mutational mind archetype? The flavour is good, but the reality of not having any good meele (read - polymorph) buff spells makes it red by treantmonk standards, and thats coming from 3 different sources online.

What can you tell me about that?

Well, personally, i whould pick DSP's psionics over Paizo psionics any day of the week.

Execuse me, i meant the representation of psionics in the products, not the general game system.
;(

Also, its a shame that 3pp(dream scarred press, specificly) products are better than paizo products.

I have a second character to offer, throught he is of a 3pp class, specificly, dream scarred presses Psion. The company is widely regarded as the most qwality producer of the 3pp companies.

Yeh, but i want to at least alleviate the badness of the archetype.

Hmm, i didnt know that, i still dont like amplifications, but it alleviates 2.

1 and 3 still stands: the Mutational Mind is still worthless with no polymorph spells or meele buffs.

New link

Hope i fixed it.

Edit: by unpicking i meant tacking only the Beastmorph archetype, not the Vivisectionist.

Dear Paizo, i created this thread to imform of one of the biggest design problems of the Occult class Psychic. I will list them below.

1.Inferior Disciplines.
Most of the disciplines are awfull, inferior or simply lagging behind in power level of their closest counterpart - wizard spell scools and sorcerer bloodlines. Most need improvements to them to be at least bearable.

2.Weak Amplifications.
I'm not a big fan of metamagic but i understand it is essential to full-casters. Amplifications are much weaker than metamagic feats and thus make the wizard even better in power than the psychic.

3.Weird archetypes.
A good example is the Mutation mind archetype. It is on par with the Beastmorph archetype in theme and mechanics, but giving you buffs for polymorph and meele doesnt make you good at meele. If the alchemist can buff and qwaff mutagen to enter meele, wizards, sorcerer, arcanists can polymorph, heck, even their d6 HD doesnt matter. But because the Psychic doesnt get any good polymorph spells(alter self as a 4-th level spells is just weak) and they can't fall back on the Alchemists 2/3 BAB and d8 HD, they cant polymorph well, which makes some archetypes useless.

My propositions of solving these problems:

1.Make discipline spells and powers better.
Taking the Abberation discipline is making you hardy but useless, others have strange and situational powers. I whould suggest giving all diciplines better spells, especially polymorph options, crosses over with 2 and 3.

2.More different amplifications.
Perhaps make them more like arcanists' exploits.

3.Change the spell list.
I whould suggest taking away the situational spells, and maybe crafting a new spell line(Psychic augmentation I-IV for instance, or somethimg like that), or at least giving them Beast shape or Monstorous psyche line of spells.

Patjfinder is well known for being the most flexible and customizable character creation system, and i whould be very happy if the psychic was satysfying to play.

Thank you for your time.