Craig Frankum's page

Ok, I was accused of writing a lack luster review with many ill-advised references. Fair argument! The previous was my first thought as I skimmed through the book. I will try to accommodate a more in-depth review, in which I try to show what each of the new classes are trying to achieve and my opinions and suggestions on how to make the classes more functional.

Arcanist
I am going to leave this class alone as it is already being retooled, and to what end, I am unsure. I look forward to seeing what the developers end up doing with this class.

Bloodrager
This interestingly little piece of work is attempting to accomplish with a mix of barbarian and sorcerer what the magus accomplished with a mix of fighter and wizard. First, I agree with the masses on this little tidbit, LEAVE THE BLOODLINE ALONE. That argument is the chief complaint with this class as similarly will be discussed and addressed in other classes, such as the shaman and warpriest. Bloodrage as is, is the rage mechanic. Point simple. No deviation was made to make this specially named rage its own unique ability. So I would advise simply naming this ability Rage, or adding some new element to the ability.

Bloodrage: As rage except as follows. Blood rage can’t be ended prematurely except by unconsciousness or any effect that would end a rage (such as a calm emotions spell). Unlike a barbarian’s rage, the blood rage doesn’t limit your actions in any way. However, a bloodrager takes 1 point of damage per round as its body suffers under the strain. (citation taken and modified from WotC’s Magic Item Compendium p. 203)

I will be the first to state that I am not the most creative in the purpose of creating a game mechanic so please be patient with me as I will use citations from other sources to articulate my point or argument. I am advocating for the arcane bloodlines not being changed or altered. I propose that instead of fast movement be replaced with the first level bloodline power. I will add that giving unhindered medium armor proficiency is a bit beastly and suggest an armor progression. I am for a diminished spell-casting ability, but allow the spells to come from first level similar to the magus and I realize that in time, this class may get its own custom spell list as the book comes closer to release. Last, albeit not the least of the new class abilities, blood casting. Maintain that while in a bloodrage, a bloodrager can only cast spells from the bloodrager spell list and not from any other class that allows spell-casting. Furthermore, I would be interested in seeing a Blood Pool similar to the magus’ arcane pool. Key difference would be that a bloodrager could sacrifice 1 hp in order to achieve said effect a number of times per day equal to the bloodrager’s level + charisma modifier (minimum 1).

*Note: I am not against raising the bloodrager’s hit die from d10 to d12 to better accommodate hp penalties, for blood based abilities.

These are my observation and opinions based on the free play-test content. I made some mention to all 10 "new" classes. Please feel free to contribute or disagree as you like.

Arcanist
The Arcanist is an overreaching attempt to bridge the gap between the innate power of the sorcerer and the studied expertise of a wizard. As to date, we have three arcane classes with spell-casting based on intelligence. Adding another intelligence-based spell-casting class fortifies a common belief that charisma is a dump stat. Furthermore, the Arcanist class doesn’t add anything new to the game. The same, or at the very least similar, effect can be achieved by the much controversial gestalt classing. Overall, a lack-luster attempt to add flavor to the game table, but doesn’t really contribute to any aspect of the game. A charismatic based arcane class, or even an attempt at WotC’s Warlock (pending copyright issues), would be a welcome and refreshing take on arcane casters.

Bloodrager
Bloodrage is only a variant of rage in name only. End the confusion of naming the exact same effects by two or more different names. The main differences between a gestalt Sorcerer/Barbarian and the Bloodrager is the diminished spell-casting and limit spell selection choices. As with the Arcanist, the Bloodrager class doesn’t grant anything new to the game. This class could be better achieved through a new Bloodline or Archetype for the sorcerer. Suggestions for an archetype are as follows:

Bloodrager
Dimished spell-casting: A bloodrager may cast one fewer spell of each level than normal. If this reduces the number to 0, he may cast spells of that level only if his Charisma allows bonus spells of that level.

Bloodrage: At 3rd level, a bloodrager gains the rage ability as the barbarian class feature, but its barbarian level is considered to be his ranger level –2. This ability replaces the 3rd level bloodline bonus spell.

Rage Powers: At 5th level, a bloodrager gains a single rage power, as the barbarian class feature. It gains another rage power each two levels after 5th (to a maximum of eight rage powers at 20th level). This replaces the sorcerer’s bonus bloodline power at each level.

Something to the above would have served a greater purpose of the class.

Brawler
With archetypes of the Fighter already in place, such as the Brawler (Ultimate Combat p. 44) and Free Hand Fighter (Advanced Player’s Guide p. 105), we really needed another unarmed fighter. This book might as well be called Advanced Gestalt’s Guide. Awesome Blow is a stretch of two or more combat maneuvers wrapped into a single punch. The Knockout class feature could easily be a feat using Stunning Fist as a prerequisite.

Knockout
Prerequisite: Improved Unarmed Strike, Stunning Fist, BAB +11 or monk level 10
Benefit: You can replace an attempt of Stunning Fist to knock an opponent unconscious. On a successful hit, the opponent must make a Fort save (DC = Stunning Fist DC) or be knocked unconscious for 1d6 rounds.

Hunter
Oh goodie… I couldn’t decide between the Shapechanger Ranger (APG p. 126) and the Beast Master Ranger (APG p. 124), so let’s just jumble them up with a Mrs. Dash helping of druid. When is there going to be an original idea and not just a regurgitation of classes and abilities that you have already given us.

Investigator
Detective Bard (APG p. 81) and Investigator Rogue (APG p. 133). That is all I’m going to say.

Shaman
The Shaman is a class I actually like. It cleverly mixes the Witch and Oracle into a combination that gives spark when one envisions a Shaman. Not really sure on how the Wandering Spirit and Wandering Hex abilities will play out and may need some refinement. Maybe instead of “Wandering” there could be extra spirit abilities or hexes along with Greater forms of each.

Skald
Savage Skald Bard (APG p. 84)! It can even incite rage. Did anyone even read all the works that are already published by the company? Bards are amazing at buffing and de-buffing the battlefield and this class has pretty much already been done through an archetype. Come on Paizo, catch up!

Slayer
Though I’m not necessarily fond of the name, this looks to be another pretty solid build. However, I belive this is a class that can be summed up as a Ranger archetype. Also, I believe the fact that you can take Slayer talents that affect Sneak Attack before you actually have sneak attack needs to be addressed (i.e. deadly range and sniper’s eye). I have noticed in some cases that the BAB ratio and Hit Dice don’t exactly match up with the precedent that has been set in previous volumes. Overall, nicely done.

Swashbuckler
Buccaneer (ARG p. 73), Pirate Rogue (UC p. 72), and Swashbuckler Rogue (APG 135)! Albeit two of the three afore mentioned archetypes don’t include firearms directly, it would not be hard to take a simple feat, as they are all terrors of the sea.

Warpriest
Another class that should be an archetype! This is more of what I was looking for while making my Crusader Cleric (UC p. 40), though I was not completely dissatisfied with the archetype either. Furthermore, there is no need for divine blessings. Simply use the domains that are already established, but don’t allow the bonus domain spells. The class has potential, but needs some major tweaking. WotC had this as a prestige class, maybe you should take a look at the precedents set for by others, before issuing a collage of new “classes”.

Marvel comics uses a good bit of Vibranium in arms & armor. I am not looking to do a conversion, but am looking for a viable substitute. Any suggestions?

You get 2 swords for 20 gp. Check!

Masterwork both swords costs 320 gp. Check!

Magical enchantments or properties, each sword is individually priced. Got it!

What about special material? Specifically adamantine, but all in general.

Proudstar (Warpath)

So called civilized cultures call them savages, brutes, feral folk. Members within a tribe simply refer to each other as… family. Among these nomadic peoples, grand warriors are claimed to father many sons and daughters, but a shaman is said to be mother of an entire clan. Chieftain Red Hawk, storied for felling an immense demon bear, fathered two sons, Thunderbird, first born and so named for a mystical bird that brings thunder upon the flaps of its wings, and Proudstar, second born on a night that a single star glowed so brightly as to envelope all light from the night sky, and a single daughter, White Swan, the youngest and pure of heart and elegant in form. As with all children born to the tribe, they are blessed and given name and meaning by the Great Mother, Umar. Umar saw the boys to be great hunters of their father’s stock, but claimed White Swan among her daughters to be trained in the arts of medicinal herbs, prophecy, and summoning beasts to aid in times of need. Red Hawk even witnessed the Great Mother transform into an animal to fight alongside the warriors in a time of great peril.

From their youth, Proudstar idolized his elder brother, but did not understand his reasoning for leaving the clan to pursue a life among a nearby towns militia. After three changing of the seasons, Thunderbird had gone nearly two lunar cycles without word of his safety. Proudstar grew weary of waiting and left the clan to investigate his brother’s disappearance. As he neared the town, he overheard men dressed in a garb similar to that of his brother and a stranger cloaked in black and red. The uniformed men talked of a primitive that had been among their ranks and thanked the stranger for ridding them of that pest. Thunderbird had always been capable of besting two, even three men. This new stranger must not have acted alone. With every trick he had learned of hunting, he stalked his prey. First he would deal with the men in uniform. There were only two and easily distracted. A twig snapped in the distance and one man left to investigate. Upon his return, he found Proudstar slicing the neck of the other guard, who was hanging upside down from a snare trap. The sight before the guard was completely foreign. Proudstar lunged forward penetrating the man’s leather armor, piercing his blade into the heart. Proudstar was no more, for now he was on the Warpath.

In the months to follow, Warpath became known for eluding the local guard’s attempts to capture him. They cursed him and proclaimed him Berserker for the ferocity in which he attacked and the gruesomeness that he slaughtered the soldiers. Warpath wore this brand as a badge of honor. Returning to the clan, he found most of them dead. Men atop horses had been here and five left westward dragging a woman. Two of the men lay dead among his tribe; the tents set ablaze; a foul scent in the air. All but one that he ever held dear now joined the great hunt. These capturers made no distinction between man, woman or child. Warpath gutted the foreigners, cutting out their eyes, ears, and tongue. They shall enter their afterlife, blind, deaf, and mute. They shall wander forever in darkness. Warpath sniffed the ground and followed the trail West. A clearing had proven a provisional encampment and the one they had captured, raped and tortured was Warpath’s younger sister, White Swan. Warpath arrived as one of the men was defiling her body. She managed to free the man’s dagger and stick him, before slitting her own throat. Determined to retrieve his sister’s body, Warpath walked into the camp. His state of mind at that point was unknown, as he killed every mercenary present. One among them, hidden by a cloak, wore the uniform of a captain. By the markings, this had been the man directly over his brother Thunderbird. Warpath had mutilated the bodies of the unknown men in his rage, but took time to fashion a burning stake, and strapped the unconscious officer high on the pole. Warpath roused the man, before lighting the pyre. His screams filled the night air. Warpath witnessed the man’s last breathe as the lung burst into flames from sucking in hot air.

Among the officer’s belongings was a warrant with Proudstar’s image upon it. Proudstar died somewhere in the carnage; only the Warpath remained. Knowing he would never find rest among these lands of Numeria, he rode east, across the Southern border of Brevoy. Skirting the Stolen Lands, Warpath arrived at the outskirts of a large city. Merchants in and out call it Restov. Rumors bustle of a band of adventurers clearing the bandit threat in the Stolen Lands. Surely among these peoples, he may find atonement for his bestial actions. Surrounded by nature while chasing a noble cause, just maybe one day this tormented man can lay down the Warpath and take up his mantle as Proudstar once more.

The Beneficial Bandolier is listed under the Belts Wondrous Items while all other bandoliers are listed under the Chest Wondrous Items. Is this correct or is the Beneficial Bandolier misplaced?

I am currently playing with a Kingmaker group to which, myself and one other player are composing an adventure log from our character's perspective.

I have also GMed book 1 and some into book 2 of Legacy of Fire before the group moved away. I am curious as to if other players/GMs are interested in sharing their adventure logs.

I only wish for you to link the url for the adventure log as to not contain any spoilers for players/GMs that may be scanning this thread.

Please note the AP in which you are playing/posting for and the character that is telling the story.

I'm looking at making a character VERY loosely based on Dr. Facilier (Shadow Man) from Disney's Princess & the Frog. He communes with spirits & creatures of the Shadow Plane which grant him power in return for spreading their power in the material plane. So far, I have:

Dread Gnome variant (ARG 33)
Dark Tapestry Oracle (UM 54)
Haunted Curse

Thoughts, Ideas and comments are appreciated. Nothing is set definitively as of yet.

How do you play? Are you a the type that goes solely off the numbers or the type that is going to play a specific or well thought idea? And why?

Kingmaker Adventure Log
as observed and reported by Xavier Declie

I know this is a topic that has been done many times over, but with many of the major Pathfinder resources now out there, I want your thoughts.

As Jedi & Sith were recruited from all races, I am not going to focus that aspect, though opinions will be taken under consideration.

This is a "How would you build it?" thread. Please include archetypes, PrC, or any other ideas that you may have.

Also, how to handle the lightsaber?

I understand that if a large weapon increases the of a weapon beyond a medium two-handed weapon, then it cannot be used. I was specifically wondering about certain chained or double weapons.

1. Double-Chained Kama: 2 kamas (light weapons) attached by a length of chain

2. Double Walking Stick Katana: 2 wakizashis (light weapons) concealed in a staff (I realize the quarterstaff aspect would not be possible)

3. Kusarigama: kama or sickle (light weapons) with a ball attached to a chain

4. Meteor Hammer: 1 to 2 weighted balls on a length of chain

There may be others, but at present I can't think of any others.

With weapons like these that are basically light weapons, made into two-handed weapons by the introduction of a chain or various other contraption, do they still fallow the same rule of cannot be wielded one size category larger?

Xavier Declie
Musketeer of the Lion

It is every father’s wish for his son to live a better life than he. But how can this be for the son of a man who was in service to the king? A royal guard in fact! Champion of his Royal Guard in service of His Grace upon the Dragonscale Throne of House Ragorvia. I was the entitled son of a great-horrible man.

I am no stranger to combat. I had fought my father's drunken stupor and ill-placed rage for years. My back bears the scars of his long hatred of me. He said I was too pretty to be a boy. That I should have been born a girl. I have noticed long that my semblance reflected my mother grace more than father's codpiece. I was a man well into twentieth of years when mother became pregnant with my first sibling, and peaked thirty when the youngest was born, yet I maintained the youthfulness of a boy that has yet to reach maturity. I had not yet need of a razor across my face. My mother set me and my brothers to working the fields. Father wasn’t going to feed us. He once thrashed our mother falsely believing that she stole a few copper. When I confessed that I took it to buy grain, he broke my eye socket. Filthy wretch! No one suspected when his death was ruled an accident, that my mother lost her mind and throttled him in his sleep. Bleeding Sod deserve to be tortured for what he put us through. Soon after, mother hung herself with guilt. Here I am, a man of forty and two brothers to attend to and raise. It had not been two winters when Phillip succumbed to disease. Randall took an apprenticeship under Corvan, a local blaksmith. He has done well for himself. Even wedded an attractive young lass, though fate deemed unfit for them to bear me any nieces or nephews.

At nearly sixty years, when other men died of old age, I was filled with youthful enterprise. I too joined into my sovereign's service. It was only natural, right? It is here that I truly came to loather my father's reputation. Near twenty years since his unfortunate demise and this lot still remembers him as if he had a pint with them the mere nights before. Every accomplishment I am to make is but a shadow of my father’s legacy. I excel at swordsmanship; “Aye, that’s his father in him.” they would say. But instead of soiling the family name, after all I have a brother to think about, I sought to succeed in a far greater capacity than my father ever thought to. He spent his fortune on booze and brothels. Rumors had it he even owned a one for a time. No, my legacy will soon rise above merely my father’s name. When His Grace commissioned a new unit with experimental weapons, I was among the first to volunteer. Muskets they are called, so naturally we were named Musketeers, Cavaliers in service to our sovereign’s desires. We are king’s men. Proud and fierce! Though, these weapons are flawed. As likely to kill their user as they are their target. I am but one of only a few that have been lucky enough to survive, though not unscarred. My right’s weapon misfired. BOOM! My face burned with shrapnel and when I looked over, the man was missing half of his body. Our proud order is now little more than pomp for parades. I am only one of few that still carry out duties on my liege’s behalf. We have been outlawed from his hand as our weapons are too dangerous to attend within his sight. I am now my sovereign’s outstretched hand. I am a weapon of fate. I am Xavier DeClie, Musketeer of the Lion!

That is until nearly a decade ago, when the ruling house of Brevoy vanished. To this day, no one knows what ill-fate has befallen them. Four years I spent search for the truth of what happened. Tales, myths and monster stories is all I found. I visited with the remaining houses, as King Surtova had a regent from each on his royal council. It was as if those men never existed. House Surtova quickly supplanted the Dragonscale Throne and placed one of their own upon its seat, Noleski Surtova. I bear no allegiance to this man, but if bending a knee helps maintain the peace and keep my true liege's subjects safe, then I shall do so. I care not for the subtleties and schemes of the court, but I am not ignorant of their ways of deception. Battles of the court are won through tact and guile over brute force.

I have since resigned to hold some small role in the service of Mayor Ioseph Sellemius of Restov, though I am better suited for other adventures. The skills I acquired with my former master have drawn the eye of the Swordlords of Rostland. Rumors grow with each passing day. The precursors to war are drawing ever nearer, and my current liege, the Lord of Restov is risking a gambit. I have my orders and I shall obey his wishes. Dispatches have been sent some time ago and though I know not what type of men or women I am to serve with or the paths that have led them here, I eagerly await their arrival. Soon I shall have leave of this place, but to what end. My watch is about to begin and the Wilds pose an ever present danger. I stand vigilant in the face the unknown while the words of my sword master ring through my head. "Not today!"

With the introduction of Pathfinder Adventure Path: Rise of the Runelords Anniversary Edition (PFRPG), I want to know if they are going to print updated versions of the other APs that were written on the 3.5 rule systems?

I read the FAQ that they would not be doing this with all the AP's.

There have been some talk surrounding Hawke from the Dragon Age II trailer. I would believe he would be Myrmidarch Magus from Ult Combat.

How do I go about creating the Staff of Parthalan?

Is it a Greatsword, with a modified look?

I finally got around to playing Knights of Amalur: Reckoning and have found a new liking for CHAKRAMs.

Do you even use them with your characters? Or even with a specific build in mind?

I know it would cost a single feat, but I thought they are the perfect weapon for a ranged sneaking attack rogue. Or a power hit from a barbarian before the melee charge.

I have a half-orc superstitious barbarian who I would like to refrain from the use of magic items, except his greatsword which he believes to contain the very soul of warrior spirit. He distrusts magic of all form and is even reluctant to receive magic healing. If he is aware of a buff spell being placed upon him, I roll a will save to resist the magic. If he is not aware to the buff spell, he believes that his sword is empowering him. How would I compensate the use of magic items and stay relevant as he gains levels and magic and magic items transfer from a luxury to a necessity?

I'm building Warhammer 40k Space Marine, Ultramarines Chapter character starting at level 1. I'm pretty set on LN because they are following the Will of The Emperor and obeying the law of their leader/deity, they could be considered Lawful, but the Astartes continually shift on the Good/Evil axis depending on the mission at hand. So paladin is out.

He views Chaos (the Warp) as the source behind all evil and arcane magic as a tool of the Warp. I'm leaning towards the Holy Vindicator prestige class, but not sure how to get there.

Any ideas?

I recently made a thread and have gotten GOOD, but little advice. I wish to make a Space Marine. Parameters are:

Start at 1st level

Considering Holy Vindicator or Divine Scion prestige class

Either LN or LG: need reasons as to why for either.

Race: stcik with-in the confines of the Advanced Race Guide (strongly considering dwarf or human)

If I decide to prestige: other possibilities and how to get there from level 1

Thanks for your help.

I'm working on a character, starting at first level, that is to become a Holy Vindicator. I'm basing the character off of the code and mentality of a Warhammer 40k Space Marine Ultramarines Chapter. His faith is in the Emperor, I haven't determined if I'm going to use one of Pathfinder's dieties or make the Emperor his own diety, and to die in duty of the Emperor is an honorable death. He believes Chaos is the root of all evil thus making him lawful, but his actions may not always consider him to be good. I'm leaning towards Human, though a case could be made for Dwarf (in the game, they are xenophobic, hatred towards orcs and are extremely hard to kill). Either Dwarf or Human, his race is superior to others, but he his a protector of the weak, except in cases where the race has been shown to extents of great violence if they were not completely purged. He has limited magic set, and his militant background leads me to think a Crusader Cleric or multi-class cleric fighter. Any advice would be appreciated.

I've browsed other thread and get the point of a small creature using a medium sized weapon occurs a -2 penalty on attack rolls. Same goes for a medium creature wielding a large sized weapon. What about a Medium creature using a Small sized weapon?

Build idea specific, Medium Human Fighter using a small sized Earthbreaker... Would it be a one-handed weapon? Would it incur the same size penalty?

If i have a character with a certain ability that increases as I level up, does it increase if I cross-class or prestige class?

Example: a Breaker Barbarian with the Battle Scavenger special ability

"Battle Scavenger (Ex): At 3rd level, the breaker barbarian suffers no penalty on attack rolls when using an improvised weapon or a weapon with the broken condition. In addition, she gains a +1 bonus on damage rolls with improvised or broken weapons for every three levels beyond 3rd. This ability replaces trap sense."

and at the appropriate time, I decide to prestige to a stalwart defender. Does the ability increase with my level or does it stop when I take my first level of the prestige class?

Myself and a few of my friends really enjoyed the Warlock class of 3.x. We have been looking for a replacement or comparable class (archetype) to replace this void in our hearts without having to convert the class over to Pathfinder. Sorcerer of the Abyssal or Infernal Bloodline seemed like a good fit, but really lacks something. With the introduction of the Witch class, Pathfinder may have been onto something. After all, historically both are practicianers of "Black Magics" where females were labeled witches and males labeled warlocks. Could the Witch class be Pathfinder's an attempt at a balanced version of 3.x's Warlock? What are hexes if not a form of invocation? Although similarities exist, there is one key abality that no class encompasses... ELDRITCH BLASTS!!! It was OP in 3.x, but if limited to a # of times per day similar to the Alchemist's bomb class feature. Is that too much to ask?

I've made several versions of Marvel characters and am currently working on making Angel/Archangel. I'm pretty well decided on Strix for my race (not a PFS build), but not sure on how "skillful" Angel/Archangel is. Should I go with a rogue archetype that allows him 8+Int for skills or would a fighter archetype (airborne ambusher) be suitable with the 2+Int?

I've made several versions of Marvel characters and am currently working on making Angel/Archangel. I'm pretty well decided on Strix for my race (not a PFS build), but not sure on how "skillful" Angel/Archangel is. Should I go with a rogue archetype that allows him 8+Int for skills or would a fighter archetype (airborne ambusher) be suitable with the 2+Int?

I have made a number of variant monk builds that replace Stunning Fists with other feats like Perfect Strike. If I decide to take the Stunning Fists later on:

A) am I able to use it a number of times per day equal to my level?

B) am I able to perform the other effects of Stunning Fists links in the monk section retroactively?