DanceswithMemes's page

I think I'll only do one level of mystic, then. The higher soldier levels will help more than the higher mystic levels I think.

I do think my gm will allow the mnemonic editor. I'll see him tomorrow so I'll clear it then. We won't be playing for a while, but I wanted to be completely ready with this build.

If none of this pans out though, I guess I can always try dragonkin soldier or solarian since dragonkin is second choice for me.

While I'm thinking of it, I guess dragonkin soldier (blitz or armor storm, I really want to like armor storm even though blitz is perfect for melee) with connection inkling is the next best thing. I'll make that second choice.

Oh, thanks for pointing that out. I'll check with him. He'll probably let it happen but in the event he doesn't, I'll start soldier and take mystic level 2.

Barathu only have legs if I use ESA to grow them. They have a base speed of 0ft and an extraordinary fly speed of 30 ft with average maneuverability. The ESA gives them base speed 15ft. I think I could go with an unwieldy weapon instead of pike, maybe. Tactical doshko plus ESA strength buff means 1d12 +3 currently. Tactical pike would do 1d8 +3, but has reach. So many choices, lol.

Alright, that makes sense. I'll go the editor route. I'll take mystic for second level, edit first level to soldier with feat to toughness, and focus strength as primary stat. I'll also put points into dex at a later level to offset the penalty. I understand I'll be getting hit a lot anyways. Won't be using offensive spells really, just utility like ghost sounds or wisp ally. If I make strength primary stat and put points into that as I level, I shouldn't need to worry about being low on resolve to use Healing Channel since it's the most useful healing spell.

For further levels, I imagine I'd want to focus on one class since spreading levels out would put me way behind the party. I think putting future levels in soldier would be the better option, for the offensive benefits. That will probably make my healing less effective at higher levels, but I figure that my healing spells should be treated as supporting healing serums since I want to focus damage.

I still don't know what the party makeup will be. I'll find that out soon though. We just haven't picked a GM or start date, since we're still doing society adventures. OH, since I didn't mention, this character will be used for Dead Suns.

Okay, I had seen other people in the rules forum talking about it, but +2 is still good for a weak save. Better than the 0 it would be otherwise, or a plus 1 from just Con bonus.

I probably should have stated in the last comment that I do factor in the 1d4 cooldown. I also meant no BAB at level 1, but that's again my fault in being lazy with my typing and adding confusion, which I apologize for. Thanks for pointing it out.

I agree that it's average, even decent Stamina/Health for what the class is. Toughness feat if I decide to go blitz soldier at level 1 (or use mnemonic editor at level 2) could further extend that. I get that it's situational, and since Barathu fly the run aspect is useless, but since I will be a main target as a melee character I do like having the extra stamina. Also, if I do split classes like that, I would have the extra hp/stamina from soldier for at least one level, right? I would only use soldier for the proficiencies and blitz bonuses, but adding some extra health and stamina wouldn't hurt.

For weapons, I have decided to go with a tactical spear with called on it, since I won't be using ESA every round eating the swift action is safer than using returned incase I get knocked out of the tile I threw from (like if I get bull rushed. I mean, I can fly, but I don't want to be an even more obvious target by being 15ft in the air).

I plan on getting a tactical pike eventually, since it'll have reach, but that assumes I'll have adv melee prof.

Right now, I think the best option for what I specifically want from this build is to split classes between mystic and soldier. Just how I do it is what I'm having trouble deciding for now. Part of that is not understanding mnemonic editor, since I can't find how it specifically works on the internet. But, I think that mystic progression being delayed won't hurt in the long run. Serums of healing exist, so if my party is relying on only one source of healing (me) then we probably won't be playing as effectively as we can.

I also do want to keep wisdom and strength equal, for resolve points since Healing Channel takes 1 resolve point to cast, Mystic Cure is lvl 1 spell (meaning I could cast it at max twice per day?), and Healing Touch takes 10 minutes to cast for only 5 hp per mystic level.

So I'm not extremely familiar with the mystic, but what do you gain by going melee? Mystic is 3/4 BAB, has the lowest hp/stam gains of any class, and doesn't get any advanced weapon proficiency. You'd need to spend three feats to get access to heavy armor and advanced weapon proficiency and specialization, or take a level in blitz soldier and delay your casting progression by a level.

Additionally, you need to put points into Str, which outside of melee hit and damage is a terrible stat. No one needs extra carrying capacity unless you're using multiple heavy weapons, and athletics is pointless when a multitude of cheap items, spell, and feats grant fly, swim, and climb speeds.

I get that there's no cleric or paladin in this system who can mix it up in melee while still casting healing and utility spells, but making a melee mystic feels like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.

Early on up we discussed the idea of using mnemonic editor at level 2 mystic to get level 1 blitz soldier as I understand it. Not sure if that means I'd be a level 2 mystic and level 1 soldier, or level 1 in both (which makes more sense), but Barathu take a racial penalty to dex already so it'd be even more of a waste to get that to something decent, as is the issue with AC. It could be doable, but in my opinion SO much weaker than going melee since Barathu's early stage adaptation can give two different bonuses to melee combat and none to ranged.

If I can use the editor, then I'll take toughness as the level one feat to address the lack of stamina points. That can also situationally buff fortitude saves, a mystic weak save.

It's good to note that athletics is redundant, especially since Barathu can fly, but again, using ESA to add strength modifier to melee damage is very good and is the main reason why melee builds are better for Barathu than ranged.

I do agree there is like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, but Barathu are all about changing their physical form to fit scenarios. I was hoping that this race would be the most ideal for this build. That in mind, I'd like to list what I think the strengths are vs the weaknesses for a Barathu battle chaplain.

Strengths:
Can fly
Can buff melee damage
Can gain reach that should stack with a weapon with reach
Racial bonus to Wis
Racial bonus to Fortitude save, a weak save for mystic. If the gm allows its creature type to be accounted for, it would have a total of +3 from its creature type, racial bonus, AND racial con bonus.

Weaknesses
Racial penalty to dex hurts both AC and Reflex saves, which are the other weak save for mystic. Also makes the race naturally bad at ranged combat
No BAB- unless level in soldier is taken
Does need to choose either delay mystic progression to use soldier to gain proficiencies, or waste feats to gain those while progressing mystic.

So, in all, the weaknesses are very valid and it seems the choice I need to make is either go blitz soldier at level 1, then start mystic progression, or to waste feats while maintaining progression for mystic. I have said that I'm only using spells for healing and support, but I do think that having to wait on my more powerful healing spells is a weakness too. I guess to say explicitly say what I want out of this build is I want it to be primarily a tank that can heal. So, Paladin?

Good point, didn't consider that really. I'm hesitant to drop wisdom lower even though spells are mostly going to be healing, since that'll drop my resolve points. I also don't know what my party is going to be playing beyond one solarian, so while I may not be the only melee build I'll still be front line. Now, Barathu does have six hit points, so I'm at 7 stamina and 12 hp, but I'm pretty sure that means three hits from a cr 3 enemy will down me.

Now, the early stage adaptation can let me negate that -1, but I'm trading natural reach or damage bonus to melee for that. If I were to plan out my moves VERY carefully, I could keep that going until I feel safer swapping to a different adaptation, but that doesn't actually fix my issue.

Whether or not I actually drop points to bring dex up will probably depend on the party makeup. If we have a blitz soldier and a solarian then I could feel more comfortable letting them be front line while I use reach/spear throwing to deal damage. If there's only one other melee build then I'll try the quick pick array.

Oh yeah regarding the reach ability from early stage adaptation: it does give me 10ft of reach.

Edit: Reflecting armor will probably take the place of mind thrust as well. If I do take a level of blitz soldier then I'll pick toughness for the feat for 8 stamina. It's not much but I'll take what I can get

That's workable when the benefits are so good.

Sweet, I think that confirms what I'll do with this build! Thanks a ton!

That makes sense. And yeah, I agree, not very cool to be using a tactical spear followed by tactical pike for.. a long time lol. I shouldn't be greedy though, I mean my Barathu will threaten 20 ft away which is pretty great on its own :D

Yeah, missing out on getting damage bonus to both basic and adv melee weapons could hurt a little while, but maybe the adaptation for bonus melee damage would make up for it.

I think the positives could outweigh the negatives for blitz/mystic, since the build is meant to hit stuff a lot. Being able to switch weapons and still move is pretty great, I could pick up a high damage melee weapon and use the spear until I close in. If I use the editor, would I get to pick a different level 1 feat since I'd get heavy armor proficiency from soldier? Getting adv melee weapon prof for free would be ideal at level 2 even if the level one feat is wasted. I guess I could pick something else for level 1 and wait for level two to get heavy armor.

For the infusions, that seems fair lol. I haven't taken a good look at weapons recently, I'll check those later, but I don't recall any good substitutes for several levels either. I could get around that though, just gotta take a look later when I get the chance

Those are good suggestions. I had planned on adv melee weapons as my lvl 3 feat, so coordinated shot at lvl 5?

I agree on reach making a difference. That was part of why I picked Barathu, since early stage adaptation can give reach of ten feet. Does that stack with a weapon with reach? If it does then the versatility is incredible.

I like the blitz soldier suggestion. Since I plan on only healing with my spells, that definitely wouldn't hurt at all.

I did look at called as well, and I'm torn since it eats a swift action. That could force a choice between changing my adaptation OR getting my weapon back. Could I get both on the spear? Otherwise I think it could be better since I'll likely pop the adaptation before throwing the spear, on second thought.

Thanks for the input. I like your build, it seems pretty solid! For the returning weapon suggestion, I'd definitely doing that. Haven't looked at weapon infusions but that it seems I'm shooting myself in the foot not using the returning infusion.

Since the Alien Archive released, I've been really wanting to play a Barathu battle chaplain. I'll be getting the chance soon so I wanted to get some input on my initial build. I intend for him to be primarily melee with healing spells to act as support. I know the sample battle chaplain in the book has Mercenary theme, but I went with Priest for flavor since my deity connection is Iomedae.

Connection: Healer
Stats:
Str: 16
Dex: 9
Con: 12
Int: 10
Wis: 16
Cha: 10

Feat: Heavy Armor prof (to make up for lack of dex bonus)

Edit (forgot spells)
Level 0: Daze, Detect Magic, Stabilize, Ghost Sounds
Level 1: Mind Thrust (or Reflecting Armor), Wisp Ally

Just wondering if this looks effective as a level one battle chaplain. Thanks in advance!