Hesmah's page

Is it legal in PFSP to take eldrich heritage feet. To get the Bloodline Sylvan. Was coming up with a concept for a character. I am wondering if this was legal for PFSP?

I think there's a problem, because Sylvan bloodline ability counts as both Bloodline Power and Bloodline Arcana. And you don't get the arcana with eldritch heritage. So you can't really take it.

These are not the same thing - caster level, not spell level.

Ah yeah, true.

PS: And scrolls are not 'of a class' rather scrolls are either arcane or are divine. When you emulate a class to activate the scroll it is any class that could read that scroll.

I suppose this would include Empyreal Sorcerer archetype then? (Sorcerer that uses wisdom)

Well I hope it keeps coming up several times a month, blowing a few heads up, until they finally can fix that in the guide! It probably takes a whole freaking minute to fix!

The problem is that the rules don't state that the rule is there just for pricing, even though we (I included) assume that's what they were going for.

The rules clearly state that all scrolls are made by druids wizards and clerics, that's it. There's no exceptions of any kind for scrolls on cleric/druid spell lists. Without an official ruling we can't do assumptions that you can buy arcane cure light scrolls when the rules about the matter are so precise.

If there is an official post where it's said that you can get bard (or witch/oracle) scrolls, then cool, but until we have that we have to play by the rules.

The issue wasn't all about arcane/divine, but also about casting stat. For example a rogue with high charisma and UMD can use a sorcerer or oracle scroll easily but not a wizard or cleric scroll, which by rules are only ones allowed.

The thing is - it's not about opinions. It's about the official rules that should be fixed if the only reason they are there is the price of items.

Recently I've been wondering about using scrolls in Society play, as Use magic Device rules are as follows:

Use a Scroll: Normally, to cast a spell from a scroll, you must have the scroll's spell on your class spell list. Use Magic Device allows you to use a scroll as if you had a particular spell on your class spell list. The DC is equal to 20 + the caster level of the spell you are trying to cast from the scroll.

So the DC is 20+ spell level, good so far.

In addition, casting a spell from a scroll requires a minimum score (10 + spell level) in the appropriate ability. If you don't have a sufficient score in that ability, you must emulate the ability score with a separate Use Magic Device check. This use of the skill also applies to other spell completion magic items.

To cast a spell from a scroll, you need a high score in the appropriate ability (Intelligence for wizard spells, Wisdom for divine spells, or Charisma for sorcerer or bard spells). Your effective ability score (appropriate to the class you're emulating when you try to cast the spell from the scroll) is your Use Magic Device check result minus 15. If you already have a high enough score in the appropriate ability, you don't need to make this check.

So if you lack the proper ability score, you must emulate it with a different check. So you need another check that's DC 25+ spell level

You need two high checks made at the time of activation, and have to success on both. And you've two chances to roll a 1 which means you can't use the scroll today at all. And with the DC being 21 and 26 for level 1 spells, by the time you could actually succeed on the scrolls, you don't really need them anymore.

Makes sense if you lack mental stats, but the problem here is: You can never use charisma for scroll usage. In normal games you could buy Sorcerer, Oracle and Bard made scrolls to use charisma, but Society Organized Play rules state that:

All potions, scrolls, wands, and other consumables are made by wizards, clerics, or druids in Pathfinder Society Organized Play. The only exceptions are spells that are not on the wizard, cleric, or druid spell list

So you can never buy charisma based scrolls (except the few bard or witch exclusive spells), nor can you ever buy arcane healing scrolls such as cure light wounds from Bard or Witch spell list.

So what I really want to know is what's the spirit of this rule in Society? Is it to not allow characters to buy cheap versions of spells (Paladin's lesser restoration)? Cause if it is, making UMD very hard and nerfing Bard and Witch scroll usage are unfortunate side-effects that should be fixed.

Another question from me:

How is arcane bond item upgrading handled in society? Do wizards get it for half price, full price, or unupgradeable?

So, yes, this means prior to level 4, Paladins and Rangers cannot use scrolls (or wands for that matter).

I'm a bit curious about this wand issue. I mean, don't they work in a different way from scrolls, not requiring a certain caster level?

As UMD skill says "Normally, to use a wand, you must have the wand's spell on your class spell list." It doesn't require a caster level, just for your class to have the spell on your list. Means level 1 wizard can use a wand of bull strength, and a level 1 ranger a wand of cure light wounds, right?

This is at least how it was in 3.5, and as far as I know wand mechanics weren't changed. At least I didn't find anything to suggest that.

Edit: Looks like someone beat me to it..

This is the case even for a character who can't actually cast spells, such as a 3rd-level paladin.

I'd think that's the more relevant part in the spell tigger text in this issue...

As the topic says, I'm curious if this is possible in Pathfinder Society? I know the feats themselves are not allowed, but this ability does not actually grant the feat, just allows adding abilities as if we had it.

I'm curious about improved familiar feat. Is it still in? What are the choices you can have? Also.. what are the rules for familiar death and getting a new one?