Olvan

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* Pathfinder Society GM. 331 posts. No reviews. No lists. No wishlists. 17 Organized Play characters.




Can I use a Rod of Reach with the Cleric domain abilities if the ability is labelled as Sp for Spell-like? Can the Cast Defensively option be used with the Cleric domain abilities if the ability is labelled as Sp for Spell-like?

My assumption is yes to both, since the detriment to the ability being Spell-Like is that it otherwise provokes.


Restoration Subdomain: Restorative Touch, vs. Horror Adventures: Fear conditions

https://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/cleric/domains/paizo-domains/ healing-domain/restoration/

Restorative Touch cures:
dazed
fatigued
shaken
sickened
staggered

List of Fear conditions from Horror Adventures:
https://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering/other-rules/fear/

Question 1:
Does Restorative Touch cure Spooked (the lowest of the lesser conditions)?

RAW, it cures Shaken (the level 2 lesser condition).

Question 2:
If an area causes the condition, for how long should either condition be cured by the cleric domain power? Would you have to be out of the area for the condition to be cured at all?


I have the Adventurer's Guide and loved the Elven Leafblade and Elven Thornblade. So, I decided to build a TWF rogue for PFS. I just entered level 4, then played a module chronicle sheet to apply to make me 5th and and have another module from being the GM on another adventure to make me 6th level. However, I am not happy with my AC, my attack (main hand +6 when TWF and piranha strike), though am OK with my damage (d4 + 10 + 3d6 sneak) with what I built up at 6th.

I have the following statistics:
level 4 Elf unchained rogue (CG, Desna) -> level 6 with 2 modules applied
S 10, D 18, C 14, I 14, W 12, Cha 9
15,468 gp on hand from 2 modules

feats/talents:
martial weapon proficiency (elven leafblade)
piranha strike
TWF
[finesse from unchained]
weapon focus (elven leafblade)

traits:
birthmark
warrior of old

main items currently:
+1 mithral chain shirt
+1 cloak of resistance
mw cold iron elven leafblade *2

I built my character up to level 6 (adding two-weapon defense and trap spotter for feat+talent, a +1 adamantine leafblade, and explored +2 dex belt, +1 mithral agile breastplate, +1 ring, +1 amulet), but my attack is pretty weak (as noted above).

I'd like to get invisibility, but I would need to cast it in advance by dipping an arcane class and using wands/scrolls. Alternatively, I could retrain my weapon feats to combat reflexes, dodge, and mobility to enter shadowdancer prestige class. Another option is to get The Whole Time talent and a wand of invisibility. Or get to 36 fame (when I am currently at just 19) and spend 20,000 gp on a ring.

I'd like to get a decent AC without hurting my attack. I'm thinking of taking a level of Ranger so I can: wear the mithral agile breastplate without hurting my to hit with ACP, cast lead blades/CLW/heightened awareness from wands, increase hp slightly, not hurt skills too much, retrain my leafblade proficiency into weapon focus for elven thornblade (since I would be an elven ranger and be proficient already then in both those weapons [elf treating elven weapons as martial and actually having martial weapons as a ranger]).

Any recommendations? Starting a new character as a TWF slayer or ranger seems a poor solution, since I am 6th level with 15,468 gp on hand to patch up some deficiencies.


When in the PRODUCT REVIEWS section for the PFS Scenario #7-01, clicking on Page 2, 3, 4, or 5 takes me into the PRODUCT DISCUSSION section, rather than the correct page of product review. This is happening to me in both MS Edge and in Google Chrome.

Pathfinder Society Scenario #7–01: Between the Lines (PFRPG) PDF
http://paizo.com/products/btpy9cu3/discuss?Pathfinder-Society-Scenario-7-01 -Between-the-Lines

There are 21 product reviews, but I can only see numbers 1-5 on Page 1. I am running this scenario on Wednesday, and am looking to see if other people have some good ideas.


First Aid Gloves questions, mostly around Breath of Life [BoL] and Use Magic Device [UMD]

"The wearer of a pair of first aid gloves can, as a standard action, cast any of the following spells..."

UMD:
Use a Wand, Staff, or Other Spell Trigger Item: Normally, to use a wand, you must have the wand's spell on your class spell list. This use of the skill allows you to use a wand as if you had a particular spell on your class spell list. Failing the roll does not expend a charge.

1. Can just anyone use these gloves? I assume "No." Since the item description says you are casting the spell, I assume it works as a Spell Trigger Item, and you have to have the particular spell on your spell list, or that you have to use UMD.

2. Does this require a UMD check if you do not have the cure/breath spell on your list of spells known currently?
a. Does a level 1 oracle need to make a UMD check for Breath of Life?
"No."
b. Does a level 10 oracle need to make a UMD check for Breath of Life if she did not learn BoL at level 10?
"No."

3. Does this require a UMD check if you do not have the particular cure/breath spell on your list of spells available at all?
a. Does a level 1 fighter or a level 20 sorceress need to make a UMD check for the gloves?
"Yes."

4. If so, what's the DC of the UMD check?
a. Activate Blindly: 25 [mishap occurs on a 15 or less; a 16-24 is just a wasted standard action]

OR

b. Emulate a class feature [cleric or oracle casting]: UMD result minus 20 is your class level
DC would be 29 to emulate a 9th level cleric to cast the 5th level spell BoL.
DC would be 30 to emulate a 10th level oracle to cast the 5th level spell BoL.

AND/OR

c. Emulate an ability score: UMD result minus 15
The minimum Wisdom score needed to cast a cleric, druid, or ranger spell is 10 + the spell’s level.
To learn or cast a spell, an oracle must have a Charisma score equal to at least 10 + the spell level.

Minimum Wisdom or Charisma for the BoL = 15
DC would be 30 to emulate a 15 Wisdom to cast a 5th level cleric spell as a cleric [if you don't already have 15 Wisdom].
DC would be 30 to emulate a 15 Charisma to cast a 5th level cleric spell as an oracle [if you don't already have 15 Charisma].

OVERALL:
For the Breath of Life spell:

Anyone with BoL on [any of] their class spell list[s] can successfully activate the BoL even at 1st level.

Anyone else can try UMD to activate blindly at DC 25, but suffers a mishap on a result of 15 or less, where the item affects the wrong target or that uncontrolled magical energy is released, dealing 2d6 points of damage to you, also with a 1 day lockout happening on a natural 1 [assuming the 1 fails]

Anyone else with 15 Wisdom or 15 Charisma could instead try to use BoL with a UMD of DC 29 [using Wisdom for level 5 cleric casting] or 30 [using Charisma for level 5 oracle casting] with a 1 day lockout only happening on a natural 1 [assuming the 1 fails].

Anyone else with 14 or less Wisdom and 14 or less Charisma could instead try to:
use BoL with a UMD of DC 29 [using Wisdom for level 5 cleric casting] or 30 [using Charisma for level 5 oracle casting] with a 1 day lockout only happening on a natural 1 [assuming the 1 fails] AND
emulate 15 Wisdom or Charisma with a separate DC 30 roll with a 1 day lockout only happening on a natural 1 [assuming the 1 fails]

For the Cure spells:
Since a Cleric/Oracle/Witch has Cure Light Wounds up to Cure Critical Wounds on their list and can cast via Wisdom/Charisma/Intelligence, then anyone can use Wisdom [14 for CCW], Charisma [14 for CCW], or Intelligence [15 for CCW since that's a level 5 Witch spell] to cast those, without having to emulate an ability score. Non-casters, wizards, and sorcerers would still need to emulate a Cleric/Oracle/Witch class though, with a 1 day lockout only happening on a natural 1 [assuming the 1 fails].

DC would be 21 to emulate a 1st level Cleric/Oracle/Witch to cast the 1st level spell CLW.
...
DC would be 27 to emulate a 7th level cleric to cast the 4th level cleric spell CCW.
DC would be 28 to emulate a 8th level oracle to cast the 4th level oracle spell CCW.
DC would be 29 to emulate a 9th level witch to cast the 5th level witch spell CCW.


I have a question on Suppress Charms & Compulsions and volunteering to fail saves/resists.

The spell is listed here:
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/s/suppress-charms-and-compulsions/

This spell has this line:
Saving Throw Will negates (harmless); Spell Resistance yes (harmless)

The effect that I am mainly looking at is this:
"If instead you suppress charms and compulsions, the spell’s duration drops to concentration, to a maximum duration of 1 round per level. As long as you continue to concentrate, the spell suppresses all existing charm and compulsion effects affecting the targets, regardless of whether the effect is beneficial or harmful. New charm or compulsion effects that successfully target such a protected creature are automatically suppressed as long as you continue concentrating. If you cease concentrating, the spell effect immediately ends, and remaining charm or compulsion effects resume for the rest of their remaining durations as normal."

In the overall rules for Magic are at least 3 points that are relevant:
https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/#TOC-Casting-Spells
"Voluntarily Giving up a Saving Throw
A creature can voluntarily forgo a saving throw and willingly accept a spell’s result. Even a character with a special resistance to magic can suppress this quality."

"Spell Resistance...
A creature with spell resistance must voluntarily lower the resistance (a standard action) in order to be affected by such spells without forcing the caster to make a caster level check."

"Concentration
The spell lasts as long as you concentrate on it. Concentrating to maintain a spell is a standard action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity."

Example Scenario Setup:

Initiative 20: enemy caster
Mass charm goes off: several party members are affected (except 1 caster with Suppress Charms & Compulsions)

Initiative 19: party caster
Suppress Charms & Compulsions is cast ASAP by a party caster next in the initiative

Each party member with SR cannot elect to fail their SR at that initiative count, and the party caster must succeed on a caster level check to beat their SR

Each party member without SR can elect to fail their save

Initiative 18: rest of the party
Any without SR acts normally
Any with SR who failed their SR act normally
Any with SR who made their SR act under the charm/compulsion

Questions:
Can those with SR delay to the same initiative, and have the party caster do the same, then auto-fail their SR and their saves?

Is the above setup and explanation correct?

Is this spell overpowered?

The [generally 5th level] spell Break Enchantment forces the caster to make a caster level check, and our opposing spellcasters are generally higher level than the party, making that spell harder to succeed at.

The [generally 3rd level] spell Dispel Magic forces the caster to make a caster level check, and our opposing spellcasters are generally higher level than the party, making that spell harder to succeed at [though only working for 1 target].

The [generally 2nd level] spell Suppress Charms & Compulsions forces the caster to spend all her standard actions preventing interparty fighting, but will be a lot more successful [perfectly successful, assuming no one has SR].

1/5

I was playing in PFS today in Emerald Spire, Splinterden.
I came to the table with this:
4th level
14 Fame
12 PP
71 gp
9 xp

I then bought something for < 150 gold by spending 1 PP at the opening of the game.

I managed to get killed about 70% through.

The group finished successfully.

I then earn this:
4 PP [and Fame]
3721 gp [3711 + 10 day job]
3 xp

Total before clearing conditions:
15 PP
3792 gp

The PFS Guild Guide says this below the PP expenditures chart:
"*You can buy raise dead using 16 PP, 5,450 gp, or 8 PP and 2,450 gp."

Since I have neither 16 PP nor 5,450 gp (and I don't want to force the table to pony up any gp), my only option is 8 PP and 2,450 gp.

That leaves me with 2 permanent negative levels and:
7 PP
1342 gp

I can then pay for NPC spellcasting at CL 7 * SL 4 * 10 gp = 280 gp for each Restoration to clear the negative levels (and times 2 that is 560 gp).

Final tally:
That leaves me cleared of my conditions and totals of:
5th level
18 Fame
7 PP
782 gp
12 xp

Is this all correct? Is there a better way of spending the combination of PP and gp to solve my conditions [e.g. paying 4 PP for restoration #1 and 280 in gp for restoration #2] that people recommend?

Had I not bought the item at the start for 1 PP, should I have just paid 16 PP for the raise dead, or is it better to spend gold to solve [part of] that condition?


CRB:
Countersong (Su): At 1st level, a bard learns to counter magic effects that depend on sound (but not spells that have verbal components). Each round of the countersong he makes a Perform (keyboard, percussion, wind, string, or sing) skill check. Any creature within 30 feet of the bard (including the bard himself) that is affected by a sonic or language-dependent magical attack may use the bard's Perform check result in place of its saving throw if, after the saving throw is rolled, the Perform check result proves to be higher. If a creature within range of the countersong is already under the effect of a noninstantaneous sonic or language-dependent magical attack, it gains another saving throw against the effect each round it hears the countersong, but it must use the bard's Perform skill check result for the save. Countersong does not work on effects that don't allow saves. Countersong relies on audible components.

Observations:
Perform can be used untrained. So any Bard who has the countersong class ability could make a check.

[Table: Skill Check Bonuses
Untrained Skill Check = 1d20 + ability modifier + racial modifier
Trained Class Skill = 1d20 + skill ranks + ability modifier + racial modifier + 3]

Questions:

If the opponent goes in the surprise round, can the Bard attempt a countersong?

If the opponent goes first in the initiative order, can the Bard attempt a countersong?

If the Bard has already used his actions first in the initiative order, can the Bard attempt a countersong?

If the Bard already has up an ongoing bardic performance (e.g. Inspire Courage) that uses one of the countersong skills, can the Bard attempt a countersong?

Is a Spellcraft roll required to determine that a countersong should be executed?

If a Spellcraft roll or a readied action is required to use countersong, it seems a very weak ability.

Against a Banshee, the Wail is a level 9 spell and the Banshee has Charisma of 19 = +4, so the DC is 10 + 9 + 4 = 23 [Fortitude as laid out in the Banshee entry in the Bestiary 2].

If the Bard has a +22 to one of those Perform skills of countersong (with the assumption that a 1 on the d20 isn't an automatic failure since this is a skill check), is a roll even needed for anyone in the party?


I have an Elven Ranger with the TWF style. I gave him a bunch of Dex and Str both. I am looking to use a Rapier in the primary (probably +1 Keen at my level 6 for a while). I would like to have a nice off-hand weapon too.

Since a second Rapier would hurt my to-hit in TWF, I am looking for a small offhand weapon that's good both for the theme and mechanically.

Ideas:
1. Small sized rapier statistics, but on a normal-sized weapon. d4, crit 18-20, Piercing.
2. Kukri. d4, crit 18-20, Slashing. Ugly.
3. Wakizashi statistics. d6, crit 18-20, Piercing/Slashing.
4. Shortsword. d6, crit 19-20, Slashing.
5. WMH built weapon. I could build either d4 or d6, but there just aren't enough design points available to get from crits of 19-20 to an 18-20.

I would likely call the weapon Elven Thinblade or Elven Lightblade (especially if using a d6), or Main Gauche (like the one from 2e, especially if only using a d4).

As TWF takes up lots of feats already, I was looking to get Weapon Focus that works for both hands. I have seen some weapons that say that if you have skills with x, you also get them with y. Could one get away with a Rapier in the primary, and this not-exactly a Rapier in the offhand with just the one feat?