Kroisos's page

Hi,

As a bloodrager, can I, in the last round of my Bloodrage, cast a rage spell to prevent the fatigue at the end of my bloodrage?

Thanks in advance,
Kroisos.

Hi,

We've always ruled that touch of idiocy can be used only once per casting. However, careful reading seems to suggest otherwise.

The target is 'living creature touched', and the duration is 10 minutes per level. The description says nothing about the spell being discharged upon use.

What keeps my bloodrager from using it several times in succession on the same one living creature, cumulating the effects?

What am I missing, or am I correct? Is there perhaps a general rule about touch spells I am overlooking?

Thanks in advance,
Kroisos.

Hi,

Currently, I am using three nice, fillable pdf-character sheets. They are 2 pages, 3 pages or 6 pages, derived from Bill Barnes' Neceros sheet, further developed by Dan Brink. You can download them here.

I have been using them for ages, but now, my GM is planning on introducing the mythic options to our campaign.

Does anyone know of fillable pdf character sheets that look like the sheets mentioned, but also incorporate space for mythic character development?

Thanks in advance,
Kroisos.

Hi,

I noticed two mistakes on the mythic feats page (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/mythicAdventures/mythicFeats.html).

Firstly, the feat "shot on the run" has a link in the word "run" in its title, which links to the "run" feat (not appropriate here).

Secondly, the feat "ascendant spell" is, in the summary listings at the top of the page, classified as a "Mythic Feat". This is wrong. Looking at the description of the feat, a bit further down, it is "metamagic", but not "mythic". It should actually move up three places in the listing at the top of the page, becoming the first of (then) three "Feats" (non-mythic feats).

Kroisos.

Hi,

According to this FAQ, it is "perfectly reasonable" for oracles to use their charisma modifier where spells specify using their wisdom modifier instead.

However, note that the reason mentioned for this is "because they were written before the idea of the oracle class as a Charisma-based caster".

Now, holy ice is from Ultimate Magic, published in 2011, whereas the oracle was introduced in the Advanced Player's Guide, published in 2010.

Since the oracle already existed when holy ice was first published, would that imply that the FAQ mentioned wouldn't apply to this particular spell?

Thanks in advance,

Kroisos.

Hi,

Some questions about truespeech:

• Is truespeech a language?
  
• Does the tongues spell grant truespeech?
  
• Does the oracle's tongues mystery grant truespeech, at 15th level?

Note that in monster listings, truespeech is listed in the languages section...

Thanks in advance,

Kroisos.

Hi,

I have a question about the Wind Oracle revelation vortex spells.

Vortex Spells (Ex): Whenever you score a critical hit against an opponent with an attack spell, the target is staggered for 1 round. At 11th level, the duration increases to 1d4 rounds.

My question seems simple: when do you score a critical hit with an attack spell?

However, there are a lot of spells that could, in theory, be applicable here. For example:

• you use holy ice, which grants you one ice javelin per level; each javeling has a chance of scoring a critical
  
• you use blinding ray; even if you don't roll for damage, you still get to check for a critical hit to stagger the victim(s)
  
• you use chain of perdition; even if you don't deal damage, you still have a chance of staggering your foe
  
• you use spiritual weapon; whenever it hits, the staggering effect is applied
  
• you use spiritual ally; every time he scores a critical, the staggering effect is applied
  
• you use instrument of agony; when you score a critical hit with your enchanted weapon, you also stagger your opponent
  

Which of these would you consider correct? Can you think of other spells that may be problematic candidates for spell vortex to apply?

Thanks in advance,

Kroisos.

Hi,

I have a question about the amulet of the blooded. In this case, it's about the Fey version; I removed all other versions of this amulet from its descriotion. Note the price: only 10.000! A real bargain. It has a slight disadvantage, but that's as good as neglectable.

Amulet of the Blooded

Price Fey 10,000 gp; Slot neck; CL 9th; Weight 1 lb.; Aura moderate illusion

Each different type of amulet of the blooded grants its wearer powers from one sorcerer bloodline, but makes him vulnerable to attacks and effects that target creatures with the appropriate bloodline (such as a blood-hunting weapon). If a creature that already has the associated bloodline wears the amulet, the wearer does not gain the abilities listed below; instead, the effective level of his bloodline powers increases by 2. This effect does not stack with other abilities that increase the effective level of bloodline powers.

Fey: This drop of amber hangs on a silk cord. The wearer can turn invisible for 9 rounds per day (as greater invisibility). The rounds don't need to be consecutive. Three times per day, the wearer can make a melee touch attack to cause a creature to burst out laughing. That creature can take only a move action, but can defend itself normally. Once a creature has been affected by this laughter, it is immune to it for 24 hours. This is a mind-affecting effect. Moderate illusion; CL 9th; Craft Wondrous Item; Spells greater invisibility, hideous laughter.

Cost Fey 5,000 gp; Feats Craft Wondrous Item; Spells greater invisibility, creator must be a sorcerer of the appropriate bloodline.

Now, my question is not about the improved invisibility, but about the 3 times per day laughter property. Would the victim of this power get a saving throw against it?

Thanks in advance,

Kroisos.

Hi,

I am playing an oracle with a focus on metamagic. He is carrying a rod of quicken, and has the reach spell feat. The rod can affect spells up to level 6.

Now, he wants to cast a reached, quickened sixth level spell (with an ordinary casting time of 1 standard action).

There are two opinions in our group.

The first states that a player decides in which order the various effects are applied. In this case, it would mean that the rod is applied first, changing the spell to a swift action but keeping the spell level the same (6). Then, the reach spell feat is applied, raising the level by +1 to 7.

The second opinion is that abilities (feats) trump objects, meaning that the feat should be applied before the rod can be used. In this case, it would mean that the feat raises the level of the spell by +1, to 7, consequently making it impossible to still use the rod, since it only works on spells up to level 6.

Obviously, my oracle would prefer the first reading.

Can someone point me to a place in the rules where this is tackled?

Thanks in advance,

Kroisos.

Hi,

Just a simple question: what is the saving throw for the second level spell staggering fall (from the Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Rival Guide)?

In the headers it mentions "Saving Throw Fortitude partial (see below);", while in the description below, only a repeating Will saving throw is mentioned.

Which would you consider correct?

Thanks in advance for your opinion,

Kroisos.

Hi,

I have been looking at the vortex spells oracle revelation (wind mystery, also available for shamans with a wind spirit). It reads:

Vortex spells (Ex): Whenever you score a critical hit against an opponent with an attack spell, the target is staggered for 1 round. At 11th level, the duration increases to 1d4 rounds.

As we all know, attack spells are rarer on the oracle spell list than on the wizard list. But still, they are there. Now, I was wondering: what exactly constitutes "an attack spell"?

For example, would cure light wounds be one? After all, I can use it against undead, and have to make an attack roll.

I guess any spell is not necessarily an attack spell in itself, but becomes one when used in an offensive way, meant to harm another?

Next comes the question: when do I score a critical hit?

Is it essential that a spell actually deals damage, or is capable of dealing damage? Or is it enough that you have to roll an attack roll to hit, and confirm it if it is a critical threat?

For example, take disfiguring touch. You have to roll an attack roll, so you could potentially roll a critical threat, and try to confirm it. However, whether or not you succeed wouldn't matter for the ordinary spell result, since it doesn't deal damage. However, if you have spell vortex, it would matter.

Would you be allowed to roll to confirm a critical hit, even if the spell itself normally wouldn't call for it?

Thanks in advance,
Kroisos.

Hi,
I am playing a young dragon PC with 8 class levels in witch.
Now, my level eight patron spell is threefold aspect:

Threefold aspect
School transmutation; Level druid 5, witch 4
Target you
Duration 24 hours (D)
Threefold aspect allows you to shift your appearance between your natural age and three idealized age categories: young adult (youth/maiden), adulthood (father/mother), or elderly (elder/crone). In each case, your appearance is your own at the appropriate age, rather than that of a new individual.

You may change between these three aspects or your actual age as a standard action. As the young adult, you gain a +2 enhancement bonus to Dexterity and Constitution, but suffer a –2 penalty to Wisdom. In the adult aspect, you gain a +2 enhancement bonus to Wisdom and Intelligence, but take a –2 penalty to Dexterity. As the elderly aspect, you gain a +4 enhancement bonus to Wisdom and Intelligence, but take a –2 penalty to Strength and Dexterity. As enhancement bonuses, these stack with any bonuses or penalties you may have from your actual age (which are untyped bonuses)—the bonuses granted by this spell represent your idealized form in this threefold aspect rather than simply duplicating your ability scores at any one particular age.

True seeing reveals your natural appearance overlaid with that your aspect, recognizing both as part of your true self. Individuals who study you closely and have interacted with you at another apparent age recognize a resemblance (as though family) with a successful DC 20 Perception check.

Threefold aspect does not alter your clothing or equipment, and does not heal any deformity or injury unrelated to age.

Now, how would this spell work on my dragon? Could I use it to shift to the elderly aspect and thus temporarily become an elder dragon?

Hi,

Just two simple questions.

1. Can you take others with you when you dimension door using a cloak of the mountebank?
2. Do you lose your remaining actions in the round after using it?

Thanks in advance,
Kroisos.

Hi,

Could a witch with the scribe scroll feat and the read magic spell be able to read a spell from a wizard's spellbook, and write it on a scroll (provided it's on the witch spell list)?

The final goal being, of course, to feed that scroll to her familiar, and thus gaining access to casting that scroll herself.

Thanks in advance,
Kroisos.

Hi,

For a long-running campaign, I am making a 13th-level back-up character (25-point build). I was thinking about making a rogue.

Now, seeing that our DM almost never uses traps (and our magic users can easily deal with the few that we do encounter), I was thinking about making a stealthy two-weapon fighting rogue (in another campaign I'm playing in, a friend of mine already plays a knife-thrower, so I don't want to copy that prototype rogue).

I was actually thinking along one of the following lines:

• catfolk (see below)
  
• single-class unchained rogue
  
• scout archetype
  
• knife master archetype
  
• (maybe) unchained secondary class fighter
  

or

• catfolk (see below)
  
• unchained rogue
  
• scout archetype
  
• knife master archetype
  
• arcane tricster prestige class
  
• one additional class to qualify for arcane trickster
  

Note that our DM does not allow for the ninja class or any rogue ninja talents, and that we're playing a Tamriel (Skyrim) campaign, where catfolk are called Khajiit, and the claws alternative racial trait is standard (ie: natural hunter is replaced and cannot be replaced by something else). Also, familiars or the leadership feat are disallowed, to speed up play. More specific campaign information can be found here. Note that Khajiit, like all catfolk, get +2 Dex and +2 Cha, and -2 Wis.

Now, as we all know, a two-weapon fighter can be quite feat-consuming. By choosing two archetypes and a secondary or prestige class, am I straining too much? Should I limit myself a little bit to make my build viable? Only standard Paizo material is allowed, 3PP is not.

If you do consider either of both of these builds viable, what feats and rogue talents would you advise for either of them? I do have some ideas, but I'd rather not steer the discussion any more than necessary...

Note that, as a 13th-level character, I have 140,000gp to spend on items, which helps a lot. Again: items from the standard Paizo books are allowed, items from 3PP are not. Items from non-open Paizo sources may be allowed if the DM considers then "not too setting-specific". An amulet of the blooded (fey) would be allowed, this I checked.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Hi,

The umbral dragon gains darkness as a spell-like ability.

When?

In the table, darkness is mentioned at age category very young (2), but in the following text, under "spell-like abilities", it is mentioned at age category young (3).

I guess very young would be correct, since that would mean that a spell-like ability is gained at every second age category (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12).

Thanks in advance!

Hi,

In our campaign, we've introduced a general rule for skill unlocks.

We ruled that any feat that has "Skill focus (foo)" as a prerequisite is also eligible if you have a skill unlock in the (foo) skill.

Would you say this sounds reasonable?

Thanks in advance for your comments!

Hi,

I have a question about the alternative fighter weapon training option at level 9 that was introduced in Pathfinder Player Companion: Weapon Master's Handbook.

In the Core Rulebook, it says:

Weapon Training (Ex)

Starting at 5th level, a fighter can select one group of weapons, as noted below. Whenever he attacks with a weapon from this group, he gains a +1 bonus on attack and damage rolls.

Every four levels thereafter (9th*, 13th, and 17th), a fighter becomes further trained in another group of weapons. He gains a +1 bonus on attack and damage rolls when using a weapon from this group. In addition, the bonuses granted by previous weapon groups increase by +1 each. For example, when a fighter reaches 9th level, he receives a +1 bonus on attack and damage rolls with one weapon group and a +2 bonus on attack and damage rolls with the weapon group selected at 5th level. Bonuses granted from overlapping groups do not stack. Take the highest bonus granted for a weapon if it resides in two or more groups.

Now, if I read this correctly, at 9th level the normal benefits of Weapon Mastery are:

• Gain a new weapon group with a +1 bonus
  
• Increase the bonus for your first group by +1 to +2
  

The Weapon Master's Handbook adds to this:

Beginning at 9th level, instead of selecting an additional fighter weapon group, a fighter can choose an advanced weapon training option for one fighter weapon group that he previously selected with the weapon training class feature.

Now, I want to take an Advanced Weapon Training option instead of adding a new group. What I'd like to know is what ability is replaced when I do so. Is that only the selection of the new weapon group (first bullet), or should the WMH be interpreted that both boons would be scratched?

Example: at level 5, I choose Weapon Training 1 (Blades, Light). At level 9, I choose Advanced Weapon Training (Armed Bravery). Would I lose only the new weapon group with its associated +1, or would I also lose the increase from +1 to +2 for Blades, Light?

I presume the increase to +2 will remain.

Hi,

I am building a rogue character, and I am thinking about using the new unchained rules for multiclassing via secondary classes. So, I want to make a rogue 13 (secondary class warrior), instead of a rogue 9 / warrior 4.

Now, I was wondering about feats and their prerequisites. If a feat specifies, say, that your character should be a fighter, would my character qualify? And what if the prerequisite was one level in fighter?

Thanks in advance!

Hi,

My oracle is considering taking scrying as one of his fifth level spells.

However, I'm not sure what components he would need for casting.

The spell lists:

Components V, S, M/DF (a pool of water), F (a silver mirror worth 1,000 gp)

Remember that oracles may forfeit any divine foci.

So, what would he need?

Thanks in advance!

Hi,

Consider the clerical spell Aura of Doom.

Aura of Doom

School necromancy [emotion, fear, mind-affecting]; Level cleric 4
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, M/DF (powdered bone)
Range personal
Area 20-ft.-radius emanation centered on you
Duration 10 minute/level
Saving Throw Will negates; Spell Resistance yes
You emanate an almost palpable aura of horror. All non-allies within this spell's area, or that later enter the area, must make a Will save to avoid becoming shaken. A successful save suppresses the effect. Creatures that leave the area and come back must save again to avoid being affected by the effect.

Is the saving throw mentioned here actually correct?

It says "will negates", but since the range is "personal" shouldn't the saving throw have been omitted? After all, you're casting it at yourself, so why would you want to save? I think it should at least say "(harmless)".

The saving throw mentioned is for enemies surrounding you, and should only have been mentioned in the text, I think.

I wonder why noone has mentioned this before...

Hi,

Deliver Touch Spells (Su): If a witch is 3rd level or higher, her familiar can deliver touch spells or hexes for her. If the witch and the familiar are in contact at the time the witch casts a touch spell, she can designate her familiar as the “toucher.” The familiar can then deliver the touch spell just as the witch would. As usual, if the witch casts another spell before the touch is delivered, the touch spell dissipates. If the witch activates a hex, her familiar can be used to make the touch. She does not have to be in contact with the familiar to use this ability.

Suppose my witch casts vampiric touch and designates her compsognatus as the "toucher", as explained if the rules for familiars, quoted above. The compsognatus then moves towards one of her enemies, and succesfully delivers the spell.

Now, who gains the temporary hit points? My witch or her familiar?

Hi,

Suppose my 13th-level oracle takes the improved eldritch heritage (arcane bloodline) feat.

Improved eldritch heritage:

Benefit: You gain either the 3rd-level or the 9th-level power (your choice) of the bloodline you selected with the Eldritch Heritage feat. For purposes of using that power, treat your sorcerer level as equal to your character level – 2, even if you have levels in sorcerer. You do not gain any of the other bloodline abilities.

9-th level arcana bloodline power:

New Arcana (Ex): At 9th level, you can add any one spell from the sorcerer/wizard spell list to your list of spells known. This spell must be of a level that you are capable of casting. You can also add one additional spell at 13th level and 17th level.

I have several questions.

1. If we were talking about a true sorcerer with this bloodline, he would have to choose an eligible spell at 11th level. He wouldn't be allowed to postpone choosing until he was, say, level 13 to be able to pick a spell of a higher level. Would this mean that my oracle would be obliged to take the feat at level 13 exactly in order to emylate an 11th-level sorcerer? Or would he be allowed to wait until, say, level 15, to be allowed a higher level spell? If so, the power would be better for the oracle than for the sorcerer.

2. Since my oracle is 13th level, he is capable of casting 7th-level spells, and he chooses to take antimagic field. This spell is 6th level on the sorcerer list, so it's an eligible choice. Now, this spell is 8th-level on the oracle list. Would my oracle be able to cast this spell as a 6th-level spell, or would it still be an 8th-level spell, forcing him to wait until he's reached level 15 to be able to cast it?

3. Building on this, if the spell (V, S, M/DF) is treated as the 6th-level version, would this mean that the spell would now also have a material component instead of a divine focus (which in the case of an oracle would mean no such component, since CF only goes for clerics).

Any clarifications are welcome!

Hi,

The antagonise feat states the following:

You can make Diplomacy and Intimidate checks to make creatures respond to you with hostility. (...) The benefits you gain for this check depend on the skill you use. This is a mind-affecting effect.

Diplomacy: You fluster your enemy. For the next minute, the target takes a -2 penalty on all attacks rolls made against creatures other than you and has a 10% spell failure chance on all spells that do not target you or that have you within their area of effect.

Intimidate: The creature flies into a rage. (...)

Obviously, from the name, this feat is meant to enrage an opponent. Hence my question.

In the paragraph on intimidate, a 10% spell failure chance is imposed on "all spells that do not target you or that have you within their area of effect". Shouldn't the latter restriction be "that do not have you within their area of effect"? Since "that" is repeated, implied repetition of "do not" is not possible. Alternatively, the second "that" could be left out, in which case the repetition of "do not" would be implied.

In other words, I guess one of the following is what the author actually means:

"all spells that do not target you or that do not have you within their area of effect" or

"all spells that do not target you or have you within their area of effect".

Your opinion on this subject is appreciated. I guess the first alternative is the clearest.

Hi,

I have a question about the oracle wind mystery; the gaseous form revelation in particular. I first posted this in the advice forum, but got no replies. In hindsight, this may have been because the rules form was more appropriate. In the quotes, any boldfaced typesetting is mine.

Gaseous Form (Su): As a standard action, you can assume gaseous form (as the spell). (...)

This passage refers to the gaseous form spell:

Gaseous form

(...) The subject also loses supernatural abilities while in gaseous form. (...)

You may have already guessed my question.

Since my character loses all supernatural abilities, woudn't she also lose her supernatural revelation to move around in gaseous form?

--
Very funny, Scotty. Now beam down my clothes.

Hi,

I have a question about the oracle wind mystery; the gaseous form revelation in particular.

Gaseous Form (Su): As a standard action, you can assume gaseous form (as the spell). (...)

This refers you to the gaseous form spell:

(...) The subject also loses supernatural abilities while in gaseous form. (...)

You may have already guessed my question.

Since my character loses all supernatural abilities, woudn't she also lose her supernatural revelation to move around in gaseous form?

--
Very funny, Scotty. Now beam down my clothes.

I think that the new book Champions of Corruption contains an error. Concerning betrayal feats, it says (italics are mine):

Characters with class abilities granting allies access to teamwork feats (such as cavaliers or inquisitors) can select these teamwork feats normally, but allies who are granted these teamwork feats can use the feats only as initiators, not abettors.

This does not make sense: the inquisitor has no ability granting allies access to teamwork feats. He only has the class ablity solo tactics, granting himself teamwork feats (as the name already implies).

Of course, cavaliers do have such class abilities (the tactician abilities).

Hi,

This question is not about using either charisma or wisdom when casting spiritual ally. It is about the form the spiritual ally takes when it appears.

An ally made of pure force appears in a single 5-foot square within range. The ally takes the form of a servant of your god. The spiritual ally occupies its space, though you and your allies can move through it, since it is your ally. The spiritual ally carries a single weapon, one favored by your deity (as for spiritual weapon), which has the same threat range and critical modifiers as a real weapon of its form. (...)

Since an oracle does not necessarily worship a specific god (or even no god at all), what shape would his spiritual ally have? And what would the weapon carried look like?

I guess it would either be something closely tied to the oracle's mystery (for example, an air elemental for the Wind mystery), or an image of the oracle itself, if (s)he is quite self-centered.

In any case, I guess you'd have to confer with your GM to see what the spiritual ally would look like, if he allows you to take this spell in the first place.

Hi,

When I cast a bowstaff spell on my longbow, would I still be able to use it as a bow?

The bow that is touched takes on the rigidity and toughness of forged steel, allowing it to be used as a melee weapon. The spell allows a shortbow to be used as a club or a longbow to be used as a quarterstaff, although the bow retains its normal hit points and hardness. The bow's enhancement bonus, if any, applies on melee attack and damage rolls. Additional weapon special weapon qualities also apply to melee attacks if such qualities can be added to a melee weapon.

The italics are by me.

The RAW say that it allows you to use the bow as a quarterstaff, not that you should do so every round. On the other hand, the spell says that the bow becomes rigid, so that would be an argument against being able to use it as a bow. Then again, its hardness stays the same.

Personally, I am in dubio what the RAI would be here. Even if you would be able to choose to use it as either a bow or a quarterstaff, I don't think this spell would be overpowered for first level.

Hi,

The holy magic weapon special ability states:

A holy weapon is imbued with holy power. This power makes the weapon good-aligned and thus bypasses the corresponding damage reduction. It deals an extra 2d6 points of damage against all creatures of evil alignment. It bestows one permanent negative level on any evil creature attempting to wield it. The negative level remains as long as the weapon is in hand and disappears when the weapon is no longer wielded. This negative level cannot be overcome in any way (including by restoration spells) while the weapon is wielded.

(Italics by me)

Now, if the negative level disappears when the weapon is no longer wielded, how should I interpret the word "permanent" here?

Hi,

My oracle is about to take the eldritch heritage feat at third level, going for the arcane bloodline.

He has decided to go for a bonded object, not for a familiar (my GM doesn't allow any class feature that gives either a familiar or grants prepared spellcasting).

My question: how does my character gain this bonded object? Does he spontaneously find one, or does he buy one? He doesn't really have the funds to purchase that shiny ring he has set his eyes on...

Thanks in advance for your opinion!

Hi,

I have a question about the spells Confusion and Song of Discord. If my bard casts both of them, in which order are they "checked", and in which order are they resolved?

Confusion says:

Roll on the following table at the start of each subject's turn each round to see what it does in that round.

Song of Discord says:

Roll to determine each creature's behavior every round at the beginning of its turn.

Now, the outcome of either of these spells could influence the behaviour of the other one, so the order in which these two checks are done counts. Which one is done first?

Or would you first do both checks, based on the character's current "confusion-status", and only then roll for the effects? In case of the latter, which roll for effect comes first: the Confusion-table or the 50% Song of Discord-check?

Please clarify...

Hi,

If I have a revelation that duplicates a spell, does it only duplicate the effects, or also the way of generating these effects?

More specifically: revelations in general don't need material components. The Dark Tapestry many forms revelation is a supernatural ability, which normally doesn't need material components either.

Now, many forms ìs defined as follows:

As a standard action, you can assume the form of a Small or Medium humanoid, as the alter self spell.

Now my question is: what is meant by "as the alter self spell"?

Does this only cover the effects of the revelation, or the way of "casting" as well? More specifically, do I need a material component?

Hi,

I have two questions about Many Forms:

Many Forms (Su) As a standard action, you can assume the form of a Small or Medium humanoid, as the alter self spell. At 7th level, you can assume the form of a Small or Medium animal, as beast shape I. At 11th level, you can assume the form of a Small or Medium magical beast, as beast shape III. At 15th level, you can assume a variety of forms, as greater polymorph. You can use this ability for 1 minute per day per oracle level. This duration does not need to be consecutive, but it must be spent in 1-minute increments. You must be at least 3rd level to select this revelation.

For the spells mentioned, the spell components are:

Components V, S, M (a piece of the creature whose form you choose).

Question no. 1: since Many Forms is a supernatural ability that functions "as the alter self spell", would it also have verbal, somatic and/or material components? Or does "as the spell" only refer to the outcome of the spell, not to how this is accomplished?

Question no. 2: if Many Forms does have material components, are those considered cheap, thus being made superfluous by the eschew materials feat?

Hi,

Since our group is playing a campaign that runs, so far, mostly in a landlocked area, I am thinking of picking Marid's Mastery as one of my oracle's spells.

Marid's Mastery
School transmutation [water]; Level cleric 1, druid 1, ranger 1, sorcerer/wizard 1, witch 1
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S
Range touch
Target creature touched
Duration 1 minute/level
Saving Throw Will negates (harmless); Spell Resistance yes (harmless)
The target gains a +1 bonus on attack and damage rolls if it and its opponent are touching water. If the opponent or the target is touching the ground, the target takes a –4 penalty on attack and damage rolls.

This situational spell might seem to be one of the worst choices possible. However, I don't intend to cast it on either myself or one of my allies. Au contraire: I shall cast it on one of my opponents.

Would this work? In other words, would this simple first-level spell give my opponent a whamming -4 to attack and damage, as long as there's no water near?

Seems very powerful for a first level spell, or does the (harmless) quality prevent this creative use of the spell? As far as I recall, (harmless) doesn't prevent the Cure spells to harm undead...

Hi,

I'm playing a human druid, and I was wondering why anyone would care to ever take the favoured class option presented in the Advanced Race Guide.

It says:

Druid: Add a +1/2 bonus on Diplomacy and Intimidate checks to change a creature's attitude.

Now why would anyone take this FC option twice, just to gain a +1 in Diplomacy and Intimidate checks for the sole purpose of changing a creature's attitude?

Why wouldn't you just take two skill points for your FC option, and put them into Diplomacy and Intimidate separately. Those bonuses wouldn't just count for changing attitude only, but for every use of those skills...

The only reason I can think of is to get a higher total bonus by circumventing the maximum ranks rule, since those bonus skill points wouldn't count as ranks, but as miscellaneous bonuses...

Am I missing something...?

Hi,

The Power Attack feat allows one to trade attack accuracy for damage. Is there a similar feat that does the opposite?

Is there any feat that increases my animal companion's chance to hit, possibly in exchange for something else? I don't need the extra damage, but I really want the special attack to hit.

For those interested, my game master was kind enough to provide my neutral evil druid with a vermin companion (a giant scorpion), and to bless it with an 8 Intelligence (actually, it's just as intelligent as its human companion). :-)

Thanks in advance for any advice!