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At long last, I got to add the new hybrid studies to this guide! Not only that, the ancestries and heritages from the Tian Xia character guide are in here as well!

I haven't updated the Magus tactics section of the guide for the new Hybrid Studies just yet, I want to do more study/testing before I do. At a glance the new hybrid studies require a bit more system knowledge to make the most of, but I'm excited about what they bring to the table!

I see you have False Priest Form for Tanuki rated Red; I'd probably bump that to Yellow or even Green - yeah it's a fifth level feat, but given what it competes with, access to Divine Lance is pretty great for a Magus; it's a spirit damage attack cantrip, which is something the Arcane list is otherwise lacking.

(Haunting Hymn, as a cone, is not awful for expansive spellstrikers either, and you get that one too.)

Any chance we could get this tag applied retroactively to the store pages of suitable past-adventures? It’d be real helpful!

The new Oatia Skysage archetype in Gatewalkers needs a few clarifications to function;

First off, the Basic/Expert/Master spellcasting feats grant new spells known but do not explicitly grant Basic/Expert/Master spellcasting benefits, nor does it clarify that these function as innate spells, as the Captivator/Ghost Hunter archetypes spells do. Essentially, the archetype has three feats that grant spells known, but never grant spell slots with which to cast those spells.

Is the intention that these be innate, as with the Captivator? (This would make sense because the spells known progression, like the Captivator, goes up to 9th level).

Or, is the intention that these feats grant Basic/Expert/Master spellcasting benefits implicitly, as is arguably indicated by the “Spellcasting Archetypes” section in the CRB? (This would make sense because the dedication explicitly declares that the Skysage has a Repertoire, as a typical spontaneous caster does.)

Or is the intention something else entirely? It would really help to have some clarity here.

Separately from this, there is also an issue with the 14th level feat Starlight Armor; it’s a 3 action activity to activate, but it has no listed duration. Is it indefinite? Does it last until the Skysages next daily preparations? Ten minutes? One minute? Until the end of the skysage’s next turn?

Since AP archetypes historically don’t get much actual errata, some clarification on intent would be helpful at least.

> Would you like to see Pop-up PaizoCon events at stores alongside PaizoCon Online?

Oh yes! I think it's undeniable that the online format works better, and is more inclusive and accessible for stuff like panels and Q&A and even organized play! In that respect, I think this is absolutely the right move - Hybrid felt a little too much like it was trying to be all things and not quite succeeding at most of them as a result.

That said, what the online format _does_ lose is the social, spontaneous elements of convention attendance. Seeing old friends, making new ones, and all of the general chaos that comes with meatspace. I think tapping into the organized play/FLGS network to establish many ad-hoc mini-PaizoCons on a regional basis, including a few society tables, some live-watch of panels, and maybe even dare I say it a party or two, would go a long way to bridging that gap.

This thread can use a bump in light of the most recent Errata;

As I read it, the persistent damage from Sticky Bombs is set as being equal to the Splash Damage, which, not being doubled on a crit, means it also is not doubled on a crit. Therefore, with the specific information of being keyed to damage that isn't being doubled, specific trumps general, and the new errata holds no sway.

But, I recognize that my reading of the rule in that sense is not universal, and plenty of folks have interpreted the new FAQ post to mean that Sticky Bombs damage is doubled on a critical hit. Some additional clarity would be really helpful here.

"Well, Shit, we've been spotted, that's for sure...

The smart thing to do here would be to try to remotely take control of- or at least, overload - that alarm system and shut it down. I wish Aeg were here right now... this is what she's good at, goddamnit. Simeon, you're the technician, think you can do it?"

I've got no Know:Engi... yet, so I'm no help on a check with a DC over 10. :P At least I can make you make excuses for failing!

"Indeed, the woman is right. If you are attempting to cheat your way through this contest, you may not like the way that this ends. You have already displayed quite the penchant for trickery and deceit. It would be no surprise if you tried it again..." Khargol adds to Yandasa's questioning, his eyes narrowed as he stares down at the goblin.

Snotboogie not know what you talking about! You saw Snotboogie under table because Snotboogie was looking for things under table. Snotboogie not hiding anything. Snotboogie not lied to you once, and have nothing to hide! Snotboogie was making old alchemical recipe, Alchemist's Kindness! All it do is mean that Snotboogie not suffer tomorrow for the pain of his drinking today! Is not way to cheat! Learned it from priests of Drunk-God-Man! They use it all the time, and have drinking contests all the time, so how it be cheating?

Seeing the Hobgoblins enthusiasm for the competition, the Goblin decides to join in, pounding his foot on the table, and joining in the chant, adding a substantially higher pitch to the chorus:

"Drink! Drink! Drink"!

~190 damage. That's not all that unreasonable an amount of damage for a 16th level character.

Blasting is overrated.

Fencing Grace also requires Weapon Focus, so you'd need to do Finesse at 1, Focus at 3, and Fencing Grace at 5.

Personally, I'd take Mutagen before Quick Study, but that's down to taste and your own personal tactics.

If you don't want to have to wait until level 5 to really have your damage come online, take Swashbuckler as your level 1 class, with the Inspired Blade archetype. You get Finesse and Focus for free (and Panache from Int, so you don't need Cha), as well as Opportune Parry and Riposte, which goes a long way to solving your AC issues. And as icing, you pick up 2 free hit points, I guess. Then you can start with Fencing Grace as your first level feat (once the book is out in a week anyway).

That makes the build look something like this:

FEATS & INVESTIGATOR TALENTS
[Class] Weapon Proficiency (Simple, Martial)
[Class] Weapon Proficiency (Hand/Xbow, Rapier, Sap, S/Bow, S/Sword, S/Cane)
[Class] Armor Proficiency (Light)
[Class] Buckler Proficiency
[Class] Weapon Finesse (Rapier only)
[Class] Weapon Focus (Rapier)
[Class] Panache, Deeds
[1st] Fencing Grace

[3rd] Flexible feat. Could be anything.
[4th T] Quick Study or Mutagen
[5th] Extra Investigator Talent: (The other of Quick Study or Mutagen)
[6th T] Expanded or Underworld Inspiration
[7th] Flexible Feat
[8th T] Amazing Inspiration
[9th] Extra Investigator Talent (Combine Extracts or Sickening Offensive)
[10th T] Combat Inspiration

Those 3rd and 7th level feats could be used to grab more utility Investigator talents (I'm a big fan of Effortless Aid as a good use of Swift Actions, adding more skills to the free Inspiration list is also a solid choice, Empathy has some interesting potential if you're creative and do a lot of social play), Power Attack, Combat Reflexes, Extra Inspiration... You've got lots of choices. (Note: Arcane Strike isn't one of them. Unless you're getting an SLA some other way, alchemy doesn't qualify you. Minor Magic-> Arcane Strike is a valid way to do it at the cost of TWO talent/feat slots, but probably not worth that much expenditure.)

Pommel Strike is an alternate choice to Weapon Versatility if going this route; you trade a bit of damage potential for some action economy and a chance at a free CMB check to knock opponents prone on hit.

At your gaming table you speak English (or whatever your language is).

Presumably, your character is not speaking English.

Use whatever profanity you would normally use, and assume that it translates, the same as all the other words you use that you assume translate just fine, despite the thousands of years of linguistic history that made them mean what they mean.

Or do you never use idioms or metaphors at your table?

And frankly, I'm kinda paranoid that the monowhip is TOO expensive. It sounds like folks don't think it is, which is nice. ;P

It feels a little too pricey, yeah.

You're missing one pereq:

To qualify to become a master chymist, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.

Spells: Ability to create 3rd-level extracts.

Special: Mutagen class feature, feral mutagen or infuse mutagen discovery.

Investigators have access to neither discovery, and thus, do not qualify for Master Chymist.

(Note that Infusion != Infuse Mutagen.)

This thread has given me a great idea. Bard primarily using comedy, the catch off guard feat, and a lot of hilarious props including a whole tray of custard pies.

I am generally down with all sorts of bard characters that people will build, but I draw the line at Gallagher.

Dude, war chants have been around for thousands of years. Sorry, but if you don't think that counts as 'singing', I think you're beyond convincing, and also wasting your time trying to convince anyone else of your position.

The biggest thing that leaps out at me is that making a Magus - but Ranged is unbelievably clumsy with the existing ruleset. Arcane Archers are cool, but much like the Eldritch Knight, they don't feel like they integrate magic and martial skills so much as they have both.

Whips qualify for Slashing Grace without needing any Swashbuckler levels.

Just throwing that out there.

Yeah, Slashing Grace + Precise Strike + the whip feats required for lethal damage and AOO's, on a Kensai with a spell like Frostbite that provides multiple touch charges makes for a devastating battlefield control monster.

Throw in Lunge and Long Arm for good measure, and Enlarge if you're feeling frisky, and you have a zone of control that's downright terrifying.

Studied Strike != Studied Combat. Studied Strike is essentially a finishing move; it's fine, but you don't build around it.

Studied Combat is a flat damage bonus on every hit. If that doesn't benefit from TWF, I'll eat my hat.

Drop Master Chymist at level 3, take Greater and Grand Mutagen as normal discoveries. Draconic and Growth are both lackluster. All you really want out of Master Chymist is the first +2 from Brutality, Mutate 2x /day (+1 once from your Mutagen!), and Furious Mutagen.

Giving up on maxing out your access to 6th level extracts for the rest just isn't worth it.

Don't buy an iPad...Slave!

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Batty Bat

Thanks for the helpful post, nonconformist buddy.

A Monowhip can do some nasty things in combination with Slashing Grace and some other swashbuckler deeds. Get large and use Longarm and you can establish a 40 foot zone of AOO death.

Really? Panache and Derring Do make you think of Richard Simmons?

Please, do the world a favor and watch some old Errol Flynn movies or something.

They were all obsolete by the time you finished reading the "Classes" chapter in the CRB.

After all, the last one in there is 'Wizard.'

An Axe Musket almost certainly can't, because 2H.

But a Sword Cane Pistol might be an option?

I just statted out a level 11 Kensai with Whip Mastery, Imp. Whip Mastery, Slashing Grace, Lunge, Precise Strike, and Combat Reflexes...

with Long Arm, and Enlarge Person, you can set up a 50 foot zone of control; use Magical Lineage to cast Frostbite with Rime Spell, and you can add 1d6+level nonlethal cold damage and Entangle and Fatigue to every single one of your copious opportunity attacks...

Takes until level ~5 or so to get going, but once it does, nasty nasty nasty.

Can a Medlance be used with Alchemist's extracts? As written, the language is rather open ended, and it looks like it can: with a single dose of liquid, such as a pharmaceutical, a potion, or a poison. For that matter, what about Mutagens?

If so, that's pretty handy from an Action Economy standpoint - 50 GP to convert any extract into a Move Action, essentially, so long as you prep it ahead of time. (Or, if you have Infusion already, well, it's a bargain basement alternative to Poisoner's Gloves for your touch-attack Skinsend shenanigans.)

You can end up with a surprisingly balanced roster using just the 4 and 6 level casters...

Magus, Alchemist, Inquisitor, Bard, Hunter, Paladin, Bloodrager, and Ranger is a shockingly well rounded class lineup.

Ghast Retch Flasks are pretty gnarly.

So. Prestige Classes. There's one other the guide doesn't mention, which is *really* worth looking at. Hell, it's almost a no-brainer.

The Evangelist.

You give up one level of extract/bomb/everything else progression. So you still have 9 levels of progression of bomb damage (or sneak attack for vivisectionists! As written, it works for them too!), spell casting, discoveries, and all of the other class features. And it has the same BAB It's literally a one level dip that provides 10 levels of - kind of insane - benefits; let's run them down:

• +2 to AC
  
• +4 class skills, two of which, YOU CAN CHOOSE, and the other two of which, Knowledge Religion and Diplomacy, aren't awful.
  
• 6+Int Skill Points per level. So, y'know, 2 more skill points per level to use on your new class skills.
  
• +4 to Untrained Skill Checks. Because, y'know, Why Not?
  
• At 10th level, you can, for $Lvl Minutes/Day, get a +4 untyped bonus to any stat, and grow wings or gills or an extra natural attack; so, y'know, you can pick up that tail slam for your Feral Mutagen Hyde build that you've always wanted.
  
• Oh, and to top it all off, you get access to a trio of Divine Boons, courtesy of the Divine Obedience feat required to take the class. And some of them are pretty great. Hell, there's even one which allows you to add any poison you want to your bombs.
  

And to recap, the negatives here are:

• -1 Level of Alchemist Progression.
  
• Bad Fort Save for 10 levels. Works out as a net -2.
  
• One Feat prerequisite... but see above re: Obedience Feat.
  
• 10 levels of your favored class bonus. Probably a bit of a bummer for all the Half Orc and Tiefling alchemists out there using it for bomb damage, but not a huge deal for everybody else. You're essentially getting the skill point back anyway.
  

Basically - if you're willing to deal with the role-play requirement of being a devout follower of $god... this is an insanely overpowered bonanza of a PrC - especially for 3/4 BAB classes like the Alchemist that aren't terribly interested in their level 20 capstone.

Thanks for the guide, it's fantastic!

I tried to email you using the contact address at the end of it, but it bounced. :(

I had written this little addition that's missing, re: Tumor Familiar selection.

Vivisectionist's gain the ability to perform surgery and cast Anthropomoprhic Animal... http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/ultimateMagic/spells/anthropomorphicAnim al.html#_anthropomorphic-animal

Which, for a fee at 9th level, can be made permanent. This in turn opens up worlds of new options for familiars, as you can give hands to just about anything, without burning a feat on Improved Familiar, for example. Not that vivisectionists are generally all that feat starved, BUUUUTTTTT... It doesn't exactly hurt, and besides, having a talking snake familiar with arms is kind of rad, and it does open up a few of the more interesting passive bonuses, like the Save bonuses of a Hedgehog or Snapping Turtle familiar (certainly more useful than the Monkey's bonus to Acrobatics!) You basically trade 8,000 gold for not having to take Improved Familiar in order to have a non-monkey.

Is there any reason this *wouldn't* work/be useful?