Snuf Wheeler's page

PRD wrote:

A spell-like ability has no verbal, somatic, or material component, nor does it require a focus. The user activates it mentally.

Which means a SLA do not require to speak a word or any movement

While we're at it, it also comes to minde that all the spells without verbal and maybe somatic components are usable, so the whole can of Psychic Magic is also open

That is true, in general. But what I am recommending is to keep an eye on the nuance of each ability and its specific wording. consider that many (Sp) assume that you an speak. For instance, here is a hex:

You don't gain the ability to speak if possess object keeps you from speaking or casting spells.

Even some Supernatural abilities will be squashed. Think about Cackle and Chant.

A GM could say (and has said) that if you can't speak, then you can't cackle or chant, because that requires vocal cords. This is why I toss a yellow flag that permissions may vary.

But I can see I'm not being clear on the restrictions of one Mecha-related spell:

Possess Object - This spell functions as magic jar, except you transfer your mind to a single object, animating it as if using animate objects, except your mind controls the object as if it were your own body. You cannot speak or cast spells while possessing the object. Because your original body is effectively dead while under the effect of this spell, this temporarily suspends disease, poisons, and other afflictions affecting you.

My point being, it doesn't matter if it has components, somatic or verbal components; the spell just can't be cast in any way. And that both the not-casting and not-speaking parts combined put a kibosh on a lot of stuff. So, shop carefully.

Spell-like abilities do not have somatic or verbal components so you should be able to use them

A spell-like ability has a casting time of 1 standard action unless noted otherwise in the ability or spell description. In all other ways, a spell-like ability functions just like a spell.

The emphasis is mine. Since GMs in the past have considered speaking or casting to be show-stoppers to using SLAs, I've decided to avoid using them entirely for this build. Also, (while possessing an object) this is especially true when the SLA's description reads "this works just like the spell, ____". I've overlooked some Su-powers too, if their descriptions conflicted with one of these two factors. YMMV.

The question you have to ask is "Will my mech come to a screeching halt because the GM determined I can't use this SLAs while possessing an object?". If your answer is 'meh' and being able to occasionally get that combo off is good enough, then go for it.

Unless my understanding is wrong. Aren't Hex's Supernatural abilities. Perhaps I missed an errata.

Hexes are supernatural (Su) abilities, but that is exactly the point of choosing them or other magic abilities. While possessing an object, one can no longer speak or cast "spells" , which would also affect spell-like abilities (Sp) And yet, (Su)-powers and exceptional (Ex) abilities are not impacted unless they are directly tied to your original form, like the low-light vision inherent in some base-species would be..

I feel like there needs to be some way to make this with a Vigilante, for that full Power Rangers experience.

I feel that way too. I plan to dip avenger for the "Nothing can Stop Me (Ex)" and the "Assault Training (Ex)" talent/abilities and the martial weapon proficiencies. It also, fits the "Tank" feeling I aspire to, along with the "Cut Your Losses" feat which I will take at 17th level. Yep I plan to push this character all the way to 20th level.

"Please, drive on thru."

On other topics, Brigh, Nethys, and Torag each have perks as deities befitting mechs.

And a Battle Host's Panopoloy Bond might also be an approach for somebody. You get a free suit of armor that never breaks and it comes back in mint condition if you resurrect. Implements like this one don't start out as magical. I don't see why you can't bond to a suit of armor meant for somebody larger than you to wear. It too can benefit from Enhance armaments.

@Thisledown, I like the mock armor, the monster dummy and the sentry mannequin. All can be protected with the Fortifying stones and allow for more creative application of the construction points than my creation.

Another approach somebody could try is to delegate the "main gun's" responsibility to two small PC/NPCs in an Artillery Team riding in or on the mech.

A mobile gunner's platform? Go Team Mecha!

Everything I listed is legal. Aside from the Slivers it's all mundane equipment. Piller is Melee Tactics Toolbox. Mock Armor and Sentry Mannequin are ultimate equipment. Monster Dummy and Taxidermy tools are Monster Hunter's Handbook. Legal wagons are in Ultimate Combat.

The Slivers are Inner Sea Gods. And yeah, you can't purchase a large firearm. Doesn't mean you can't have one, simply not available in stores.

Thanks for checking into the other stuff. Note that being mundane isn't what restricts an item; It's only whether the item is banned or not. For instance, a 'double hackbut' is a mundane firearm, but its banned. I didn't expect your pretty cool list of suggestions to be banned, but I've been wrong about other things before.

On another topic, I'm not sure I follow you on the 'large or larger firearms' work-around. Aside from finding it on a chronicle sheet, which I have yet to see, If you can't buy them and crafting is banned in PFS, then how does one get a large musket in Society Play?

And is there also a legal source on how you can buy a huge copper statue or a huge musket (in PFSociety play), too?

Very neat...is it PFS legal?

I've kept my build as such.

But that means that there are additional loopholes one must jump through:

• The large non-humanoid armor wes well below the 100-pound max weight restriction of the fortifying stones for them to still function (made even lighter by including armor vents). Later I will add armor spikes to the armor. Some GMs might argue that the spikes are part of the armor for weight restrictions. Doesn't matter; the total weight will still be in compliance.

• Even though Snuf could possess something of huge size, there is a PFS restriction that you can't buy weapons/armor larger than Large (unless it shows up on a chronicle sheet). There might be other items that I have yet to come across, that could be purchased and possessed.

• The shaman's possession ability (by way of the spells it is based on) doesn't allow for the possession of something that is already magically enhanced.) Thankfully, the armor's consecrated and special materials don't count as such so pick your favorite metal as well.

• Playing up to 10th level before being able to possess something means that there is an awfully-long time where you are exclusively a supporting character. Then again, you can always take Ionnia's GM-blob approach.

Gencon?

Possibly. I live near Sacramento.

Ohhh! Beautiful! We should swap some stories at some point. I've only got to level 7 myself with Karai. I'll have to take some time to look over your recommendations. As I'm not 100% familiar with some of them.

Also I would LOVE to add it to the guide. So thank you! I'm going to have to find the perfect place to slap this picture in. Ha ha ha! Hell, can I get a quote from Snuff to plaster in?

Edit: ((for now I'm placing it on the Useful Equipment section. I think it makes sense with what you've tossed at me)) I'm also going to come back to your extensive list as I'm out of time. GOD after reading over your list I wish our toons could be in a game at the same time ha ha ha. It'd be HILARIOUS.

Here's your quote:

"See! I told you, One day I'd possess a roller-bladey tanky." - Snuf Wheeler, armored courier for the Exchange

Maybe one day, Karai, we'll ally at a Con together.

Oh. I thought the idea was to be inside the armor when you possessed it. Was that not the idea? Why come up with a different place for your body?

The pilot's corpse goes in the "trunk" (which is also inside of the armor). The reason I included it in my purchases was that I wanted something to represent a cockpit/stasis chamber, which the Chest of Keeping does surprisingly well.

Side note: Here's a picture of the minis I built. Its of Ms. Wheeler allowing a fellow patherfinder to climb into the upper torso of theProject.

@Karai Snillore, feel free to use it in your Guide.

Snuf is an animist shaman that's now 11th level. I didn't do the UMD build, but went the slow route to 10th level to get access to the possession ability. And my build was more for damage absorption than for damage production. Even still, here's some of the tricks I've used, some of them could be beneficial to your builds, too:

TheProject stands again and then hurries the three people out of Righty's store room and closes the door slightly.

A pause of silence ensues again, then the door is opened by the nose of a white horse who then runs out of the front entrance.

I will need to take a personal intermission, too. I'm going to the desert and may not have internet reception until my return on Monday.

The construct does not detect as evil.

Back in the store room:

The visor of theProject once again raises.

The monstrosity walked (rolled) delicately so as to not scratch the marble. It also then times its actions with Stuf's speaking so that when he says the words "little girl", it makes the hand gesture that represents quote marks.

If ever in history an amorphous asp and a fire-forged facade ever shared the same expression, it was now. Both the monstrosity's helmet head and the talking snakes raised their upper lips to reveal the tops of their upper teeth. Then the monstrosity, followed by the snake replaced those expressions with polite smiles.

The monstrosity then extended its arm towards the male volunteer followed by...

The monstrosity scratches the top of his helmet, a gesture possibly more symbolic than functional, then turns to face Righty.

The monstrosity, returns the deep bow, uprights itself. It then subtly presents and then re-stows a wayfinder.
It then works its way to the next room. All the while...

Pressing its knuckles against the floorboards, the monstrosity bows. At the same time the chubby face lifts up like one would expect from a great helm's visor, the image of this is a bit unsettling since the monstrosity's smiling face shouldn't accompany what is akin to a slow-motion partial-decapitation.

Only slightly visible inside of the armor's neck hole is a Jug wrapped in a blanket.

In response, the Metal giant waves his hands in a jazzy fashion as if to mime "ta-dah".

It then begins to unfurl the clenched parchment and turns it to Righty so that he may see it. On the scroll are the pictures of three individuals, one of which is the spitting image of Righty.

Also on the scroll is a list that reads as follows:
.

__Inventory sheet__

The fire-forge facade greens with something akin to corgeality. The construct bows followed by an armor vent opening on at the "hip" allowing its gauntlet to delicately reach in and pluck out a piece of rolled parchment. All the while...

The metal giant fans its mouth as if it had just bitten down on a Chelaxian pepper.

The metal monstrosity focuses its attention above and beyond Marlowe...

An entity approaching eight feet in height, stoops to inspect the clearance at the front door of the establishment, then like a maiden attempting to don a corseted gown, pulls the remainder of its armor-plated frame across the snug threshold. The monstrosity looks like a collage constructed from several unrelated anatomy books. Its upper torso resembles a giant wearing a great steel helm complete with the face-plated likeness of a chubby-faced boy. Its lower torso is long like a horse's, but with the saddle placed ahead of the upper torso. And instead of horses legs, six armored appendages project out of the sides of the lower half, each leg perched on a metal, one yard in diameter, toothed wheel.

It scans the room with empty glowing magenta eye sockets and turns its focus on the person standing closest to the door. The monstrosity's faceplate-mouth opens and...