TorresGlitch's page

You mentioned there was no way for the players to obtain the items they need til later, so a contracted Merchant (who is their boss/character with own agenda, /directing the PCs) may not be available?

Here's what I'm thinking: Using an Item Creation Feat to create a Magic Item is 10% less than the full cost of the Magic Item rather than a 50% discount. Now the PCs can get their gear at 90% of cost which is not that terrible, I think.

Additionally, creation time will require only half the time dictated to by RAW.

On item creation costs, I'd recommend changing it to somewhere between 10%-25% discount, like you're thinking. However, the creation speed is already quick for Magic creation, and you can already cut it in half at a +5 DC, so stick with the norm.

Additionally..
They could need custom material for custom gear, collected from specific monstertusks, hides, flora etc, they'll need to search, disect and collect these.
The crafting check could be at higher difficulty without proper blueprint (+5 to +10).
All custom items could have higher DC (+5 to +10) to represent the difficulty of innovation.
You could add the need for a series of additional simple checks such as knowledge Arcana/Religion, Sleight of hand, Strength Check, making the creation a team effort.

Make available potions of Crafters Fortune for a +5 luck bonus on a crafting check.
They'll treasure these.

Altering "to hit" and damage in one feat can be tricky. See Weapon Focus, Greater Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization, Greater Weapon Specialization, and Power Attack.

...and Point-blank shot.

TorresGlitch wrote:

Regarding Humans, its an investment they do with their standard and bonus feat into TWF, so some value ought to come of it.

It's not a question of whether they should get something out of your feat. The issue is that your feat, even when amended, is basically Weapon Focus and Double Slice rolled into one.

My initial intent was to make the subpar feat Double Slice more valuable, adding thematic value combined with TWF.

You make a point that Ambidextrous could be picked at lvl 1, however, just like Monks' Flurrying is a lvl1 ability and so is a Magus' Spellcombat.

Well, yes, but those are class features, not feats.

Fair point, though I dont see Ambidextrous exclusively being tied to an archetype, its acquisition difficulty could be raised, to +4 or +6 BAB, in addition to Dex 15 & TWF prerequisites.

Quote:

Being Ambidextrous doesnt come with TWF, as if it had, the off-hand would have had some bonus.

Ambidexterity is the ability to use both of one's hands equally well, not the ability to use one's normally non-dominant hand better than their normally dominant one.

'Bonus' wasnt the right word to use.

Ambidextrous v2

You are able to use your hands equally well.

Prerequisite: Dex≥13

Benefit:
choose one effect which applies until the start of your next round;
 1) Your two-weapon fighting attack penalties are reduced by 1 to 0 at most.
 2) When making multiple attacks using natural weapons (including Multiattack feat) the secondary attack penalties are reduced by 1 to 0 at most.
 3) When using Improved Unarmed Strike attack penalties(if any) from flurry are reduced by 1 to 0 at most.

When using a DEX based skill that takes longer than a standard action to complete or Sleight of Hand you gain a +1 competency bonus to your check. When using a Craft skill gain a +2 competency bonus when calculating your daily or weekly progress. If you have 10 or more ranks in a skill, the competency bonus from Ambidextrous doubles for that skill.

At first, I made the Ambidextrous feat with the idea of replacing the discardable feat 'Double Slice' whilst climbing on the TWF feat tree.

I can see how tempting it is to have the feat add to secondary attacks for a Druid or alike who uses Multiattack.
However, I dont see the feat being applicable to secondary natural attacks, as Multiattack isnt using off-hands attack, but rather extra limbs.
On a game-balance level, pouncers would become further deadly which isnt needed.
However, if really interested in applying it to Multiattack, add it as a potential prerequite, alternate to TWF and add a 15 Dex prerequisite, as in par with TWF's Prerequisites.

Using Ambidextrous to apply a reduced attack penalty to the old Monk's Flurry of Blows seems thematic and in line of how TWF works, I approve.

Although Ambidextrous reduces Attack penalties by 1, it isnt as universally applicable as Weapon focus which raises attack by +1, which applies when Full-round-attack attacking, charging, on a standard action and on AoOs.
So I wouldnt say it combines two feats, it improves 1 feat and sticks with the TWF pattern of reducing attack penalties for Two-weapon-Fighting.
Getting into Full-round-attack range isnt always easy, there are Skirmishers, difficult terrain and obstacles which can delay the rounds until a TWF finally gets into range to attack.

Maybe increasing Ambidextrous BAB prerequisite to +4 would prevent early game exploitment, in addition to its Dex15 & TWF prerequisites.

TorresGlitch wrote:

Hearing you out I think I'll make the Feat a little stronger, depending on the GM they could pick between my first posting of Ambidextrous or this one, v2.0

New Feat:
Ambidextrous 1.1

You are able to use the right and left hands equally well. Your ability to Dual wield weapons is improved.

Prerequisite: BAB+1, Two-Weapon Fighting & Dex15

Benefit:
Your off hand attacks deal damage using your full Strength Bonus.
Furthermore, reduces Attack penalties when Two-Weapon Fighting by 1....

Something to consider here is that you've combined an archetype's 11th level and 15th level class features and the Double Slice feat into a single feat that a human can get at 1st level.

I agree, the Ambidextrous 1.1 took away all the penalties regarding light weapon off-hand TWF, which was too much, and the two 1-handed options had their penalties lowered too far.

The Archetype you mentioned allows one to treat a 1-handed weapon in the off-hand as if it was a light weapon
(Attacks at: -2 & -2) & otherwise lowers the penalties once each to (to -0 & -0) for a Real light off-hand, whilst Ambidextrous doesnt change the weapon-type and lowers it once
(-3 & -3), and for light off-hand (-1 & -1).
- Ive found that when one changes what something counts as (1-handed counts as light) -you need an archetype to specify it, Ambidextrous adds to rather than changing the off-hand weapon.

Regarding Humans, its an investment they do with their standard and bonus feat into TWF, so some value ought to come of it.
You make a point that Ambidextrous could be picked at lvl 1, however, just like Monks' Flurrying is a lvl1 ability and so is a Magus' Spellcombat.
Furthermore, the +1BAB requirement, denies Rogues the quick access to Ambidextrous.

Another thing to consider is that the Two-Weapon Fighting and Double Slice feats imply a significant degree of ambidexterity to begin with: they quite literally make it as easy to attack and damage with your off-hand as you would with your main hand. They remove the balance between your two hands only when the off-hand has a negligible weight. Where that point is concerned, the fact that you can switch primary and secondary hands at will indicates that "off-hand" isn't simply about being dominant with one hand; just that it's easier to fight with one weapons being significantly lighter than the other (or when both are significantly light).

An alternative might be to take a page out of the "Princess Bride" duel between Inigo Montoya and Wesley, and have ambidexterity manifest as a bonus you get by switching hands when fighting one-handed against another one-handed opponent ("I'm really not left-handed!") or by switching your primary and secondary weapons (perhaps as part of a successful Bluff check). In either case, it would be about throwing your opponent off-balance rather than adding to the ambidexterity your character already demonstrates.

You added some fun plays there.

The way I view TWF is an adeptness to using weapons together through skill/mastery, whilst Ambidextrous adds to your natural use of your body's ability to wield weapons in your off-hand specifically.
Being Ambidextrous doesnt come with TWF, as if it had, the off-hand would have had some bonus.

Im a little confused what each row is meant to discern but I think you mean each full-round-attack option.
In 03, you're using the old Monk inplace of the fixed Unchained Monk.
From T1) TWF & 15Dex; you've included Double Slice (full Str to off-hand)
A1 til A4 explains my two versions with Ambidextrous /1.1
I guess X2 & Z2 is with multiarmed races.

Im a little worried how Multi attack would interact with Ambidextrous, so I'd say;
Ambidextrous only applies to weapons, not natural weapons.

I believe Rogues can be rather unpredictable, sometimes they excell, with the aid of the party, and other times she deals little damage.

Your commitment made me interested in taking a second look at Ambidextrous.
I like how the Strength stat requirement nerfs 1-handed builds, but I believe my first version of Ambidextrous is enough change to prevent OP builds whilst also becoming a non-ignored-feat, in other words, dont use Ambidextrous 1.1.

Furthermore, I'd change the wording to enable full Dex to Damage with off-hand attacks;
Your off hand attacks deal damage using your full Strength/Ability Bonus to Damage with, instead of half.

For a Rogue, picking this feat, would grant a little bit of off-hand fixed extra damage to depend on whether or not Sneak attack works, and gains 1 penalty less on full-round-attacks, as opposed to weapon focus which grants +1 to all attacks with a weapon, standard, Charge etc.

Have you looked at a multiclassed scaled fist monk/ swashbuckler?

I have now, the swashbuckler is as always cool, though the scaled fist Monk isnt very appealing except for Draconic Fury.

I really like the idea of any Merchant worth their salt could be a Monk, Armor & weapon less, yet fully ready.
Also, Monks forming lines of lawful defenses using multiple allies, all equipped with Bodyguard is appealing to me. It would make the Rogues and thieves think twice before rushing headlong into the midst.

This character will also fear archers.

Good point !

Edit: Actually...
Ranged attacks can be evaded using Bodyguard as its intent.

This is the Feat's Author and his intent on how the feat is supposed to work, as well as the view of what PFS or RAW games would take into account.

Edit 2.
But apparently not per RAW, so...

Own's Bodyguard 1.1;
Grants the Bodyguard feat & whilst unencumbered, unarmored & not wearing a shield, may aid herself (and allies) evade attacks using Bodyguard, even versus attackers she doesnt threaten.
She retains the Monks' AC, CMD & Touch AC bonuses granted as she gains levels.

So in the end, as I stubbornly want to use Bodyguard...
I ended up sacrificing/replacing Monks' first Bonus feat & the Monk class feature Wisdom Bonus to AC and gained
Own's Bodyguard;
Grants the Bodyguard feat & whilst unencumbered, unarmored & not wearing a shield, may aid herself evade attacks using Bodyguard.
She retains the Monks' AC, CMD & Touch AC bonuses granted as she gains levels.

Bonuses:
Halflings Racial Trait: Helpful
Item: Bracers of Armor: Benevolent

Ideal:
Good in low level to mid level games and when facing few foes.
Horror:
Facing multiple low-tier opponents at once.

I wish this would become official =D
Thanks for all your input

DungeonmasterCal wrote:

I just went back and dug out my 3e Player's Handbook and used the Ambidexterity feat there.

Ambidexterity [General]
Prerequisite: Dex 15+.
Benefit: The character ignores all penalties for using an off hand. The character is neither left-handed nor right-handed.
Normal: Without this feat, a character who uses his or her off hand suffers a -4 penalty to attack rolls, ability checks, and skill checks. For example, a right-handed character wielding a weapon with her left hand suffers a -4 penalty to attack rolls with that weapon.
Special: This feat helps offset the penalty for fighting with two weapons."

It's not a perfect fit, but my GM said he was fine with it.

I probably shouldnt be surprised to discover this old feat being so similar to what I crafted, its definitely stronger, though doesnt consider the difference between light & 1-handed weapon in the off-hand.

There are a couple of classes that really benefit from Dual Wielding, such as
Rogues (Sneak attack)
Rangers (Fav Enemy)
Fighters (Weapon Spec & Crit Feats)
Paladins (Smite Evil)

I read you've reduced the Attack penalties and attack options significantly!
Though I believe having some penalty to Attack roll is the path to take when Two-Weapon Fighting with 1-handed weapons.
I can see the value in being able to TWF on standard actions and on AoOs, but I think it would be too strong without one or two BAB+6 Feats, eitherway consuming an additional AoO.

Hearing you out I think I'll make the Feat a little stronger, depending on the GM they could pick between my first posting of Ambidextrous or this one, v2.0

New Feat:
Ambidextrous 1.1

You are able to use the right and left hands equally well. Your ability to Dual wield weapons is improved.

Prerequisite: BAB+1, Two-Weapon Fighting & Dex15

Benefit:
Your off hand attacks deal damage using your full Strength Bonus.
Furthermore, reduces Attack penalties when Two-Weapon Fighting by 1.
In addition, when two-weapon fighting using two light/finesse weapons reduces the attack penalties by 1.
Finally, if the character has 15+ Str and is using a 1-hand weapon in her off-hand, the penalties are reduced 1 each.

Resulting...
-0 Attack Penalty with Light/finesse weapons
-1 Attack Penalty with two finesse 1-handed weapons (Req Str15)
-2 Attack Penalty with two 1-handed weapons (Req Str15)
_______

Potential Class update:
The Feat Ambidextrous is added to the Rangers Combat Style 'Two-Weapon Combat' Feat list, replacing Double Slice.

Ive wanted to see Two-Weapon Fighting be more viable, not only less feat-tax-heavy but also more appealing.
With the numerous feat tax on Two-weapon-fighting I went on to replace the weakest feat in the chain with a quality feat which would stabilize the penalties on attack rolls whilst also opening up the path to the appealing Double 1-handed wielding option found in various Anime.
What do you think about this?

I replaced this feat

Double Slice (Combat)
Your off-hand weapon while dual-wielding strikes with greater power.

Prerequisite: Dex 15, Two-Weapon Fighting.

Benefit: Add your Strength bonus to damage rolls made with your off-hand weapon.

Normal: You normally add only half of your Strength modifier to damage rolls made with a weapon wielded in your off-hand.
________
Remains
Two-Weapon Fighting
Prerequisite: Dex 15.

Benefit: Your penalties on attack rolls for fighting with two weapons are reduced. The penalty for your primary hand lessens by 2 and the one for your off hand lessens by 6

Normal: If you wield a second weapon in your off hand, you can get one extra attack per round with that weapon. When fighting in this way you suffer a –6 penalty with your regular attack or attacks with your primary hand and a –10 penalty to the attack with your off hand. If your off-hand weapon is light, the penalties are reduced by 2 each. An unarmed strike is always considered light.
TWF

New Feat:
Ambidextrous

You are able to use the right and left hands equally well. Your ability to Dual wield weapons is improved.

Prerequisite: BAB+1, Two-Weapon Fighting & Dex15

Benefit:
Your off hand attacks deal damage using your full Strength Bonus.
In addition, when two-weapon fighting using two light/finesse weapons reduces the attack penalties by 1.
Finally, if the character has 15+ Str and is using a 1-hand weapon in her off-hand, the penalties are reduced 1 each.

Resulting Attack penalties: TWF+Ambidextrous =
-1 Attack penalty with dual light/finesse weapons,
-2 Attack penalty with two 1-handed finesse weapons (Req Str15) &
-3 Attack penalty with two 1-handed weapons (Req Str15).
_________

Any input on this, is it too strong or does it make TWF more viable?
Thanks for your input

Thanks both for your shared input,
When I Craft an idea I leave my wits aside at first.
I can see now how going full Dexterity-build is not supposed to be as simple/cheap as I first figured, in full right, as it saves stat points, adds to Ref Saves & AC.

I figured if any class should have 'Own's Bodyguard' it would be the Monk because of the whole 'mind over body' approach and learned Improved Unarmed Strikes with full body options.
Also, adding some AC to the unarmored early on inplace of Armor still makes me think its a rather balanced concept.
In exchange of Stunning Fist, a bonus feat, a trait and your first feat into Combat Reflexes, +4 to AC trice per round doesnt sound so cheap, as an early Strength-Monk only has about 13 to 14 AC, it doesnt seem gamebreaking, especially when one considers options like crane wing.

Im completely convinced to put aside the Elven Braced Monk idea for lower levels.

It can still work but it would need the Agile Weapon enhancement applied on both Improved Unarmed Strikes & the Elven Branched spear, and with this set of 'weapons' which is 3x the cost in total compared to a solo weapon Wielder, it can get a bit pricy.

I forgot to mention..

In addition, I'll use a homebrew Racial Archetype 'Braced Elven Monks' (Elven), prerequisite Proficiency with Branched Elven Spear.
This archetype exchanges all 'Monk' weapon Proficiencies with Weapon Finesse & may add your Dexterity Bonus to Damage rolls with Improved Unarmed Strikes inplace of Strength.
Furthermore, exchanges Monks' second Bonus Feat with the feat: Agile Weapon Wielder (adds Dexterity to damage inplace of Strength to a single Finesse or light weapon, you are proficient with, whilst wielded by a non-encumbered & non-armored user).

Im thinking of having a PC running with this, but also have an encounter where some Orcs face 3 Braced Monks holding a steady line, tripping incoming Orcs, by using the Braced Monks superior reach and then bodyguarding eachother whilst flurrying.

Is this balanced?
Appealing?

//
Benevolent looks good, thanks

I would like to hear some input on a Monk archetype Im considering making in a homegame.

Short and easy, this archetype would replace the first level 'bonus feat' and the 'Stunning Fist' .
Instead gaining the 'Body Guard' Feat & 'Inner Guard' (allows an unencumbered, non Armored creature with the 'Body Guard' Feat to protect herself, counting her as her own ally).

As first level feat, she'd pick Combat Reflexes.
And with the Adopted Halflings Trait 'Helpful' this Monk would be quite the bodyguard.

AC 10+ Dex mod + Wis mod +2+2 =~20 lvl 1, with the means to bodyguard allies +4 to AC.

Im lacking a good name for the Archetype.

Thx in advance

The easiest way to roll dice for identical checks multiple times would be to know 2 things;
Their chance of success on 1 check and how many checks they need.

Fails on a 1, =95% successrate
20checks
0,95^20=35,84% chance to manage.
Now roll one d100, if 36 or lower they manage.

If they fail, roll a die equal to number of checks. (in this case 20checks=d20).
d20=x. Where x = if it was, first, second... or twentieth attempt that failed.

It's a general system, so it has it's flauses but narrowing down 20d20s to a d100 and a d20 saves time.

The 'Non-FAQ' guidance changes and clarifies a few things.
To me, it sounds like the characters turns more human by not automatically staying calm and collected at all times. Like when they climb a 300ft cliff.
Though I would encourage take10 until there is a trigger for drama/trauma.

The ruling also seem to weaken powergamers who could breeze through challenges by always 'taking10'.
All this seems to imply the debs want to see characters with more focus on their skills.

TorresGlitch wrote:

I can't believe they ruled it that way. It makes no sense whatsoever that it gets easier to strike with a weapon because it now has some electricity as a rider effect.

Because they aren't treating it as an 'electricity' rider effect. Rather just the effect of the spell. No other spell with the electricity descriptor has this built in +3 to hit. Monsters that deal electric damage with each attack don't get this +3 to hit metal. Its not something generally associated with the 'electric' descriptor. Rather this singular spell grants a bonus if attacking a certain type of type of opponent and the effect is independent of its descriptor.

Yes I am aware of it being a non-riding spell effect with their ruling which goes completely against the RAI that the touch spells with spellstrike are considered rider effects.

Would this mean they consider the spells imbued with the weapon?

I agree, let's FAQ it!
The archetype already loses out on the first hex and the familiar. (The fixed hex' scarred skin' is nothing compared to Slumber!)

Concealment of the target negates sneak attacks (total concealment for unchained rogue). So that's no to smoke, mist, and fog.

not what we are debating about. There are several ways of getting around that like Oracles' revelations.

And you have not shown that stealth makes you visually undetectable which is a requirement for invisibility.

I have never claimed so, you've misunderstood and you are wrong.

Ex. Assume a mist spell where the enemy saw you cast it.
He knows you were standing there and can with hearing and sense of smell etc locate your exact location (pinpoint your location) but if he doesn't have these tools or something disrupts them, then you can move about without them understanding where you move. (which may allow you to completely dodge arrows and badly placed AoE spells.)

For the record, I absolutely agree that attacking from stealth denies Dex, but I don't pretend it's RAW.

I don't think it's RAW that stealth grants it but the circumstances around stealth will grant it. And it will grant it 100% of the time since the circumstances (smoke, invisibility etc) always go hand in hand with stealth.

There is 1 way of staying 'not visible' with the stealth skill even without concealment, cover or the like (but for a short period of time);
Stealth Skill
"Breaking Stealth: When you start your turn using Stealth, you can leave cover or concealment and remain unobserved as long as you succeed at a Stealth check and end your turn in cover or concealment. Your Stealth immediately ends after you make an attack roll, whether or not the attack is successful (except when sniping as noted below).

Sniping: If you've already successfully used Stealth at least 10 feet from your target, you can make one ranged attack and then immediately use Stealth again. You take a –20 penalty on your Stealth check to maintain your obscured location."
Source: Stealth Skill

I consider these words to be synonymous 'unobserved', 'not detected', 'hidden', 'unnoticed' and 'invisible'. They are alike but on a case by case basis different. But for the stealth skill's purposes I consider them alike as some people in the know-how expressed considering similarities between a few of the game-terms concerning stealth, 'hidden' and 'unaware'.

Sorry about coming off as pompous :)

I can't believe they ruled it that way. It makes no sense whatsoever that it gets easier to strike with a weapon because it now has some electricity as a rider effect.
Well that's what I thought until I considered it working like a magnetic effect. The electricity will guide the attack towards the metal...
Hm... Still shouldn't work as the weapon attack would hit the targets armor and be brushed off...

Not sure why we're now getting a treatise on invisibility, but...

Powder (1cp 1/2 lb): Powdered chalk, flour, and similar materials are popular with adventurers for their utility in pinpointing invisible creatures. Throwing a bag of powder into a square is an attack against AC 5, and momentarily reveals if there is an invisible creature there. A much more effective method is to spread powder on a surface (which takes 1 full round) and look for footprints.

Because parts of the rules concerning invisibility generally applies to anything being invisible.

And everything (90%) of what you need to know about Invisibility;

"Invisibility
The ability to move about unseen is not foolproof. While they can't be seen, invisible creatures can be heard, smelled, or felt.

Since some creatures can detect or even see invisible creatures, it is helpful to be able to hide even when invisible."
Source:
Invisibility and mods

Three rules all seemed to forget, that explains it all.

Stealth Skill
"Check: Your Stealth check is opposed by the Perception check of anyone who might notice you. Creatures that fail to beat your Stealth check are not aware of you and treat you as if you had total concealment.
...
If people are observing you using any of their senses (but typically sight), you can't use Stealth. Against most creatures, finding cover or concealment allows you to use Stealth."
Source:
Stealth Skill

Total Concealment
"Total Concealment: If you have line of effect to a target but not line of sight, he is considered to have total concealment from you. You can't attack an opponent that has total concealment, though you can attack into a square that you think he occupies. A successful attack into a square occupied by an enemy with total concealment has a 50% miss chance (instead of the normal 20% miss chance for an opponent with concealment)."
Source:
Total Concealment

Invisible
"Invisible: Invisible creatures are visually undetectable. An invisible creature gains a +2 bonus on attack rolls against sighted opponents, and ignores its opponents' Dexterity bonuses to AC (if any). See Invisibility, under Special Abilities."
Source:
Invisible

To summarize, in general, with a successful stealth attempt, the target/targets will be unaware of Mr. Hero so the target lose his Dex-bonus vs Mr. Hero's attack.

Just found a hilarious build which might trigger some creativity.

Race: Half-Orc
Scarred Witch Doc lvl5
Feats:
Improved Unarmed Strike (1)
Healing Hex (2)
Hex Strike (3)
Slumber Hex (or whatever) (4)
(Whatever feat) (5)

Weapon enhancement (conductive) for unarmed strikes (costs total 6000gp)

First, cast the 1st level spell 'hex vulnerability' on yourself.
Then hit yourself every round with a nonlethal punch!

The punch triggers conductive and hex strike, healing: (2d8+5)x2=28hp heal.
Now enjoy the autohealed Nonlethal damage and 28hp heals.
It is a great tactic if you want to stall, with no wish of attacking :p

- Strength Stance. (Big CMB and HUGE Strength check bonus.)
- Knockback. (Puny humans. Becomes really good when you can discard your worst attack for a full CMB + Strength Stance bull rush.)

Strength stance? You mean Strength surge?

Btw When you replace an iterative attack with a Combat maneuver, it takes all relevant penalties and uses the mods and such for the attack it substitutes.
A +6/+1 BAB character's second swing (+1BAB) uses +1 BAB for it's melee attack so if you replace it with a combat maneuver, the maneuver hits with +1 BAB.

I sure hopes the 10ft jump for 10DC gets more votes :p

isn't the term hustle?

I agree. The penalty for a hustle is -10 (according to the only applicable stealthing rules found under 'invisibility').

I believe 'full speed' equals your 'base speed' and by spending two move-actions moving allows one to surpass the typical 30ft by moving faster.
So the feat wouldn't aid you when moving beyond your base speed (hustling, running, charging etc).

If you want a quality answer, never ask the masses, read a book or ask someone who actually can provide a valid source to support their claims.

I think I did a pretty good job of providing support for my claim that the feat 'fast healer' does apply to 'fast healing'.

The argument I made in the earlier post implied that "Fast Healer" req resting, resting is 'natural healing' and 'fast healing' works like natural healing.

Fast healing (=natural healing) ->
Fast healer (req resting (=natural healing (=fast healing)))
In math, algebra uses the same method to substitute the same 'values' with different 'names'.
c=3
a=c
b=c

1.) So what is 2 • b ?
2.) And is a = b ?

To make this clearer, The only subcategory under 'natural healing' is resting (by all knowledge I've found and I'm thorough), so saying natural healing mustn't mean resting would just be a method of closing ones eyes to what is written.

As a result, 'Fast Healer' works with 'Fast healing', which is great out of combat and decent to good during combat.
___
btw. Sorry if my methodology comes off as blunt or hard.

Based of those quotes from SpellCombat, the FAQ and 'natural Spell combat Arcana' it seems obvious that a character with 2 claws and a bite attack can (with SpellCombat do);

A. Claw+Touch attack

B. (with the arcana), Claw+Bite+Touch Attack

(you'll notice that you lose out on a claw attack since you need that free hand to cast the spell.)
_____

Add the spellstrike feature to those options and you'll be able to replace the touch attack with any weapon available to you.

Do you know the archetypes of the Monk, Warpriest and Summoner?
And do you know which 'prefered weapon' each has? All three could be archers for what we know.
An Arcane Spellcaster seems like the safest bet, so as not get conflicted roles.
Witch, Wizard.. The bard could combo amazingly with the summoner (if he may summon).

A.
So the current take on 'Fast Healing' in combination with the feat 'fast healer' is that;
1/round Fast Healing = 1 + 1/2 Con Mod (HP healed in a round)

Another take on it is concerning 'when' the Fast Healing would occur from natural Healing.
8 hours rest = HD hp healed.
(With Fast Healer Feat)
8 hours rest = HD +1/2 Con Mod (/day)

B.
1/round Fast Healing = 14400hp heal / day.
(with Fast Healer Feat)
1/round Fast Healing = 14400 + 1/2 Con Mod (/day)

I looked into this a long time ago and came to the conclusion that fast healing (in general) isn't 'magical healing'. Being granted fast healing as part of magic still doesn't make it 'magic healing'.
However, concerning 'resting' I'm torn between 'Fast Healer' only applying to sleep rest healing or any healing that comes from resting (which fast healing apparently is).

"Fast Healer
You benefit greatly from your healing, be it from spells or natural healing.
Prerequisites: Con 13, Diehard, Endurance.
Benefit: When you regain hit points by resting or through magical healing, you recover additional hit points equal to half your Constitution modifier (minimum +1)."
"Fast Healer, Feat"

"Fast Healing (Ex) A creature with the fast healing special quality regains hit points at an exceptional rate, usually 1 or more hit points per round, as given in the creature's entry. Except where noted here, fast healing is just like natural healing. Fast healing does not restore hit points lost from starvation, thirst, or suffocation, nor does it allow a creature to regrow lost body parts. Unless otherwise stated, it does not allow lost body parts to be reattached. Fast healing continues to function (even at negative hit points) until a creature dies, at which point the effects of fast healing end immediately."
"Fast Healing, source"

"Healing
After taking damage, you can recover hit points through natural healing or through magical healing. In any case, you can't regain hit points past your full normal hit point total.
Natural Healing: With a full night's rest (8 hours of sleep or more), you recover 1 hit point per character level. Any significant interruption during your rest prevents you from healing that night.

Magical Healing: Various abilities and spells can restore hit points."
"Natural Healing, source"

I looked into this a long time ago and came to the conclusions above that fast healing isn't 'magical healing'. Being granted fast healing as part of magic still doesn't make it 'magic healing'.
However, concerning 'resting' I'm torn between 'Fast Healer' only applying to sleep rest healing or any healing that comes from resting (which fast healing apparently is).

"Fast Healer
You benefit greatly from your healing, be it from spells or natural healing.
Prerequisites: Con 13, Diehard, Endurance.
Benefit: When you regain hit points by resting or through magical healing, you recover additional hit points equal to half your Constitution modifier (minimum +1)."
"Fast Healer, Feat"

"Fast Healing (Ex) A creature with the fast healing special quality regains hit points at an exceptional rate, usually 1 or more hit points per round, as given in the creature's entry. Except where noted here, fast healing is just like natural healing. Fast healing does not restore hit points lost from starvation, thirst, or suffocation, nor does it allow a creature to regrow lost body parts. Unless otherwise stated, it does not allow lost body parts to be reattached. Fast healing continues to function (even at negative hit points) until a creature dies, at which point the effects of fast healing end immediately."
"Fast Healing, source"

"Healing
After taking damage, you can recover hit points through natural healing or through magical healing. In any case, you can't regain hit points past your full normal hit point total.
Natural Healing: With a full night's rest (8 hours of sleep or more), you recover 1 hit point per character level. Any significant interruption during your rest prevents you from healing that night.

Magical Healing: Various abilities and spells can restore hit points."
"Natural Healing, source"

APG Summoner wrote:

If this ability is used again, any existing summon monster immediately ends.

I am sorry if I'm missing something but how can two characters at the same time attack when only one of them can be there?

If you interrupt the first summoned creature before it full-round attacks, then that time is available to the newly summoned creature.
I see it as a 6sec time span. Whatever action the first summoned creatures take becomes removed as options for the newly summoned creatures.

A magus 'should' have higher HP than a wizard, which means the familiar will be sturdier as well.

The familiar Arcana is the best feat in the magus list if you find an appropriate archetype that fits with your character concept.

I recommend a 'Thrush' familiar (they can speak and fly) with the archetype 'Protector' (+2AC to your Magus).
They also make better scouts than rogues.
Put 1 rank in stealth and the Thrush will have:
Stealth: Size+Dex+ranks+Class skill
Stealth: 12+2+1+3= 18 +1d20

This needs to be mentioned; if you want to use 'Metamagic feats' in combination with touch spells while using 'spell combat', then avoid the Cha-Magus, as it casts spontaneously which will increase the casting time unless you pick up a specific feat (but then the character will be feat starved)

I am no GM myself so I wouldn't be able to put a CR rating on the encounter, I try to stay oblivious to those things.

However, I do believe the penalty of (-5) when stealthing might have been too low.
And as stated, the reactive perception check when anything stealth is something that might have been overlooked in the heat of the encounter.
Concerning distance modifiers for Perception vs Stealth, I'd roll stealth for the location where the stealthing character first benefits from concealment/cover, while moving.
Then, I believe there is a -1Perception penalty/10 feet so there is a chance the PCs know the enemy sneaked 10ft into a specific/general direction, but then they couldn't notice/follow/apprehend the targets continued path (though they might guess if they know the layout).
Ex Stealth: 19
Perception 19
Advancing Stealth, 19+1 (per10ft)

Here are a few penalties to consider when stealthing (being invisible or not);
(These should stack/overlap/complement the flawed stealth rules.)

In combat or speaking –20
Moving at half speed –5
Moving at full speed –10
Running or charging –20
Not moving +20
Using Stealth Stealth check +20
Some distance away +1 per 10 feet
Behind an obstacle (door) +5
Behind an obstacle (stone wall) +15

"It's impossible to use Stealth while attacking, running, or charging."

Sources:
http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/skills/stealth.html
http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/glossary.html#invisibility

Btw, being invisible doesn't necessarily mean you have 'invisibility' cast upon yourself, just being non-visible is enough.

These are a few tricks and stuff I picked up as I built my own Magus, hope it can be of use.

As I see it, you'll obviously use Strength when you hit and damage.
For lower levels (1->3) weild a Lucerne Hammer, ready actions towards your enemies, that way you'll gain trice the damage output of a rapier build during the first round of combat as the Lucerne Weapon deals +50% Strength damage, +100% weapon damage and you gain an AoO.
Then grab the rapier as you advance towards the next enemy or keep striking with the hammer.

The Tiefling is among others, a good race.. But the race Aasimar is perhaps even better as there are multiple stat choices (Angelblooded has +2strength & Cha, and it costs no feat-unlike Tieflings). The Cha-bonus works well with the Cha-based Magus Archetype. The racial traits are also epic.. (lesser Age resistance as a spell-like ability will buff your Int to 18.)
And the alternate racial trait 'Scion of Humanity' will make you count as a human race for feats, traits etc.

The hexcrafter archetype is amazing with the 'Flight' hex, allowing you to fly from level 5.
But the archetype loses 'Spell Recall' which could otherwise allow the magus to recast spells he used.

Apparently, not all are aware of it, but there is a weapon material specifically beneficial to a Magus. - The 'Wyroot' material.
It replenishes your 'Arcana Pool' as you crit and/or kill, but it will cost a swift action to make use of it properly. 'Spell recall' also costs a swift action, so the combo requires two rounds to be used.

There are almost too many good spells on the Magus's spell-list. I like Frostbite & Enlarge Person. Others like Shocking Grasp and Shield.
Try selecting one low-level melee touch spell you could use as a signature spell by buffing it up with a bunch of Metamagic feats and level-reducing traits so that the character can use spell recall to perhaps recast the Empowered Shocking Grasp every round!

Blasting Arcane spells in the face of the quick-dying targets tend to work as a great defense, remember...
What is dead, can't hurt you!

Casting Bulls Strength on the servant would be thematic.

1. Just wondering how you solve the "spell-like or supernatural ability that relies on a melee or ranged touch attack to hit its target" inconsistency.

2. Touching someone -an ally- is a different procedure than attacking someone, even if it is a touch attack. You just don't declare I touch attack myself and cast Bear Endurance, or "I touch attack my friend and Haste him.", that simply do not occur.

3. Otherwise, even if we could consider that touching ourselves is an attack, which is not, if it was an auto-hit, then that attack would not relly on a melee or ranged touch attack to hit its target -oneself- because there is not a possibility, it is certainty.

4. The case of Lay on Hands is different for the different uses of Lay on Hands. Do you need a melee attack to hit an undead with Lay on Hands? Yes. Then you can use the conductive ability. Do you need an attack to touch yourself? No. Then you can not use the conductive ability.

1. Are you are referring to the 'conductive' weapon enchantment that requires a melee touch SU ability for melee attacks?

2. I disagree somewhat..
The procedure is not different, rather simpler if the target isnt resisting (hitting an ally doesn't require a roll, hitting an ally who is dominated and resisting requires a roll.
I consider the action cost to be the same (touching still takes the time its supposed to. It is just easier to hit yourself compared to a resisting target.
The action required 'to touch' is identical to the action required to make a normal melee attack (since Touch spells are counted as being weapons), but for some exceptions;
The touch rules state that you can deliver the touch attack as a free action as part of the casting and that you otherwise can 'hold the charge' and deliver it on subsequent rounds as part of an unarmed strike or on it's own.

3. & 4. I disagree, Touching is attacking, so the result changes so that you may use the 'conductive' weapon enchantment.
-----
I believe you've misses one thing, just because you don't need to roll to Touch your ally or yourself (since neither resists) doesn't mean you aren't targeting them with a melee touch attempt/attack.

Rules that may apply;
I believe a witch with 6/1 BAB can self heal herself using her 'Healing hex' if she has the 'conductive' weapon enchantment on her weapon.

The rules below should support the claim, unless I've missed something.
_______________

- "Touch Spells in Combat: Many spells have a range of touch. To use these spells, you cast the spell and then touch the subject. In the same round that you cast the spell, you may also touch (or attempt to touch) as a free action. You may take your move before casting the spell, after touching the target, or between casting the spell and touching the target. You can automatically touch one friend or use the spell on yourself, but to touch an opponent, you must succeed on an attack roll."
http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/combat.html#touch-spells-in-combat

The above rule applies to touch spells and Spell-like abilities which delivers touch attacks.

- "Lay On Hands (Su): Beginning at 2nd level, a paladin can heal wounds (her own or those of others) by touch. Each day she can use this ability a number of times equal to 1/2 her paladin level plus her Charisma modifier. With one use of this ability, a paladin can heal 1d6 hit points of damage for every two paladin levels she possesses. Using this ability is a standard action, unless the paladin targets herself, in which case it is a swift action. Despite the name of this ability, a paladin only needs one free hand to use this ability."
http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/classes/paladin.html#lay-on-hands

The above rule states that a paladin healing someone else with lay on hands requires a standard action (the touching is free, so the casting must take a standard) while the ability to selftouch is quickened (a bonus the classability alone grants as a specific rule).

- "Hex: Witches learn a number of magic tricks, called hexes, that grant them powers or weaken foes. At 1st level, a witch gains one hex of her choice. She gains an additional hex at 2nd level and for every 2 levels attained after 2nd level, as noted on Table 2–10. A witch cannot select an individual hex more than once.

- "Healing (Su): A witch can soothe the wounds of those she touches. This acts as a cure light wounds spell, using the witch's caster level. Once a creature has benefited from the healing hex, it cannot benefit from it again for 24 hours. At 5th level, this hex acts like cure moderate wounds."
http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/advanced/baseClasses/witch.html#healing

The action to cast the healing hex is a standard action, touching whoever is a free action.

- "Healing Nonlethal Damage: You heal nonlethal damage at the rate of 1 hit point per hour per character level. When a spell or ability cures hit point damage, it also removes an equal amount of nonlethal damage."
http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/combat.html#healing
(scroll down to the end of the Nonlethal damage chapter)

- "Conductive: A conductive weapon is able to channel the energy of a spell-like or supernatural ability that relies on a melee or ranged touch attack to hit its target (such as from a cleric's domain granted power, sorcerer's bloodline power, oracle's mystery revelation, or wizard's arcane school power). When the wielder makes a successful attack of the appropriate type, he may choose to expend two uses of his magical ability to channel it through the weapon to the struck opponent, who takes the effects of the weapon attack and the special ability. (If the wielder has unlimited uses of a special ability, he may channel through the weapon every round.) For example, a paladin who strikes an undead opponent with her conductive greatsword can expend two uses of lay on hands ability (a supernatural melee touch attack) to deal greatsword damage and damage from one use of her lay on hands. This weapon property can only be used once per round, and only works with magical abilities of the same type as the weapon (melee or ranged)."
http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/advanced/magicItems/weapons.html#conduct ive

The 'conductive' weapon enchantment works for witch hexes as well as they are Supernatural abilities and they'll never run out, however one can only be applied 1/round!
There is no action cost for adding the Supernatural ability as you strike and hit.

- "Base Attack Bonus (BAB): Each creature has a base attack bonus and it represents its skill in combat. As a character gains levels or Hit Dice, his base attack bonus improves. When a creature's base attack bonus reaches +6, +11, or +16, he receives an additional attack in combat when he takes a full-attack action (which is one type of full-round action—see Combat)."
http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/gettingStarted.html#base-attack-bonus

Combat rules;

- "Attack Roll
An attack roll represents your attempt to strike your opponent on your turn in a round. When you make an attack roll, you roll a d20 and add your attack bonus. (Other modifiers may also apply to this roll.) If your result equals or beats the target's Armor Class, you hit and deal damage."

- "Unarmed Strike Damage: An unarmed strike from a Medium character deals 1d3 points of bludgeoning damage (plus your Strength modifier, as normal). A Small character's unarmed strike deals 1d2 points of bludgeoning damage, while a Large character's unarmed strike deals 1d4 points of bludgeoning damage. All damage from unarmed strikes is nonlethal damage. Unarmed strikes count as light weapons (for purposes of two-weapon attack penalties and so on)."
http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/combat.html
_____________

Based on above, the Witch could make a full-round attack;
Stats: Str12, BAB +6/+1, Weapon +1 & Conductive (unarmed strike), Size M, CL4.

Target: Enemy Gobblin
Aim1: 6+1+1-4+d20=Average 14
Dam1: 1+1+1d3=Average 4 (Nonlethal)

Target: Allied chest (my own)
Aim2: 1+1+1-4+d20=Average 9
Dam2: 1+1+1d3=Average 4 (Nonlethal)
+Conductive; 1d8+4 heal=Average 8,5 (also healing 8,5 Nonlethal as it's magical healing)
------------------
Autohit oneself?
The rules mentioned self-touching as part of casting a spell is a free action and that it autohits. But since we can't trigger the spell-like ability without first triggering the conductive feature, and the conductive feature requires us to hit ourselves, it means we are making an attack roll against ourselves instead of a touch attack.
I havn't looked into rules allowing one to autohit oneself so I went with the attack roll routine.
Does anyone have support from the rules for autohitting oneself?

I believe there have been a discussion and the consensus of it was that you may use hexes while raging (Scarred Witch Doctor + Barbarian Rage) as hex is a SU ability.
Lay on Hands is also a SU ability so it should also works as part of raging.

There are a few more ways to boost the healing of the paladin;
Aside from the Lesser Celestial Rage Totem there is the feat http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/fey-foundling
and Tiefling's Favored class bonus buffs lay on hands by 1/level.

Found this in the Core Rolebook.
http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/combat.html

1.
"No Action:
Delay
5-foot step"

2.
"Not an Action: Some activities are so minor that they are not even considered free actions. They literally don't take any time at all to do and are considered an inherent part of doing something else, such as nocking an arrow as part of an attack with a bow."

3.
"Miscellaneous Actions
The following actions take a variable amount of time to accomplish or otherwise work differently than other actions.

Take 5-Foot Step
You can move 5 feet in any round when you don't perform any other kind of movement. Taking this 5-foot step never provokes an attack of opportunity. You can't take more than one 5-foot step in a round, and you can't take a 5-foot step in the same round that you move any distance.

You can take a 5-foot step before, during, or after your other actions in the round.

You can only take a 5-foot-step if your movement isn't hampered by difficult terrain or darkness. Any creature with a speed of 5 feet or less can't take a 5-foot step, since moving even 5 feet requires a move action for such a slow creature.

You may not take a 5-foot step using a form of movement for which you do not have a listed speed."
------------
From: http://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering/conditions#TOC-Dazed
4.
"Dazed

The creature is unable to act normally. A dazed creature can take no actions, but has no penalty to AC.

A dazed condition typically lasts 1 round."
___________

Based on what I found, the first mention about delay and 5-foot stepping indicate that it is "no action". Which would mean you can use it while dazed.
The second quote might apply and strengthen the ruling about 'No action' being no actions or it refers to a group of actions where 5-foot step isn't included.
The third quote has a new label for 5-foot steps 'Miscellaneous Actions'. Whether that is a subcategory under 'No actions' or a renaming attempt for clarification on what sort of category it is, isn't said.
The fourth quote says that 'a dazed creature can take no actions'.

Are 'Miscellaneous Actions' a subcategory under 'No action'? Is it a headcategory for 'no action' or is it a parallel category?

TorresGlitch wrote:

Seriously, doesn't Jumping make you lose Dex to AC or make you flatfooted?

Climbing without climbing speed, flying without flying capabilities makes you lose Dex to AC, if I recall the rules correctly.
How is jumping not 'flying' through the air? (On the ground, you have something to use as a leverage tool for moving about and dodge, without wings/flight, good luck dodging.)
Eitherway, if hit while jumping, do you give an individual an additional acrobatics check +damage dealt to fulfill the jump or a DC10 fly check? (taking penalties for lacking flight etc, and loosing 10ft of altitude if failed.)

No, it doesn't.

Acrobatics covers three separate actions. The only use of the Acrobatics skill that makes you flat-footed is the first one:
"You can use Acrobatics to move on narrow surfaces and uneven ground without falling. [...] While you are using Acrobatics in this way, you are considered flat-footed and lose your Dexterity bonus to your AC (if any)." (Emphasis mine.)

The other two uses of Acrobatics, which are described after this one, do not have that text and therefore do not have that side effect.

Regarding the other movement you cite as a precedent: It has nothing to do with "how am I moving?" and everything to do with "what does the skill description say?"

Climb specifically says that you are flat-footed when you use the skill, just like the first use of Acrobatics does.

The Fly skill says "You are not considered flat-footed while flying". It doesn't matter whether you consider jumping to be "moving through the air", since you're not flat footed when flying anyway.

Thanks, this cleared things up.

But is there an equivalent rule (to the one below) applying for accrobatics concerning 'being hit in the air/while jumping'?

The Fly skill states:
"Attacked While Flying: You are not considered flat-footed while flying. If you are flying using wings and you take damage while flying, you must make a DC 10 Fly check to avoid losing 10 feet of altitude. This descent does not provoke an attack of opportunity and does not count against a creature's movement."

"Collision While Flying: If you are using wings to fly and you collide with an object equal to your size or larger, you must immediately make a DC 25 Fly check to avoid plummeting to the ground, taking the appropriate falling damage."

Swashbuckler.
Parry & Riposte - dodge attacks and counter them.

Or be an inquisitor who can self-buff as a swift action. With the 'Fate's Favored' trait you'll have +2 aim & damage with all weapons, and it will scale as you level.
Str & Wisdom are main stats and you gain 'Bane', a domain and skills from the class.

Or be a Druid...
Or be a full-Constitution built Scarred Witch Doc with your first level feat being Diehard (since you're a half-Orc)

I don't think it should occur inplace of damage when grappling, it should occur after or when you successfully pin them.
As in the example with the horses pulling the target apart, the target is severly restrained/pinned/helpless.

Since the action requires a series of actions, and since two strong horses were enough to rip a weak humanoid in half, I'd have the difficulty being:
DC (25+Fort Save) or
DC(20+Fort Save)

Doomed Hero wrote:

Here's how I'd figure it:

4 horses can tear a person apart. We'll use them as a baseline.

The shearing strength is based on torque, which is measured in drag force. A horse can Drag 1200 pounds. Four can drag 4800 pounds.

To do that a medium creature would need to have a strength of about 38.

A large creature would need a strength of about 32. it lowers by 4 to 5 per size category.

I'd call it a special kind of Coup de Grace.

Actually, 4 horses pulling away from each other would exert the same force as 2 horses trying to pull a wall (Eg. you could tie the prisoner's legs to a tree and have 2 horses pull it's arms and have the same result).

Thus it would be more like 2400 pounds, so it'd be more like 22 Str.

Of course that's talking about the horse's "Drag or Push" limit, whereas we're talking about one creature doing it, which would probably put it more in line with the "Lift over Head" limit, which probably puts their Str score in the early 30's (so you were pretty much right).

That's a +11 Str modifier, and they'd probably need close to a Nat 20, so you're talking about a DC30 break check (or there abouts).

The way I'd probably do it is make it a DC(25 + victim's Fort Save). So a level 1 wizard with only 6hp is likely going to only have a DC25 to break (fair enough, a light breeze is enough to take out a low level wizard), whereas a level 10 fighter is going to be more like a DC35.

I was also thinking a characters Fortitude should have a say in the matter. I second this formula: DC (25+Fort Save) for medium creatures ripping apart medium humanoids.

Seriously, doesn't Jumping make you lose Dex to AC or make you flatfooted?
Climbing without climbing speed, flying without flying capabilities makes you lose Dex to AC, if I recall the rules correctly.
How is jumping not 'flying' through the air? (On the ground, you have something to use as a leverage tool for moving about and dodge, without wings/flight, good luck dodging.)
Eitherway, if hit while jumping, do you give an individual an additional acrobatics check +damage dealt to fulfill the jump or a DC10 fly check? (taking penalties for lacking flight etc, and loosing 10ft of altitude if failed.)

You are trying to trip them, taking advantage of that large reach? Since an AoO for all would speed things up. (don't forget the +4 (-4) since they're prone.)