Yanick's page

Hi all, I have had a look at the rules for using a spell like ability and concentration checks. What I have found would suggest that they do require concentration checks in the same way that spell casting would, but I can't find anything concrete regarding it. Could someone clarify please with a book ref for the rule?

Many thanks.
E.

Hi all, looking for advice relating to character advancement. Here is some background firstly.

Relatively new game - couple of months only. 1 reasonably experienced player and 3 new players with the pathfinder system. Many years of other RPG systems though. Basic core rule book only. Stats rolled. Currently level 4. Very low magic setting currently - a wand of CLW, wand of MM, Grease and FF scrolls and a potion of bulls strength. Just got our first magic weapon - a minor axe.

Party comprises a barbarian who got really lucky with stat rolls and is a pretty solid though basic THF. A cleric of Shelyn and myself. No archetypes, no traits, no splat books.

Character background - daughter of a female Varisian pickpocket and an Elven travelling minstrel. Father did a runner after finding out about the pregnancy, mother died in childbirth. She was dumped in a basket on the doorstep of the nearest temple immediately following her birth. Turned out to be a temple of Calistria. With her good looks she was initially trained to be a courtesan, but as she grew older her genetics came to the fore and she became a very charismatic and agile young girl. Her training changed and she was groomed to be a spy / agent of vengeance.

Race: Half Elf.
Level: 4.
Class: Rogue 2 / Bard 2 (both favoured)
Party role: dungeon scout (barbarian covers wilderness survival), trap springer, arcane caster, face, 2nd melee, 2nd healer, knowledge gal.

Str: 12, Dex: 17, Con: 14, Int: 14, Wis: 10, Chr 15.

Skills: DD / Per / Stealth / Acro and UMD maxed, multiple ranks in knowledges, performance, spellcraft etc.

Feats / Talents: Weapon finesse, TWF, Dodge.

Now then here are the questions.

I was aiming for taking rogue 4/ bard 4 to get AT, then after maxing AT taking the last 2 levels as rogue. This gives me fairly decent spell casting - as the only arcane caster in the party, but it seems lame as the second melee, as I will be too squishy..

Shadow Dancer fits the initial theme of the toon, and comes with some very nice abilities but will leave minimal arcane caster support with only level 1 bard spells. Though thematically this is my favourite choice.

Dragon Disciple is rocking the hit points and with the stat bonus, armour bonus, and bloodline powers, plus the increased caster levels to help cover a lot of buffs with 3rd level spells like haste / rage etc melee and arcane caster role is covered. But, thematically it doesn't seem to fit right, plus with only 4 skill ranks per level, my ability to function as trapper / scout / knowledges will be massively hindered.

So Should I take either? My other plan was take 12 bard levels for level 4 spells and soothing performance, 4 rogue levels and possibly 4 fighter levels. The fighter levels will get me 3 extra feats, some extra hit points, weapon and armour prof, and importantly armour training - the reduction in armour penalty meaning I can wear a masterwork chain shirt with no armour penalty.

So what say you all? What path is better given the huge variety of roles my poor half elf is covering?