Zandar the Magnificent's page

Ok... I couldn't find what I was looking for. I was sure I saw a feat or Magus Arcana that let you use hexes with spellcombat.

It's been a while since I saw it, possibly was from a forum thread discussing the topic, and a home brew was proposed. I found all the d20pfsrd arcana including 3pp stuff, and it's not there, although they only list 2 splat books, I'm sure there are more.

However, based on the Hex Strike feat, and the Hexcrafter Magus Archetype, I'm asking you to consider this as a Magus Arcana.

Combat Hex (Su)

This arcana allows a Hexcrafter magus to choose one Hex that can be used to affect a single target. When using the spellcombat class feature (including taking the -2 to all attacks), instead of casting a spell as part of the full round action, you may deliver the effects of that Hex as a swift action after a successful hit. You must choose spell or hex for the round before making any attack rolls for the round. The target makes a saving throw as normal for the Hex, although a successful critical hit applies a -2 penalty on this saving throw. You must have the Hex or Hex Arcana class feature, and be at least 6th level to select this Arcana.

This keeps it in line for the Hex Strike feat, and also keeps it from stacking with other swift action Arcana. I didn't think it needed the AoO line, since hexes are SU and don't provoke normally. Since spell combat normally doubles damage on a crit, I thought a small penalty to the save was fair.

Chanting and cursing, you put a hex on your enemy as part of your unarmed strike.

Prerequisites: Hex class feature, Improved Unarmed Strike.

Benefit: When you gain this feat, choose one hex that you can use to affect no more than one opponent. If you make a successful unarmed strike against an opponent, in addition to dealing your unarmed strike damage, you can use a swift action to deliver the effects of the chosen hex to that opponent. Doing so does not provoke attacks of opportunity.

Special: You can take this feat multiple times. Each time you take it, you apply it to a different qualifying hex.

Alternately I had considered making it more like stunning fist, where you had to declare which attack carried the hex that round, and if that attack in the sequence missed it was wasted, but then it shouldn't cost your swift action.

My question, is it fair and balanced? Let me know what you think.

Ok. So, any damage roll is split in half, that much is clear. But what about riders on the attack that trigger on a hit.

Say (an example from a scenario) there was an undead magus ghoul/ghast, and he used the Mirror Strike spell, after the damage was split between the two targets, do both of them have to save vs paralysis?

If it was a Monk/caster with scorpion style, after the damage was split, would they both have to save or have reduced movement?

If it was an Eldritch Knight with Shield-Slam, would they both be subject to the bull rush?

(I'm trying to cover all types of riders, so that it doesn't get bogged down in a single class/ability discussion. This should be a consistent ruling no matter what the rider is. EDIT *unless they specify first target creature like poisoned weapons)

I could have sworn that I saw a feat or arcana that allowed you to use single target hexes with spell combat instead of a spell...

Am I crazy? anyone know where it was, I'm sure it was 3pp ... but just looking to see if I can nail it down to start balancing.

Thank you to all the staff and the many people who argued the points clearly in the threads to get this ruling posted.

Half-Elf or Half-Orc: Can a character of either of these races select human racial favored class options?
Yes. Half-elves and half-orcs may select racial favored class options, archetypes, traits, and so on, as if they were a full member of both races (a half-elf can select elf and human rules elements, a half-orc can select human and orc rules elements).

Edit 9/26/13: This is a reversal of an earlier ruling. This resolves a discrepancy between this FAQ, another APG FAQ, and a Core Rulebook FAQ.

—Pathfinder Design Team, Thursday

Just thought I'd throw this out, just found it. Sorry if it was already a big deal and has passed, but 15ish threads about it can be happy at last.

First, I'd like to thank all the staff and the many people who argued the points clearly in the threads to get this ruling posted.

Half-Elf or Half-Orc: Can a character of either of these races select human racial favored class options?

Yes. Half-elves and half-orcs may select racial favored class options, archetypes, traits, and so on, as if they were a full member of both races (a half-elf can select elf and human rules elements, a half-orc can select human and orc rules elements).

Edit 9/26/13: This is a reversal of an earlier ruling. This resolves a discrepancy between this FAQ, another APG FAQ, and a Core Rulebook FAQ.

—Pathfinder Design Team, Thursday

Just curious, since Aasimar and Tiefling are required to be half-human, will this ruling apply to them as well? PFS requires half human, so should they have the same benefits/penalties? (I know about the Scion of Humanity, but tieflings don't have that option.)

Does the Magical Knack Trait add to non-spell based level variables?

You were raised, either wholly or in part, by a magical creature, either after it found you abandoned in the woods or because your parents often left you in the care of a magical minion. This constant exposure to magic has made its mysteries easy for you to understand, even when you turn your mind to other devotions and tasks. Pick a class when you gain this trait—your caster level in that class gains a +2 trait bonus as long as this bonus doesn't raise your caster level above your current Hit Dice.

For example a Fighter 2/ (caster class)2 ... examples:

Sorcerer Bloodline abilities, like the 1/2 level damage on touch/ray abilites?
Bard Song DCs such as Fascinate, etc.(will save vs 10 + 1/2 level + cha)
Witch Hexes (number of rounds evil eye lasts, DCs, etc.)
Cleric Domain powers based on level, much the same as above (since it's not limited to arcane like i originally thought)
Inquisitor powers, such as number of bane rounds/level of judgement bonuses.

I did a quick search, but couldn't find this unless i'm just blind. It's early, it's definitely possible I missed it.

Ok... I normally avoid AC/Mounts/Familiars, but I got a new boon, and now I have to figure out how I get a legal bear that I can use as a mount?

Can you normally ride an Animal Companion by giving it the proper tricks? Or is it only for "mount feature" classes?

Nature Oracle doesn't allow bears that I can tell.

Beast rider Cavalier doesn't allow bears until level 7, hoping I can get one sooner, and only for medium riders, small don't even get the bear option even though bears are medium normally.

Mad dog Barbarian, but i'm really not looking for rage mechs.

Sylvan Sorcerer gives AC, might work if you can ride an AC with the proper tricks.

Beastmaster Ranger, but looks like that's not until level 4, and still not a mountable option unless i'm small.

Druid, same as above.

Paladin, not an option.

Cleric with Animal domain, AC, if you can train a normal AC to ride that could work. Also not until level 4.

I'm really trying not to dip anything, and play straight... but it seems that the only way to do it is to dip and use boon companion for the rest.

Samurai, not a legal choice.

Anything else I'm missing?

You can't take Boon Companion until you get the AC normally right? Can't take it at level 1 when you don't get the AC until 4 with ranger/cleric?

If not, why not? The unarmed fighter has a better list of weapons that are "monk" weapons than the Monk Class.

With all the faqs and erratas being done lately, can we get a ruling or some expansion of the proficient weapons based on 5 more books, one of them with a specific eastern section?

I appreciate the Design team and their constant updates, even the ones I don't agree with, because they are listening and actively trying to grow with the system.

And, I understand that there are a lot of things to do, it just seems like this is an easy non-balance skewing issue to fix with a quick post.

Not the most optimal, but I have a version built at level 9 that rocked a one-shot, but some of the options are not legal for PFS, so I need advice.

I have 8 GM credits so I can skip some of the hard early levels.

Character needs 1 game to be level 4, and then will get access to agile AoMF so can dump Str to a point.

Proposal is Aasimar (+2dex/wis) See invis SLA bloodline.

Looking at Str 10 Dex 18 Con 12 Int 10 Wis 18 Cha 7. Conversion Inquisition to get Wis to bluff/diplo/intim for social skills for PFS, would also consider to look at inq/domains and possibly just drop face-ability. Really looking hard at the Deception Sudomain 10ft teleport as an immediate action on a missed attack. Saves at level 3: F-6 R-7 W-9, plus evasion.

Traits: Magical Knack Inq +2CL. 2nd one either the aasimar one for non-lawful or go martial artist as I will not get past 2 monk, in which case I take the Lantern Lodge trait for Urumi wpn prof, and have a d8 weapon 18-20x2 crit that I can get made out of special materials. Will have access to MW/GMW myself, and several buff spells/abilities to make up for the lower BAB.

Unarmed strike and judgement/boar style will provide adequate damage once the AoMF is going, at level 7 bane will increase that even more. 4th level +7/7 for d6+5, +2d6 bleed if both hit. AC 18, 22 with mage armor and a friendly caster, 24 with Prot evil up. Anything else I can stack on here?

Looking at a new char for PFS, and although I generally hate the idea of firearms in my fantasy, I'm going to try one out for the sake of giving it a fair shake.

That said... I'm mixing in Bard for several reasons, not the least of which is the Jury Rig spell since i'm looking at the Mysterious Stranger Archetype to mesh better, and they give up the quick clear deed which I just know will come up vs. a BBEG.

I also have a plan to combine a Sound Striker Bard with a +1 Conductive Pistol and use it to channel Weird Words for those oh S#%t moments.

I figure with the Cha synergy, the spells to boost/catchall the stuff, and the bardic performances to boost the party, I'll be a general skillmonkey/face but still be able to hold my own if DPR is needed.

Looking at Str 8 Dex 18 Con 12 Int 10 Wis 10 Cha 18 Aasimar (dex/cha variant)

Favored Class Bonus will be for the 1/2 level bardic performance boost, focusing on Weird Words, and counting as level 9 at level 6 when I get it.

Looking at 1st gunslinger, next 7 bard (for move performances), then last 4 gunslinger for PFS 12th level completion.

Nice thing is, I get to start at level 3 with GM credits, so the first couple levels are already survived, and I begin with both point blank and precise shot, unless anyone can point out other feats that would be better, those 2 pretty much being required for the close quarters of most PFS scenarios. Not worried about rapid reload because I plan to have an Unseen Servant around to follow me and reload my weapon for me, and there's an item/spell etc that will do it by the time I plan to rely on the gun for more than occasional use.

Are there any traits I should go for in particular? Any items (PFS legal, so no bandolier) I should grab?

So... looking at the RAW. This is for a PFS character, so please keep it RAW.

Can a THF archetype using cleave apply his 3rd level ability Overhand Chop to both opponents? or does he have to wait until 7th level when he gets Backswing?

You can strike two adjacent foes with a single swing.

Prerequisites: Str 13, Power Attack, base attack bonus +1.

Benefit: As a standard action, you can make a single attack at your full base attack bonus against a foe within reach. If you hit, you deal damage normally and can make an additional attack (using your full base attack bonus) against a foe that is adjacent to the first and also within reach. You can only make one additional attack per round with this feat. When you use this feat, you take a –2 penalty to your Armor Class until your next turn.

(Ex): At 3rd level, when a two-handed fighter makes a single attack (with the attack action or a charge) with a two-handed weapon, he adds double his Strength bonus on damage rolls. This ability replaces armor training 1.

(Ex): At 7th level, when a two-handed fighter makes a full attack with a two-handed weapon, he adds double his Strength bonus on damage rolls for all attacks after the first. This ability replaces armor training 2.

Ok. Making a new character with some GM credits for PFS. I have a build in mind, and am looking to see if I missed anything.

Aasimar Musetouched (dex/cha) Gunslinger/Bard (sound striker)
Str 8 Dex 17 Con 10 Int 10 Wis 12 Cha 19 Increasing dex and cha at 4/8.
Using the Aasimar FVC bonus of 1/2 towards a bardic performance, specifically Weird Words.

Will be taking Gunslinger 1/Bard 7, then back to Gunslinger until 12, for a Gun5/Bard7... but counting as 10 for Weird words, giving him 10d8 +10xCha.

Also will be picking up a +1 Conductive Pistol(later of distance and +s as high as I can afford). Since per RAW (not interested in debating whether it works here, already been hashed out in 2 other threads) he can choose to spend 2 rounds of bardic performance to channel his Weird words on a successful hit into the target, targeting touch AC.

Just trying to decide if Mysterious Stranger is worth it(losing the quick clear deed), or if 2 grit will be enough to work with. I don't have the feat to take extra grit, but I expect to get consistent kills with that combo of channeling on a shot, so I can see getting grit back fairly often. Also, the Mending spell can repair a broken item as well, so carrying a light xbow for a backup weapon.

I have point blank and precise shot at 1st and 3rd, I don't need rapid reload until 7th or 9th when I have 2 attacks, (probably 7th for haste time) Lingering Performance is good, and Deft Shootist are also on the list, so one of them at 5th the other at 9th. With his performance and spellcasting, I expect to not have to use the gun much, just pack a hell of a shot when I do.

Any other traits/feats/item suggestions?

I was looking thru, you can use cleave to make 1 attack on 2 adjacent targets.

You can replace any melee attack with Disarm/sunder/trip per RAW.

Can you cleave trip? obviously doing no damage but putting 2 adjacent targets prone?

The Wild Stalker Ranger archtype gives up FE bonuses (which are situational at best in my homegame, and fairly non-existant most of the time) for Rage Powers at a -3 level. It does however, get 3 of them from levels 4-6, so I'm trying to see what the first 3 should be. Keep in mind that with the level adjust, I won't ever get to the 10th level ones, so the Chains have to be usable at tier 2.

And since someone will usually invariably say it, I can't just "buy a wand of Instant Enemy" as 2/3 caster class wands are extremely rare, and 4 level caster wands are pretty much non-existant as well, unless it's on a normal spell list.

So, most of the options to add spells known only use your class list.

Are there any other options for getting cantrips from other lists? For a prepared caster?

Page and ring of spell knowledge explicitly state spontaneous only, spell storing would require someone to cast it for you for each use(and is rediculously expensive for cantrips).

There's a trait, Two World Magic that does it, are there any other ways?

Specifically, for a witch to get some of the ranged touch cantrips for something to do after they get thru the hex/cackle chain, or when fighting things that are mindless (like disrupt undead for undead) and such. Would like to get both acid splash and disrupt undead added to class list, and can't "research" other options for PFS.

Ok. Trying to mix a ranger/druid Shapeshifter/Animal shaman build for the best DPS I can get to, although this is a concept build, so not ever going to be the best DPS. Natural weapon style character and wanna see how to get as much damage as possible.

If I had wanted to fully optimize it I would be lion/saurian, I know. But I was asked to not tweak it to the hilt, now the char is in play, and I should have done more since it's no fun not being able to damage things that were built to take the barb/falchion fighter a while to kill.

I'm trying to at least pull my weight combat wise and be somewhat useful next to a Falchion Fighter and a Barb greataxe wielder. I know i'll never keep up.

Race: Tiefling +Str/Wis -Cha, although i'm keeping the SLA so I can't use the racial for claws. Did take the tail racial.
20 pt buy, normal WBL. 2 Wolf Shaman Druid/ 2 Wild Stalker Shapeshifter Ranger. Druid took Wolf Domain, Imp trip feat and early entry into some ranger spells.

So far, Str 16 Dex 16(level 4) Con 14 Int 10 Wis 16 Cha 6. Char just hit level 5.

Bonus "Legacy" item created by the GM for each character, not to be counted into costs but also not completely under our control for abilities, mine is an amulet in the vein of AoMF and Nat Armor on the same item.(We don't have them yet)

3PP are allowed on a case by case basis, even some 3.5 options (we have a soul muse bard from arcana 3.5)

Will have no problems after level 8/9 keeping up, looking at around 26-28 str by then for 2 combats/day.

1st feat: Natural armor +2(tiefling)
3rd feat: Aspect of the Beast(claws)
5th feat: Power attack, unless someone can suggest better.
7th feat: Shapeshifting Hunter (will be 4/3, is allowed to work with the rage powers that were traded for favored enemy instead, altho at -3 level per the archetype)
9th feat: Shaping Focus (possibly traded for 7th)

Has Claw/Claw/Bite with a trip on the bite for 2 mins/day, claw claw for rest. +2 Str(size)/scent for 5 mins/day 6 round/day of shapeshifter as swift action (+4 str enhance, specifically stacks with polymorphs/wildshape) Will have Rage for 10 rounds/day at lev 8(morale +4str) as free action. Will have wildshape at level 7, canine options. (subpar), and jump straight to huge animal/large magical canine at 11.

Best I can find is claw/claw/bite on a wolverine for a canine type option, until I get magical beasts.

So far, i'm doing 3x1d4+3(+ trip on the bite), +4 with SLA, +6 with shift, at +7/+7/+7 (8 with alter self, 10 with shift)

I have the Bristle spell(APG), which trades Nat armor for hit, and I can cover PA for another +4dam in exchange for -2 AC.

Until level 7-8ish, I'm trying to find a happy medium for some extra damage, as the barb is doing 20-30 a round, (like they do) and the fighter is doing 15-20 easy. My best is 8-10 dam/hit, and the GM is having to use DR to slow them which makes me useless.

Ok, i've seen several threads on the topics, but digging thru them didn't see anything official. Since this is for PFS, and I'd already burned several feats and class choices on the build, now I have a GM who says they don't, and one who says they do.

Did I miss it somewhere where there's an official answer, or is it up to GM variation?

Spiked shield, Heavy 1h weapon d6 x2

For the stacking aspect, Bashing uses a different spell for the effect even, which is usually the dead giveaway. Just like Enlarge would stack with bulls strength.

I don't want to start the argument again, but plz link if there's a thread that's official on it.

Ok, based on another thread, I wanna just check this out to make sure I got it correct, and reference in that it's gonna be for PFS so it has to be RAW only.

Ok, so i've seen thread after thread on flurry of misses, and want to avoid that altogether. I have a way for a monk to get 2-3 attacks a round on a single target, or 2 attacks each on up to 4 targets, starting at level 3, at full bonuses. But, how likely is it for the GM to start having the enemies metagame this out of viability? AoO's always use your full attack bonus, with whatever modifiers (PA, Fight defensive, whatever) on every one, no matter how many you make, so no iterative misses.

This is for PFS play, and I have the option to put him together at level 3, would be Brawler 2/MoMS 1.

Not optimized, but viable? Never gonna throw down the big numbers, but built to set up flanking and do a little to all of them so the AoE/Cleave tactic can work better. And most importantly, what are the odds on the GM metagaming the enemies to not swing at this target no matter how many times he provokes?

Ok, spawned from another thread, have they done any major changes to the White Haired Witch archetype other than the swift to activate most of it's abilities? My concern is that a 4th level witch with the Prehensile Hair Hex is actually better with the hair, and has other hexes, than the WHW who gives up all hexes to specialize in the hair only.

The Witch with the Hex, uses Str for everything concerning the limb. This includes hit, damage, CMB, carrying capacity, whatever. It's only 1 minute/level/day, but for that time it does it all.

According to the wording on the WHW Archetype tho, you only use int for Damage with the hair, not to hit, and only for CMB for a grapple, not for anything else, even tho at 4th level you get to trip with it as well, it does not use int for that rather it still uses normal CMB. Again, at 6th you may use the drag maneuver (called pull in this case but still a CMB check) but does not specify int over str, so low BAB and mediocre Str vs a scaling CMD that is hard for a fighter to keep up with makes this a lackluster ability.

I have to ask, did the author intend for this? If so, pretty much nothing other than the reach for hair attacks and the grab/grapple ability have any real chance of working, and that's not worth giving up all hexes for.

I would think that it was intended to -at least- get the same level of bonuses as the basic hair hex, and then build from there.

Something along the lines of "the WHW uses her Int as if it is Str for all attack rolls and Combat Maneuver checks made with the hair." would make sure that at least they scaled with the abilities later given for the archetype as bonuses.

Please hit the FAQ, if you would be so kind.

Ok, I have to build yet another PFS character to use up some low level GM chronicle sheets. Thought about a kinda interesting combo and want critiques, I know it's not optimal, i dump stats for caster DC's on a 20 pt buy, but is it workable? Will start at 3nd level, around 2,500g.

Evil Eye still works for 1 round even if you save, and stacks for ac/attacks/saves so you can keep that up all day with cackle.

Witch has several touch spells that can then be delivered with the hair, and grabbing Combat Reflexes can let you get in some swings as an enemy tries to charge the (they think) unarmed caster, and an AoMF works on both.

I have a feat free at 1st level human, either Extra Hex(Cackle), or bump stats to str7/dex18/con10/int19/wis14/cha7 with the dual bonus human. tiefling gets 5 cha instead, and prehensile tail/racials.

At 4th level, i'll bump int to 20 and up my hair damage to d4+17, melee to d6+8, acid splash to d3+10 on any target I identify.

I'll pick up Cackle, Misfortune Hex, Slumber Hex, Flight Hex at 2/4/6/8 witch, Combat Reflexes, and Accursed Hex, Hex Strike at 5/7/9 (Hex strike only unarmed, don't have the feats for feral combat training and wpn focus(Hair) to use it with that.)

I know I've seen them, and heard of them, but can't find them on the SRD in any of the base books. Are they in UE? only one I don't have yet.

(The item that adds a spell to your list of spells known for spontaneous casters, I can find the ring but someone listed pages for ~1k for a 1st level spell.)

Ok, after going over about 500+ posts of over 2000 that I found, and not finding any clarifications or developer posts to actually define it, I'm trying to set a NON-INFLAMATORY and developer friendly tone to get this cleared up.

In a home game it would be easy, but for PFS and some lawyer type GMs you have to spell it out instead of use common sense.

I apologize for the wall of text in advance, but I want to line out some of the other things that will be impacted by the clarifications.

This is very close to trip and disarm, but references the attack action.

JB posted a Vital Strike clarification and stated that "attack action = standard action" insted of just saying that it -should have said- standard action, which made a lot of nitpicky people immediately run to the books to jump on other ways to mess up the rules for backwards compatibility.

*(This is not to imply that i don't appreciate the response for itself, I like the feedback from the team. But it did, possibly unintentionally, cause more corner cases, not his fault, since I believe that he was just trying to avoid cleaving/full attacking vital strikes.)

Now, in several places there are references to being able to replace a melee attack with a disarm, trip, or sunder.

Also, there are only 3 combat maneuvers in the CRB that are not standard actions, Disarm, Trip, and Sunder. Bull rush, overrun, grapple(which has its own laundry list of problems) and feint, call out standard action. The APG also added 4 more standard action maneuvers, Dirty trick, drag, reposition, and steal.

Feint is allowed to be a move action with a feat, and Grapple is allowed to be a move/swift action with a couple of feats, and overrun has its own mechanics for allowing attacks with it, so they are not important for this discussion.

Ultimate Combat added feats for the maneuvers that do require a standard action to complete in order to make them available in place of a melee attack, Quick Bullrush, Dirty Trick, Drag, Reposition, and Steal.

Sunder was not included, so it was either )a: believed to be too powerful and needed to take a characters entire turn, or )b: already believed to be available as part of a full attack.

As it stands, until a clarification occurs (again) concerning the reference to "an attack action", we are left with the situations below.

A character can sunder, using a standard action to strike an enemies weapon taking the same amount of "time" in game that striking that same enemies body would take for his full iterative attacks.

A Monk, who can flurry to Sunder items on an enemy for all 7 of his full flurry attacks, but only gets one sunder when not flurrying and no other attacks.

If Sunder was intended to be a standard action, please just say so.
If this is the case, then there would be a precedence for taking a "Quick Sunder" feat that requires the +6 BAB and lets you replace any melee attack just like the others in UC.

If not, then please clear up the 6 extra words in the CRB that are causing this headache for us.

Please rephrase the Vital Strike clarification, call it a standard action which gets rid of the synergy with cleave/charge/whirlwind, as that seems to have been the concern to begin with for the language used.

So, if a paladin ceases to be lawful good, he loses all class features and spells until he atones, but keeps proficiencies and such.

If an archetype trades Heavy armor prof for a different feat(I.e. Divine hunter gets precise shot instead, several others do similar), do they lose that feat if they violate the code or their alignment changes as well until they atone? Or does it qualify under the retains all proficiencies?

Only worried about it because for PFS and some sticky GM's, you could be miles/days/a whole module from an atonement.

In a home game i'd say it is not a divinely granted ability so is under the weapons/armor/shield profs as this is what it was traded for.

Ok, there's another thread with daylight/deeper darkness, but the specific text in daylight is it's own case there, and for PFS, I need a lil clarification.

Situation:

PFS Character has an Ioun Torch from APG, functions as a permanent Continual Flame. (which for PFS is actually a 2nd level spell on an item cast by a wizard instead of the 3rd level cleric version, causing this whole confusion)

A creature uses a SLA to cast Darkness, a 2nd level spell, which in this case is equal to the level of the light spell in use. (once again, if it was the cleric version of Continual Flame no issue would arise.)

The ruling is that since the stone is using the 2nd level version of CF, the darkness trumps it even tho they are equal level spells. Is this correct? If so, is this intended?

If not for the (IIRC) change from 3.5 to sorc/wiz getting the spell at 2nd level, this would not occur at all, as in 3.5 light was 1st level, darkness 2nd, CF 3rd, and DD 4th, so each new spell was always a higher level than the others before it.

As several of the spell levels in this series were changed, is the Darkness text of "Magical light sources only increase the light level in an area if they are of a higher spell level than darkness." a missed edit, since all other versions of light/darkness have interactions based on equal or higher?

If this is intended, you have the situation where a 5th level wizard with CF cannot counter another 5th level wizards darkness spell by casting it in the area of effect, yet a 5th level cleric can. *(note, no argument on if they can dispel with touch/counterspell with a readied action at the time of casting, clearly those work)

I do not think this was intended, I think it was a glitch caused by copy paste of darkness and moving the spell levels around CF for diff classes, so please hit FAQ and see if we can get a clarification from an official, or if in my searches i missed this same case already please link me the old one.

Ok, so like the title says.

If you only got one 1st level sorcerer/wizard spell, and you never got caster levels so only had it 3 times a day, which spell would you choose, what book is it in, and why that spell?

Note this is PFS character, light armored so mage armor is out, and PFS legal.

I'm leaning towards shield, since it's a minute and most combats last less than 10 rounds, but open to suggestions.

Most fail the test since they'll only be at caster level 1, or i'd have much more choices I think. trying to avoid saving throw spells as well, since the DC will never be too good.

Ok, building a PFS Bard. Just finished my third game, and looking to make sure I have my plan right while I still have the rebuild.

Races to consider, Human for the feat/skillpoints and the spells known favored class bonus. Aasimar Musetouched for the stats/abilities and the xtra bard levels of performances.

Options I am taking:

Lingering Performance as 1st level feat.

Level dip crossblooded sorcerer, looking between the Undead(mind affecting work if they were humanoid); Fey +2 compulsion DCs; Infernal +2 charm DCs; Serpentine (mind affecting work on all beasts, magical beasts, monstrous humanoid). I get two.

Spells: disrupt undead, acid splash, one more cantrip, bards don't get them and they're useful; Shield spell or open to other suggestions.

Bard Archetype: Sound Striker, just to be able to do damage for the party.

Also considering the Dirge Bard, mind affecting work on undead but not if it requires humanoid, this would also remove one choice for sorc dip. If I do this, I will need to have a little higher int, since I lose versatile perform.

Any advice from anyone who has either: done something similar, or just has a high level PFS bard and can hit me some pointers as to what was or wasn't useful in the end.

Human Monk Underfoot Adept/Maneuver Master

Str 8 Dex 17 Con 10 Int 13 Wis 18(human) Cha 7 all bumps to dex (20 pt buy)

Racial Heritage Halfling at 1 to take the underfoot adept archetype, manuever master archetype, can trip colossal creatures at level 12.
If you take Weapon Finesse, and are using a finessable weapon(such as unarmed), you use dex automatically for your CMB per a ruling already posted. (Only applies to trip, disarm, and grapple so far as I know.) If you want more than the 2 maneuvers here, then you need to take agile maneuvers as well, but this build only uses finessable ones.

Standard action: trip, free Unarmed strike(vicious stomp), then grapple while prone at +4(Sweeping maneuver), grapple to pin as move(still +4 prone)(great grappler), grapple to double damage as swift at +8 prone/pinned and no dex(rapid grappler/pinning knockout)
2nd round: Grapplex3 for double damage vs pinned opponent, all at +8 and no dex as well; Rinse, repeat.

This Spell

As well, Bluff to Feint in combat is DC 10+Sense motive, does it make that easier?

Does this let you take the human favored class bonus? (Bold Mine)

•Scion of Humanity Some aasimars' heavenly ancestry is extremely distant. An aasimar with this racial trait counts as an outsider (native) and a humanoid (human) for any effect related to race, including feat prerequisites and spells that affect humanoids. She can pass for human without using the Disguise skill. This racial trait replaces the Celestial language and alters the native subtype.

It says any effect related to race, archetypes and racial feats have already been included with the racial heritage feat which is the same wording.

Racial Heritage
The blood of a non-human ancestor flows in your veins.

Prerequisite: Human.

Benefit: Choose another humanoid race. You count as both human and that race for any effects related to race. For example, if you choose dwarf, you are considered both a human and a dwarf for the purpose of taking traits, feats, how spells and magic items affect you, and so on

If i'm reading this properly, Racial Heritage allows you to take feats/archetypes of the race you choose.

Could you take it more than once? It doesn't say either way...

So, as these were the original three "Style" feats in the CRB, are they officially listed as such anywhere?

When the CRB came out, they weren't... but after Ult Combat did that get errata'd anywhere?

Ok, just making sure this is right the way I read it,

The Undead bloodline lets you treat corporeal undead as if they were humanoids for mind affecting compulsions and such.

So, with this bloodline, you can cast Sleep on undead can you not? as well as any number of other spells, so long as it has "mind affecting compulsion" in the line for school/descriptor?

altho, as written, the arcana describes it as mind affecting, but then just says treat as humanoid, which would also give you things like Mass bulls str and such as well.

And, once you have an arcana, it affects all spells you cast not just from the sorcerer class, but all classes so long as they are of the right type? i.e. fire for ele/dragon/orc, compulsion/fey, whatever?

Ok, I had the idea for a tiefling based on my love of the planescape setting, and finding a reference to Sigil in the actual PFS setting.

He's a tiefling, Oni Spawn, very beastial (alt racials claws and tail instead of spell/sorcerer stuff) raised among a Barbarian tribe (half orc adopted trait for a bite attack). He knows where he comes from, and starts out trying to control his animal side, hence Monk Master of Many Styles(LN). That doesn't work for too long, so he then tries to embrace it, Ranger Shapeshifter(CN). Finally finding balance, Druid Animal Shaman (TN). I know it's not optimal in PF to change classes, but the feel is there even if he's not the top end build. However, any help would be appreciated, as i've never built anything remotely feral/naturey. (usually rogue/light fighter/jack of alls)

So, just trying to get this straight.

Can a MoMS take Dragon Ferocity with a bonus feat directly, or does he have to take Dragon Style first?

Ok, several questions here, all important since they all apply to a character I am building. I will include full feat text for these, to help with all the hunting, copied from the pdfs or PRD.

Does the bonus to Bullrush CMBs from Imp Bullrush and Gr Bullrush get factored in while using Shield Slam?

Does Gr Bullrush trump the clause in Shield Slam, thereby granting AoO to enemies moved by the bullrush? That is the specific benefit of the feat, to cause movement from a bullrush to provoke.

If you have a feat that grants a swift action on the completion of a successful attack, can it be performed during an AoO? Such as making a Shield Bash with a Spiked(or normal) shield using Shield Slam as the AoO, thus proc'ing Spiked Destroyer?

Since a spiked shield is a weapon in and of itself, can a critical hit be used to proc Bashing Finish?

Ok, i tried searching for previous rulings or discussion on this, i probably missed it, so i'll check to see if anyone knows.

Fighter with Imp shield bash, 2 wpn fighting, various other feats.

Imp Shield Bash, lets you keep AC while attacking with shield.
Two weapon fighting, shield (spiked or not) is legal choice for a "weapon" in this case.

Could this character potentially use 2 light spiked shields and no true "weapon"? (Light martial weapon: 1d4,x2 crit)
RAW says yes unless i missed something.
Imp Shield Bash would let you keep the shield AC while doing so, could you get both shields (+1 left hand, +1 right hand)bonuses in exchange for the lower (1d4) light spiked shield damage?

I also understand that until you took Shield Master at 11th level you would have to enchant the spikes (weapon) and the shield (armor) separately, so it wouldn't be a cheap way to go, just kinda intriguing.

Ok. From the start, let me state for the record that I am not trying to reskin. I am not looking for cheese. I am looking for mechanics to back the fluff. There are countless fluff descriptions of both H-Orcs and Dwarves riding "Warboars" in everything from first Ed DnD on to Pathfinder.

I am not looking to restart the arguments for reskinning. I only own the CRB, GM, Beastiary 1, ARG, APG, UM and UC. I am trying to see if there is anything legal for PFS play for a non-cavalier/paladin to purchase a pig type mount for dwarf or H-orc, being medium creatures.

As a note, there is a Dire boar option that is a large creature in the beastiary, that mentions that orcs use them as mounts.

"Particularly brave or skilled orcs are fond of using daeodons as mounts, and orc cavalry mounted on dire boars make for a fearsome force indeed."

I know that some books have alt mounts in them, and H-Orcs can take a feat from ARG to get a Triceratops mount at level 7 which is listed as legal in PFS, with stats almost identical to the Dire Boar, so i'm thinking that a Dinosaur is a little more out there than a hefty boar.

is there one out there?

thx

Natural Weapon Style reads:

Natural Weapon: If the ranger selects natural weapon style, he can choose from the following list whenever he gains a combat style feat: Aspect of the Beast*, Improved Natural Weapon**, Rending Claws*, and Weapon Focus. At 6th level, he adds Eldritch Fangs* and Vital Strike to the list. At 10th level, he adds Multiattack** and Improved Vital Strike to the list.

Does this mean that after taking Aspect of the Beast (Claws) a H-elf ranger who had no natural weapons to start with can then select Improved Natural Weapons as a normal feat during progression? I understand that the benefit of the Combat style is to ignore the pre-reqs, but he would qualify for the feat at level 5 when he gets to select one. I believe he can, but not being in a "player" available book as far as feats go I thought it best to check.

Improved Natural Attack (Beastiary, nat combat style for ranger)
Attacks made by one of this creature's natural attacks leave vicious wounds.
Prerequisite: Natural weapon, base attack bonus +4.
Benefit: Choose one of the creature's natural attack forms (not an unarmed strike). The damage for this natural attack increases by one step on the following list, as if the creature's size had increased by one category.
Special: This feat can be taken multiple times. Each time it is taken, it applies to a different natural attack.