paizo.com Recent Posts by bagspaizo.com Recent Posts by bags2023-07-06T21:13:00Z2023-07-06T21:13:00ZRe: Forums: Homebrew and House Rules: Concepts for "not covered by existing classes" charactersInnominat (alias of bags)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43qeo?Concepts-for-not-covered-by-existing-classes#52023-01-10T15:10:31Z2023-01-07T07:01:46Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Albatoonoe wrote:</div><blockquote>A class that utilizes high-risk/high-reward mechanics. </blockquote><p>Wouldn't that just be taking a penalty to success checks and increasing the effect? For example, PF1E's Power Attack. Seems trivial to implement, but could make a better archetype than a class.
<div class="messageboard-quotee">AceofMoxen wrote:</div><blockquote>A character who advances the plot by screwing up</blockquote><p>I mean, anyone can try and fail and still advance the plot. That's more player choice to choose consequences than character mechanics.
<p>I think the key thing is they somehow screw up, cause serious consequences for others but don't face serious consequences personally. Perhaps the player invokes this ability which results in some kind of bonus to not face the consequence (attacks against them, saves, etc)? </p>
<p>The characters you mention also play off the "lucky halfling" trope. Like the old line "Providence protects idiots, drunkards and children"</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">AceofMoxen wrote:</div><blockquote>the power to manipulate distance</blockquote><p>Yeah, I have no idea how to do that mechanically. That would basically need to rewrite all the rules on distance/range/movement. This sounds hard.
<div class="messageboard-quotee">AceofMoxen wrote:</div><blockquote>steals enemy abilities and uses them</blockquote><p>This is a super common archetype in video games. It does kind of break the normal rules about character knowledge of enemy abilities. Quina Quen would be the character I'd base it off of (though Kirby is similar) . It pulls from ancient traditions of eating things to gain their power. Bite off the target's flesh and swallow to understand their powers, another bite and swallow with a declared target power to gain a use of that power. How you get this to progressively scale over 20 levels would be interesting, probably mostly relaxing restrictions as you grow.
<p>I would totally make this Gourmand class. Plus, it gives a setting specific reason why people would want to kill monsters and collect their bodies. Probably can steal some aspects of barbarian and sorcerer. I think there was also a 1e Sorcerer archetype that gained bloodline powers based on drinking the blood of creatures.</p>Albatoonoe wrote:A class that utilizes high-risk/high-reward mechanics.
Wouldn't that just be taking a penalty to success checks and increasing the effect? For example, PF1E's Power Attack. Seems trivial to implement, but could make a better archetype than a class. AceofMoxen wrote:A character who advances the plot by screwing up
I mean, anyone can try and fail and still advance the plot. That's more player choice to choose consequences than character mechanics. I think the key thing is...Innominat (alias of bags)2023-01-07T07:01:46ZForums: Homebrew and House Rules: Concepts for "not covered by existing classes" charactersInnominat (alias of bags)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43qeo?Concepts-for-not-covered-by-existing-classes#12023-01-05T10:56:56Z2023-01-04T03:00:12Z<p>I'm making up new classes for my party, and one player has no idea what concept to use for a "not covered by existing classes" character. Power will still be balanced against existing classes, but I will try to make up new mechanics. </p>
<p>Pitch him a character concept that is novel and far outside of what can be done by existing classes.</p>I'm making up new classes for my party, and one player has no idea what concept to use for a "not covered by existing classes" character. Power will still be balanced against existing classes, but I will try to make up new mechanics.
Pitch him a character concept that is novel and far outside of what can be done by existing classes.Innominat (alias of bags)2023-01-04T03:00:12ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: What kind of undead do you hope to see as PC options in the Book of the Dead?Innominat (alias of bags)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43f1o&page=2?What-kind-of-undead-do-you-hope-to-see-as-PC#922021-07-16T13:02:59Z2021-07-15T19:28:08Z<p>Include the Chinese ghost (gui), since that's the biggest part of East Asian mythology. There's enough mythology on them to build a series of splat books. Chinese culture has an entire month per year devoted to gui, and the Ghost Festival is a major holiday in many countries.</p>
<p>Some examples:</p>
<p>Egui: hungry ghosts, a key part of Buddhist mythology (see also Preta). Suffering or unfulfilled people who die have their souls remain looking for something. Often it's filling their suffering with food (e.g. when dying from starvation or thirst), but it could be a lust to travel or experience new things they missed in life, wanting to be married or just wanting a proper funeral. Loved ones and descendants can help guide them through their pain to transcendance, with offerings like their favorite foods or burning money or pictures of things they need.</p>
<p>Yaogui: weird ghosts, who practice magic for various transformation goals. Some might be dead gods who want to become living gods again, or humans who want to become demons or demigods, or animal or statue spirits that want to become a living person. This is a huge body of legends which inspired related Japanese myths of yokai and mononoke.</p>
<p>Shuigui: water ghosts, often bound to reside in water (or sometimes take the water with them). They can be seen in reflections, and try to drown the living to trade places with them.</p>
<p>Just make sure you've got a sensitive person picking out the terminology and editing, since gui can also be used as an insult (particularly in racial/ethnic slurs).</p>Include the Chinese ghost (gui), since that's the biggest part of East Asian mythology. There's enough mythology on them to build a series of splat books. Chinese culture has an entire month per year devoted to gui, and the Ghost Festival is a major holiday in many countries.
Some examples:
Egui: hungry ghosts, a key part of Buddhist mythology (see also Preta). Suffering or unfulfilled people who die have their souls remain looking for something. Often it's filling their suffering with food...Innominat (alias of bags)2021-07-15T19:28:08ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: What are you hoping for from class archetypes?Innominat (alias of bags)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs438vb?What-are-you-hoping-for-from-class-archetypes#112020-11-27T16:57:15Z2020-11-27T16:57:15Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Kyrone wrote:</div><blockquote><br />
<br />
- Fighter trading legendary weapons for legendary armor.
<br />
</blockquote><p>I think there are better ways to do this than class archetypes though. Like a "Defender" archetype with a prerequisite of weapon expertise that drops your weapon proficiencies one rank and raises your armor proficiencies one rank. One archetype applicable to all classes.Kyrone wrote:- Fighter trading legendary weapons for legendary armor.
I think there are better ways to do this than class archetypes though. Like a "Defender" archetype with a prerequisite of weapon expertise that drops your weapon proficiencies one rank and raises your armor proficiencies one rank. One archetype applicable to all classes.Innominat (alias of bags)2020-11-27T16:57:15ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Secrets of Magic Playtest AftermathInnominat (alias of bags)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6shfv&page=3?Secrets-of-Magic-Playtest-Aftermath#1102020-11-03T23:40:13Z2020-11-03T23:40:13Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Samir Sardinha wrote:</div><blockquote><p> Add class variants to summoner and maybe magus so we can have a better chasis to improve later, something in the Cloistered/Warpriest line.</p>
<p>Maybe one more focused on spellcasting and the other more martial options ( for the eidolon or even the summoner ). </blockquote><p>It's really disappointing that decent combat plus decent magic is for prepared casting arcane only. Please give us more options here.Samir Sardinha wrote:Add class variants to summoner and maybe magus so we can have a better chasis to improve later, something in the Cloistered/Warpriest line.
Maybe one more focused on spellcasting and the other more martial options ( for the eidolon or even the summoner ).
It's really disappointing that decent combat plus decent magic is for prepared casting arcane only. Please give us more options here.Innominat (alias of bags)2020-11-03T23:40:13ZRe: Forums: Paizo Products: New champion code + reactions pleaseInnominat (alias of bags)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs4375c?New-champion-code-reactions-please#72020-11-02T17:51:47Z2020-11-02T17:51:47Z<p>I think the Champion Codes you're discussing could come from deities or pantheons. For example, Nethys has domains of Magic and Protection, so their Champion might be eligible for a Magic Protection code. This opens up the potential for an insane number of code options, which has pros and cons.</p>I think the Champion Codes you're discussing could come from deities or pantheons. For example, Nethys has domains of Magic and Protection, so their Champion might be eligible for a Magic Protection code. This opens up the potential for an insane number of code options, which has pros and cons.Innominat (alias of bags)2020-11-02T17:51:47ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: Poison and moralityInnominat (alias of bags)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs4381h&page=2?Poison-and-morality#782020-11-02T17:07:23Z2020-11-02T16:47:17Z<p>We don't generally consider people poisoning rats in their house to be evil, but we do generally consider people punching non-consenting adults to be evil. </p>
<p>The biggest ethical question is "can you control the damage"? With punching, someone can surrender and you can stop punching them. With poison, if they surrender, can you stop the poison? If no, then it could end up killing someone who surrendered, which would be murder and an evil act. That is why canonically paladins were prohibited from using poison in some D&D editions.</p>We don't generally consider people poisoning rats in their house to be evil, but we do generally consider people punching non-consenting adults to be evil.
The biggest ethical question is "can you control the damage"? With punching, someone can surrender and you can stop punching them. With poison, if they surrender, can you stop the poison? If no, then it could end up killing someone who surrendered, which would be murder and an evil act. That is why canonically paladins were prohibited...Innominat (alias of bags)2020-11-02T16:47:17ZRe: Forums: Magus Class: The might, the magic, THE MAGUS!Innominat (alias of bags)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs4363g&page=3?The-might-the-magic-THE-MAGUS#1192020-10-08T22:32:36Z2020-10-08T22:32:36Z<p>The arcane spell list only and prepared casting only make the Magus very limited in which players are going to like the class. This is the fundamental flaw with the class as written.</p>The arcane spell list only and prepared casting only make the Magus very limited in which players are going to like the class. This is the fundamental flaw with the class as written.Innominat (alias of bags)2020-10-08T22:32:36ZRe: Forums: Magus Class: Probably controversial, but what about "Arcane Champion"?Innominat (alias of bags)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs4365z?Probably-controversial-but-what-about-Arcane#132020-09-16T03:08:55Z2020-09-16T03:08:55Z<p>Magus is different from Champion in that the Champion isn't doing divine magic strikes every round, every combat. And Champion isn't really a caster. Cleric with Warpriest similarly doesn't get the same capability of "mix magic and combat" - they get both, but they don't really "mix" them. </p>
<p>One part of what you're talking about would be covered by the Magus MC Archetype, using a Fighter or Champion base and MC into Magus. More weapon proficiency advancement, less magic. </p>
<p>But I agree that martial class + Magus MC would never get the full range of "mix magic and combat" options that Magus has out of the box, even sinking all your class feats into Magus MC feats.</p>Magus is different from Champion in that the Champion isn't doing divine magic strikes every round, every combat. And Champion isn't really a caster. Cleric with Warpriest similarly doesn't get the same capability of "mix magic and combat" - they get both, but they don't really "mix" them.
One part of what you're talking about would be covered by the Magus MC Archetype, using a Fighter or Champion base and MC into Magus. More weapon proficiency advancement, less magic.
But I agree that...Innominat (alias of bags)2020-09-16T03:08:55ZRe: Forums: Magus Class: Only arcane?Innominat (alias of bags)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs4364a?Only-arcane#82020-09-16T02:59:09Z2020-09-16T02:53:59Z<p>Totally agree. I want the non-arcane tradition options added as other types of Magus Synthesis options. It's easy enough as written to replace the word "arcane" with "magic" and get 95% of the class ready for three other traditions. </p>
<p>Based on how the Magus MC archetype Striking Spell will be basically useless• for other spellcasting tradition classes, it really needs to have the other traditions as options in the core class.</p>
<p>Striking Spell (Spellstrike) is the fundamental action of the class. Wizard with Fighter archetype (or vice versa) doesn't get that. Champion doesn't get that. Cleric with Warpriest doctrine doesn't get that. That could change with a Magus MC archetype (and it should). </p>
<p>•Spellcasting is the Magus class' hook into Striking Spell. For a caster taking a Magus MC archetype the spellcasting is not needed, but the missing weapon proficiency advancement would make Striking Spell useless. Similarly a martial taking a Magus MC archetype spellcasting is necessary for Striking Spell to have any utility, while the weapon/armor proficiency advancement is not. Either way, you're using a 2nd level feat to MC and more feats to either get weapon proficiencies (most needed by other casting tradition classes) to be useful in striking or spellcasting MC feats to make it useful. It's just not easy to adapt to a MC archetype.</p>
<p>To edit the class to accommodate other traditions, the spellbook verbiage could just as easily be modified to allow a holy text or occult grimoire if it has to be prepared from books. But rules for preparing from prayer/meditation/familiar already exist from Cleric/Druid/Witch and are easy to reference for the tradition Synthesis options. </p>
<p>There are also some feats that specifically talk about arcane tradition spells, but those could just as easily require the right Synthesis options as prereqs. But the class feats themselves are already almost all good fits other traditions.</p>Totally agree. I want the non-arcane tradition options added as other types of Magus Synthesis options. It's easy enough as written to replace the word "arcane" with "magic" and get 95% of the class ready for three other traditions.
Based on how the Magus MC archetype Striking Spell will be basically useless* for other spellcasting tradition classes, it really needs to have the other traditions as options in the core class.
Striking Spell (Spellstrike) is the fundamental action of the...Innominat (alias of bags)2020-09-16T02:53:59ZRe: Forums/Advanced Player’s Guide Playtest: General Discussion: Why is ______ its own class?Innominat (alias of bags)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs42u8i?Why-is-its-own-class#502019-11-19T13:26:41Z2019-11-11T18:37:41Z<p>Multiclassing seems to be intentionally very painful in 2E, which I feel is a better reason for each class to have more options.</p>
<p>Why shouldn't a Rogue get an Int based racket with the Investigator class features as feat options? Why shouldn't a Sorcerer get the option for Mysteries replacing bloodlines? Why shouldn't a Wizard get the option to trade spellbook for a patron? Why shouldn't a Fighter choose Panache as a Feat option?</p>Multiclassing seems to be intentionally very painful in 2E, which I feel is a better reason for each class to have more options.
Why shouldn't a Rogue get an Int based racket with the Investigator class features as feat options? Why shouldn't a Sorcerer get the option for Mysteries replacing bloodlines? Why shouldn't a Wizard get the option to trade spellbook for a patron? Why shouldn't a Fighter choose Panache as a Feat option?Innominat (alias of bags)2019-11-11T18:37:41ZRe: Forums: Investigator Playtest: Why 8 skills?Innominat (alias of bags)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs42u92?Why-8-skills#82019-11-12T00:53:08Z2019-11-11T18:19:48Z<p>Even as a skill monkey, you don't need to be trained in 80% of all skills. You just need to be good at the ones you plan on using a lot. I doubt anyone building the character would waste skill increases on training new skills. You'd have at least 7 skills with 1 from background and 6 from class with 10 Int. But of course no Investigator will only have 10 Int.</p>
<p>Compare this to the other 6 skill classes: Alchemist, Bard and Ranger. Bard is a full caster, Ranger is a martial. Is two skills worth sacrificing full casting or being a martial? I don't think it is, because you've already got the 10 to 12 most useful skills - the next two skills have diminished marginal returns. </p>
<p>Instead, I would give a skill increase at level 1, the ability to become a Master in skills earlier (level 5), and more skill feats. </p>
<p>Investigator was originally between Alchemist and Rogue, and there really isn't much space between them in 2e. I think multiclassing is terrible in 2e, but an Alchemist MC Rogue or Rogue MC Alchemist are each superior to Investigator right now.</p>Even as a skill monkey, you don't need to be trained in 80% of all skills. You just need to be good at the ones you plan on using a lot. I doubt anyone building the character would waste skill increases on training new skills. You'd have at least 7 skills with 1 from background and 6 from class with 10 Int. But of course no Investigator will only have 10 Int.
Compare this to the other 6 skill classes: Alchemist, Bard and Ranger. Bard is a full caster, Ranger is a martial. Is two skills worth...Innominat (alias of bags)2019-11-11T18:19:48ZForums: Investigator Playtest: Why 8 skills?Innominat (alias of bags)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs42u92?Why-8-skills#12019-11-11T00:31:21Z2019-11-10T21:38:33Z<p>Why does an Int based character needs 8 skills trained from the class? If you're getting one skill from your race, one from your background, 8 from the class and 4 from intelligence, that's 14 out of 16 skills you're trained in. [Lore of course is useless because the player and GM will never agree on the scope of the skill.] Performance is useless for non-bards, so that's really 14 out of 15 skills. Plus, other players at the table probably want to be useful at skills sometimes too.</p>Why does an Int based character needs 8 skills trained from the class? If you're getting one skill from your race, one from your background, 8 from the class and 4 from intelligence, that's 14 out of 16 skills you're trained in. [Lore of course is useless because the player and GM will never agree on the scope of the skill.] Performance is useless for non-bards, so that's really 14 out of 15 skills. Plus, other players at the table probably want to be useful at skills sometimes too.Innominat (alias of bags)2019-11-10T21:38:33ZForums: Investigator Playtest: Why only elixirs?Innominat (alias of bags)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs42u91?Why-only-elixirs#12019-11-10T21:36:17Z2019-11-10T21:36:17Z<p>I'm playing a Rogue multiclassed into Alchemist, mostly for smokesticks. He was only multiclassed since making smoke is excessively expensive and the Rogue class feats are very underwhelming. I assumed the Investigator class would be a good replacement. [Why making smoke would ever cost 3GP is beyond me, since smoke bombs in the real world have been around for since the 13th century and one hour of unskilled labor can buy hundreds of smoke bombs, but that's beyond the scope of this.]</p>
<p>Nope. Investigator can't get free smokesticks like Alchemist can. Only elixirs. So while my rogue can make poison, elixirs, tools and bombs, the Investigator can only make elixirs. They should be able to use any of those like an alchemist can - or at least choose between elixirs, bombs, tools or poisons.</p>I'm playing a Rogue multiclassed into Alchemist, mostly for smokesticks. He was only multiclassed since making smoke is excessively expensive and the Rogue class feats are very underwhelming. I assumed the Investigator class would be a good replacement. [Why making smoke would ever cost 3GP is beyond me, since smoke bombs in the real world have been around for since the 13th century and one hour of unskilled labor can buy hundreds of smoke bombs, but that's beyond the scope of this.]
Nope....Innominat (alias of bags)2019-11-10T21:36:17ZRe: Forums: Investigator Playtest: Why is investigator its own class?Innominat (alias of bags)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs42u8j?Why-is-investigator-its-own-class#42019-11-10T21:08:18Z2019-11-10T21:08:18Z<p>I'm playing a Rogue multiclassed into Alchemist, and the Investigator seems like just a weakened version of my character.</p>I'm playing a Rogue multiclassed into Alchemist, and the Investigator seems like just a weakened version of my character.Innominat (alias of bags)2019-11-10T21:08:18ZRe: Forums: Investigator Playtest: Should the investigator be a rogue racket instead?bagshttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs42u5u?Should-the-investigator-be-a-rogue-racket#52019-11-10T15:20:49Z2019-11-09T03:20:33Z<p>Of course it should be a racket instead of a separate class. But would that sell more books?</p>Of course it should be a racket instead of a separate class. But would that sell more books?bags2019-11-09T03:20:33ZRe: Forums: Advice: Critique my build: Mikasa from AoT in Pathfinderbagshttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2utx6?Critique-my-build-Mikasa-from-AoT-in-Pathfinder#112018-01-22T00:03:19Z2018-01-22T00:03:19Z<p>Every good rules system makes it hard to model an OP character.</p>
<p>The challenge stands open if you can find a better build! I think Scout/Swordmaster is thematically best, but swordmaster is also the only way I can find to get two swords on a charge at level 9. With ninja you can get scout but not swordmaster, and poison use/no trace/light steps make less sense to me than finesse training/danger sense/debilitaing injury/rogues edge. Magus I disagree with thematically because she doesn't use magic, doesn't like to think and she clearly kills by precision damage.</p>
<p>Flight speed has one other factor than action economy: charge rules state "allows you to move up to twice your speed". If she were at 60' flying speed the downward charge could add 12d6 instead of 6d6 for 30' fly speed (assuming a limit of double speed when falling charge). I'm not sure if this really is a requirement since you can presumably make a falling charge without a fly speed and I'm not certain falling would be considered a double move if you do have a fly speed. Full round action to swing by rope at least 20' from a higher elevation also counts as a charge.</p>
<p>Climb speeds are definitely useful, but I'll probably get a climb speed with Rogue's Edge at level 10.</p>
<p>Some more thoughts I've had:
<br />
[X] 8.3k +1 giant-bane Aldori Dueling Swords: Her swords are designed specifically to kill giants, so more appropriate than just +1 ADS at a cost of 12k extra for +2 to hit and +2d6+2 damage per hit. </p>
<p>The giant's AoO would be more appropriately avoided with amazing Acrobatics (e.g. frost giant's CMD 29) instead of by armor. Acrobatics is +19 so that's only 50% protection so far. Dropping celestial armor would be thematically approriate (though stupid for normal Pathfinder play style). Then I'd need another way to fly every day to qualify for putting ranks in Fly skill. </p>
<p>So now I'm at:
<br />
Tiger trance -> flying 120' up with 60' fly speed (+two sword draws as part of movement) -> true strike and a move -> pounce for 12d6 branch pounce+4d8 weapon+20d6 sneak attack+ (8d6+12) giant bane+28 Dex to damage+4 weapon enhancement= 40d6+4d8+44, averaging 202 damage when all 4 hit. Enough to kill a CR13 storm giant in one pass (if I could actually hit 4 times), and CR9 frost giant is toast. Without trance/pounce one charge attack is still 12d6+1d8+5d6+2d6+10 or 81 damage, enough every other round to definitely kill a CR6 ettin and frequently enough for a hill giant.</p>Every good rules system makes it hard to model an OP character.
The challenge stands open if you can find a better build! I think Scout/Swordmaster is thematically best, but swordmaster is also the only way I can find to get two swords on a charge at level 9. With ninja you can get scout but not swordmaster, and poison use/no trace/light steps make less sense to me than finesse training/danger sense/debilitaing injury/rogues edge. Magus I disagree with thematically because she doesn't use...bags2018-01-22T00:03:19ZRe: Forums: Advice: Critique my build: Mikasa from AoT in Pathfinderbagshttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2utx6?Critique-my-build-Mikasa-from-AoT-in-Pathfinder#82018-01-20T12:24:10Z2018-01-20T12:23:03Z<p>You're right about true strike, so I will just need a bandolier full of Rings of Serene Contortions and put a new one on each fight. I •should• only need it once per combat. Dusty rose prism + wayfinder is useful, but not 12% of wealth useful.</p>
<p>Wands and UMD are insanely useful outside combat if you can use them, but it's un-thematic, TWF means no spare hands in combat, and my action economy already sucks two or three rounds of setting up the finale.</p>
<p>I've also considered replacing flying with a second story harness, 2 crank light crossbows, 6 tiny animated object constructs, 200' of silk rope and 2 grappling bolts for 2219gp. I suspect table variation on how that works though...</p>
<p>[X] 1k Boots of the Cat: would mean an unchecked 60' fall only does 6 damage instead of 6d6. Seems prudent.</p>You're right about true strike, so I will just need a bandolier full of Rings of Serene Contortions and put a new one on each fight. I *should* only need it once per combat. Dusty rose prism + wayfinder is useful, but not 12% of wealth useful.
Wands and UMD are insanely useful outside combat if you can use them, but it's un-thematic, TWF means no spare hands in combat, and my action economy already sucks two or three rounds of setting up the finale.
I've also considered replacing flying...bags2018-01-20T12:23:03ZRe: Forums: Advice: Critique my build: Mikasa from AoT in Pathfinderbagshttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2utx6?Critique-my-build-Mikasa-from-AoT-in-Pathfinder#72018-01-20T07:08:09Z2018-01-20T07:08:09Z<p>Altitude is a defining element of the build damage, and flight speed is key to getting a high initial altitude. There's a ton of options for how to fly, none of them perfect so a mix of options seems ideal. </p>
<p>Expense per encounter for something a character is built around is one element, and presumably she also practices regularly. With APL 9 party of 4, average treasure per encounter is 1,062gp, about 19 CR=APL encounters per level, expecting +16k WBL means only consuming 4k, or 200gp total expenses per encounter at this level.</p>
<p>Here's a list of the ways to fly I've looked at:</p>
<p>[X] 0? Party casting fly spells every fight: cheapest option, but Mikasa is a strong independent woman who don't need no wizard.
<br />
[ ] 450gp Overland Flight spellcasting service: for 9 hours of 40' fly speed is great if I'm near a city offering it and know I'll have more than 1 encounter that day.
<br />
[ ] 11.3k Wand of Fly: costs 225gp per use, but either needs a party member or UMD investment to consistently hit DC 20.
<br />
[ ] 2.5k custom item (+5 competence bonus to UMD)?: could make wands useful
<br />
[X] 750gp Potions of Fly: 5 minutes of fun with 60' fly (+2) speed. Great backup, but too pricey to use in half the combats.
<br />
[ ] 22k Wings of Flying: constant fly 30' (poor) not great speed, but good for practicing all day, every day. Too bad the speed means my team getting chased by giants for an extra round as I climb.
<br />
[ ] 16k Winged Boots: fly 60' (good) for 5 min 3/day. It keeps you independent, beats potions on price after 22 uses, and this is going to be used basically every combat. But if someone can make you fly or the first flight of the day is free or you're in town for multiple combats it becomes less tempting.
<br />
[ ] 7.5k Boots of Levitation: cheap levitation at will and with Glide I could move laterally fine... but only 20' of climb speed per round is very slow. I would need three rounds at least waiting for the eleveator to go up. And it's a -1 to the attack/combat maneuver roll.
<br />
[ ] 10k? Tengu Wings feat is 30' speed for 9 minutes 1/day, and I think I can get better equivalent than 1/day for a feat investment. Feats normally cost around 10k in item equivalent, but even 10k for slow 1/day isn't worth it.
<br />
[ ] 18k Jetpack: fly 60' (poor) 1 charge/round. But I'm avoiding technological items.
<br />
[ ] 5.1k Hippogriff (combat trained) + exotic military saddle: Scouts fly and ride horses, so this is feasible but ideally she should be flying independently.
<br />
[ ] 4.5k Medium animated object: construct can use two construct points to get Fly 40' (clumsy). It could carry you, follow orders and it's not afraid of things like a hippogriff might be
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[ ] +10.5k An intelligent magical item with flying: should be treated as an NPC, so too unreliable
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[ ] 10.1k Windstrider Mail: 3/day 60' flying rush for one turn as a standard
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[ ] +15k Radiant Flight armor enhancement: fly 30' (poor) 10 min/day in 1 min increments, but must be attached to heavy armor
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[ ] 15.2k Gale Armor: gives air walk, which doesn't let you fall when it ends
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[X] 22.4k Celestial Armor: fly 60' (+2) 5 min 1/day. +9 AC and +8 MDB with only a light armor proficiency is the best armor a rogue can get, even without the flight. But first flight of the day free is a big bonus.
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[ ] 35k+ Dread Wing (+5 armor bonus): fly 60' (average) at will, but expensive and requires heavy armor
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[ ] 40k Gravity Suit: fly 60' (average) 1 charge/min. Technological.
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[ ] 55k Wicked Wings: way too much for a constant 30' fly speed - and it's a Demonic Implant</p>Altitude is a defining element of the build damage, and flight speed is key to getting a high initial altitude. There's a ton of options for how to fly, none of them perfect so a mix of options seems ideal.
Expense per encounter for something a character is built around is one element, and presumably she also practices regularly. With APL 9 party of 4, average treasure per encounter is 1,062gp, about 19 CR=APL encounters per level, expecting +16k WBL means only consuming 4k, or 200gp total...bags2018-01-20T07:08:09ZRe: Forums: Advice: Critique my build: Mikasa from AoT in Pathfinderbagshttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2utx6?Critique-my-build-Mikasa-from-AoT-in-Pathfinder#52018-01-20T06:37:02Z2018-01-20T06:11:29Z<p>avr: I like what you're seeing that I missed.
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[X] 1k Dusty Rose Prism (Cracked) Ioun Stone + Wayfinder for a +1 insight bonus to combat maneuver checks.
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[X] 1.2k Ring of Serene Contortions for 1/day True Strike (so useful to this build I'm split between buying 2 or buying 4 and a Meridian Belt and leave the Belt of Incredible Dexterity)
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[ ] 4k Pale Green Prism (Cracked) Ioun Stone for a +1 competence bonus to attack (still kinda pricy for level 9)
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[ ] 750gp Wand of True Strike if she has UMD?
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[X] 50gp Potion of True Strike for those days where you don't have enough uses per day</p>
<p>Baba: Griffon Mane outfit is definitely a cheap +2 competence bonus to Fly, so that's totally in. It also reminds me I should have a masterwork tool of flying, which would be what I make out of griffon mane. Since I technically have functioning wings already a good jacket that can accomodate wings while catching the wind dramatically seems fair.
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[X] 301gp custom Griffon Mane masterwork tool (fly): "Wings of Freedom" soldier's uniform</p>
<p>You're right, Celestial Armor is pricy, but it's something I could use until level 20. I need some AC since giants will get an AoO as I swoop in. In the Celestial Armor example, AC is 24 = 10 + 7 Dex + 9 armor -2 charge, and frost giant's to hit is +18... so I need AC >28 to not get swatted first most of the time. +9 AC for 22k seems fair. More on flying in a moment.</p>
<p>Charging stuff:
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[ ] 5.2k Rhino Hide: +2 hide armor (medium armor, which rogue isn't proficient in), but the killer is max dex bonus of 4. Only nets me +2 AC over no armor. That +2d6 damage on a charge is very tempting, but I do need to survive to hit first.
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[ ] 8.2k Mammoth Hide (MTT): +2 hide armor, and +3d6 on a charge
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[ ] 11.7k Mammoth Hide (ISC): +3 hide armor, so same problem as above, but +4d6 on a charge... more tempting, but I'd need a feat or dip for armor proficiency
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[ ] 10k Belt of Thunderous Charging: takes my ADS from 1d8 to 2d6 netting 2.5 average damage per hit (and double on crits), but belt slot means my Dex mod goes down 1 so -1 to hit, -1 damage per attack, -1 AC, -1 init, -1 Reflex, -1 to skills, etc. I'll have to see if I can change one slot with a custom item first.</p>avr: I like what you're seeing that I missed.
[X] 1k Dusty Rose Prism (Cracked) Ioun Stone + Wayfinder for a +1 insight bonus to combat maneuver checks.
[X] 1.2k Ring of Serene Contortions for 1/day True Strike (so useful to this build I'm split between buying 2 or buying 4 and a Meridian Belt and leave the Belt of Incredible Dexterity)
[ ] 4k Pale Green Prism (Cracked) Ioun Stone for a +1 competence bonus to attack (still kinda pricy for level 9)
[ ] 750gp Wand of True Strike if she has UMD?...bags2018-01-20T06:11:29ZForums: Advice: Critique my build: Mikasa from AoT in Pathfinderbagshttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2utx6?Critique-my-build-Mikasa-from-AoT-in-Pathfinder#12018-01-20T08:36:49Z2018-01-18T22:56:49Z<p>My objective is to maximize damage done on the first round of contact to a giant with a flying two-sword charge. I love Mikasa in Attack on Titan, and wanted to see if I could replicate the flying, two swords simultaneous first strike giant killer in Pathfinder for a home game. </p>
<p>Character gen rules: 25 point buy, 9th level, normal wealth by level, no 3rd party materials, no technological items. A CR 9 Frost Giant has 133 HP, so that's the damage I need for first strike kills for this level. </p>
<p>Here's how this build works:
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Round 1) Get Tengu Swordmaster into Tiger Trance
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Round 2) Get airborne and climb to 60+ feet
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Round 3) Charge from above for insane damage, then activate Glide to break fall</p>
<p>Here's I've got so far:
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Tengu
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- Alternate racial trait: Glide
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- ART: Deft Swords
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Unchained Rogue 9 (Scout, Swordmaster)
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- Archetypes:
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- Swordmaster Trances:
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- Tiger Trance (Succeed at a combat maneuver check to use Pounce on a charge)
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- Dragon Trance (Dragon Style)
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- Leopard Trance (Mobility)
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- Scout's Charge (Charge makes target flat-footed)
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- Skirmisher (After moving 10', attack action does sneak attack damage)
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- Sneak attack +5d6
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- Finesse Training (Aldori Dueling sword)
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- Rogue Talents:
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- Surprise Attacks
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- Weapon Training
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- Combat Trick
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- Getaway Artist (to get Fly as a class skill)
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- Rogue's Edge: Fly
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Ability Scores:
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13/22/12/8/12/12
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Feats:
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- Agile Maneuvers
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- Branch Pounce
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- Death from Above
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- Two-Weapon Fighting
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- Improved Two-Weapon Fighting
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- Flyby Attack (from Combat Trick)
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- Weapon Finesse (from UC Rogue)
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- Weapon Focus (Aldori Dueling Sword) (from Weapon Training)
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Traits:
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- Sword Scion
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- Swordlord's Page
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Skills:
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- Acrobatics
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- Fly
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- Climb
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- Perception
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- Profession (Soldier)
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- Stealth
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- scattered points to get class skill bonuses
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Gear:
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- 2x +1 aldori dueling sword
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- Celestial Armor and/or Boots of Flying
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- Belt of Incredible Dexterity +2
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- other stuff</p>
<p>So we have four key rolls to make:
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1) DC 20 Fly check to climb
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2) (The hard part) Combat Maneuver check with +13 to activate Tiger Trance. If this fails, fly more and look for another opportunity next round.
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3) +21/+21/+16/+16 against flat-foot attack rolls with ADS (6 BaB + 7 Dex + 1 trait + 1 weapon focus +1 enhancement bonus + 5 Death from Above)
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4) 1d8+8+6d6 Branch Pounce+5d6 Sneak Attack/1d8+8 +5d6 Sneak Attack/1d8+4 +5d6 Sneak Attack/1d8+4 +5d6 Sneak Attack</p>
<p>Best case scenario, you hit for 4d8+26d6+24, an average of 133 damage (max of 206!). If you miss the combat maneuver check, you can either climb more or still get one attack on a charge for 1d8+11d6+8 for an average of 51 damage (and a max of 82). Frost giant has flat-footed AC 21, so probability of 4 hits is over 50% if I succeed at the combat maneuver. Which is a big if since his CMD is 29 (25% chance of success), but you can elect not to use the charge that round if you fail your check. The result is she could be circling in the sky for several rounds looking for an opening before striking.</p>
<p>Any advice on how to get a better generic CMB without losing the ability to average over 130 damage? Or how to improve the damage of the first damage? I'm not interested in anything that requires more than one round of attacks or attacks with something other than two swords.</p>My objective is to maximize damage done on the first round of contact to a giant with a flying two-sword charge. I love Mikasa in Attack on Titan, and wanted to see if I could replicate the flying, two swords simultaneous first strike giant killer in Pathfinder for a home game.
Character gen rules: 25 point buy, 9th level, normal wealth by level, no 3rd party materials, no technological items. A CR 9 Frost Giant has 133 HP, so that's the damage I need for first strike kills for this level.
...bags2018-01-18T22:56:49ZRe: Forums: Advice: Forced to take a level in another class; what can I do?bagshttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2u614?Forced-to-take-a-level-in-another-class-what#482017-02-08T02:25:50Z2017-02-08T02:25:50Z<p>If your GM is forcing you to take a class you don't want, suggest that he allow you to do a Gestalt level. That way you can get keep your monk progression (happy player) and meet his plot requirements (happy GM).</p>If your GM is forcing you to take a class you don't want, suggest that he allow you to do a Gestalt level. That way you can get keep your monk progression (happy player) and meet his plot requirements (happy GM).bags2017-02-08T02:25:50ZRe: Forums: Advice: Is Pacifism doable?bagshttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2qw1k&page=2?Is-Pacifism-doable#572015-04-27T02:32:35Z2015-04-27T02:32:35Z<p>It certainly is doable. I play a pacifist character, I've never dealt damage to any enemy. My character has been attacked many times by trying to befriend the obvious enemies, and used mind affecting magic to shut down a wide variety of conflict instigators, and has persuaded evil undead to accept an Atonement to give up their evil ways. The plot of the game has to do with the Four Horsemen, and the GM has implied that as a result of my character's extreme pacifism, she may be the only one immune to the powers of the Horseman of War.</p>
<p>Your game is only as good as your imagination, your GM and your co-players. Don't let anyone dissuade you from playing a pacifist. It's far more satisfying to defy the murder-hobo trope.</p>It certainly is doable. I play a pacifist character, I've never dealt damage to any enemy. My character has been attacked many times by trying to befriend the obvious enemies, and used mind affecting magic to shut down a wide variety of conflict instigators, and has persuaded evil undead to accept an Atonement to give up their evil ways. The plot of the game has to do with the Four Horsemen, and the GM has implied that as a result of my character's extreme pacifism, she may be the only one...bags2015-04-27T02:32:35ZRe: Forums: Kingmaker: Laws For Our Kingdombagshttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2s76f?Laws-For-Our-Kingdom#102015-04-21T16:59:26Z2015-04-21T16:59:26Z<p>You mention tax collection and tax evasion, but not taxes themselves. Historically that's one of the most contentious areas of law, and economically it's going to define what is and isn't possible in the kingdom as well as how powerful monied interests are. </p>
<p>Second is property ownership. Land and magic items are most likely the most valuable items, so having a registered deed with a history of ownership would be typical. The owner of a piece of land would typically have rights to things like ruins and any loot therefrom. </p>
<p>Creation of new magic items would also likely be regulated, or at least registered due to the enormous value, and inevitable thefts or court disputes over ownership. How do you treat the ownership of something so easily carried away?</p>You mention tax collection and tax evasion, but not taxes themselves. Historically that's one of the most contentious areas of law, and economically it's going to define what is and isn't possible in the kingdom as well as how powerful monied interests are.
Second is property ownership. Land and magic items are most likely the most valuable items, so having a registered deed with a history of ownership would be typical. The owner of a piece of land would typically have rights to things like...bags2015-04-21T16:59:26ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Pathfinder Core Rulebook in other languages?bagshttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rf0n?Pathfinder-Core-Rulebook-in-other-languages#52015-02-21T16:36:53Z2015-02-21T16:36:53Z<p>Is there any estimate on when the Chinese translation would be published? </p>
<p>When a single American geek starts dating a native Chinese speaking girlfriend, you either get both of us playing or neither of us playing... you're really getting two customers for the price of publishing for one :)</p>Is there any estimate on when the Chinese translation would be published?
When a single American geek starts dating a native Chinese speaking girlfriend, you either get both of us playing or neither of us playing... you're really getting two customers for the price of publishing for one :)bags2015-02-21T16:36:53ZRe: Forums: Class Discussion: Brawler Discussionbagshttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2qdj7&page=2?Brawler-Discussion#902013-11-20T04:31:08Z2013-11-20T04:31:08Z<p>AC Bonus: If you have a level 1 Brawler, level 2 will be a dip into Ranger (or Paladin/Armored Hulk barbarian/Crusader cleric, alignment depending). Heavy armor prof is a +5 AC compared to chain shirt, which is superior to AC Bonus at 18th level. Sure, you can put two feats of Martial Maneuvers into Medium Armor Proficiency and Heavy Armor Proficiency, but you want to free those up. Replace this with something like Canny Defense from Duelist that scales up higher than +4.</p>
<p>Flurry: Why not just give the Two Weapon Fighting tree instead of the flurry? Just pure bonus feats would be simplest. Flurry limiting it to monk weapons locks players into Eastern Weapons flavor. If you're set on gimping the feat, why not just lock it to a player's choice of fighter weapon groups? That way I can create my own flavor.</p>
<p>Brawler Strike: I don't like Brawler Strike, or any (Su) for a brawler. Who says the unarmed strike has to be able to hurt every monster? If everyone can always hurt every monster, DR is pointless. Like the Eastern weapons, it's an immersion breaker. If you really want to keep up with DR penetration, just call it something like "Penetrating Strike (Ex)" and give a non-magicky sounding mechanic like "The brawler's unarmed strike can bypass 5 points of DR".</p>
<p>Martial Maneuvers: Sounds cool, and it would be if it weren't an accounting and research nightmare. So now I have to keep a whole sheet of numbers for attack reference. Four weapons (primary, secondary, unarmed, ranged) times three attack modes (one attack, defensively, full attack) squared (flurry) times a every possible combination of combat feats... It's going to piss off a lot of people at the table while someone is constantly looking up combat feats, then recalculating their stats every combat. Adding up conditional modifiers already take up half of combat. I'd recommend narrowing the scope to a list of a dozen feats.</p>
<p>Maneuver Training: isn't as good as Lorewarden or Maneuver Master for CMB.</p>
<p>Awesome Blow: Underwhelming. Weapon Mastery and Perfect Self are far superior capstones.</p>
<p>I have a fighter-monk character in my Thursday game, and I'll test out a Brawler build. I expect to be disappointed.</p>AC Bonus: If you have a level 1 Brawler, level 2 will be a dip into Ranger (or Paladin/Armored Hulk barbarian/Crusader cleric, alignment depending). Heavy armor prof is a +5 AC compared to chain shirt, which is superior to AC Bonus at 18th level. Sure, you can put two feats of Martial Maneuvers into Medium Armor Proficiency and Heavy Armor Proficiency, but you want to free those up. Replace this with something like Canny Defense from Duelist that scales up higher than +4.
Flurry: Why not...bags2013-11-20T04:31:08Z