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The way I see it is that the biggest strength of Magus is the increased critical range for spells. Spellslinger gets the opposite boost in that it can deliver x4 spell crits but can't advance beyond 19-20 crit range. I would focus instead on save based spells that can qualify for the bonus from the gun as +5 DC is no joke. Hell, might be worthwhile to go 1 in Spellslinger and then Heavens Oracle for that sweet Color Spray action.
Thrown weapons do not have strength ratings: You just add your strength modifier to the damage roll like you would for a melee attack. All the Primal Hunter Barbarian ability does is let you count you strength modifier up to a certain extent for weapons like bows without needing for them to be composite... that itself it a pretty horrible class feature as the magic quality Adaptive can be added for a flat 1,000 gold to a bow to just always use your strength score no matter what it is.
Ask your DM as this is strictly in DM fiat territory. Assuming I was the DM, I would be comfortable giving you Rock Throwing/Puncture Armor, but dial you back to Medium or Large (you would still be growing and if the campaign lasted long enough you would grow up step by step til you hit Huge). For ability scores, I am not sure. Maybe an Orc adjustment (+4 str for -2 all mental) but you would also get full benefits for size? If you want to have minimal homebrewing, you could ask if you could be a Tiefling monkey/Vanara (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/races/other-races/featured-races/arg-tiefling/ see Non-Human Tieflings - it is pretty much just a fluff change but there is a precedent for it in base rules). Take one of the alternate Tiefling heritage's for bonuses to strength or con to fulfill your baboon tank concept.
Spell Pen says: "You get a +2 bonus on caster level checks (1d20 + caster level) made to overcome a creature’s spell resistance." It says you get +2 on CL checks to overcome SR, period, with no specification on the type of ability that calls the SR check into question. Spell Like Abilities are subject to SR. Therefore, Spell Pen works with SLAs.
I think Doubling is a really bad thing to look at as a straight 8k upgrade, or even a +1 or +2 property. It is stupidly good for the WBL save if taken to its logical extremes. That said, I do agree that Two Weapon Fighters do get shafted WBL wise, as does anyone else who wants to have more than one weapon. I would consider not quantifying it (i.e. don't introduce this as an effect anyone can take in your world), and just make it a unique item for the player if you wanted it to be a thing at all. "This particular Wakizashi is unique because of story reasons" kinda deal. Alternately, you could consider an Amulet of Mighty Fists as a base... maybe instead of unarmed/nat attacks it could be tied to a few specific weapons?
I've tried all sorts of stat generation methods and in the end I came to the conclusion that ability scores are sorta like sex: They really aren't that big of a deal unless you don't get enough. So... new game I just told people to fill in whatever the hell they wanted, up to 16 pre-racial, but that we were going on the honor system of "how do you envision your character?". Everyone who was playing a MAD class got what they needed, and my SAD friends got to decide if they really needed their other stats to be all that high. As a DM it really doesn't make much difference to me either way, but everyone else got to be happy. Only a few sessions in, but not really seeing an issue so far.
I am unaware of any Rays with Force, but you may want to consider the spell Battering Blast (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/b/battering-blast/). It is awesome and pretty much has a lot of the same functionality as the two feats you are looking at built into the spell itself. Combine the following traits and you can have yourself a lot of fun: http://www.d20pfsrd.com/traits/regional-traits/metamagic-master/
I played around with a skill god build a few weeks back out of boredom. I went with Pageant of the Peacock (which doesn't help you for PFS) but thought why not share anyway? I took it to 20 but didn't fully gear it. https://www.reddit.com/r/Pathfinder_RPG/comments/7nddvy/ways_to_take_10_on_ perform_checks_preferably_as_a It ended with the ability to always get 70 on most skills in the game.
Summoners use charisma for spells and may end up with higher charisma. So between them and the eidolon they could be better at fighting and being the party face. Better yet be a Master Summoner. Spend your Eidolon's few Evolution points on Skilled for various social skills. You are the support caster, Eidolon is the face, summons are the fighters/healers/other support casters/everything else.
Ok, I will bite. How are Fighters, a class that encourages mediocre charisma, intelligence, and wisdom, has 2 skills points per level, and lacks basic social skills as class skills suited in any way to be a ruler?
I think in some ways we are going to be talking in circles. If there was not a caster disparity, then a martial and caster of the same level should be the same level of threat. But you are acknowledging that they aren't because clearly the caster is the more dangerous foe. I think that comes back to essentially saying, "yeah, casters are busted but you can mitigate if you specifically plan around them." It is like you are saying that no problem ever existed because you took steps to fix it, but if there was never a problem then why did you have to take those steps.
Hey I don't find it a problem myself. My game does not experience the M/C disparity thing. The power seems to spread pretty evenly. I find the debate pointless because even if you try to offer solutions theirs always people flipping out one way or the other. The issue as I see it is that if you look at it completely objectively, as written, there is 100% a martial/caster disparity. That is not to say that you may not houserule to fix it or not have a group of players that exploit it, but it is objectively there though it may never be an issue for you. When people deny that the disparity exists, in the game as written, well, that is when the arguments start getting heated. The ability to Rule 0 something doesn't stop the rules from being bad at times: In fact, I would argue that if you need to Rule 0 it to begin with then the rule was probably bad to begin with.
I can see your point. If you wanted a fairly quick and easy way to try to "balance" the game, banning 9th level casters would do a lot for you. As for non-full casters with nice things, the Barbarian/Bloodrager is still the gold standard in my mind: That is what non-full casters should be compared to in terms of awesome. Everyone should have cool stuff like that. With so many archetypes and alternate rules now, I feel like pretty much all classes are starting to have options that live up to that ideal. It only took X number of years, Y books, and Z splat books. Even Rogue and Monk can have some nice things now. What a time to be alive.
Of course mention them do another edition where they fix those supposed problems and everyone loses their mind. Because spells are fun and interesting. Would rather see other classes elevated with fun and interesting abilities than chopping down the casters. 4E had its own quirks but did what it set out to do well, i.e. be a pen and paper MMO, but in 5E everything is just so bland and tedious.
Ah, the old "I'm hiding in your closet Fallacy".
For archetypes I would consider: Dual Cursed - Misfortune is an amazing ability, especially as it can be used on the party as well as enemies. Ocean's Echo (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/oracle/archetypes/paizo-oracl e-archetypes/oceans-echo-oracle-archetype/) - This replaces some Revelation slots for Bard song. This would be pretty awesome with your party as you are melee heavy. Consider feats like the following if you go this route:
Cyclopean Seer (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/oracle/archetypes/paizo-oracl e-archetypes/cyclopean-seer-oracle-archetype/) - this also has some amazing support and debuff abilities. If you want to be able to help by going up and hitting things too (and also want another buff to bring to the table), consider Variant Multiclassing with Sorcerer (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/character-advancement/#Variant_Multiclassi ng) and picking the Orc bloodline. At 11 you can use it to get Power Attack. Touch of Rage is a holy s#@& amazing buff, which can be combined with the traits Community Minded and Opportunist Gambler to buff it a bit for your allies and a lot for you: Also note that this ability can be used with the Quicken Spell Like Ability feat, which you would be able to get next level. Also note that even if you didn't want to go with Orc bloodline, Variant Multiclass sorcerer is still awesome no matter what, especially because you can also take the Robe of Arcane Heritage (a 16k item) to treat you sorcerer level as 4 higher, granting access to level 15 bloodline powers too. That would help make you a melee badass too. Based on all of that above... I would say consider Ocean's Echo or Cyclopean Seer with Variant Multiclass Orc. Assuming, Ocean's Build could be like the following, and if not, well, it could just include more instances of Extra Revelation :p Traits - Community Minded / Opportunist Gambler
Revelations
Gear
I think mixing in manufactured weapons is a bad plan. Note that in addition to taking -5 (or -2 with Multiattack), you are also giving all of your natural attack 1/2 str damage. Also note that with that many nat attacks an Amulet of Mighty Fists is actually a sweet deal. If you mix in weapon attacks and want them to be useful (especially at high levels), they would need to be heavily enchanted which would also be a big cut into wealth by level. I wouldn't mess with it and just be happy with your 4 primary and 2 secondary nat attacks.
Or am I reading this wrong? Does this Deed imply that before the attack, spend the point and swift action to double the damage to your "next" attack which would actually be the player's first attack? Yes this is correct. Do note though that swift actions can be taken anytime during your turn, so you could, if you wanted, make your first attack as normal, spend a swift action and panache to activate Precise Strike, and then get the benefit for your second attack (aka your "next attack).
0. Prestidigitation (yay, I am always clean)
So then spending the Panache Point would be a waste if BAB isn't high enough to grant another attack or if haste wasn't cast I am not understanding you here. You can spend a swift action regardless of BAB or attack numbers. Even if you only had a single attack, you could spend a swift action and panache point to grant it the increased bonus from Precise Strike.
Precise Strike is not tied to BAB or multiple attacks in anyway. As long as you meet the requirements (using one handed piercing weapon with a free hand/buckler) you add your Swashbuckler level as extra damage. Each attack would do [weapon damage dice]+[static damage modifiers]+[Precise Strike, i.e. Swashbuckler level]. So in your example, each rapier attack would hit for 1d6+6 if you were Swashbuckler level 6. If a panache point is used (which is a swift action, so it can only be used once per round i.e. for one attack), then the next hit would instead deal 1d6+12. At level 11, without spending panache, your example would be dealing 1d6+11, 1d6+11, and 1d6+11. At any point though before one of those attacks, your guy could spend a swift action to grant +22 instead.
Dirty Fighter (Orc racial archetype) - http://www.d20pfsrd.com/races/other-races/featured-races/arg-orc/dirty-figh ter-fighter-orc/ - ultimate dirty trick badass Bard...
Elder Mythos Cultist Cleric (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/cleric/archetypes/paizo-cleri c-archetypes/elder-mythos-cultist-cleric-archetype/) - it is just so beautiful... and grants the coveted Madness domain. Oracle...
The best use of drugs ironically are to use them as poison. Much cheaper, more debilitating, and no saves. Who would have thought stabbing someone with a heroin needle would be so effective in Pathfinder?
Fears effects irritate me. Getting grappled by a giant monster, turned to stone because of magickz most foul, or being cast into a plane eternal torment? Ok that's cool, I'm being acted on by the world. Getting charmed or dominated? Okay cool, if I get to roleplay it out still: Who doesn't love the opportunity to have a good reason to fight the party? But fear? It strips you of all character agency and is embarrassing. As a DM I introduced a houserule that you can keep full control of your character while Frightened, but take a -4 to everything. Panicked is -8. If you choose to give into the fear as RAW, you don't take those negatives. It keeps the Fear effects relevant without the session turning into a farce everytime one is introduced, though I usually have mooks/animals/etc usually take the run option.
A geisha would have to be quite a level to effectively use tea ceremony AND normal bardic performances on a few people. It's like the entire feat build would be Extra Performance.
Maybe a dervish sikke? Why have I never seen this magic item before? It is everything I dreamed of, and so much more. Thanks for that!
So I am looking for options that allow you to always take 10 on Perform. I know Unchained Rogue's Advanced Talent Skill Mastery lets you select a number of skills for this, but I was wondering if anyone knew of any lower level options, preferably for Bard (besides level 19 Jack of all Trades). From what I have seen, no archetype has a Lore Master like ability that works on Perform. Anyone have any ideas?
Geisha is iffy. There are a lot of unanswered rules questions (so expect table variance) concerning the archetype, but how about this as a thought experiment: How would you rate the Geisha assuming optimal rulings? Optimal rulings would include: 1. Tea Ceremony can affect targets at any range.
To be honest, even with all that, I'd still say Geisha is middle of the road, though good in certain niche circumstances. It would still be very limited per day to the round expenditure costs. The optional double stacking of performances would be cool, I am not convinced of how practical it would be. That said, I'd like to have a Geisha as a NPC buddy that I had a telepathic connection to though.
Sorry, it is late and I wasn't clear. I meant that I never really considered the Shadowy spells as an option when I played classes that could take them, because while cool, I figured there were better things, but since it is a free option for Brazen Deceiver, hey why not. As for spells on Bards, I always tended to go the support route with very little save based offensive spells: I always tended to have a more spread out stat array than full casters, so lower base DCs. Assuming you were a high level Brazen Deceiver though, perhaps a more caster style array would be better.
Yeah, you are 100% correct, Pageant of the Peacock is a huge part of my endorsement of Brazen Deceiver. You can't dispute that these two published options together are badass. Both are legit things, so they can happen together. That's really the only way to judge it I think as table variance is always a thing and PFS is its own set of houserules. This archetype with a certain supporting option is the bee's knees (or "cray" as the children in my household used to say) unless a DM introduces a houserule against it. Without Pageant of the Peacock, I think it is a very specialized archetype, but still one that excels at what it does. It definitely wouldn't be "the one true bard archetype" in that situation though. Perhaps I am underrating the Shadowy spells though. While I can admit they have a ton of utility, the disbelieving aspect never really did it for me. Maybe if I got them for free with the rest of my archetype I would find them more useful than I did on something like Wizard :p
I was looking on d20pfsrd and just found the Brazen Deceiver archetype and I was about to make a post about it, but then found this. Let's continue the discussion. Here is my take on it: Brazen Deceiver is perfection. It is a straight upgrade to Bard. It is... the chosen one. In combination with Pageant of the Peacock anyway (which I consider to be to Bard as Power Attack is to any melee fighter). Okay so... 1. You lose some worthless abilities no one cares about to get less penalties for obscene lies. Though this varies by DM, as no one plays Bluff as written really, but actually having a class feature that says "no, it really is that much more believable coming from me" tends to give you a lot more leeway with a lot of DMs. Regardless, you lose two waste of written space abilities to get it, so either you gain a great boon or it is a wash. 2. Lose Well Versed (i.e. an ability I don't even write down on my character sheet when I make a Bard) for a feat that gives you stealth casting and performances. Yes! 3. Shameless Scoundrel - +1/2 level to stealth, disguise, and bluff instead of Bardic Knowledge. Downgrade or sidegrade depending on what you want to do with your build? No. This is beyond upgrade. Pageant of the Peacock, yo. 4. Invoke the Blood... these spells are added to spells KNOWN, not as spells that you may select from, as per many other archetypes. Now, the spells aren't great, but they do bring a ton of versatility. But is loses Versatile Performance you say... I agree that looks bad, but you need to see the whole picture. 5. Devil's Tongue. Remember Pageant of the Peacock? Bluff IS all intelligence skills AND checks now. Gaining Lore Master to Bluff only is again a straight upgrade. With Pageant of the Peacock taken into account, this archetype essentially gives you +1/2 level to all intelligence skills and checks, bluff, stealth, disguise; the ability to take 10 (or 20 sometimes per day) on bluff and all intelligence skills/checks; a bunch of automatically known spells (some of dubious use, but the shadowy spells do have a lot of potential versatility). You do lose some skill power with the loss of Versatile Performance, but in comparison to the gains is it worth getting upset about? Overall, the only issue with Brazen Deceiver is that you can't take it with Dirge Bard, Diva, or one of the other cool niche archetypes (i.e. opportunity cost), but if you want to be a "standard" bard, i.e. a know it all skill monkey social skill master with performance and support spells, well, Brazen Deceiver is straight profit.
S#$! like this is why I love the Barbarian so much.
For investigations I tend to play fast and loose. Know what happened, why, and maybe some important details, but don't be all set in your ways for small stuff or even sometimes for middle-ing stuff. If the players ask to make rolls that make sense, let them do it, assign a reasonable sounding DC, and invent some minor details on the spot. Don't be afraid to let the PCs fill in the gaps for you. For instance if they become convinced that John the Baker had to have been involved and what they are saying makes enough sense to make you wish you had gone that route even though you didn't, don't be afraid to make John part of the conspiracy. It lets the players feel like geniuses and makes it look like whatever awesome thing happened was "just as planned." It also removes the problem of "well s&$@, the PCs didn't make that DC 20 check an hour ago so now what?" That said, if the players/characters are being idiots and are way off track, don't be afraid to slap them down in game, for them to fail, or for partial clues to literally fall into their lap from more competent NPCs. Also remember Chandler's Law: "When in doubt [i.e. you wrote yourself into a corner], have a man come through a door with a gun [or sword] in his hand."
My favorite Drunken Master mixed in Qingong/Sensei/Monk of the 4 Winds, but takes a little while to come online. Build for maximum Ki regain from drinking as above comments and buffs to Bard song. The entire build is based around giving Bard song and spamming your Ki points to buff the party: True Strike, Barkskin, Restoration, Improved Blind Fight, Step Up and Strike, Abundant Step, etc. for everyone in the party! And then at level 12 Monk of the 4 Winds gives you Slow Time to share with your party... holy s+@&. You are the ULTIMATE support. Buy like 5 Tengu Drinking Jugs (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/r-z/teng u-drinking-jug/) for infinite booze and just assume you are always Sickened as per hangover rules.
To be honest a strength based two handing build literally only needs Power Attack. That is the entire build. Anything else is just extra. What would you like to do besides beating people to death? With that in mind we can maybe help you come up with some cool stuff. Variant Multiclassing could be very nice for this (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/unchained/skillsAndOptions/variantMulti classing.html) as you can afford the feat loss.
Not commenting on anything here besides OP's post, but here is a Unchained Rogue build I used in an old game that I liked a lot. https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=212833 Going heavy Stealth focused with Hellcat Stealth in conjunction with the level 15 skill unlock for Stealth essentially turns you into an unstoppable, untargetable, murder machine. Overall I think Unchained Rogue does the Rogue well.
Questions and comments in no particular order... 1. What does the second tier boon do exactly? Depending on what it does you may just want to not have it til you have enough HD to get the power without taking the prestige class. That said, if it is really awesome then disregard this point. 2. Startoss Style: This is bad. You are taking two feat taxes in order to get three feats that functionally just give +6 damage total. Instead of this for damage... 3. Go Virtuous Bravo Paladin (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/paladin/archetypes/paizo-pala din-archetypes/virtuous-bravo-paladin-archetype/). It answers all of your one-handed dex user damage woes, maintains Smite Evil and Divine Grace, and saves you a bunch of feats for Weapon Finesse/that other feat to do dex to damage with starknife. EDIT: Missed that you mentioned this archetype. I personally think this is a better trade and Pally casting isn't very good: What about casting (i.e. the ability to do what) do you want? Might be able to find a work around. 4. If you do that then really you have a lot of extra feats to work with... Consider Variant Multiclassing (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/unchained/skillsAndOptions/variantMulti classing.html)? I like Oracle, Sorcerer, Bard, or Wizard.
Quarterstaff Master waives the Fighter 4 requirement so as long as you have Weapon Focus (Quarterstaff) you are able to take Weapon Specialization for it anytime.
I'm assuming you are at least near level 20 and have Mythic yourself? Without looking too deeply here (just looking at AC and HP), Mythic Vital Strike + all Vital strike feats + that Mythic ability that lets you take an extra standard should be enough to one round kill him solo if you have an optimized dude. Throw in a party member with Sensei/Monk of the 4 winds and optimize initiative so he can give everyone in the party 3 standard actions via Slow Time and this isn't even fair for the bad guy.
If we're still going at 15th level, [...] With some work you can have functionally perfect stealth which gives you sneak attacks on every hit and near perfect defense as nothing can Target you. That negates the arguments of "toe to toe is dangerous" and "sneak attacks are unreliable". With defense and reliability taken care of then focusing TWF offense becomes that much more viable and the benefits other styles have over it diminish. Again I am arguing this is the best late game option not necessarily a low level focus.
Going against the general consensus here, I think Two Weapon Fighting Rogue is pretty sweet, at least at high level. Focus stealth and you can go toe to toe all day without the enemy really being able to do too much about it: Hell Cat Stealth, Dampen Presence, Conceal Scent, some mundane alchemical options and spells... pump stealth and defeat extraordinary/supernatural senses. The level 15 skill unlock counts all attacks after you break stealth for a turn as sneak attacks, so break stealth full attack, 5ft step hide. Upgrade Swords of Subtlety for that sweet extra +4 on all sneak attacks. If you are an evil a*!+&&*, worship Shax and at level 20 get extra sneak attack dice plus +2 extra damage per die via Demonic Obedience. That may not be viable for starting low level, but TWF just makes a high level rogue into a wrecking machine. I'd say it's worth having in time for your rank 15 Stealth unlock at the very least.
Note that you lose 4 until your next turn if an enemy ever comes within 4 of your AC. So essentially the bonus from Crane Wing can only ever help you against 1 attack per round.
In game terms think of a shield as two different items in one: One is an AC item and one is a weapon. Each shield can be enchanted as each independently. When you are upgrading your shield you are either increasing the AC part of it or the weapon part of it. For instance you can have a shield that is enchanted for +5 AC while simultaneously having it enchanted as a +2 weapon. You pay the costs for each independently.
Grease 1. Technically the magic item gets a save even if it doesn't necessarily make sense... like here.
Resolve Yes looks to be correct.
I'd say no. Check the end of the first FAQ: "The exception is if the class ability specifically says it only applies to spells from that class" Sage calls it out as Int for Sorcerer stuff only.
The listed combination provides only DR 20/-, not 26. Neither Dragon Totem nor any of the powers that bear it as a prerequisite give DR. I meant the Dragon Totem line. The second one gives +2 DR for each Dragon Totem feat you have as well. With the three feats you get +6 DR, a limited Flight per day, and an good energy resit. It's not too bad.
Just something I've been wondering. What are some of the best ways to build a character who wears no armour, yet fights up close and personal? Barbarian build focused around DR. Invulnerable Rager + Improved Stalwart + Dragon Totem (if you don't mind losing Pounce from Beast) = a max of DR 26 /-. You get hit but it just doesn't matter. It's pretty fun.
"Your Disguise check result determines how good the disguise is, and it is opposed by others’ Perception check results. If you don’t draw any attention to yourself, others do not get to make Perception checks. If you come to the attention of people who are suspicious (such as a guard who is watching commoners walking through a city gate), it can be assumed that such observers are taking 10 on their Perception checks." - Part of the disguise rules. For the most part people won't have reason to question your disguise so that means no rolls on their part or taking 10 if they have reason to be extra alert in general. With a +9 you are pretty solid, but note you take a -2 for disguising as a different race. Once you get some cash, a Quick Change Cloak enchanted onto your Cloak of Resistance is pretty sweet; take 20 on a few disguises and have them ready to roll at a moments notice.
Because getting feedback is the point of an open playtest?
I think I missed this history lesson. Could you explain more?
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