Hey y'all, just brushing up on my pfs character before gencon. I noticed in archives of nethys that the prestige class "pathfinder delver" is no longer pfs legal, and my pc is a delver. Is that true or a mistake on the site?

If true, What would I need to do to make my character legal again?
Thanks all!

Basically does vital strike double the damage dice of Boulder Bullet ?

1. Is Kraken Style worth it for grapplers? Especially if they already have Snapping turtle style and clutch?

1a. When does the +Wis bonus damage apply? Only when I maintain a grapple and decide to do damage as my action within it?

1b. or anytime I succeed on a grapple check (including initial grapple) and pins?

1c. If so, does that basically make it like a lesser constrict (but not giving you access to those constrict feats obviously)?

2. It is a swift action to switch styles. Can someone take more than one swift action if they trade down a move action?

basically, I have someone grappled from snapping turtle clutch. when my turn comes around, can I
1st. Swift action to switch to kraken style
2nd. Standard action to maintain the grapple and do extra kraken damage (if 1a above applies) and pin the target.
3rd trade move action for swift to use Stunning Pin on target.

Any help would be appreciated, really hoping for that beautiful and handsome tetori Bruno to weigh in. He's been a great wrestling coach to me for a while now

Origami Swarm 300gp. one use, sorta similar

Awesome! thanks guys!

This is obviously spoilerific.

I was sitting at a table that made it kind of hard to hear the announcers for both (siege of serpents and sky key solution) of the specials. Even with the words on the screen there were a few things I am unclear about

Two hand that shield.

Nab some Armor Spikes, and dump the dagger.

Be sure to nab Power Attack.

Are you allowed retraining?

it's for PFS so we can retrain, but it's costly.... mithral armor was hard on the budget.

I know the guy isn't optimized, but I like the way he is. I'll pretty much always be broke, and I've accepted that.

If the shield is already +1. Does that mean it's only 3k to make it bashing instead of 4k? If that's true then I could spend 3k on the bashing enchantment and 1k on a +1 enchantment to my new mithral armor.

does that sound like a better deal? or str belt is king?

Help me spend all my pfs brawler archetype fighter's money! It's my last 4k and I do not know whether it would be better to get the extra +1 to attack and damage rolls (I am going twf shield and punching dagger style) or better to turn my 1d3 dmg with shield into a 1d6+1.

next level, when the close combatant ability kicks in, I will either be sitting at +9/+9 1d4+7, 1d3+5 with belt

OR +8/+8 1d6+7, 1d4+4

1st example is with punching dagger main handed, 2nd with shield main handed

The squirrel only gets the benefits of ranks not everything else (I think). So only a +3 from ranks unless valet archetype makes it a class skill for your familiar.

You could try the bluff while the squirrel steals- it has nice Dex bonus and great stealth from size modifier, but won't be able to lift much, again, size mods.

However you could try the evolved familiar feat, choose "skilled" evolution for a whopping +8 to bluff on your squirrel

Joanna was our gm at the special last year at gencon. She made it a lot of fun and kept the energy up (despite killing 2 characters) ;)

Congrats! May you continue to inspire new gamers!

I was wondering the same thing when I read it and came to the same conclusion as you. But I can see arguments for the other side as well

cruise wrote:

Durngrun Stonebreaker wrote:

cruise wrote:

So it's definitely better to go from 1d8+4 to a 1d4+7 (with +1 to hit)?

Yes. Both from a damage output and the fact that if you're using your shield in your primary hand then you will want a light weapon, instead of a one-handed weapon, in your off hand.

I was using the longsword in my main hand, light steel shield in the other.

looks like shield is going in the mainhand and punching dagger in the other now.

Sorry. I just assumed that's what you meant when you said your shield was going to be better.

not your fault, I could've clarified better. Just wanted to not look like TOO much of a noob haha

cruise wrote:

So it's definitely better to go from 1d8+4 to a 1d4+7 (with +1 to hit)?

Yes. Both from a damage output and the fact that if you're using your shield in your primary hand then you will want a light weapon, instead of a one-handed weapon, in your off hand.

I was using the longsword in my main hand, light steel shield in the other.

looks like shield is going in the mainhand and punching dagger in the other now.

the punching dagger (or katar) can suit a sword and shield style well, and in fact it was commonly in such a way in India. It would be fairly easy to characterize the switch as a preference for quick, powerful jabs

I can get behind a katar and this reasoning, thanks!

...now if only i planned ahead better and enchanted a heavy shield for more damage :/

So it's definitely better to go from 1d8+4 to a 1d4+7 (with +1 to hit)?

My PFS character will reach fighter level 3 soon. (he is 3 rogue/2 brawler fighter right now) He uses two weapon fighting with a shield and longsword.

I like the brawler archetype because it made a great 3 level dip before going to the Pathfinder Devlver prestige class.

Now my +1 Bashing shield is going to be better than my sword.
So is it worth it to switch my sword out for a cestus or some other close group weapon for twf? I really can't see the scizore fitting with this character flavor wise. Style points matter too!

I liked the classic sword n board style, but maybe this level represents his skills growing more in other ways?

Are you going to make your squirrel wear a little uniform? Really this archetype makes me think of organ. Grinders with the little monkies.

of course, that's exactly what i'm going for!

I know he's not going to be optimized AT ALL, just wanting to play a comedic character that isn't a drain to the party. I'd like to find at least some meaningful way to contribute besides being a skill monkey.

So basically my stats are same as above with the +2 going to STR for 16 str and 13 in cha instead of con.

I just thought of something, can the familiar i get from being carnivalist be the same one i use as my witch familiar?

or will i have to have 2 familiars (and only play with one bc of PFS rules)? or does my first familiar "upgrade" to my witch familiar too?

I'd put Karl Urban in it and have Native Americans fighting Vikings.

...beat me to it

also as far as demoralize is concerned: do enemies get the bonus to saves after the first intimidate?

need 4 levels of beast bond witch

why's that?

If you want your squirrel to be scary, use beast bond to have it take Taunt .

Man suddenly I can see a build involving a familiar on your shoulder and you using Shatter Defenses as a viable rogue build.

oh wow, this changes everything.

First, familiars, unlike animal companions, do not require handle animal. They are intelligent and are not animals but magical beasts.

so handle animal and "tricks" aren't as useful as I thought for this class. It's just to use those bardic performances.

that shatter defenses build is super solid. too bad it won't occur until late in the pfs career.

a combination of evil eye and demoralize seems like an awesome debuff. any idea where i should put my +2? I have it sitting in STR right now just for better chances to hit and dmg, since that's what rogues generally lack in. but should it be in dex for better AC or INT for better chance to use witch stuff?

i hate to do this, but bump!

i would appreciate just a little clarification if anyone could help me out before i finalize this.

can the "menace" trick be used in combat to intimidate and demoralize enemies?

and if you do it more than once a combat, do the enemies get the cumulative +5 bonus to saves; even if they were demoralized the previous round?

Alright I think I have a tentative character build, but have TONS of questions now. Again, I really appreciate all the help so far
A lot of my ideas revolve around how these questions are answered.

I think i am going half elf for the free skill focus (handle animal)
So my stats are tentatively
str 14
dex 14
con 13
int 14
wis 10
cha 12

I still have a floating +2 to give, but where i put it depends on what type of playstyle I am going to go for. So far there are 3-4 ideas floating around.

I will definitely dip into beast bonded witch for 2 levels. Probably get feral speech and ward for more versatility. Plus can use all kinds of wands and scrolls then. This is an argument for +2 to INT. also more skills higher DC for saves etc.

I will probably also use a longspear and a shortbow. depending on which I focus will determine if I would put the +2 into STR or DEX. ( i like the idea of throwing weapons but they just seem too feat/money intensive)

The biggest question is can the "Menace" trick be used to make my squirrel able to Demoralize in combat? if so then i think i might as well move the 13 in CON and move it to CHA for evolved familiar to get skilled for a +8 in intimidate. the thought of a squirrel growling and foaming at the mouth at people to scare them is too hilarious to pass up.

1. what are the rules regarding the squirrel just being on my shoulder or shirt pocket during combat?

2. Diminutive creatures get terrible setbacks for CMB. So despite having improved steal, the little guy isn't going to be stealing anything (which is pretty sad to me). Unless you guys know some crazy rules or ways to fix that?

3. [url=http://www.d20pfsrd.com/skills/handle-animal] Handle Animal[/url says that handling an animal is a move action, but a free for druids/rangers with ACs. Since Wizard familiar is not called out, I assume it will be a move action to handle animal, therefore a ranged combatant makes sense.]

4. the familiar uses my skill ranks in skill, but does not get the class skill bonus unless it is a class skill in the familiar list, correct? is there a way to make a skill a class skill for them without using a feat?

5. can you get muleback cords on a squirrel, lets make his 3 diminutive strength a little better so he can pick up some crazier stuff!

I was also thinking going the spring attack route possibly or combat expertise- imp. steal etc. if the menace trick works like above, then i think i will try to flank and use aid another with helpful for big bonuses to friends (on top of shaken enemies and other witch buffs)

can you have a familiar AND an animal companion in PFS?

When I think Carnivalist Rogue, I think of Disney's Aladdin.

Aladdin's monkey familiar, Abu, obviously has the Pilferer archetype.

that's exactly it, do familiars get feats of their own?

alright i was on my phone before, no i can clarify a little more.

these are great suggestions btw, never thought of those.

I will more than likely play this in PFS. I play with a lot of the same people around here, so if I know they're optimized enough, I'll pull out this fella.

I'm thinking skill monkey and huge comic relief. I'm picturing Squirrel girl . However i'm having a hard time coming up with strategies or build to not just be a complete waste. I need a schtick, whether it's having lil Nutsy (that's the squirrel, Nutsy) dancing around fascinating a bad guy or picking pockets... i need some strats and ideas.

can the squirrel fascinate while I sneak up and steal maneuver a spell component pouch etc? or would fascinate make me to be unable to stealth because I'm singing a song to nutsy? any other great ideas?

So I just saw the carnivalist rogue archetype mentioned in another thread, and now I want to make one!
I know, boo! Hiss! Rogue etc.

But I really want to give it a shot! Anyone got any decent ideas of how to not make it awful?

Pfs rules please, and I really like the idea of human or half elf with a squirrel familiar, but am open to suggestions!

Thanks so much!

Are "untyped" bonuses gained from equipment really untyped and stackable? or are they just considered a certain equipment bonus unless otherwise specified?

Specifically looking at the "brawling" quality for magic armor giving a +2 to grappling and the gauntlets of skilled maneuver for another +2 to grappling checks. There are no typed bonuses listed in their description.

Seems pretty op if they stack, so thought I'd check first

I feel weird necro-ing this- but i have a question, maybe i just dont know much about diseases.

you need 2 consecutive saves to stop palepox.

What happens if you make just one? do you not advance the disease that day, but advance it if they fail the next day?

is the stat damage permanent or gone after they make their saves?

i plan on running this scenario this weekend, figure i should know the basics

I've been looking for a while but cannot get an answer I fully understand.

How do you figure out costs to enchant/upgrade armor and weapons?

To upgrade a masterwork weapon to a +1 magic weapon is 2,000 gold right?
how much is it to add an enchantment to that weapon? I see things that say "+1 bonus", so does that mean another 2,000 gold on top (and requiring enough fame to pay for the entire 4,300+ cost)?

A more specific example is: how do I make my mwk light steel alchemical silver shield a bashing shield? 1,000 for a +1(for armor) and then another 1,000gp for the enchantment (bc it's +1 bonus cost)?

thank you for any help

i have a 2 brawler fighter/3 rogue and I need some help picking his next feat. He is a sword and shield Twf. I plan on going into pathfinder delver after another level of fighter .

he has twf, improved shield bash, dodge, step up, and toughness. One of those is from a rogue talent

I was thinking either following step, mobility, or combat reflexes. What are your thoughts?

In case you need to know :

Str 17
Dex 16
Con 14
Int 10
Wis 12
Cha 8
Ac : 22 fort 7, ref 7, will 3

Thanks!

Aww man, we were supposed to get reinforcements on the catapults? Our nearby tables must not have saved any at all! It was my first special and I loved it. Still talking about how great it was.

However the rewards were subpar. I can see how unlimited waves can be unfun or evenpun ishment. Extra table interaction would be cool, we knew the big catapult helped, but not the ballista. I think those are the only complaints i can think of, still a total blast!

I wouldn't be able to point to a particular page number and say "this is legal" but I think there's enough similar almost-precedents that I'd allow it as a GM, but with one caveat.

The almost-precedents are the thing with spiked armour (which allows TWF with a 2 handed weapon) and the releasing grip on a 2 handed weapon and re-gripping as free actions. Taking these together, as a GM, I'd say allowing a character to punch and use their sword 2 handed was ok. it does less damage than armour spikes, and they definitely are legal.

Of course, the PC in question would take the -2 for TWF on all attacks, so they'll hit less often than a pure 2 handed fighter. They'll be doing less damage than a 2handed armour-spiker and hitting less often than a straight 2 hander. So really, I can't see this as an optimization thing. I see it more as a "I have such a cool image in my head for the way this guy fights!" thing, and the player is ok losing a bit of damage for it. I love it when players go less than optimal for flavour and/or roleplaying something. Credit to Malachi.

EDIT: kinda ninja'd by Lemmy. :-)

Also, although the character is gaining the x1.5 damage, they are losing damage for having such a cruddy off-hand weapon.

absolutely this. it's not crazy optimized or game breaking. I think it's an awesome idea for a knight to slash someone with their sword and then backfist someone afterwards.

Multiple times in a round? Sure! at this point, he's worked it into his fighting style well enough that he can do it more than once

10% of Cayden Cailean's devoted followers are Bards. They make a very good stand in for cleric of Cayden Cailean. They are not as combat focused as a paladin but they can follow the teaching of Cayden Cailean with out any problems. Along with having the same out look on life as the drunk god him self. Drinking, and fighting with friends is the best thing life has to offer. To me it's just a natural fit. I have played two bards both worshipers of Cayden Cailean. Not many people are dislike haven a bard at the table. As your role is to make them better.

The other option that I have looked at is playing a hunt master caviler. Then you have a Caviler with a Cailean Hound. Similar to Cayden Cailean him self.

i was going to suggest huntmaster with a cay hound, sounds like a great flavor to me

So I'm curious, why go silver bludgeoning over other dmg types?

Meat made it sound like a tournament, is it a tournament where other tables are dying etc? i guess i'm not sure how this thing even works.

so you have multiple tables of multiple level tiers trying to accomplish goals to help each other out? is there a huge common goal we're all trying to accomplish? or is it like we're sabotaging each other?

Light wooden shield was the plan actually... I might have mixed up prices.

And the general consensus is to go silver or cold iron before masterwork?

So I already bought a mwk longsword, what would it cost to make a cold iron spiked shield? (Twf sword and shield) just double the cost of spiking it? So +60gp?

She is a ranged character and ill be sure to get her some ghost salts before hand (and for myself, just spent 2pp for mwk composite bow).

And not to derail the discussion too much, but do you think getting an Adamantine sword is a good idea for pfs?

that does allay my fears quite a bit, thanks a lot guys

i know there aren't any details, but just based on past experiences. Thanks for the answers, i might try to get us to level 4 then, that sounds like a good idea.

If it is similar to other scenarios then i think they will have fun, as long as it isn't too crazy. I've basically done all the shopping for my gf's gear so she should be able to handle a lot of stuff. She is a bard after all, very adaptable.

I signed my girlfriend, her brother, and myself up for the PFS #5-00 Gen Con Special: Siege of the Diamond City event (that's the 1000 person mega dungeon). I've never done anything like this so I am curious if anyone else has done any of these previously.

My gf is VERY attached to her PC and her brother is new to pfs so I believe they would be very upset if their characters die. It would probably put a damper on the whole gencon trip (again, she's VERY attached). So how deadly are these events for level 3 PCs? and how are these things in general?

We are also signed up for the PFS 4-ex scenario- pretty much, is that crazy deadly too?

so would i have to get a masterwork shield and a masterwork spike? so 150+shield cost+300+spike cost...for a mwk spiked light wooden shield would cost 153+380=533?

theres the huntmaster archetype from animal archives. He gets a dog or other animal companion instead of a mount..and if it is not PFS you can have a bunch

Thank you for your input guys, i love it.
However, if i am already very handy with some thieves tools (being a half elf helps with that) is it still worth it to try? i heard those fancy magic types tend to take care of traps without the need of any thieves tools. The path of the delver calls out to me greatly, but if i can help out my fellow pathfinders by continuing my current path better; then i would rather do that to help our society.
also i tend to adventure with a halfling bard. She's already a know-it-all about stuff so i would hate to step on her hairy toes... (however thematically, it totally works out that her knowledge is just rubbing off on me)

I have a character (half-elf fighter 1, rogue 2) in pfs, and the pathfinder delver prc seems perfect for what i envision him being like (minus knowledge history...why not dungeoneering!?). However, looking at it more, it seems like it will not be very useful for pfs and maybe i should just continue going fighter/rogue until 12 (provided he lives that long). has anyone had any experience with higher level play and/or playing a delver and have an opinion/facts about if it is worth it or not?

if not i can just be a delver in a home game instead. thanks!

Thank you guys so much, and thank you for recommending painlord's articles! they help a lot

I'm still pretty new to pfs in general and a lot of these threads talking about gear and scenarios being deadly have me worried (for myself and my newbie friends). Luckily there have been a lot of helpful threads (thanks guys) to aid, but here are some lingering questions still.

1. How much is it to masterwork a shield spike? and are there any more special considerations to take note of?
2. does adding a special material to a weapon fall under the fame point restrictions?
3. are special materials necessary or just aim for the +1 (etc) magic enhancements?
4. and if possible, is there a general guideline for when (what level etc) a player should get a masterwork weapon/armor, special enhancements and other equipment to help?