kkirkpat's page

kkirkpat wrote:

Okay, here's what I've got:

STR 13
DEX 14
CON 12
INT 15
WIS 14
CHA 12

Feat: Skill Focus (Perception check)

Okay, you say you want to be an effective melee character. I'm gonna level with you, those are bad scores for that and a bad Feat as well.

How'd you get those scores, did you roll or are you using point-buy? Either way, some good advice can be given, but it's slightly different advice.

It was a 20 point buy. I think I'm still stuck in bardland. I tried to put higher points in the areas that inquisitors use for their skills, but I guess I didn't do a great job.

I would love any advice you could give.

Okay, here's what I've got:

STR 13
DEX 14
CON 12
INT 15
WIS 14
CHA 12

Feat: Skill Focus (Perception check)

Thanks. I'll sort out the feats now, and post.

What about feats? could you give the actual scores instead of just the modifiers as well?

Sorry, I haven't gotten that far yet. It's a bit last minute, hence the request for help!

Hi all,

I'm setting up a level 1 elf inquisitor. I have the following stats:

STR +1
DEX +1
CON +1
INT +2
WIS +2
CHA +1

This is only the second character I've put together, and I had a lot of help the first time. It was a bard, and I'd like to be a bit fightier this time around. I'm a Desna worshipper, so I'm thinking of taking a starknife as one of my weapons.

I have 150 gp to suit up. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks :)

I want to thank everyone for giving me ideas for this. It was way easier than going through the books alone. I've made me choices and I'm excited to use my new toys.

Thanks again.

For UMD, the higher the better. Take a look at the skill page for it to see the DCs. 12 at 5th level maxed out means your Charisma is at a +4. What are your stats? What was the method for generating them? Seems to me that you like being a support caster and for that build I'd recommend the highest Charisma you can manage.

I have:

STR 9
SEX 14
CON 13
INT 14
WIS 12
CHA 18

I rolled for them when I was creating my character. This is the first time I've played a tabletop RPG, so I didn't really know what I was doing. My GM helped me out.

I do like being a support caster. When I got the extra ability score point, I put it in CHA. Do you think the Headhand of Alluring Charisma would be a good purchase for me, then?

I actually haven't used UMD up to this point, so I hadn't thought about it too much. I didn't have any wands or scrolls or anything.

Wand of Haste (Summoner, 2nd level) 6000 gp.

You have the ability to give people bonuses to attack via inspire courage etc. Your group is fighter light - increase the number of attacks they do will leverage your bonuses to hit.

See if you can pic up a skill bonus item to help your UMD. Cost is cheap (bonus squared) times 100 - so +4 to UMD = 1600.

Your party is going to need you to pick up the slack as a support caster - things like fly/spider climb/ knowledge Arcana, grease, see invisible.

UMD will help you address those issues.

My UMD is 12. How high do you think it should be at this point?

I'll definitely try to cover a good set of spells.

I'm curious, but what is your Use Magic Device bonus? Your playing a ranged support character in a group with no cleric. I'd assume you'd have bardic music up when you can, but have you given thought to when your out, a wand of bless can go a long ways. Also, forget the rapier unless your married to it, and go with a simple club and a wand of shilleghle. Since clubs are light wpns, you'll still get to use wpn finess if that is how you built it for melee, but your 1d4+1 piercing, would become 1d8+1 bludgening. You can then focus your magical armament attention to your bow alone. Also feel free to look at other spells on the cleric list or wizard sorceror list so as to cover the bases of those spells not in the party. Finally, consider the pathfinder pouch from the seeker of secrets. Carry around a necklace of fireballs in here and you can whip it out for AOE support when the sorceror and druid are spent. Lastly, don't forget the importance of alchemical items. That 1d6 fire may not sound like a lot, but when everything else is failing because of SR, a none magical touch attack could be what saves the party. Same goes for Holy water.

My Use Magic Device bonus is currently 12. Do you think that is sufficient at this point?

I hadn't thought of looking at non-bardic spells. Thanks for the idea.

I do have a list of alchemical items to buy, and I have Alchemy as a craft.

An Ioun torch for 75 gp with no hands makes more sense than an everburning torch for 110, AFAIK.

I didn't see this one at first. Great suggestion. Definitely getting one.

Fatespinner wrote:

1.) Headband of alluring charisma +2 - 4000gp

2.) +1 longbow - 2000gp (added to your existing masterwork)
3.) wand of cure light wounds - 750gp
4.) masterwork chain shirt - 250gp
5.) cloak of resistance +1 - 1000gp

I agree with Fatespinnder's suggestions. Assuming you an sell off some of your older gear and scape up an exre 250 gold, I'd go with this:

* Headband of alluring charisma +2 - 4000gp
* +1 longbow - 2075 (added to your existing masterwork)
* +1 Chain Shirt - 1250
* cloak of resistance +1 - 1000

I would buy the armor instead of the wand because the armor will last you for a very long time, while the wand will quickly get used up by the party. Also, since you can cast cure spells already, the wand isn't going to do anything to make your group win fights, it's simply going to be a way of converting money into hit points after the fight. If the party wants to do that, they should pool money to buy a wand rather than having you pay for it.

I would suggest that your next purchases be:
* +1 Rapier - 2320
* +1 Buckler - 1165

After that, there are still a lot of solid choices depending on what your character does most of the time, but I'd say it's time to go for something fun next.

I proposed your idea of having the group buy the CLW wands and they agree that it's fair, so thanks!

I'd bypass the headband unless you get an additional 2nd level bonus spell from it (22). It's really not worth half your wealth at this level unless you're going all-out enchantment spellcasting. A true support bard doesn't necessarily max out Charisma. It's assumed you're going to be doing all kinds of things with the bard -- a little ranged/melee combat, a little offensive casting here and there, a lot of support.

Being a gnome means you're not going to have optimal damage with a bow, but having a primary magic weapon is important. I assume you have some trait or feat to get proficiency with a longbow (since Bards don't automatically have that proficiency). Otherwise, I'll use the shortbow (since that's a more standard bard weapon).

Since you don't have a cleric, you will need some healing support -- the CLW wand is a good choice.

In terms of usefulness, few items are as generally effective over the course of a campaign as the handy haversacks. I always pick one up as soon as possible. . . especially as a gnome because I usually dump Str as much as I can get away with. This also allows you to carry ALL KINDS of gear you normally wouldn't take.

You also want to have a heavy steel shield and rapier on hand -- you never know when you'll need them.

I also always have an invisibility scroll on my characters -- just in case I have to get out of dodge.

Never leave home without an everburning torch, even if you have darkvision (which gnomes don't in PF). Just throw it in your haversack if you don't need it.

2330 +1 shortbow (2000 + 300 MW + 30 base)
2000 handy haversack
1250 +1 chain shirt (1000 + 150 MW + 100 base)
1000 cloak of resistance +1
750 wand of CLW
330 MW rapier
150 invisibility scroll
110 everburning torch
20 MW heavy steel shield
60 gp on odds and ends (***ROPE***, food rations, a donkey, flint and steel, a grappling hook, battering ram, etc)

Thanks for the ideas. I hadn't spent a lot of time thinking about the small items, and the invisibility scroll and everburning torch will be great to have.

Bag of Everlasting Dung 500 GP, a daily supply of fuel for your fire and fertilizer for your home garden.

Efficient Quiver 1,800 gp, good resource management for your weapons and ammo.
Eyes of the Eagle 2,500 gp, +5 to the most commonly used skill in the game.
+1 longbow (added to yours) 2000 gp
Versatile Vest 2000 gp, handy especially for gear you need on hand quickly.

200 gp for expenses and mundane gear.

Thanks for the idea of Eyes of the Eagle. It's very cool. The vest, too.

How often do you use your shortbow, just curious?

Because if it isn't too often, maybe 2 grand would be spent better elsewhere.

But the basics for 8 grand is what you should do. When you divy up treasure and go up a level you can spread out a bit more and buy other things.

I don't use the shortbow very often, actually. I think I'll probably put the money into my longbow.

My recommendations for a ranged support bard:

1.) Headband of alluring charisma +2 - 4000gp
2.) +1 longbow - 2000gp (added to your existing masterwork)
3.) wand of cure light wounds - 750gp
4.) masterwork chain shirt - 250gp
5.) cloak of resistance +1 - 1000gp

Short, simple, and effective. Yeah, you could go for the "swiss army knife" approach and just get bunches of wands, alchemical items, and potions, but intelligently choosing your spells known and staying mobile while firing arrows should pretty much take care of things.

Hi Fatespinner,

Thanks for the advice. That's a great list. I feel much better about spending my money now.

Thanks,
Kelly

kkirkpat wrote:

Hi there,

I'm playing my first Pathfinder campaign. I'm a level 5 bard gnome. I have 8000 gp to spend on weapons and other magical items to beef up my aresenal. I currently have the following weapons: a shortbow, a rapier, and a masterwork longbow. My armour consists of light leather armour and a buckler. I also have a riding dog.

I tend to play a supporting role in our group, usually hanging back during combat and using my performances and spells to bolster my companions' abilities. I like to use my knowledge and diplomacy to help the group.

I'm finding the list of items I can purchase overwhelming and am seeking advice on some useful items to buy.

Thanks!

Which other characters are in your group?

We have a gnome barbarian, a human monk, a druid of some sort, and a human sorcerer.

Hi there,

I'm playing my first Pathfinder campaign. I'm a level 5 bard gnome. I have 8000 gp to spend on weapons and other magical items to beef up my aresenal. I currently have the following weapons: a shortbow, a rapier, and a masterwork longbow. My armour consists of light leather armour and a buckler. I also have a riding dog.

I tend to play a supporting role in our group, usually hanging back during combat and using my performances and spells to bolster my companions' abilities. I like to use my knowledge and diplomacy to help the group.

I'm finding the list of items I can purchase overwhelming and am seeking advice on some useful items to buy.

Thanks!