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Pathfinder Player Companion: Paths of the Righteous (PFRPG)

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Pathfinder Player Companion: Paths of the Righteous (PFRPG)
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Walk the Path of Virtue

Those who serve honorable causes and worship the gods of goodness face dangerous and devious threats. To bolster them in their quests, their religions develop potent techniques and astonishing powers to reward those who follow the noble and devout course without fail. Pathfinder Player Companion: Paths of the Righteous presents more than a dozen prestige classes, each associated with a different good-aligned deity and customized to enhance your gameplay, whether your character's a member of a widespread religion or one that's relatively obscure.

Inside this book, you'll find:

  • Fourteen fully detailed prestige classes, from the undead-fighting Ashavic dancer to the rebellious rose warden to the mysterious stargazer.
  • New rules options for every religion featured, including a new witch patron, a magical weapon sure to delight any revolutionary, and a spell that invokes the aid of a vengeful angel.
  • Additional feats to bolster characters taking any prestige class, be they those of a religious bent or otherwise.

This Pathfinder Player Companion is intended for use with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game and the Pathfinder campaign setting, but can easily be incorporated into any fantasy world.

ISBN-13: 978-1-60125-910-3

Other Resources: This product is also available on the following platforms:

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5/5 —

Amazing book with awesome prestige classes. This is how prestige classes can be done. Hopefully there is another book like this for the other alignments.

Amazing addition

5/5 —

One of the best additions for non standard classes who want to add a touch of divine worship to their characters. A must have for anyone with any interest in the good aligned dieties of Golarian.

Prestige Classes Done Right

5/5 —

TLDR: This is an excellent book that provides a number of balanced, versatile, thematic and well designed Prestige Classes that can be well used by fans of any base class published. The new options presented demonstrate the best use of Prestige Classes in Pathfinder to date.

Now for the detailed review.

I hope it doesn't come off as dramatic to say this Player's Companion lanced isn't just a collection of thematic, balanced and versatile prestige classes, but may just be a turning point for the game itself. The Prestige Classes offered are versatile enough to work with a number of base classes without overpowering the base-class only options. They are thematically appropriate but at the same time don't pidgeonhole you into one or two narrow predefined options. The classes here certainly can be used by players that don't want to have to delve into half a dozen books to figure out the best way to play them, but at the same time they use under-appreciate mechanics and the potential for combining the roles of other base classes. Tying the Prestige classes to established lore helps create characters already established in the setting. And using deities and factions like this secures their positions in a way that is less obstructive to GMs than “special requirement” classes. The best part is how the classes are largely untied to any base classes, allowing for maximum versatility and character adaptability.

The holy symbols in the inside cover and description of each deity will be a literal godsend to those who aren't as familiar with Golarion lore. The Prestigious Feats are incredibly helpful in giving prestige shy players a reason to take the more flavorful prestige classes of this and prior books without worrying so much about losing their favored class bonuses or spellcaster levels. The rest of the book is divided very cleanly by prestige class/deity, and I will separate my review as such.

Ashavic Dancer class seems limited in that almost every class feature mentions undead or haunts. But don't let its Bardic theme mislead you: This class is perfectly accessible by any caster and tailor made for an Oracle or Sorcerer who wants extra tools against the undead without sacrificing more than one level of spellcasting. Reading the class features as though they were merely a Mystery or Bloodline makes it a far more appealing class, even if it's narrow-use. The feat is oozing with flavor, even if it's not the most powerful in the book.

The Brewkeeper reminds me of how much fun Cayden Cailean characters can be. Making your own potions and enhancing them with Metamagic gives you a slew of options, whether your an alchemist or otherwise. Being able to use your own caster level when you drink or administer a Potion is the hidden gem of this class, but using the Brew Point system to enhance your extracts and bombs is where you will have your fun. The Two-Weapon Drunkard feat feels like the same feat we've seen at least once before for Cayden Cailean, but being able to use any old Tankard as a Divine Focus has its uses.

I didn't realize how cool Ragathiel was until I read the Crimson Templar. This fire-oriented divine-inspired anti-outsider assassin class just oozes flavor. Between the devastating holy fire, the burning wings and the divine obedience, the class is going to make a lot of melee character look and feel incredible. Mechanically, it's a full base attack bonus class with bonus feats and sneak attack dice. Essentially a divine Slayer. And whether its a vital strike or dual-wielding bastard sword build, you'll find yourself easily doing over 150 damage with only 5 levels in the Prestige Class. Shield of Wings is a really cool spell, effectively giving Clerics/Paladins of the deity a single spell-slot for both flight and fire resistance. It's nice to see the extra option, given both aren't always usable in every scenario...but you're often in trouble if you don't have them.

Mechanical Trivia? The class also confirms that you can take the Divine Obedience feat and not necessarily the Celestial Obedience feat for Ragathiel, opening up some new character options in other books. It also is a little disappointing that by RAW it's Fiendish Study class feature doesn't function on the spell-like abilities the class grants it via Divine Obedience.

The Darechaser was one of the most exciting classes in the book. It fits absolutely perfectly for a deity of Kurgess, and who doesn't love adding extra rolls to your d20? While the Daring Exploit feat clearly makes it ideal for a Sleuth or Swashbuckler, the class will work for any martial character and give you that thrill of adding to so many difference checks that you'll really feel like you're playing the exact kind of boisterous daredevil the class was intended to be! A total win for flavorful mechanics.

Dawnflower Anchorite gives you all the warm fuzzies of the goddess of the Sun in a highly versatile package. The Focused Class Feature Credence lets you advance a number of pre-existing base class features as you level, not only giving you way to continue progressing as any of the three-fourth base attack bonuses casters in Pathfinder, but even blend the two becoming a hybrid-class all of its own stacking, for example, Sacred Weapon and Bardic Performance. Of course your Spells per Day will still be stuck to only one class, but its still an option. The Solar Invocation ability will provide a fantastic party buff, and being an almost full spellcaster with three-fourths base attack bonus means the class can be applied to any number of base classes. The Flame Blade Dervish feat is a fantastic buff to Sarenrae's favorite spell.

Devoted Muse is my absolute favorite class in this book. Feint is probably the least touched upon feature in the combat section of the Core Rulebook, and this book has completely blown me away with a class that provides full martial characters with a new and exciting versatile combat option. Being able to debuff enemies with your feint and continue progressing in swashbuckler talents gives you this far less feat intensive pseudo Dirty Trick vibe. And Bladed Brush gives Swashbucklers, devoted muse or otherwise, the option use a Glaive as a Finesse and One-Handed weapon! That being said, the class can be deceptively trickier than the similar Vexing Devil archetype due to the vague nature of Feinting, with numerous Feinting feats not necessarily functioning with Artistic Flourish due to the nature of the feature replacing the Dex to AC bonus. Furthermore, the Deeds ability inadvertently works with Gunslinger better than Swashbuckler...but maybe that was intentional?

Heritor Knight is touted as both one of the most powerful and flavorful classes in the book, and I'm beginning to see why. The effects all look very narrow-use when you first read it, and I suspect that and the prerequisite feats are a good argument for its balance. Most of the effects are keyed against certain tactics that can make it a pain for melee characters, such as swallow hole, flight and incorporeality. But where it really gets nasty is at level 6, when it not only get Vital Strike and Improved Strike as bonus feats, but can use Improved/Greater Vital Strike as a Standard Action, allowing it to combine with a number of other class features and feats. The fact the class advances your fighter's weapon training and feat prerequisites is fabulous. Strike True looks pretty fun for Vital Strike builds, but usually you'll want to move around and its already a feat intensive build.

The Hinterlander is one of two classes I'm excited about. It'd be great in an Adventure Path that is all about defending a specific settlement, but most adventurers move around too much to use most of its class abilities. Defended Hearth can also be something of a game breaker, letting you know if there are any “unnatural” presences in your town without having to actually go out and investigate. Getting Imbue Arrow like an Arcane Archer is really powerful for a class with bonus feats and almost full spell-caster progression. The feat Erastil's Blessing looks good for Rangers who will want to focus on their spells, but absolutely fantastic for Zen Archers or bow-wielding Clerics.

The Rose Warden was the first class I used from this book. Mechanically, its a sort of advanced Pathfinder Field Agent, giving you Talents and Sneak Attack dice. But it does it so much better that I won't be surprised if more Milanites suddenly show up at your local Lodge. Shoring up Will Saves is absolutely something rogues have needed from the beginning, not that this class is tied exclusively to Rogues. Unchained Rogues will also appreciate being able to take “Chained” Talents with this class, in addition to its Synergies with the popular Scout Archetype (being able to charge through crowds/difficult terrain). The thorn-themed talents are really neat, but I was a little disappointed when I realized you can't actually add sneak attack dice to Chaos Hammer or Holy Smite. Thematically, the class oozes rose petals and rebellion, an excellent addition for Hell's Rebels or any Urban Campaign where you don't mind ruffling a few feathers. The Magic Item is quite nice too, especially if you have high Charisma. Its a little annoying that the class features of the Rose Warden keys off Intelligence but its Magic Item keys off Charisma, but I can understand why. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of Oracles and Sorcerers pick up an Everbloom Thorn.

The Rune Guard is a fascinating addition to the book I wasn't expecting. A “good Thassilonian Rune mage” that uses the original Virtues of Soralyon to buff its allies by sacrificing spell-slots. It's a pretty solid class if you want some new ways to help your friends, and the Charity Rune will allow some killer combinations depending on who else is in your party. Want to see a Rogue get Sneak Attack on their Ray? Spiffy.

The Sacred Sentinel is the least exciting class in the book, able to defend a certain number of allies a day by fighting defensively. It progresses Lay on Hands, Animal Companions, Familiars and Divine/Arcane Bond all the way through, but doesn't get spellcaster levels (instead opting for a full base attack bonus). It's kind of neat dedicating yourself to defending your Animal Companion or Familiar, and I can think of a number of Amusing Paladin/Druid or just straight Druid builds that will undoubtedly become powerful accessory items for their friends. Its just not the kind of class that appeals to me.

Now the Scar Seeker is a bit more flashy. Full Base Attack Bonus, half-casting progression, smite and lay on hands gives the worshiper of Vildeis a paladin feel, despite having no paladin-only prerequisites. Its abilities that require them to get hurt in order to activate, including powering up their weapon or exploding in healing and/or damage when they are brought to zero hit-points. It provides a nice “good aligned” variant to classes like the Pain Taster that are usually keyed to Evil aligned gods like Zon-Kuthon. The Smite Evil Magic feat looks like an absolute blast, and I can't wait to see a Paladin slice an ongoing spell-effect in half with their deities favored weapon.

The Sphere Singer is another example of how the Prestige Classes in this book reference other base classes (granting Bardic Music) without outright requiring you to take the class. It's a lovely little Prestige Class, right on target for a Desnic Gish looking to fly across the battlefield with a Starknife. The biggest aha moment here was the Versatile Performance class feature letting you retrain ranks in associated skills at no cost: An absolutely brilliant design move. The Guided Star feat is going to make a lot of Desnan Clerics very happy.

The Stargazer class has the most potential for a multiclass caster, improving spellcasting, channel, hexes, domains, mysteries, and familiars. The Arcana are flavorful, useful and flashy, and the fact its a ¾ Base Attack Bonus prestige class with full casting and no feat requirements makes it another versatile class. The Aurora Patron is going to be a top choice for witches regardless of Deity, both for the awe inspiring nature and flavor potential of the Aurora itself, and access to the powerful Color Spray spell.

In short, the book not only clarifies some rules, gives us fourteen wonderful prestige classes and a number of cool feats, spells and magic items, but could actually represent a turning point in Prestige Class design that makes me absolutely excited for the Adventurer's Guide coming out this Spring! Each class somehow retains a distinct playing style while not absolutely stapling itself to a base class, making them feel less like puzzles and more like tools you can use to express your character. The expanded lore for these deities is refreshing, especially with the focus on these “chosen followers”. And while I focus on this book largely as a player, it's an excellent tool for a GM who wants to fill their temple with distinct NPCs.

Overall the book is an amazing addition to the Player's Companion line and one I highly recommend.

An Amazing Collection

5/5 —

This book contains fourteen prestige classes tied to various good deities for the Pathfinder setting. Prestige Classes got a bad rap back in the old 3.5 days because for a while it seemed like we were drowning in them. In Pathfinder, they have been relatively rare, with the idea being that a PrC should be something tied to the setting and that it should provide unique benefits that no regular character class can. This book gives us over a dozen such examples.

The Brewkeeper is for anyone who wants to play a brewer. Ah, but such a brewer! They can modify their spells or alchemical extracts with metamagic feats to aid or with harmful conditions to hinder. In tune with their patron Cayden Cailean, the drunken hero, they get bonuses on saves when they drink any of their own magical beverages. Really an original PrC, as well as a great option for the seemingly forgotten alchemist. I long wanted to play a dwarf alchemist brewer and with this I can make an amazing one.

The Dawnflower Anchorite is a sort of Sarenraen hermit. It is best for druids or clerics but allows itself to be modified for a great may spellcasting classes. Really, you can do almost anything with this one provided you're Neutral Good and worship Sarenrae. They can progress like druids, clerics, inquisitors, or warpriests with plenty of room for customization.

The Runeguard is focused on the dead realm of Thassilon and its lost virtues. Unlike some other PrCs this one is pretty much solely for wizards who specialize in Thassilonian spellcasting. That said it does so in great manner, to the point that if you were playing a good Thassilonian wizard this is the PrC you always wanted. They gain powers based on the virtues of Thassilon, and they all seem well thought-out and very thematic.

The Stargazer is a class best suited to the witch. Some fans complain about the weakness of the witch, or that it doesn't get very many prestige classes that can support both their spellcasting and their unique class features like hexes. The stargazer seems to be the answer to this. Full spellcasting, some new hexes from the shaman class, a cleric subdomain and associated spells, and some oracle revelations, what more do you want? A new witch patron based on the theme of the aurora? Class abilities focused around the Cosmic Caravan, the zodiac of Golarion, granting a number of unique powers? You get those too. Really, this one makes me want to play a good witch of Pulura and I never even thought of that empyreal lord very much before this. That seems to be the biggest problem with this book. I keep finding myself saying/thinking, 'okay now I HAVE to play one of those!'

Bards get their due with the Ashavic Dancer and Sphere Singer. The Ashavic Dancer specializes in sending ghosts and haunts to their rest, peacefully or otherwise. They get special dance performances that can quell undead, harm them, or even return them to their graves. The PrC also comes with a feat that grants the Necril language and gives bonuses on using social skills on the restless dead. Great class for anyone who wants to make an undead-busting bard, but aside from that utility may be a bit limited.

The Sphere Singer serves Desna and gains abilities in tune with her patron. She can sing and increase her speed, protect dreamers, and even fly. She can communicate through dreams and in the end, become a fey being, gain butterfly wings, and become immune to cold and even lose the need to breathe. Once again, this is really a great PrC that makes me want to play one of these characters.

Don't worry, martials get their share too. Ragathiel's Crimson Templars fill some niches I feel the game has needed for a long time. They're lawful good assassins and they specialize in fighting devils, though they're equally good against other evil outsiders. Really, why must every lawful good hero paint a target on their back by demanding that the villains face them out in the open? Why can't honorable good guys be sneaky when they have to? With this PrC now you can.

I was surprised at the Darechaser of Kurgess. The class itself is fine if a bit odd for Pathfinder. Basically, it turns you into an incredibly talented athlete. You can run faster, jump higher, and swim quicker than anyone else. You can also dare yourself to accomplish something great and get a variable but potentially amazing bonus on any attack or save or other roll that helps you to fulfill it. I originally expected Kurgess' chosen to be more fighters, but then In remember he's the god of competition, not mayhem. And this PrC does work very well in a fight anyway. It's really an amazing PrC for anyone who wants to play an athletic brawler in the game.

The Devoted Muse of Shelyn is one of the very best PrCs in the book. They're basically glaive-wielding, dancing swashbucklers of the goddess of art and beauty. They can wield their glaives with such gorgeous skill that foes are left gaping in disbelief, and perform attacks so elegant that even her comrades are inspired. This has to be one of the most original takes on the swashbuckler class I've ever seen, and to me it's the very best PrC in the entire book. You also get a feat allowing swashbucklers to use glaives like rapiers for the purpose of class features. I won't lie when I saw that I really want to see someone with this PrC show up in an official adventure someday.

Iomedae's Heritor Knight is probably the PrC most heavily based on setting material. They go through the same events that Iomedae did when she became a goddess, getting all their class-based abilities from them, It also comes with a fine feat that makes it easier to land a blow provided you're willing to take the time for it.

Erastil's Hinterlander is a defender of farming villages and other small communities across Golarion. Their powers revolve around defending others and archery. This PrC comes with a feat that allows Erastil's worshipers to use their Wisdom modifier on ranged attacks with bows, which is something this god's worshipers really can use.

Another great original PrC is the Rose Warden of Milani. Basically a divine PrC for rogues, they specialize in rousing angry mobs and urban fighting. This is an amazing class for good rogues and would work incredibly well in campaigns like Curse of the Crimson Throne. It's enough to make me want to play such an adventure of campaign just so I can make one of these characters.

Torag's Sacred Sentinel is an amazing PrC for anyone who wants to play a defender, especially a dwarf cavalier. They're great at protecting others and even develop a limited healing ability as they progress.

Vildeis' Scar Seeker is another defender. They can share in the pain of others, give forth one last burst of healing power when slain, inflict greater damage in melee at the price of bring hurt themselves, and gain paladin mercies. They can also accept injuries rather than expend daily uses of their powers; and eventually, they get morale bonuses on several rolls by doing so. This is yet another amazing and flavorful class in this book. Vildeis' faith revolves around martyrdom, and the powers of the class focus on accepting pain and injuries to spare others.

In the end this book is an amazing collection of prestige classes for a Golarion-based game. These PrCs are each unique, flavorful, and fill a niche in the setting. The biggest problem I have with the book is that I kept finding myself wanting to play these classes! It makes me hope that more such themed prestige class collections get done for Pathfinder, especially in they're on this level.

Yes

5/5 —

Wonderfully powerful.

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Plausible Pseudonym wrote:
QuidEst wrote:
Sorcerer and Witch don't even lose access to their capstone.
I think they would because the feat gives you back your lost spellcasting level, but it doesn't give you the aligned class bonus Evangelist didn't give you at that level. The difference between the two is why it sounds like the feat doesn't work with Evangelist, but even if it did it wouldn't replace the full class ability progression.

Witches get their capstone at 18th, and Sorcerers can use a magic item to get it four levels early. Still, Evangelist doesn't work with the feat, so it doesn't make too much of a difference except in home games.

Liberty's Edge

Does any of these work well with Paladin?
The Exchange

Quite a few would make decent paladins.
Pathfinder Lost Omens, Rulebook, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Sacred Sentinel and Scar-bro-whose-name-I-forget both seem to work well for a Paladin.

And Crimson Templar.
Grand Lodge

Crimson Templar is perfect for paladins of Ragathiel. The one I have in my Curse of the Crimson Throne game will definitely be taking it.
Pathfinder Lost Omens, Rulebook, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Yeah I'm really loving Crimson Templar. Stands out as a very interesting Slayer, but Paladin does fit quite well.

Anyway for Paladins to gain proficiency with their deity's favored weapon?
Silver Crusade Contributor

Besides the feat, not really.

Consider a cracked opalescent white pyramid ioun stone, though. Only 1,500 gp! ^_^
Grand Lodge
1 person marked this as a favorite.

Not that I know of, paladins will just have to just bite the feat tax of exotic weapon prof. Bastard Sword for Crimson Templar.

The nice thing flavor wise is that you can just use the bastard sword two-handed up until you want to take prestige class.
Silver Crusade Contributor

3-second ninja!

The two-handed thing is also a good point, though. ^_^
3 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Lost Omens, Rulebook, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Oh yes sorry, without the feat. I'm very stingy when it comes to spending a feat, especially when I think my fighting style with Crimson Templar would involve two-handing the weapon anyways.

Don't tell anyone my secret, but if I ever get to build a Crimson Templar, I'll probably do a build that takes Racial Heritage (Ogre) and then Savage Critical. Gotta make use of that Vital Strike somehow!

That being said, the optimal way to make use of those Sneak Attack dice probably/definitely forgoes Vital Strike. But it's always fun to use an obscure feat.
Silver Crusade Contributor

That... is an impressively unnecessary racial prerequisite. :O

If you want to use a bastard sword without sinking a feat you could always roll a tengu paladin... they get racial proficiency through "sword-trained." Their -2 CON is a bummer though.
3 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Lost Omens, Rulebook, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
Kalindlara wrote:
That... is an impressively unnecessary racial prerequisite. :O

You can't have just anyone Sneak Attacking with a savage attack. Only those sneaky sneaky Ogres.

Dark Archive

Does anyone know if the Stargazer revelations stack with oracle class levels. I.E. oracle lv 6/ Stargazer lv 5. coat of many stars act like an 11th level version or a 5th level version maxing out out 10th?
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brad2411 wrote:
Does anyone know if the Stargazer revelations stack with oracle class levels. I.E. oracle lv 6/ Stargazer lv 5. coat of many stars act like an 11th level version or a 5th level version maxing out out 10th?

Not only do they stack, but any cleric levels you have stack too!

Paths of the Righteous wrote:
His stargazer levels and cleric levels count as (and stack with) oracle levels when he is determining the effects of these revelations.

So if your class levels are any combination of cleric, oracle, and five or more levels of stargazer, those revelations act as if all your levels were oracle levels.

This remains true even if none of those levels are oracle levels, or if your oracle mystery isn't the heavens mystery. ^_^
Advocates
Pathfinder Adventure, Adventure Path, Maps, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Maps, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

So, the devoted muse delays when it innately gets opportune parry and riposte.

What if I want to use a swashbuckler archetype that replaces that deed with that prestige class? Would I gain opportune parry and riposte in addition to its replacement at the delayed rate, or would I just add the devoted muse levels (-3 minimum 1) to my swashbuckler levels to determine when I get the deeds tied to it and the archetype?

I ask because I want to play Jet Set Radio Future with a courser/devoted muse.
Xethik wrote:
Kalindlara wrote:
That... is an impressively unnecessary racial prerequisite. :O
You can't have just anyone Sneak Attacking with a savage attack. Only those sneaky sneaky Ogres.

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/monster-feats/nightstalker

Silver Crusade Contributor
djones wrote:
Night Stalker

Speaking of racial prerequisites... (scroll down or ctrl-F)

Pathfinder Lost Omens, Rulebook, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
Kalindlara wrote:
djones wrote:
Night Stalker
Speaking of racial prerequisites... (scroll down or ctrl-F)

Huh, I guess they reprinted Night Stalker but decided to tag on a racial prereq.

Silver Crusade Contributor
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Well, it was originally printed in the ogre section of a monster book. I'm more surprised it didn't have one to begin with. And it does seem more like the sort of thing that should be a racial talent, or at least semi-limited (unlike Sneak Attack Critical up there). For example, it would be silly to have a rune giant with Night Stalker, at least without some rewording ("reduce your size penalty on Stealth checks by 4").

That said, I did use it once in my games, on a winter wolf of legendary stealth and power. So there might be something to it being more open. ^_^
Dark Archive
1 person marked this as a favorite.

Thanks Isabelle. My friend is going to be going into Stargazer.

Interesting.... Ive never really dabbled that much in PrC...

I havent seen the product but from what Ive read on here it seems very good for more martial types?

I know there are a couple of feats..'Favored Prestige Class' and 'Prestigious Spellcaster'.... (spoilers would be great :)) that are supposed to help get round the 1 level hit for spellcasters, but I cant see them being that used for your average 9th level caster?

Some of the few worthwhile PrC alreay have 1-2 feat pre-reqs so you are now taking a 3-4 feat sacrifice just to maintain a full class level... cant see many taking the option.
doc roc wrote:

Interesting.... Ive never really dabbled that much in PrC...

I havent seen the product but from what Ive read on here it seems very good for more martial types?

I know there are a couple of feats..'Favored Prestige Class' and 'Prestigious Spellcaster'.... (spoilers would be great :)) that are supposed to help get round the 1 level hit for spellcasters, but I cant see them being that used for your average 9th level caster?

Some of the few worthwhile PrC alreay have 1-2 feat pre-reqs so you are now taking a 3-4 feat sacrifice just to maintain a full class level... cant see many taking the option.

Well, the stargazer doesn't take a hit to their spellcasting at all, so that would probably be considered worth taking regardless. And the dawnflower anchorite doesn't have any feat prerequisites, only alignment/deity/skills/spells, so taking two feats to make up for the missing spell level is probably more manageable; similarly, the Runeguard only requires Scribe Scroll as a feat prerequisite, which most wizards get for free at 2nd level, so it's not much of a feat burden there. The brewkeeper only requires Brew Potion, which an alchemist snags for free and a witch can get with a hex, so it's not that bad, I think, while the Ashavic dancer's required feat is pretty nice in a haunt or undead-heavy game...which is also what the prestige class leans towards.

Sovereign Court

The two feats also provide a decent bonus with one skill if I remember well. It's like a slightly weaker skill focus PLUS a level of spellcasting... :)
Silver Crusade
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Purple Dragon Knight wrote:
The two feats also provide a decent bonus with one skill if I remember well. It's like a slightly weaker skill focus PLUS a level of spellcasting... :)

It stacks with Skill Focus too.

So what is the difference between the 2 feats then? I presume one is a pre-req for the other?
Silver Crusade
doc roc wrote:
So what is the difference between the 2 feats then? I presume one is a pre-req for the other?

Favored Prestige Class is the first and gives you FCB for the Prestige Class and the skill boost, Prestigious Spellcaster gives you the spell boost.

Sovereign Court
Ascalaphus wrote:

Is there any word on how Bladed Brush is supposed to work?

I've gone into a detailed analysis here, but would be very interested in the author's/editor's perspective...

Any chance of the author telling us what was intended?

1) Can you use the Brush in one hand?

2) If the answer to #1 is Yes, does that mean you can wield it in one hand to enable Spell Combat and Slashing Grace?

3) If the answer to #2 is No, were you supposed to be able to use Slashing Grace with the Brush?

Just picked this up Friday and I am debating creating a Divine Tracker Ranger to go into the Crimson Templar. EWP for bastard sword is handled plus you get some nice added abilities with the blessings you get. I just wish that you could play it as something besides LG like the Divine Tracker.
Liberty's Edge

Am I reading the Heritor Knight 'Mighty Strike' ability correctly in taking it to allow the Vital Strike chain to be used with ANY standard action melee attack?

So, for example, you could make a Cleave attack and the first target would also take full damage from Greater Vital Strike.

I'm only half way through the book, but thus far nearly every class seems to have abilities which would enable character designs which were previously impossible.

For example, a Devoted Muse should be able to chain Artistic Flourish (Distracted) to Harmonious Strike (Circling Strike) to Harmonious Strike (Masterful Strike) and back to Artistic Flourish (Distracted) on the new target... basically glaive dancing their way through a group of enemies.

I'm still trying to figure out what unique combinations a Dawnflower Anchorite can get out of Focused Class Feature... near full Wild Shape and Bardic Performance on the same character? Sacred Weapon and Favored Enemy? Blessings AND Domains?
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CBDunkerson wrote:

Am I reading the Heritor Knight 'Mighty Strike' ability correctly in taking it to allow the Vital Strike chain to be used with ANY standard action melee attack?

So, for example, you could make a Cleave attack and the first target would also take full damage from Greater Vital Strike.

That's correct. ^_^

(Vital Strike is one of my favorite parts of Pathfinder, and I'm always looking for ways to make it a more viable or interesting option.)

CBDunkerson wrote:
I'm only half way through the book, but thus far nearly every class seems to have abilities which would enable character designs which were previously impossible.

I can't speak for my fellow authors or my developer, but that was definitely something I wanted to do here. (And in general, really - wait until you see what's coming!)

Sovereign Court
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Isabelle Lee wrote:
(Vital Strike is one of my favorite parts of Pathfinder, and I'm always looking for ways to make it a more viable or interesting option.)

Milady, you have my respect!

Contributor
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CBDunkerson wrote:
I'm still trying to figure out what unique combinations a Dawnflower Anchorite can get out of Focused Class Feature... near full Wild Shape and Bardic Performance on the same character? Sacred Weapon and Favored Enemy? Blessings AND Domains?

Its possible to have those things if you go into the PrC with a few levels from a few different classes, but when I designed the PrC it was my intent that you couldn't pick up anything that you didn't already have with that ability, a sentiment which is reflected in the phrase, "Add your dawnflower anchorite level to his effective class level in a class of his choice."

It is my intent that you can't choose a class you don't have, but that might have changed from when I wrote the dawnflower anchorite to its release. You might want to wait for clarification on the developer before you cackle any harder. ;-)

(Or just go into the class as a druid 4 / bard 1 and you'll get those things legally!)
Liberty's Edge
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Isabelle Lee wrote:

That's correct. ^_^

(Vital Strike is one of my favorite parts of Pathfinder, and I'm always looking for ways to make it a more viable or interesting option.)

Yay!

Vital Strike is fun for the 'big hit' effect, but also just because it is faster than figuring out half a dozen attacks.

Isabelle Lee wrote:
I can't speak for my fellow authors or my developer, but that was definitely something I wanted to do here. (And in general, really - wait until you see what's coming!)

I think there has definitely been a trend towards expanding the borders of the Pathfinder character universe... and it is much appreciated! :]

Alexander Augunas wrote:
Its possible to have those things if you go into the PrC with a few levels from a few different classes, but when I designed the PrC it was my intent that you couldn't pick up anything that you didn't already have with that ability, a sentiment which is reflected in the phrase, "Add your dawnflower anchorite level to his effective class level in a class of his choice."

Hadn't even occurred to me. I assumed that it was referring to classes you already have. Again, I'm looking at it from the perspective of what kind of new builds it will allow. Alternating back and forth between Druid and Bard to keep Wild Shape and Bardic Performance advancing doesn't seem viable... but with a couple levels in each class the Anchorite would be the only class which can advance both those abilities every level. What you would actually DO with such a combination I'm still trying to work out. Songbird of Dirge of Doom?

Something like a Dervish Bard / Warpriest of Sarenrae advancing bardic performance and sacred weapon will probably be a more common application, but tons of potential versatility there.

You could also take Shaping Focus to help with such a combination...there is a feat from Inner Sea Gods called Divine Expression that allows bard levels and either cleric or oracle levels stack for determining rounds of bardic performance and the action required to initiate one, but it requires you worship Shelyn, so unless your GM is open-minded about polytheism, they're probably not compatible...
Grand Lodge

Bummed that sacred sentinel has charisma requirements and isn't very dwarf friendly.

So Favored Prestige Class lets you take your FCB while going through the PrC or does it progress all your class abilities?
Silver Crusade
doc roc wrote:

So Favored Prestige Class lets you take your FCB while going through the PrC or does it progress all your class abilities?

FCB, it also gives a bonus to one skill.

Silver Crusade Contributor
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It lets you take one of the two default FCBs, not any class-specific ones.

It most certainly does not progress all of (or any) your class abilities; turning every prestige class into the evangelist for the cost of one feat might be considered, by some, to be slightly excessive. ^_^

Hmmm I see... thanks. Interesting!

I think this new PrC route has huge potential if handled properly.... more flavorsome than an archetype but not as problematic as multi-classing.

So if you want a more 'spelly' rogue for example or a more 'combat' druid, you can take a suitable PrC to give it a nudge in that direction for 5-10 levels. Something that isnt often do-able with archetypes or is too extreme to achieve with MCing....

Anyone care to give up the dirt on the Stargazer? It seems like one that a lot of people are impressed with!
Liberty's Edge
doc roc wrote:
So if you want a more 'spelly' rogue for example or a more 'combat' druid, you can take a suitable PrC to give it a nudge in that direction for 5-10 levels. Something that isnt often do-able with archetypes or is too extreme to achieve with MCing....

?

You can't take a prestige class w/o multi-classing... it is inherently required by their nature.

Are you drawing a distinction between multiclassing into another base/archetype class vs multiclassing into a prestige class?
Silver Crusade
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doc roc wrote:

Hmmm I see... thanks. Interesting!

I think this new PrC route has huge potential if handled properly.... more flavorsome than an archetype but not as problematic as multi-classing.

So if you want a more 'spelly' rogue for example or a more 'combat' druid, you can take a suitable PrC to give it a nudge in that direction for 5-10 levels. Something that isnt often do-able with archetypes or is too extreme to achieve with MCing....

Anyone care to give up the dirt on the Stargazer? It seems like one that a lot of people are impressed with!

Guiding Light (Su): Familiar, treating stargazer level as wizard level.

As per familiar rules, this means that the levels stack with other levels that grant a familiar.

Mystery Magic (Ex): 1st and 9th levels gain a witch hex or Heaven's Spirit Shaman hex.
Stargazer levels stack with witch levels

3rd level: gain the Stars subdomain in addition to any domains already possessed. Stargazer levels stack with cleric levels. If not cleric, the subdomain’s spells are added to his class spell list and to his spells known, spellbook, familiar, whatever. Spells added this way may be cast only once per day, unless using the "stars are right" ability. (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/cleric/domains/paizo---domain s/void-domain/stars)

5th level, gain the coat of many stars oracle revelation.
At 7th level, gain the star chart revelation. Stargazer levels and cleric levels stack with oracle levels (seeing a pattern here?)

Sidereal Arcana
At 2nd level and every 2 class levels thereafter, gain one sidereal arcana (various effects)

Stars’ Dance (Ex): At 10th level, once per day replace one sidereal arcana with any other one.
Sovereign Court

I don't know how you guys did it, but I absolutely LOVE paths of the righteous! I mean, wow! just wow! those prestige classes are just amazing and it makes me wanna try them all at some point.

I'm seeking general recommendations for the following PrCs: (from Isabelle or any of the other gracious authors of this book)

Inheritor Knight: wow, just wow. Pretty much all those abilities work with vital strike yes? about the one that makes a flier fall: does the creature fall immediately, or just take -20 to fly for the listed duration? If it's meant to make the creature only fall in the first round, what's the total height dropped (let's assume an aerial fight at 10,000 feet i.e. multiple rounds of falling) are the rules assuming one can only fall 200 feet in the first round? i.e. 20d6 dmg? Way I see it: 1st round fall immediately for a distance of X (as determined by your answer) and the following rounds spent at -20 to the fly check...

Hinterlander: LOOOOOVE this! wow! the detect unnatural ability... Hinterlander gets a ping, teleports to his marker, then what? Perception checks to find the critter? how large can the area be? (I'm guessing marker should be in a belltower or something...)

More to come... gotta go! :)
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Purple Dragon Knight wrote:

I'm seeking general recommendations for the following PrCs: (from Isabelle or any of the other gracious authors of this book)

Inheritor Knight: wow, just wow. Pretty much all those abilities work with vital strike yes? about the one that makes a flier fall: does the creature fall immediately, or just take -20 to fly for the listed duration? If it's meant to make the creature only fall in the first round, what's the total height dropped (let's assume an aerial fight at 10,000 feet i.e. multiple rounds of falling) are the rules assuming one can only fall 200 feet in the first round? i.e. 20d6 dmg? Way I see it: 1st round fall immediately for a distance of X (as determined by your answer) and the following rounds spent at -20 to the fly check...

They work with Vital Strike only once you have the 6th-level ability Mighty Strike. That is, in fact, why it's there.

As for Skyreaver, the creature falls immediately when struck (taking appropriate damage if it falls far enough to strike ground), then takes the -20 penalty thereafter. (I'm not sure how far a creature would fall in a single round, to be honest; that ability saw some changes in development). It looks like you've got the hang of it already. ^_^
RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16
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Isabelle Lee wrote:
(I'm not sure how far a creature would fall in a single round, to be honest; that ability saw some changes in development).

I just had to look this up for a game, and my read is a creature falls 500 feet in a round, based on this:

Quote:
A character cannot cast a spell while falling, unless the fall is greater than 500 feet or the spell is an immediate action, such as feather fall. Casting a spell while falling requires a concentration check with a DC equal to 20 + the spell's level.

That first sentence would seem to indicate to me that falling more than 500 feet would take a full round (thus giving time to potentially cast a spell).

Sovereign Court

Thanks Motteditor!
Isabelle Lee wrote:


As for Skyreaver, the creature falls immediately when struck (taking appropriate damage if it falls far enough to strike ground), then takes the -20 penalty thereafter. (I'm not sure how far a creature would fall in a single round, to be honest; that ability saw some changes in development). It looks like you've got the hang of it already. ^_^

Presumably the vital strike damage is still halved for Skyreaver, and you need some way to take a melee attack against the target in the first place - it doesn't let you magically melee flying creatures from a distance, more acting as a vertical knockback/knockdown?

If only Mighty Strikes worked with the charge that you're going to need to follow-up with, but there's enough goodies in this book that it'd be churlish to complain...
Sovereign Court
Throne wrote:
Presumably the vital strike damage is still halved for Skyreaver, and you need some way to take a melee attack against the target in the first place - it doesn't let you magically melee flying creatures from a distance, more acting as a vertical knockback/knockdown?

That prestige class gives you a permanent air walk at 10th level, so that's covered.

Until you get to level 10 you'll have to like, have a flying mount or take a potion of fly or have a celestial armor, or something... :P
Throne wrote:

Presumably the vital strike damage is still halved for Skyreaver, and you need some way to take a melee attack against the target in the first place - it doesn't let you magically melee flying creatures from a distance, more acting as a vertical knockback/knockdown?

If only Mighty Strikes worked with the charge that you're going to need to follow-up with, but there's enough goodies in this book that it'd be churlish to complain...

All damage is indeed halved, including both Vital Strike and other effects. And you will need some way to reach melee; I know many groups that consider potions of fly an essential part of gear. (Until you gain Sky Stride, of course.)

I recall considering whether to add charging to Mighty Strike's effect. I don't remember the reason why not at the moment, though. ^_^
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