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James Jacobs wrote:
Tels wrote:

[Well, consider the fact that each arrow requires an attack roll, and that each arrow is subject to DR. Not to be a party pooper, but Meteor Swarm is often considered to be a bad spell for what it does.

Besides, the best weapon to use with Telekinesis is the Greatsword since Telekinesis deals the weapons damage if a weapon is used. It falls within the weight limit, so you could potentially fling out 15 Greatswords each dealing 2d6 points...

Frankly... making each arrow roll an attack roll in that case only FURTHER convinces me that the spell shouldn't work that way, because grinding the game to a halt while someone rolls 20 some attack rolls is not good for the flow of combat.

What would you suggest as a better solution to this? How would you rework the spell? A single attack roll, multiple damage rolls? Minimum damage for each object?

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder PF Special Edition, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
James Jacobs wrote:
The NPC wrote:

Mr. James Jacobs,

Can an summoner change the eidolon's base form at each level like he changes the evolutions?

No.

That'd be like picking a new race for your character each time you level up. That would drive me ABSOLUTELY NUTS as a player AND as a GM if someone in a group did that.

The Evolutionist Archetype gets that option starting at 8th level. That's pretty much it's schtick. Feats picked for the Eidolon though, remain fixed.


Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Why do bracers of armor not function when polymorphed?

I mean, seriously, the vast majority of polymorph forms become death traps when your AC drops by as much as 8 points. Why does this rule even exist?

I can understand melded armor not helping, but bracers of armor essentially functions like mage armor (which DOES work while polyormphed), so why do the bracers suddenly stop functioning even though every other continuous item continues to do so?

Seems extremely arbitrary to me.

I'm hoping for some insights as to why this rule was made. It seems to cripple druids and transmuters unnecessarily.

Liberty's Edge

ulgulanoth wrote:
Well from experience trying to get more than 2 prestige classes ends up making a really wierd character and what prestige class lets you get in at lv3 and gives sneak attack bonus??

Rogue, then Alchemist (vivisectionist) and you would have 2 dices at level 2. No idea after that as I don't care about this kind of builds.


ulgulanoth wrote:


So you're saying that my Vivisectionist couldn't be a master spy or a lion blade or an assassin? Really?

Are you using Gestalt rules or something?

Look into the linked thread >.<

That's not what I'm saying at all.
I'm saying the unique wording of the Vivisectionist's Sneak Attack can, and will cause some problems if it stacks with anything but Rogue or Ninja, basically. (Not sure about Sandman)

It's all in the wording.

Diego Rossi wrote:

Rogue, then Alchemist (vivisectionist) and you would have 2 dices at level 2. No idea after that as I don't care about this kind of builds.

No you wouldn't. Seriously, read the dang thing in the PRD. It even gives a Specific Example that a Rogue 1 / Vivisectionist 1 would be the equivalent of Rogue 2, with only one +1d6 die.

edit: Perhaps any discussion of the Vivisectionist should be carried over Here, so as not to disturb the great sir JJ. ^_^;;


"Project Management" - A Methodology by which individuals are aforded the liberty of taking credit for the work of others.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Bane Wraith wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:
Bane Wraith wrote:
1) Does a Vivisectionist's Sneak Attack class feature also include Prestige Classes, as "classes that grant sneak attack" ( Thread that discusses this in detail )

1) Yes. Sneak attack dice pretty much always stack when you get them, regardless of what class or race grants the dice.

Thank you for answering the rest of my questions ^_^

...It's only this one that really troubles me. Because, by the rules as written, Allowing prestige classes to count for the Vivisectionist's sneak attack class feature seems to definitely Not be how it's intended to be <.<

Recommend looking into that thread, even though it's practically a wall of text.

Short summary is: *IF* you're counting Prestige Classes... Then that ability will never allow you to gain more than 10d6 by 20th level. It can Increase what you'd normally get to 10d6, because several prestige classes grant sneak attack at an inferior rate to the rogue's... And last but not least, Every single prestige class out there says that Their sneak attack stacks with every single other source. Meaning, they're granted a Second Time, in addition to the 10d6.

I hate to be a bother... But, are you Absolutely Sure?
It really seems to go against the RAI... ;_;

I don't have time to start reading new wall-of-text threads at this point.

The way the vivisectionist's archetype is written is unusual... it does NOT follow the standard "sneak attack stacks" rules. When you play a vivisectionist that multiclasses into, say, a rogue, you count up your TOTAL CLASS LEVELS and apply that number to determine what your sneak attack damage is. A 5th level vivisectionist/5th level rogue would have sneak attack dice equal to a 10th level rogue.

A character that's a 5th level vivisectionist/5th level assassin would have sneak attack damage equal to a 5th level rogue/5th level assassin.

The class ability is a bit poorly worded. Essentially, what it's trying to do is just swap your bomb ability out for sneak attack, so that you would get sneak attack in the same progression as a rogue. I suspect that the writers/developers didn't take prestige classes into mind when they built this archetype. I'll go chat with the design team.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Diego Rossi wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:
Stratagemini wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:
Bane Wraith" wrote:
2) When using a Magic Weapon of any sort as an Improvised Weapon, does it retain its enhancement bonuses or special qualities? ( Thread ) (Clarification would be nice for: Ammunition as Improvised Weapons, Masterwork weapon bonus, Special Qualities dependent on weapon types)
2) Nope. A magic weapon's enhancement bonuses and abilities only work when it's used as intended as a weapon.

Does that apply to lets say if you use Greater magic weapon on 50 arrows and then throw them with Telekinesis?

Bonus question, lets say you have a spell like Fiery Shuriken (Ultimate Combat) or Telekinesis and you're throwing out 15 or 8 attacks as a standard action, and you're an arcane trickster or a rogue. You're rolling attack rolls for all those attacks, but do they all get sneak attack damage? Or do you only apply sneak attack damage once for the entire spell?

I only ask because if you do get sneak attack damage for all of the, you're getting something like 56d6 a round in sneak attack alone, and that doesn't seem kosher to me. but I can't find anything that bans it.

Technically, yes that would still apply if you telekinesis a storm of arrows.

Frankly, I'd love to errata telekinesis to prevent the whole storm of flaming projectiles thing. That's too much damage. It's not the intent that a 5th level spell should so vastly outdo a Maximized Empowered meteor storm.

For the sneak attack damage, it isn't a single attack with multiple weapons like a manyshot attack, and so get to add sneak damage only once?

You get to add sneak attack damage each time the target is unaware of you and is flat footed or whatever. Normally, that means only the first attack sneak attacks. If you're greater invisible and do this trick, you would indeed get sneak attack damage on each arrow, which is further proof that the spell shouldn't work the way it currently does.


James Jacobs wrote:


I don't have time to start reading new wall-of-text threads at this point.

The way the vivisectionist's archetype is written is unusual... it does NOT follow the standard "sneak attack stacks" rules. When you play a vivisectionist that multiclasses into, say, a rogue, you count up your TOTAL CLASS LEVELS and apply that number to determine what your sneak attack damage is. A 5th level vivisectionist/5th level rogue would have sneak attack dice equal to a 10th level rogue.

A character that's a 5th level vivisectionist/5th level assassin would have sneak attack damage equal to a 5th level rogue/5th level assassin.

The class ability is a bit poorly worded. Essentially, what it's trying to do is just swap your bomb ability out for sneak attack, so that you would get sneak attack in the same progression as a rogue. I suspect that the writers/developers didn't take prestige classes into mind when they built this archetype. I'll go chat with the design team.

Huzzah! Prestige classes won't count towards the effective rogue level and all is well! The books may be closed on this one! Thank you sir JJ!

... That's a hell of a headache gone.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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Evil Lincoln wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:
The NPC wrote:

On a different note Mr. James Jacobs,

Do you adhere to the Critical Path or Critical chain for projects?

Also, to shorten a schedule do you prefer Fast-Tracking or Crashing?

Huh?
This is project management jargon.

Oh. I appreciate and idolize our new project manager, but I don't speak the language, apparently.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Stratagemini wrote:

So, this issue keeps coming up in my game and as a DM I can't seem to get a solid grounding for rules here.

My PCs are rather fond of Tree feather tokens, specifically, using them as impromptu improvised battering rams and weapons. How should I adjudicate this as a DM? On the one hand, I figure, "suddenly a 60 ft tree, everyone make a reflex save." but I've also tried it as a bull rush attack, and as an oversized improvised weapon the wielder (that is, teh person activating it) needs to make a reflex save to avoid being crushed by.

The issue isn't so much using the feather token as a weapon as it is figuring out how it would work as one in a consistent manner. So here's my question:
How much damage would a Tree feather token sprouting do? and how would it end up doing it? to an extent I suppose that I'm also wondering whether Tree feather tokens always sprout straight up or if they sprout in whichever direction you activate them.

First of all, the feather token is relatively inexpensive. At 400 gp, a feather token is priced so that it's about the same cost as, say, a magic item that grants a +2 bonus to a skill check. Allowing a 400 gp item to do more than a 400 gp item can do is not really all that good for the game.

I would say that you couldn't use the feather token as a weapon, first off. It grows to the full height it can grow to and then should stop. At best, if you use it to try to bull rush or trip someone... I'd say it would give you a +2 bonus on the CMB check made to do so.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

AlgaeNymph wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:
See Pathfinder #24 for some discussions about genies and wishes. What happens if you use a genie's wish to do ANYTHING is up to the GM. Could rebuild a city... could just rebuild a neighborhood.

I already looked at Pathfinder #24, what I want to know is if a Runelord could use a genie to fix up her city…or the sunken landmass of her empire.

James Jacobs wrote:
They're probably dark gray or black, like most of the town's stonework.
So Xin-Eurythnia used black marble too? Interesting to know.

1) Again... genie wishes andt he power they grant is up to the GM. If you want a runelord to use one wish or a thousand to do something like that... you get to decide if that's how it works. I would probably say that it would require multiple wishes in order to keep things in line with what we did in Legacy of Fire though.

2) Xin-Eurythnia used all sorts of building materials.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Diego Rossi wrote:

Half of Bane Wraith problem is about taking multiple classes (prestige or not) that give sneak attack at first level so that the character will be capable to get a higher sneak attack damage than a rogue of the same level.

To me having a character that get 5d6 (or whatever) of sneak damage at level 7 mixing 1 level of rogue, one of vivisectionist, one of this and one of that and absolutely this one and that one and that other one seem a unwanted effect and strongly against the spirit of the rules.

So the question:
mixing multiple classes to get a more sneak attack damage dices than a rogue of the same level is an intended effect or not?

I can't imagine it's intended. Sneak attack is the core rogue class feature. Having a class be able to do that better would be like having a non-wizard be able to cast 10th level wizard spells, or having a non fighter be able to make 5 iterative attacks in a round.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Sellsword2587 wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:
Tels wrote:

[Well, consider the fact that each arrow requires an attack roll, and that each arrow is subject to DR. Not to be a party pooper, but Meteor Swarm is often considered to be a bad spell for what it does.

Besides, the best weapon to use with Telekinesis is the Greatsword since Telekinesis deals the weapons damage if a weapon is used. It falls within the weight limit, so you could potentially fling out 15 Greatswords each dealing 2d6 points...

Frankly... making each arrow roll an attack roll in that case only FURTHER convinces me that the spell shouldn't work that way, because grinding the game to a halt while someone rolls 20 some attack rolls is not good for the flow of combat.
What would you suggest as a better solution to this? How would you rework the spell? A single attack roll, multiple damage rolls? Minimum damage for each object?

I would rework the spell to say that the damage done when you hurl something with telekinesis, regardless of whether it's one big object or a bunch of small objects, would do an amount of damage as decided by the spell to the creature struck. I'd say that the smaller the object, the faster it's hurled, but the larger the object, the more mass it has, and use that to explain away how a small light fast object would end up doing the same damage as a large slow heavy one.

Damage would be one of 2 types. If you hurl an object that's designed to cause pain (such as a weapon or something hard like a rock) it would make a ranged attack modified by your highest mental ability score and would do 1d6/level (max 15d6) bludgeoning/slashing/piercing damage on a hit, and if it wasn't an object to cause pain (such as a dead body or a mattress) it would do 1d4/level on a hit. And when you hit the foe, it does a free bull rush on the foe.

That'd make telekinesis a less damaging attack than, say, cone of cold overall (since it has to hit and only damages one target), but it would ignore spell resistance and would have a LOT of other options (hurling foes, ranged combat maneuvers, etc.) to up it's utility.

If you had multiple objects, like a stack of arrows, I'd let you split up your d6s from the spell into any combination. If you did 15d6 with a pile of arrows, I'd let you fire 15 shots at 15 different foes for 1d6 each, for example.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

MMCJawa wrote:

So I am GMing this weekend, for the very first time. I also haven't had much opportunity to play in awhile, compared to the people I am playing with (friends from my Masters; we are doing this using Roll20). Anyway, I will be running the Anniversary edition of Rise of the Runelords.

As a first time GM, could you give me a bit of advice:

1) What is the biggest problem you think a first time GM has to face?

2) For giving out/allowing the option to buy equipment, how do you estimate the level appropriateness of the equipment? I am concerned I will either give out something too powerful, which could unbalance the game. Or be too much of a miser and have to deal with players getting annoyed they don't have better "stuff"

3) We are using a 20 point buy, and at least two of the player are pretty experienced optimizers. I am considering throwing in more goblins in the opening attacks of the AP. How many do you think would be safe to throw in to keep the fight hard but not a TPK.

If it helps, we have a Kobold Paladin of Apsu, a Nagajji Druid with a small Deinonychus, a Changeling Witch, and a human cleric of Pharasma (who is simply a fill in character since one of the players can't make the first session)

1) Not getting overwhelmed by all the demands the players put on him, and being confident enough to make on-the-fly rules adjudications to keep the game moving.

2) First off... you will eventually give out something too good. It's best to learn from those mistakes when they happen, and if it's ruining the game, don't be afraid to ret-con or take away the item (but if you do, work with the player to build something to replace it so that it's not totally ruinous to that player's fun). Until you get to a point where you're comfortable giving out treasure and the like, try to stick to the wealth by level guidelines in the Core Rulebook

3) I wouldn't throw many more goblins into the first fights. That first set of encounters is supposed to be scary but fun, not overwhelming. If the PCs come out of the battle with barely a scratch, that's better than barely surviving, since that only reinforces the idea that they're heroes of Sandpoint. Furthermore, as you run the game, you'll naturally develop a feel for what kinds of encounters your group can handle, and as you learn this, you'll be able to make more educated guesses on how to adjust encounters. Adjusting encounter difficulty right at the start when you don't actually have in-game feedback as to how skilled or not your players are is usually a bad idea.


James Jacobs wrote:
If you had multiple objects, like a stack of arrows, I'd let you split up your d6s from the spell into any combination. If you did 15d6 with a pile of arrows, I'd let you fire 15 shots at 15 different foes for 1d6 each, for example.

So would there be multiple attack rolls in this case? Or just a single attack roll compared to the AC/CMD of each target?

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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Ravingdork wrote:

Why do bracers of armor not function when polymorphed?

I mean, seriously, the vast majority of polymorph forms become death traps when your AC drops by as much as 8 points. Why does this rule even exist?

I can understand melded armor not helping, but bracers of armor essentially functions like mage armor (which DOES work while polyormphed), so why do the bracers suddenly stop functioning even though every other continuous item continues to do so?

Seems extremely arbitrary to me.

I'm hoping for some insights as to why this rule was made. It seems to cripple druids and transmuters unnecessarily.

Bracers, like armor, are worn objects that provide an armor bonus. When you polymorph, your worn armor melds with your body because the flavor of the spell doesn't want to get all complicated with transforming the shape of your armor in order to fit, say, a bear or an octopus or whatever. And since bracers of armor are basically just "armor" by another name, for sake of ease and balance, they get absorbed like anything else.

If it's that big a deal... take off the bracers and polymorph and then put them back on if you've got things in your new form that can wear bracers.

Now, the idea that polymorph spells become "death traps" is hyperbole. Remember, most of those folks who are typically using polymorph effects are spellcasters who don't have really strong armor options. Even druids are limited in the type of armor they can wear, and arcane spellcasters are normally going to be using mage armor anyway due to the relatively prohibitive cost of bracers of armor +5 or greater. So the typical polymorpher is gaining better physical stats and attacks and natural armor than they normally have. If you're playing a character who already has a really good armor class and good physical attacks... polymorph is probably not for you.

Furthermore... there are other uses for polymorph that don't involve combat. Disguises, transport, etc.

And it may well be arbitrary... but that's what ALL the rules are. Arbitrary. If they weren't they would be more like guidelines or suggestions, and that's an entirely different game.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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Terquem wrote:
"Project Management" - A Methodology by which individuals are aforded the liberty of taking credit for the work of others.

That's a pretty cynical take.

My preferred definition: A methodology by which Paizo's customers get their adventure paths on a monthly release schedule and don't have to pay for enormous giant backlogs of delayed product all at once after 3 months of no product at all.


Pathfinder Adventure, Adventure Path, Lost Omens Subscriber
James Jacobs wrote:
Diego Rossi wrote:

Half of Bane Wraith problem is about taking multiple classes (prestige or not) that give sneak attack at first level so that the character will be capable to get a higher sneak attack damage than a rogue of the same level.

To me having a character that get 5d6 (or whatever) of sneak damage at level 7 mixing 1 level of rogue, one of vivisectionist, one of this and one of that and absolutely this one and that one and that other one seem a unwanted effect and strongly against the spirit of the rules.

So the question:
mixing multiple classes to get a more sneak attack damage dices than a rogue of the same level is an intended effect or not?

I can't imagine it's intended. Sneak attack is the core rogue class feature. Having a class be able to do that better would be like having a non-wizard be able to cast 10th level wizard spells, or having a non fighter be able to make 5 iterative attacks in a round.

In my experience from trying to make that work in the 3.5 days is that most classes that grant sneak attack at first level don't grant a base attack bonus. So in theory you could multiclass and get a lot of extra damage dice, but when you have +2 BAB at level 7 you start to regret it.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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Sellsword2587 wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:
If you had multiple objects, like a stack of arrows, I'd let you split up your d6s from the spell into any combination. If you did 15d6 with a pile of arrows, I'd let you fire 15 shots at 15 different foes for 1d6 each, for example.
So would there be multiple attack rolls in this case? Or just a single attack roll compared to the AC/CMD of each target?

Assuming caster level 15th...

If you fired a swarm of arrows at one target, only one attack roll for 15d6 damage on a hit.

If you broke that up into multiple piles of arrows... one attack roll per batch, up to a maximum of 15 attack rolls at 15 separate targets for 1d6 damage each. Multiple dice assigned to the same target don't grant additional attacks against that particular target; they just raise the damage dice on a hit.


Thanks again James!


James Jacobs wrote:
Evil Lincoln wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:
The NPC wrote:

On a different note Mr. James Jacobs,

Do you adhere to the Critical Path or Critical chain for projects?

Also, to shorten a schedule do you prefer Fast-Tracking or Crashing?

Huh?
This is project management jargon.
Oh. I appreciate and idolize our new project manager, but I don't speak the language, apparently.

Sorry about that. I've been doing some lynda.com tutorials for my Multi media design and development class and my mind went to weird (In the not fun way) places.

Shadow Lodge

a question came up the other day about Harmonic Spell. .. I asked this in another thread but it was a fairly epic Necromancy job so it may have been overlooked

the question follows the following pathof Progression

Harmonic spell - 1st level spell - Battle Dance from Dawnflower Dervish

the Question :

does Harmonic Spell still function for maintenance when the performance is Dance and not a sound based performance


Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Whatever became of the Stealth Playtest from a year ago?

Are you guys still discussing ways to make stealth more intuitive behind the scenes, or has the idea of changing the Core pretty much been dropped?

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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Ravingdork wrote:

Whatever became of the Stealth Playtest from a year ago?

Are you guys still discussing ways to make stealth more intuitive behind the scenes, or has the idea of changing the Core pretty much been dropped?

Pretty much nothing became of it. Which is fine with me because I think it's a tempest in a tea pot. I've NEVER had a problem running stealth in my games, and I've NEVER had a problem with it in games that I'm a player in. Stealth/Perception is just one of those elements of the game that certain gamers really REALLY get hung up on in my opinion. In the very first playtest document for 3rd edition way back in the day, for example, the rules for stealth and determining if you see something while sneaking consisted of a two page spreadsheet.

ANY element of the game can break down if you hyper-analyze it and get too obsessed with making the rules account for every single permutation and possibility... essentially, if you try to write the rules to perfectly simulate all possible situations, as if you were writing a computer program or simulation. Pathfinder has a GM and that's something that lets us not have to do this.

As far as I know, the issue has been dropped.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Wraith235 wrote:

a question came up the other day about Harmonic Spell. .. I asked this in another thread but it was a fairly epic Necromancy job so it may have been overlooked

the question follows the following pathof Progression

Harmonic spell - 1st level spell - Battle Dance from Dawnflower Dervish

the Question :

does Harmonic Spell still function for maintenance when the performance is Dance and not a sound based performance

Yes.


Was Elysian Bronze (from Ultimate Equipment) inspired by Celestial Bronze from the Percy Jackson series?

If you haven't read the series, "Celestial bronze is mined by the Cyclopes from Mount Olympus. They shape the ore by tempering the metal in Mount Etna and cooling it in the River Lethe. The metal is deadly to creatures of the magical world."

Weapons made of Celstial Bronze cut through creatures of Greek Mythology like a hot knife through butter, unless those creatures are specifically mentioned as being difficult to kill, like the Nemean Lion.


HI.

What is your favorite part of golarion?

what is your less favorite part?

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Nicos wrote:

HI.

What is your favorite part of golarion?

what is your less favorite part?

I'm pretty fond of Varisia, the Darklands, and Mediogalti. The parts I'm not so fond of I try to keep to my self so I don't hurt feelings.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Tels wrote:

Was Elysian Bronze (from Ultimate Equipment) inspired by Celestial Bronze from the Percy Jackson series?

If you haven't read the series, "Celestial bronze is mined by the Cyclopes from Mount Olympus. They shape the ore by tempering the metal in Mount Etna and cooling it in the River Lethe. The metal is deadly to creatures of the magical world."

Weapons made of Celstial Bronze cut through creatures of Greek Mythology like a hot knife through butter, unless those creatures are specifically mentioned as being difficult to kill, like the Nemean Lion.

I've neither red the Percy Jackson series nor did I have really anything to do with the new content of Ultimate Equipment.

So... I'm not sure, although I would guess that both drew from a THIRD source—mythology.


Hi James.

Have you seen the new hobbit trailers? Thoughts?

What's your favorite base class/classes (if any) and why?

Rumors say you are something of a horror movie expert, is this true?

Are you an expert on Zombie movies too?
A friend of mine has tried for years to locate a zombie movie we both saw back in the 80's. I Can't remember much from it except the stuff in the spoiler. Can you identify it?

Movie plot spoiler:

I told my friend to post a question, but he is a bit shy. These are all vague memories. I might got some of it wrong.

  • the movie began with two grave robbers, a man and his daughter, looting a grave in a chapel or crypt. They steal a necklace and cuts of some ringer and that sort of "awakens" the zombies, at least they run into zombies when they leave.

  • someone (Perhaps a guard) was killed with a coca cola can. It was showed into his/her throat. I think the killing takes place in a morgue.

  • instead of typical horror movie soundtrack the movie had some absurd happy fast jazz music. Or if it was some sort of swing music.

  • The Zombies are often filmed with a fisheye lens and their faces are painted in some green or blue (or green-blue) color.

  • there are Voodoo references in the movie.

  • Do you like ghost movies? If yes, which are your favorites?

    Have you seen the The Changeling (1980)?

    What are your favorite/most common houserules?

    I considering introducing some houserules and applying some minor changes to some races, classes (tweeking versatile performance, fighters 4 skills per level, etc.), skills and feats. What is the most common mistake a DM can do when introducing houserules?

    Do Paizo have any low level AP or can you recommend any adventure that runs no higher than say level 7 or 8?

    If your avatar and Jason B's avatar would enter a dancing contest who would win and why?

    Favorite music/tracks right now?

    Liberty's Edge

    James Jacobs wrote:
    Sellsword2587 wrote:
    James Jacobs wrote:
    If you had multiple objects, like a stack of arrows, I'd let you split up your d6s from the spell into any combination. If you did 15d6 with a pile of arrows, I'd let you fire 15 shots at 15 different foes for 1d6 each, for example.
    So would there be multiple attack rolls in this case? Or just a single attack roll compared to the AC/CMD of each target?

    Assuming caster level 15th...

    If you fired a swarm of arrows at one target, only one attack roll for 15d6 damage on a hit.

    If you broke that up into multiple piles of arrows... one attack roll per batch, up to a maximum of 15 attack rolls at 15 separate targets for 1d6 damage each. Multiple dice assigned to the same target don't grant additional attacks against that particular target; they just raise the damage dice on a hit.

    I will use your idea. In my Kingmaker campaign there is a oracle with the Haunted curse that will get telekinesis in a few levels, I will explain it to her this evening so it will not be a surprise when she get the spell. Thanks for the input, it will be really useful.

    A question, even if I fear I already know the answer (this time I am the player).

    A magus, to use Spellstrike (Ultimate Magic), should have successfully cast the spell, simply attempting to cast a spell and failing the concentration cheek isn't sufficient, right?

    Paizo Employee Creative Director

    Diego Rossi wrote:

    A question, even if I fear I already know the answer (this time I am the player).

    A magus, to use Spellstrike (Ultimate Magic), should have successfully cast the spell, simply attempting to cast a spell and failing the concentration cheek isn't sufficient, right?

    Correct.

    Paizo Employee Creative Director

    1 person marked this as a favorite.
    Zark wrote:

    1. Have you seen the new hobbit trailers? Thoughts?

    2. What's your favorite base class/classes (if any) and why?

    3. Rumors say you are something of a horror movie expert, is this true?

    4. Are you an expert on Zombie movies too?
    A friend of mine has tried for years to locate a zombie movie we both saw back in the 80's. I Can't remember much from it except the stuff in the spoiler. Can you identify it?
    ** spoiler omitted **

    5. Do you like ghost movies? If yes, which are your favorites?

    6. Have you seen the The Changeling (1980)?

    7. What are your favorite/most common houserules?

    8. I considering introducing some houserules and applying some minor changes to some races, classes (tweeking versatile performance, fighters 4 skills per level, etc.), skills and feats. What is the most common mistake a DM can do when introducing houserules?

    9. Do Paizo have any low level AP or can you recommend any adventure that runs no higher than say level 7 or 8?

    10. If your avatar and Jason B's avatar would enter a dancing contest who would win and why?

    11. Favorite music/tracks right now?

    It's helpful when you do big lists like this to number them so I can answer by just doing a numbered list... I've gone ahead and numbered your questions in the original post.

    1) Yup; looks VERY cool!

    2) Bard. Because they have a cool mix of skills, spells, and options, and because I like helping other PCs out, and because they have a lot of helpful when roleplaying stuff.

    3) Yup! It's true. Been a fan of horror movies and novels for, oh... maybe 33 years?

    4) Yup. Big fan of zombie movies. That zombie move doesn't ring a bell, but the presence of weird music makes me think it might be one of the many Italian zombie movies that came out in the early/mid 80s...

    5) Quite like ghost movies. Great ones that come to mind include: The Haunting (1963). The Shining. The Changeling. Poltergeist. Ring/Ringu. The Others. The Orphanage. The Devil's Backbone. The Gift. 1408. The list goes on. The best most recent ghost movie I've seen is probably The Innkeepers. Lake Mungo is SUPER creeepy too... that one is giving me chills right now just thinking about it. If you count Paranormal Activity as a ghost movie (I don't... I count it as a demon movie), then that'd be my favorite ghost movie. The Blair Witch Project would be a close second, but I count that as a witch movie. Honestly... my FAVORITE ghost movie would probably be Below, which is a pretty obscure movie (alas!) about a haunted submarine directed by David "Pitch Black" Twohy and written by Darren "Requiem for a Dream" Arrinofsky, with The Fog (1980) coming in a very close second. And depending on my mood, I'd switch those two around. With Candyman coming in at 3rd place.

    6) Yes. (see above)

    7) They ended up getting publish in Pathfinder! :P

    8) Not having the humility to admit when a house rule ends up being a bad rule and not changing it/reverting it to the normal rules once actual play has proven it to be no good.

    9) All of our Adventure Paths so far go from 1st level up to 13th to 17th level... so, nope!

    10) Mine! Because dinosaurs > the rest.

    11) Been listening to a lot of Phillip Glass when writing of late. Dead Can Dance is nice too. List, Nine Inch Nails, Pink Floyd, Duran Duran, Movie Soundtracks... I have relatively eclectic music tastes..


    Zark wrote:


    Do Paizo have any low level AP or can you recommend any adventure that runs no higher than say level 7 or 8?

    I am not James (and he is most definitely correct that there are no Paizo APs that only go to about level 7 or 8), but The Price of Immortality Trilogy is kind of like a mini-AP, as it's a series of three linked modules that goes to about level 6 or 7.

    Liberty's Edge

    James, there is a big discussion about Break Enchantment here. The doubt is if it can break a supernatural effect that is a Enchantment, Transmutation or Curse or not.

    I think, both reading the text of the spell and falling back on how it worked in 3.X, that it will break supernatural effects (in this instance, specifically a vampire domination power) but other posters disagree.

    Several of us have hit the FAQ button, but I would like your opinion, too.

    A interesting e somewhat fun corollary a poster has found (and he has opened a thread about that) is that, as written, Break enchantment will cancel a Reincarnate spell (level 4, instantaneous transmutation spell, as required by Break enchantment). :-P
    Sometime RAW is terrific.

    Scarab Sages

    JJ,

    How far can humans see in dim light? This question is pertaining to areas with natural dim light and not the increased areas from torches, sunrods, spells, etc.

    There has to be some type of range otherwise low-light vision is useless.


    Are you a fan of weird al yankovic? if so, what is your song and video? (they don't need to be the same). my daughter (who is a HUGE weird al fan) wants to know:)

    Dark Archive

    Back to planescape what did you think of the lady of pain??


    If you had the opportunity, which Golarion NPC would you most prefer to meet in real life (whether she/he is a known NPC as Shalelu Andosana or an unknown one as, for exemple, the chief of the hellknight in Corentyn) ?

    On the contrary, which one would you less prefer to meet ?


    We're just a few weeks away from this year's new horror movie season! What horror film are you most looking forward to in 2012?


    hello James Jacobs! Somewhere earlier in this thread you described PF as being, by your estimation, in the middle of its life cycle. Thinking about D&D, it's kind of interesting how the life cycles of the editions have interacted with the canon of the various campaign settings (the most dramatic maybe being 2e's grand unification of everything with PS and SJ and the subsequent un-unification thereof). But PF is one set of game mechanics and one world (as are most games, I think - the D&D campaign world / edition tangle is probably more of a weird exception). Do you foresee being finished with Golarion several years down the line? Or would you be happy to see it continuing into future version of the game mechanics?

    Alternately, is the question of whether 'Unspeakable Futures' takes place in the Golarionverse even interesting?

    Liberty's Edge

    James, I think you and some other guy at Paizo should put your heads together and find a synonym of "wield" and "wielding" to use when you mean "actively attacking or using item X" instead of "having item x in a solid grasp in your hand".

    In this instance the request was born by reading the Ten-ring sword in Ultimate Equipment but there are several rules, item descriptions, archetypes abilities and so on where it is unclear is wielding something is meant as "actively using the item to bash someone head" or simply "having the item in your grasp, ready for use but not in use this round".

    Ten-ring sword wrote:

    This finely crafted +2 nine-ring broadsword has an extra gap at the base of the blade’s unsharpened edge, closest to the hilt, seemingly to fit an extra ring. The wielder of a ten-ring sword can use a full-round action to place a magic ring into the empty slot, where the ring then rests until removed (another full-round action). Once a ring is fitted to the tenth slot, the sword’s wielder can employ that ring as if he were wearing it, even if he is currently wearing two magic rings. Alternatively, the sword’s wielder can fit a ring made of a specific metal like adamantine or cold iron into the tenth slot. Doing so allows the sword to penetrate damage reduction as if it were made of the same metal as the ring. Using this property does not grant the weapon any additional properties of that metal (such as bypassing hardness, etc.). Typically, such metal rings cost one-tenth the cost of a nine-ring broadsword made from that material. In the event that a magic ring made from a specific metal, like silver, is affixed to the sword’s tenth slot, the sword’s wielder decides which of the weapon’s two properties will be in effect when the ring is placed. However, the sword’s wielder can use a move action to switch between properties.

    In this instance "wielder" mean simply having the sword in hand, as you need a full round action to fit a ring to the sword and you should do it while wielding the sword.

    On the other hand Sean K Reynolds use the term as "actively using":

    Sean K Reynolds wrote:

    Wielding means "actively trying to use the item," and is normally only used in the context of weapons or weapon-like objects such as rods, wands, and so on.

    Otherwise, it's just an item you're holding/carrying.

    And if you're not holding/carrying/bearing it, you're probably wearing it, or it's stowed in a sheath or backpack.

    And if you're not wielding, holding/carrying/bearing, or wearing the item, it's probably unattended.

    If you're wielding a sword, you're trying to hit people with it.

    If you're holding or carrying a sword, you just have it on your person, perhaps because your fighter buddy dropped it and you didn't want him to lose it.

    You probably can't wear a sword.

    If you're not wielding the sword, holding/carrying/bearing the sword, or wearing the sword, it's on the ground.

    Again, Arcane bond say "staves, wands, and weapons must be wielded" for the wizard to be able to cast his spells without making a Caster level check. another instance in which "wielding" mean having in hand, not "using offensively".

    A Defending weapon should be "wielded" to give his bonus to AC, and in that instance you need to make an attack with it, not simply having it in your grasp.

    There are plenty of examples in which the term is used one way or the other.

    I know that the rules need to be a pleasant reading, so they can't be too technical and stuffed by specific terms, but sometime the same word mean too many things. Finding the right term require a creative mind an so it seem more the work of the creative director than that of a designer.


    James Jacobs wrote:


    It's helpful when you do big lists like this to number them so I can answer by just doing a numbered list

    Sorry about that. I'll keep that in mind.

    James Jacobs wrote:


    stuff about ghost movies

    Thanks for the tips. I'll check out the movies I haven't seen.

    Real classy of you replaying!
    Cool you like the bard. It's also my favorite class.

    1) What is your favorite non core class (APG, UM or UC)?

    2) If I want a closer look at the deities of Pathfinder or/and Golarion what should I buy?

    3) Who is/are the most under estimated people at Paizo (cleaning ladies included- no sarcasm)?

    4) If Paizo would buy you one (or two) week vacation, all included, where would you go and why?

    5) Is anybody out there?

    &) Shall We Take Ourselves Seriously?

    Paizo Employee Creative Director

    Diego Rossi wrote:

    James, there is a big discussion about Break Enchantment here. The doubt is if it can break a supernatural effect that is a Enchantment, Transmutation or Curse or not.

    I think, both reading the text of the spell and falling back on how it worked in 3.X, that it will break supernatural effects (in this instance, specifically a vampire domination power) but other posters disagree.

    Several of us have hit the FAQ button, but I would like your opinion, too.

    A interesting e somewhat fun corollary a poster has found (and he has opened a thread about that) is that, as written, Break enchantment will cancel a Reincarnate spell (level 4, instantaneous transmutation spell, as required by Break enchantment). :-P
    Sometime RAW is terrific.

    Break enchantment can break appropriate supernatural effects. If only because there needs to be SOME sort of check and balance against things like vampire domination.

    Paizo Employee Creative Director

    Kristen Gipson wrote:

    JJ,

    How far can humans see in dim light? This question is pertaining to areas with natural dim light and not the increased areas from torches, sunrods, spells, etc.

    There has to be some type of range otherwise low-light vision is useless.

    Humans can see as far as dim light illuminates. If you have a torch that sheds normal light to 20 feet and dim light from 20 to 40 feet... humans can see to 40 feet in that dim light, because beyond that range is darkness.

    If you have low-light vision, though, that range of dim light is doubled, allowing you to see up to 60 feet away even though the 40 to 60 feet is technically dark.

    Paizo Employee Creative Director

    captain yesterday wrote:
    Are you a fan of weird al yankovic? if so, what is your song and video? (they don't need to be the same). my daughter (who is a HUGE weird al fan) wants to know:)

    Meh. I like some of his earlier songs, particularly "Eat it" and "Rye or the Keiser," but I never really got into him beyond whatever album those two were on.

    Paizo Employee Creative Director

    divineshadow wrote:
    Back to planescape what did you think of the lady of pain??

    I thought she was really intriguing and cool looking and was a really neat gimmick to explain why Sigil's such a neutral ground where powerful outsiders can't just fight.

    Paizo Employee Creative Director

    Power Word Unzip wrote:
    We're just a few weeks away from this year's new horror movie season! What horror film are you most looking forward to in 2012?

    Horror movie season is all year long! That said, I'm equally excited to see Sinister and Paranormal Activity 4 next month...

    Paizo Employee Creative Director

    KnightFever wrote:

    If you had the opportunity, which Golarion NPC would you most prefer to meet in real life (whether she/he is a known NPC as Shalelu Andosana or an unknown one as, for exemple, the chief of the hellknight in Corentyn) ?

    On the contrary, which one would you less prefer to meet ?

    Merisiel! Or maybe Ameiko Kaijitsu.

    As for who I'd like to meet the least? Probably Tar-Baphon, because he seems violent.

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