Forgotten Trick is not broken, if you apply the rules correctly.
It just gives some more versatility at the cost of 2 Ki points.
If you don´t like it, homebrew without it.
Spending a Ki point is a swift action, only some exceptions make it a standard action or something else. For Forgotten trick it follows the trick you remember.
Are you sure that's exactly how it works? The wording's a bit vague.
Its actually not said, but it says:
When she uses this ability, she selects one ninja trick (not a master trick or rogue talent) that she does not know and can use that ninja trick for a number of rounds equal to her level. She must pay any ki costs associated with this trick as normal.
Thereby i conclude it follows the trick you remember.
Probably many who want to see this nerfed or abolished would argue one round to remember the trick, next round active the trick, but i think this is nonsense. It is already limited by level and costs 2 ki points normally. And don´t forget, you can only remember one combat trick, bomb trick or disguise or whatever at a time, if not use only one forgotten trick at a time (that could use some explanation, untill then up to DM).So you need all the first tricks to use trick-chains, i.e. smoke bomb - choking bomb.I think if you use it correctly, it makes you more versatile, but not that more powerful.
Nothing in the description specifically says(or even implies) that you're limited to only being able to access 1 trick at a time using that ability.
That said, thematically, why do you think the ninja needs an ability like that?
selects one ninja trick
Wait what?
A ninja with this ability can recall one trick taught to her by her ancient masters. When she uses this ability, she selects one ninja trick (not a master trick or rogue talent) that she does not know and can use that ninja trick for a number of rounds equal to her level.
You can recall (use) one trick at a time, this trick has to be a ninja trick. I can be Weapon training --> Weapon Focus or Combat trick --> Combat feat, but not a rogue talent or a master trick. Logically, if you apply what the rules say elsewhere in the game, you need to meet prerequisites.
Thematically, i think ninjas are very oportunistic and versatile, but not that strong all the time. Make something up out of need according to the situation is what they can do in my imagination. So it fits if they can use some enhancements or special tricks for a limited time with a great range, remembering something their masters told them or hinted at, but they didn´t really specialize on in training. You can access 22 other ninja tricks this way, two of them letting you have access to one (weapon focus) and 27 combat feats (team feats counted) that have no prerequisites (+-), most of them are not that powerful, some you can´t really put to use. If there is a question, it is if you can access master ninja tricks this way, like having smoke bombs, poison bombs amd then remember blinding bombs.
You are right, the wording could be more clear. But it says "recall one trick", so im pretty sure you cannot recall another trick next round.
Then it says: "for a number of rounds equal to her level", what means even with your reading, it wont last long anyway at low levels. Also you can only remember combat trick or weapon trick once anyway, because you can pick it as a trick only once. If you look closely at it, there are many restrictions. Many people seem to overread a lot often, me included.
not to mention the four ki you just used to activate those effects. Not like you've got that much to burn through
not to mention the four ki you just used to activate those effects. Not like you've got that much to burn through
Oh yes, i forgot about that!
Thats one ki point + CHA modifier at level 2.Perhaps a halfling with very high CHA could get 6 Ki points then, but thats absolutely maxed. Many people seem to go for DEX or even STR though.
Another question that came up at our game is could Forgotten Trick be used to 'store' a trick. As the trick lasts a number of rounds equal to the ninja's level could they for instance use it to remember Acrobatic Master and (as it lasts her level) not use it until her next turn when she then spends ki to, for instance, increase her movement to 50.
Good question. Like it is written now probably you could remember it, then use it within rounds like your level. You cannot increase movement this way though. Acrobatics skill says: "No jump can allow you to exceed your maximum movement for the round." You can use one point from ki pool to increase your speed by 20 feet for 1 round, or light steps to increase movement as a fullround action, but thats nothing to do with forgotten trick.
I suggest this boots for best movement, giving you natural +12 on jumps as a ninja in addition with a nice attack: boots of the raptor