I could use some advice on how to make my lvl 3 fighter better for the Pathfinder Society. What armor, weapons, items and such should I add? I built him to have a high AC and I would love to get it higher.
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I could give you a smart-alecky answer, like "Buy better gear". But instead, I'm going to try and help out.
Q1) Better at what, exactly? What are you trying to do? If you're new and don't quite know what to expect from the PFS, it's okay to tell us that.
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1) You've got a lot of cash. Spend it. You don't get anything for dying with a big bag of gold.
a) potions are nice to have
b) magic armor and weapons are good.
c) Make sure you don't forget about weapon materials. Sometimes, you need a silver weapon, and nothing else will do.
2) Know when to use the shield, and when not to. For me, this comes down to the party composition most of the time, and sometimes the opponents factor in.
If you're ALL of the melee for an adventure, you better have that shield handy. If you've got two other melee types, you can let it go, and focus on offense a bit more.
3) Start thinking about possible problems. And then fix them.
a) Boats. Buy a chain shirt. You can sleep in it too.
b) Flying opponents. Buy the best bow you can. Later on, a potion of fly for emergencies.
c) Invisible opponents. You can do this one for HW.
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4th panel has great advice. =)
4th panel has great advice. =)
In all fairness, that's referring to 3.5, where fighter got nothing at 3rd level. :(
Now fighters get Armor Training or something else if they're another archetype. 3rd level fighters are a lot more respectable these days. :3
4th panel has great advice. =)
In all fairness, that's referring to 3.5, where fighter got nothing at 3rd level. :(
Now fighters get Armor Training or something else if they're another archetype. 3rd level fighters are a lot more respectable these days. :3
'Twas but said in jest. =)
Better at what, exactly? What are you trying to do? If you're new and don't quite know what to expect from the PFS, it's okay to tell us that.
I'm new, so I only know a little of what I'm doing.
I first started playing a cavalier and he (and the team of lvl 1s) almost got wiped out. I read in an old issue of Dragon Magazine that said just go with a fighter and that's what I did.
1) You've got a lot of cash. Spend it. You don't get anything for dying with a big bag of gold.
a) potions are nice to have
b) magic armor and weapons are good.
c) Make sure you don't forget about weapon materials. Sometimes, you need a silver weapon, and nothing else will do.
I discovered last night that I needed a potion badly when I was down to three life and had to retreat. After that, I'm looking at buying a few Potions of cure moderate wounds.
What kind of magic armor and weapons are good for a fighter? I take it that the silver weapon is for creatures that can only be damaged by it. How do I get a silver weapon?
2) Know when to use the shield, and when not to. For me, this comes down to the party composition most of the time, and sometimes the opponents factor in.
If you're ALL of the melee for an adventure, you better have that shield handy. If you've got two other melee types, you can let it go, and focus on offense a bit more.
I was wondering about that. Last night we had two paladins in the group. Should I have started off with wielding my Greatsword or my Longsword and Shortsword together or should I have just went with a Longsword and my shield (what I did)?
3) Start thinking about possible problems. And then fix them.
a) Boats. Buy a chain shirt. You can sleep in it too.
b) Flying opponents. Buy the best bow you can. Later on, a potion of fly for emergencies.
c) Invisible opponents. You can do this one for HW.
a) Boats? In Pathfinder Society?
b) I have a Shortbow already. What kind of better bow is there?c) I've ran into one of those already and that was a long and terrible battle. What is HW?
You have power attack. You need cleave.
Wow, Cleave is cool! I'll have to get that next level.
The best bow you can get is a Composite Long Bow. Make sure it's rated for your strength.
The boats he's talking about are boats you might have to get onto. Wearing full plate on a boat? Probably a bad idea. Wearing a chain shirt on a boat? Much better.
I'll have to get that. Someone had one of those last night and was double the distance of mine.
So I wear the Chain Shirt under the Full Plate and take it off when crossing water?
Tried that in Hero Lab and found out that you can't wear both.
I noticed that Hero Lab had me wearing the Breastplate instead of the Full Plate. Should I stay with that, wear the Full Plate or go with the Chain Shirt?
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The best bow you can get is a Composite Long Bow. Make sure it's rated for your strength.
Since this is Pathfinder Society, I recommend a Masterwork Composite Longbow with a STR rating of 3. The reason for this in particular is that its price will be 700gp, which means you can spend 2 PA instead of gold to get it ("free item worth 750gp or less"). You get +1 to hit and +3 damage without spending any actual gold. Very worthwhile, IMO.
Wow! My AC jumped from 22 to 25. If I had been wearing that last night, I wouldn't have gotten hit at all. Anything else I can do to up my AC?
What magic weapons should I be looking at and should I replace my Masterwork Backpack with a Handy Haversack?
The best bow you can get is a Composite Long Bow. Make sure it's rated for your strength.Since this is Pathfinder Society, I recommend a Masterwork Composite Longbow with a STR rating of 3. The reason for this in particular is that its price will be 700gp, which means you can spend 2 PA instead of gold to get it ("free item worth 750gp or less"). You get +1 to hit and +3 damage without spending any actual gold. Very worthwhile, IMO.
Nice!
Best bets for for an upgrade will be to get a darkwood heavy shield, its a bargin, and no armor check penelty.
You need to decide on your primary melee weapon, from here it looks like the longsword, grab a masterwork one, +1 to attack will ofset you power attack penelty.
For other great gear consider javilins, cheap good range and damage. Invest in some of those, toss'em at your foes untill they die or come to get you. This will allow you to use your High Strength to its best, with out the high cost of a bow, and you can keep using your shield!
For skills, o lord invest at least a couple in swim, its a class skill and its very common for water to show up, even without a boat! Taking off your armor should be very rare for you wilst adventuring, put enough ranks in it so you can (with you class bonus and strength bonus)reliably make a 20 skill check!
For your next set of feats theink hard about your "thing" attack or defend. Its important, you can be great at one, or good with both. Feats you should consider:
To gain more possible attacks
Cleave, more attacks in the right conditions, always good
Great Cleave, Gotta wait untill 4th and have Cleave but even more attacks!
Combat Reflexes, you've a good dex, use it. This also offers more possible attacks, also a good thing, also Attacks of oppurtinity during the suprise round, woot!
To increase your chance to hit and damage
Weapon Focus. +1 attack, thats really going to help offset Power Attack
Weapon spec, +2 to damage + power attack, starting to make 'em really feel it now. Waitin' till 4th is a pain, but it may be worth it!
Good stuff all around
Iron will, Improved Iron will, these two will shore up a possible weak point, you don't really need to worry about them untill around 5th or 6th level when "things" start try and use you against your freinds.
Quick draw, the right tool when you need it plus
Precise Shot, power attack for ranged weapons, see javilens above. Not really a super gotta have, but by 5th, you're gonna start dealing with fly stuff.
Just my thoughts.
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- Get a Reach weapon for Large enemies so that you do not provoke AoO whether from movement or from using a ranged weapon in melee
- Get weapons made from special material or the alchemical bleaches that give the special material's properties to your weapon for 1 attack (especially cost-efficient for ammunitions) to bypass DR
- Consider investing in potions that grant you a better AC especially in bonus types you lack (for example, natural armor through Barkskin or deflection through Protection from (usually) Evil)
- In fact, for common spells such as Protection from Evil or Cure Light Wounds, consider buying wands that you will lend to the casters in your group so that they cast the spell on you. At 15 gp for a use of a 1-st level spell, they are quite a bargain compared to potions
- Get ranged weapons with types other than Piercing (slings for Bludgeoning, for example) to get past DR
- Buy a composite Longbow with a STR rating at least 2 points below your usual rating to serve as a back-up weapon for these times when your STR gets drained/damaged
TORNOC CR 2
Male Human (Chelaxian) Fighter 3
LG Medium Humanoid (Human)
Init +6; Senses Perception +3
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DEFENSE
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AC 25, touch 13, flat-footed 22. . (+9 armor, +3 shield, +2 Dex, +1 dodge)
hp 34 (3d10+9)
Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +3
Defensive Abilities Bravery +1
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OFFENSE
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Spd 20 ft.
Melee Dagger +7 (1d4+4/19-20/x2) and
. . Flail +7 (1d8+4/20/x2) and
. . Gauntlet (from Armor) +7 (1d3+4/20/x2) and
. . Greatsword +7 (2d6+6/19-20/x2) and
. . Longsword +7 (1d8+4/19-20/x2) and
. . Shield, Heavy Steel +7 (1d4+4/20/x2) and
. . Shortsword +7 (1d6+4/19-20/x2) and
. . Unarmed Strike +7 (1d3+4/20/x2)
Ranged Shortbow +5 (1d6/20/x3)
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STATISTICS
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Str 19, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 7, Wis 14, Cha 7
Base Atk +3; CMB +7; CMD 20
Feats Dodge, Improved Initiative, Power Attack -1/+2, Shield Focus, Toughness +3
Traits Armor Expert, Sacred Touch
Skills Acrobatics -3, Climb +2, Escape Artist -4, Fly -4, Intimidate +2, Perception +3, Ride -4, Sense Motive +3, Stealth -4, Swim +2
Languages Common
SQ Armor Training 1 (Ex), Earplugs, Smoked Goggles
Combat Gear Shield, Heavy Steel, Longsword, Greatsword, Shortbow, Dagger, Arrows (120), Arrow, Smoke (20), Full Plate, Shortsword, Flail, Chain Shirt; Other Gear Alchemist's fire (flask), Backpack, Masterwork (12 @ 60.6 lbs), Caltrops, Chalk, 1 piece (2), Earplugs, Grappling hook, Hammer, Iron Spike (2), Paper (sheet) (5), Potion of Cure Moderate Wounds, Rations, trail (per day) (2), Rope, hempen (50 ft.), Signal Horn, Smoked Goggles, Sunrod (3)
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TRACKED RESOURCES
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Arrow, Smoke - 0/20
Arrows - 1/120
Dagger - 0/1
Potion of Cure Moderate Wounds - 0/1
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SPECIAL ABILITIES
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Armor Expert -1 Armor check penalty.
Armor Training 1 (Ex) Worn armor -1 check penalty, +1 max DEX.
Bravery +1 (Ex) +1 Will save vs. Fear
Earplugs +2 save vs. hearing effects, -5 hearing-based Perception.
Power Attack -1/+2 You can subtract from your attack roll to add to your damage.
Sacred Touch You were exposed to a potent source of positive energy as a child, perhaps by being born under the right cosmic sign, or maybe because one of your parents was a gifted healer. As a standard action, you may automatically stabilize a dying creature mer
Shield Focus +1 Shield AC
Smoked Goggles +8 save vs. visual effects, -4 sight-based Perception and you treat all opponents as having 20% concealment.
Created With Hero Lab® - try it for free at http://www.wolflair.com!
Best bets for for an upgrade will be to get a darkwood heavy shield, its a bargin, and no armor check penelty.
Is it the same stats of the Shield, Heavy Steel +7 (1d4+4/20/x2)? How do I add this in Hero Lab?
You need to decide on your primary melee weapon, from here it looks like the longsword, grab a masterwork one, +1 to attack will ofset you power attack penelty.
Again, how do I add this in Hero Lab?
For skills, o lord invest at least a couple in swim, its a class skill and its very common for water to show up, even without a boat! Taking off your armor should be very rare for you wilst adventuring, put enough ranks in it so you can (with you class bonus and strength bonus)reliably make a 20 skill check!
I had +4 until I added the Full Plate Armor. Now it's +2
- Get a Reach weapon for Large enemies so that you do not provoke AoO whether from movement or from using a ranged weapon in melee
Ok. Not sure which weapons are ranged. Which weapons would you suggest?
- Get weapons made from special material or the alchemical bleaches that give the special material's properties to your weapon for 1 attack (especially cost-efficient for ammunitions) to bypass DR
I'm so new, I'm not sure how to do this. lol
- Consider investing in potions that grant you a better AC especially in bonus types you lack (for example, natural armor through Barkskin or deflection through Protection from (usually) Evil)
That's cool. Are they listed in the Core Rulebook or the APG?
- In fact, for common spells such as Protection from Evil or Cure Light Wounds, consider buying wands that you will lend to the casters in your group so that they cast the spell on you. At 15 gp for a use of a 1-st level spell, they are quite a bargain compared to potions
Good idea but I still need a potion on me in case I'm too far away from my party.
- Get ranged weapons with types other than Piercing (slings for Bludgeoning, for example) to get past DR
You're going to have to point them out for me. Not sure where they're located.
- Buy a composite Longbow with a STR rating at least 2 points below your usual rating to serve as a back-up weapon for these times when your STR gets drained/damaged
So two bows? Or just get one bow that's 2 points below?
If you spend PA make it a Darkwood masterwork composite longbow (+3) it is 730 instead of 700 so you still spend just 2 PA and it wieghs half as much. It probably will never mater but if it's free take it.
Sounds really cool. Which book is that located in? How do I find that in Hero Lab?
What about a Cold Iron Longsword +9 / +4 Melee (1d8 +3 19-20×2)?
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Do you own a Core Rulebook? I noticed in your last few posts, you asked "where can I find X" several times. The answer to most of them is "the equipment chapter of the Core Rulebook". I highly recommend that you either open up your CR to the equipment chapter or go here, and just read the entire section, start to finish. When you do so, you'll have several moments of "Oh! That's what they were talking about!" Masterwork items, special materials, everything. You should be in good shape at that point. :)
Afraid I can't help you with Hero lab. I still make characters with a pencil. (BTW, this forces you to learn the rules)
I'd go with longsword and shield, or with greatsword most of the time.
And go ahead and flip to the back of the book, and read the section of potions too. Index is a useful thing to get to know.
Do you own a Core Rulebook? I noticed in your last few posts, you asked "where can I find X" several times. The answer to most of them is "the equipment chapter of the Core Rulebook". I highly recommend that you either open up your CR to the equipment chapter or go here, and just read the entire section, start to finish. When you do so, you'll have several moments of "Oh! That's what they were talking about!" Masterwork items, special materials, everything. You should be in good shape at that point. :)
Yes I do and I'll do that. It's such a huge book that it's easy to get lost in it.
Afraid I can't help you with Hero lab. I still make characters with a pencil. (BTW, this forces you to learn the rules
Agree with you but being that I only play once a week at the Society, I need the help. I'm about to start a game of AD&D 1st and I'll have to do it the P&P way.
Hey, noticed your name on the character sheet. If you are coming tonight I'll be showing up early if you want to look over your character. If you are coming monday I'll be gming so I can make some time then.
I can come by tonight but it'll be after 6pm, I hurt my neck this morning and can't stay all night but Monday is a go.
Thanks for the help.
Best bets for for an upgrade will be to get a darkwood heavy shield, its a bargin, and no armor check penelty.Is it the same stats of the Shield, Heavy Steel +7 (1d4+4/20/x2)? How do I add this in Hero Lab?
You need to decide on your primary melee weapon, from here it looks like the longsword, grab a masterwork one, +1 to attack will ofset you power attack penelty.Again, how do I add this in Hero Lab?
For skills, o lord invest at least a couple in swim, its a class skill and its very common for water to show up, even without a boat! Taking off your armor should be very rare for you wilst adventuring, put enough ranks in it so you can (with you class bonus and strength bonus)reliably make a 20 skill check!I had +4 until I added the Full Plate Armor. Now it's +2
For the hero lab, I'm afraid I still use pen and paper. I'm a bit low tech. The sheild is pg 467 Core rulebook, and invest some more ranks in swim as you advance. Wow, 1st edition, haven't seen or heard that in a very,very long time. Enjoy and good luck!!
You make weapons with special materials or whatnot as magical weapons in Hero Lab. Armor is done the same way.
Thanks everyone for the help.
Jaryn...Have we met yet? I'm good on faces but terrible on names. Just look for the dragon in the blue cap avatar on the Meetup group and message me.
And preventing Pounce.Shazam. That's some good caster-protecting right there.You have power attack. You need cleave.Or Pushing Assault -- one of the best feats in the game.
That's a cool trick.
Yah I know you. I'll actually bed your gm monday. I'll message you when I get off this smartphone.
LOL. Told you that I can't remember names but I do remember your face. That scenario was cool.