So, around here we tend to see a number of optimization guides, the large majority of them focusing on how much DPR a character can pump out.
However, there are some mechanical aspects of the game that often tend to be merely an afterthought in guides like that, skills being one of them. So, in light of this, I decided to create a challenge. Instead of optimizing DPR, I want you to optimize skills.
Now, given the number of skills in the game, it would be impossible for a character to be awesome at all of them. So, each build presented should focus on a primary skill or a subset of skills. Ideally, each build should also be a viable (if not entirely optimized) character capable of being more than dead weight in a party when their skill isn't involved. Being PFS legal is always a plus.
So, here's the general rules.
Level 12. 20 point buy. 2 traits. No non-Core races. Open source to all official Pathfinder splat books. Standard wealth by level for a level 12 (108,000g). No more than 1/3 of your wealth spent on a single item. Magic items with limited uses per day as well as spells are allowed, but no abuse of purchased consumables (though they can be noted if you so wish).
Please, break down your various modifiers to a given skill, and list any conditional bonuses seperately from static bonuses.
Let's see what you've got :)
Is this pure optimization or are we supposed to build a viable character. In other words can I sacrifice all survivability to get the best score?
To start, here's a build of mine that I came up with.
Skill focused on: Perception.
"Hawkeye", Half-elf Druid 12 (Eagle Shaman archetype)
Str 10
Dex 12
Con 14
Int 8
Wis 30
Cha 8
Feats: Skill Focus (Perception)(racial), Hermean Blood (Wisdom), Alertness, Sharp Senses, Totem Spirit (Spire Clan), Jackal Blood, Eagle Eyes, Lightning Reflexes (bonus),
Traits: Eyes and Ears of the City, Hermean Paragon
Magic items: Headband of Wisdom +6, Tome of Understanding +1, Eyes of the Eagle, Luckstone, +1 hide armor, +1 scimitar, +1 wooden shield
Abilities
Feather domain
Wild shape 5/day
Wild empathy
Resist nature's lure
Woodland stride
Nature sense
Trackless step
Animal Companion (Eagle, at druid level-3)
Totemic transformation
Low-light vision
Elven immunities
Total Perception modifier: +56
Breakdown: 12 ranks + 10 wisdom + 3 class skill +1 trait +2 racial + 2 Sharp Senses + 2 Jackal Blood + 2 Totem Spirit + 4 Alertness + 6 Skill Focus + 5 Eyes of the Eagle + 1 Luckstone +1 Hermean Blood +6 Feather domain
Situational: +4 from Totemic Transformation for 12 min/day. If you can gain access to the Acute Senses spell, the overall bonus can go up by +10, +20, or +30, depending on the caster level. (Make good friends with the Wizard, it's only a 2nd level spell. Also a decent potion choice.)
Special notes: Ignores up to -5 range penalties from Eagle Eyes feat. He also has a damn solid Will save and good Survival. All in addition to a lot of bonus spells, high DC's, and full Druid spellcasting progression.
Thoughts: I had contemplated mixing in a couple levels of Wizard. A hawk familiar would boost Perception by +3, and having access to Acute Senses (albeit at a low caster level) would be excellent.
A viable character is ideal, but not necessarily required. If you want to come up with some munchkin way within the allowed rules to milk some extra bonus, go for it.
Feel free to make notes on potential tweaks to a build that could shift it closer to or further away from viable/survivable.
Here's another concept I had, inspired by a character of mine I actually play.
Skill focused on: Disguise, with a secondary in Bluff
Valeria, half-elf bard 12 (Sandman archetype)
Str 8
Dex 12
Con 13
Int 12
Wis 8
Cha 30
Feats: Skill Focus (Disguise), Deceitful, Eldritch Heritage (Rakshasa), Improved Eldrith Heritage (Rakshasa), Voice of the Sibyl, Pass for Human.
Traits: Keeper of the Veil, Augmented Disguise
Magic items: Circlet of Persuasion, Headband of Charisma +6, Tome of Charisma +1, Luckstone, +1 Glamered mithral chain, Ring of Chameleon Power
Abilities: Bardic Performance (Stealspell, Slumberspell, Dramatic Subtext, Fascinate, Countersong, Distraction,)
Master of Deception
Sneakspell
Trap Sense
Sneak Attack +2d6
Integrated racial trait
Elven Immunities
Low-light Vision
Spells Known
O: Detect Magic, Ghost Sound, Lullaby, Prestidigitation, Unwitting Ally, Dancing Lights
1: Disguise Self, Charm Person, Vocal Alteration, Tap Inner Beauty, Timely Inspiration, Youthful Appearance
2: Alter Self, Disguise Other, Honeyed Tongue, Raiment of Command, Invisibility
3: Glibness, Charm Monster, Good Hope, Aura of the Unremarkable
4: Dominate Person, Serenity, Denounce, Utter Contempt
Total Disguise modifier: +47 (12 ranks +3 class +10 Charisma +6 Skill Focus +4 Deceitful +6 Master of Deception +1 racial +1 trait +3 Circlet of Persuasion +1 Luckstone)
Total Bluff modifier: +44 (12 ranks +3 class +10 Charisma +4 Deceitful +6 Master of Deception +1 racial +1 trait +3 Circlet of Persuasion +1 Luckstone +3 Voice of the Sibyl)
Situational modifiers for Disguise: +10 Disguise Self +20 Alter Self +10 Vocal Alteration +10 Pass for Human +10 Raiment of Command +2 Disguise Kit +2 Good Hope +2 Tap Inner Beauty +2 Augmented Disguise
So if you wanted to impersonate the human king, you'd have a +105 Disguise check.
Situational Bluff modifiers: +20 Glibness +5 Silver Tongue +10 Raiment of Command +2 Good Hope +2 Tap Inner Beauty
So while trying to convince people that you're the king, you'd have a +83 Bluff check to do so.