Please take a moment to look at Daren Mott (or "Mr. Mott" to you) and help me find new ways of optimizing him that I might have overlooked.
Please note that I do NOT want to use a high crit weapon or the Dervish Dance feat. I want him to be powerful, but I do not desire another cookie cutter magus. I want this one to stand out and be different.
Pertinent information:
- 5th level character
- 25-point buy
- standard starting funds for 5th-level
- 3/4 maximum variable in hit points, round up (e.g. d8 = 6)
- Access to any published Pathfinder material (no 3rd party, no v3.5)
- No optional rules (traits, hero points, etc.)
How do you envision using the character during the course of the game?
How do you envision using the character during the course of the game?
Probably something of a defensive magus. Using Crane Wing (and later Deflect Arrows) to protect himself from attacks as he dishes out his own.
I'm also always looking for synergy with having a hand always free, since that's typically how maguses fight. That's part of what got me to incorporate the Crane Style feats, since it requires a hand free just like Spell Combat AND can also be quite useful to a martial character who finds himself in a lot of melee battles.
When I think about the build as it stands now, I figure he will open up the first round of combat with enlarge person or shield and a martial arts style (Crane for defense, or Dragon to charge). In round two, he would use his arcane pool to enhance his weapon, cast frostbite, and attack with spell combat. That way, he's dealing respectable damage while debuffing his enemy at the same time.
I envision him fighting like gandalf, only slightly more martial art'sy and much faster (lots of staff spinning and twirling, and even some disarming with nunchaku).
Frostbite?
May be to change the things, but you talk about optimizing. Shocking Grasp. And I'd bump a Trait to get Magical Lineage on Shocking Grasp to place a Intensified on it as soon as you reach level over 5.
Close Range is overrated imo. Definitly. Never forgot that you get only ONE ray on spells like scorching ray. And that's the only spell you will be able to use with it. Unless you want to spam ray of frost to get extra attack with spell combat? Even though, I'd spam Arcane Mark if you fall on that game.
Frosbite is awesome because it does 1d6+5 damage, fatigues the target, AND allows MULTIPLE ATTACKS. It's like chill touch, but better.
Shocking grasp does more damage, but it only gets used once. This magus only has four spell slots. Gotta make them count.
Also, Close Range is pretty awesome once you realize that it grants you infinite extra attacks when combined with 0-level rays, spellstrike, and spell combat. I only have a BAB of +3, but can make two attacks as a full attack thanks to this. It's like Rapid Shot for bows, but one of my attacks will do 1d3 extra damage.
The at-will factor is what makes it cool. It allows me to use my class abilities long after my beefier spells have gone.
I'm not saying these are the best options available, but I DID put some thought into them.
You could also spend a trait on Two-Worlds Magic to grab Touch of Fatigue as a 0 level touch attack that doesn't stink of cheese.
You could also spend a trait on Two-Worlds Magic to grab Touch of Fatigue as a 0 level touch attack that doesn't stink of cheese.
I'm not familiar. Where is that at?
Also, how does that stink any less than what I proposed?
It stinks less than using Arcane Mark, which you didn't propose.
Wow. I totally forgot that arcane mark was a touch spell. I may well be changing arcanas then. Still, none of the others seem to fit the build.
I do have shocking grasp, and I will be using it at higher levels, but for right now, frostbite seems to be the optimal choice.
I've thought of doing something similar, using the kensai archetype. Combined with Kirin styles, and your intelligence boosts your AC, and when you identify a monster, you can deal double your intelligence bonus in damage on top of strength.
If you could gain access too Shillelagh in anyway, through a wand or some other item perhaps, that could help a bit.
|
If you could gain access too Shillelagh in anyway, through a wand or some other item perhaps, that could help a bit.
2 levels in pathfinder savant will only cost you 1 caster level and give you estoric magic which would allow you to cast shillelagh as a 2nd level spell. Course, if you wanted to actually go this route, pick up a 3rd level for the scroll use ability that allows you to use scrolls at your caster level.
Truthfully though, you'd be better off not leveling in any other class until you get access to 5th level magus, so your arcane pool can enhance your weapons with frost & fire or shock. More useful in the long haul to a magus, but that scroll use ability of the Pathfinder savant is REALLY tempting.
Also, 11th and 13th level you may want to pick up Craft Staff and Staff like Wand Feats. Then you can carry wands that will act at your caster level with your DC and use them in spell combat. Not to mention if your going Staff Master route it wouldn't make sense for you not to take Craft Staff.
Crane also may not be as useful for you since you need to be fighting defensively for crane so you will not be hitting multiple frostbite on one round.
Why not? Is -1 to hit really so bad?
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I'm a fan of investing in the familiar===> Improved familiar line of abilities for the fact that they grant share spell, and this allows them to waste their round dropping shield and enlarge on you via wands.
Also once you get dimension door you can cast it and have it effect them instead of you, you count as their passenger and it ends their round instead of yours when you arrive.
PLus the added benefit of sending them out to tend to the wounded.
LOL Amuny, that's vicious. One hit and the target can't run or charge, can only move half move and is at -2 str, -6 (!!!) dex, and a -2 attack not including the str or dex penalty plus needs to make concentration checks to cast.
Frostbite doesn't give a duration so I guess you could hold the other Frostbite charges just in case. Maybe dole them out on attacks of opportunity for movement too.
Does only moving at half speed impede your ability to take a 5' step?
Ughbash, the simple fact that it says "fighting defensively as a standard action" should have had you click that you can do it as other actions
"Fighting Defensively as a Full-Round Action
You can choose to fight defensively when taking a full-attack action. If you do so, you take a –4 penalty on all attacks in a round to gain a +2 dodge bonus to AC for the same round."
Yep, you can fight defensively as part of a standard action attack OR as part of taking a full attack action.
LOL Amuny, that's vicious. One hit and the target can't run or charge, can only move half move and is at -2 str, -6 (!!!) dex, and a -2 attack not including the str or dex penalty plus needs to make concentration checks to cast.
Frostbite doesn't give a duration so I guess you could hold the other Frostbite charges just in case. Maybe dole them out on attacks of opportunity for movement too.
Does only moving at half speed impede your ability to take a 5' step?
Wow, I second this - a nasty combination. Especially with magical lineage (frostbite) - use it as level 1 spell all day long. If you can afford the feats get heighten spell and preferred spell (frostbite) and you'll be spamming it as if there is no tomorrow...
You can hold the charges on the frostbite, yes.
But no, half speed does not remove your ability to 5' step unless your normal speed would be lower than 5' (e.g. 0, 2.5 or something).
Please take a moment to look at Daren Mott (or "Mr. Mott" to you) and help me find new ways of optimizing him that I might have overlooked.
Please note that I do NOT want to use a high crit weapon or the Dervish Dance feat. I want him to be powerful, but I do not desire another cookie cutter magus. I want this one to stand out and be different.
Pertinent information:
- 5th level character
- 25-point buy
- standard starting funds for 5th-level
- 3/4 maximum variable in hit points, round up (e.g. d8 = 6)
- Access to any published Pathfinder material (no 3rd party, no v3.5)
- No optional rules (traits, hero points, etc.)
How did you get three bonus style feats by second level, I've been working on something like this and I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong.
Assuming you alternate classes every other level and are starting with Monk your feats would look something like this:
1st - Additional Traits (magical knack: magus, reactionary), Dodge,Crane StyleB, Stunning FistB, Improved Unarmed CombatB (which you forgot to list)
2nd - Quarterstaff MasterB,
3rd - Crane WingB, Dragon Style
5th - ???
Crane RiposteB - you don't get another bonus feat for another 4 monk levels...
Am I missing something?
I took Dodge as my human bonus feat. Since I am a 1st-level monk, I qualify for Crane Style, which I pick up with my general feat. I then use my monk bonus feat at 1st level to get Crane Wing (since I have Crane Style, I qualify for it as a bonus feat). At 2nd level of monk, I get another style bonus feat, which goes towards Crane Reposte.
All three feats in only two levels (rather than eight). Pretty neat, huh?
I took Dodge as my human bonus feat. Since I am a 1st-level monk, I qualify for Crane Style, which I pick up with my general feat. I then use my monk bonus feat at 1st level to get Crane Wing (since I have Crane Style, I qualify for it as a bonus feat). At 2nd level of monk, I get another style bonus feat, which goes towards Crane Reposte.
All three feats in only two levels (rather than eight). Pretty neat, huh?
Right, you had a B next to Crane Style, so I was thinking it was a bonus feat.
Also, doesn't Additional Traits count as a feat? That would mean you'd need your Monk bonus feat at 1st to get Crane Style.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Also, doesn't Additional Traits count as a feat? That would mean you'd need your Monk bonus feat at 1st to get Crane Style.
Yes, it does count as a feat, but I don't need to take it until later levels.
I guess I got Dodge and Crane Style mixed up. I took Dodge as my general feat, and Crane Style as my human bonus feat.
The feat progression looks something like this:
1) Dodge, Crane Style (B), Crane Wing (B), Improved Unarmed Strike (B), Stunning Fist (B)
2) Crane Riposte (B)
3) Additional Traits, Quarterstaff Master (B)
5) Dragon Style
Also, doesn't Additional Traits count as a feat? That would mean you'd need your Monk bonus feat at 1st to get Crane Style.Yes, it does count as a feat, but I don't need to take it until later levels.
I guess I got Dodge and Crane Style mixed up. I took Dodge as my general feat, and Crane Style as my human bonus feat.
I'm thinking traits have to be chosen at first level, even those from the additional traits feat. Traits represent some aspect of your past that affects who you are now. I didn't think they were something you could just select later.
From D20pfsrd.com
Gaining Traits
When you create your character for a campaign, ask your GM how many traits you can select. In most cases, a new PC should gain two traits, effectively gaining what amounts to a bonus feat at character creation. Some GMs may wish to adjust this number somewhat, depending upon their style of play; you may only be able to pick one trait, or your GM might allow three or more. Even if your GM normally doesn’t allow bonus traits, you might still be able to pick up some with the Additional Traits feat.
Edit:
Upon further reading I see that Additional Traits can be selected at any time. My bad. That was the source of my confusion.
Good build.
|
Does flurry work with spellstrike? I belive it doesnt work with two weapon fighting and spellstrike mimics a lot of twf rules. If that is the case maybe its worth picking up an monk archetype that trades it for something else.
Also I dont think you can pick up crane wing and riposte at the first lvls even as a monk. On pfsrd.com they put an atk bonus or monk lvl requirement for those feats. I dont have my books with me now so i am not sure if its on the original text, if its an errata or some society rule. I am hoping the site is wrong cause this is a nice build.
Does flurry work with spellstrike? I belive it doesnt work with two weapon fighting and spellstrike mimics a lot of twf rules. If that is the case maybe its worth picking up an monk archetype that trades it for something else.
Also I dont think you can pick up crane wing and riposte at the first lvls even as a monk. On pfsrd.com they put an atk bonus or monk lvl requirement for those feats. I dont have my books with me now so i am not sure if its on the original text, if its an errata or some society rule. I am hoping the site is wrong cause this is a nice build.
Monks ignore the prereqs for their monk bonus feats.
Monks ignore the prereqs for their monk bonus feats.Does flurry work with spellstrike? I belive it doesnt work with two weapon fighting and spellstrike mimics a lot of twf rules. If that is the case maybe its worth picking up an monk archetype that trades it for something else.
Also I dont think you can pick up crane wing and riposte at the first lvls even as a monk. On pfsrd.com they put an atk bonus or monk lvl requirement for those feats. I dont have my books with me now so i am not sure if its on the original text, if its an errata or some society rule. I am hoping the site is wrong cause this is a nice build.
Master of Many Styles monks ignore prereqs for their style bonus feats. Other monks still need to meet the prereqs.
Very cool build. I dig the synergy between the magus' fighting style and crane style. Also nice to see the humble quarterstaff getting some play.
Master of Many Styles monks ignore prereqs for their style bonus feats. Other monks still need to meet the prereqs.Monks ignore the prereqs for their monk bonus feats.Does flurry work with spellstrike? I belive it doesnt work with two weapon fighting and spellstrike mimics a lot of twf rules. If that is the case maybe its worth picking up an monk archetype that trades it for something else.
Also I dont think you can pick up crane wing and riposte at the first lvls even as a monk. On pfsrd.com they put an atk bonus or monk lvl requirement for those feats. I dont have my books with me now so i am not sure if its on the original text, if its an errata or some society rule. I am hoping the site is wrong cause this is a nice build.
I know :). Regular monk's don't have the option of taking style feats as their monk bonus feats at all.
Seems my link is down. Here's a new one: Daren Mott (or "Mr. Mott" to you!)