Okay, so I want to make a melee alchemist, very likely one that fights bare-handed. Here's the thing: I'm playing in a comedy campaign, and I want my mutated form to be a Power Ranger.
Yes, you read that correctly.
So, through judicious use of discoveries, feats, the Master Chymist PrC, Beatmorph archetype, etc., make me the best dude that can transform into a Power Ranger. Or, if you can somehow build a better Ranger via another class (still preferably a melee unarmed combatant), that's cool, too (we can just fudge the "morphin' time" bit with flavor). While a want a good, solid build, I'm less concerned about a perfect/ideal build than building something memorable that will still hold its own.
Synthesist summoner. That way you get physical boosts and get to say it's morphin time.
Oh, now there's an idea. Any specific build ideas, or should I just search the forums?
I'm terrible with summoners so I would search the forums. Just remember to make yourself well rounded cuz the rangers could take it as well as they dished it out.
Okay, some of the other synthesist threads have good advice, but they point out that by taking the archetype, you lose access to all summoner feats (such as Extra Evolutions), since the "Fused Eidolon" synthesist class feature replaces the normal summoner "Eidolon" class feature (which is requires for those feats). Still worth it?
I second the systhesist for guyver/venom/power ranger action.
Biped, get slams instead of claws. magic attacks evolution, maybe skilled, acrobatics. +2 dex evolution, climb speed for crazy wall flying slam attacks (drop kicks!)
Or manuver master monk, elemental fist feat, unarmed fighter, any elemental fist style (djinn, ifrit) and monk again for the second part of the elemental style, then a systhesist, weapon focus slam, and feral combat training, so you use elemental attacks with slams... or, any other style, SABER TOOTH TIGER style, and then morph and use your slams, bonus ac, bonus hp, etc.
You could go venerable, you could have the eidolon look like your robes and beard, if it's a comedy campain. Maybe a sensei systhesis? you might want dip lore oracle too to get cha instead of dex to ac, and noble scion for initiative.
I'm not clear on the slams (1-point evolution). With a biped form, can you straight-up replace the biped form's claws with slam attacks, or do you have to spend evolution points to do so?
Also, how does a 1st-level maneuver monk get Elemental First? It requires a BAB +8.
I think thoynan meant master of many styles monk instead of manuever master monk.
Bonus Feat: At 1st level, 2nd level, and every four levels thereafter, a master of many styles may select a bonus style feat or the Elemental Fist feat... He does not have to meet the prerequisites of that feat, except the Elemental Fist feat.
The second sentence is unclear, but it means that the master of many styles must have the Elemental Fist feat to take Djinni Style, Efreeti Style, Marid Style, and/or Shaitan Style feats/chains. A better wording would have been "He does not have to meet the prerequisites, except for Elemental Fist, of that feat."
Alternately, a monk of the four winds gets Elemental Fist in place of Stunning Fist at 1st level.
Okay, so you're thinking that I should take a level or two of a monk archetype (MoMS or MotFW)) and then go synthesist summoner?
I don't like Four winds to get a Elemental style early, because you can't get the second tier of that style, post fighter, till 8th level or so. Which, for elemental style, are the persistant effects. Like Djinn is +2 dodge bonus to ac vs aoos, but elec resist and enemies that take elec from your elemental fist are deafened.
And sorry for the confusion, i meant master of many styles. You can take elemental fist as a MOMF, and unarmed fighter also gives you a style feat at first as well. Then, your second level of MOMF you can take the second tier of any style feat, since MOMF gives you elemental, style feats, or style chain feats, where as unarmed fighter only gives you a style feat.
I thought elemental fists gave a good power ranger feel. Dragon style is nice too, as is mixed boar and tiger, with beliers bite, for a fist of the north star-esq saber tooth tiger, haha.
And, while reading kirin style, you can add twice your int in damage on creatures you've identified, and could have all 3 feats by level 3. So maybe you could be the nerdy ranger who identifies creatures and what not before finally having to bust out the suit!
But yeah, the suit is a must, but there's only so many levels of summoner you'd want, i'd sax max 4 so you can toss in fighter for more combat stuff. Maybe combat expertise and stalwart? Maybe enter living monolith? It needs iron will and endurance... ACTUAL RANGERS LEVELS! Then you could take that natural weapon style and get WF: slam for the suit.
I've been mulling over these builds all day, and I realized something: it takes a summoner a full minute to summon his eidolon. That means there's no time for "Oh, no, goblins...it's morphin' time!" Like I said earlier in the thread, flavor is as important as power for this build. I'm wondering if some sort of alchemist build emphasizing mutagens really might be the best option for this specific character concept.
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And for some reason my icon has become a smurf. Great.