Expected gear for level 1 character...


Advice


Ok, so...I'm making my first PFS character (and backups, I don't want to be that guy who shows up with everybody else's character). My "go-to" character is a human ranger, going the switch-hitter path. I know I need my armor, a back-up, alternate damage type weapon, and a light weapon. What can I expect to be expected to have? Do GMs and players care about rations, generally, in PFS? Will a ranged weapon be REALLY necessary for 1st level? What about alchemical items? How do I avoid being chastised as a noob in PFS when I've been playing D&D since there were rogues prying gems out of Baal's eyes on my PHB?


Chain shirt is pretty standard until you can get a mithril breastplate. If you have a high Dex Studded leather might work as well. Longbow and greatsword unless you're going the TWF route on level 2. Actually, Longbow and greatsword anyway, then trade it out for something else. A reach weapon and a bludgeoning weapon for backup in case you fight something large or with DR/bludgeoning (i.e. Skeletons) are good complements.

Other than that, post your build so we can critique.


Get a splash weapon; you don't know if there'll be swarms. Also... YES; get a ranged weapon. If you've got high strength, p/up a sling and add that strength til you get a Str bow. If you've got avg or low str get a x-bow.

Other than that look here


Really must second the splash weapon thing - swarms in season 0-2 scenarios are so common you are better off assuming you WILL run into them before your first level is done than not.


Slings! Why didn't *I* think of that? And a definite "yes" to splash weapon...thank you all so much. Mark, if that thread was sticky'd, I may not have even posted. Thanks, again.

Silver Crusade

One funny thing I've noticed, returning to RPGs after 20+ years away, is that all us old schoolers always think to buy a ranged and melee weapon for every character. But I noticed in playing both Pathfinder and D&D 4e, a surprising number of people with melee focused characters just don't think to carry a ranged weapon. It's just weird.

But yes, you should carry one at low levels. At higher levels, a potion of fly is better, which is why my 9th level barbarian never bothered upgrading the composite longbow he bought at 1st level.


Haha, I know, right? Younger, newer players seem focused on uber-specializing. I've only just got back to a place where I even *CAN* play, and I've been looking at these messageboards and seen ridiculous amounts of builds that are so optimized that a single unforseen monster ability will just destroy 'em.

Pre-edit: not ALL younger, newer players, just lots.


Generally you would just want 2 weapons at level 1

Sling (Bypasses DR/Blugeoning, and is ranged there is no way in which this is a bad choice)

Main weapon (with Gauntlet or Spiked Gauntlet after first session to be your light weapon)

At least 1 alchemist fire

Cheap but effective armor (I prefer studded leather or scale, chain shirt is nice but 100 gold is 2/3rds of your budget and could be better spend on consumables)

Buy at least 4 days of rations (most GMs dont care but honestly I do and as such all my characters are prepared)

at least 50 foot of rope, (grappling hook optional)

Bedroll, Winter blanket, Winter clothes, Desert clothes (To avoid those pesky Endurance checks for longer than normal)

1-2 good level 1 spells on scrolls (if you can use them) or potions (if you cant use the spells).

Grand Lodge

The Pathfinder Kit found in the Society Book is a good place ton start... 12gp gets you a lot (albeit with a lot of weight... much of it in terms of bedrolls etc which most DMs dont care about or even think about).

1 Alchemist fire and 1 alchemist acid costs 30gp... so between the pack AND the splash weapons you've paid 42gp.

The kit provides a dagger. Buy another. 44gp.

If you DONT want to buy a longbow (pricy), get a sling - its free. Factor in a -1 to hit and just use normal stones (free) OR use a light crossbow (36p with 10 bolts).

1 melee weapon of choice.

Chain shirt is 100 but seriously look at the armour from Ultimate combat - Leather Lamellar Curirass is the same as leather armour AC wise, is cheaper and lighter.

Kikko medium armour is cheaper than Scale mail - and better on dex 18 fighter types. Its a mere 35gp. It also makes a great armour if made into Mithril later.

Four Mirror Armour is the same as Chainmail and at 45gp is stupid cheap - seriously, they screwed up there when they wrote that... but all that said? You can benefit from their mistake and get some seriously cheap quality armour.


Thanks, Mike, especially for the "other" gear advice. As for weapons, I'll be rolling with a greatsword, a morningstar and, now that you mention it, a spiked gauntlet. At 1st lvl I'll be wearing hide (dirt cheap, only limits skills, easy to replace later). Now I'm looking into a vial of acid or two, maybe Alch Fire, instead depending on budget and lastly, if I can afford it, a CLW pot (always available in PFS?).

IAW Pally's post, if I can afford it, some reach weapon or another, too.

BTW, Power attack & Cleave; 18 Str, 14 Dex, 13 all others except 7 Cha. Min-maxy, I know, but easy to RP as a Ranger.


Helaman, are UC items "always available/" available at 1st for PFS? I kind of played down the whole "new to PFS" bit, but really, I'm 100% new to PFS. The Field Guide kit, though = sweet. Kind of a "covers most bases" kinda deal.

Silver Crusade

Anything non-magical is "always available". About your stats, instead of putting 13s in 3 stats, I'd go with a 14 and a pair of 12s. Remember, your bonus on each stat goes up with each even number, so a 14 gives a bigger bonus than a 13.


Abyssian wrote:


Pre-edit: not ALL younger, newer players, just lots.

When you're old, all you kids look the same.

Seriously though, for this 1st level ranger pick up studded leather instead of a chain shirt at level 1 so you have extra coin for weapons. You'll be able to afford new gear before long.

Grand Lodge

Abyssian wrote:
Helaman, are UC items "always available/" available at 1st for PFS?

Yes - they are. Technically you are supposed to be able to show any book, or photocopy or pdf copy of anything you are using in your character (traits, feats, etc) on request... so you SHOULD have a hard copy or PDF of UC.

That said not DMs check that you do - they check more exotic stuff like feats etc.


Don't forget your light sources. Lanterns are a pain in the ass, but torches and sunrods are great, disposable sources.

Liberty's Edge

Ioun Torch is 75 gp and after a mod I highly recommend one. Totally removes the need to think about light ever again.

Dark Archive

First level for your first game?

Everything should be cheap. Don't buy scale mail, go with hide. A breastplate is a game away.

Don't buy a greatsword, buy a halberd or glaive. As a ranged weapon, get a sling.

All of these items are going to be sold at half value before you've reached level 2. Don't waste your money.

10 gp - halberd
0 gp - club
0.1 gp - sling and 10 bullets
15 gp - hide armour

Done. When you get your first mission under your belt, you'll be able to afford a masterwork greatsword and a regular breastplate (you won't need masterwork until you need to get it enhanced after all). If you also want a composite longbow, you can use 2 prestige points to get one worth 750 gp or less (This accounts for a strength 16 masterwork composite longbow, or a strength 14 darkwood composite longbow).


Awesome. Mergy, you just gave me a 25.1gp starting set. Obviously I'll add the Pathfinder Kit bringing me to a whopping 27.1gp, and some rations, a couple of torches, and a couple of Acids...I think I'm good to go. After all, I AM going to replace almost all of my gear almost immediately. I think I'll get 20 bullets instead (God help me if I need more!) and I'll add the rations, blankets, and so forth.

Thank you, all. This has been very helpful. Expect a guide to "what to have at first level" on Harmor(Spelling?)'s page soon - either by me or someone who beats me to the punch!

Later, all, gotta go to bed.

Dark Archive

Abyssian wrote:

Awesome. Mergy, you just gave me a 25.1gp starting set. Obviously I'll add the Pathfinder Kit bringing me to a whopping 27.1gp, and some rations, a couple of torches, and a couple of Acids...I think I'm good to go. After all, I AM going to replace almost all of my gear almost immediately. I think I'll get 20 bullets instead (God help me if I need more!) and I'll add the rations, blankets, and so forth.

Thank you, all. This has been very helpful. Expect a guide to "what to have at first level" on Harmor(Spelling?)'s page soon - either by me or someone who beats me to the punch!

Later, all, gotta go to bed.

I'm just going to leave this here.


Rope. Lots of rope. ;)

Caltrops and marbles might be useful, especially if you need to break an enemy's charging abilities.

Grand Lodge

While Hide is nice and cheap I still think four mirror armour at 45gp is a good option.

And yes... rope. 11gp gets you silk rope AND grappling hook


Halberd doesn't have reach for some reason in PF. I would add a longspear for reach and the ability to brace.

Dark Archive

If he wants reach instead, I would go for a glaive or a lucerne hammer. The longspear does have the advantage of cheapness though, on par with a greatclub.

Liberty's Edge

Mergy wrote:
If you also want a composite longbow, you can use 2 prestige points to get one worth 750 gp or less (This accounts for a strength 16 masterwork composite longbow, or a strength 14 darkwood composite longbow).

Mergy, for 2 PP you can get a Darkwood Masterwork Composite Longbow (Str +3).

Composite Longbow: 100 gp
Masterwork: 300 gp
Str +3: 300 gp
Darkwood: 30 gp

Total: 730 gp, which is 20 gp under the 750 gp limit.

And I have a nominal (when my group finishes the module they are playing) 12th level PC who has had one of these since the beginning of his third scenario (which was played after converting him from D&D3.5 [halfling rogue] to PFRPG [human fighter], way back when)...

Dark Archive

Callarek wrote:
Mergy wrote:
If you also want a composite longbow, you can use 2 prestige points to get one worth 750 gp or less (This accounts for a strength 16 masterwork composite longbow, or a strength 14 darkwood composite longbow).

Mergy, for 2 PP you can get a Darkwood Masterwork Composite Longbow (Str +3).

Composite Longbow: 100 gp
Masterwork: 300 gp
Str +3: 300 gp
Darkwood: 30 gp

Total: 730 gp, which is 20 gp under the 750 gp limit.

And I have a nominal (when my group finishes the module they are playing) 12th level PC who has had one of these since the beginning of his third scenario (which was played after converting him from D&D3.5 [halfling rogue] to PFRPG [human fighter], way back when)...

Oops, good call. That's what I get for not doing the maths myself.

Sczarni

Mergy! Kudos on those articles for your local club! Those are fantastic! I'm a rookie PFS player myself (one that has been adventuring since my basic D&D set came in a red box and Elf was a class & a race!), and that sort of info is invaluable for an old guy like me with no experience in 'living' games.

Dark Archive

Daryl MacLeod wrote:
Mergy! Kudos on those articles for your local club! Those are fantastic! I'm a rookie PFS player myself (one that has been adventuring since my basic D&D set came in a red box and Elf was a class & a race!), and that sort of info is invaluable for an old guy like me with no experience in 'living' games.

Thanks! I try to get them in every Friday, so feel free to drop by on occasion. :)

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