I'm not quite sure I'd drop any stat as low as a 5, as that's just asking for trouble. That aside, a dex based magus is quite good, especially with the Dervish Dance feat that lets you use dex for attack and damage on the scimitar which has a 18-20 crit range that becomes 15-20 with keen.
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"Keeping up" isn't beneficial to a party (and thus it is not beneficial to you)
Recommendation: Play support to your friends, a class that really shines in support to your front line fighter and damage dealing archer. The party will work significantly better. Barbarian, Archer & (SUPPORT) will do MUCH better than Barbarian, Archer & (COMBAT CLASS).
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Wizard: Buffs help the entire party. Buffs & Debuffs keep your Vivisectionist in the fray and finally summons makes sure the Vivisectionist gets those sneak attacks. Tiefling really benefits this class with bonuses to Int & Dex and a penalty to Cha. (Witch could also work but I don't know that class too well)
Cleric: Again, lots of fun buffs & debuffs, with healing mixed in if you need it (but it shouldn't be your prime focus). This time instead of summoning (you still CAN summon) you can get some heavy armor and directly support your vivisectionist giving him those sneak attacks.
Magus: I've never played one but they apparently can do some insane damage. Pretty sure Tiefling is a great choice for a DEX based magus.
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He's trying to beat everyone at optimizing, not build a well rounded character.
Build a noncombatant. Give him good CHA, and Skill Focus (diplomacy). Make him arrogant. Have him constantly talk down to his "hired muscle", griping about how they're not defeating the enemies fast enough. In fact, make him a healer, too. When the others ask to be patched up, do your best impression of the voice of Scar from The Lion King saying "I don't think you really deserve this" before healing them. Always leave them just a few HP short of full.
When it's time for negotiation or talky bits, push them aside in a "quiet kids, Daddy's talking" sort of way. When you're done, remind them that the only reason the Society took them on was to have someone expendable to stab things that threaten you. If anyone objects to being viewed as a resource rather than a person, ask them what proof they have of any value other than as a danger-remover.
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Okay, you probably shouldn't actually do the above. ;)
The point is, you don't deal with people who are bothering you by imitating them. Find a niche that needs filling, find another table, start a private game, ask them (away from the table) to tone it down, something. But you'll be no more satisfied as one of them than you are now.
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The point is, you don't deal with people who are bothering you by imitating them. Find a niche that needs filling, find another table, start a private game, ask them (away from the table) to tone it down, something. But you'll be no more satisfied as one of them than you are now.
This is good advice. Do this.
He's trying to beat everyone at optimizing, not build a well rounded character.Build a noncombatant. Give him good CHA, and Skill Focus (diplomacy). Make him arrogant. Have him constantly talk down to his "hired muscle", griping about how they're not defeating the enemies fast enough. In fact, make him a healer, too. When the others ask to be patched up, do your best impression of the voice of Scar from The Lion King saying "I don't think you really deserve this" before healing them. Always leave them just a few HP short of full.
When it's time for negotiation or talky bits, push them aside in a "quiet kids, Daddy's talking" sort of way. When you're done, remind them that the only reason the Society took them on was to have someone expendable to stab things that threaten you. If anyone objects to being viewed as a resource rather than a person, ask them what proof they have of any value other than as a danger-remover.
Reminds me of a build my friends and I always discussed, but never actually used. A cleric of the god of hubris and mockery who talks down to everyone and rolls spellcraft to always heal minimum damage. Also has a perpetually popped collar and wears sunglasses at night if possible.
If you're trying to be king of optimization play a magus.
str 10
dex 18
con 12
int 18
wis 12
cha 5Proceed to solo all scenarios.
how ???
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how ???If you're trying to be king of optimization play a magus.
str 10
dex 18
con 12
int 18
wis 12
cha 5Proceed to solo all scenarios.
If you insist on playing an Overly optimized Magus use my Defiler magus build. Defiler
With it you can solo 99% of all Society Scenarios by 7th level and never fail on a Faction mission.You'll be bored but every one of the optimized players in your group will be in awe of your abilities.
(I do NOT recommend using this in a serious game but it's good for those times you need to remind everyone that optimization isn't the real goal of group play)
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Ah, I understand the problem. I've definitely been there myself.
You could try talking to the guys you're playing with but that's not likely to yield good results. Ultimately, they are optimizing because that's fun for them. Dialing it back is just hurting their fun for your benefit.
The best long term solution is going to be for you to find people to play with that have a similar playstyle to you.
If you are going to go Magus I'd say go:
Str 10
Dex 14 (+2)
Con 14
Int 14 (+2)
Wis -
Cha -
It's really up to you if you want to go negative with a stat. From a min/max perspective 14 wisdom is better, but think about what kind of personality you want your person to have before you decide.
As for feats, you should have 4 as a 5th level magus. I'd say:
1. Weapon Finesse
3. Dervish Dance (use dex for attack/damage with a scimitar. Requires Weapon Finesse and two ranks of perform dance)
5. Weapon Focus (Scimitar)
5th bonus: Not entirely sure, can't think of anything pressing off the top of my head. Maybe the one that gives you extra points for your Arcana Pool.
For spells, Shocking Grasp and Frigid Touch are great touch spells and benefit from your crit range. Expeditious Retreat, Vanish, Shield, and Mirror Image are also handy.
For your Arcana, I'd personally take Arcane Accuracy, which lets you spend a point to get your int mod as a bonus to hit for the round or maybe Wand Wielder if you're going to have access to lots of wands, in which case I'd also take Quick Draw to go with it.
Well, why was it that you were not doing as well. Maybe if you post your build as the Barbarian it will help if there are any suggestions people can make :)
Magus is a lot of fun, and it gives you a lot of interesting versatility that other combat-oriented classes may not have. However, it's also pretty complex; there's buff spells for both you and your weapon, arcane pool enhancements, swift action arcana buffs, penalties for spell combat and concentration, yadda yadda... so be sure that that is really something you want to play, because if you find yourself forgetting to use your abilities, or don't take advantage of the versatility that spells give you, you WILL feel disappointed and underpowered compared to the others.
Also, Quick Draw does not apply to wands. (Or alchemical items, potions, or scrolls.)
Like others said, you already have two people in your party who are oriented towards doing damage -- maybe look over the sorc/wiz or cleric spell lists and see if being a caster doesn't look like fun. The Cha penalty isn't so hot, but tieflings treat their Cha as 2 higher for sorcerous spellcasting anyway, or take the bloodline that substitutes intelligence. (Or the one that subs Wisdom -- you're the product of a powerful angel's interference as it tries to redeem your family.)
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No the goal was not to beat everyone at optimizing. My stat buy is always 14, 14, 14, 14, 10, 10. Then add the modifiers. Jiggy, Your comment did get me to thinking about more role-playing. And Magus would be a good option. I've been trying for a reach/mobility/spells. And was trying Cleric (4)/Ninja but I keep scraping the idea.
Actually, my next PC is going to be very close to the "all 14s" spread, and is going to be amazing (or so I envision). Stats will be 13/14+2/13/12/12/14, he'll be a full-BAB 2HPA guy (but with Weapon Finesse) who also disarms traps (even magical ones) while serving as a face and also has saves in the double digits by 4th-5th level and a reasonably solid armor class. Oh, and UMD to boot. He'll be my "never twiddle my thumbs again" guy, able to participate meaningfully in every minute of every scenario. (At least, that's the plan.)
So I say, get creative and challenge your assumptions!
you should be cool like me, play a magus with a great sword.
18 +2 human
10
16
10
12
8
i just use the trait for reducing metamagic on my shocking grasp, and cast, move, then smash. its a beast character in just about every fight. spell focus and specialization to make him hit for 7d6 +2d6 from my great sword at level 5.
Also, Quick Draw does not apply to wands. (Or alchemical items, potions, or scrolls.)
Never really looked at the RAW, as we always just played it as getting out anything. Sorry I suggested it :O
It's one of the things that makes Quick Draw an almost worthless Feat anymore.
(Ok, it's not "worthless," but since there's always a better choice - especially since in PF you don't even get the +2 Init - it's. . .almost worthless).
Quick draw- Quick draw shield. Free action to don or put away. Casters could use this.
a shield is not a weapon (or is it?), and where do the rules say that putting away a weapon is a free action, even with quick draw?
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Jiggy,
are you serious or being sarcastic?
I am 100% serious - in fact, I also forgot to mention that I'll also have Precise Shot and Rapid Shot by 3rd-4th level.
One-trick ponies die in PFS. Or if they don't die, they at least spend portions of the scenario twiddling their thumbs.
My PC that I described above will be attacking for 2d4+3 (starting at 4th level) plus Power Attack. Someone with 18 STR will deal 3 points more damage. By 8th level, that's the difference between 12 and 15 damage. Doesn't seem very relevant of a difference, does it?
Additionally, I'll have Precise Shot at 1st level, so I can always be a reasonable archer. At 3rd or 4th I'll have Rapid Shot, making me a great archer. And oh look, DEX is my best stat! :D
With d10 HD and solid CON, I'll have good HP.
I'll have the best saves at any table, almost guaranteed.
I'll be able to find and disarm traps, hitting double digits on Perception and Disable Device bonuses within a couple of levels.
Does that sound watered down? ;)
