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I can understand Sacred Geometry being not allowed in PFS, it is way too easy to abuse. But Arithmancy? Seriously? looks like I bought a book for nothing.
Really? Even if *nothing* in Occult Mysteries were PFS legal, it would still be one of my favorites. There's some great stuff in there, from a campaign background standpoint.

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I can understand Sacred Geometry being not allowed in PFS, it is way too easy to abuse. But Arithmancy? Seriously? looks like I bought a book for nothing.
Arithmancy has the same problem as Sacred Geometry, and it has nothing to do with the power of the feat. It simply slows down play too much.
For example, a wizard wants to use Arithmancy to cast an augmented fireball. First, he translates the spell name into numbers. Fireball translates to 6, 9, 9, 5, 2, 1, 3, 3. Then he calculates the digital root. In this case, 6 + 9 + 9 + 5 + 2 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 38, 3 + 8 = 11, and 1 + 1 = 2. Therefore, the digital root of fireball is 2. He then attempts a Spellcraft check against a DC of 15 (10 + 3 [fireball's spell level] + 2 [fireball's digital root]).
If his check succeeds, he can cast the fireball this round at +1 caster level. If he fails, he can cast the spell at –1 caster level this round. He may also choose not to cast fireball and perform another action, though he expends the spell.
Do you want to waste precious event time for this EVERY TIME someone casts a spell? I know I don't.

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Apocryphile wrote:I can understand Sacred Geometry being not allowed in PFS, it is way too easy to abuse. But Arithmancy? Seriously? looks like I bought a book for nothing.Arithmancy has the same problem as Sacred Geometry, and it has nothing to do with the power of the feat. It simply slows down play too much.
Quote:Do you want to waste precious event time for this EVERY TIME someone casts a spell? I know I don't.For example, a wizard wants to use Arithmancy to cast an augmented fireball. First, he translates the spell name into numbers. Fireball translates to 6, 9, 9, 5, 2, 1, 3, 3. Then he calculates the digital root. In this case, 6 + 9 + 9 + 5 + 2 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 38, 3 + 8 = 11, and 1 + 1 = 2. Therefore, the digital root of fireball is 2. He then attempts a Spellcraft check against a DC of 15 (10 + 3 [fireball's spell level] + 2 [fireball's digital root]).
If his check succeeds, he can cast the fireball this round at +1 caster level. If he fails, he can cast the spell at –1 caster level this round. He may also choose not to cast fireball and perform another action, though he expends the spell.
This problem can be avoided by doing the work ahead of time and knowing the digital root of every spell you can cast. Like Summon Monster if you do a little work ahead of time, you save everyone at the table a headache.

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So no more Pageant of the Peacock. I don't mind to much, but I imagine there are going to be some angry bards.
Yes, my Kitsune Bard Archeologist/Divine Hunter Paladin/Zen Archer Monk is pretty upset at this. I only ever used it at the beginning of the adventure because it takes a standard action to use so was never useful in combat and with the Archeologist's limited round of bard song (ie luck) I really never used it a whole lot.
but it hardly matters with all the changes to factions this coming season I'm questioning whether or not I want to continue playing PFS. I mean, as overpowered/broken as a lot of combat options are, I never would have expected something granting knowledge would be banned from PFS.
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all feats on pages 137–159
Aberrant Tumor is on the table starting on page 137, however its description starts on page 136. is this still considered an allowed feat? (its description breaks and doesn't finish until page 141)

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another ACG question, for pages 75-133, it mentions the archetypes being legal but what about other class options (Discoveries, Dares, Magus Arcana, Rage Powers, Combat Styles)? I know Order of the Beast is explicitly called out as not allowed.

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Just a reminder to all the folks upset at changes to their PLAYTEST characters...they were playtest characters. The book is now out (well, on Thursday), and the playtest helped make the classes better. Thank you for doing that, but please don't be upset when the fixes that you helped find are actually incorporated into the game.

Neongelion |

I'd put money on it being a chronicle reward (likely high level) if it ever shows up rather than like a convention boon. Generally, it's frowned upon to list those here as it would spoil the surprise for a lot of people.
Ah, understood. So boons are only gained at conventions, then? And how exactly do you normally "purchase" a class feature, ie a bloodline, from a chronicle reward? Prestige Points, gold, both?

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zefig wrote:I'd put money on it being a chronicle reward (likely high level) if it ever shows up rather than like a convention boon. Generally, it's frowned upon to list those here as it would spoil the surprise for a lot of people.Ah, understood. So boons are only gained at conventions, then? And how exactly do you normally "purchase" a class feature, ie a bloodline, from a chronicle reward? Prestige Points, gold, both?
You don't always need to go to a true "convention" to get a convention boon... any game day or gaming weekend that runs at least 15 tables of Pathfinder Society gaming counts as a convention and gets a pack of boons if the people in charge apply for them.

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zefig wrote:I'd put money on it being a chronicle reward (likely high level) if it ever shows up rather than like a convention boon. Generally, it's frowned upon to list those here as it would spoil the surprise for a lot of people.Ah, understood. So boons are only gained at conventions, then? And how exactly do you normally "purchase" a class feature, ie a bloodline, from a chronicle reward? Prestige Points, gold, both?
The one big one I know of like this basically says that you can use that option on any character. No "purchase" necessary.

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Just a reminder to all the folks upset at changes to their PLAYTEST characters...they were playtest characters. The book is now out (well, on Thursday), and the playtest helped make the classes better. Thank you for doing that, but please don't be upset when the fixes that you helped find are actually incorporated into the game.
I am not sure I would count the changes to the Warpriest or the implementation of Slashing Grace as any kind of fix.

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There's not time leading up to Gen Con to put these fixes into print, but here are a few clarifications and corrections as I'm reading through posts.
Warpriests of Non-Core Deities
Change the text to read "To select a blessing, a warpriest must worship a deity that offers the domain of the same name." This should open up warpriest options for non-core faiths. It was not the intention to deny those character options.
Ratfolk and Samsarans
The Gen Con 2014 GM boon has text that effectively allows the user to play a member of the race as if that race appeared in the Additional Resources (as do pretty much all race boons). I anticipate all ratfolk and samsaran character options that appear in the Advanced Race Guide will be legal. I should have a definitive answer shortly.
Arithmancy
The feat is not too complicated if someone does the work ahead of time. At that point it's a matter of taking 30–60 seconds to explain the concept to the GM, report the spell's number, and roll a check. What made it a difficult sell was the likely prospect of someone not doing the math ahead of time. How much time should the GM allow before throwing up her hands and saying, "Sorry, but your character delays," among other related social and mathematical quandaries? In the end that meant not allowing the feat into the campaign. Perhaps in the future—depending on how the recent introduction of Harrow goes—we might revisit the feat.

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There's not time leading up to Gen Con to put these fixes into print, but here are a few clarifications and corrections as I'm reading through posts.
Warpriests of Non-Core Deities
Change the text to read "To select a blessing, a warpriest must worship a deity that offers the domain of the same name." This should open up warpriest options for non-core faiths. It was not the intention to deny those character options.
YAY!!!!!
Thank you. I was hoping that was the case!

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Simple question: Why was mutation warrior ruled illegal for PFS?
I would wager because it encourages dipping levels. You get a feature at first level in exchange for a feature that you wouldn't get until three. It creates a disproportionately good dip level. Apart from that, it doesn't seem to powerful to me.

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Emerald Spire
To my continued shame, the Emerald Spire sanctioning document is still not complete, in favor of getting all of the Gen Con pieces together. My work on those resumes on my plane flight to Indianapolis tomorrow.
Investigator Crafting
Typically Mike and I discuss these decisions before ruling, so having not had an opportunity to confirm my inclination, I can't give a 100% certified answer; it's just something we didn't cover while going through all of the book's other options during our Additional Resources meeting. That said, I strongly suspect investigators will be able to craft in the same way that alchemists craft.

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Investigator Crafting
Typically Mike and I discuss these decisions before ruling, so having not had an opportunity to confirm my inclination, I can't give a 100% certified answer; it's just something we didn't cover while going through all of the book's other options during our Additional Resources meeting. That said, I strongly suspect investigators will be able to craft in the same way that alchemists craft.
Darn it. Now I got to go buy the Alchemy Manual, and the Advanced Class Guide. If I didn't know better, I'd swear John Compton was secretly working for Paizo.

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1 person marked this as a favorite. |

There's not time leading up to Gen Con to put these fixes into print, but here are a few clarifications and corrections as I'm reading through posts.
Warpriests of Non-Core Deities
Change the text to read "To select a blessing, a warpriest must worship a deity that offers the domain of the same name." This should open up warpriest options for non-core faiths. It was not the intention to deny those character options.
Thanks for the clarification John, that makes a whole lot more sense!
Arithmancy
The feat is not too complicated if someone does the work ahead of time. At that point it's a matter of taking 30–60 seconds to explain the concept to the GM, report the spell's number, and roll a check. What made it a difficult sell was the likely prospect of someone not doing the math ahead of time. How much time should the GM allow before throwing up her hands and saying, "Sorry, but your character delays," among other related social and mathematical quandaries? In the end that meant not allowing the feat into the campaign. Perhaps in the future—depending on how the recent introduction of Harrow goes—we might revisit the feat.
I'm currently playing an Arcanist with Arithmancy in a Tears of Bitter Manor game (campaign mode), and as I've calculated the digital root & final DC for every spell in my spellbook and have them on my character sheet, the feat adds the time to roll one d20 to my turn. It also helps that my GM trusts my math and non-cheatyness.. if that's a word.
I do understand why it's been disallowed though. If a player turned up and hadn't worked these out before time, I'd do my nut.
Oh, and BTW, I created an excel spreadsheet to calculate all the Arithmancy digital roots. Shall I stick up a link somewhere if anyone else wants it?

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Emerald Spire
To my continued shame, the Emerald Spire sanctioning document is still not complete, in favor of getting all of the Gen Con pieces together. My work on those resumes on my plane flight to Indianapolis tomorrow.
How likely is it that the chronicles will be out by the 22nd (next Friday)? I'm prepping to run the first level, but I'm waiting until the chronicles are released to run it...

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Do we have word yet on ACG rebuilding yet? I can't seem to find anything so far since the book was out, though I see the Additional Resources was updated. Supposed to play tomorrow and it's kind of important.
Do the rules on playtest rebuilds on pages 27-28 of the guide to organized play require additional clarification?

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They said a few times they where not sure to what level rebuilding would be allowed for the playtest classes and would let us know when the book was out. Both in regards to things no longer being legal or no longer working a certain way and utilizing the normal rebuilding rules from Ultimate Campaign. Not sure if we are using those guidelines or if not. I know that the Warpriest no longer using Cha was a big one. Can we now rebuild into Archtypes, or use Favored Class bonuses? The implication is that we will not be able to swap out class levels, but otherwise it was unclear what would be allowed/required for the Playtest versions after the book came out.

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Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Advanced Class Guide
All playtest versions of the ten new base classes from this book are no longer legal for play as of 8/14/14. Anyone playing the playtest version of one of the ten new base classes must have updated his or her character as of 8/14/14. Updating your character means adjusting only the things that have changed, but not rebuilding the character.
Emphasis mine.

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Yes but what exactly does that bolded part mean?
Example(my playtest Arcanist):
5 STR pyromaniac gnome, took Bloodline Development(Draconic) exploit to boost fire damage via the bloodline arcana. The final version does not allow for bloodline arcana access via this exploit, so now I have.. 1d3-3 claws
Updating your character means adjusting only the things that have changed, but not rebuilding the character.
The exploit I took got changed(and rightly so fwiw), can I adjust by selecting a different exploit(for free) or does this simply mean that I alter my character sheet to reflect that I no longer do additional damage with fire spells. I don't want to rebuild, I just want to alter the two exploits(School Understanding is the other) that no longer do what they did during the playtest without spending all my PP.
Is that kosher? I'd also like to play this character tomorrow.

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My understanding is that for Classes updating to the final version of the ACG, we would be getting specific rules (not the general ones) on what is and is not allowed when the book came out, (which as I recall is normal for Playtest versions of things). I could be wrong, but that's what I recall being said a few times, and that they where not certain yet (a few months back) what those special rules would be.
I'm fine if it is just the normal rebuild/update rules, but I don't want to make players use them, and then later on find out that we should have done something different, that might affect their character once it's too late to rerebuild.

Dread Knight |

Additional Resources wrote:Emphasis mine.Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Advanced Class Guide
All playtest versions of the ten new base classes from this book are no longer legal for play as of 8/14/14. Anyone playing the playtest version of one of the ten new base classes must have updated his or her character as of 8/14/14. Updating your character means adjusting only the things that have changed, but not rebuilding the character.
Yes and that would work if they changed how a blessing worked you'd have to update to the new version of it and not rebuild if you don't like the change but the class's need for Cha has been changed so that constitutes a rebuild under the Guide.

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Yes and that would work if they changed how a blessing worked you'd have to update to the new version of it and not rebuild if you don't like the change but the class's need for Cha has been changed so that constitutes a rebuild under the Guide.
That is my understanding, as well. My reading of the Additional Resources note about what updating a character means is that it is supposed to be a reminder that you don't get a free rebuild simply because your class came out of playtesting, but the standard rules about playtest updates and errata from the Guide would still apply.