Holy symbol tattoo

[Strife2002]

On page 66 of Ultimate Equipment, I see we have a holy symbol in the form of a tattoo on your body. Does this allow you to not need a free hand manipulating a divine focus when casting a spell?

Or have I been misinterpreting the rules for all these years and holy symbols need only be visible (like on a necklace) and you never had to brandish them in a hand?

[Shuriken Nekogami]

they only need be visible. the tattoo just can't be stolen as easily.

[blackbloodtroll]

There is the Birthmark trait that counts as a Holy Symbol.
There are also nonmagical Rings, Shields, and Weapons that count as Holy Symbols.

Getting out of that need for a free hand is pretty easy.

[Sean K Reynolds]

Strife2002 wrote:

On page 66 of Ultimate Equipment, I see we have a holy symbol in the form of a tattoo on your body. Does this allow you to not need a free hand manipulating a divine focus when casting a spell?

Correct; that's the point of getting the tattoo. Of course, if you try to infiltrate an evil cult, you're gonna have some 'splainin' to do...

[Strife2002]

Sean K Reynolds wrote:

Strife2002 wrote:

On page 66 of Ultimate Equipment, I see we have a holy symbol in the form of a tattoo on your body. Does this allow you to not need a free hand manipulating a divine focus when casting a spell?

Correct; that's the point of getting the tattoo. Of course, if you try to infiltrate an evil cult, you're gonna have some 'splainin' to do...

Waaaaah

[Helaman]

I will invest in 100 gold then because nothing sucks more than having to put down ones shield.

I'll get a forehead tattoo.

[Gignere]

This makes the perfect false focus.

[danielc]

I loved this idea. It was the first thing my new Cleric bought.

[DiosDeBaca]

Ok, so noob to game (played 2E for decades, though), question about Holy Symbol tats. When it is first done, rolling to see if the artist does a good job, say he totally bombs it. Regular tats could reasoned to be removable by magic (a creative spellcaster and a good DM could make it work), because it's a holy symbol would that create any special circumstances regarding removal? Would your toon be stuck with it? If they are stuck with it, could you apply negatives to it's use? Thanks!

[MrSin]

DiosDeBaca wrote:

because it's a holy symbol would that create any special circumstances regarding removal? Would your toon be stuck with it? If they are stuck with it, could you apply negatives to it's use? Thanks!

In order; No, No, only if your GM Doesn't particularly like you and it would be a circumstance bonus which depends on circumstances but as a default no unless otherwise stated in the text(yeah... that last one was lengthy).

That said, usually you don't roll and botch and when you roll things like this you would take 10(which isn't a roll). It wouldn't be far fetched to think a tattoo artist could hit DC 10 or even 15 if they take 10.(Particularly a specialist. Skill focus + in class + 1 from skill points is at least +7!)

Erase could be used to erase it without effort btw. No creativity needed.

[Proto]

Sorry to necro, but just remember, if your GM doesn't like you, permanently scarring or specifically damaging your skin where the tattoo is will stop it from working just as if you had damaged a holy symbol.

[Odraude]

If the GM doesn't like you, you should tell them to f&~& off and find a better group.

By RAW, anyways ;)

[HarbinNick]

I've allowed them on a necklace, and also painted on the shield...and one player used to have a longsword that he'd flip over and hold as a cross...