|
So one of the guys at my local Pathfinder Society is looking at starting a home game to run Rise of the Rune Lords or Shattered Star (Likely Rune Lords though), and I've already got a character in mind.
And here's where I run into a sliiiiiight snag.
Firstly, I need to convince the (first time) DM to allow the Android race. Since it's a Bestiary race, there's no alternate race features or favored class options, and it falls into the same "bracket" as Tieflings and Aasimars, which are PFS legal (And encountered rather regularly by us in Sociaty). The main problem is that I need to figure out how to 100% convince him to allow me to play the Android Alchemist that I've been dying to play since I saw the race.
I was gonna fluff her as an observer for a probability engine somewhere in the Silver Mount, explaining why she's in Varisia of all places (Probability indicates that a large event will happen in Varisia very soon and an observer needs to be in place to record it for the archives). Pick up the Cosmopolitan trait for Linguistics and another for Knowledge (History), have her talk in semi-jerky sentences and display a lack of emotions or empathy and cold logic (Possibly a Blue/Orange morality instead of Black/White).
Next, I need a bit of assistance ironing out the Discoveries and feat progression for the Alchemist. I wanna try to go for a bombing build with eventual flight capability (fluffed as jump-jets that unfold from the android's back). I understand that Smoke, Stinking and Force Bomb Discoveries are almost a must for a bomber spec Alchemist, as is Precise Bombs, so those are already on the list (Though I think Grenadier gets Precise Bombs for free). And I know that most ranged feats are good for bombers (Precise Shot, Point Blank, ect).
Lastly, any must-have magic items that I ought to look at beyond the +Dex, +Dex and +Armor items? We're looking to get up to around lvl 15 for the last part, so I wanna try to at least plan up until that level (and hopefully we can convince the DM to do some modules up to lvl 20 'cause I personally have never played that high).
I am aware that an Android does not 100% mesh well with Runelords, but I'd like to point out that the DM is allowing all the "canon" races in the Advanced Race Guide to be playable, so I don't really see how a Tengu or a Sulis is any more "in place".
splash weapon mastery should definitely be on your list, probably the first level feat.
Next, I need a bit of assistance ironing out the Discoveries and feat progression for the Alchemist. I wanna try to go for a bombing build with eventual flight capability (fluffed as jump-jets that unfold from the android's back). I understand that Smoke, Stinking and Force Bomb Discoveries are almost a must for a bomber spec Alchemist, as is Precise Bombs, so those are already on the list (Though I think Grenadier gets Precise Bombs for free). And I know that most ranged feats are good for bombers (Precise Shot, Point Blank, ect).
Lastly, any must-have magic items that I ought to look at beyond the +Dex, +Dex and +Armor items? We're looking to get up to around lvl 15 for the last part, so I wanna...
If you're going for flight capability, the "Wings" discovery (from Ultimate Magic). Other discoveries (such as Vestigial Limb) could also be refluffled for similar robotic augmentation.
I would also go for Fast Bombs at level 8, it's almost a virtual must-have (allows full attack actions with bombs).
|
|
Next, I need a bit of assistance ironing out the Discoveries and feat progression for the Alchemist. I wanna try to go for a bombing build with eventual flight capability (fluffed as jump-jets that unfold from the android's back). I understand that Smoke, Stinking and Force Bomb Discoveries are almost a must for a bomber spec Alchemist, as is Precise Bombs, so those are already on the list (Though I think Grenadier gets Precise Bombs for free). And I know that most ranged feats are good for bombers (Precise Shot, Point Blank, ect).
Lastly, any must-have magic items that I ought to look at beyond the +Dex, +Dex and +Armor items? We're looking to get up to around lvl 15 for the last part, so I wanna...
If you're going for flight capability, the "Wings" discovery (from Ultimate Magic). Other discoveries (such as Vestigial Limb) could also be refluffled for similar robotic augmentation.
I would also go for Fast Bombs at level 8, it's almost a virtual must-have (allows full attack actions with bombs).
Would it at all be in my be interest to take Extra Discovery, or should most of my feat selections be reserved for ranged attack shenanigans?
Would it at all be in my be interest to take Extra Discovery, or should most of my feat selections be reserved for ranged attack shenanigans?
Next, I need a bit of assistance ironing out the Discoveries and feat progression for the Alchemist. I wanna try to go for a bombing build with eventual flight capability (fluffed as jump-jets that unfold from the android's back). I understand that Smoke, Stinking and Force Bomb Discoveries are almost a must for a bomber spec Alchemist, as is Precise Bombs, so those are already on the list (Though I think Grenadier gets Precise Bombs for free). And I know that most ranged feats are good for bombers (Precise Shot, Point Blank, ect).
Lastly, any must-have magic items that I ought to look at beyond the +Dex, +Dex and +Armor items? We're looking to get up to around lvl 15 for the last part, so I wanna...
If you're going for flight capability, the "Wings" discovery (from Ultimate Magic). Other discoveries (such as Vestigial Limb) could also be refluffled for similar robotic augmentation.
I would also go for Fast Bombs at level 8, it's almost a virtual must-have (allows full attack actions with bombs).
I would say that Extra Discovery is a worthwhile feat provided you know which discoveries you'll use. An alchemist PC in the group I ran for made good use of both Extra Discovery and the ranged attack feats.
You'll have more tricks if you focus more on Extra Discoveries on the one hand, on the other you'll be more focused on accuracy (and possibly rate of fire once you pick up fast bombs if you take feats like two-weapon fighting or rapid shot) if you focus on ranged weapon/point-blank shot tree feats. If you take both Extra Discovery and the ranged weapon feats, you'll be in the middle ground on both spectra
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Frankly I think androids are overpowered for a player race, and wouldn't allow them without, say, making them cost a feat.They are in the same racial bracket as the Uncommon races in the Advanced Player's Guide. No more OP than, say, a Drow.
No more OP than a Drow. Wow, I'm convinced.
|
|
No more OP than a Drow. Wow, I'm convinced.Frankly I think androids are overpowered for a player race, and wouldn't allow them without, say, making them cost a feat.They are in the same racial bracket as the Uncommon races in the Advanced Player's Guide. No more OP than, say, a Drow.
Fine, no more OP than an Aasimar or Tiefling, with all the alternate racial shenanigans.
What do you want to do, damage or control?--
What is your intended backup weapon?
Probably damage with a a bit of control. Was gonna take Force Bombs, Smoke Bombs and either the Stinking ones or the Plague ones. The plague ones would let me pepper the casters near the higher end of Runelords with Mindfire or similar anti-mental-stat diseases.
As for weapon, I was kinda leaning towards a Longbow or similar ranged weapon to work off the high Dex and any ranged feats I pick up with a longspear and shortspear for melee.
I would say that Extra Discovery is a worthwhile feat provided you know which discoveries you'll use. An alchemist PC in the group I ran for made good use of both Extra Discovery and the ranged attack feats.You'll have more tricks if you focus more on Extra Discoveries on the one hand, on the other you'll be more focused on accuracy (and possibly rate of fire once you pick up fast bombs if you take feats like two-weapon fighting or rapid shot) if you focus on ranged weapon/point-blank shot tree feats. If you take both Extra Discovery and the ranged weapon feats, you'll be in the middle ground on both spectra
I figure I'll start out with ranged feats first then pick up the Extra Discovery feats if I'm lagging behind on my bomb shenanigans.
Imagining this character having a HUD in his/her eyes displaying bomb toss trajectories. Especially if the selective bombs are involved. :D
I was thinking the bombs taking the form of micro-missiles, or one of the forearms going all arm-cannon cyborg style (forearm splitting open, hand disassembling, and reassembling as a bomb lobber).
|
The Pathfinder Android race is not as "robotic" as one might think.
They are of the Humanoid type, look human, and even bleed.
These are not Warforged.
Now, the many boons of the race are nice, but that inability to gain Morale bonuses, or be effected by emotion based effects can come into play quite often as a detriment.
No Rage stat boosts, no bonuses from many of the Bard's buffs, and other things we sometimes forget are Morale or "emotion based".
|
|
The Pathfinder Android race is not as "robotic" as one might think.
They are of the Humanoid type, look human, and even bleed.
These are not Warforged.
Now, the many boons of the race are nice, but that inability to gain Morale bonuses, or be effected by emotion based effects can come into play quite often as a detriment.
No Rage stat boosts, no bonuses from many of the Bard's buffs, and other things we sometimes forget are Morale or "emotion based".
Honestly I'm basing most of the fluff off of things like Blade Runner and the Armitage III anime.
As for the morale bonuses and emotion shenanigans, it works both ways in a way. While I may not get Bard buffs or rage, I'd be immune to these spells:
Antipathy, aura of greater courage, bane, blessing of courage and life, calm animals, calm emotions, castigate, castigate (mass), cause fear, crushing despair, doom, euphoric tranquility, eyebite, fear, forced repentance, good hope, hunter's howl, moonstruck, phantasmal killer, phantasmal revenge, rage, rally point, scare, shared wrath, symbol of fear, sympathy, weapon of awe, weird, wrath.
Now, immunity to Phantasmal Killer, Bane, Doom, Cause Fear, Fear and the like IMO outweigh the buffs a Bard would give, especially in a Path with casters as some of the big bads. 'Sides, there's likely gonna be only 4 of us at least, and nobody is likely gonna play a Bard.
Doppelganger Simulacrum!
The observer that keeps returning.
|
|
Hrm... Bomb Damage without complex bombs, gnome shennanigans or the orcs +Level/2 to damage? And dumping 3+ feats into being good with a bow? That's gonna be tough. You're looking at something like...
I was actually thinking that the Point Blank and Precise Shots would benefit both bombs and the bow >.>
And the DM was thinking of doing a 20+1 buy (The 20 points as per normal then a +1 to an ability score of one's choice).
But that Goz Mask? That's wonderfully, beautifully evil =D
|
|
They do benefit bombs, just not enough to justify their purchase. It's a fringe benefit to selecting them to be effective with a bow. A bow takes a whole lot of feats to make work.
Yeah, the Goz Mask (especially with an eversmoking bottle) is broken. Expect it to be stolen / houseruled out of existence if your GM is anything like mine. XD
Any suggestions for a decent backup weapon that does not take oodles of feats to make work properly?
Dagger combined with your Poison Use ability, if you have it still. Have a few Dex and Con poisons ready to reduce their Ac and Hp.
Alchemist's are only prof with Simple weapons (Bows I believe are martial).
For backup weapons, particularly at low levels, I found H. crossbows & Longspears to be very effective.
Alchemist's have access to some quality buff spells. Hit yourself with a potion of enlarge person & a STR mutagen and your 1st level bomber is suddenly rocking +6 STR and a Reach of 15' with a longspear.
Grab the Explosive Missile discovery at 4th level and you can fire bombs from the H. crossbow as a StA.
|
|
Alchemist's are only prof with Simple weapons (Bows I believe are martial).
For backup weapons, particularly at low levels, I found H. crossbows & Longspears to be very effective.
Alchemist's have access to some quality buff spells. Hit yourself with a potion of enlarge person & a STR mutagen and your 1st level bomber is suddenly rocking +6 STR and a Reach of 15' with a longspear.
Grab the Explosive Missile discovery at 4th level and you can fire bombs from the H. crossbow as a StA.
The Grenadier archetype gets a free Martial Weapon proficiency though >.>
|
|
Sword and Board can work as well if you aren't looking to cause damage in melee, simply not die. Keep your weapon on a weapon cord so you can redraw it as a swift action, throw bombs, and hide behind a buckler. This requires no feat expenditure whether you are a grenadier or not.
I actually saw a magic ring that essentially acts as a large metal shield with none of the weight and is not affected by proficiency =D Gonna pick that up for sure I think.
I have seen one android in PFS so far, maybe I am in the wrong Modules. Also, I have never seen an Android boon, and Android is not a race generally allowed to PFS players. So your statement about common in PFS confuses me.
|
|
I have seen one android in PFS so far, maybe I am in the wrong Modules. Also, I have never seen an Android boon, and Android is not a race generally allowed to PFS players. So your statement about common in PFS confuses me.
Sorry, to clarify, I'm saying that based on the racial "points" presented in the Advanced Race Guide, the Android race falls into the same bracket (11-20) that the Aasimar and Tiefling do, and those two races (Aasimar and Tiefling) are common to PFS.