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SO one of my players wants to take 1 level of wizard to get a familiar. He is a tanky fighter, but wants the critter... His int is 7, so casting 1st level spells is not happening, but what of other functions? Cantrips? Daily powers? Using wands/scrolls? Obviously casting in armor is an issue as well, but...?
The only thing that happens is that he can't cast any spells. Spells require your casting stat to be equal to or higher then 10 + the spell level. So to even cast a cantrip requires a 10 intelligence.
Having a 7 intelligence has no effect on any other part of being a wizard - he can still use magical items the same as any other wizard, and he can still have a familiar with all of its benefits. (Well, his save DCs for his spells would be bad, but that doesn't matter as he can't cast his spells anyway.)
If all he wants is a familiar, he can also choose to become a Sorcerer. If he chooses the Arcane bloodline, he gets a familiar. Sorcerers are Charisma based, not Intelligence.
Witches also get familiars. Witches are intelligence based, however, so ha can't cast witch spells. He could still use the witches Hexes, though the save DC would be bad.
Edit: Actually, scrolls requires you to have your casting stat high enough to cast the spell normally. So in order to use scrolls, he must make a caster level check, or a Use Magic Device check.
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I would suggest you just let him take a feat to get the familiar instead of killing hiself so hard. Or a magic item, or even just giving him one as a pet if he won't abuse the little thing. Much much less complicated. He pretty much can't cast(or even learn!) spells and won't get much milage out of daily powers.
He would get like 1 daily level 1 power too.
As a wood wizard he would get this
Flexible Enhancement (Su): A master of the wood element is able to bend like bamboo when stressed and snap back into place. You gain a +1 enhancement bonus to your Dexterity, Constitution, or Wisdom ability score. This bonus increases by +1 for every five wizard levels you possess to a maximum of +5 at 20th level. You can change this bonus to a new ability score when you prepare spells. At 20th level, this bonus applies to two of these ability scores of your choice.
Well, on the bright side, he can use the cantrip'd flare and light spells without spell failure since they do not require somatic components (the main thing that causes spell failure). Does the player have a good understanding of the Arcane Schools? If so, do inform him, or else he may end up making some rather bad choices potentially.
Despite this, if his charisma is higher, you could recommend to him an arcane bloodline sorcerer instead. They get a familiar or bonded object just as a wizard does. If he's in it for the proficient skills that the wizard gets, however, sure, let him go for it. It should also be noted that the sorcerer has Eschew Materials feat, which although easily rectified by a component pouch, is still one of those things that, if handed to you, take it.
If he has the nature to attempt to abuse the flanking tactic too much though, I agree with Bigdaddyjug, swat at the familiar, making him realize that familiars have feelings too and aren't just tools... and if they are tools, they cost a crapton of gold to replace.
EDIT: Jeraa is correct on the spellcasting, he wouldn't be able to cast any unless he obtained some kind of bonus to intelligence. This said, Arcane sorcerer may still be a valid option.
Well, on the bright side, he can use the cantrip'd flare and light spells without spell failure since they do not require somatic components (the main thing that causes spell failure). Does the player have a good understanding of the Arcane Schools? If so, do inform him, or else he may end up making some rather bad choices potentially.
Arcane spell failure is pointless when the wizard isn't even smart enough to cast a single cantrip.
To learn, prepare, or cast a spell, the wizard must have an Intelligence score equal to at least 10 + the spell level. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a wizard's spell is 10 + the spell level + the wizard's Intelligence modifier.
Perhaps you could allow him the Witch Archetype Scarred Witch Doctor but keep the Familiar istead of getting the Totem Mask feature. Now he could become a tanky guy, who uses Con for Casting.
Another possibility would be to replace the rangers Animal Companion with a familiar or take a Mounted Fury-Barbarian and give him a Familiar instead of a Mount while keep Fast Movement instead of Fast Rider.
Dude have him take the beast bonded witch archetype so he can give his critter feats and even get an elemental later on that can stand up in a fight... God forbid it dies he can get it back for 500 gp
Just say no. You want a bat, squirrel, viper, spider, scorpion, toad, etc., buy it at a market and don't bother wasting the level.
Fighters do not need the familiar bonus. Cheez.
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Fighters do not need the familiar bonus. Cheez.
Now... This is going to sound like a silly question, but what does a fighter need? Does it harm him to get a pet with a few perks? If anything it makes it less expendable and something to care about I thought.
Or Sorcerer (Arcane)?
He could take 2 levels of Sea Singer Bard if he is prepared to wait, that would give him a higher hd many more skills and a +2 bonus to each of his bad saves. Hardly optimal and I doubt the player wants to wait, but another option.
Now... This is going to sound like a silly question, but what does a fighter need? Does it harm him to get a pet with a few perks? If anything it makes it less expendable and something to care about I thought.Fighters do not need the familiar bonus. Cheez.
Does it harm a fighter with 7 INT to take a level of wizard to get a few 'perks'? Yes, it does. You waste a level gaining a random low bonus when you could've been getting better at smashing things. 7 INT for a wizard, c'mon now. ;)
I'd say that many of the bonuses granted by a wizard's familiar can be found through magic items. If I'm building a fighter, I'm assuming the small adds I'd get from the wizard class with a 7 INT can be found elsewhere. I personally wouldn't trade out a level of anything for a level where I'm dealt a big penalty to the PR ability of the second class.
Fighters smash, slash, bash, push, punch, trip, gouge and kill stuff in their way with weapons. They wear armor. If my fighter character wants an ocelot in his backpack, I'm buying one (the cutest one) and lettin' him chill in my masterwork pack. I don't need the bonus because I kick ass with weapons and will find that bonus through another source, not a class with stuff I mostly can't use[using the OP's scenario].
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Now... This is going to sound like a silly question, but what does a fighter need? Does it harm him to get a pet with a few perks? If anything it makes it less expendable and something to care about I thought.Fighters do not need the familiar bonus. Cheez.
Does it harm a fighter with 7 INT to take a level of wizard to get a few 'perks'? Yes, it does. You waste a level gaining a random low bonus when you could've been getting better at smashing things. 7 INT for a wizard, c'mon now. ;)
I'd say that many of the bonuses granted by a wizard's familiar can be found through magic items. If I'm building a fighter, I'm assuming the small adds I'd get from the wizard class with a 7 INT can be found elsewhere. I personally wouldn't trade out a level of anything for a level where I'm dealt a big penalty to the PR ability of the second class.
Fighters smash, slash, bash, push, punch, trip, gouge and kill stuff in their way with weapons. They wear armor. If my fighter character wants an ocelot in his backpack, I'm buying one (the cutest one) and lettin' him chill in my masterwork pack. I don't need the bonus because I kick ass with weapons and will find that bonus through another source, not a class with stuff I mostly can't use[using the OP's scenario].
You know, because B.A. has to have you play within his personal guidelines for fun or you are not doing it right.
Sheesh. Who cares if somebody else wants to nerf their character? If it's their idea of fun, let them. Your personal "rules" are for spit.
I say go with sorcerer (arcane) as others have mentioned. Provided the fighter has a reasonable Charisma stat. But in the end, if he wants it, let him have it. For chrissake.
I stand by witch is better than sorcerer bc he can make more of the thing he wants... he doesnt want cool tricks oh and a pet, he wants a critter like the weasels from beast master, well feats is something the a fighter has in spades might as well give so to his critter to make it alot more fun (you know that thing that this GAME is all about)
If the fighter has feats in spades why not just give him the critter for a feat eh? Preferably over a nice dessert... wait, no. This thread doesn't need bribery.
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His charisma is 7, as is int. His Wis is 11; the idea here is just to have the monkey save him on action economy - grab and apply an oil to him, grab and hand off a wand, stuff like that. A 'grease'monkey if you will.
Round 1 - Monkey! Put the green oil on me! (Enlarge person)
Round 2 - Monkey ! Put the white oil on me! (Shield of faith)
Ect...
Talk to your player about how dumb that is. If he insists, let him, and warn him that the familiar of a 7 int wiz who is actually a fighter isn't likely to live long enough to be useful.
Better yet, let him be befriended by a pseudodragon, or something like that, compatible with his alignment. Some pseudodragons will bond with non-casters, if they're treated well, and share common ideals with the PC.
Its hp is half of the fighters d10s... probably last longer than your 20 int wizard
So have him buy a Monkey and then teach it a trick with Handle Animal (a modified "Aid" trick should do it). Or even have someone else do it if he can't make the check.
Or take Crossblooded Empyreal/Arcane Sorcerer so he can at least cast cantrips and his one 1st level spell, but that's still a very subpar option.
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To the best of my knowledge, the Monkey domain is not a legal choice for an inquisitor in PFS, as an inquisitor must select a domain from amongst those listed for her deity, and the Monkey domain is not even on the cleric list - it is a Druid 'Animal or Terrain domain'.
That said, a one level dip into Druid would certainly get it for you :-)
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From the Inquisitor Domain entry:
Although not as tied to the tenets of the deity as a cleric, an inquisitor must still hold such guidelines in high regard, despite that fact she can go against them if it serves the greater good of the faith. An inquisitor can select one domain from among those belonging to her deity. She can select an alignment domain only if her alignment matches that domain. With the GM’s approval, an inquisitor can be devoted to an ideal instead of a deity, selecting one domain to represent her personal inclination and abilities. The restriction on alignment domains still applies.
From the Animal and Terrain Domain section:
Other nature-themed classes with access to domains may select an animal or terrain domain in place of a regular domain.
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Back in AD&D, a 7 intelligence was considered to be a 70 IQ. That's about the level of a person who is mentally impaired, such as mild retardation. Why would a skilled Wizard take on this apprentice? Sure, the apprentice could sweep the floors and take out the rubbish, but he would not be helpful with experiments, minor spell casting, or research.
The whole idea sounds silly. While I would allow the player to roleplay it out, I don't see him succeeding...and more likely, some catastrophic failure would occur when he was assisting the wizard with an experiment or research.
Eventually, the Monkey will be smarter.
Unless the character goes the Eldritch Heritage route the familiar will always be Master Level 1, so the fighter's gonna be smarter. Barely. What a team they'll make, though!
I actually think it sounds like a great idea, from a role playing stand point that is. Lots of people want things that aren't necessarily the best for them, dumb people especially. So this fighter got the instruction manual and/or a terrible/cash-strapped tutor and learned the basics of wizardry, wasting a ton of time and effort on something that will never fully work, just like in real life.
Heck, now I'm tempted to play a fighter/wizard with an awful intelligence score.
Eldritch Heritage is based off your total level.
It will be smarter.
...that's what I just said.
At the end of it, its what makes the player happy.
I dunno, I'm with RedDogMT on this one. I think what's more important is that this character concept is fundamentally ridiculous and invalid, and I will not have something so unrealistic corrupting my deep story about elves killing demiliches. Have you considered telling the player that they are guaranteed to fail if they attempt this and should just sit down and shut up and be happy taking Weapon Specialization like they're supposed to?
Back in AD&D, a 7 intelligence was considered to be a 70 IQ. That's about the level of a person who is mentally impaired, such as mild retardation. Why would a skilled Wizard take on this apprentice? Sure, the apprentice could sweep the floors and take out the rubbish, but he would not be helpful with experiments, minor spell casting, or research.
The whole idea sounds silly. While I would allow the player to roleplay it out, I don't see him succeeding...and more likely, some catastrophic failure would occur when he was assisting the wizard with an experiment or research.
The wizard is nice and wants to help the poor lad get his pet monkey in exchange for doing some chores for him? He owes a favor to the character or his family? He pulled a "She's All That" and made a bet with the other wizards that he could teach anyone to be a wizard.
Oh so when BACON says it it's a good idea, but when I say it...
Plus side to those classes: Casting in armor.
Listen to the little black troll Talos.
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Why not Druid, Inquisitor, or Cleric?
Seriously, Monkey Domain does it.
Hell, Crusader Cleric nabs him an extra combat feat, and a Monkey.
The OP asked about *PFS*, not Pathfinder in general; in PFS, you *have* to pick a patron deity - you can't be devoted to an ideal.
Since there are no deities that offer the Monkey domain, you *can't* take it as an Inquisitor, or a Cleric.
(In a non-PFS home game, of course, you probably could take it with either.)
Druid is still a valid choice, though :-)