|
I'm planning on playing a Martial Artist with a 20pt stat buy. Trying to decide between core races (minus Dwarves and Orcs) and debating between lvl 10 Martial Artist / lvl 1 Transmutation Wizard (For +1stat and Raven familiar to converse with as my scout) or a straight lvl 11 Martial Artist build.
I'm planning on picking up Weapon Specialization and Greater Weapon Focus along with 1 Martial Style (probably Crane or something). I'm kind of stuck but so far known I want to dual wield most likely (unless it's just not possible with 2 light weapons then I'll resort to a 2handed weapon). Feel free to suggest a race, starting stats, which class build, and what feats would be great.
Pure MA with Dragon style, and Dragon Ferocity.
Dual Talent Human 17 14 14 10 16 8
Put all leveling points into strength
If you want to duel wield light weapons, play a ninja
|
|
I post in the PFS forum and they tell me to post in the Advice forum....now I'm getting the opposite. :S
So you don't think the 1 level dip in wizard for the raven familiar as a scout and the +1stat point for going Transmutation specialization, along with 2 1st level spells and cantrips, isn't worth the loss of 1 level in MA? I was looking at the monk progression and it doesn't seem like I'd gain much from level 10 to 11.
I can't dual talent since I only own Core Rulebook, APG, and UC. So I'd have to settle with Human +2 stat only. Also you think a ninja would do better? I figured the amount of attacks with flurry and the ability to bypass DR would outweigh ninja. (Along with the superior saves of monk and a monk stance.)
If you think Ninja would be better then I'm all ears for convincing but I'm not seeing entirely why atm.
A Ninja is better for dual wielding light weapons. An MA will be more effective at just punching people, but you said you wanted to dual weild.
Also mixing in wiz levels is not something I would recommend, unless you are level 10. Even then you are trading out +1 to hit and an extra attack.
|
I post in the PFS forum and they tell me to post in the Advice forum....now I'm getting the opposite. :S
I can vouch for this. As best as I can understand it, those moderating the PFS section would much prefer we post in Advice or Rules Questions if our topic remains relevant to general Pathfinder play. It seems they want the PFS section to be wholly for inquiries related to the organized play program, or inquiries where PFS aspects are integral to the question and the question no longer makes any sense if PFS is removed from the equation.
You're not the only one this "Post in PFS section, moderators tell you to post it in general areas. Post it in general areas, the general public gets upset with you and tells you to post it in the PFS section" arrangement has happened to.
I would really like to see some kind of sticky post advising people of what the correct procedure is. As it stands, it's easy to get the impression there is no right sub-forum to post these kinds of questions in and that can't be the case...
|
|
Yeah I'll probably be dual wielding some light eastern weapons. Was innitially thinking dual wielding fans. But I'm not sure if I'd be doing much damage with them if I fight anything with damage reduction. The MA path would net me a +1atk bonus and +4dmg bonus from fighter feats later on which would help with regular attacks.
I'll take a look at ninja. Any other recommendations for an oriental dual wielding light weapon user?
|
|
1: Monks don't need to dual wield any thing. They have flurry of blows. They can flurry with just one monk weapon.
2: By passing DR is nice but it makes you more made then you already are. Unless your building a AC monk in that case your not doing much damage any how.
These are some out lines you can build off of. However I'm not the best at building monks.
Human (Offensive Build)
Str 17
Dex 14
Con 14
Int 10
Wis 14
Cha 8
Feet: Improved Initiative, Combat Reflexes, Weapon Focus
2: Dodge
3: Dragon Style
5: Dragon Ferocity
6: Improved Trip
7: Weapon Specialization
9: Dragon Roar
10: Improved Critical
Human (Defensive Build)
Str 10
Dex 17
Con 14
Int 10
Wis 16
Cha 8
Feet: Combat Reflexes, Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus
2: Dodge
3: Crane Style
5: Crane Wing
6: Improved Disarm
7: Crane Riposte
9: Weapon Specialization
10: Improved Critical
I post in the PFS forum and they tell me to post in the Advice forum....now I'm getting the opposite. :S
So you don't think the 1 level dip in wizard for the raven familiar as a scout and the +1stat point for going Transmutation specialization, along with 2 1st level spells and cantrips, isn't worth the loss of 1 level in MA? I was looking at the monk progression and it doesn't seem like I'd gain much from level 10 to 11.
It's worth it for casting mage armour and shield on yourself and using wands, but it makes you MADer than you already are. An ideal dip doesn't detract anything from your base build, so going Empyral Sorcerer may be a better option as he casts off Wisdom.
|
I post in the PFS forum and they tell me to post in the Advice forum....now I'm getting the opposite. :SI can vouch for this. As best as I can understand it, those moderating the PFS section would much prefer we post in Advice or Rules Questions if our topic remains relevant to general Pathfinder play. It seems they want the PFS section to be wholly for inquiries related to the organized play program, or inquiries where PFS aspects are integral to the question and the question no longer makes any sense if PFS is removed from the equation.
You're not the only one this "Post in PFS section, moderators tell you to post it in general areas. Post it in general areas, the general public gets upset with you and tells you to post it in the PFS section" arrangement has happened to.
I would really like to see some kind of sticky post advising people of what the correct procedure is. As it stands, it's easy to get the impression there is no right sub-forum to post these kinds of questions in and that can't be the case...
It is confusing! I think part of the problem might also be that people feel they need to specify they are playing PFS when that fact might not actually be germane to their question. No offense to the original poster, honest, but maybe he/she should have just skipped putting(PFS)in the subject of the thread, since it really is just a 'help me with my monk character' thread - the fact that it will be used in PFS really isn't that relevant.
Of course, I understand that then, someone will post something about a cool 3PP product that would be perfect, or a Core rule that PFS doesn't allow and then the original poster would have to come back with 'well, no, this is for PFS play ...'
The flip side is that when someone posts an idea or comment about a cool 3PP product that would be perfect, or a Core rule that PFS doesn't allow in a non-PFS forum and then gets flak because the original poster is playing PFS, all the folks interested in the thread who don't play PFS get irritated because ideas that are perfectly valid to non-PFS play get shut down, even though the post is not in the PFS forum.
It's unfortunate, but it almost seems like there is not really a good way to clearly define what is and isn't a valid PFS topic.
|
|
It's worth it for casting mage armour and shield on yourself and using wands, but it makes you MADer than you already are. An ideal dip doesn't detract anything from your base build, so going Empyral Sorcerer may be a better option as he casts off Wisdom.I post in the PFS forum and they tell me to post in the Advice forum....now I'm getting the opposite. :S
So you don't think the 1 level dip in wizard for the raven familiar as a scout and the +1stat point for going Transmutation specialization, along with 2 1st level spells and cantrips, isn't worth the loss of 1 level in MA? I was looking at the monk progression and it doesn't seem like I'd gain much from level 10 to 11.
I think Empyral Sorcerer would be a good option if I was going beyond 1st level spells. Essentially the dip in Wizard is mainly to have a talking raven that can scout areas ahead and add some roleplay flavor and the extra +1 stat which I'd think would benefit more than +1 BAB but I could be completely wrong here.
My idea was to start with a 20pt buy, and have one stat at either 15 or 17, first level be wizard and use the free stat to bump the mod by +1 while freeing up either 3 or 4 points I would have lost during my 20pt stat buy. I'm not entirely sure how I'd be hurting myself by being more MAD since I'm only gaining access to level 1 spells and I could either have 1 level 1 spell or use 2 points that I freed up to have 12int to unlock the extra level 1 spell.
I'd obviously not want to use spells that targeted enemies and had saves but I'd be using spells like Expeditious Retreat, Grease, True Strike, Detect Secret Doors, Unseen Servant, Obscuring Mist, Mage Armor, Shield, Protection from Evil, Alarm, or any of the cantrips which mostly aren't too helpful but they have unlimited uses.
I will take a look at the Ninja and Samurai classes as it seems multiple people think they'd fair better with dual light weapons and I kind of want to keep that oriental eastern weapon flair with this character.
|
|
Guess I could totally dump int down between 8-10 and just forget having 1 extra spell (1 extra spell probably isn't going to be worth spending a bunch of points on int if it's best as a dump stat). That way I can use the freed points for what's needed and make use of the +1 stat from transmutation specialization.
So the +1 stat won't stack? I guess I'd probably throw it in Con then as that's probably my best bet.
What stats would I be looking at for a light dual wielding human ninja with 20pt stat buy? I'm assuming str should stay at 12 maybe and I should grab agile (I'm not sure what level agile enhancement is available either) as soon as it's available while pumping dex to like 18+2 from human, decent con (15+1 from wizard), dump or break even on int, 10 wis, and rest charisma?
Also, you was saying that 1 level of Eldritch Heritage and 2 feats would open access to a familiar that gets stronger with levels in a base class like Ninja? If so I'll have to keep that in mind in the future. I enjoy pets (familiars or animal companions) and like using them for fluff and sometimes as security alarms or pack mules lol.
I appreciate everyone's replies and the great advice. Please let me know about the above questions. I think Ninja would probably be my fit and if I can get some advice on the above stuff I should be all set. :)
|
|
Ah great, thanks for explaining that.
Also,
I'm looking at my stat points and I'm debating between:
10str
18dex +2 human
13con +1 wiz transmutation
10int
10wis
14cha
or
12str
18dex +2 human
13con +1 wiz transmutation
8int
10wis
14cha
I'm thinking 14con should be decent while 14 charisma is acceptable as a ninja? Not sure between the str since I'm going to use weapon finesse and 2 light weapons. Any suggestions would be great, maybe dropping dex down to 16+2 and using those points elsewhere?
|
|
Hate to *bump* but it seems either everyone is at Gencon and not on forums (which I doubt since people are posting all the time as I can see) or no one likes to go in the "Advice" section and answer questions (which I presume is the case and feel I'd probably have better success under the PFS forum since people actually look in that section at current threads.)
Anyways, I'm still curious on anyone's thoughts of stats for an elven or human ninja. Not sure how high of charisma is best and how much str or con is minimum. Please give some advice. Thanks!
|
If you go Ninja and want to dip, Sorcerer is the better fit than Wizard.
I just made a Sorcerer/Ninja as an NPC to fight my PC's and she was pretty fun and effective.
Her schtick was to cast/attack (standard action), go invisible (Vanishing Trick, swift action), move (move action).
She got sneak attack a lot, but was primarily a Sorcerer. Her stats were;
CHA>DEX>CON>WIS/INT/STR
If you wanted to be more melee based you could adjust as necessary.
Very fun.
|
|
@Krodjin
You know that actually seems like a really good dip. Level 9 Sorcerer / Level 2 Ninja. I'm thinking a Halfling with 8str,18dex,10con,10int,10wis,18cha would work really well. That would give 5 ki uses of Vanishing tricks as a swift action and I can use metamagic feats for things other than Quick Casting.
I may still pick up QC though, but I think I'm going to grab Weapon Focus Rays and Weapon Finesse and focus on touch and ray based spells like Vampiric Touch and Ray of Exhaustion etc.
I don't have access to UM, only Core, APG, and UC and the Arcana bloodline seems to be the best choice. Not sure if I should get a familiar or bonded item though.
What do you guys think? Would a ray/touch attack steal ninja sorc be any good?
|
|
Well, the NPC I made up was a Stormborn bloodline. She could give her crossbow the shock quality for x number rounds, which added an extra d6 to damage. It was great cuz the encounter didn't allow the PC's to get energy resistances cast before combat... Then when they decided they better do so it cost them valuable standard actions (which was great for prolonging the encounter).
I think your idea would work - I contemplated taking a bloodline that gave claws in order to get 2 natural attacks at full BAB doing sneak damage when flanking, but honestly mixing 3/4 BAB class with a 1/2 BAB class leaves you with a crappy BAB so I gave up on that idea.
By focusing on rays and ranged touch attacks you can stay out of the fray - trying to get sneak attack from flanking will detract from your primary stats as you'll require more CON if you plan on living.