The only PFS character I have created was more for her character than any specific role, and as such took a long time to find a niche, which she still does not excel at. As such I wanted to create a character that had a set role, and the set-up for it, from the get-go.
I decided I would like to play an alchemist who is primarily range focused and can help with damage. As such I have created this set-up:
Alchemist (because the class interests me)
Bramble brewer + Grenadier archetypes - range focus
Faction: Andoran (for Hunter's eye)
Race: Half-elf,
Ability scores: 12 14 14 16(+2) 10 8
Feats: Point-blank shot (1st), precise shot (3rd), focused shot? (5th).
Discoveries: Precise bomb (grenadier), Tangle foot bomb (bramble), Explosive bomb or Explosive missile (4th[?]).
Racial abilities: Dual minded and basic
Traits: Hunter's eye, "Strong arm, supple wrist"
I already have the beginnings of a good history for the character but I was wondering a few things about his build:
A) I think it is but is this legal?
B) Should I completely scrap this in favor of something else
C) Are there any other feat, traits, archetypes, etc. I should look at taking instead of, or with, what I have now
D) Any advice for level six and beyond? (Though this will be some time)
And finally,
E) Should I stop asking questions?
I guess I broke some kind of unwritten rule of the forums, made a build that is uninteresting and not horribly incorrect, or posted this at the wrong time... Oh well. Other than other traits and will saves I wasn't too worried about anything. I guess I will have to mull this over more.
I guess I broke some kind of unwritten rule of the forums, made a build that is uninteresting and not horribly incorrect, or posted this at the wrong time... Oh well.
Alchemist are hard to give advice for, so you usually don't get much of a response for them. Not a fan of archery alchemist myself because archery feats are so intensive, and they don't have much sync with bombs or mutagen imo. That said, I've been told there are some crazy builds for one big shot with alchemist.
Okay, didn't realize that. The archery feats don't work with bombs? Dang, I was hoping I could use precise shot to avoid the -4 to hit...
Okay, didn't realize that. The archery feats don't work with bombs? Dang, I was hoping I could use precise shot to avoid the -4 to hit...
Oh no, they do! You can also use TWF with bombs. Bombs are weird like that. When I said they don't have sync I meant they don't leave much room for some of the sexier bomb discoveries with extra discovery. Err... Wasn't clear about that at all.
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I play a Grenadier Alchemist who also fancies himself an Archer. I didn't take the Hunter's Eye trait since you get a martial weapon proficiency for free from the Grenadier archetype, anyway.
I did take Focused Shot, but you should keep in mind that this feat will not work with Explosive Missile. It still works with arrows that you use your Grenadier ability to add alchemical weapons to such as acid or alchemist's fire, but it will not add to the damage of arrows with bombs in them.
One thing that I've thought about doing but didn't have the feats/discoveries to spare for in my build was eventually buying a Goz mask. This magic item costs 8000 GP, which will allow you go see clearly through smoke, and picking up some of the fog cloud based bomb discoveries. This doesn't have to screw over your allies if you take a round to drop a bomb at your own feet or even just use a smokestick. Enemies will still have a 50% miss chance when trying to attack you while you suffer no penalty while firing from inside the cloud. Should be fun and effective.
That's a relief... actually after focused shot I really don't have any desire for any more archery feats (except maybe rapid shot). So putting all other feats into extra discovery would be good then? (I have to admit doing 1d8+1 and 3d6+4 points of damage with splash from up to 200 220 feet away appeals to me...) And focused shot doesn't work with explosive missile? Is it from both using the same stat?
The smoke idea sounds interesting, I will look into it for later levels, though finding a Goz mask for a chronicle might be a little difficult...
And focused shot doesn't work with explosive missile?
Action economy. You only have one standard action, explosive action is a standard action and focused shot is a standard action. I'd get rid of of focused shot because +int on a single hit is pitiful imo. The most devastating thing about a bomb can be the debuff, imo.
The smoke idea sounds interesting, I will look into it for later levels, though finding a Goz mask for a chronicle might be a little difficult...
If its legal you can buy it when you have enough fame. Chronicle sheets just give exceptions to illegal or ideally access to special things, some special things being things they made illegal but made special by making them illegal and they were nice enough to give it back.
Action economy. You only have one standard action, explosive action is a standard action and focused shot is a standard action. I'd get rid of of focused shot because +int on a single hit is pitiful imo. The most devastating thing about a bomb can be the debuff, imo.
Okay, I had thought they would work together but I see that dropping it for earlier access to explosive bomb (or, for a truly "i never want to see the whites of their eyes" tactic, strafe bomb) would be a good idea
If its legal you can buy it when you have enough fame. Chronicle sheets just give exceptions to illegal or ideally access to special things, some special things being things they made illegal but made special by making them illegal and they were nice enough to give it back.
So that's what those rules were used for, I had never really understood them.
if you end of with the extra feats you can take kirin style instead of Focused shot. Adds times 2 int to damage as a swift action. if you get your int to 20 you can do a bomb at +15 damage plus arrow, bomb and magic bonuses. it stackes up ferociously. Take alot of feats though.
Ohhh... tempting, it does look like a great way to add damage, wish it didn't have improved unarmed strike as a pre-requisite, best way to get this may require a dip in master of many styles... I could get all three feats in one level, (9 [level of MoMS and two bonus feats and 9th level feat] would be perfectly legal but 7 [level of MoMS get unarmed strike, take Kirin Style for 7th level feat, take Strike as bonus] could also possibly work...
Get a conductive weapon to add your bomb (and hence, INTx2) dmg yet another time to your shot.
Also use a hybridization funnel to use doubled up alchemical items for your grenadier ability (more damage and your INT is added to it again).
I will have to think about the conductive weapon, maybe if I have money sometime.
The funnel looks like a must have (esp. for a half-elf.) Is that legal for PFS?
Finally I had a question about traits. I realize the strong arm supple wrist, will only help until 4th level and I would rather have something that can diversify or strengthen my character and thus I have found two possible traits that I like the idea of Alchemical adept for the cost savings or student of philosophy to add to my versatility. Any recommendations?
I would kind of like to be able to shoot things from further away from what I can speak, but thanks for the suggestion.