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Hey folks,
I have a kitsune bard (arcane duelist archetype) in PFS, which I always play alongside my wife's kitsune magus. Go go twin magical rapier-wielding kitsune!
Anyway, we just hit 5th level, and I'm trying to decide on my feat.
I took Weapon Finesse at 1st (for obvious reasons), got Arcane Strike as a bonus feat from my archetype, took Precise Strike at 3rd (as did my wife's character, since we always play these two together), and at 7th we're looking at Outflank.
We're both DEX-based rapier wielders, with me using my obscene Acrobatics skill to set up flanks for Precise Strike.
So what would be a good option for my 5th-level feat? My first thought was Great Fortitude, since bards don't get a good Fort save. Other possibilities I've thought of are Combat Reflexes, Quick Draw, or Improved Initiative.
Thoughts?
What does your Con look like? Toughness might be worthwhile.
I don't think Combat Reflexes is really worth it unless you have some way of provoking AoOs against opponents.
And why would you spend a feat on Quick Draw?
Another thought for more damage may be Piranha Strike. As RDN said though, can't really go wrong with Toughness.
EDIT= Ninja'd
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What does your Con look like? Toughness might be worthwhile.
CON is 14, and FCBs have been going into HP. Also, I might consider eventually expanding my DEX belt to DEX/CON. Or take Toughness. I dunno.
I don't think Combat Reflexes is really worth it unless you have some way of provoking AoOs against opponents.
Well, there's Outflank, but maybe that's not worth it.
And why would you spend a feat on Quick Draw?
Because starting now, I need my sword in hand to cast a spell, and surprise rounds are a thing. Though I guess I could always spend that action starting a performance.
I really wish more people would actually read Piranha Strike. Either that, or understand what a rapier is.Another thought for more damage may be Piranha Strike. As RDN said though, can't really go wrong with Toughness.
EDIT= Ninja'd
GAH, my bad. I guess i keep wanting it to work and keep forgetting that the Rapier is a one-handed weapon and not a light weapon. I retract my post. Sorry.
Lingering Performance is another one to consider. Generally people take it at 1st, so Toughness or Great Fortitude may be more your speed. Antagonize is still good for attracting attention, though post nerf the attention is likely to be rather deadly.
If you're relying on obscene levels of Acrobatics, then perhaps Skill Focus (Acrobatics) would be of assistance? Another tactic is to take Dodge and eventually Mobility and Underfoot to draw out AoO from attackers so the magus can position herself well.
What traits do you have? Would there be something we could improve with Additional Traits?
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Well you could get combat reflexes with a later eye to get Butterfly's sting. Then when one of you crits while flanking you can start bouncing the crit back and forth using butterfly sting.
Last I heard, Butterfly's Sting got changed to only be available for worshippers of Desna. I could be wrong, but it's a moot point anyway since I don't have the book it's in.
Lingering Performance is another one to consider.
I've got over 20 rounds of performance per day; I don't think I need to spend a feat there. I think most people that take Lingering Performance are Archaeologists, whose rounds per day don't increase with level.
Antagonize is still good for attracting attention, though post nerf the attention is likely to be rather deadly.
Hm, that's an idea...
If you're relying on obscene levels of Acrobatics, then perhaps Skill Focus (Acrobatics) would be of assistance?
I'm actually not even sure I need it. At 5th level I'm tumbling at +20. Well, 10/day I'm at +20, but I don't think I've ever tumbled more than 5 times in a scenario, let alone more than 10.
But just to be sure, what's a good benchmark? I tried looking at the monster creation chart, but it doesn't have a CMD column. Any ideas?
Another tactic is to take Dodge and eventually Mobility and Underfoot to draw out AoO from attackers so the magus can position herself well.
Which would come online... at 11th level, giving me 3 scenarios of benefit. Meh, I'll pass.
What traits do you have? Would there be something we could improve with Additional Traits?
I took Armor Expert for pseudo-proficiency with a mithral breastplate so I can have better AC down the line. I honestly don't remember my other trait. :/
For simplicity, then, I'd say Great Fortitude or Weapon Focus (Rapier) are solid choices. No need to worry about feat chains, and +1 attack all day long, every day is simple and useful.
Step up or another lockdown feat.
Arcane Duelists have a couple of anti-caster feats as bonus feats, level 6 and 10. But, to really capitalize on them you need to be able to deny the 5' step, either through reach or something like step up.