So, this is for our RotRL campaign
I had an interesting, social PC, but it became pretty apparent that I needed him to exit and me to me to bring in a tank to avoid an impending TPK. This is what he currently looks like
Goblin (lol yes goblin), Infiltrator Ranger 10 Quote: STR 12 (+1), Dex 24 (+7), Con 12 (+1), Int 10, Wis 14 (+2), Cha 5 (-3)
INIT: +7, SPELL DCs: 12 + SL
SPEED: 30 /x4
CONC: +11 CL: 9, Hero Point: 1
AC: 25 (27 Adaptation) (30 Barkskin), FLAT: 22, TOUCH: 18
HP: 2 / 74
MELEE: +12/+6, RANGED: +18/+13
CMB: +10 CMD: 27
FORT: +10 (+12) REFLEX: +16 (Evasion) WILL: +8 (+10)
Skills (Abb.)
Perception +22 [Darkvision 60 ft.], Acrobatics +16, Climb +12, Stealth +27, Survival +15 ...+5 Tracking
Spells/Day (for the attack):
1st (3): Gravity Bow, Gravity bow, Entangle
2nd (2): PfEn, Spiked Growth
3rd (0):
(Normally might have cat's grace or barkskin and a utility open slot for 1st)
-Adaptive Holy Comp Longbow +1
-Longsword
-Mithral Breast Plate +1
-Buckler +1
-Cloak of Resistance +2
-Belt of Physical Might +2 - Str & Dex
-Bracers of Falcon's Aim
-Scroll of Gravity Bow x2
-Giant-Bane Arrows x9
-Quick Runner's Shirt
-Boots of Stealth +4 (custom item from a previous PC)
-Scroll of... Instant Enemy x0 (just used it)
Animal Messenger x0 (used it)
Residual Tracking x1
Negate Aroma x1
Anticipate Peril x1
-Gear: <misc stuff>
Other: Over-sized Ears, Indominable Faith, Magical Knack
Feats: 1st: Weapon Focus (Long Bow), 2nd: Point-Blank Shot, 3rd: Deadly Aim, 5th: Precise Shot, 6th: Rapid Shot, 7th: Manyshot, 9th: Snap Shot, 10th:Point-Blank Master
Favored Enemy: Humanoid (Giant) +6, Humanoid (Human) +2, Animal +2
Wild Empathy (Ex), Endurance, Adaptation: Giant (Nat Armor +2), Human: Iron Will, Great Fortitude
Woodland Stride, Swift Tracker (Ex), Evasion, Hunter's Bond
Constrictor Snake Quote: CONSTRICTOR SNAKE
N large animal …100 lbs?
Init +3; Senses scent; Perception +5
DEFENSE
AC 20, touch 13, flat-footed 17 (+3 Dex, +7 natural)
HP 50
Fort +8, Ref +8, Will +3 (+4 morale vs. enchantment)
OFFENSE
Speed 20 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.
Melee bite +13 (1d6+8 plus grab)
Special Attacks: grab, constrict 1d4+8
STATISTICS
Str 26, Dex 17, Con 17, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 2
Base Atk +4; CMB +13 (+17 grapple); CMD 25 (can't be tripped)
Feats (3) Power Attack, Improved Natural Attack (Bite), Weapon Focus (Bite)
Skills (6) Acrobatics +7, Climb +20, +Perception +6, Stealth +3, Swim +20
Special Qualities low-light vision, scent.
Attack, Come, Defend, Down, Heel, Stay
Devotion, Evasion, Link, share spells
I know most people don't choose snake but thought I'd try it. His mobility obviously becomes an issue, but so far I've had him just stay near me to act as a buffer in case anyone comes up on me. Thus far hasn't happened, but I'm sure it will.
My Best attack is as follows (1 rd prep gravity bow and move)
+10 BaB + 1 Size + 7 Dex + 1 Wep Focus + 1 Bow Enh +1 Bracers +6 Favored +2 Bane -2 Rapid - 3 Deadly Aim (+1 P.B. Shot) = +25 to hit
Against a standard AC of 24 I only have to hit on a 2, 2, and a 4 on my 2nd iterative. I don't provoke and get an AoO if people move around me.
Damage would be 4d8+16d6+68 (Average of 142 if all 3 hit). I crit on a 19-20 and have a good chance of confirming. This doesn't include the snake with a +13 (1d6+8) or +11 (1d6+12) and if its favored add +2 or +6 to att/damage and also a good chance of grabbing and grappling for constriction damage if they decide to come at me.
Next on Wantlist:
-Headband of Wisdom +2 (4k) - would give a third level slot ofr Instant enemy and help will saves (and a few skills)
-Boots of Haste - useful to have that extra attacks and +1s
-Bane arrows for whatever we're going up against
I'm curious on thoughts for 11th level and going forward. I think RotRL only goes to like 15th level so keep that in mind. Pretty sure I want to stay with a full BaB class unless there is a very compelling argument otherwise. With Ranger I'd get another iterative (at -10 so not like its gonna hit very often), no more saves, but Quarry which would be nice if you had time to burn a standard for the +2 to hit and the off chance you rolled a 19-20. Also I'd get an actual 3rd level slot for instant enemy instead of needing a bonus slot
Was also considering just dipping a level in Fighter so I could get Improved Snap Shot and Combat Reflexes. That's 7 AoOs per round against anything moving within 15 feet which could be pretty nifty. Pretty sure an archetype would be pointless as nearly everything requires you to be at least 2nd for their perks. I could take Gladiator to get Performance Combat but why even bother? Also would give a +2 fort
There was also the option of Barbarian. A +2 to damage on each hit and an extra +22 temp hit points could be helpful as well as the +10 movement and +2 fort. There's also Urban barbarian to get the option of +2 to hit or +2 damage on hits or +2 con and not lose any AC. With only 5 rounds or rage though I wonder if this is a smart option.
The other drawback of dipping is its going to delay Will increasing by a level. Even going full Ranger Will would only be a +9 (+11) at 12th level. I also rolled under average on hp so it's almost tempting to take toughness for those extra 11 to keep me alive.
Thoughts?
I'd stay Ranger. Improved Precise Shot should be your level 11 feat.
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I've seen a lot of people promote Improved Precise Shot (it avoids concealment and cover), but it hasn't come up very much. Cover is +2/+4 which doesn't hurt me that much with a good to-hit. Concealment hasn't come up much since I have darkvision and we've pretty much played it as better low-light vision. If they go moving through brush someone else can chase them down.
I recommend not taking animal as a FE. Try dragon, evil outsider, or Undead =) You will face a few of each of those types. Grab a few bane arrows of each as well.
Scrolls of Instant Enemy work wonders as well.
If you upgrade your bow further Either more static +s or grab Giant Bane just to be more of a little ankle Biter. You will fight giants From this point on and they will be about 75% of your enemies. You will run out of them bane arrows quick targeting Giants this campaign.
Also the feat Big game hunter goes really far in the rest of the campaign as 75% of the encounters from this point on will have large or larger enemies.
I already took animal as fe and did it deliberately because it offers good stuff for adaptation and I'm taking favored enemies now that are unlikely to be encountered or dangerous. Instant enemy can't be used on a fe and id like bbegs to be able to act as giants that I'm +6 against.
I already burned one scroll of I.e. but I know ill need more.
My bow is a +3 so id need another 14k for that bane. I'm wary of putting niche enchantments on the bow as its obviously going to keep getting more expensive for those +1s as it goes up. 14k is equivalent to almost 80 bane arrows. Am I going to need that many giant bane shots?
I didn't see it as a feat but as a titan mauler ability but for a 1 level dip into barbarian titan mauler seems appealing to get another +1 to hit and ac.
Take Whatever you want then MattR.
Your the one who asked for advice to a specific AP. I've cleared the AP myself and Know what is coming.
Big Game Hunter Feat
Titan Mauler Barbarian would be a terrible choice to dip with a archery Goblin. As the titan mauler actually says:
Quote: A titan mauler gains a +1 bonus on attack rolls and a +1 dodge bonus to AC in melee with creatures larger than themselves. See the words IN MELEE? that means while you are playing archer it is dead to you...that is a waste in my book. Now read over the feat I posted and see that it does not specify in melee. That means it applies to both RANGED and MELEE. Making it a very strong feat choice for any class that can not pick up weapon specialization. Since in Rise of the Runelords 80% of your enemies will be large it is a sound investment.
MattR1986 wrote: I've seen a lot of people promote Improved Precise Shot (it avoids concealment and cover), but it hasn't come up very much. Cover is +2/+4 which doesn't hurt me that much with a good to-hit. Concealment hasn't come up much since I have darkvision and we've pretty much played it as better low-light vision. If they go moving through brush someone else can chase them down. I'm not saying this to be offensive, but the chances are you guys are playing it (cover/concealment) wrong. A lot of people do.
Ally between you and your foe? That's cover, -4. And remember the ally doesn't have to be in a square directly in front of you to provide cover... "If any line from this corner to any corner of the target's square..." So basically you choose the most advantageous corner of your square, and have to draw a line to the least advantageous corner of your target's square. The picture on pg. 194 of the CRB does a good job if illustrating this. Kyra (#3) takes a -4 penalty (technically the Ogre gains +4 AC) because one of the lines from her corner passes through a wall. It applies to allies (soft cover) as well.
And your darkvision doesn't help with mist, fog, or inclement weather.
Of course, unless you tip your GM off to this, chances are he's not going to change the way he runs it - so maybe you don't need Imp. Precise Shot after all.
Oh, and the Big Game Hunter feat is a must have for any of my characters in any game where it is allowed (Not PFS friendly). It's weapon focus + weapon specialization rolled into one and stacks with both.
I've played the AP as well and Fruian's advice is good.
I'm just discussing the options, not trying to attack your advice as bad or anything.
I was looking on the PRD so I didn't see that feat. I don't see why the DM wouldn't allow the feat from the RotRL players guide so that looks like a strong feat to take and I'll have to weight it against Imp. Snap Shot/Combat Reflexes.
I didn't notice on first read Titan Mauler (what I thought you were referring to) was only melee for that ability, so ya that's definitely not a good archetype to take now that I see it isn't for all attacks.
The best barbarian options at this point (if I go that way) seem to be Urban or Wild Rager. The save for uncontrolled rage isn't hard at all for me and with a 2 level dip I'd basically get the equivalent of an "Improved Rapid Shot" for another attack with -2 to my attacks. Add in boots of speed and that's 6 arrows fired a round and I'd get a rage power.
If you've seen me post around you'd know I'm not easily offended, lol. And yes, I know for a fact we aren't enforcing the cover and concealment rules as per the book. We usually just rough estimate if a cover/concealment modifier is needed as we don't want to bog the game down with drawing lines for every attack. If the DM starts getting crazy with cover and concealment mods I'll bring it up otherwise this way has worked fine in keeping the game moving. Also I just learned recently that darkvision doesn't work the way I had originally thought that it was just like improved low-light as I remember it being in previous editions (maybe that was a house rule?). It's simpler than referring to that ven diagram chart to know whether I (and others) can see or not so I haven't bothered bringing up this either.
I also wonder if for my bow picking up a +1 with Shock to the weapon for another d6 in addition to a bundle of bane arrows wouldn't be better?
That's 1d8 (gravity bow) +2d6 holy +1d6 shock +2d6 bane +2 bane + other static mods.
Quote: I'm curious on thoughts for 11th level and going forward. I think RotRL only goes to like 15th level so keep that in mind. Level 17. Full casters will actually see 9th level spells this campaign.
Quote: My bow is a +3 so id need another 14k for that bane. I'm wary of putting niche enchantments on the bow as its obviously going to keep getting more expensive for those +1s as it goes up. 14k is equivalent to almost 80 bane arrows. Am I going to need that many giant bane shots? Book 4 and book 6 are LOADED with giants. Also at the end of book 5 you will also get a free enchantment on your weapon.
I would pick up relevant Favored Enemies: Giant, Human, Dragon, and Evil outsider/or Undead. I would use scrolls of Instant enemy to treat everything else as Giants. But taking FE: Giant, Human, Dragon and having the right bow you will have the FINAL fight covered and not need to waste time using a scroll of instant Enemy. You will probably be the scariest thing in the room. If Karzoug wasn't in the room. =/
If you dip some kind of Class you will probably be good taking a final level in Fighter just for just the extra feats to help tack on that last bit of damage with your bow.
As for your Animal companion. Have you given much thought to Riding your companion and using mounted archery? Your small so your animal companion will be medium and you will be allowed to ride it inside. It is just a thought but it will add to your movement speed. You can also feat him to Aid you...Bodyguard, Aid another....ext ext.
The nice think about mounted archery is that you don't take penalties if you limit your mount to a single move. I forgot you were a Goblin (just seems wrong for this AP, but you're already past that part!!!)... Moving is another good way to mitigate the cover penalties - usually at the expense of a full attack... But not while mounted!
For FE the issue what I'm talking about is this: Thus far I have F.E. human +2, animal +2, giant +6. If I take something like F.E. dragon then I only get a +2 against dragons and can't use I.E.. If I use a scroll (or spell) of I.E. I get at least a +6 which against those BBEGs (like dragons) seems a better choice than only getting a +2 or splitting my FEs to have a number of mediocre +4s when I could be doing +6 or +8 soon.
As for the companion, I had briefly considered going mounted, but I'm not that familiar with the mounted rules and it didn't seem practical at the time. IIRC the mount has to be bigger than me (so medium), but it takes 6 weeks to train it if it isn't meant for riding (like badger, cat (small), or wolf?). That, or 3 weeks if it is for riding (like the dog?) or the last option is to take a pony which is already set for combat. What does this mean for modifiers like my size modifiers to AC and to hit? Do those stay the same even if I'm higher and on a medium creature? I should only need one rank in ride wouldn't I? It would also appear that I could take a full-round action attack if it takes a regular move?
I guess my concern would be my DM saying I don't fit in an area or it can't go through certain terrain etc.
*Also it seems like the mount could be a weak spot to exploit if the DM has enemies focus on it instead of you. With a 10th level ranger (if dipping next) that's a 7th level pony companion. It has only 41 hp (27 average with 14 from con. If you picked up toughness you at least get 48 hp which still isn't much.
AC you get 10 + 4 (7th level) + 2 (pony) + 3 (16 dex w/ ability score inc.) + 1 (dodge) + 4 (chain shirt with light armor prof) = 24 AC (14 touch)
And then you still have only a +2 Will (+6 if its enchantment) if someone targets your mount to go crazy on you and knock you off or worse. Even if you traded out dodge for iron will for a 23 AC that's still only a +4 will (+8 enchantment). This seems like these things would be an issue for mounted riders.
Typically on every ranger I grab Boon companion.
You can buy them war trained even exotic mounts.
Quote: I guess my concern would be my DM saying I don't fit in an area or it can't go through certain terrain etc. I play a Halfling Mounted Ranger in PFS....I've been forced to dismount 1 time because they wouldn't allow him into a spa. The thing about small mounted characters is they can take their mounts anywhere a player can take a medium Character. I ride a giant Gecko...so I never worry about climbing up ladders and so forth. You could also grab a flying mount. Just make sure it is medium...a Dire Bat is awesome.
Also do not worry about the DM if he targets your mount....Just think what legalos would do....He would just ride its corpse to the ground shooting arrows the entire way down. Critter dies...boo hoo...buy another war trained one.
I was more concerned with like terrain issues like steep paths, narrow ledges, overgrowth or low ceilings etc.
Can you just buy an animal and make it your companion?
Quote: If a druid releases her companion from service, she may gain a new one by performing a ceremony requiring 24 uninterrupted hours of prayer in the environment where the new companion typically lives. This ceremony can also replace an animal companion that has perished. This makes it sound like your animal has to "find you" like a mystical bond thing not just saying "k, you're my companion".
Quote: ceremony requiring 24 uninterrupted hours of prayer in the environment where the new companion typically lives. A barn can be where it typically lives as a service animal. Horses live in a stable...
or a riding dog for a goblin which would seem to be the most survivable mount I saw.
Goblins can ride Goblin Dogs like in book 1. Heck if you guys didn't kill stick foot he is still roaming around thistle-top. Giant Geckos are actually premium mounts. Costs 150g war-trained. Yes they can't fly but they can run along the ceilings and walls allowing you to get you the Higher Ground advantage. =) Fly and Air Walk can get him where he needs to go as well. You will have ample access to Air walk after mid book 4.
mechanically geckos might be the best, but the idea of riding a big lizard just doesn't really work for me.
The goblin dog with a speed of 50 and scent does seem pretty tempting though.
Lol it works for me. Im tearing up PFS on one. They make great indoor mounts. And geckos have scent as well.
I mean from a flavor standpoint. It feels overly silly (sillier than normal PF) and like I'd be playing Battletoads or something. I can't fathom my gruff character riding one around or it making sense from a climate perspective either.
Btw, I'm strongly leaning toward going Wild Rager for 11th and 12th and taking Big Game Hunter as my 11th feat.
Headband of Wisdom +2 next for getting Instant Enemy 1/day (4k)
Boots of Speed for haste 10/day (12k)
then the +1 to bow for giant-bane (14k)
I could just pick up arrows of frost or shock for that extra d6 if I really wanted it.
Well if you remember Chief Ripnugget from book 1 of Rise of the Runelords. He was a goblin that rode a Giant Gecko. Actually that is where I got the Idea for Fruian From. I just said I can make him much better. I don't feel like it is battle toads either. He doesn't accomplish much but allow for abnormal charges from walls and ceilings. I also feated him to survive as well. He doesn't add much of anything more then a normal mount would other then the superior movement. Flyers still beat him but Flyers have their own problems.
But if it is not your style that's cool too. It was only a suggestion.
That's odd. I'm pretty sure when we faced him he was sitting on a little throne in the corner in a room of that fort. Ymmv but I don't recall any geicos that we encountered or fought on the island, just goblins and iirc a bugbear and tutso. Oh..and then the evil daughter underneath.
Really Chief Ripnugget Rides a Giant Gecko. Hmm did your DM miss that? His in book tactic says he mounts up and uses Spirited Charge with his shortsword. He is just a Fighter and the Gecko is just level 1 but some groups can kill him before he can mount up. Our group allowed him to mount and to be honest he was one of the tougher fights in thistletop with his Bard in the room helping him. (aside from Malfeshinekor CR 7)
I think we neutalized him and his bard quickly before they could be that dangerous. He may have missed the gecko or just not added it for whatever reason. I don't remember much on the top floor being that hard. Not sure who malfeshineknor is
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