Yeah, the last thing I want to hear is that someone will always remember that trait I had... If that's the most memorable thing about my character, I failed. Also Rudy2, you suggested Elemental Affinity and Defensive Strategist. How are they more flavorful and memorable than reactionary? +1 to DC's doesn't really stand out...
My characters are made memorable by the way they are played, not by text on a sheet.
Schooled. :P
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My characters are made memorable by the way they are played, not by text on a sheet.
*shrug* A valid point, and it's certainly the case that a good roleplayer can make any build memorable. That being said, it's been my experience as a DM and player that the less standard a build is, the more I tend to remember the character. This could simply be a confounding variable, though (that is, more creative players both tend to roleplay better and make more creative builds). Historically, when I play with, say, a rage-pounce barbarian with all the standard stuff, I forget everything about that character soon after, if there was anything besides a stat-block to begin with.
Again, this has been my experience. YMMV.
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Yeah, the last thing I want to hear is that someone will always remember that trait I had... If that's the most memorable thing about my character, I failed. Also Rudy2, you suggested Elemental Affinity and Defensive Strategist. How are they more flavorful and memorable than reactionary? +1 to DC's doesn't really stand out...
Sorry to ruffle feathers so much; it was not my intent to offend. It's not that the trait is or is not inherently memorable, it's that it gives you an opportunity to distinguish your character from others. I can work an Elemental Affinity into the character... "channeling my connection with the Elemental Lord of Earth...", etc. I suppose there are ways you could do so with Reactionary: "Reacting really quickly, I...", but you're not really setting your character apart, I suppose is my view. Perhaps it's purely a personal thing. As I said in my post, I'm aware that not all agree.
My response sounded more snobbish than I intended. I suppose that's what posting early in the morning after driving 8 hours will get you.
What I'm really trying to say is that since the other players do not really pore over my character sheet, their impression of my character is of how it is played. I would much rather be memorable because I totally rocked that one session (etc) rather than "hey, remember how he took that one trait?"
That's fair. Offense was neither taken by me by your comments, nor intended by me from my comments, so no worries.
It may simply be a weakness in my own roleplaying ability that I enjoy having more unique/flavorful traits as a jumping-off point for my own character expression.
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Ah... When did I say I was offended? I stated how I felt and asked a question.
On what you said, I'll have to disagree with you on a fundamental level. I find that it's the player that makes a character memorable. In your example, it's YOU that's adding to your character not the trait (IMO).
On Reactionary, you can do more than 'Reacting really quickly'. You can have elf or fairy blood and that's why you have the trait. Your 3rd eye allows you to see things a moment before everyone else. The ghost of your old boyfriend warns you of danger. If you've seen people with the trait that weren't memorable, it had nothing to do with the trait (IMO).
Alright; to avoid further misinterpretation, then, perhaps it is best we agree to disagree; textual posts are a poor medium for communicating tone, and I was a fool to try and read it. One would think that wasn't a mistake that you repeat, yet I always do.
Offense aside, I believe that I'm at least partially at fault for derailing this thread from its intended purpose. Thus, I will acknowledge that as everything else I've said in my too brief life, my opinion is an opinion. If others find that more standard traits do not impede their role-playing experience, then the best to them, honestly.
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Because it's one less opportunity to make your character memorable which, in my mind, is the real goal. Not all will agree, I know.The problem with 'Reactionary' isn't the fluff, it's that you're just another guy taking 'Reactionary'.And that's a problem ... why?
Its not the goal if the character is mainly memorable as that guy who moved to slow to avoid getting eaten by the Ravenous Owlbear of Trall.
Dot.
Alright; to avoid further misinterpretation, then, perhaps it is best we agree to disagree;
Okie dokie. We'll leave it at that. I hope you don't feel like we dogpiled you as that wasn't my intent.
Not at all!
To get back to the theme of the thread, an oldie but goodie:
Accelerated Drinker lets you drink a potion as a move action, as long as you start your turn with the potion in hand. It takes a bit of trickyness to make this work well. The easiest is probably a Tiefling with a Prehensile Tail. At the end of turn X, you can bring the potion to hand as a swift action. At the beginning of turn X+1, you can drink the potion, then take a standard action (perhaps casting another spell).
Accelerated Drinker lets you drink a potion as a move action, as long as you start your turn with the potion in hand. It takes a bit of trickyness to make this work well. The easiest is probably a Tiefling with a Prehensile Tail. At the end of turn X, you can bring the potion to hand as a swift action. At the beginning of turn X+1, you can drink the potion, then take a standard action (perhaps casting another spell).
Add Potion Glutton (feat) and then you can drink as a swift, move and standard action!
The Key Standouts have always been, in some order of preference
- Straight bonuses to saves because those are always nice
- Metamagic Reducers
- Bonuses to Initiative.
- Anything that grants your character options they could take advantage of, but wouldn't previously have.
E.G. If you're a class that doesn't have perception as a class skill: Perception as a class skill
E.G. If you're an Ability Score X reliant class that doesn't have Ability Score X reliant skill (Cha for Diplo, Bluff, etc.): That skill as a class skill with a bonus.
A personal favorite for me, combining the last two items in the list, is Veteran of Battle (Gorum): +1 to your initiatve, and you may draw a weapon (not an item) in the surprise round as a free action.
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If you want to flesh out a character's personality, pick a deity for him to worship and give him the associated religion trait. Abadar is one of my favorites, and Eyes and Ears of the City is a pretty good trait if you're not taking Reactionary.
If you just can't see your character as having any love for a Lawful deity, then Fortified Drinker is kind of funny on the other side of the coin, as long as you're willing to constantly carry a flask and convince your GM that yes, it's been less than an hour since your last gulp. I think if I were the GM, I'd want that player to start tracking his liquor budget though.
Dirty Fighter is a pretty nice trait for a rogue, or for any melee who's in a party with a rogue. It also mentions a childhood friend, which means you have to actually decide who it was, therefore opening up roleplay opportunity.
My problem with Reactionary is the fluff.
I know people ignore the fluff in many cases, just as well with Reactionary.
Reactionary:You were bullied often as a child, but never quite developed an offensive response. Instead, you became adept at anticipating sudden attacks and reacting to danger quickly.
Yet it's amazing how so many of these meek and cowardly people grew up to be be Cavaliers and Barbarians and Paladins. At least at the games I've played. It's by far the most popular trait. 3/4 of all adventurers were bullied as a kid. Who knew?
When I GM, I make players justify their traits with a story. That weeds out a few of these Reactionaries.
Why not just let the players make their own fluff/flavor? Maybe their are quick not because they are cowards, but they grew up in a rough area where being slow was a liability.
PS: I do the same thing for classes. If someone wants to say they were an aristocrat before they began to adventure but chose the Barbarian class I would allow it. The rage is them focusing on fighting, but they sort of lose themselves to an extent, which is why they cant do anything requiring concentration.
The problem with 'Reactionary' isn't the fluff, it's that you're just another guy taking 'Reactionary'.
How is that different from just another guy taking natural spell, power attack, improved initiative, and so on?
Ah... When did I say I was offended? I stated how I felt and asked a question.
On what you said, I'll have to disagree with you on a fundamental level. I find that it's the player that makes a character memorable. In your example, it's YOU that's adding to your character not the trait (IMO).
On Reactionary, you can do more than 'Reacting really quickly'. You can have elf or fairy blood ...
There is an elf trait that does the same thing, and a dwarf trait. ;)
Tunnel Fighter and Warrior of Old.
Alright; to avoid further misinterpretation, then, perhaps it is best we agree to disagree;Okie dokie. We'll leave it at that. I hope you don't feel like we dogpiled you as that wasn't my intent.
oops I got the memo late. I will try to find some new ones in addition to what I posted on page 1.
Add Potion Glutton (feat) and then you can drink as a swift, move and standard action!
Accelerated Drinker lets you drink a potion as a move action, as long as you start your turn with the potion in hand. It takes a bit of trickyness to make this work well. The easiest is probably a Tiefling with a Prehensile Tail. At the end of turn X, you can bring the potion to hand as a swift action. At the beginning of turn X+1, you can drink the potion, then take a standard action (perhaps casting another spell).
The downside? You have to be a worshipper of Urgathoa... ew. :)
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If you just can't see your character as having any love for a Lawful deity, then Fortified Drinker is kind of funny on the other side of the coin, as long as you're willing to constantly carry a flask and convince your GM that yes, it's been less than an hour since your last gulp. I think if I were the GM, I'd want that player to start tracking his liquor budget though.
I've never had the GM question my Dwarven cleric. Of course, the fact that I find at least 3 or 4 opportunities a session to offer somebody a drink may have something to do with that :-).
As to tracking purchases, drinking jug . 3 gallons of brandy is enough for most purposes
Add Potion Glutton (feat) and then you can drink as a swift, move and standard action!
Accelerated Drinker lets you drink a potion as a move action, as long as you start your turn with the potion in hand. It takes a bit of trickyness to make this work well. The easiest is probably a Tiefling with a Prehensile Tail. At the end of turn X, you can bring the potion to hand as a swift action. At the beginning of turn X+1, you can drink the potion, then take a standard action (perhaps casting another spell).
Potion Glutton - can't find that; can you let me know which book it's in please?
Inner Sea Gods. Link.
Very powerful, though you have to worship an icky god. I would hope no DM would be foolish enough to allow that to apply to extracts, but if they did...
Inner Sea Gods. Link.
Very powerful, though you have to worship an icky god. I would hope no DM would be foolish enough to allow that to apply to extracts, but if they did...
Well seeing as they are liquids that you drink, I'd say extracts are potables. So seems like the RAW and RAI of the feat.
So seems like the RAW and RAI of the feat.
Maybe, maybe not. It doesn't change the fact that it would be an absolute fool of a DM that gave an Alchemist what amounts to free Quickened Spell with every one of his extracts.
Actually, I have a rules supported reason for why the feat wouldn't work with an extract. The FAQ states:
It is a standard action to use an extract, mutagen, or throw a bomb. This action includes retrieving the necessary materials from the alchemist's supplies, in the same manner as retrieving a material component is included in the act of spellcasting.
So using an extract is not simply drinking it, but also includes retrieving and perhaps "igniting" its magical power, all part of the standard action. Thus, while the feat allows you to drink things as a swift action, using an extract is more than just drinking it; it is its own, self-defined, standard action.
My issue with Reactionary is the following
None of these meanings have anything to do with a person with fast reflexes.
re·ac·tion·ar·y
rēˈakSHəˌnerē/adjective: reactionary
1. (of a person or a set of views) opposing political or social liberalization or reform.
synonyms: right-wing, conservative, rightist, ultraconservative, traditionalist, conventional, old-fashioned, unprogressive; informal redneck
"a reactionary policy"
antonyms: progressivenoun: reactionary; plural noun: reactionaries
1. a reactionary person.
synonyms: right-winger, conservative, rightist;
It would appear that the dictionary is too caught up in politics or political views to understand the apparent meaning behind the word (or anything related to it). As such, it's hardly a reliable resource.
The obvious intent behind the word is "having the ability to respond," something which the trait definitely helps in doing.
Inner Sea Gods. Link.
Very powerful, though you have to worship an icky god. I would hope no DM would be foolish enough to allow that to apply to extracts, but if they did...
Cheers - and I'm with you, the feat changes a move action to a swift action; a standard action would be unaffected (at least that's how I'd rule it).
And there's nothing wrong with Urgathoa, she's just... misunderstood ;)
(I once played a really tubby, jovial priest of Urgathoa, a sort of Friar Tuck broke bad - he just carried out his acts of evil away from the rest of the PC's and everyone was happy)
I'm with Caedwyr on this one, Reactionary is a misnomer. The term Reactionary in real life invariably means the dictionary definition in published sources. "Reactive" or perhaps "reflexive" might be a more appropriate choice of name. But then I'm pretty pedantic.
And there's nothing wrong with Urgathoa, she's just... misunderstood ;)(I once played a really tubby, jovial priest of Urgathoa, a sort of Friar Tuck broke bad - he just carried out his acts of evil away from the rest of the PC's and everyone was happy)
You can be a true neutral priest of this god. So you have to be a greedy and insatiable neutral guy. Lots of characters I've met fit that description and they didn't worship Urgathoa. ;)
I'm with Caedwyr on this one, Reactionary is a misnomer. The term Reactionary in real life invariably means the dictionary definition in published sources. "Reactive" or perhaps "reflexive" might be a more appropriate choice of name. But then I'm pretty pedantic.
Your going to be pretty bummed out then when you read the Panther Claw feat and find out it has nothing to with either claws or panthers. :P
Actually, I have a rules supported reason for why the feat wouldn't work with an extract. The FAQ states:
It is a standard action to use an extract, mutagen, or throw a bomb. This action includes retrieving the necessary materials from the alchemist's supplies, in the same manner as retrieving a material component is included in the act of spellcasting.So using an extract is not simply drinking it, but also includes retrieving and perhaps "igniting" its magical power, all part of the standard action. Thus, while the feat allows you to drink things as a swift action, using an extract is more than just drinking it; it is its own, self-defined, standard action.
Ok, given the FAQ, RAW, that wouldn't work.
Sandpoint Faithful (?) gives you half the bonus of Fey Foundling on healing, and thus is pretty nice for a trait.
Dang, DrDeth, you got me excited there for a second. Sadly, the trait is not half the bonus of Fey Foundling. Fey Foundling gives you an extra 2 healing per die, whereas Sandpoint Faithful gives you a flat +1 per spell.
My issue with Reactionary is the following
None of these meanings have anything to do with a person with fast reflexes.
re·ac·tion·ar·y
rēˈakSHəˌnerē/adjective: reactionary
1. (of a person or a set of views) opposing political or social liberalization or reform.
synonyms: right-wing, conservative, rightist, ultraconservative, traditionalist, conventional, old-fashioned, unprogressive; informal redneck
"a reactionary policy"
antonyms: progressivenoun: reactionary; plural noun: reactionaries
1. a reactionary person.
synonyms: right-winger, conservative, rightist;It would appear that the dictionary is too caught up in politics or political views to understand the apparent meaning behind the word (or anything related to it). As such, it's hardly a reliable resource.
The obvious intent behind the word is "having the ability to respond," something which the trait definitely helps in doing.
Jesus, what dictionary did that come from? That is a terrible (on multiple levels) definition for reactionary
Dictionaries catalogue and characterise words by their meaning in published sources. In written English the word Reactionary is almost exclusively used in a political or social context. It can (rarely) be used in the sense of "defined by reaction", but seldom is.
Spark of Creation reduces crafting costs by 5% and gives you a +1 trait bonus on all craft skill checks, putting it marginally ahead of Hedge Wizard.
That's a bloody good one, Rudy2.
Yup yup. It is a magic trait, so you can't combine it with Hedge Wizard (which would be absurd).
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I'm running a table of 6 players. Somehow all but one person that made a first level character had "Rich Parents" and most were "Reactionary" and all were currently orphans. Turns out Golarion is really deadly to rich couples with only one kid (who was being bullied!)...
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I'm running a table of 6 players. Somehow all but one person that made a first level character had "Rich Parents" and most were "Reactionary" and all were currently orphans. Turns out Golarion is really deadly to rich couples with only one kid (who was being bullied!)...
Gotham City is bad that way, too...
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You do know that you can re-write the fluff, right?
I did that for an entire feat in Kirthfinder!
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Well seeing as they are liquids that you drink, I'd say extracts are potables. So seems like the RAW and RAI of the feat.Inner Sea Gods. Link.
Very powerful, though you have to worship an icky god. I would hope no DM would be foolish enough to allow that to apply to extracts, but if they did...
So seems like the RAW and RAI of the feat.Maybe, maybe not. It doesn't change the fact that it would be an absolute fool of a DM that gave an Alchemist what amounts to free Quickened Spell with every one of his extracts.
Someone received money for writing that trait, and that hack 1) forgot about the entire Alchemist issue, 2) managed to raise even more confusion by putting wrong info in the (completely unnecessary) "Normal" part, 3) forgot about Drunken Ragers, Drunken Masters and other booze-fueld characters. If I weren't a firm adherent of Hanlon's Razor, I'd say the writer of the trait was trolling the community.
Reactionary/Elven Reflexes/Warrior of Old - initiative is nice
Magical Lineage/Wayang Spellhunter - making one spell count
Armor Expert - this makes a mithral breastplate the true sweet spot for many characters
Deft Dodger/Indomitible Will/Resilient - save bonuses are nice
Seeker/Eyes and Ears of the City - perception should be a class skill for everyone, these make it
Magical Knack - for Paladins, Rangers and casters with a two level dip
Highlander/Dangerously Curious/etc... - sometimes you just want something as a class skill
Fates Favored - adding to luck bonuses is really good
Anything X to Y is good for SAD builds
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My problem with Reactionary is the fluff.
I know people ignore the fluff in many cases, just as well with Reactionary.
Reactionary:You were bullied often as a child, but never quite developed an offensive response. Instead, you became adept at anticipating sudden attacks and reacting to danger quickly.
Yet it's amazing how so many of these meek and cowardly people grew up to be be Cavaliers and Barbarians and Paladins. At least at the games I've played. It's by far the most popular trait. 3/4 of all adventurers were bullied as a kid. Who knew?
When I GM, I make players justify their traits with a story. That weeds out a few of these Reactionaries.
As a GM I always require background stories for players to have character traits in my home game.