PFS character challenge: No Christmas Tree.

[Bigguyinblack]

Cast detect magic on your average high level PFS character and the auras light them up like a Christmas tree. Well not this time.

I want to challenge myself with my next PFS character and I'm looking for suggestions. I plan to build using the following rules.

1. Only 2 permanent magic items including a weapon OR a stat boosting item. And 1 other item costing 41,000 GP or less.

2. No consumable items other then 1 healing wand and 1 other wand.

3. Non consumable items including masterwork are fine. Also spell components or ammo costing 5gp or less are fine.

Ideas?

[RumpinRufus]

Vow of Poverty monk?

[avr]

See: Wizard. Or sorcerer or arcanist if you prefer. Not a vast challenge.

[grimdog73]

Bladebound magus. Free weapon, take magic armor, dex/int boost item and cloak of resistance.

[Cao Phen]

Iron Circlet of Guarded Souls make you immune to Detect spells, as per Nondetection, with the bonus of the diviner unable to do a SR check to bypass it.

I had planned out a character that is pretty much impossible to track with any type of sensory ability, magical or innate.

[I'm Hiding In Your Closet]

Most characters could do this, including (even especially) the warrior types that a certain set keeps claiming are so bad. Unless you're a Monk or something like that, you need a magical weapon after a certain point, and an ability-boosting item is very nice (though not a necessity) - what you do NOT need is magical armor, ESPECIALLY if you're one of the classes able to stride around in adamantine/mithral full plate (and maybe a shield). Arcane magicians are actually more prone to need extra magical items, since they can't wear armor and really don't want to get hurt.

[Dafydd]

Kensai Magus.

Dex/Con(maybe add STR, but not needed) belt
Int/(maybe WIS, again not needed, but you can still go with it) headband

Arcane Pool the weapon to magical.

Level 5, you will have 20 AC, sometimes 24 with Shield Spell.

Diefic Obedience to get Mage Armor SLA around level 8. This should put AC to nearly 30.

Going with a DEX weapon like the Aldori Dueling Sword allows you to dump STR and CHA and push the DEX and INT higher.

Toss on Bladebound for a Free magic weapon if you want to exploit that loophole in your challenge. It is a class feature, not just an item.

[Rosc]

Technically, for the purpose of being less of a beacon, the Master Spy prestige class allows you to use Magical Aura twice per day to mask magic items. This could potentially add two extra items to your limit. If you stick to the spirit of the challenge, then you pretty much show up as nonmagical to standard detection.

There are a few ways to run this build. My idea is to play as a Kitsune, taking the feat to allow shapeshifting into any humanoid you've met. Ban, a built in hat of disguise.

For items, Sleaves of Many Garments from Ultimate Equipment give you an outfit for every occasion and every disguise. With your Big Trick shored up, you'll want something to handle the inevitable combat. It blows your cover right open, but your fox form has a finessable natural attack, meaning an amulet enchanted with the Agile covers your needs while allowing you to appear defenseless at all other times. Of course, the Cloak of Resistance bears mention regardless of your class, as saves make or break you, even with Iron Will.

Alternatively, play just about any 6th or 9th level casting class and be fine. At least 2/3 of the must-have magic items are just permanent versions of buffs you can get from spells.

[Imbicatus]

Steel breaker brawler. Exploit weakness overcome all dr issues and gives you a +2 to hit. Make your one magic item a brawling chain shirt for a free +2 to hit and damage.

[Earl of the Malebolge]

Bladebound Kensai Magus. Free magic weapon and no need for armor. As for items, let the optimizers handle it.