I'd like some feedback from peers if possible.


Advice


Hi there folks. I'm Pierce, and I'm a huge fan of Pathfinder, although I confess I'm probably hardly better than a noob due to limited experience.

Anyway, I've run into a wee bit of an issue, and I was wondering if anyone might wanna share their opinion on it.

First, I'm playing a game where the GM is rather deadset about playing with core for the first few levels, and is only allowing a few exceptions. He's given every character a stat array of 18, 16, 14, 12 and two 10's to start with (No complaints here on that, I consider it fair). Core races are the only ones allow, we start at level one, and we're not to use traits.

My problem is that I'm on the fence as to what character I'd like to use. The rest of the Party has already been formed, consisting of a decent monk for melee, a cleric for support, and a Blue Dragon Sorc for magic offense and some melee. Seeing this, I wanted to make sure my character could fill both combat and skill monkey roles. My first idea was a duel short sword wielding rogue , to capitalize on the fact I could actually get away with the almost OPed effectiveness of a Strength TWF build, and my GM seemed ok with it, but encouraged me to keep looking as he noticed I didn't seem to be fond of it.

My next idea was a Trapper/ Hooded Champion ranger: the character would be a vigilante, relying on daring, a plethora of skills and a little luck to bring down enemies. The archetypes themselves do not overlap, and I thought it was rather nice, if I do say so myself. At this point, my GM stepped in. He was fine with the trapper, he told me, by he didn't like the idea of a character with two archetypes beginning at level one.

I'm about to reply to him, this time with an offer that my character only gain the benefits of Hooded Champion at a later level: in other words, I'd take out all the feats that would be replaced by Panache at level one and on, only to gain Panache and the deeds at a later point. Does this seem fair? I'd like thoughts on this, because this GM has been nothing but awesome to me up til this point, and I'd like to make sure I don't come off as a pushy ass.

Silver Crusade Contributor

Given how much the archetypes affect early and late play, respectively, I'd go the other way - start with Hooded Champion and try to set up gaining Trapper at 4th level.

You can do without the Trapfinding class feature for a little while, since you won't be facing too many magic traps at first and the +1 won't make that huge a difference right now.

Also, it makes way more sense to switch into Trapper and gain trapfinding than to switch into HC and suddenly have a bunch of panache-related abilities. Just my opinion, though...

Thoughts? ^_^


That's a brilliant suggestion, and makes me feel a little silly for not thinking of how gaining panache would look like later on.

I've gone ahead and asked, I just hope he'll be amendable since they work so well. Thanks Kal!

Silver Crusade Contributor

No problem! ^_^


Is... is this Ryan from BG? [An old Bleach RP buddy of mine used the handle 'Piercedthrough.'

Silver Crusade Contributor

Also, why specifically are you interested in Trapper? If you're looking to divest the ranger of spellcasting for your concept, steady on.

If you think your GM will come around to non-core content and the trapfinding is your main concern, you might check out Pathfinder Unchained and the variant multiclassing system; Rogue, specifically.

In exchange for five of your feats, you'd gain trapfinding, sneak attack (up to 4d6 at 19th), evasion, uncanny dodge, and improved uncanny dodge.

Something else to think about. ^_^


I'd also ask about downtime retraining. That way you have the obvious way of adding the archetype. Without that there's no "rules" legal way to add the second archetype. Of course it's your GMs world so if he says okay you can add a second archetype at such and such a level that's how it is. Though I'd ask when adding it would be appropriate.


Sup Ryder! Yeah it's me.

@Kal I'm not a huge fan of Ranger spell casting to be honest, and I can easily live without it. That being said, I see no reason not to ask about Multiclassing, though I think I can live without it as I originally planned on staying the course with a single class.

@Indescribable I have broached the subject with him, and my argument in order to gain the second archetype kinda hinges on the fact that my character is going to be training in order to gain the benefits of both. Good to see great minds think alike!


Think I fall further to crazy than great. Hence why I'm considering turning my spellbook into a construct.


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Two sides of the same coin my friend.

The most innovative people tend to be called insane until everyone finally comes around.

Silver Crusade Contributor

Piercedthrough wrote:
@Kal I'm not a huge fan of Ranger spell casting to be honest, and I can easily live without it. That being said, I see no reason not to ask about Multiclassing, though I think I can live without it as I originally planned on staying the course with a single class.

To clarify, Variant Multiclassing isn't multiclassing as you're used to; you'll still have 100% ranger levels. It's more like an archetype - in exchange for five feats (at 3rd/7th/11th/15th/19th level), you gain the five class features I listed previously.

It's not online yet or I'd just link you to it. ^_^


Yes well, I will admit to bouncing some strange ideas off the wall.


Piercedthrough wrote:
Sup Ryder! Yeah it's me.

Just a headsup, you'll see an alert about a new PM at the very top of the site, next to your name.


Kalindlara wrote:
Piercedthrough wrote:
@Kal I'm not a huge fan of Ranger spell casting to be honest, and I can easily live without it. That being said, I see no reason not to ask about Multiclassing, though I think I can live without it as I originally planned on staying the course with a single class.

To clarify, Variant Multiclassing isn't multiclassing as you're used to; you'll still have 100% ranger levels. It's more like an archetype - in exchange for five feats (at 3rd/7th/11th/15th/19th level), you gain the five class features I listed previously.

It's not online yet or I'd just link you to it. ^_^

... That's either inspired or insane, and I'm not too sure which way I lean on it yet. Alas, I rather doubt my GM will approve, as he seems rather deadset on doing thing by the book, (whatever the book is)

@Indescribable I don't doubt it. A construct spellbook? Why, it's like Siri for the Middle Ages.

"Siri, Cast Fireball."

"Casting Firewall."

"NO DAMMIT I SAID FIREBA-"

On second thought...


Kalindlara is speaking of a book. Specifically Pathfinder Unchained it was released to the open public right around the end of April.


Ah. Well, I can ask Kevin, but I remain unsure as to whether he'll allow it.


Piercedthrough wrote:

@Indescribable I don't doubt it. A construct spellbook? Why, it's like Siri for the Middle Ages.

"Siri, Cast Fireball."

"Casting Firewall."

"NO DAMMIT I SAID FIREBA-"

On second thought...

Not quite what I had in mind, though thanks to a certain clockwork assistant thread I'm toying with a version that memorizes scrolls for a similar effect. I was more thinking along the lines of my Grimorum being able to run away and hide, or my workbook seeking me out if we've been separated


Oooh. Sort of your own personal mechanical assistant. I like it.

Silver Crusade Contributor

The Indescribable wrote:
Piercedthrough wrote:

@Indescribable I don't doubt it. A construct spellbook? Why, it's like Siri for the Middle Ages.

"Siri, Cast Fireball."

"Casting Firewall."

"NO DAMMIT I SAID FIREBA-"

On second thought...

Not quite what I had in mind, though thanks to a certain clockwork assistant thread I'm toying with a version that memorizes scrolls for a similar effect. I was more thinking along the lines of my Grimorum being able to run away and hide, or my workbook seeking me out if we've been separated

There's some interesting stuff in Cohorts and Companions for item cohorts, as well as a wizard archetype. I'd at least give it a look when it comes out. ^_^


Piercedthrough wrote:
Oooh. Sort of your own personal mechanical assistant. I like it.
Indeed, though I can't take full credit, I just put my own insane twist to things.
Kalindlara wrote:
There's some interesting stuff in Cohorts and Companions for item cohorts, as well as a wizard archetype. I'd at least give it a look when it comes out. ^_^

Thanks, Hopefully I'll have extra cash when it comes out.


So, after lots of wheedling and negotiating, my DM and I have agreed that my guy will have the opportunity to learn from someone during the adventure, so that he might gain the benefits of a trapper. Thanks guys, I really appreciated the help!


Hope you don't regret it. Access to Ranger Wands and Scrolls is quite an asset, as are the ranger spells you get [so long as you stay the hell away from anything that requires a save]


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If I were a Bard, a paladin, or even a Bloodrager, I'd agree, but I hardly ever use spells as a ranger. Might just be me being me though XD I've never been one to cast a spell when the opportunity to hatch a daring plan will do.

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