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My Dwarven Ranger has finally come up to level 5 and it's time to choose a new favored enemy (first selection was Undead). My initial plan was to take dragons or evil outsiders - something that you really want a bonus against when it comes up.
My Grand Lodge faction ranger has been fighting the Aspis Consortium a lot lately, however, and it makes sense that he would try to specialize in fighting them. I'd rather not take something like humans as my favored enemy, as I'm not a fan of seeing that selection frequently on either side of the table.
Is there any way to take something more specialized? Perhaps Favored Enemy (Humanoids - Aspis Consortium)? I could maybe choke down +4 vs Undead and +2 vs Humans, but I'd rather not if I have a more direct option.
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If you happen upon an Aspis Consortium subtype for Humanoid buried somewhere in the books, go for it!
Me, I'd pick Construct to be honest. Every little bit helps. If you've got lots of unplayed scenarios from seasons 1, 4 and 5 then Evil Outsider is pretty good. Taking Undead is overkill I figure. Now, if FE upped your saves vs. that enemy type, Undead would be great.
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As others have noted, the Aspis Consortium is not a viable choice for the favored enemy class feature—at least not yet. Those who have played one of the more recent scenarios may recall a boon that allows an unorthodox choice for another class feature, and so far I've heard only positive feedback about it. It may be something for us to pursue further.
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** spoiler omitted **
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** spoiler omitted **** spoiler omitted **
Pretty sure he was just saying that there could be more than one of those things on Golarion, that it wasn't like Gamin, who is a singular blade. That there are likely many multiple BotOR floating around inside the Society, but only one that is up for purchase at the moment. Don't really see how you got allowing custom items to be made from that.
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So, let's say you could.
So, if someone is a member of the Aspis Consortium, and they defect, are they instantly not your favored enemy anymore? And they go back...they suddenly become it again?
How do you know, and how does knowing change it? If there's an Aspis Consortium member that is a double agent for the Pathfinder Society, do you get it?
It's all so confusing. :)
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Just remember, if they start allowing Favored Enemy: Aspis Consortium, you can expect to start running into enemies with Favored Enemy: Pathfinder Society, possibly shooting arrows of Pathfinder Slaying from their Pathfinder Bane bows.Well.... not going to spoil it further, but there IS an item for sword fighters that can be obtained to work pretty much like that.
There is also a +1 horse bane dogslicer that is available. Still can't take Favored Enemy (horse).
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So, let's say you could.
So, if someone is a member of the Aspis Consortium, and they defect, are they instantly not your favored enemy anymore? And they go back...they suddenly become it again?
How do you know, and how does knowing change it? If there's an Aspis Consortium member that is a double agent for the Pathfinder Society, do you get it?
It's all so confusing. :)
I agree. It's the same sort of confusion I run into when a succubus is disguised as a human and struck by a ranger with favored enemy (human). It's also similar to determining when someone is vulnerable to a treasonous weapon (Pathfinder Player Companion: Quests & Campaigns 30) based on nationality.
I would be inclined to say that the rare effects tied to one's affiliation are based on intent, therefore one couldn't just shout "I renounce the Aspis Consortium" just in order to take a little less damage every round. Of course, that sort of thing might lead to unethical interrogation methods.
Aspis Agent: I renounce the Aspis Consortium and now swear to help the Pathfinder Society!
Pathfinder Bob: This sounds suspicious. Hey Jim, shoot him with the Aspis bane bow again.
Aspis Agent: What? Why would yoOOOOOOW! What's wrong with you people?
Pathfinder Bob: Hmmm, that seemed to hurt him.
Pathfinder Jim: Could be because he got hit with an arrow, Bob.
Pathfinder Bob: Ehh, maybe. Better try again just to be safe.
Aspis Agent: No! The Society's crazy if they let you get away with this! I'm outta here!
Pathfinder Bob: Hear that Jim? Your bow outed another Aspis agent in disguise.
Pathfinder Jim: *Nocks another arrow*
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Just remember, if they start allowing Favored Enemy: Aspis Consortium, you can expect to start running into enemies with Favored Enemy: Pathfinder Society, possibly shooting arrows of Pathfinder Slaying from their Pathfinder Bane bows.Well.... not going to spoil it further, but there IS an item for sword fighters that can be obtained to work pretty much like that.
Yes. But it is a named magic item. Not something anyone can apply to any weapon.
Of course, my favorite has always been an Arrow of Player-Character Slaying.
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It is a longsword, isn't it? Sigh.
Could I request that at some point one of these cool boon weapons be finessable? Short swords are plenty common, too!
(It's like in Jade Regent where we recovered [redacted], and my Ninja was the only one with Katana proficiency -- but with her 8 STR using it was worse than wielding a non-magical wakizashi. So we just carried it around uselessly for 4 books.)
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It is a longsword, isn't it? Sigh.
Could I request that at some point one of these cool boon weapons be finessable? Short swords are plenty common, too!
(It's like in Jade Regent where we recovered [redacted], and my Ninja was the only one with Katana proficiency -- but with her 8 STR using it was worse than wielding a non-magical wakizashi. So we just carried it around uselessly for 4 books.)
Noted
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So after a post-game conversation Sunday I was pleased to find this line in the ranger class description:
Planes (pick one, other than Material Plane)
So if your dream of taking Favored Enemy: Aspis Consortium doesn't work out, you can console yourself with Favored Terrain: Hao Jin Tapestry. :)
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It is not a unique item. The construction details are included on the chronicle. I would argue that if crafting were allowed that anyone with the required feats and spells could make similar weapons.Just remember, if they start allowing Favored Enemy: Aspis Consortium, you can expect to start running into enemies with Favored Enemy: Pathfinder Society, possibly shooting arrows of Pathfinder Slaying from their Pathfinder Bane bows.Well.... not going to spoil it further, but there IS an item for sword fighters that can be obtained to work pretty much like that.Yes. But it is a named magic item. Not something anyone can apply to any weapon.
Of course, my favorite has always been an Arrow of Player-Character Slaying.
It is a named item. Named items don't have to be one-of-a-kind, and can be constructed by PC's that meet the requirements (at least, in a home game, not in PFS of course). In PFS, named items can't be upgraded, with some exceptions like the item being discussed. So a PC can't buy a weapon with that enhancement, unless it is that specific longsword from that specific chronicle. Named =/= Unique.
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Venture-Captain, California—Sacramento
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So, let's say you could.
So, if someone is a member of the Aspis Consortium, and they defect, are they instantly not your favored enemy anymore? And they go back...they suddenly become it again?
How do you know, and how does knowing change it? If there's an Aspis Consortium member that is a double agent for the Pathfinder Society, do you get it?
It's all so confusing. :)
I agree. It's the same sort of confusion I run into when a succubus is disguised as a human and struck by a ranger with favored enemy (human). It's also similar to determining when someone is vulnerable to a treasonous weapon (Pathfinder Player Companion: Quests & Campaigns 30) based on nationality.
I would be inclined to say that the rare effects tied to one's affiliation are based on intent, therefore one couldn't just shout "I renounce the Aspis Consortium" just in order to take a little less damage every round. Of course, that sort of thing might lead to unethical interrogation methods.
Aspis Agent: I renounce the Aspis Consortium and now swear to help the Pathfinder Society!
Pathfinder Bob: This sounds suspicious. Hey Jim, shoot him with the Aspis bane bow again.
Aspis Agent: What? Why would yoOOOOOOW! What's wrong with you people?
Pathfinder Bob: Hmmm, that seemed to hurt him.
Pathfinder Jim: Could be because he got hit with an arrow, Bob.
Pathfinder Bob: Ehh, maybe. Better try again just to be safe.
Aspis Agent: No! The Society's crazy if they let you get away with this! I'm outta here!
Pathfinder Bob: Hear that Jim? Your bow outed another Aspis agent in disguise.
Pathfinder Jim: *Nocks another arrow*
Bob and Jim forgot the first principle of interogation. First establish a baseline. They should have shot him with a normal arrow, then with a aspis bane arrow.
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So after a post-game conversation Sunday I was pleased to find this line in the ranger class description:
So if your dream of taking Favored Enemy: Aspis Consortium doesn't work out, you can console yourself with Favored Terrain: Hao Jin Tapestry. :)
Planes (pick one, other than Material Plane)
As Favored Terrain: Hao Jin Tapestry is specifically called out in a boon I'd be hesitant to say this works. (IIRC, Hao Jin Tapestry is actually a demiplane so that could be why)
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NotedIt is a longsword, isn't it? Sigh.
Could I request that at some point one of these cool boon weapons be finessable? Short swords are plenty common, too!
(It's like in Jade Regent where we recovered [redacted], and my Ninja was the only one with Katana proficiency -- but with her 8 STR using it was worse than wielding a non-magical wakizashi. So we just carried it around uselessly for 4 books.)
You know.. a boon to switch out things like 'special weapons' into a different form could be fun.
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It is a named item. Named items don't have to be one-of-a-kind, and can be constructed by PC's that meet the requirements (at least, in a home game, not in PFS of course). In PFS, named items can't be upgraded, with some exceptions like the item being discussed. So a PC can't buy a weapon with that enhancement, unless it is that specific longsword from that specific chronicle. Named =/= Unique.Just because the Pathfinder Society chooses to call a weapon with such characteristics by a certain name means nothing rules wise. A Dwarven Thrower, for instance can't be upgraded because there is only one version and no magic item may be upgraded except from one legal version to another. However if PFS suddenly started naming all +1 rapiers Steve that would not prevent players from upgrading those to +1 keen rapiers or to any other legal upgrade they wanted and had the gold and fame for.
If you read the FAQ the rule says specific weapons and armor cannot be upgraded. And then fails to define what that means besides it being those weapons and armors under that heading in the CRB. The problem with that is the very first two listings under specific weapons are Adamantine Battleaxe and Adamantine Dagger. The list also includes Masterwork Cold Iron Longsword. So either a few odd weapon material combinations cannot be upgraded which will upset a whole lot of people or the FAQ means that stuff without a clear upgrade path cannot be upgraded.
Can I Upgrade a Named Magic Item?
Named magic items—including specific armor and specific weapons—are not upgradeable. Non-magic specific armor and specific weapons may be upgraded normally. Magic armor and weapons may be upgraded to named versions if they are the same basic material and shape as, and meet but do not exceed the enhancement bonuses of the named versions. Wondrous items whose names include a +X value (such as bracers of armor, headband of vast intelligence, amulet of might fists, etc.) may also be upgraded following the rules for upgrading magical items on page 19 of the Guide to Pathfinder Society Organized Play.Adamantine battleaxe, adamantine dagger, mithril shirt, etc., are non-magic specific items.
Celestial armor, on the other hand, is a magical specific armor, and has no upgrade path to a "better" version.
And, equally, a +1 or +2 warhammer could be upgraded into a dwarven thrower.
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I know the Consortium contributed to my character's MW Tool (Intimidate), a Kapenia with a hidden fold covered Aspis badges (some with dried blood and others with bullet holes).
Great conversational piece.. for some reason the Consortium goons she runs into either wet themselves or try to kill her though .....
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And you directly contradict yourself. When you figure that out get back to me.Explain. Nowhere do I contradict myself.
I admit I also do not see the contradiction. That may be because it's been a long day involving a lot of pregenerated characters, multi-table interactive specials, and convention planning. Without any further explanation, I don't have what I need to clarify or correct a possible contradiction.
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It is a named item. Named items don't have to be one-of-a-kind, and can be constructed by PC's that meet the requirements (at least, in a home game, not in PFS of course). In PFS, named items can't be upgraded, with some exceptions like the item being discussed. So a PC can't buy a weapon with that enhancement, unless it is that specific longsword from that specific chronicle. Named =/= Unique.Just because the Pathfinder Society chooses to call a weapon with such characteristics by a certain name means nothing rules wise. A Dwarven Thrower, for instance can't be upgraded because there is only one version and no magic item may be upgraded except from one legal version to another. However if PFS suddenly started naming all +1 rapiers Steve that would not prevent players from upgrading those to +1 keen rapiers or to any other legal upgrade they wanted and had the gold and fame for.
If you read the FAQ the rule says specific weapons and armor cannot be upgraded. And then fails to define what that means besides it being those weapons and armors under that heading in the CRB. The problem with that is the very first two listings under specific weapons are Adamantine Battleaxe and Adamantine Dagger. The list also includes Masterwork Cold Iron Longsword. So either a few odd weapon material combinations cannot be upgraded which will upset a whole lot of people or the FAQ means that stuff without a clear upgrade path cannot be upgraded.
If a weapon has to tell you what it is in it's description (for example: "X is a +1 keen falcata...") then you know that it is a named/specific item (since the weapon has a name and all). The FAQ also states that nonmagical named items like Elven Chain or the Adamantine weapons you bandied about in your reply are exempt from that rule. Check the bolded portion from Kinevon's reply. It said non-magic specific items can be upgraded, then he called out the weapons you named in your reply to me as non-specific, thus legal for upgrades. The sword we were talking about earlier is a specific magic item.
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I know the Consortium contributed to my character's MW Tool (Intimidate), a Kapenia with a hidden fold covered Aspis badges (some with dried blood and others with bullet holes).
Great conversational piece.. for some reason the Consortium goons she runs into either wet themselves or try to kill her though .....
** spoiler omitted **
"Quantity quality of its own. Mighty queen very majestic. Enjoy extra flavor. Found these after.
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I admit I also do not see the contradiction. That may be because it's been a long day involving a lot of pregenerated characters, multi-table interactive specials, and convention planning. Without any further explanation, I don't have what I need to clarify or correct a possible contradiction.And you directly contradict yourself. When you figure that out get back to me.Explain. Nowhere do I contradict myself.
Ooh, might these pregenerated characters be small-sized, and of the scaly persuasion?
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Ooh, might these pregenerated characters be small-sized, and of the scaly persuasion?I admit I also do not see the contradiction. That may be because it's been a long day involving a lot of pregenerated characters, multi-table interactive specials, and convention planning. Without any further explanation, I don't have what I need to clarify or correct a possible contradiction.And you directly contradict yourself. When you figure that out get back to me.Explain. Nowhere do I contradict myself.
Those, among many others!
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Those, among many others!Ooh, might these pregenerated characters be small-sized, and of the scaly persuasion?I admit I also do not see the contradiction. That may be because it's been a long day involving a lot of pregenerated characters, multi-table interactive specials, and convention planning. Without any further explanation, I don't have what I need to clarify or correct a possible contradiction.And you directly contradict yourself. When you figure that out get back to me.Explain. Nowhere do I contradict myself.
Color me intrigued!
