Tengu Barbarian - Favored Class Bonus?

[K-kun the Insane]

Am I even allowed to take an FCB if I don't have the relevant ability?

Tengu Barbarians can get +1/3 to the Superstitious rage power's bonus. You can't get that until level 2 normally, so do you have to wait until then to take this FCB?

[I'm Hiding In Your Closet]

It isn't worth anything until level 3, now is it? You can take it starting at level 1, and by the time you're able to eke any benefit out of it, you'll necessarily be of a sufficient level to have the rage power.

[K-kun the Insane]

Even if I'm using an Archetype that relpaces the 2nd level Rage Power and thus making me wait until 4th to get one?

[I'm Hiding In Your Closet]

In that case, you can take the Extra Rage Power feat at 3rd level (I think; maybe you can't in that case).The point is, that favored class bonus is of course useless to you until you have that Rage Power by hook or by crook, so the benefits will just sort of hover in Limbo until you have it.

Strongly consider taking an additional hit or skill point for your 1st-level bonus, instead.

[K-kun the Insane]

Probably. With only 3 rage powers (not counting Extra Rage Power) for the standard 12 PFS levels, I'm not sure if my Pack Rager will end up with Superstitious. I'm looking at Powerful Stance and Bleeding Blow already...
Hm, I realize now that as a Barbarian, I just don't have the feats to properly pull off a Two-Weapon disarm/sunder build.

Anyway, thanks for the clarification. I suppose extra hp is always good for a barbarian.

[I'm Hiding In Your Closet]

Don't overlook skill points, for that matter! Barbarians actually have a very good selection of class skills provided they have the skill points to invest in them.

You realize you can pick whichever favored class bonus you like at any given level, right?

[K-kun the Insane]

Yeah, I do. 14 CON and 13 INT gives me 14hp and 5 skill ranks at first level. debating on wether to get 15hp or Intimidate 1 rank for a +3 modifier (-1 + 1 + +3).

[I'm Hiding In Your Closet]

It's all up to you, of course, but with a setup like that, I'd choose the Intimidate rank.

[James Risner]

K-kun the Insane wrote:

Am I even allowed to take an FCB if I don't have the relevant ability?

Tengu Barbarians can get +1/3 to the Superstitious rage power's bonus. You can't get that until level 2 normally, so do you have to wait until then to take this FCB?

Yes, you must have the ability to take a boost to the ability.

So if you get it at 4th, the first level you may take the FCB is 4th.

[Chess Pwn]

You have to wait till you have it before you can pick any FCB that modify it at all. Even if the bonus for it is something you'd get after getting the ability, like how it'd take 3 levels and you'd get the ability at 2nd. You'd have to wait till you have the ability before you could start.

[Melkiador]

I find the "wait to take it" ruling to be too punishing. I prefer house ruling that you can choose the FCB at level 1, but you can't actually gain any benefit from that choice until you actually have the corresponding ability. And I believe a lot of tables go with this rulling. Even Mark seems to use this ruling in his games based on the way the Halfling Kineticist FCB is written.

[Chess Pwn]

Melkiador wrote:

I find the "wait to take it" ruling to be too punishing. I prefer house ruling that you can choose the FCB at level 1, but you can't actually gain any benefit from that choice until you actually have the corresponding ability. And I believe a lot of tables go with this rulling. Even Mark seems to use this ruling in his games based on the way the Halfling Kineticist FCB is written.

He said maybe it's something worth allowing or changing. So sure, houserule all you want if you can, but the rule is no taking till you have it.