OK, so i've recently stumbled across the occultist and figured i'd have a little read.
And i'm confused.
lots of questions:
resonance powers and mental focus:
1) So I have an int of 16, I gather that means I have 4 mental focus points at level 1, right?
2) As I read it, at the start of each day i can put those points into an implement if i want, yes?
3) Doing so triggers the resonance power, for example in an abjuration implement, +2 resistance bonus to saves when I invest all 4 points? (or +1 if i only invest 2)
4) Does this bonus to saves last until i next rest / spend the mental focus points on abilities?
(I'll stop the questions here for the time being, then continue once these have been answered.)
1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes, but there are level caps on the bonuses (like Abj and Trans)
4. It last until you rest or deplete all focus from the implement (the resonant bonus stays the same as when you first invested focus unless you use all of it).
4. It last until you rest or deplete all focus from the implement (the resonant bonus stays the same as when you first invested focus unless you use all of it).
Good lord that's even better.
Actually, I think for the time being that'll do, I'll post again if I decide I want other questions answered.
Thanks for the help! ^^
OK, ive got a quick question this time: The Battle Host archetype, does this archetype only posses one implement and thus only know one first level spell at level one?
OK, ive got a quick question this time: The Battle Host archetype, does this archetype only posses one implement and thus only know one first level spell at level one?
At first level you do only have one first level spell known. But that's because you only get one Implement School at first level, not because you only have one Implement. The Battle Host uses that same Implement for all of their Implement Schools.
Battle Host basically trades reduced/delayed Implement Schools for a few feats and a summoning ability. It's good if you have a feat-needy build, but otherwise I prefer the vanilla Occultist.
OK, ive got a quick question this time: The Battle Host archetype, does this archetype only posses one implement and thus only know one first level spell at level one?
Yes.
However, that implement is not limited to the implement types listed for the implement school. IMO, one of the "best" choices is to select your armor for your Panoply Bond and start with masterwork tatami-do, o-yoroi, or full plate (depending on your Dex), dip 3 levels in fighter to pick up Armor Training 1, and obtain a sash of the war champion (4,000 gp) to move at full speed; alternately, you could start with hellknight plate and take two levels in the hellknight PrC (not for every campaign/group). As masterwork, your armor can later be made magical with Craft Magic Arms and Armor.
OK, ive got a quick question this time: The Battle Host archetype, does this archetype only posses one implement and thus only know one first level spell at level one?Yes, you only get one Implement School at first level. The Battle Host uses that same Implement for all subsequent Implement Schools.
Damn, so if at first level I pick up reduce person as the spell I gain, can that be changed to something else, (eg feather fall) or am I stuck with that spell forever more?
IMO, one of the "best" choices is to select your armor for your Panoply Bond and start with masterwork tatami-do, o-yoroi, or full plate (depending on your Dex), dip 3 levels in fighter to pick up Armor Training 1, and obtain a sash of the war champion (4,000 gp) to move at full speed; alternately, you could start with hellknight plate and take two levels in the hellknight PrC (not for every campaign/group).
Actually I was thinking of getting full plate and just being ok with being slow, then in rare situations where the speed is needed, using the Sudden Speed power.
Anyway, back to the questions: if at first level I pick up reduce person as the spell I gain, can that be changed to something else, (eg feather fall) or am I stuck with that spell forever more?
Damn, so if at first level I pick up reduce person as the spell I gain, can that be changed to something else, (eg feather fall) or am I stuck with that spell forever more?OK, ive got a quick question this time: The Battle Host archetype, does this archetype only posses one implement and thus only know one first level spell at level one?Yes, you only get one Implement School at first level. The Battle Host uses that same Implement for all subsequent Implement Schools.
Like other spontaneous casters you can occasionally change a few of your spells known.
At 5th level and every 3 occultist levels thereafter (8th, 11th, and so on), an occultist can choose to learn a new spell in place of one he already knows. In effect, the occultist loses the old spell in exchange for the new one. The new spell's level must be the same as that of the spell being exchanged, and it must be at least one level lower than the highest-level occultist spell the occultist can cast. The spell learned must come from the same list of spells provided by the implement school of the spell lost. An occultist can swap only a single spell at any given level, and must choose whether or not to swap the spell at the same time that he gains new spells known for that level.
I think the Occultist is amazing. It takes a while to understand the rules, but it is an incredibly flexible class. What type of combat style are you interested in?
I think the Occultist is amazing. It takes a while to understand the rules, but it is an incredibly flexible class.
This statement is quite true.
Awesome, well thanks for the quick replies, ill post again if I come up with any more questions!
You can change it, but you're better off planning your spell selections around your focus powers: For instance, the Size Alteration focus power can be used as either enlarge person or reduce person; you're better off with the focus power than selecting either spell.
Sure. Right after it came out, TarkXT started a thread to analyze the Occultist. You might find some useful ideas there. TarkXT is really good at that sort of thinking.
You can change it, but you're better off planning your spell selections around your focus powers: For instance, the Size Alteration focus power can be used as either enlarge person or reduce person; you're better off with the focus power than selecting either spell.
I agree. Plus size alteration isn't limited to humanoids, so if you are a Tiefling, Sylph, or other outsider you can finally change your size. And it works on summoned creatures (like Servitor), the Druid's animal companion, etc. I really like this Focus Power. The only downside is the 1 round/level duration and I can live with that.
You can change it, but you're better off planning your spell selections around your focus powers: For instance, the Size Alteration focus power can be used as either enlarge person or reduce person; you're better off with the focus power than selecting either spell.I agree. Plus size alteration isn't limited to humanoids, so if you are a Tiefling, Sylph, or other outsider you can finally change your size. And it works on summoned creatures (like Servitor), the Druid's animal companion, etc. I really like this Focus Power. The only downside is the 1 round/level duration and I can live with that.
Yeah i just picked two spells at random, I didnt really analyse the effectiveness of them, they were purely random choices to be examples for the purpose of this discussion.
Yeah i just picked two spells at random, I didnt really analyse the effectiveness of them, they were purely random choices to be examples for the purpose of this discussion.You can change it, but you're better off planning your spell selections around your focus powers: For instance, the Size Alteration focus power can be used as either enlarge person or reduce person; you're better off with the focus power than selecting either spell.I agree. Plus size alteration isn't limited to humanoids, so if you are a Tiefling, Sylph, or other outsider you can finally change your size. And it works on summoned creatures (like Servitor), the Druid's animal companion, etc. I really like this Focus Power. The only downside is the 1 round/level duration and I can live with that.
Gotcha. But the general point still stands. A lot of the Focus Powers imitate spells, so there are usually multiple ways to achieve a particular Occultist build. There are just so many hidden goodies in this class.