New Player (Traits)

[Ravencry]

As a new player, I am trying to create my first character (Wizard Summoner) and wanted to verify the application of a particular build. This build fits with a particular background I have in mind.

Traits
1. (Combat) Reactionary +2 initiative
2. (Race) Warrior of Old +2 initiative

With a +4 Dexterity modifier (due to racial bonus) and the feat Improved Initiative (+4), is it correct to assume that the initiative becomes 1d20 + 12? In other words, does everything stack? Finally, are these traits used on core characters?

[Lord Laird Bates]

Yes these traits stack however, I don't think you can use traits in Core seeing as they don't come from the CRB.

[Imhrail]

Reactionary and Warrior of Old won't stack because their both trait bonuses and sadly bonuses of the same type don't stack.

[Nefreet]

Both of those Traits provide a "Trait" bonus. They do not stack.

Only multiple "Dodge", "Racial", and most "Circumstance" bonuses stack. Otherwise the bonuses must be of different types (or untyped).

Improved Initiative is untyped. Dexterity provides a Dexterity bonus (or penalty).

So with an 18 Dex, Improved Initiative, and one of those Traits, you'd be at +10.

Reactionary is available in Core mode; the other is not.

[Ravencry]

Thanks. I'll keep reactionary and look at getting a second trait that fits with my background. Of course this may require reworking the storyline, but it's certainly doable.

Maybe I'll use one of the faction traits (Dark Archive - Master of Pentacles). This will make the story line flow and keeps with the class.

[Tempest_Knight]

I might suggest Scarab Sages, and the Ancient Historian faction trait.

You add Knowledge (history) or Linguistics as a class skills. And gain Ancient Osiriani, Azlanti, Cyclops, Jistkan, Tekritanin, or Thessalonian as a bonus language known.

I know the added class skill is no benefit, but that free ancient language is nice an if you plan on taking Linguistics already it adds a nice touch and an extra language.

~

Though the draw to Master of Pentacles is hard to resist when building a 'Summoner' Wizard...

~

Either way, I find 'Summoner' Wizards best as Human... The extra feat let's you get Augment Summoning and something else...

[Nefreet]

Traits are actually one of the few things that you are able to reflavor ("reskin") in PFS.

So don't let the printed example tie you down. Only the mechanical bits matter.

[MadScientistWorking]

Lord Laird Bates wrote:

Yes these traits stack however, I don't think you can use traits in Core seeing as they don't come from the CRB.

No there are certain traits that are considered core namely the ones that come from the little trait pdf.

[SCPRedMage]

MadScientistWorking wrote:

No there are certain traits that are considered core namely the ones that come from the little trait pdf.

Yes, but that Web Enhancement PDF does not include any race traits, which certainly makes Warrior of Old not Core.

But as others have said, these two bonuses do not stack, as they are of the same type.

[Lord Laird Bates]

MadScientistWorking wrote:

Lord Laird Bates wrote:

Yes these traits stack however, I don't think you can use traits in Core seeing as they don't come from the CRB.

No there are certain traits that are considered core namely the ones that come from the little trait pdf.

Sorry, I was misinformed.

[claudekennilol]

MadScientistWorking wrote:

Lord Laird Bates wrote:

Yes these traits stack however, I don't think you can use traits in Core seeing as they don't come from the CRB.

No there are certain traits that are considered core namely the ones that come from the little trait pdf.

Plus the ones from the season guide.