Scrollmaster Archetype:
"Scroll Blade (Su)
A scrollmaster can wield any paper, parchment, or cloth scroll as if it were a melee weapon. In the hands of the Wizard, the scroll acts as a short sword with an enhancement bonus equal to 1/2 the level of the highest-level Wizard spell on the scroll; a scroll with only a cantrip or 1st-level spell on it counts as a masterwork short sword. The scrollmaster is proficient in this weapon, and feats and abilities that affect short swords (such as Weapon Focus) apply to this weapon. A scrollmaster cannot wield two scrollblades at the same time.
Activating this ability is a free action. A scroll blade only retains its abilities in the hands of the scrollmaster. The scroll blade has hardness 0 and hit points equal to the highest-level Wizard spell on the scroll. Each successful hit by the scroll blade reduces its hit points by 1; this damage cannot be repaired, but does not affect casting from the scroll. When its hit points reach 0, the scroll is destroyed. If a scroll contains a spell with a metamagic feat, this ability uses the original spell level of the spell (a scroll of empowered fireball counts as a 3rd-level spell).
At 3rd level, when using a 4th-level or higher Wizard scroll as a scroll blade, the scrollmaster can choose to reduce its enhancement bonus by 1 (minimum +1 enhancement bonus) to treat it as a reach weapon. For example, he could use a scroll of charm monster (a 4th-level Wizard spell) as either a +2 short sword or a +1 short sword with reach.
At 5th level, when using a 4th-level or higher Wizard scroll as a scroll blade, the scrollmaster can choose to reduce its enhancement bonus (to a minimum of a +1 enhancement bonus) to give any of the following weapon properties: defending, frost, icy burst, keen, ki focus, shock, shocking burst, speed. Adding any of these properties consumes an amount of enhancement bonus equal to the property’s cost. The scrollmaster must know the prerequisite spell or spells to craft the weapon property in question (for example, he must know haste to be able to give his scroll blade the speed property).
This ability replaces the Wizard’s arcane bond."
"Scroll Shield (Su)
A scrollmaster can wield any paper, parchment, or cloth scroll as if it were a light wooden shield. In the hands of the Wizard, the scroll grants a +1 shield bonus with an enhancement bonus equal to 1/2 the level of the highest-level Wizard spell on the scroll; a scroll with only a cantrip or 1st-level spell counts as a masterwork light shield sword. The scroll shield has no armor check penalty, arcane spell failure chance, or maximum Dexterity bonus. The scrollmaster is considered proficient in this shield. A scrollmaster can use a scrollblade in one hand and a scroll shield in the other hand.
Activating this ability is a free action. A scroll shield only retains its abilities in the hands of the scrollmaster. The scroll shield has hardness 0 and hit points equal to the highest-level Wizard spell on the scroll. Each successful attack roll against the Wizard reduces the scroll shield’s hit points by 1; this damage cannot be repaired, but does not affect casting from the scroll. When its hit points reach 0, the scroll is destroyed.
At 5th level, when using a 3rd-level or higher Wizard scroll as a scroll shield, the scrollmaster can choose to reduce its enhancement bonus (to a minimum of a +1 enhancement bonus) to give it any of the following shield properties: ghost touch, light fortification, moderate fortification. Adding any of these properties consumes an amount of bonus equal to the property’s cost (see Table 15–5: Shield Special Abilities in the Core Rulebook). The scrollmaster must know the prerequisite spell or spells to craft the shield property in question (for example, he must know limited wish to be able to give his scroll shield the fortification property).
If a scroll contains a spell with a metamagic feat, this ability uses the original spell level of the spell (a scroll of empowered fireball counts as a 3rd-level spell)."
Any means of increasing the hardness/hp of the scroll in these forms?
How does a scroll of a cantrip work in this case?
I don't care about making the scroll last as an effective weapon/shield, I just don't want it sundered so easily turning my valuable scroll into dust before casting it.
Cantrip scrolls are unusable as weapons or shields as they have zero hit points.
Using scrolls as shields or weapons is a nice fun activity, but the true power of the scrollmaster is the ability to use his own caster level for effect instead of the scroll's.
The real important thing to remember that yes while you can use your scrolls as shield and weapon, you're no less dainty a caster for doing so.
Cantrip scrolls are unusable as weapons or shields as they have zero hit points.
Using scrolls as shields or weapons is a nice fun activity, but the true power of the scrollmaster is the ability to use his own caster level for effect instead of the scroll's.
That's what it sounded like, just thought it was weird how it mentioned the cantrips at all.
I already figured out how I'm going to make this archetype work for me. My current fear is enemies who sunder as a primary tactic. A regular sword or shield would likely survive a hit or two, these are just paper. Of the expensive sort at that. Also, they cannot be mended or made whole like other weapons and shields.
Sundering is my fear with this archetype, and I'm trying to figure out how to make it less fearsome. (I've already got defensive combat training)
On another note, can I make attacks with the shield (Shield Bash)? And would it deal damage to the scroll? It doesn't mention that anywhere.
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On another note, can I make attacks with the shield (Shield Bash)? And would it deal damage to the scroll? It doesn't mention that anywhere.
I think it you could, and it would do the damage of a light wooden shield. As for damaging the scroll... technically no? It only talks about if there's a successful attack against the scrollmaster. If I were the DM though, I would still make the scroll lose hit points for bashing.
On another note, can I make attacks with the shield (Shield Bash)? And would it deal damage to the scroll? It doesn't mention that anywhere.I think it you could, and it would do the damage of a light wooden shield. As for damaging the scroll... technically no? It only talks about if there's a successful attack against the scrollmaster. If I were the DM though, I would still make the scroll lose hit points for bashing.
That would be a fair ruling.
I have a level 3 scrollmaster in PFS. I haven't been sundered yet, and I've found the archetype to be very powerful, especially as I'm pushing my prestige into scrolls. The best defense for scrolls is staying out of melee by any and all means at your disposal. It's a weapon of last resort, and a good constant AC bonus. Let the fighters figure out if that guy is a sunder specialist, sez I.
One thing I've noticed is that you use your scroll as a light shield--which means you can hold something in that hand, right? So, you hold four scrolls at once? Three and a wand? I've refrained from using this because I'm pretty sure it crosses the limburger line. Does it seem legal to you folks? Cheese?
One more question about scrolls in general--can you activate a scroll held by a friend? What about a... monkey friend? An unseen servant friend?
Thanks!
I have a level 3 scrollmaster in PFS. I haven't been sundered yet, and I've found the archetype to be very powerful, especially as I'm pushing my prestige into scrolls. The best defense for scrolls is staying out of melee by any and all means at your disposal. It's a weapon of last resort, and a good constant AC bonus. Let the fighters figure out if that guy is a sunder specialist, sez I.
One thing I've noticed is that you use your scroll as a light shield--which means you can hold something in that hand, right? So, you hold four scrolls at once? Three and a wand? I've refrained from using this because I'm pretty sure it crosses the limburger line. Does it seem legal to you folks? Cheese?
One more question about scrolls in general--can you activate a scroll held by a friend? What about a... monkey friend? An unseen servant friend?
Thanks!
I'm making mine into an eldritch knight at some point, focus on using a scroll shield and an actual short sword. When the shield looks bad, back up and cast it.
Not sure about the holding scroll thing. Seems a little cheesy, but not horrifyingly broken. I'd allow it.
I do know that you have to have the scroll in your possession to cast it though. Possession meaning it's in you hands.
I spend a lot of actions just pulling the dang things out of my bag, it would be nice to have more options immediately at hand. Hence my thinking about four-handing scrolls.
http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tk07?Magic-Item-Activation-and-Possession
The above thread is the one that got me thinking you might be able to rig a monkey or a servant as a mobile lectern.
I've thought about making a scrollmaster magus, using the reach ability at level 3 to achieve the elusive reach magus without being a Titan Mauler. It's be kind of cool--scrollshield to scrollblade with reach, "Boop, shocking grasp," back to scrollshield again. But that's on the shelf for now.
I spend a lot of actions just pulling the dang things out of my bag, it would be nice to have more options immediately at hand. Hence my thinking about four-handing scrolls.http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tk07?Magic-Item-Activation-and-Possession
The above thread is the one that got me thinking you might be able to rig a monkey or a servant as a mobile lectern.
I've thought about making a scrollmaster magus, using the reach ability at level 3 to achieve the elusive reach magus without being a Titan Mauler. It's be kind of cool--scrollshield to scrollblade with reach, "Boop, shocking grasp," back to scrollshield again. But that's on the shelf for now.
That thread had some very good points... Nice. Now I'm not so sure about it having to be in hand.