I'm looking to multi class into a monk, I'm currently a level 2 Druid. I would like to focus on 'crushing' my foes via constriction grappling with great damage. Could I get some recommendations in terms of the best builds (which type of druid archetype, monk archetype) would be best for this pursuit and if this is still a viable strategy like it use to be before. Or if you are aware of any guides (which are up to date) that have constriction builds. Thank you for your help.
Constriction means grappling means Tetori monk. I don't know that you need or want a druid archetype, you want wild shape ASAP and any archetype which gives advantages to grappling seems to delay wild shape.
While it is viable to go monk/druid with Shaping Focus note that any guide suggesting that you take the Final Embrace feat line is out of date. You can't now unless you have constrict as a racial ability, which no PC race has.
Constriction means grappling means Tetori monk. I don't know that you need or want a druid archetype, you want wild shape ASAP and any archetype which gives advantages to grappling seems to delay wild shape.
While it is viable to go monk/druid with Shaping Focus note that any guide suggesting that you take the Final Embrace feat line is out of date. You can't now unless you have constrict as a racial ability, which no PC race has.
Ohh good to know I wasn't aware final embrace requires constrict as a racial ability.
Is this out of date? http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/final-embrace-combat/
Also, so basically constricting doesn't work anymore is what you mean? Is Grappling with a druid/Tetori monk still a good strategy or?
Yes, that page is out of date.
Could you send me the up to date one lol I have always used this one :O Thank you sir.
Constrict is still a nice bonus on a grappling build and you can get it from 8th level druid-equivalent, counting shaping focus. Grappling in general is still a valid tactic when the party outnumbers the enemy and there are some bonuses which postdate that errata, like the Kraken Style line.
Sorry, d20pfsrd and Archives of Nethys haven't updated with that errata to Ultimate Combat, and of course the prd never updates with errata. You can find Paizo's errata here.
Oh so I can still get final embrace but I have to be level 8? How about if I wasn't level 8 but I had a Belt of Anaconda coils would that work?
No, you can get constrict via wild shape but it isn't a racial ability - Final Embrace is still off limits. Same with the belt. It looks like the developers want it for NPCs only.
No, you can get constrict via wild shape but it isn't a racial ability - Final Embrace is still off limits. Same with the belt. It looks like the developers want it for NPCs only.
Ahh gotcha thank you kindly. Which feat do you recommend if I were to build the ultimate grappling character looking to grab and destroy my enemies via grabbing and mauling or grabbing and choking or something similar: Grabbing Style, Snapping Turtle style, Kraken style? or some other style? I appreciate all your knowledge I'm learning a lot from you.
Snapping Turtle comes online quickly which is its main advantage. In a game which you're sure is going to high levels you probably skip it. Kraken is about damage which makes it the style you're after I think. Grabbing is about being a controller most of all.
Grappling can suck up all the feats you can throw at it. It's a bottomless pit. If you want your character to do other stuff too you may want to restrain yourself a bit and not spend every feat on that maneuver.
Snapping Turtle comes online quickly which is its main advantage. In a game which you're sure is going to high levels you probably skip it. Kraken is about damage which makes it the style you're after I think. Grabbing is about being a controller most of all.
Grappling can suck up all the feats you can throw at it. It's a bottomless pit. If you want your character to do other stuff too you may want to restrain yourself a bit and not spend every feat on that maneuver.
Hmm ya we are playing a full campaign should end around level 18. So for 1v1 damage dealing grappling you would recommend kraken style and for more battlefield control but less damage you recommend Grabbing style? Is Kraken style like the modern version of the old Final embrace builds which were very powerful?
I'm a bit shaky on the old final embrace builds but adding wis mod +4 to damage on a grapple, with constrict from wild shape making every grapple check do damage should be good enough.
& yeah, grabbing style is for separating some enemy from the herd and dragging them off to devour thrash at your leisure, or eventually for holding a couple of enemies at once.
I wish I knew of a specific link to the Errata, but I did find these in the Errata PDFs:
• Page 101—In the Feral Combat Training feat, in the Benefit entry, delete “, as well as effects that augment an unarmed strike”. In the Final Embrace feat, in the Prerequisites entry, after “special attack” add “as a racial ability”.
• Page 101—In the Final Embrace Horror feat, in the Prerequisites entry, delete “Ability Focus (constrict);”.
• Page 102—In the Final Embrace Master feat, in the Prerequisites entry, delete “Ability Focus (constrict);”.
• Page 101—In the Feral Combat Training feat, in the Benefit entry, delete “, as well as effects that augment an unarmed strike”. In the Final Embrace feat, in the Prerequisites entry, after “special attack” add “as a racial ability”.
• Page 102—In the Final Embrace Master feat, in the Prerequisites entry, delete “Ability Focus (constrict);”.
These Errata are missing from the Paizo PRD, Archives of Nethys, and www.d20pfsrd.com.
I'm a bit shaky on the old final embrace builds but adding wis mod +4 to damage on a grapple, with constrict from wild shape making every grapple check do damage should be good enough.
& yeah, grabbing style is for separating some enemy from the herd and dragging them off to
devourthrash at your leisure, or eventually for holding a couple of enemies at once.
Sounds great! Which wild forms would u recommend for this?
Any decent fighting form, maybe a mountain lion at first (you don't get constrict until beast shape III/8th level druid), then either a tiger or a giant octopus. At 8th level you can finally get constrict via a giant constrictor snake or again a giant octopus. At 10th level either a warcat (no constrict, but mobility and damage) or a shambling mound and from 12th a corpse lotus.
So could I grab these feats for my animal companion if it had a 3 INT and it were a snake, could I take Final Embrace for it then?