So i'm looking to make a Halfling Archaeologist Bard for PFS but i'm not entirely keen on losing Inspire Courage.
I'm looking into the idea of Dipping a level of Evangelist Cleric to get this back but it seems very limited. Outside of bumping Charisma is there other ways to increase my rounds of performance, not that having oodles are greatly important due to the short work days of PFS but i'd like to have few to help my buddies get through some important encounters.
I'm probably going Archery route although Helpful Whip-ping could be pretty fun.
So far this is just a fact finding mission and other than Halfling and potentially Bard nothing is set in stone.
Thanks folks.
The feat extra Performance is what you're looking for.
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That's not a very good plan. A Standard Action for +1 each to hit and damage is good at early levels, but pales really quickly.
If you want Inspire Courage, just play a standard Bard. Archaeologist is better at traps, but not really necessary.
If you want to go Archaeologist, accept that you won't be quite the party-buffer a standard Bard would be, and focus on your Rogue-like elements.
The feat extra Performance is what you're looking for.
Yes, this and maybe Lingering. I'll try to fit that in later on. I do need to get at the least PBS and Precise in order to be a competent archer.
Looking at Fates Favored and maybe Vagabond Child traits. Maestro of Society is also in the mix. I could perhaps add the Additional traits feat into the build to grab some extra goodies. I'm most likely not gonna be the primary damage dealer via archery so i don't need to invest a ton there.
1. Point Blank
3. Precise
5. Extra Performance
7. Lingering Performance
9. ???????
Might be better to go with the Trapper Ranger as my first class then move into standard bard for the remainder. Having the ability to Disable Devices and Magical Traps is a "nice" perk and getting DD added to my skills opens up trait choices. Getting the HP and Saves of the Ranger is an added bonus. I'll never be a true Rogue fill-in but enough to get us through most scenarios.
Snagging a second Ranger level nets me a feat but delays my Bard goodies so i doubt i'd go that far.
I do enjoy dipping for just a touch of versatility on many of my builds. Especially in PFS. I do tend to see things come up at tables that most specialized PC's can't handle well, if at all.
Friend, save your feats. You don't need them to extend that ability.
You need a tuned Bowstring. As an archer that's all you require.
Bit pricey.
Archaeologist is a decent archetype, but if the trap disarming is your big draw to it, then the spell Aram Zey's Focus will handle that about as well as being an archaeologist.
Feats cost more.Bit pricey.Friend, save your feats. You don't need them to extend that ability.
You need a tuned Bowstring. As an archer that's all you require.
Then saving up the 18.000 GP and waiting for my fame to come into play? Maybe but i'm also waiting quite a few scenarios to even get there.
I need to have 36 fame. That at least 18 scenarios. 3 xp per level puts me at 6th level. So yes, if i've managed to save up 18,000 GP for the bow string then i can certainly save those feats. It's a trade off bridge that i could cross when i get there.
Archaeologist with the Fate's Favored trait is a really great self-buffer. You could easily go weapon-and-buckler with Slashing Grace or Fencing Grace, using Rogue Talent: Combat Trick to finish the chain by level 4. Taking Amateur Swashbuckler allows you to use a Swordmaster's Flair: Blue Scarf to grant your weapon a 5-foot reach bonus...
There is the feat Flabgearer, however it is incompatible with an archery build, as the flag needs a free hand at least.
Is it weird whenever someone mentions "a free hand is needed" my mind just screams Alchemist dip for vestigial arm!
Probably not worth it here though...
Archaeologist with the Fate's Favored trait is a really great self-buffer. You could easily go weapon-and-buckler with Slashing Grace or Fencing Grace, using Rogue Talent: Combat Trick to finish the chain by level 4. Taking Amateur Swashbuckler allows you to use a Swordmaster's Flair: Blue Scarf to grant your weapon a 5-foot reach bonus...
There in lies the meat of the problem i was trying to solve. I've played a few self centered Bards and i was looking to try and avoid that route. Not entirely mind you based on my thoughts on the Archaeologist. Thus i thought getting back that +1 Inspire Courage from the Evangelist for just the right time was a good idea, along with some other goodies that the Cleric can offer. Although now i think on it the WIS synergy just isn't there so i'm probably not getting much from this dip. The rest of the time i help the group through Buffs and my own competence in and out of combat.
I wonder if the Helpful Halfling Whip route might work. Starting with 1 level of Mysterious Avenger Swashy and then going standard Bard for the remainder?
Alas it seems i have more research to do and seeing which angle best serves the groups needs, the societies wants and what i desire to play.
Please though, any and all suggestions are welcomed so feel free to keep offering advice.
Well as your luck is essentially a "song" you can't do that and inspire courage at the same time. So in giving a plus one bonus you skip out on the thing that makes the class great.
May as well go straight bard then
Well then derpy duh on me....how could i miss that! RAH!!!!
Yes, straight Bard or some other Archetype is looking like the way to go.
Although.....going the selfish Bard route has it's merits and i can still look to buff/control through spells and other such tactics.
Well as your luck is essentially a "song" you can't do that and inspire courage at the same time. So in giving a plus one bonus you skip out on the thing that makes the class great.
May as well go straight bard then
Well then derpy duh on me....how could i miss that! RAH!!!!
Yes, straight Bard or some other Archetype is looking like the way to go.
Although.....going the selfish Bard route has it's merits and i can still look to buff/control through spells and other such tactics.
If you want a selfish bard take a look at Dervish Dancer.
Arcane Duelist is a great combat Bard that still shares Inspire Courage. They don't actually need a free hand to cast spells.
Evangelist Cleric is a pretty fantastic archetype - you can multiclass an Evangelist and still have more spellcasting power than a straight Bard. A (Sohei? Unchained?) Monk 1/ Evangelist can even cross Dervish Dance scimitar with Flurry of Blows by using Crusader's Flurry, while using Inspire Courage and potentially Cleric buffs.
Arcane Duelist is a great combat Bard that still shares Inspire Courage. They don't actually need a free hand to cast spells.
Evangelist Cleric is a pretty fantastic archetype - you can multiclass an Evangelist and still have more spellcasting power than a straight Bard. A (Sohei? Unchained?) Monk 1/ Evangelist can even cross Dervish Dance scimitar with Flurry of Blows by using Crusader's Flurry, while using Inspire Courage and potentially Cleric buffs.
Arcane Duelists absolutely do need a free hand to cast spells. At 5th level they can sword and board without having to worry about somatic components, but they still need that free hand for material components.
The rules on components state that you need a free hand to utilize a somatic component, but they do not make this a requirement for a material one. This is generally reflected in the way the system is described and understood to work; otherwise, consider the consequences for Still Spell alone, or for the Magus and its archetypes.
Edit: just to clarify here, you don't inherently need a free hand for a material component, because 'manipulating' a material component is the nature of the somatic component. An Arcane Duelist fulfills the material component requirement by having it, and meets the somatic component requirement through his Arcane Bond.
If you want a selfish bard take a look at Dervish Dancer.Well as your luck is essentially a "song" you can't do that and inspire courage at the same time. So in giving a plus one bonus you skip out on the thing that makes the class great.
May as well go straight bard then
Well then derpy duh on me....how could i miss that! RAH!!!!
Yes, straight Bard or some other Archetype is looking like the way to go.
Although.....going the selfish Bard route has it's merits and i can still look to buff/control through spells and other such tactics.
Been there. Done that. Don't want to again.
Armor-clad Psychic/Fey Crossblooded Sorcerer/ Swashbuckler/ Eldritch Knight Halfling!
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I'm lucky to come across this thread! I had a build for exactly this, for a home RotRL campaign, but it seemed unimpressive.
Coming back to the OP, is there any redeemable qualities to a halfling archaeologist? Is whip-aiding enough, or would it be worth investing in the whip feat tree? If not, what feats should I look at to get a Indy-esque feel for my character?
I'm lucky to come across this thread! I had a build for exactly this, for a home RotRL campaign, but it seemed unimpressive.
Coming back to the OP, is there any redeemable qualities to a halfling archaeologist? Is whip-aiding enough, or would it be worth investing in the whip feat tree? If not, what feats should I look at to get a Indy-esque feel for my character?
I can't speak to whether "Whip-Aiding" is enough or not but it seems like fun, nor can i speak to the redeeming qualities of such a build. Also of note, i just got back from Ren-Faire where i watched a guy using Whips and it was hella cool.
One idea that i stole from another thread was to dip 1 level of Mysterious Avenger. With this you gain Exotic Proficiency Whip and the ability to use Swashbucklers finesse which qualifies you for all prereqs and acts as weapon finesse. You get some deeds and panache which synergizes well enough with your high Charisma. Also by being a full BAB class you can take Weapon focus Whip at first,due to the +1 BAB, getting you further along the Slashing Grace/Whip feat tree. Taking the trait Helpful Halfling gives you a +4 on Aiding while letting you park behind the party meat bags for saftey. I believe there are other ways to make this very useful via feats. I'd assume your second trait should be Magical Knack in-order to make up for that tiny down tick in spell casting.
Beyond this i don't know what other help/advice i could offer. There are many more learned individuals lurking around these boards and optimizing PF is not my forte, nor any optimization anymore these days.