So I'm brainstorming how to build a MacGuyver type character and trying to figure best class/archetype. My first instinct is to go with an investigator. I'm focusing on the using science/knowledge and ingenuity to solve problems, not looking to make a big damage dealer. Am I on the right track here or am I off base. Any suggestions on class, race, archetype and useful feats are more than welcome.
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I agree with your Investigator idea. If this is PFS, I definitely recommend the Empiricist archetypev. If it is not PFS, I am still inclined to recommend the Empiricist archetype.
I started with one level of Swashbuckler (Inspired Blade archetype) for the rapier-based feats, BAB, hit points, class skills, and Panache abilities.
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Not saying it's bad or good. Skill based characters don't fare well when their is magic. I love making skill based characters. At the same time I make sure their is other things they can do to contribute to the party.
Yes your best base for this type of character is. Investigator, or Alchemist. I would think Alchemist would make a better over all MacGuyver in a fantasy setting. Because extracts are not "spells" their alchemical "Science". However that will only get you so far when your trying to make this type of character. It is important to know that MacGuyver is protected by plot armor. Impenetrable plot armor the show is named after him. So their will be a limit to what your character can do compared to a character that is written.
Either the well prepared feat or the brilliant planner feat would be useful and appropriate. Well prepared would require you to be a halfling, brilliant planner has no such prereq. but it can't be taken until 5th level and takes much longer to use.
Investigator does feel like the obvious choice for class, and the base class or empiricist, sleuth or scavenger would all be worth looking at for the archetype. You'd want a race with an intelligence bonus if at all possible for empiricist. A halfling sleuth with one level in swashbuckler for the parry and heading for the halfling opportunist PrC could be fun.
I'll echo investigator for class choice. I'd also look at traits/feats that mitigate or remove penalties for improvised weapons and/or tools, because that's a big part of his persona as well, making do with what's at hand. Catch Off-Guard and Throw Anything are the canonical feats, but the various Equipment Tricks could also be quite apt, and Improvisational Equipment or Improvisational Defense are decent traits for the idea.
Wizard with quick study. Use accomplished sneak attacker to early entry into Arcane Trickster. You are 1 level behind a full caster in spellcasting and 1 level behind rouge in sneak attack. You get 4+int skill points per level still and are int based. You have a spellbook full of tricks but are capable of doing well in combat with invisibility + good sneak attack. Also lets you grab foresight school(make those skill checks) and an improved familiar(umd abuse). Pragmatic activator makes UMD an int skill for you to use divine scrolls/wands as well. Can use the cheap wand trick to buy wands of lesser restoration and resist energy for 750gp(clear with dm first). Also you can make half price bags of holding and handy haversack to carry more tricks around in. Still leaves room to grab brilliant planner at lv5
The Fixer trait should fit a MacGuyver-type character well.
Imagine doing the Bash-the-TV routine on a plummeting airship.
Well Prepared can be re-fluffed so you make the item out of spare parts from your pockets. I think you have to be a Halfling.
I think there is a ranger archetype that can make traps and stuff too.
Magic is the science of Golarion, so a magic-user based on utility magic and turning stuff into other stuff and making stuff out of nothing might be the way to go.
If I were to do MacGuyver, I'd probably use the scavenger investigator archetype from Blood of the Beast. It reflavors the alchemy class feature so you're building little gizmos and gadgets instead of brewing potions, and comes with a bunch of other neat class features.
You'd have trapfinding, inspiration, and could probably take a few craft skills and use inspiration on them. It would be pretty awesome.
So I'm brainstorming how to build a MacGuyver type character and trying to figure best class/archetype. My first instinct is to go with an investigator. I'm focusing on the using science/knowledge and ingenuity to solve problems, not looking to make a big damage dealer. Am I on the right track here or am I off base. Any suggestions on class, race, archetype and useful feats are more than welcome.
What are your expectations in Pathfinder terms? In order to reach a goal you have to define it both qualitavely and quantitavely.
Creation Wizard School
So I'm brainstorming how to build a MacGuyver type character and trying to figure best class/archetype. My first instinct is to go with an investigator. I'm focusing on the using science/knowledge and ingenuity to solve problems, not looking to make a big damage dealer. Am I on the right track here or am I off base. Any suggestions on class, race, archetype and useful feats are more than welcome.What are your expectations in Pathfinder terms? In order to reach a goal you have to define it both qualitavely and quantitavely.
My expectations are to have a fun, playable, character that will have a chance not be out shined in a balenced party. Not nessarly a maximized one. I'm helping one of my players with the build. She dose better with less complicated as she's both less familiar with the system and more of a jump in and play sort of player.
My expectations are to have a fun, playable, character that will have a chance to not be out shined in a balenced party. Not nessarly a maximized one. I'm helping one of my players with the build. She dose better with less complicated as she's both less familiar with the system and more of a jump in and play sort of player.So I'm brainstorming how to build a MacGuyver type character and trying to figure best class/archetype. My first instinct is to go with an investigator. I'm focusing on the using science/knowledge and ingenuity to solve problems, not looking to make a big damage dealer. Am I on the right track here or am I off base. Any suggestions on class, race, archetype and useful feats are more than welcome.What are your expectations in Pathfinder terms? In order to reach a goal you have to define it both qualitavely and quantitavely.
Its using Mcguiver as a base for starting personality, alignment, and general flavor of class/skill set