PFS Items that can save you in 2017

[Davor Firetusk]

A paladin could take it as a scroll that would require a caster level check as well, but it might well be worthwhile compared to just having a set of first aid gloves as well...

[Azothath]

The scroll of breath of life is more inconvenient than the gloves of healing. A character dies on their turn if their negative HP total is equal to their Constitution score or greater, so there's some action economy to consider.
My characters purchase a spring loaded wrist sheath for the scroll. This makes it swift(get out scroll), move (to target), and read scroll as standard(provokes AoOs).
If you can purchase a scroll with Reach metamagic on it, that makes a big difference at minimal cost. (yes - a home game option)
Breath of Life 5@9 1125gp {School conjuration (healing); Level cleric/oracle 5, shaman 5; Domain healing 5}
" with Reach, 6@9 1350gp or 6@11 1650gp
Inspiring Recovery 6@11 1650gp {School conjuration (healing) [mind-affecting]; Level cleric/oracle 6, hunter 4, inquisitor 6, paladin 4, ranger 4, warpriest 6}

[andreww]

Stephen Ross wrote:

My characters purchase a spring loaded wrist sheath for the scroll. This makes it swift(get out scroll), move (to target), and read scroll as standard(provokes AoOs).

There is a lot of table variation on whether or not scrolls work with spring loaded wrist sheathes.

Quote:

If you can purchase a scroll with Reach metamagic on it, that makes a big difference at minimal cost.

Sadly you cannot.

A more expensive option is a regular rod of reach spell. They are 11000gp but obviously work on a wide range of spells and are pretty useful for clerics and oracles who tend to have a lot of touch or close range spells.

[Azothath]

andreww wrote:

Stephen Ross wrote:

My characters purchase a spring loaded wrist sheath for the scroll. This makes it swift(get out scroll), move (to target), and read scroll as standard(provokes AoOs).

There is a lot of table variation on whether or not scrolls work with spring loaded wrist sheathes.

that's why you should ask your GM before you play. If it's an issue change tables. You are not "stuck" with a GM.

andreww wrote:

Stephen Ross wrote:

If you can purchase a scroll with Reach metamagic on it, that makes a big difference at minimal cost.

Sadly you cannot.

that's why I said IF... it was more a home game option. I've added that to the post to highlight it.

[Pirate Rob]

Stephen Ross wrote:

that's why you should ask your GM before you play. If it's an issue change tables. You are not "stuck" with a GM.

If you are relying on rulings on grey areas going a certain way, to the point of swapping tables if they aren't to your liking...

That makes me feel uncomfortable.

[Belabras]

Based on recent con experience - Having Feather Fall available via spell slot or item is still a life saver in the latest season.

[Azothath]

Belabras wrote:

Based on recent con experience - Having Feather Fall available via spell slot or item is still a life saver in the latest season.

I will point out that Feather Fall affects an area (no two creatures can be more than 20ft apart) of CL creatures. So only one creature in the AoE needs it IF the caster level is 4+. Wizards should have it in their book and thus can cast it using their arcane bond.

Otherwise it's listed in the list under Talisman and the 50gp one only catches the wearer for 1 round or 60ft...
Snapleaf CL is 5th 750gp

[Da Wander]

Stephen Ross wrote:

Belabras wrote:

Based on recent con experience - Having Feather Fall available via spell slot or item is still a life saver in the latest season.

I will point out that Feather Fall affects an area (no two creatures can be more than 20ft apart) of CL creatures. So only one creature in the AoE needs it IF the caster level is 4+. Wizards should have it in their book and thus can cast it using their arcane bond.

Otherwise it's listed in the list under Talisman and the 50gp one only catches the wearer for 1 round or 60ft...
Snapleaf CL is 5th 750gp

Question about the bolded part... When cast, it has a range, so you don't actually need to be "in the AoE" to cast it, it can be cast on someone else when you see them fall into a pit. It sounds like you are saying the caster would need to be one of the creatures in the AoE... was that what you thought?

[Azothath]

Da Wander wrote:

Stephen Ross wrote:

Belabras wrote:

Based on recent con experience - Having Feather Fall available via spell slot or item is still a life saver in the latest season.

I will point out that Feather Fall affects an area (no two creatures can be more than 20ft apart) of CL creatures. So only one creature in the AoE needs it IF the caster level is 4+. Wizards should have it in their book and thus can cast it using their arcane bond.

Otherwise it's listed in the list under Talisman and the 50gp one only catches the wearer for 1 round or 60ft...
Snapleaf CL is 5th 750gp

Question about the bolded part... When cast, it has a range, so you don't actually need to be "in the AoE" to cast it, it can be cast on someone else when you see them fall into a pit. It sounds like you are saying the caster would need to be one of the creatures in the AoE... was that what you thought?

yes - as generally that's the case, but it does have a close range. Creatures can fall about 576ft(115squares) in the first round and PF states that only immediate actions can occur before 500ft in the first round under Environmental Rules, Falling. In the example cited I believe the caster/activator would have to be with the characters in trouble to be effective (I am clearly avoiding a spoiler).

[Divvox2]

Muse. wrote:

Tusk the Half-Orc wrote:

Mitch Mutrux wrote:

Tusk the Half-Orc wrote:

Stephen Ross wrote:

....

Hex Nail $20 (none) ReignWinterPlyrGuide +2 rst all sv hexs, spels, SLA, SU of fey, hags, witches [1 use]. Circumstantial before you get a Cloak +2 $3000 (shoulders) CRB....

Hex Nail is also in the Additional Resources under the People of the North Player Companion, in case that's the book you have handy.

And in fact, the Reign of Winter Player's Guide is not a legal source for Hex Nails. If people want to buy them, they need People of the North.

Is there any way to get hex nails other than buying 7 with a prestige point? Are they on any chronicle sheet? It does not look like they qualify as always available.

careful of buying these things (Hex Nails) in groups. If you have them on you when you need one, all of them will trigger at once, and you only get a single +2 (they don't stack).

:(

There are some potential ways around it. If you have a bag of holding/handy haversack and store the others in there, they probably shouldn't activate as (in my mind) they aren't actually on your plane.

The BoH states Non-dimensional, and the pathfinder pouch says extra-dimensional, so I'm not sure how one might rule those. The former's interactions with a portable hole suggest to me that it is on a different plane, as does the lack of weight (the bag contents are pushing down on a different location, rather than the backpack/your back).

But to be fair, I could be misinterpreting that. Secret Chest (spell) actually calls out a different plane though, which only fuzzes up the interpretation to me. Maybe someone else could shine a little light on this.

[Muse.]

Sam King wrote:

Muse. wrote:

Tusk the Half-Orc wrote:

Mitch Mutrux wrote:

Tusk the Half-Orc wrote:

Stephen Ross wrote:

....

Hex Nail $20 (none) ReignWinterPlyrGuide +2 rst all sv hexs, spels, SLA, SU of fey, hags, witches [1 use]. Circumstantial before you get a Cloak +2 $3000 (shoulders) CRB....

Hex Nail is also in the Additional Resources under the People of the North Player Companion, in case that's the book you have handy.

And in fact, the Reign of Winter Player's Guide is not a legal source for Hex Nails. If people want to buy them, they need People of the North.

Is there any way to get hex nails other than buying 7 with a prestige point? Are they on any chronicle sheet? It does not look like they qualify as always available.

careful of buying these things (Hex Nails) in groups. If you have them on you when you need one, all of them will trigger at once, and you only get a single +2 (they don't stack).

:(

There are some potential ways around it. If you have a bag of holding/handy haversack and store the others in there, they probably shouldn't activate as (in my mind) they aren't actually on your plane.

The BoH states Non-dimensional, and the pathfinder pouch says extra-dimensional, so I'm not sure how one might rule those. The former's interactions with a portable hole suggest to me that it is on a different plane, as does the lack of weight (the bag contents are pushing down on a different location, rather than the backpack/your back).

But to be fair, I could be misinterpreting that. Secret Chest (spell) actually calls out a different plane though, which only fuzzes up the interpretation to me. Maybe someone else could shine a little light on this.

But as they are a "Resistance" bonus, that would not stack with a Cloak of Resistance (+2) or higher... I was figuring the PC owning them would be lower level and not likely to have access to Extra-dimensional spaces. Mostly they are likely to be stored in something like a lead-lined box on the pack-horse - or something.

[Divvox2]

Muse. wrote:

But as they are a "Resistance" bonus, that would not stack with a Cloak of Resistance (+2) or higher... I was figuring the PC owning them would be lower level and not likely to have access to Extra-dimensional spaces. Mostly they are...

True. The handy haversack was the example I had in mind, or the pathfinder pouch, which are 2k and 1k respectively in cost, easily accessible prior to the cloak, or in the rare case someone passes on the cloak, as a paladin might. The concept of hiding things in there to avoid various mechanics like auto-activation or calling abilities is a tactic I've used in other games with powerful artifacts I didn't want their owner to have access to.

[Wrong John Silver]

Does oil of mending still help in emergencies with broken equipment? Sometimes you don't have the ten minutes...

[shaventalz]

Wrong John Silver wrote:

Does oil of mending still help in emergencies with broken equipment? Sometimes you don't have the ten minutes...

Nope. Potions "can duplicate the effect of a spell ... that has a casting time of less than 1 minute..." (listed under Potions, rather than the section on creating potions)

[Muse.]

Sam King wrote:

Muse. wrote:

But as they are a "Resistance" bonus, that would not stack with a Cloak of Resistance (+2) or higher... I was figuring the PC owning them would be lower level and not likely to have access to Extra-dimensional spaces. Mostly they are...

True. The handy haversack was the example I had in mind, or the pathfinder pouch, which are 2k and 1k respectively in cost, easily accessible prior to the cloak, or in the rare case someone passes on the cloak, as a paladin might. The concept of hiding things in there to avoid various mechanics like auto-activation or calling abilities is a tactic I've used in other games with powerful artifacts I didn't want their owner to have access to.

the question then becomes -

Are items inside a Handy Haversack/Pathfinder Pouch actually "in your possession"? Expect this to be subject to table variation...

[Tusk the Half-Orc]

andreww wrote:

Stephen Ross wrote:

My characters purchase a spring loaded wrist sheath for the scroll. This makes it swift(get out scroll), move (to target), and read scroll as standard(provokes AoOs).

There is a lot of table variation on whether or not scrolls work with spring loaded wrist sheathes.

Not anymore!

Campaign Clarifications as of 4/28/2017, p. 2 wrote:

Adventurer's Armory, p8 - "Page 8—A wrist sheath or spring-loaded wrist sheath can hold one forearm-length item. In addition to the listed examples, wrist sheaths can be used to store and deploy potions and scrolls. They cannot hold rods."

[DonKalleOne]

I cant believe that the Best weapon Oil isnt on the list:
Bless Weapon is the Ultimate Low Cost Answer to Ghosts etc.

[Josh Klingerman]

A scroll of Inspiring Recovery (Healers Handbook) is 1650gp and basically the replacement for a scroll of Breath of Life.

It's a 6th level spell so should heal 5d8 - you don't get the +9 from caster levels that you get with Breath of Life, but it's CL 11 to start and has a Medium range.

[Lily Moore]

Josh Klingerman wrote:

A scroll of Inspiring Recovery (Healers Handbook) is 1650gp and basically the replacement for a scroll of Breath of Life.

It's a 6th level spell so should heal 5d8 - you don't get the +9 from caster levels that you get with Breath of Life, but it's CL 11 to start and has a Medium range.

Why is it caster level 11?

[Josh Klingerman]

Lily Moore wrote:

Josh Klingerman wrote:

A scroll of Inspiring Recovery (Healers Handbook) is 1650gp and basically the replacement for a scroll of Breath of Life.

It's a 6th level spell so should heal 5d8 - you don't get the +9 from caster levels that you get with Breath of Life, but it's CL 11 to start and has a Medium range.

Why is it caster level 11?

It comes from the cleric list, and clerics get 6th level spells at level 11, yes?

[Quentin Coldwater]

Quick question: I've been using Anointing Oil on my Shaman for a while, but then I realised it's from the Advanced Race Guide and it's originally for Aasimars. The Additional Resources have the following to say:
Racial equipment and magic items can be purchased and used by any race as long as the specific item permits it (for example, only halflings can purchase and use solidsmoke pipeweed).

What, exactly, makes an item permit other races to use it? In the pipeweed example, is it the fact that non-Halflings can't use it without getting sick that makes them unable to use it, or am I missing something? Basically, what I'm asking is, basically, can a non-Aasimar use Anointing Oil?

[Ferious Thune]

I believe that is the correct reasoning. Since Annointing Oil doesn't have something in its description limiting it to only working for Aasimars, it should work and be available to anyone.

[Peevenator]

Expanding on Snapleaf: at 750g, it can be obtained with 2pp. It's slotless, immediate activation, and provides both Feather Fall AND Invisibility.

[Azothath]

Been awhile... I like the Snapleaf but honestly I haven't seen anyone die from a 'surprise' 2d6 or 3d6 falling damage, in fact serious trap/surprise falling damage is very rare. The non-lethality of falling damage as level rises is part of the d&d model.
While featherfall is an area of effect spell, snapleaf reads as though it only affects the wearer.
It might be as effective for the party wizard with a bonded object to have featherfall in his spellbook so he can cast it (lol) 'on the fly'.
Read my post upthread on Featherfall.

[Xan, the Mountain Dragon]

I died to falling damage :(

12d6 at level 5, when I'd already taken damage from incoming spells.

It was an ambiguously worded environmental hazard, and I had a series of appallingly unlikely die rolls. But a snapleaf would definitely have saved me, if I'd had one.

[Dustin Knight]

Feather Token (tree) is one of the strongest, most versatile items in Pathfinder. Whether its blocking an enemy from following the party, getting a higher vantage point, supplying a makeshift bridge or launching an enemy into the air, the tree can change entire encounters and is useful from level 1 to level 11. It also gets really funny in Subjective Directional Gravity.

A scroll of Detect Psychic Significance can save the party. Trying to find a relic really fast? Not sure if the relic you have is a fake or not? Not all important plot-items are magic.

Kitsune should consider spending a couple prestige points on Kitsune Star Gems (I). Even if you can't use spell-like abilities, non-kitsune can use them with a Use Magic Device check. Many classes (mostly with Domains) and feats grant really useful spell-like abilities. The best tend to be those that function "as" spell-like abilities. That being said, it's just a super useful and flavorful item and I try to pick up at least one or two, just in case.

[BigNorseWolf]

Thats a questionable use at best and not something I'd try due to table variation.

[Cindrana Longroad]

BigNorseWolf wrote:

Thats a questionable use at best and not something I'd try due to table variation.

Agreed. That being said having several dancing lights more a day is nice. Makes me wish that Kitsune could use the Dancing lights feet from the Monsters Codex Both it (Sniper's Lantern) and another (Shadow Shroud) would be amazing for characters with the spell like abilities in question...

Shame that they are banned due to being drow only.. if they were open to other races it would be cool aplication of material for Kitsune and Tieflibgs. Sorry, wandering thoughts..still miffed my tiefling can't enhance her vestigial wings

[Sir Thugsalot]

More save-butt goodies.

[Azothath]

Sir Thugsalot wrote:

More save-butt goodies.

Those are very race specific or class specific and/or high powered tricks (6th level spell casting and expensive foci).

Beyond the top of the price range would be a Boots of the Earth combined with a cracked ioun stone for regen 1/hr for long term retreat and heal tactics.
The common wand of cure light wounds for 2 prestige is still hard to beat at 50d8+50 over 50 rounds...

[Azothath]

Xan, the Mountain Dragon wrote:

my PC died to falling damage :(

Sometimes the dice decree death, it's rare and just a random event.

It would be worse if the party wizard had a bonded object and had scribed the spell Featherfall and just forgot, or if your PC was that wizard.
Bouncy body, ablative barrier, glide, levitate, shadow trap, long arm, anything that boosts reflex saves...

[Dustin Knight]

Cindrana Longroad wrote:

BigNorseWolf wrote:

Thats a questionable use at best and not something I'd try due to table variation.

Agreed. That being said having several dancing lights more a day is nice. Makes me wish that Kitsune could use the Dancing lights feet from the Monsters Codex Both it (Sniper's Lantern) and another (Shadow Shroud) would be amazing for characters with the spell like abilities in question...

Shame that they are banned due to being drow only.. if they were open to other races it would be cool aplication of material for Kitsune and Tieflibgs. Sorry, wandering thoughts..still miffed my tiefling can't enhance her vestigial wings

It doesn't give you more dancing lights. Dancing Lights is a level 0 spell. Kitsune Star Gem I only lets you renew uses of level 1 spells. Otherwise we could spend PP on Kitsune Star Gem I and then spend gold to upgrade them to Star Gem II...

[Jess Le Rue]

KitsuneWarlock wrote:

Cindrana Longroad wrote:

BigNorseWolf wrote:

Thats a questionable use at best and not something I'd try due to table variation.

Agreed. That being said having several dancing lights more a day is nice. Makes me wish that Kitsune could use the Dancing lights feet from the Monsters Codex Both it (Sniper's Lantern) and another (Shadow Shroud) would be amazing for characters with the spell like abilities in question...

Shame that they are banned due to being drow only.. if they were open to other races it would be cool aplication of material for Kitsune and Tieflibgs. Sorry, wandering thoughts..still miffed my tiefling can't enhance her vestigial wings

It doesn't give you more dancing lights. Dancing Lights is a level 0 spell. Kitsune Star Gem I only lets you renew uses of level 1 spells. Otherwise we could spend PP on Kitsune Star Gem I and then spend gold to upgrade them to Star Gem II...

True but my 4 tailed Kitsune Archer would love being able to do a classic Hunters mark a la WoW over foes

[Sebastian Hirsch]

BigNorseWolf wrote:

Thats a questionable use at best and not something I'd try due to table variation.

I agree with the wolf.

[Perfect Tommy]

Bag of flour .02 cp.
Cheapest way of dealing with invis.

Wand of Mount. One if best wands there is.

Attacked by fighters. 5 ft step.. drop a horse on him.

Charged by am barbarian? Ready & block the charging lane with a horse.

Giant rocs? Feed em a horse.

Out of food? Roasted horseflesh.

Need some money? Sell em.

Need cover against arrows?

Oh. And I suppose you can always ride them.

[Dustin Knight]

Jess Le Rue wrote:

KitsuneWarlock wrote:

Cindrana Longroad wrote:

BigNorseWolf wrote:

Thats a questionable use at best and not something I'd try due to table variation.

Agreed. That being said having several dancing lights more a day is nice. Makes me wish that Kitsune could use the Dancing lights feet from the Monsters Codex Both it (Sniper's Lantern) and another (Shadow Shroud) would be amazing for characters with the spell like abilities in question...

Shame that they are banned due to being drow only.. if they were open to other races it would be cool aplication of material for Kitsune and Tieflibgs. Sorry, wandering thoughts..still miffed my tiefling can't enhance her vestigial wings

It doesn't give you more dancing lights. Dancing Lights is a level 0 spell. Kitsune Star Gem I only lets you renew uses of level 1 spells. Otherwise we could spend PP on Kitsune Star Gem I and then spend gold to upgrade them to Star Gem II...

True but my 4 tailed Kitsune Archer would love being able to do a classic Hunters mark a la WoW over foes

Agreed. I love that Drow feat and would totally take it despite its relatively low power. It's flavorful as heck!

[Da Wander]

Perfect Tommy wrote:

Bag of flour .02 cp.

Cheapest way of dealing with invis.

Wand of Mount. One if best wands there is.

Attacked by fighters. 5 ft step.. drop a horse on him.

Charged by am barbarian? Ready & block the charging lane with a horse.

Giant rocs? Feed em a horse.

Out of food? Roasted horseflesh.

Need some money? Sell em.

Need cover against arrows?

Oh. And I suppose you can always ride them.

while I agree with your statement of Wand of Mount being a great choice... I fear several of your suggestions will not (normally) work...

"Attacked by fighters. 5 ft step.. drop a horse on him." will not work - can't summon it in the air above him, can't summon it in the square with him, and can't summon it in the square between you (it's large). You COULD summon a Pony between you and the fighter - it's Medium sized and only takes one square.

"Charged ...? Ready & block the charging lane with a horse." this is cute and would work great... as long as the attacker actually does charge. But then a wand of Vanish would also stop the charge (as well as a number of other wands).

"Giant rocs? Feed em a horse." - summoned creatures (such as the mount) disappear when killed... so that is going to be a real upset Roc. Food snatched from it's mouth before it get's to swallow...

"Out of food? Roasted horseflesh." - see the notes on the Roc idea above... unless maybe we leave the horse mostly alive...? Nah - Flutter is going to call the Druids Local down on us if we continue that thought.

"Sell em." - be sure to save at least one to get out of town fast. Or invest in a good Disguise skill before you sell them...

"Need cover against arrows?" Cute...

[pH unbalanced]

Perfect Tommy wrote:

Bag of flour .02 cp.

Cheapest way of dealing with invis.

Wand of Mount. One if best wands there is.

Attacked by fighters. 5 ft step.. drop a horse on him.

Charged by am barbarian? Ready & block the charging lane with a horse.

Giant rocs? Feed em a horse.

Out of food? Roasted horseflesh.

Need some money? Sell em.

Need cover against arrows?

Oh. And I suppose you can always ride them.

Well, you can't drop a horse on someone, because summoned creatures must arrive "in an open location on a surface capable of supporting it." You can't ready an action to use it, since it is a full-round spell. And in PFS you can't sell them, because you can't sell something for more money than you spent on it.

But other than that, have at it.

[Dustin Knight]

I mean, theoretically, you could trade the horse to an NPC for an item or favor. But if it's an item, you won't get to keep it after the adventure is over. And you'd better hope that favor takes less time to complete than 2 hours per level. Still, it works great for bribes. "I'll give you my horse if you let me pass. I'll just ride in the wagon pulled by my friend's horse the rest of the way!"

[Azothath]

Okay, as the boards are a fun and friendly place, I shall smile and say, That's nice.
move along, nothing to see here...

[DM Livgin]

Not sure where to discuss it but what is everyone else doing with their clear spindle ioun stones? I'm likely going to get rid of it and put the wealth towards a headband of wisdom.

[Azothath]

That is a rule change in the resonant power. I can see people selling it back. Done deal.
Personally none of my PCs ever purchased one. The effect of most of these types of spells is easily blocked using a wand of Protection from Evil.

[SCPRedMage]

Ward Davis wrote:

Not sure where to discuss it but what is everyone else doing with their clear spindle ioun stones? I'm likely going to get rid of it and put the wealth towards a headband of wisdom.

I'm holding onto mine, but I'm definitely using the original resonant power until the Adventurer's Guide actually gets put into the PRD.

[Azothath]

Yeah, it might take some time 8^)

[Kyrie Ebonblade,]

Stephen Ross wrote:

Yeah, it might take some time 8^)

What's the record between updates to current items? 6-7 months?

[GM Tyrant Princess]

Thomas Graham wrote:

Stephen Ross wrote:

Yeah, it might take some time 8^)

What's the record between updates to current items? 6-7 months?

If you're wondering about the rate of PRD updates, neither the similarly contentious Ultimate Equipment errata nor Ultimate Intrigue are in there yet. Nor is anything more recent. So there is a lot of backlog to work through before the Adventurer's Guide makes its way on there.

For all intents and purposes, this change might as well never be happening.

[Kyrie Ebonblade,]

GM Tyrant Princess wrote:

Thomas Graham wrote:

Stephen Ross wrote:

Yeah, it might take some time 8^)

What's the record between updates to current items? 6-7 months?

If you're wondering about the rate of PRD updates, neither the similarly contentious Ultimate Equipment errata nor Ultimate Intrigue are in there yet. Nor is anything more recent. So there is a lot of backlog to work through before the Adventurer's Guide makes its way on there.

For all intents and purposes, this change might as well never be happening.

Don't get me wrong, having heard John Compton lay out his normal workload I try very hard to be patient. Most times the folks do a great job keeping up, and when they fall behind I try to remind myself how many different jobs they do. Planning, coordination this season with up products, reviewing things on the board, answering things on the boards in helpful and well laid out ways, editing, etc.

There is a lot going on behind the scenes from what little folks say. Many hats, many jobs.

[GM Tyrant Princess]

I entirely agree. My statement was not meant to cast blame, but merely to manage expectations.

That said, I don't believe Mr. Compton works on PRD updates. That's the web team, the same people who update the Additional Resources page after Pathfinder Society leadership hands off the file.

[Azothath]

okay - back to the thread topic, PFS Items that can save you...