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My Investigator just picked up 4th level extracts, and I'm having trouble deciding which ones to take. I'm short on gold, so just looking at the two free ones I get with the level for now. I can prepare 2 4th level extracts a day thanks to my INT.
Mainly, he's a Dex based Melee Investigator that's primary tactic is to turn into either a Charda or a Gargoyle (depending on whether he need flight or not) by way of Monstrous Physique. He runs quite a few 10 min/level buffs, so freedom of movement and stoneskin stand out.
He's also a Gnome, so freedom of movement may make sense from that aspect as well. His CMD is definitely a weakness. I picked up Boots of Escape not too long ago, though, so he can get out of one grapple/pinned situation.
Tail strike would give me a 6th natural attack in Charda form, but it's minutes/level and I already sometimes have to skip a buff or two if combat breaks out and I'm not expecting it.
Greater Invisibility would let me use my 1d6 sneak attack (from a dip into Sleepless Detective) more often, not to mention the miss chance. It's yet another thing to buff during combat, though.
Any thoughts? Favorite 4th level extracts? Must haves?
Having Restoration as an option is handy, or one of the various sense enhancement extracts at that level - Echolocation etc. Caustic Blood is a very nice combat buff, pity about the duration.
I'd probably pick up Echolocation and Freedom of Movement and use them as required, it sounds like you've got enough regular buffs to deal with already.
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Air walk has a nice duration.
Echolocation is good but 85% of the time see invibility we be enough.
I like Fluid form DR 10 and reach is a nice combo
Freedom of Movement
Invisibility, Greater
Restoration
Stoneskin
2nd tier
Arcane Eye
Earth Glide
Elemental Body
Flash Forward - great is you have access to pounce
You only get one free spell per level.
Greater invisibility is probably your best option if you are a melee focused character.
1 for Utility:
Universal Formula (basically every 3rd level and lower extract)
Pick 1 for Combat:
Greater Invisiblity
or
Stone Skin
(Basically DR that lasts a long time, buff and forget. Verses 50% miss chance and lasting for just a single combat, But damn is it really good. However critters with special sights/abilities/SLAs/Spells might still find you.)
It's only 50% if you stand still, they first need to know which square you are in after you've stuck 'em with your swishy-pokey. But I agree, stone skin is a pretty good option, too. I actually hesitated before I original posted, in fact.
In PFS, don't you also have the option of buying more formulae in town? There are several you should have.
It's only 50% if you stand still, they first need to know which square you are in after you've stuck 'em with your swishy-pokey. But I agree, stone skin is a pretty good option, too. I actually hesitated before I original posted, in fact.
In PFS, don't you also have the option of buying more formulae in town? There are several you should have.
Typically if you are full attacking you are standing still. You can 5 foot step tho. But the fact remains it is a single combat buff, one and done. It is a great 1 and done that usually is a winning option. But stoneskin Lasts 10/min per level so it will last most the dungeon unless you have it stripped or focused on heavy. But it pays for itself then.
Very true.
Too bad you can't make it into a potion then make it permanent using the eternal potion option.
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Thanks everyone. Good advice so far. I missed that it's only 1 formula per level for investigators. I'll have to go back and make sure I haven't given myself 9 othe free extracts. I do have enough gold to scribe one 4th level extract on hand. Maybe 2.
Universal Formula sounds like a good option. There are lots of really good 3rd level extracts.
Greater Invisibility is... great, and it would be at the top of my list, but it really can take me a while to get going in combat. I'm most effective when I use Monstrous Physique to turn into a Charda. Fully buffed that gives me 5 attacks at around +21 each. But since I'm typically casting Monstrous Physique from a Monstrification Staff, and I don't have an actual caster level myself, it's at CL 8 for an 8 minute duration. Also since I only get three of those a scenario typically, I don't run around always transformed. So I usually have to spend a standard on that to start combat. Tacking Greater Invisibility on top of that means it's two round before I get going, and the fight may be over. I do have poisoner's gloves, though, and infusion, so I could hand it out to someone else in the group.
I'm leaning toward Stoneskin or Freedom of Movement still. I forgot Air Walk is 10 mins/level. That could work as well. I wasn't thinking about it because I can either use Fly or turn into a Gargoyle, but I'm a more effective fighter as a Charda, and having Air Walk for a whole dungeon crawl would definitely be nice.
And yes, in PFS you can purchase access to scribe a spell/formula for 1/2 the scribe cost. So I think a 4th level formula would be 160gp scribe cost, 80gp access cost. Total 240. I think I have 400 gold. I may have to spend that making up for the extra free extracts if I was taking 2/level.
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well... if you are looking for something totally different, and already have both a set of poisoner's gloves and the infusion discovery, and are a Gnome ('cause this is something I think a Gnome would do), you might think of detonate.
Especially with two attacks in a round....
Just be sure to have a Protection from energy for yourself... and maybe a good reflex save.