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Starting up a new PFS character after a recent adventure module ended in a TPK. I decided I would like to play a ranged/blaster type character instead of my normal melee focused roster of characters.
After a bit of discussion about various ranged options, I decided to give a new class a try. A few days worth of research and more discussion later, I have what I believe is my final build laid out and ready to go. A straight Earth focused Kineticist.
I present to you, Thrag Stonebringer.
Background:
Thrag Stonebringer was born small and weak, he was discarded by his parents and left to die. Ruala Bonescream, the tribe's shaman found him, and sensed a power within him, so she decided to take him and raise him to be the her eventual replacement. Ruala spent years trying to train him both physically and mentally, usually using the most brutal methods she could. Unfortunately Thrag had no talent for either arcane nor divine magic, and was too weak to be of help as a laborer. This led to years of abuse and neglect at Ruala's hand, leaving Thrag covered in scars and the sacred tattoos Ruala thought might awaken the power she had felt in him as a baby.
Finally, when he was around 14 years old, he overheard Ruala talking to one of the other orcs in the tribe about how disappointed she was in him, how she must have been mistaken when she thought she sensed power within as a baby, and how she was just going to finish him off since he was too weak and worthless. Thrag felt scared, alone and ready to die...but he decided that if he was going to die, he would at least die fighting, like an orc should.
He burst through the door and charged at Ruala and the orc tribesman she was talking with, and that is when it happened...the power Ruala had sensed all those years ago finally manifested itself. Thrag suddenly felt an immense connection to the earth around him, and was able to pull javelins of pure stone out of the ground with a mere thought, and send them hurtling towards Ruala. He caught them both by surprise and managed to get in a couple shots...unfortunately, both Ruala and her guest were more than a match for poor Thrag, and quickly subdued him.
Ruala spent the next few years testing the limits of Thrag's newfound abilities, learning that he could manipulate the very earth around them by force of will alone. She enjoyed pushing him to his limits every chance she got, and never let him forget his failed attack on her, or the fact that she was still far more powerful than he was.
Finally, when he was 18 years old, a Shoanti clan raided their village. Ruala and the others were all occupied defending the village, and Thrag saw an opportunity to be free. So he ran, leaving behind the life of pain and torture he had known since birth. He spent the next several weeks putting as much distance between him and his former home as he could, scarcely stopping for food or rest. He headed west into Varisian territory, being sure to avoid other orcs and any Shoanti he saw. Eventually he ran into a group of Sczarni who took him in briefly until they parted ways in Riddleport.
While in Riddleport, Thrag learned of Liberty's Edge and the Pathfinder Society, and decided to devote himself to using his abilities to help others escape the bonds of slavery and lives of misery that he had endured for so many years.
Appearance:
Thrag is small for a Half-Orc, he stands about 5'7” tall and weighs about 150lbs. He has long black hair and green eyes. His green skin is covered in sacred tattoos and scars. He has a slender build, and is very agile (from the years of dodging Ruala's wrath). He is unaccustomed to wearing nicer clothing, and prefers simple garments. He is often covered in dirt and mud, which he feels is completely normal and natural, due to his connection with the earth.
Kineticist (Earth)
Race: Half-Orc
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Faction: Liberty's Edge
Str: 10
Dex: 17
Con: 17 (15+2 racial)
Int: 10
Wis: 12
Cha: 8
(+Con then +Dex)
Favored Class Bonus 1/6 wild talent every level
Traits: Fate's Favored
Armor Expert
Racial Traits: Darkvision, Dusksight, Sacred Tattoo, Shaman's Apprentice
Oread Traits (lvl6+): Crystalline Form, Energy Resist Acid/5, Magic Stone 1/day. 20' move speed.
1. Burn, Elemental Focus: Earth, Gather Power, Kinetic Blast: Earth Blast
Infusion: Extended Range
Feat: Point Blank Shot
2. Elemental Defense: Flesh of Stone
Utility Wild Talent: Kinetic Cover
3. Elemental Overflow +1
Infusion: Pushing Infusion
Feat: Precise Shot
4. Utility Wild Talent: Earth Climb
5. Infusion Specialization 1, Metakinesis (Empower)
Infusion: Entangling Infusion
Feat: Weapon Focus: Kinetic Blast
6. Elemental Overflow +2, Internal Buffer 1
Utility Wild Talent: Earth Child
Bonus Utility Wild Talent: Tremorsense
7. Expanded Element: Earth, Composite Blast: Metal Blast
Infusion: Rare-Metal Infusion
Feat: Extra Wild Talent: Elemental Whispers
8. Infusion Specialization 2
Utility Wild Talent: Shift Earth
9. Elemental Overflow +3, Metakinesis (Maximize)
Infusion: Impale
Feat: Extra Wild Talent : Elemental Whispers, Greater
10. Utility Wild Talent: Earth Glide
11. Infusion Specialization 3, Internal Buffer 2, Supercharge
Infusion: Wall
Feat: Bolstered Resilience
12. Elemental Overflow +4
Utility Wild Talent: Enduring Earth
Bonus Utility Wild Talent: Ride the Blast
Planned Items:
Mithral Shirt +3 10100
Ring of Protection +2 8000
Ring of Sustenance 2500
Belt of Con/Dex +2 10000
Quick Runner’s Shirt 1000
Eyes of the Eagle 2500
Apprentice’s Cheating Gloves 2200
Kineticist’s Diadem, Lesser 18000
Necklace of Adaptation 9000
Cloak of Resistance +3 9000
Handy Haversack 2000
Boots of Striding and Springing 5500
Let me know if you spot any errors, or have any suggestions for ways to improve upon it.
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I am already bumping all my saves by +2 with Sacred Tattoo + Fate's Favored, so another saving throw trait felt a bit unnecessary.
I thought about reactionary, it was a tough choice between it and Armor Expert...I opted for armor expert, since none of my abilities really need for me to go first, and the higher AC and lower check penalty to help keep me alive longer seemed more valuable.
As for dumping Cha down to 7...I'll definitely consider it...with the character's backstory, having a Cha that low could make sense (no real social interaction, abused since birth, etc.) I could put the 2 extra points into either Str or Int...which would either give me more carry capacity, or 1 more skill point per level and another language to start with...tough call.
I think level 1-3 might be a bit frustrating. Well there is always gm credit which I plan to get myself that way. Ranged with no precise shot is a bit painful.
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Switching out Armor Expert...I realized my dex bonus will end up too high for a mithral breastplate at higher levels, as I will be at a +6 or +7 from dex (or higher with certain buffs). So I will either go with the mithral chain shirt, or maybe even lighter armor.
I think I'll go with reactionary...act early, act often.
I will probably run the evergreens with pre-gens to basically bypass level 1 on this guy, then for level 2 I will just have to pick my targets carefully or deal with the penalty for firing into melee. Or, maybe I'll play the We Be Goblins adventures, then just start this guy at level 3.
Either way, I enjoy the role play just as much as the roll play. So I am not super worried about having a character that starts off a little behind the curve, then levels into his abilities. :)
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Kineticist (Earth)
Race: Half-Orc
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Faction: Liberty's Edge
Str: 12
Dex: 17
Con: 17 (15+2 racial)
Int: 10
Wis: 12
Cha: 7
(+Con then +Dex)
Favored Class Bonus 1/6 wild talent every level
Traits: Fate's Favored, Reactionary
Racial Traits: Darkvision, Dusksight, Sacred Tattoo, Shaman's Apprentice
Oread Traits (lvl6+): Crystalline Form, Energy Resist Acid/5, Magic Stone 1/day. 20' move speed.
1. Burn, Elemental Focus: Earth, Gather Power, Kinetic Blast: Earth Blast
Infusion: Extended Range
Feat: Point Blank Shot
2. Elemental Defense: Flesh of Stone
Utility Wild Talent: Kinetic Cover
3. Elemental Overflow +1
Infusion: Pushing Infusion
Feat: Precise Shot
4. Utility Wild Talent: Earth Climb
5. Infusion Specialization 1, Metakinesis (Empower)
Infusion: Entangling Infusion
Feat: Weapon Focus: Kinetic Blast
6. Elemental Overflow +2, Internal Buffer 1
Utility Wild Talent: Earth Child
Bonus Utility Wild Talent: Tremorsense
7. Expanded Element: Earth, Composite Blast: Metal Blast
Infusion: Rare-Metal Infusion
Feat: Extra Wild Talent: Elemental Whispers
8. Infusion Specialization 2
Utility Wild Talent: Shift Earth
9. Elemental Overflow +3, Metakinesis (Maximize)
Infusion: Impale
Feat: Extra Wild Talent : Elemental Whispers, Greater
10. Utility Wild Talent: Earth Glide
11. Infusion Specialization 3, Internal Buffer 2, Supercharge
Infusion: Wall
Feat: Bolstered Resilience
12. Elemental Overflow +4
Utility Wild Talent: Enduring Earth
Bonus Utility Wild Talent: Ride the Blast
Planned Items:
Darkleaf Studded Leather Armor +3 9775
Ring of Protection +2 8000
Ring of Sustenance 2500
Belt of Con/Dex +2 10000
Quick Runner’s Shirt 1000
Eyes of the Eagle 2500
Apprentice’s Cheating Gloves 2200
Kineticist’s Diadem, Lesser 18000
Necklace of Adaptation 9000
Cloak of Resistance +3 9000
Handy Haversack 2000
Boots of Striding and Springing 5500
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If I go with +3 darkleaf studded leather, I get 3 higher AC than I would from +3 bracers for only 775 gold more. Anything above +3 gets too expensive for PFS play (unless you sacrifice on the rest of your gear).
I should have an 18 base dex, with +2 from my belt, and either +2 or +4 from overflow depending on which way I split it. Which would land me at either +6 or +7 total dex bonus. Cat's Grace is about the only dex buff spell I can think of, so I probably won't go past the +7 dex max on darkleaf studded leather very often.
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Ok...I have a small confession to make...in all my years of playing D&D (and other RPGS)...I have never played a character who had a familiar.
I am looking to use the Elemental Whispers talents on this build, but I am not sure what exactly to do with a familiar beyond use the passive bonuses and occasionally use them as a scout.
Should I be looking at any specific animal types for the basic familiar?
Then, when I get the improved familiar, should I take the 'Small Earth Elemental' or the 'Earth Wysp'?
Going for the improved familiar almost feels like a downgrade, since you seem to lose the passive bonuses (unless I am just missing something)
Contributor
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Should I be looking at any specific animal types for the basic familiar?
I usually just pick for theme and the secondary benefit. Hedgehog is pretty decent - free Iron Will is nothing for a kineticist to sneeze at.
Going for the improved familiar almost feels like a downgrade, since you seem to lose the passive bonuses (unless I am just missing something)
Correct. I never really find myself going for that in builds (especially since by then, there's lots of cool stuff to pick). ^_^
Chicken or Toad nets +3 hit points. Also useful on a kineticist. No matter what you pick, consider the protector archetype for it so that it can soak up some damage and improve your AC to keep you in the fight longer.
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So...would I be better off just scrapping Greater Elemental Whispers and keep a basic familiar, and just never have it actually manifest other than for RP purposes? Just pick one with a passive bonus that will help the most?
It's up to you. That's just my usual plan... but then, I'm kind of new to the class. ^_^
With Elemental Whispers (not greater) you can use them as a scout easily. If it takes any damage it returns to your mind, and resummoning it is a standard action which costs nothing, not even burn.
I'm not sure whether the Chuspiki is an option in PFS for an improved familiar, but it would be what I'd choose if going for Greater EW. Of the two options you name I'd get the wysp and have it hide every combat.
Just a tip. For you stats go 16 dex 18(16+2) con, it's the same point buy and you have extra con for levels 1 to 3, after level 4 it's the same.
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Greater Elemental whispers looks like it locks you in to either choosing a small elemental or a wysp, unless I am reading it wrong.
"Your friendship with the elements has grown. You gain your choice of a wysp or Small elemental of your primary element as an improved familiar, without needing to meet any of the usual prerequisites for gaining such a familiar."
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Contributor
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Greater Elemental whispers looks like it locks you in to either choosing a small elemental or a wysp, unless I am reading it wrong.
"Your friendship with the elements has grown. You gain your choice of a wysp or Small elemental of your primary element as an improved familiar, without needing to meet any of the usual prerequisites for gaining such a familiar."
I believe this to be correct.
Yeah, that makes greater EW even less attractive. Forget my chuspiki suggestion.
I guess you've got a feat free at 9th level. Maybe Delay Blast?
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I never have understood why you would ever want to actually use Delay Blast...if you need to attack something, why wait 1+ turns to do it?
I think I'll just plop Improved Initiative in there...maybe I'll take an initiative boosting familiar and pretty much always go first in combat.
Unless I can figure out a good accuracy boosting feat to do in its place.
Delay blast is for when you have any time to prepare the battlefield before the enemy's there. Maybe they're coming through a door or around a corner, maybe they're invisible but you've got some idea they're around anyway. Maybe you're underground and waiting for your tremorsense to tell you that some have moved off.
Kineticists don't have much if any buffing to do while waiting in that situation.
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Sounds pretty uncommonly situational...I'll probably go with either bullseye shot (hit better, but not as hard), or deadly aim (hit harder, but not as well). Kind of leaning more towards Bullseye right now, I have a feeling I will need it, since I won't get a magic weapon bonus to hit, and I am not targeting touch AC.