A Riddle: Level 4 Zen Archer with self-cast Gravity Bow?

[Sadronmeldir]

I couldn't decide if this was a rules question or more of an advice topic...

At a PFS table this last week, I saw an amazing level 4 zen archer. He had amazing attack bonuses and even better damage. When I asked, the damage was a result of gravity bow being active.

I didn't pry too much at the table because I didn't want to make it sound like I was challenging the build, but I have since tried to recreate it with no success.

I'm no zen archer expert, but I'm fairly certain that the character had access to his ki pool at level 4 which generally leads me to believe he hadn't dipped into something like ranger to get gravity bow onto his spell list. He also could cast gravity bow without a roll for success that I would have expected with a UMD check.

What am I missing? This was a PFS game, so no third party content, and I'm unfamiliar with zen archer mechanics in detail. I'm not challenging the build or suggesting any cheating occurred, rather I'm just trying to solve this brain teaser.

Thanks in advance for any ideas!

[Pink Dragon]

He might have dipped 1 level into sorcerer or wizard.

[John Murdock]

if he have access to his ki pool then he has an object that cast gravity bow for him (ring or a wondrous items surely), if he do not have access to his ki pool then he has dipped one lvl into sorcerer or wizard like Pink Dragon said

[TimD]

As said above, Sorcerer dip is common for monks and is the most likely option.

If he had no dip, he may have been a half elf with the Arcane Training alternate racial ability allowing them to activate items as a 1st Level Wizard or Sorcerer, which means no roll necessary for 1st L wands / scrolls.

[Sadronmeldir]

Brilliant, thanks all!

I'm fairly certain he didn't dip... he had access to his ki pool at 4th level and I believe that implies a straight monk build. In the same spirit, I doubt a PFS character is capable of affording a wondrous item able to cast gravity bow like that at low level.

I was totally unaware of the Arcane Training option and frankly, I love that idea! I'm going to give that a try, I think.

[Blub Blub]

I gave my Bolt Ace two Cracked Vibrant Purple Prism Ioun Stones at a fairly low level. Ups my damage from 1d10 to 2d8. And it's just 10gp/each to pay for the spellcasting service in between scenarios to recharge them.

Perhaps he did the same?

[SmiloDan]

Is there a racial trait that lets you learn a 1st level wizard or sorcerer spell or whatever?

[Ancient Dragon Master]

SmiloDan wrote:

Is there a racial trait that lets you learn a 1st level wizard or sorcerer spell or whatever?

Yes. None are gravity bow though

Spoiler:

Elf alternate racial trait - Envoy grants Comprehend languages,Detect magic,Detect poison,Read magic.

Drow alternate racial trait grants Charm Person

Fetchling get Disguise Self or Memory Lapse

Ifrit get Burning Hands or Enlarge/Reduce Person

Sylph get Feather Fall

Undine get Hydraulic Push

Hal-elf alternat racial trait Drow magic grants more spells

[avr]

A scroll or wand & UMD? Hitting DC 20 reliably as a level 4 monk would be hard, but hitting it at all is completely doable.

[Sadronmeldir]

Keeping this thread alive a bit because I'm learning great things. I loved Blub Blub's suggestion of the Ioun Stones. I didn't make note of a limit per day, but then I wasn't really counting so it's entirely possible. I just assumed wand at that point, and the lack of UMD roll confused me.

I love the arcane training option, personally. I'm pretty sure it wasn't what was being used at the time given that the monk was a dwarf, but it's a really cool build concept regardless.

The wife pointed out that this might have been something unlocked by a boon in some fashion. That'd be awesome if that's the case.

[Spacelard]

As INT and CHA tend to be dump stats for a ZAM I personally think a dip in wizard/sorcerer unlikely.

UMD seems hit or miss, again CHA dump so maybe a dip into Ranger?

[thewastedwalrus]

Any other details about their character you could give?

Race, Feats, Expensive Items, whatever you can remember would help. Even if the things you remember them having don't involve Gravity Bow or archery at all it would at least help narrow the search.

[First World Bard]

Spacelard wrote:

As INT and CHA tend to be dump stats for a ZAM I personally think a dip in wizard/sorcerer unlikely.

I have a ZAM with a 1 level dip into Empyreal Bloodline sorcerer, to get WIS as the casting stat.

[thewastedwalrus]

Arcane Training for Half-elves would allow a wand to be used without a check, though losing Favored Class bonuses might not be worth it.

[Nefreet]

Just ask the player. Tell them you're interested in replicating what they've done. Most people are ecstatic to talk about their characters.

[Sadronmeldir]

Nefreet wrote:

Just ask the player. Tell them you're interested in replicating what they've done. Most people are ecstatic to talk about their characters.

I absolutely will do so, if I'm somehow able! This was at a table of play that's not been posted online yet. I didn't have the foresight to trade contact information with the player. I wish I had... it was probably the best table I'd played at in a while.

The only other information I can recall was that it was a dwarf.

I'd just like to say that all this theory-crafting is greatly appreciated. Even if I never figure out the exact build, there are quite a few inventive ideas in this thread. So thanks!

[Azten]

Spacelard wrote:

As INT and CHA tend to be dump stats for a ZAM I personally think a dip in wizard/sorcerer unlikely.

UMD seems hit or miss, again CHA dump so maybe a dip into Ranger?

There's always Empyreal Sorcerer.