I'm working on a new build that will start at level 3. I'm considering dipping 1 level into Operative specifically to take Trick Attack for a few reasons.
1. A standard attack off during this as well while going for Flat-Footed status
2. Operative Spy specialization will give +4 bonus to Bluffs towards Trick Attack
Clever Feint seems better in one regard where if the check is successful, it lasts for all party members until the end of the next round. But I'm not sure if Trick Attack ends once the enemy takes their action.
As this build is now, it would mainly level as a back-line gunner that gives out commands and buffs. I think it sounds good, but my last build as a Soldier sniper left ranged combat feeling not that great.
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I'd definitely go the Clever Feint route myself. Bluff is going to be about as good as the operative trick attack skill and its at a lower DC in general. It makes the opponent flat footed for all characters (trick attack definitely affects just YOUR attack) and it does NOT take a full round action to do. Way, way superior.
The only class I'd even to be tempted to multiclass an Envoy into would be the soldier. For all the usual reasons.
Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but why would Operatives Trick Attack not apply to other party members if it's a status ability on the target enemy? The description from Flat-Footed reads like it is something that would last until that character turn. If it's a status on that enemy, wouldn't it be exploitable by others that can attack that exploit, which is AC in this case?
Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but why would Operatives Trick Attack not apply to other party members if it's a status ability on the target enemy? The description from Flat-Footed reads like it is something that would last until that character turn. If it's a status on that enemy, wouldn't it be exploitable by others that can attack that exploit, which is AC in this case?
Trick Attack only applies the flat-footed condition as a benefit for that specific action in the round. Trick Attack doesn't apply the flat-footed condition with a duration until level 4 as outlined under Debilitating Trick.
The flat-footed condition of Trick Attack being specific to the Operative is unique to the class feature. As noted, this restriction is lessened at level 4 with Debilitating Trick when the Operative can choose either Flat-Footed or Off-Target for the entire group after their successful trick action. **edit, better to say - The Operative causes the target to become either flat-footed or off-target until the start of the Operative's next turn. It should be reasonable to believe that the ability is now applied to the target and exploitable by everyone. The specifics of this appear to be intentionally left out of the Trick Attack description because otherwise why add conditional text?
The Envoy on the other hand can allow for the flat-footed condition with Clever Feint which further improves at 6th level with auto-success with 1 resolve spent. Also, keep in mind that by 5th level an Envoy can select Bluff as a skill boosted by their Skill Expertise class feature.
If the goal of the Operative dip is to get the ability to apply flat-footed for the group by circumventing Clever Feint, well then I don't think that ability works that way. I could be very wrong, but this is how it seems to work to me.
Okay. That makes sense. Yeah. This potential build is going to be scrapped then. Thanks for the feedback! It helps :)
I don't know what your goals are, but if you aren't opposed to dipping another class consider a soldier dip. It gives you access to heavy armor and many better weapons, plus a nice bonus with whichever fighting style you choose (blitz is the most popular for such dips, but some of the others can be very good as well.) Using an unwieldy weapon can help you contribute some more damage when you don't want to spend your round buffing.
It's not for everyone, but the soldier dip is a good option if you are interested.
I've seen soldier dip mentioned here and there. I think I will most likely settle on either a straight Operative or Soldier build. If I do Soldier, it would be full melee this time.
I don't know. I just haven't my head around or into Starfinder fully yet and everything just feels weird, so planning out a build has been odd.
It is difficult in starfinder to put together good multiclass options, so going with a straight class is not a bad decision. Best of luck :)
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I don't know. I just haven't my head around or into Starfinder fully yet and everything just feels weird, so planning out a build has been odd.
It plays differently from Pathfinder in some significant ways.
1) Your Combat focused characters WILL go down from time to time. There is no way to avoid that completely. Don't panic when this happens, its expected.
2) Combats take longer. Don't expect your mega damage dealer to take people down in 1 shot (even at low levels). Again, expected.
3) Resolve is important. Don't dump your resolve stat. 14 in your resolve stat is about as low as I'd EVER go. This is especially true for a character focused on combat.
Operative and Soldier are both great choices for beginners in Starfinder. Both classes are very straight forward given the convenience of their resolve attribute, I feel there is little reason not to go with the absolute max in it for either.
Also, both classes offer a lot without a lot of complex rules.
I would throw out the following questions...
"Who is the primary damage dealer?"
"Who is the face?"
"What do you see yourself doing out of combat?"
"What is your Starship role?"
Etc...
That should help narrow down the choice because Operatives are not Rogues. The old "Rogue Fireball" combat trap builds of 3.X don't really apply to Starfinder. And Soldiers have absolutely 0 support for non-combat roles being the only class lacking an inherent insight bonus as a feature (you can pick up insight bonuses in feats but its not quite as good later on).