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It's a bit weird but after seeing spiked fist on that one Starfinder cover character, and now in 2e Bestiary on the orcs, I really want to punch some baddies with it. I don't personally mind the 1d4 damage, but I was curious if people had some ideas on how to use them to the fullest?
I'll likely be playing a Rogue thug based around fearing enemies with the punches, just because that seems fun and Rogue feels interesting. Likely to MC into Fighter for fear on damage via attacks at level 4.
I don't think there's a better way to use a spiked gauntlet than rogue. Sneak attack should get their damage up to more reasonable levels. You need to be a rouffian since the gauntlet doesn't have the finesse trait but that should play into your thug role quite nicely.
I don't think there's a better way to use a spiked gauntlet than rogue. Sneak attack should get their damage up to more reasonable levels. You need to be a rouffian since the gauntlet doesn't have the finesse trait but that should play into your thug role quite nicely.
Funny thing is, I was kinda set on alchemist but I'm not sure I like it compared to 1e. But it's also nice to go back to the roots and try some base classes again to be honest. I assume you refer to finesse for sneak attack, but that also applies to agile weapons, which the gauntlets are.
It was a bit of an accidental synergy, but with the right class feats, I should be able to punch someone, fear them, sneak attack on 2nd hit, then debilitating strike and then trigger a bleed with the last action via that one rogue feat whose name evades me.
But there's no specific runes or such that can make them better?
Grievous rune looks nice for spiked gauntlet. -4 to a save us brutal.
Grievous rune looks nice for spiked gauntlet. -4 to a save is brutal.
Grievous rune looks nice for spiked gauntlet. -4 to a save is brutal.
That's a nice one. I have to read up on crits still. Would wounding stack with the Twist the Knife rogue feat for bleeds?
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I assume you refer to finesse for sneak attack, but that also applies to agile weapons, which the gauntlets are.
Yes, sneak attack works for agile weapons. But since they aren't finesse, you might want to prioritize Strength over Dex anyway since Dex doesn't help you to hit and a finesse-less weapon also doesn't apply dex to damage if you're a thief.
Not to mention being a ruffian who intimidates people absolutely makes sense for a ruffian rogue. ;) He can even autpmatically frighten someone on a crit with the Brutal Beating feat (level 2).
High Strength also allows you to get better at intimidation via Intimidating Prowess.
It was a bit of an accidental synergy, but with the right class feats, I should be able to punch someone, fear them, sneak attack on 2nd hit, then debilitating strike and then trigger a bleed with the last action via that one rogue feat whose name evades me.
Do you mean Intimidating Strike of the fighter? That wouldn't work since intimidating Strike costs two actions.
Shifting rune so you can turn it into a shortsword? Use a Doubling Ring to use runes on the gauntlet for your actual main hand weapon?
As far a actually using the gauntlets as gauntlets... Free hand is it's only standout ability so I got nothing.
I assume you refer to finesse for sneak attack, but that also applies to agile weapons, which the gauntlets are.Yes, sneak attack works for agile weapons. But since they aren't finesse, you might want to prioritize Strength over Dex anyway since Dex doesn't help you to hit and a finesse-less weapon also doesn't apply dex to damage if you're a thief.
Not to mention being a ruffian who intimidates people absolutely makes sense for a ruffian rogue. ;) He can even autpmatically frighten someone on a crit with the Brutal Beating feat (level 2).
High Strength also allows you to get better at intimidation via Intimidating Prowess.
It was a bit of an accidental synergy, but with the right class feats, I should be able to punch someone, fear them, sneak attack on 2nd hit, then debilitating strike and then trigger a bleed with the last action via that one rogue feat whose name evades me.Do you mean Intimidating Strike of the fighter? That wouldn't work since intimidating Strike costs two actions.
Ah dang it. Didn't see the action cost. My dumb butt thought it was a passive added to every strike. This makes more sense. I might have to stick to the rogue one that fears on crit instead then or find another angle. Maybe just go with poison instead and stack as many effects as I can onto the gauntlets. How viable are crit builds for rogues, any experience with that?
Shifting rune so you can turn it into a shortsword? Use a Doubling Ring to use runes on the gauntlet for your actual main hand weapon?
As far a actually using the gauntlets as gauntlets... Free hand is it's only standout ability so I got nothing.
Not sure I want a shortsword. Mainly building around aesthetics at the moment. Gauntlets aren't amazing but they deal about same damage as daggers and it's a fun challenge to see if I can make them viable. Thank you for the ring name though, I wasn't aware this existed and you just made my day :D
How viable are crit builds for rogues, any experience with that?
None. I also don't think there such a thing as a crit build in PF2. Other than getting a keen weapon, you just increase your attack bonus as much as possible, but pretty much all martial character do this, so it's hardly a build.
The easiest access to guaranteed fear I can think of would be the bard's dirge of doom. But that's a 6th level feat so as a rogue you can't get it before level 12, which is rather late.
Another alternative would be the Monk's Dragon Roar but being in Dragon Stance and then attacking only wiht a spiked gauntlet seem wasteful.
How viable are crit builds for rogues, any experience with that?None. I also don't think there such a thing as a crit build in PF2. Other than getting a keen weapon, you just increase your attack bonus as much as possible, but pretty much all martial character do this, so it's hardly a build.
The easiest access to guaranteed fear I can think of would be the bard's dirge of doom. But that's a 6th level feat so as a rogue you can't get it before level 12, which is rather late.
Another alternative would be the Monk's Dragon Roar but being in Dragon Stance and then attacking only wiht a spiked gauntlet seem wasteful.
Mostly curious because rogue had a few feats based around crits, such as an debilitating strike and fearing enemies on crits and some others I glanced at.
I'd say Ruffian rogue with Dread striker and rest intimidation feats could work nicely. Vicious debilitations is also one of the best debuffs imo in the game, potentially adding 5 damage to all attacks of all allies. (you don't need to crit to Debilitated, only 1 feat in the debilitations needs crit, all others are simply triggered on sneak).
As for optimisation:
You could MC bard to grab dirge of doom at 12 and automatically keep everyone around you permanently Frightened (and flat footed to you) to dodge the limitations of Intimidate.
You could also/alternative go for a fighter MC and grab the 1 handed feats like combat grab and snagging style to take advantage of the "free hand" trait. Those 2 flow really nicely into allowing you to sneak attack fear immune targets or targets that you failed to Intimidate or that the intimidation duration elapsed.
In both cases I would grab shield block at 1, focus on Str and Cha while keeping the maximum Dex allowed by your Medium armor.
Another interesting feat to take advantage of free hand is Sabotage for stuff like breaking bows/xbows and Tearing material pouches, and etc
With shield block, opportune backstab, and you're next, you also are covered for reactions and you can pick an appropriate one every round.
I just found an interesting item and was curious about something that used to be an issue in PF1 I think. https://2e.aonprd.com/Equipment.aspx?ID=482
Can we upgrade specific magic weapons/armors in PF2 with further runes?
Dirge of doom, played with a kazoo. They'll call me the Dreadful Kazoo, the terror of the night...
I didn't think of bard, will have to look into it now that Fighter doesn't do anything for me. Plus the occult spells will give me a tiny bit of Constantine vibe as well! My biggest issue with bard has always been finding a performance that is appealing aesthetically, and if I recall, I can't use spiked fists if I hold something in the hand. But these are all great ideas, I really appreciate the effort.
There's appeal to grabbing skeletons and whatnot that's immune to fear for a pounding as well, I'll check it out.
Yes, you can upgrade specific magic weapons with runes, but only fundamental ones (i.e. Potencyand Striking).
A specific magic weapon lists its fundamental runes, which you can upgrade, add, or transfer as normal. You can’t etch any property runes onto a specific weapon that it doesn’t already have.
Yes, you can upgrade specific magic weapons with runes, but only fundamental ones (i.e. Potencyand Striking).
A specific magic weapon lists its fundamental runes, which you can upgrade, add, or transfer as normal. You can’t etch any property runes onto a specific weapon that it doesn’t already have.Source
Dang it. Well, it's not that bad and it makes sense since they usually have very fancy effects to make up for it. Thank you :D
...I'd say Ruffian rogue with Dread striker and rest intimidation feats could work nicely. Vicious debilitations is also one of the best debuffs imo in the game, potentially adding 5 damage to all attacks of all allies. (you don't need to crit to Debilitated, only 1 feat in the debilitations needs crit, all others are simply triggered on sneak).
As for optimisation:
You could MC bard to grab dirge of doom at 12 and automatically keep everyone around you permanently Frightened (and flat footed to you) to dodge the limitations of Intimidate.
You could also/alternative go for a fighter MC and grab the 1 handed feats like combat grab and snagging style to take advantage of the "free hand" trait. Those 2 flow really nicely into allowing you to sneak attack fear immune targets or targets that you failed to Intimidate or that the intimidation duration elapsed.
In both cases I would grab shield block at 1, focus on Str and Cha while keeping the maximum Dex allowed by your Medium armor.
Another interesting feat to take advantage of free hand is Sabotage for stuff like breaking bows/xbows and Tearing material pouches, and etc
With shield block, opportune backstab, and you're next, you also are covered for reactions and you can pick an appropriate one every round.
I just found an interesting item and was curious about something that used to be an issue in PF1 I think. https://2e.aonprd.com/Equipment.aspx?ID=482
Can we upgrade specific magic weapons/armors in PF2 with further runes?
Dirge of doom, played with a kazoo. They'll call me the Dreadful Kazoo, the terror of the night...
I didn't think of bard, will have to look into it now that Fighter doesn't do anything for me. Plus the occult spells will give me a tiny bit of Constantine vibe as well! My biggest issue with bard has always been finding a performance that is appealing aesthetically, and if I recall, I can't use spiked fists if I hold something in the hand. But these are
learning something new every day. I'll look into it and see if I can make it work with my character, thanks a ton!