Yes
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
If I am interpreting it correctly, then what would be the point of having a ranged weapon when Telekinetic Projectile would do more damage, cost nothing, and have the only downside be range?
Your spell attack modifier will always be lower than your melee or ranged attack modifier as a Swashbuckler, and the spell takes two actions to cast.
That statistically makes it worse, but it's not terrible as a backup option.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Unless the ability that gives you a cantrip specifically says otherwise, every cantrip you learn always heightens to ½ your character level. (To see an example of an ability that gives you a non-auto heightening cantrip, see the Arcane Sense skill feat.)
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
There is no 'spellcaster level' in PF2. There is only one character statistic called Level and it doesn't change because of taking an archetype. Your character level is your character level - and that is what cantrips and focus spells heighten based on. 1/2 character level rounded up.
As for balance between ranged weapons and Telekinetic Projectile: Remember that you are only using a secondary stat for your attack roll, and there are no item bonuses to add to it. Also with an archetype caster, your proficiency bonus is likely to lag behind your weapon proficiency too. And finally, cantrip spells all cost 2 actions to cast. One attack from a ranged weapon only costs 1 action. Some ranged weapons don't take any additional action to reload either, but some do. And even the ones that do take one action to reload, the action can be done on a different turn. Spellcasting actions always have to be done on the same turn.
It is character level. It being based on character level was actually supposedly to make it more clear it wasn't dependent on having spell slots of that level for purposes of what level the cantrips you cast are cast at. (to avoid the thought that someone who was 10th level, but only had the basic spellcasting archetype feet, not the expert one, that they would still be casting their Cantrips as 5th level spells. Ironically, I think it attracted lots of attention and confusion, rather than necessarily making it completely clear.
The level of some other class isn't really a thing in second edition with the archetype process. You don't have 'levels' in any other classes. You just have the class you started, and levels in it. Your archetype simply adds breadth to your abilities. (and sometimes access to certain other classes abilities are at for instance half your level, instead of full level, to keep some class identity and niche in place)
Why have a ranged weapon? Well casting TP ends up taking up 2 actions, so if your other action is doing your inspire, you have no actions left. If you use a weapon, you have an action left over to move or do something else. Also, using a weapon, the weapon can have runes be they striking or property runes. Granted, the spell does decent damage, there are ways to find a weapon and runes doing notable damage and effects, for potentially less action cost.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Thank you all for the clarification!
I don't imagine that it would scale well over time. It's just a good side option especially if I wake up in a cell with no other equipment. A spell that maxes out at 10d6 at level 19 isn't going be overly helpful, but at level 3 it's twice the damage of any other ranged weapon that I can afford.
Kind regards,
Communinja
Twice the damage...kinda, but not really since the spell attack's lower than your attack. And at 5th when you're an expert (and a Striking backup ranged weapon doesn't hurt the finances too much), then that difference will be more pronounced.
ETA: And as Nefreet noted, we're comparing a 2-action attack to a 1-action Strike (which could be repeated). The Cantrip's main advantages are being able to do different damage types plus not having to swap out weapons to attack at range, but for an extended ranged combat, a bow would prove superior (even if behind the curve on its Runes).Also consider getting Shield; a spell worth going out of your way for, yet is right there for you to nab.