Tripping seems to be a great debuff.
Tripping with a bolo protects from the consequences of critical failure and allows you to Trip at(short) range.
Unfortunately Athletics keys off of Str, not something a ranged character or a caster usually boosts.
Bolo is also a Martial weapon, not something most casters are proficient in by default.
Does lack of proficiency matter if you are using a weapon to Trip?
Will the expected Strength bonus deficit make tossing a bolo at a level appropriate enemy a waste of time?
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Tripping seems to be a great debuff.
It really is, especially if you have allies nearby with Attack of Opportunity or similar reactions.
Tripping with a bolo protects from the consequences of critical failure and allows you to Trip at(short) range.
Yep. It's very strong for that reason.
Unfortunately Athletics keys off of Str, not something a ranged character or a caster usually boosts.
Success remains within the realm of possibility, but yeah, it's less likely to succeed than one spec'd for Strength.
Bolo is also a Martial weapon, not something most casters are proficient in by default.
Unfortunate.
Does lack of proficiency matter if you are using a weapon to Trip?
Nope. Not at all.
Will the expected Strength bonus deficit make tossing a bolo at a level appropriate enemy a waste of time?
I don't personally think so, especially if it's a returning bola or you have a means of calling your bolas back (such as with a thrower's bandolier so that you can try again. That being said, it depends one what your other options and allies are. For example, if you're a bard or sorcerer with a high Charisma, it might be better to Demoralize with Intimidate instead. If an ally has a lot of Will Save spells, you may want to consider Bon Mot instead.
If you don't have those abilities or are not spec'd for Charisma though (such as when playing a wizard), attempting to trip may well still be worthwhile--especially if someone else has already used Recall Knowledge.
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Does lack of proficiency matter if you are using a weapon to Trip?
Will the expected Strength bonus deficit make tossing a bolo at a level appropriate enemy a waste of time?
It is not a waste of time you just have to be realistic about your chances. A third action does not have to be as good as a first action to be a good idea. If it is a couple of points down it is not so bad.
Curiously the ranged trip has a -2 penalty on it. So it is another case where assurance with Athletics might actually be worth while.
I'd say instead of a 3rd action, use it as a 1st action followed by a save spell that doesn't care about MAP. You can also use something like Athletic Strategist too, but you'd need to use a Flying Talon to use int for the check [doable with a kobold+Kobold Weapon Familiarity]. Weapon Inventors with Rope Shot/Tangle Line can get into Ranged Trip with a larger range of weapons.
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Curiously the ranged trip has a -2 penalty on it. So it is another case where assurance with Athletics might actually be worth while.
My Assurance Tables might make that assessment easier.
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You can also use something like Athletic Strategist too, but you'd need to use a Flying Talon to use int for the check [doable with a kobold+Kobold Weapon Familiarity].
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Investigators with Athletic Strategist are able to use Int for the check with bolas.
Bolas are ranged weapons so they qualify for substituting Int for Dex on Strikes using Devise a Stratagem.
Devise a Stratagem
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When you make this substitution, you can also add your Intelligence modifier to your attack roll instead of your Strength or Dexterity modifier, provided your Strike uses an agile or finesse melee weapon, an agile or finesse unarmed attack, a ranged weapon (which must be agile or finesse if it's a melee weapon with the thrown trait), or a sap.
Therefore they let you substitute Int when making Athletics Checks with Athletic Strategist.
Athletic Strategist
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You can also use your Intelligence modifier instead of Strength for the Athletics check when you substitute your Devise a Stratagem roll, unless you're using a weapon for the maneuver and the weapon doesn't fit the restrictions for using Intelligence with a stratagem.
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Bolas are ranged weapons so they qualify for substituting Int for Dex on Strikes using Devise a Stratagem.
<snip>
Therefore they let you substitute Int when making Athletics Checks with Athletic Strategist.
Ah, read "a ranged weapon (which must be agile or finesse if it's a melee weapon with the thrown trait)" and only saw the bolded part while missed the melee part.
If you can get hold of bolas (they're Uncommon), then I'd agree that with Assurance you can get some mileage. Assurance on a low-Str PC (especially if they have armor that they don't have the Str for) can also be useful for basic navigation of terrain, ropes, water, etc. Note that Assurance seldom works at-level or higher, but against lumbering minions it's pretty reliable.
I don't think it'd be worth enchanting (especially if using Assurance) until it's a trivial investment. Yet once you do get wealth, you have to factor in the value of other items being in your hand.
It seems there'd be better items to hold in hand, i.e. a shield for Druids and many Warpriests. Couple that with staves, scrolls, & other consumables (or just having a free hand for utility) and I don't think the bolas earn their space. There could be exceptions like if the campaign regularly features lumbering brutes w/ low Ref.
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If you can get hold of bolas (they're Uncommon)
They are now common with Treasure Vault.
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I figured they would go in a Throwers Bandoleer, and never be enchanted on their own.
I see hiw they could be better first action than a third.
Being prone doesn't affect reflex saves, but it does affect movement.
Scatter Scree could be a good pairing.
Ah, read "a ranged weapon (which must be agile or finesse if it's a melee weapon with the thrown trait)" and only saw the bolded part while missed the melee part.Bolas are ranged weapons so they qualify for substituting Int for Dex on Strikes using Devise a Stratagem.
<snip>
Therefore they let you substitute Int when making Athletics Checks with Athletic Strategist.
Gotcha.
There's no restriction on 'pure' ranged items for DaS, which is good since Investigators are a bit squishy in melee. Archery is a great option for Investigators.
I'm pretty excited about the new Bow Staff combination item since it is a finesse melee option for archers that doesn't require a separate set of runes.
If you can get hold of bolas (they're Uncommon)They are now common with Treasure Vault.
Yep. They were originally common, got errata'd to be uncommon, and now are common again. :)