Need some character advice for a Dual-class campaign.


Advice

Dark Archive

Hi all, a friend is running Extinction curse for three of us, and wanted us to make our characters Dual-class.

So far we have:
Tripke Rogue (thief)/Sorcerer (Diabolic) with the circus born background - very dex and charisma focused and is being an aerialist for the circus.

Human Bard (polymath)/barbarian (fury), clown background. Also mostly dex and charisma. Clown background and leads the clown group for the circus.

So I was really trying to think what works best for me.
I made a cavern elf Kinetiscist (earth)/monk, who has the mystic seer background. However I don't know if that is the ideal way to go to really help the party.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

Dark Archive

I am usually the GM most of the time, so making characters as a player is sometimes hard for me to decide on etc.


I can’t speak much about the kineticist (too which I have no experience, nor even seen someone play), but I would recommend a strongman-type character. You’ll want someone who can just put the hurt on, and I don’t think a Dexterity based barbarian will do it. The rogue might help, but you need someone who can hold the frontline.

A character with some emergency in-combat healing (perhaps just one of the dual class dedications?) would also be a good idea.


The dual class kineticist I really want to play is a Kineti-monk, simply because the level 16 monk feat "Fuse Stance" does not specify monk stances, so you can fuse Assume Earth's Mantle and Thermal Nimbus, or Winter Sleet and Drifting Pollen, or any two kineticist stances you like. Kineticist stances are generally stronger than monk ones.

My pitch would be an earth/fire kinetimonk for incredible tankiness, huge range on Lava Leap, passive damage through thermal nimbus, and the ability to combine the earth skill junction with some of the fun maneuver stuff the Monk gets.

Dark Archive

Thanks for the advice!


Adventure Path Charter Subscriber; Pathfinder Rulebook, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber

Two words of caution for the kineticist/monk:
1) You will probably want to avoid the kineticist impulses with the stance trait to avoid dropping out of any monk stance ("A stance lasts until you get knocked out, until its requirements (if any) are violated, until the encounter ends, or until you use a stance action again, whichever comes first.) before access to Fuse Stance.
2) Related to the first, a kineticist/Str-monk should probably select Mountain Stance (plus Mountain Stronghold and Mountain Quake) as the impulses granting armor will not benefit from the higher unarmored defense proficiency of the monk class benefits.

Dark Archive

Dragonchess Player wrote:

Two words of caution for the kineticist/monk:

1) You will probably want to avoid the kineticist impulses with the stance trait to avoid dropping out of any monk stance ("A stance lasts until you get knocked out, until its requirements (if any) are violated, until the encounter ends, or until you use a stance action again, whichever comes first.) before access to Fuse Stance.
2) Related to the first, a kineticist/Str-monk should probably select Mountain Stance (plus Mountain Stronghold and Mountain Quake) as the impulses granting armor will not benefit from the higher unarmored defense proficiency of the monk class benefits.

Ah I thought the Armor in Earth uses your 'highest' Armor proficiency, which would be the Monk's expert unarmored right?


Dustfather wrote:
Dragonchess Player wrote:

Two words of caution for the kineticist/monk:

1) You will probably want to avoid the kineticist impulses with the stance trait to avoid dropping out of any monk stance ("A stance lasts until you get knocked out, until its requirements (if any) are violated, until the encounter ends, or until you use a stance action again, whichever comes first.) before access to Fuse Stance.
2) Related to the first, a kineticist/Str-monk should probably select Mountain Stance (plus Mountain Stronghold and Mountain Quake) as the impulses granting armor will not benefit from the higher unarmored defense proficiency of the monk class benefits.
Ah I thought the Armor in Earth uses your 'highest' Armor proficiency, which would be the Monk's expert unarmored right?

You'd need to discuss it with your GM, since while Unarmored is definitely a Defence, but whether or not it counts as an Armor Proficiency is a hotly debated topic.

I think it does simply because the Armor section of Player Core says:

"The armor’s category—unarmored, light armor, medium armor, or heavy armor—indicates which proficiency bonus you use while wearing the armor."

If Unarmored is an Armor category, then it follows Unarmored is a type of Armor proficiency.

Do note, however, that regardless of how your GM chooses to rule this, it's still armor, which means you can't use a lot of Monk stances anyway because they require you to be Unarmored. The only ones open to you would be Stumbling Stance and (if you allow Legacy content), Gorilla stance. If you don't care about Monk stances though, this isn't a big issue.

I wouldn't recommend Mountain Stance because it's not worth the feat slots.

Dark Archive

TheFinish wrote:
Dustfather wrote:
Dragonchess Player wrote:

Two words of caution for the kineticist/monk:

1) You will probably want to avoid the kineticist impulses with the stance trait to avoid dropping out of any monk stance ("A stance lasts until you get knocked out, until its requirements (if any) are violated, until the encounter ends, or until you use a stance action again, whichever comes first.) before access to Fuse Stance.
2) Related to the first, a kineticist/Str-monk should probably select Mountain Stance (plus Mountain Stronghold and Mountain Quake) as the impulses granting armor will not benefit from the higher unarmored defense proficiency of the monk class benefits.
Ah I thought the Armor in Earth uses your 'highest' Armor proficiency, which would be the Monk's expert unarmored right?

You'd need to discuss it with your GM, since while Unarmored is definitely a Defence, but whether or not it counts as an Armor Proficiency is a hotly debated topic.

I think it does simply because the Armor section of Player Core says:

"The armor’s category—unarmored, light armor, medium armor, or heavy armor—indicates which proficiency bonus you use while wearing the armor."

If Unarmored is an Armor category, then it follows Unarmored is a type of Armor proficiency.

Do note, however, that regardless of how your GM chooses to rule this, it's still armor, which means you can't use a lot of Monk stances anyway because they require you to be Unarmored. The only ones open to you would be Stumbling Stance and (if you allow Legacy content), Gorilla stance. If you don't care about Monk stances though, this isn't a big issue.

I wouldn't recommend Mountain Stance because it's not worth the feat slots.

Yeah I probably won't use any stances.


You can't combine monk stances and kineticist stances anyway, and kineticist stances get the "free activation when you channel" action compression.

The core loop for a fire/earth kinetimonk I think is going to be lava leap- it's a 2-action overflow impulse that gives you movement, AoE damage with excellent scaling, and an effective shield raise. With your remaining action you can:
- Flurry of Blows at 0 MAP (consider monastic weaponry if you want a d8 attack)
- Flurry of Manuevers for trip/grapple stuff.
- Channel your element to add onto that a free kinetic blast or a kineticist stance.

You are much more comfortable "right in the thick of things" than the normal kineticist because you have the monk's legendary unarmored defense progression, legendary in fortitude plus another save of your choice, and you can get self-healing for one action with a Qi spell.


Your characters will have lots that they can do, but still only 3 actions per turn. I think that reactions will give you a lot of additional bandwidth. Accordingly, I would prioritize either fighter or champion.

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So, I know I'm about to throw out something from left field here (please feel free to tell me my suggestion is just flat out not a good one and why), but looking at the party, I myself would then maybe want to toss in a character with high intelligence to the mix? Rogue Sorcerer feels like some pretty strong offense. Bard Barbarian feels like strong defense. In my mind, something missing is someone with the mega brains to solve weird problems. I honestly might go Alchemist Investigator on this one?? Investigator Stratagem and Advanced Deduction could be really helpful to the other two party members' fighting skills? Alternatively, I'm crazy and I just like Investigators????

Dark Archive

Maya Coleman wrote:
So, I know I'm about to throw out something from left field here (please feel free to tell me my suggestion is just flat out not a good one and why), but looking at the party, I myself would then maybe want to toss in a character with high intelligence to the mix? Rogue Sorcerer feels like some pretty strong offense. Bard Barbarian feels like strong defense. In my mind, something missing is someone with the mega brains to solve weird problems. I honestly might go Alchemist Investigator on this one?? Investigator Stratagem and Advanced Deduction could be really helpful to the other two party members' fighting skills? Alternatively, I'm crazy and I just like Investigators????

I actually entertained an idea like that.

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Dustfather wrote:

I actually entertained an idea like that.

Nice to know we had a similar thought!!! Yeah, I was thinking something more along those lines might flesh out the inquisitiveness and strategy planning of the party to make it more well rounded that way? I'm curious to see what you end up deciding on in any case!


Alchemist/Investigator is a pretty insanely strong Dual Class. Especially if you go with Alchemical Sciences Investigator, as that has some somewhat system-breaking interactions between the Alchemist's regenerating Versatile Vials and the Investigator's Quick Tincture ability.

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ottdmk wrote:
Alchemist/Investigator is a pretty insanely strong Dual Class. Especially if you go with Alchemical Sciences Investigator, as that has some somewhat system-breaking interactions between the Alchemist's regenerating Versatile Vials and the Investigator's Quick Tincture ability.

Laughs evilly in a menacing chair while petting my cat, sitting at a desk covered in beakers and flasks full of various tinctures

Dark Archive

So what I ended up doing was - Gunslinger/Inventor... using a Innovation Hand Crossbow with way of the sniper. However, really smart dude so I picked up a bunch of the skills the others didn't have.

Paizo Employee Community & Social Media Specialist

Ohhhh, nice!!!! That's another nice way to round things out. I hope it goes well!

Dark Archive

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Maya Coleman wrote:
Ohhhh, nice!!!! That's another nice way to round things out. I hope it goes well!

Thanks!

Dark Archive

The character died... Death to Wasp Swarm/poison!

So, I brought in another character. Fighter/Alchemist (Mutagenist).

Paizo Employee Community & Social Media Specialist

Dustfather wrote:

The character died... Death to Wasp Swarm/poison!

So, I brought in another character. Fighter/Alchemist (Mutagenist).

OH gosh!!! Well, second time's the charm! I'm happy you kept the Alchemist part of the multi-class!


Dustfather wrote:

The character died... Death to Wasp Swarm/poison!

So, I brought in another character. Fighter/Alchemist (Mutagenist).

Reading this felt thread felt like watching a show and then getting an anticlimactic ending. Alas poor unnamed Inventor, we hardly knew thee. Haha

And yeah... Swarms are something I think everyone needs a plan for at some point in their build.

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Kilraq Starlight wrote:

Reading this felt thread felt like watching a show and then getting an anticlimactic ending. Alas poor unnamed Inventor, we hardly knew thee. Haha

And yeah... Swarms are something I think everyone needs a plan for at some point in their build.

It's honestly been great. I saw it as a very well built montage with loud, bombastic victory music only to be abruptly cut off when the character died immediately, the thread and the tale now shrouded in the loudest silence ever. AKA a pretty fun time. Here's hoping for the next one!

Dark Archive

Yeah my new guy is a smarty tank :)


Dustfather wrote:
Yeah my new guy is a smarty tank :)

Update with your (mis) adventures when you can. I wish your new brainchild a safe adventure! May they have a less tragic ending.

Paizo Employee Community & Social Media Specialist

Dustfather wrote:
Yeah my new guy is a smarty tank :)

Three cheers for Smarty Tank!

Smarty Tank! Smarty Tank! Smarty Tank! ^_^

Dark Archive

Kilraq Starlight wrote:
Dustfather wrote:
Yeah my new guy is a smarty tank :)
Update with your (mis) adventures when you can. I wish your new brainchild a safe adventure! May they have a less tragic ending.

Definitely will do so!

Dark Archive

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Maya Coleman wrote:
Dustfather wrote:
Yeah my new guy is a smarty tank :)

Three cheers for Smarty Tank!

Smarty Tank! Smarty Tank! Smarty Tank! ^_^

LOL


I'd be really curious to hear details of your Build. Fighter/Alchemist can go a lot of different ways.

Dark Archive

ottdmk wrote:
I'd be really curious to hear details of your Build. Fighter/Alchemist can go a lot of different ways.

Hold-scarred Orc- Fighter Vicious Swing/Aggressive Block- Axe and Shield

Alchemist - Mutagenist focusing on mainly combat buffing mutagens (though know cognitive and what not)...

Have a fair amount of skills and the like.

If anyone wants to check him out (he is missing a shield because it broke) - https://pathbuilder2e.com/launch.html?build=1048347

Paizo Employee Community & Social Media Specialist

Dustfather wrote:
ottdmk wrote:
I'd be really curious to hear details of your Build. Fighter/Alchemist can go a lot of different ways.

Hold-scarred Orc- Fighter Vicious Swing/Aggressive Block- Axe and Shield

Alchemist - Mutagenist focusing on mainly combat buffing mutagens (though know cognitive and what not)...

Have a fair amount of skills and the like.

If anyone wants to check him out (he is missing a shield because it broke) - https://pathbuilder2e.com/launch.html?build=1048347

How's it going to so far!!


Dustfather wrote:
ottdmk wrote:
I'd be really curious to hear details of your Build. Fighter/Alchemist can go a lot of different ways.

Hold-scarred Orc- Fighter Vicious Swing/Aggressive Block- Axe and Shield

Alchemist - Mutagenist focusing on mainly combat buffing mutagens (though know cognitive and what not)...

Have a fair amount of skills and the like.

If anyone wants to check him out (he is missing a shield because it broke) - https://pathbuilder2e.com/launch.html?build=1048347

A good build. All the talk about the summoner in the general area has made me start thinking about a Summoner/Rogue build. Your own gangup partner! :p

May the adventures for your Mr. Hyde go well!

Dark Archive

Maya Coleman wrote:
Dustfather wrote:
ottdmk wrote:
I'd be really curious to hear details of your Build. Fighter/Alchemist can go a lot of different ways.

Hold-scarred Orc- Fighter Vicious Swing/Aggressive Block- Axe and Shield

Alchemist - Mutagenist focusing on mainly combat buffing mutagens (though know cognitive and what not)...

Have a fair amount of skills and the like.

If anyone wants to check him out (he is missing a shield because it broke) - https://pathbuilder2e.com/launch.html?build=1048347

How's it going to so far!!

It is going well. I need a new shield, but otherwise he is a big help for the others.

Since I kind of rush built him after the other character died, I am going to ask the GM if I can slightly adjust his ability scores (drop dex one, up int one- since I had that option).


Now I'm picturing your character window shopping for shields, going over their fine points, while sipping on some local street food drink.

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Kilraq Starlight wrote:
Now I'm picturing your character window shopping for shields, going over their fine points, while sipping on some local street food drink.

I saw this vividly and heard the music in my head!

Dark Archive

Maya Coleman wrote:
Kilraq Starlight wrote:
Now I'm picturing your character window shopping for shields, going over their fine points, while sipping on some local street food drink.
I saw this vividly and heard the music in my head!

LOL

Paizo Employee Community & Social Media Specialist

I check this every day of the week to make sure you haven't died again. ㅠㅠ

Dark Archive

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Maya Coleman wrote:
I check this every day of the week to make sure you haven't died again. ㅠㅠ

LOL... oh it came close this past session. Well it came close not due to HP, but due to some conditions and a disease. I pulled through though thankfully.

Now we are level, so there is that! :)


Dustfather wrote:
Maya Coleman wrote:
I check this every day of the week to make sure you haven't died again. ㅠㅠ

LOL... oh it came close this past session. Well it came close not due to HP, but due to some conditions and a disease. I pulled through though thankfully.

Now we are level, so there is that! :)

Time for some blessed one feats maybe?

Dark Archive

Last session got my hands on some full plate. Nice AC when I raise my shield

Paizo Employee Community & Social Media Specialist

So you're not dead??? Still alive??? I admit I got scared when I saw you updated the thread lol


Dustfather wrote:
Last session got my hands on some full plate. Nice AC when I raise my shield

Plate is life (particularly if you can get mighty bulwark). Any big fit moments yet? Other members surviving well?

Dark Archive

Everyone is surviving so far. We are almost done with the first adventure.

Paizo Employee Community & Social Media Specialist

Heck yes!! Anything particularly fun and exciting happen? Have you gotten to lean into your character's abilities a little?

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