Pathfinder Pathfinder: Kingmaker - Enhanced Plus Edition - now with turn-based combat

[Desiderius]

You have that Bard / Thug. Frankly focusing on Intimidate on him feels a bit like waste, when there's Dirge of Doom that works automatically and Lingers (in a limited radius though).

I prefer to just keep Inspire Courage on, tbh. Shaken gives enemies -2 bonus to attack, i.e. an effective +2 AC to the party, and Inspire Courage gives the party a +2 to attack (or more eventually) for a well-rounded full package.

That's just the start, though. The more important part of Shaken is enabling Shatter Defenses to work and ALWAYS attacking flat-footed AC of enemies not immune to fear (and effortlessly triggering extra effects, such as sneak attacks, SS Int-to-damage). That makes a vast difference on all martial builds.

Ultimately fauchard is best reach weapon due to crit range and exotic artisan.

Good Fauchards come really late into the game, tho, and using them requires burning another Feat. Dipping into Fighter to grab both Martial and Fauchard proficiency at the same level might be an option, but that means delaying the progression of summons, which are already not-that-strong on Unfair. I'm experimenting with Shock Frost Heavy Mace and Enlarge Person right now. It's OK-ish, but she's still too close to larger enemies and draws too much focus to herself, which she can't survive with 22 AC.

Getting good fauchards is a bit artisan/luck dependant. It's possible to get a +3 d6 acid 18-20/x3 very early. Or never, I suppose. Anyway, due to the wide crit range, they are vastly superior for teamwork feats (Outflank, Seize the Moment) to Glaives.
One possible trick I used in a build is to pick an SS level to gain both Proficiency and Focus in fauchards (Focus is needed for Dazzling Display->Shatter Defenses).

Also, for those of you using Eldritch Arcana, does anyone use the Spell Blending Arcana? I wanted to give my Sword Saint the Sense Vitals spell, but at the level-up screen when you're supposed to pick the spell, the entire UI gets completely fucked up and I have to reload the game to even be able to level up the character at all.

Well, I did that, had no issues (but late, at level 19 I think). Hopefully the solution offered by deuxhero works. If not... when I my UI went wild during a respec attempt with EA active, a reload did the trick for me. But always better to save beforehand...

+3 vanilla from Rinderpest in Dunsward is fine, +2 with frost is from Depths level nine. Just got the greater necrotic one from Artisan, haven’t been to Pitax yet. Did restore Bronzeshield Fortress. Artisan is gated behind Econ and relations.

 

[Haplo]

Yeah, well, personally I can't complain about fauchards. Once got the Serpent Prince (+3, increased crit multiplier, acid) before going to Varnhold...

I realize its not the same for everyone, though. I still haven't seen all the artisan items (I'm looking at you, Redeemer).

 

[Desiderius]

Yeah, well, personally I can't complain about fauchards. Once got the Serpent Prince (+3, increased crit multiplier, acid) before going to Varnhold...

I realize its not the same for everyone, though. I still haven't seen all the artisan items (I'm looking at you, Redeemer).

Funny thing: very first skill on Paladin was Exotic Prof: Fauchard and this (lvl 14) will be the first time she equips one. Much better fit for a character with some DEX for combat reflexes and no inherent martial proficiency (like monster tactician).

 

[Desiderius]

I’m probably done with Pal until I come back to this game in five years to enjoy all the mods, but Divine Guardian looks to be working now, with Bodyguard spending AoOs to give +4 AC and In Harm’s Way eating successful attacks and their effects.

All this by level 3. Seems like a tempting three level splash or you get extra sword/boardish feats if you take it all the way up. You’d need DEX for those AoOs so could be a shield mastery build.

 

[Cryomancer]

Any mod who adds spells like Flesh to Stone, Stop Time, Wish(even if limited to a small list), wall of suppression, Wooden Phalanx, Ride the Lightning, and other cool stuff????

 

[Contagium]

I just got to the part in the game where you search for The Grimoire in Blakemoor's hideout. I had no idea this was a thing. I nearly pissed myself.

 

[Haplo]

Any mod who adds spells like Flesh to Stone, Stop Time, Wish(even if limited to a small list), wall of suppression, Wooden Phalanx, Ride the Lightning, and other cool stuff????

TimeStop and Wish are in Eldritch Arcana, I believe. Flesh to Stone is in the new Arcane Tide mod.

The other spells are probably not available. But the new Arcanist class from Arcane Tide has some mobility powers like Dimension Slip.

 

[Shadenuat]

Lol that +6 anti Undead Cyclops Gabriel Angelos hammer at the entrance to Vordakai is truly an example of kowtowing before casuals.

 

[Daidre]

Lol that +6 anti Undead Cyclops Gabriel Angelos hammer at the entrance to Vordakai is truly an example of kowtowing before casuals.

Or devious attempt to lure them into melee with angry big mean Undead Cyclops .

 

[Shadenuat]

Well yeah 275 damage crits hurt but they have shit Reflex so even level 1 Grease works well enough. And it does also provide +3 AC.

But relative to weapon balance before that point, it's an absolutely batshit insane weapon. Even at +3 it would be better than 99% of other 2-handed weapons you found before it.

 

[Haplo]

Seriously? They put something like that there?

 

[Shadenuat]

At random area before the tomb where you find a scythe yes.

+4, Giant Bane, +3 Insight AC against Undead

Good weapon to kill that worthless ork artisan with his Flyswatters +1 lololo.

 

[ArchAngel]

Seriously? They put something like that there?

Why so surprised? Didn't they give players that crazy acid bow just before troll dungeons?

 

[Thonius]

Yeah but it was hidden behind perc and trickery though...

 

[rusty_shackleford]

Seriously? They put something like that there?

Why so surprised? Didn't they give players that crazy acid bow just before troll dungeons?

It's basically the best bow you find the entire game. I think I may have replaced it near the end.

 

[Cyberarmy]

Lol that +6 anti Undead Cyclops Gabriel Angelos hammer at the entrance to Vordakai is truly an example of kowtowing before casuals.

Yeah, I was shocked when I saw it too.

 

[Haplo]

Seriously? They put something like that there?

Why so surprised? Didn't they give players that crazy acid bow just before troll dungeons?

It's basically the best bow you find the entire game. I think I may have replaced it near the end.

Yeah, Devourer is really good. Deals heavy damage. But common, not +5 kinda good. Between it and the best bows exists a 4 point gap in enhancement level. Made worse by 2 point malus for it being oversized. So the best bows get a 6 point AB advantage. That's pretty huge.
Damage-wise I think the Mirror Bow has the advantage (despite a lot of its bonus damage being absorbed by DR).

 

[Shadenuat]

the crazy ass bow is crazy but many butts
it at least has -2 ab, the reason why Ekun hits with it is his Favorite Enemy bonus
it's hidden behind secretos
it's after at least a few setpiece fights including quest fight with Karstag
it's just a +1 enchant u find others later
it is early game, it makes sense to throw player something to help when they do not have artisans or item collection yet

but dis hammer is
at least +2 better than anything 2 handed you find before except Dugath sword (or maybe giant clubs or whatever)
it has NO weaknesses whatsoever in its design
it lays in open daylight in snow press TAB to kickass before hardest dungeon of the chapter
you already HAVE anti undead and anti giant items. Executioner is +3 +2d6 against cyclops. you are level 12. don't need any cheato items to progress.

by that point of the game, +3 hammer like this would be fantastic, and even at +2 it still would be amazing.

 

[Desiderius]

Lol that +6 anti Undead Cyclops Gabriel Angelos hammer at the entrance to Vordakai is truly an example of kowtowing before casuals.

Or devious attempt to lure them into melee with angry big mean Undead Cyclops .

Yeah, Tristan got himself killed with it twice then ran off with it when he stole the Occulus. Did basically solo Vordokai with it after his Vinetrap stuck and he wound up and gave him a coup de grace.

 

[Desiderius]

the crazy ass bow is crazy but many butts
it at least has -2 ab, the reason why Ekun hits with it is his Favorite Enemy bonus
it's hidden behind secretos
it's after at least a few setpiece fights including quest fight with Karstag
it's just a +1 enchant u find others later
it is early game, it makes sense to throw player something to help when they do not have artisans or item collection yet

but dis hammer is
at least +2 better than anything 2 handed you find before except Dugath sword (or maybe giant clubs or whatever)
it has NO weaknesses whatsoever in its design
it lays in open daylight in snow press TAB to kickass before hardest dungeon of the chapter
you already HAVE anti undead and anti giant items. Executioner is +3 +2d6 against cyclops. you are level 12. don't need any cheato items to progress.

by that point of the game, +3 hammer like this would be fantastic, and even at +2 it still would be amazing.

Was stoked to use executioner but it’s ridden the bench along with many of the other bane items. Too addicted to speed and Val loves her +6 CHR.

 

[Desiderius]

Seriously? They put something like that there?

Why so surprised? Didn't they give players that crazy acid bow just before troll dungeons?

It's basically the best bow you find the entire game. I think I may have replaced it near the end.

Yeah, Devourer is really good. Deals heavy damage. But common, not +5 kinda good. Between it and the best bows exists a 4 point gap in enhancement level. Made worse by 2 point malus for it being oversized. So the best bows get a 6 point AB advantage. That's pretty huge.
Damage-wise I think the Mirror Bow has the advantage (despite a lot of its bonus damage being absorbed by DR).

Does clustered shots not work with it?

 

[Haplo]

Good question. Generally I don't pick THAT many ranged feats on my bards, but this bow's case just might be worth respeccing.
Although if you do use Clustered Shots - do you only roll sneak damage once?

 

[Desiderius]

Good question. Generally I don't pick THAT many ranged feats on my bards, but this bow's case just might be worth respeccing.
Although if you do use Clustered Shots - do you only roll sneak damage once?

I don’t know - you told me to get spell pen instead. I think all it does is cancel DR for every shot but the first, but I’ll admit to not checking it. Ekun has it and he’s ripping shit up so I’m assuming it works.

He’s got guarded hearth now. Pretty silly with Devourer. Don’t do range on bard, you miss half the mobs with your songs, and some of your teammates. The cone spells are good when you need them. Shout stuns ghosts. Crushing Despair piles on the pain.

 

[Haplo]

Good question. Generally I don't pick THAT many ranged feats on my bards, but this bow's case just might be worth respeccing.
Although if you do use Clustered Shots - do you only roll sneak damage once?

I don’t know - you told me to get spell pen instead. I think all it does is cancel DR for every shot but the first, but I’ll admit to not checking it. Ekun has it and he’s ripping shit up so I’m assuming it works.

He’s got guarded hearth now. Pretty silly with Devourer. Don’t do range on bard, you miss half the mobs with your songs, and some of your teammates. The cone spells are good when you need them. Shout stuns ghosts. Crushing Despair piles on the pain.

Eh, I don't really use offensive spells with my bards. Well, except late game sometimes Cacophonous Call Mass or Overwhelming Presence on humanoids (huge aoes and Will is weak on humans). The DCs are not great without focused stats and Focus feats. And early game sometimes Grease.
Shout might be nice, but I think ghosts rarely come in orderly fashion for a large number to be affected by the cone. And I don't like my bard on the very frontline.

With Swift Song you can often sing a sing and still full attack with a bow. Or sing, re-position and shoot once. Inspire Courage has a nice, wide radius. Dirge a bit smaller, so I re-position fairly often.

 

[Desiderius]

If you’re repositioning that precisely, that means turn-based, which means you should be able to manage melee without drawing aggro.

Melee also means DEX to damage, better dazzling, outflank triggering for teammates, another flanker for Octavia, and turns on touch of gracelessness (includes undocumented slow and still drains DEX on a made save).

Without DEX to damage or sneak dice even mirror bow is a pea shooter on a bard. All melee takes is finesse and outflank and you’re good. There are a ton of good agile weapons (Moskoni’s is nice), Edict is insane with what you’re doing as a Bard.

If you turn on fighting defensively you’ll cast defensively which doesn’t trigger AoOs as long as you pass the check which goes by caster level.