Author Topic: Shopping for a Factotum/Chameleon  (Read 3925 times)

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bogsnes

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Shopping for a Factotum/Chameleon
« on: March 02, 2009, 05:13:39 PM »
As the thread BS made, since I am also going to be in that campaign...

Character: http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/view.php?id=108057

Quote from: Sinfire Titan
What? You don't even have a basic idea here. At least tell them the basic build you've got so far, so they don't have to sift through Overfiend to figure you out.

He's playing a Human Factotum at the moment, planning on going into Chameleon mid-way through the campaign. Right now, he's using Gnome Quickrazors+Iajutsu Focus as his offense, and has Imrpoved Trip+Dark Stalker for alternatives.

Right now, his AC and HP are low. He can use IP to boost his AC, but doesn't have Font of Inspiration goodness to keep doing so for more than a few rounds/encounter. He's looking for items that will help out.

Obvious ones like Stat-boosters are given (an Int booster and a Con booster are the more important ones), but he will need several magic items and a number of wands/scrolls to cover the lack of a party spellcaster.
« Last Edit: March 03, 2009, 05:07:01 PM by bogsnes »

Sinfire Titan

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Re: Shopping for a Factotum/Chameleon
« Reply #1 on: March 03, 2009, 03:11:05 PM »
What? You don't even have a basic idea here. At least tell them the basic build you've got so far, so they don't have to sift through Overfiend to figure you out.

He's playing a Human Factotum at the moment, planning on going into Chameleon mid-way through the campaign. Right now, he's using Gnome Quickrazors+Iajutsu Focus as his offense, and has Imrpoved Trip+Dark Stalker for alternatives.

Right now, his AC and HP are low. He can use IP to boost his AC, but doesn't have Font of Inspiration goodness to keep doing so for more than a few rounds/encounter. He's looking for items that will help out.

Obvious ones like Stat-boosters are given (an Int booster and a Con booster are the more important ones), but he will need several magic items and a number of wands/scrolls to cover the lack of a party spellcaster.


[spoiler][/spoiler]

bogsnes

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Re: Shopping for a Factotum/Chameleon
« Reply #2 on: March 03, 2009, 05:06:25 PM »
What? You don't even have a basic idea here. At least tell them the basic build you've got so far, so they don't have to sift through Overfiend to figure you out.

He's playing a Human Factotum at the moment, planning on going into Chameleon mid-way through the campaign. Right now, he's using Gnome Quickrazors+Iajutsu Focus as his offense, and has Imrpoved Trip+Dark Stalker for alternatives.

Right now, his AC and HP are low. He can use IP to boost his AC, but doesn't have Font of Inspiration goodness to keep doing so for more than a few rounds/encounter. He's looking for items that will help out.

Obvious ones like Stat-boosters are given (an Int booster and a Con booster are the more important ones), but he will need several magic items and a number of wands/scrolls to cover the lack of a party spellcaster.

Forgot to mention that... Hadn't time at that moment... Thanks :)

I'll quote that to the main post...

Sinfire Titan

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Re: Shopping for a Factotum/Chameleon
« Reply #3 on: March 10, 2009, 08:20:15 PM »
Bumping because the other two are nearly finished with their WBL allowance. So far, we've got nothing here. Time to crack down on the concept.


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BowenSilverclaw

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Re: Shopping for a Factotum/Chameleon
« Reply #4 on: March 10, 2009, 08:26:40 PM »
I think bogsnes kinda forgot about this...


Initiative boosters for Iaijutsu Focus seem like a must (same enhancements I'll get for my gauntlet plus a Belt of Battle).

No-save debuff/BC/buff wands and other UMD-able stuff so we can share the UMD-monkey role would be nice.

Since you can't trip with a Quickrazor I think a Monk's Belt for IUS to trip enemies (and an extra attack on your full attack, not sure if it helps with Iaijutsu Focus, that depends on SiFir's ruling) might come in handy.

I'll chip in with some more stuff later.
"Weakness? Come test thy mettle against me, hairless ape, and we shall know who is weak!"

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Sinfire Titan

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Re: Shopping for a Factotum/Chameleon
« Reply #5 on: March 10, 2009, 08:31:49 PM »
I think bogsnes kinda forgot about this...


Initiative boosters for Iaijutsu Focus seem like a must (same enhancements I'll get for my gauntlet plus a Belt of Battle).

No-save debuff/BC/buff wands and other UMD-able stuff so we can share the UMD-monkey role would be nice.

Since you can't trip with a Quickrazor I think a Monk's Belt for IUS to trip enemies (and an extra attack on your full attack, not sure if it helps with Iaijutsu Focus, that depends on SiFir's ruling) might come in handy.

I'll chip in with some more stuff later.

The Quickrazors aren't a Monk special weapon, so can't use flurry with those. Although there is a way to use IF with unarmed combat, it's heavily reliant on whether or not I consider pockets a sheathe for your fists.

His Wis also sucks, so the belt only really gives him a bonus feat. Legacy items would do that job better, as you can control their penalties (or I can just remove them outright by making their rituals more elaborate/costly).


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BowenSilverclaw

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Re: Shopping for a Factotum/Chameleon
« Reply #6 on: March 10, 2009, 08:35:03 PM »
It was mostly because you can actually trip with an Unarmed Strike, you can't with a Quickrazor, and since he has Improved Trip...

Also, I meant that he could use his IUS attack as a natural attack at a -5 as part of his normal full attack routine, like a Hound Archon could follow up his greatsword attacks with his bite. I wasn't talking about flurry ;)
"Weakness? Come test thy mettle against me, hairless ape, and we shall know who is weak!"

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You caught a fish.  It was awesome.   :lol

Sinfire Titan

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Re: Shopping for a Factotum/Chameleon
« Reply #7 on: March 10, 2009, 08:45:21 PM »
It was mostly because you can actually trip with an Unarmed Strike, you can't with a Quickrazor, and since he has Improved Trip...

Also, I meant that he could use his IUS attack as a natural attack at a -5 as part of his normal full attack routine, like a Hound Archon could follow up his greatsword attacks with his bite. I wasn't talking about flurry ;)

Except for the part where Unarmed Strikes are listed as a weapon, which prevents him from doing this. If he had a Slam attack, he could.


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BowenSilverclaw

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Re: Shopping for a Factotum/Chameleon
« Reply #8 on: March 11, 2009, 07:19:09 AM »
I thought they count as both Natural and Manufactured or some such crud?
"Weakness? Come test thy mettle against me, hairless ape, and we shall know who is weak!"

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ReaderOfPosts

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Re: Shopping for a Factotum/Chameleon
« Reply #9 on: March 11, 2009, 09:55:19 AM »
They count as both Natural and manufactured only "for the purpose of spells and effects that enhance or improve either manufactured weapons or natural weapons."

BowenSilverclaw

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Re: Shopping for a Factotum/Chameleon
« Reply #10 on: March 11, 2009, 10:52:10 AM »
Still, that's only in regards to enhancements.

No where else does it say that they count as manufactured or natural.
The only indication I can find by a quick glossing of the PHB is the Weapons table on page 116 where Unarmed Strike is listed under unarmed attacks.

It just seems silly though you can't follow up a sword strike with a kick, but that might just be me...
"Weakness? Come test thy mettle against me, hairless ape, and we shall know who is weak!"

Quote from: J0lt
You caught a fish.  It was awesome.   :lol

Random

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Re: Shopping for a Factotum/Chameleon
« Reply #11 on: March 11, 2009, 11:16:28 AM »
I'm still learning, so if my interpretation is wrong, please correct me, but...

If I'm not mistaken, the Least Crystal of Returning (MIC, 300 gp) gives the same quickdraw benefits as the Quickrazor. Slap one on a Sickle, and you should have an IF-friendly trip weapon that doesn't suck a feat slot for only 261 gp more. If Dragon material is allowed, the Disguised Dagger (DR316, 52 gp, listed at Crystal Keep) gives you a +7 SoH instead of the Quickrazor's +4. Sure, you'll be losing your Feint bonus, but that's already maxed with this character anyway, and skills are far easier to duplicate with magic than feats.

Sinfire Titan

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Re: Shopping for a Factotum/Chameleon
« Reply #12 on: March 11, 2009, 02:24:00 PM »
Still, that's only in regards to enhancements.

No where else does it say that they count as manufactured or natural.
The only indication I can find by a quick glossing of the PHB is the Weapons table on page 116 where Unarmed Strike is listed under unarmed attacks.

It just seems silly though you can't follow up a sword strike with a kick, but that might just be me...

That's what Snap Kick is for.


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BowenSilverclaw

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Re: Shopping for a Factotum/Chameleon
« Reply #13 on: March 11, 2009, 02:29:19 PM »
Mmh, if you say so...

Anywho, assuming he wants to make use of Improved Trip he'll have to start looking for a new weapon or find a different solution.

By the way, where is bogsnes hiding his Norwegian ass anyway, he should start putting some thought into this himself...
"Weakness? Come test thy mettle against me, hairless ape, and we shall know who is weak!"

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You caught a fish.  It was awesome.   :lol

Sinfire Titan

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Re: Shopping for a Factotum/Chameleon
« Reply #14 on: March 11, 2009, 02:42:15 PM »
Mmh, if you say so...

Anywho, assuming he wants to make use of Improved Trip he'll have to start looking for a new weapon or find a different solution.

By the way, where is bogsnes hiding his Norwegian ass anyway, he should start putting some thought into this himself...

Not sure. He's been online in the past few days, but hasn't responded to this thread. As you said, he may have forgotten about it.


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bogsnes

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Re: Shopping for a Factotum/Chameleon
« Reply #15 on: March 11, 2009, 05:39:01 PM »
No, I haven't forgotten about it, I was only very early on my computer yesterday, and late today, but still, I am fine with a bit of random (useful) loot, and also with most of the things in this thread...

Also, doesn't Imp Trip make me not provoke AoOs by tripping, which means I wouldn't need IUS? Or must I use an US to hit because of Imp Trip if I use that to trip with?

PhaedrusXY

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Re: Shopping for a Factotum/Chameleon
« Reply #16 on: March 11, 2009, 05:47:03 PM »
Also, doesn't Imp Trip make me not provoke AoOs by tripping, which means I wouldn't need IUS? Or must I use an US to hit because of Imp Trip if I use that to trip with?
I always interpreted it like this, also. If you have Imp. Trip, you can make an unarmed trip and not provoke an AoO, even if you're not a monk, because the specific text of Imp. Trip overrides the general text about drawing attacks of opportunity for attacking unarmed. You could then make your free attack with your weapon, if your trip is successful.

For items, the Anklet of Translocation is so useful for its price that its pretty much an always buy for me. I don't remember 3rd level starting gold, though. You might also consider things like cheap wands. A Ring of Darkhidden (2000 gp) + a wand of No Light (375 gp) is like a cheap Ring of Improved Invisibility against most stuff in combat. You need Darkvision to really use it, though.
« Last Edit: March 11, 2009, 05:52:06 PM by PhaedrusXY »
[spoiler]
A couple of water benders, a dike, a flaming arrow, and a few barrels of blasting jelly?

Sounds like the makings of a gay porn film.
...thanks
[/spoiler]

BowenSilverclaw

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Re: Shopping for a Factotum/Chameleon
« Reply #17 on: March 11, 2009, 06:08:40 PM »
Starting equipment has already been chosen, this is just for deciding on what other loot the party gets over the course of 20 levels :)

Agreed on the Anklet.

Also, since we'll both have UMD, how about sharing buffing and healing duties, bogsnes?
"Weakness? Come test thy mettle against me, hairless ape, and we shall know who is weak!"

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bogsnes

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Re: Shopping for a Factotum/Chameleon
« Reply #18 on: March 11, 2009, 06:17:04 PM »
Sounds okay to me...

Sinfire Titan

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Re: Shopping for a Factotum/Chameleon
« Reply #19 on: March 11, 2009, 10:53:56 PM »
Right now, the best thing to do is stat out the basics. Once that's out of the way we can worry about the rest of it.

Stat Boosters (namely Int and Con, others may be wanted)
Weapon(s)
Armor
Items to improve specific focuses and features (improving IF and combat abilities, in addition to out of combat abilities)
Anything to help with traps.


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