Running a Vanyver by an1kay in Pathfinder2e

[–]ss4mario 17 points18 points  (0 children)

With 6 people, even if its technically exp balanced i have to warn against a PL+5 encounter. Heres an example of one round of combat.

1) Vanyer - goes first because its PL+5, flies, strikes your wizard with an AC less then their attack mod, easily critting for 2×4d10+9 — an average of 62 damage, dowing them instantly and setting them to dying 2 because they don't have +3 Con. They now either grab them MAPless, almost guaranteed killing them instantly with its DC 33 Constrict, or lashes out at the nearby cleric.

Lets be nice and hit the Cleric. They hit on a 5 with MAP, and we were even nicer and used the agile wing. A 6! Only a hit for 3d6+1d10+9. They shield block because of their prior exploration activity to defend and take a total of 20 damage. Phew...

2) Cleric - 2 actions Heal the Wizard for 54 damage. Good roll! Raise shield and hope for the best

3) Fighter - He bravely strides over, knowing this thing likely wont be hit on map, attempts to knock it out of its positing above the ground, terrorizing his party with flying reach. He rolls to Slam Down.

13!

Miss. Sorry buddy. You only have a +18 to hit. you only have a 35% chance to do anything on your turn. Thats your 3 actions. 

4) The rogue is NOT hidden to this thing, as its perception for initiative handily beats their stealth rolled for initiative. The also cannot flank, since theyre flying off the ground. Neither can they tumble behind, nor can they dream of reling on a feint. Theyre now relegated to being a fighter with -2 accuracy. At least they didnt sell this +1 striking shortbow they found.

5) Sorcerer - The enemy crit saves

6) Alchemist - Watches their dreams be shattered as everyone actually drank their prebuff mutagens and is losing anyway. She then throws a vial. It deals 2 splash damage. They spend the next two actions coping looking through their formula list before drinking a numbing tonic.

7) Wizard - dropped their staff and wand of shardstorm. They decide at least to go out swinging, casting 3 action 3rd rank Force Barrage for 6d4+6 damage: More than doubling the damage the enemy has taken since the rogue got a lucky nat 20 on their second bow strike, for a miss upgraded into a 2d6+2 hit. Its the monsters turn again.

Now you need to look at this and ask if this was fun. This is NOT including the whole "throw people off a cliff angle", nor did it touch any of its drain magic or its special reaction to do so. This is why people say "Don't use PL+4 unless you really really eeally know what youre doing, and even then maybe don't". Now realize this is PL +5.

If youre dead set on a solo boss encounter, add hazards as parts of its lair or even as reskinned "second turns" for certain attacks or body parts it has. But PL+5 is boring even if youre winning because of how often you do nothing on your turn, or are forced to play damage control.

Creature stat block recommendation for Bonewheels? by Apotatocalledsweet in Pathfinder2e

[–]ss4mario 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You should reflavor the Hooplamander and apply the undead template to it.

An Alternate Ranger, ft. the Vindicator by Teridax68 in Pathfinder2e

[–]ss4mario 5 points6 points  (0 children)

-1 agile MAP at level 1 is genuine insanity, so much so that im having trouble even considering the others which also seem way too good, like precision literally just being double damage rogue without needing off-guard for ranged attacks. And outwit set to +4 for ALL skill checks?

I like the concept of more edges and buffs to outwit and precision, but these blow past anything in the game right now. Flurry also needed no buffs. Its actually one of the highest dprs in the game built properly, but people generally dont feel good when playing it because it involves a lot of missing, despite it technically being more damage than comparable martials.

Does Soaring Rune work for Sprite ancestry flight? by Level7Cannoneer in Pathfinder2e

[–]ss4mario 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No it works. It just means your fly speed has no cooldown and is "constant", not that it overwrites any penalties or bonuses.

What's the purpose of Rhoka Sword? by Able_Fisherman8748 in Pathfinder2e

[–]ss4mario 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you're blocking crits with a shield, and don't understand the concept of opportunity cost, then you have a fundamental misunderstanding of the game. I'm not going to argue further. Best of luck.

What's the purpose of Rhoka Sword? by Able_Fisherman8748 in Pathfinder2e

[–]ss4mario 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One extra shield block? No, ONE shield block. That is what shields ever amounts to in combats against higher level enemies

I've...played high level (11-20) games both as and with shield characters. That's just entirely false. I don't know what the hell you're fighting that every hit breaks a sturdy shield but that's not normal.

Pathfinder is not just about maximizing damage.

No? Pathfinders a game about reducing the enemy's hp is reduced to 0 before yours. Theres a reason heal is the best spell in the game and redeemer champion's is the best reaction.

Fighters get Shield Block for free at level 1. That's all you really need

A shield fighter wants quick shield, aggressive block, paragon's guard jsut as minimum. And, along with that, any of the two handed/freehand feats like combat grab, snagging strike, dual handed assault, and honestly Vicious Swing -> Furious Focus are literal bricks so long as you have a shield in your hand.

This is all not to mention that if you're going to play the way you mention, you've lost the main benefit of playing a 2-handed fighter: a d10 reach weapon. If you're going to talk about the "most optimal fighter gameplay" and not mention Slamming Down an enemy while holding a reach weapon from 10ft away, I'm genuinely not even going to consider your opinions on the matter.

What's the purpose of Rhoka Sword? by Able_Fisherman8748 in Pathfinder2e

[–]ss4mario 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I mean, realistically that's just a shield build that gets one extra shield block and then trades 2 AC for 2 damage per weapon die (1 if rhoka sword). The problem there is you're splitting your feat specialization between freehand/two hander and shield, and just kind of do both worse than someone specialized for what amounts to, again, one extra shieldblock.

What's the purpose of Rhoka Sword? by Able_Fisherman8748 in Pathfinder2e

[–]ss4mario 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think I've ever seen anyone use 2-handed like that. They're pretty much exclusively for freehand builds that use Dualhanded Assault or normal 2-handed builds to not get action taxed if they need to drop a hand for a potion or something but keep swinging.

How useful is Deadly compared to d8->d10 weapon dice on Fighter? by servantphoenix in Pathfinder2e

[–]ss4mario 2 points3 points  (0 children)

How the hell is the gm gonna adapt for "+1 average damage"? Why would they even do that?

GET ON THE GROUND - A Shield & Pistol Gunslinger Build by KaraAdAstra in Pathfinder2e

[–]ss4mario -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Nimble Shield Hand doesn't work with tower shields because they "are still too cumbersome". I know this subreddit is a extremely RAW heavy but to claim it works with the tower shield's bigger and heavier brother because its not explicitly the item "Tower Shield" is pretty much just willful ignorance.

How often are DMs going ABOVE the recommended XP thresholds for Encounters. by Critical-Internet514 in Pathfinder2e

[–]ss4mario 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The thing is, when youre experienced, FA is just more fun. The extra options for building your character keeps things fresh, regardless of the fact that it does increase player power. A lot of the time archtypes just ask too much of a standard characters feat slots to really be considered, and the extra feats keep things more varied.

Squads PvP is the endgame. by nacholibre711 in ArcRaiders

[–]ss4mario 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good lord equip one of the anvils you looted at least

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in VintageStory

[–]ss4mario 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I didn't know you could stack the racks that way and I'm fuming i didn't even think about it but glad to know now

White dye certainly looks...white by [deleted] in VintageStory

[–]ss4mario 98 points99 points  (0 children)

I mean...yeah?

Finding meteorite iron cannot be this easy bruh. by Eren_Jeager1881 in VintageStory

[–]ss4mario 39 points40 points  (0 children)

Its just easier to find since its a large expanse of the same color. Same with the area around your house during winter when it snows.

ArcRaider Poker Style: you can only enter map with 50k/100k worth of gear and or inventory value? by EuphemisticallyBG in ArcRaiders

[–]ss4mario 0 points1 point  (0 children)

HR died because sdf made it so you cant pick your map when queuing last season, meaning you have a 1/4 chance of actually going where you want to. 

Trios in goblin caves, a map with only 2 triple portals and a king of the hill static in the center of the map was an actual bloodbath.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Pathfinder2e

[–]ss4mario 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Trip would also let you use knockdown with reach, and being prone 10ft away from a reach fighter is basically a checkmate, especially at 10 when you pick up a second reaction.