Artificer half optimization - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Artificer half optimization

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
jimmynids
Jan 01, 2009 20:45:36 Okay so I wanna build an Artificer using the new pathfinder beta rules. The rules are still the same as 3.5 but you get feats at every odd level, not every 3 and certain skills were combined sorta like 4.0, lastly skill ranks max at your level, and you only get x1 skill points for level 1 not x4 however trained class skills gain a free +3.

Action points are waved, instead gaining free use of the artificer infusion quicken ability a number of times equal to what your action points would have been given your level etc.

Now the fun restriction... use common sense, not RAW. A lot of the stuff on the optimization forums uses twisted RAW, rather than thinking what is the most balanced use they intended, people tend to look for the most powerful ingame interpretations. I want to optimize this characters flexibility and usefulness without doing crazy over the top things like saying he can pump out 1,000,000 damage in one shot or that he can make epic jumps over sky scrapers at level 12.

Basically I know what I want to do with him, I am just looking for experienced Artificers to throw some advice on useful items they learned to craft, useful feats to take that help tremendously in his career. Possibly a PrC or two(is that dwarven Rune Mage an option?). Lastly how should i prioritize his stats.

No I am not looking for a link to the artificer's handbook, I am looking for feedback from real people based on what I posted here. I already went through the book to get to the point I am at and just wondered what others had to say.
#2
hogarth
Jan 01, 2009 21:46:19 What sort of things do you want to do with your character? (A blasting artificer will want metamagic feats like Empower Spell or Split Ray, whereas a buffing artificer will want metamagic feats like Persistent Spell.)

What sources do you have available besides the Pathfinder Beta rules and the Eberron Campaign Setting?

What level are you going to start at?

And, on a Pathfinder-related note, is your DM going to allow you to recharge a staff with infusions (instead of spells)?

As far as race goes, I'd either go with a half-elf (with Skill Focus: UMD) or a warforged (naturally).
#3
jimmynids
Jan 01, 2009 22:24:16 Yeah lotsa blanks there I guess, so here are the answers:

I wanna be good all around, lil more focus on the items I craft over the direct damage... sort of like the artificers of MTG that didn't rely on themselves, but the power of their minions and creations. The role I want then I suppose is closest to a toolbox/controller with a little bit of buff/leader. Do I want to be good in combat, sure, but I want to try to focus on other things a little more.

Starting at level 1 and working up from there. I have access to all books ever published, save for the dragon magazine and alike. I am pretty certain recharging staves will work, but for now until I can ask DM, assume not.

I hadn't considered using the Warforged, they seemed sort of underpowered, but I will look into them.
#4
Endarire
Jan 01, 2009 22:58:02 You seem like a Constructficer. You make golems and buff allies while they undo enemies.
#5
jimmynids
Jan 01, 2009 23:13:11
You seem like a Constructficer. You make golems and buff allies while they undo enemies.

Yeah that sums it up nicely in one word.
#6
hogarth
Jan 02, 2009 8:20:37 What is your DM doing with the artificer's crafting pool? Since there aren't any XP costs in Pathfinder, it's sort of useless as written.
#7
jimmynids
Jan 05, 2009 17:13:01 He is sorta using pathfinder+3.5, so items still use xp
#8
liquid150
Jan 05, 2009 19:27:10 Warforged Artificer + 4 level substitution level is what you're looking for, exactly.

the 4th level sub level replaces craft homunculus with craft construct, netting you golem crafting as well as a homunculus.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 jimmynids Jan 01, 2009 20:45:36	Okay so I wanna build an Artificer using the new pathfinder beta rules. The rules are still the same as 3.5 but you get feats at every odd level, not every 3 and certain skills were combined sorta like 4.0, lastly skill ranks max at your level, and you only get x1 skill points for level 1 not x4 however trained class skills gain a free +3. Action points are waved, instead gaining free use of the artificer infusion quicken ability a number of times equal to what your action points would have been given your level etc. Now the fun restriction... use common sense, not RAW. A lot of the stuff on the optimization forums uses twisted RAW, rather than thinking what is the most balanced use they intended, people tend to look for the most powerful ingame interpretations. I want to optimize this characters flexibility and usefulness without doing crazy over the top things like saying he can pump out 1,000,000 damage in one shot or that he can make epic jumps over sky scrapers at level 12. Basically I know what I want to do with him, I am just looking for experienced Artificers to throw some advice on useful items they learned to craft, useful feats to take that help tremendously in his career. Possibly a PrC or two(is that dwarven Rune Mage an option?). Lastly how should i prioritize his stats. No I am not looking for a link to the artificer's handbook, I am looking for feedback from real people based on what I posted here. I already went through the book to get to the point I am at and just wondered what others had to say.
#2 hogarth Jan 01, 2009 21:46:19	What sort of things do you want to do with your character? (A blasting artificer will want metamagic feats like Empower Spell or Split Ray, whereas a buffing artificer will want metamagic feats like Persistent Spell.) What sources do you have available besides the Pathfinder Beta rules and the Eberron Campaign Setting? What level are you going to start at? And, on a Pathfinder-related note, is your DM going to allow you to recharge a staff with infusions (instead of spells)? As far as race goes, I'd either go with a half-elf (with Skill Focus: UMD) or a warforged (naturally).
#3 jimmynids Jan 01, 2009 22:24:16	Yeah lotsa blanks there I guess, so here are the answers: I wanna be good all around, lil more focus on the items I craft over the direct damage... sort of like the artificers of MTG that didn't rely on themselves, but the power of their minions and creations. The role I want then I suppose is closest to a toolbox/controller with a little bit of buff/leader. Do I want to be good in combat, sure, but I want to try to focus on other things a little more. Starting at level 1 and working up from there. I have access to all books ever published, save for the dragon magazine and alike. I am pretty certain recharging staves will work, but for now until I can ask DM, assume not. I hadn't considered using the Warforged, they seemed sort of underpowered, but I will look into them.
#4 Endarire Jan 01, 2009 22:58:02	You seem like a Constructficer. You make golems and buff allies while they undo enemies.
#5 jimmynids Jan 01, 2009 23:13:11	You seem like a Constructficer. You make golems and buff allies while they undo enemies. Yeah that sums it up nicely in one word.
#6 hogarth Jan 02, 2009 8:20:37	What is your DM doing with the artificer's crafting pool? Since there aren't any XP costs in Pathfinder, it's sort of useless as written.
#7 jimmynids Jan 05, 2009 17:13:01	He is sorta using pathfinder+3.5, so items still use xp
#8 liquid150 Jan 05, 2009 19:27:10	Warforged Artificer + 4 level substitution level is what you're looking for, exactly. the 4th level sub level replaces craft homunculus with craft construct, netting you golem crafting as well as a homunculus.