Factotum/Archivist build? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Factotum/Archivist build?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
noheat
Apr 23, 2009 15:38:49 I was designing a 13th-14th level skill monkey for an on going campaign and was wondering if Factotum/Archivist with Able Learner feat would be a decent build. I was shooting for the trap finder roll, with some back up healing/buffing/fun magic stuff. So any input/pointers or potential builds would be greatly appreciated. All WotC 3.5 material is okay. Some of the campaign specific stuff like Eberron and Forgotten Realms has to be approved, but the DM is pretty easy going. Right now we are in the middle or near the end of The Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil if that helps.

Thanks again for any help.
#2
lormador
Apr 23, 2009 18:49:17 It looks to me like it'll work fine, somewhat like the Rogue/Cloistered Cleric divine skill monkey. You'll have a far better variety of spells, but not domains nor turning/rebuking. You'll also benefit from somewhat less Wisdom dependence.

Putting a lot of ranks into Knowledge to use Dark Knowledge on stuff will really eat into the skill points, even if you are Human with a high Intelligence. Between Concentration and all those Knowledges, how many points are going to be left? It might not be enough. Archivists only get 4+INT.

If I were making an Archivist and wanted to take down traps, I'd use spells and feats to take care of the problem instead of investing a caster level in it. There are usually only one or two savage traps per game, and traps don't really sneak up on a character, so....

1. Cast Find Traps when you're going to explore. Use a Rod of Extend (Lesser) if necessary. Pearl of Power it back up if you'll need it again. You now have trapfinding, as a rogue, with a +7 insight bonus. Search is already a class skill for you. You take 10 on the check, and get 10+17(ranks)+7(insight)+5(Intelligence)=39. Traps in the DMG top out at Search DC 34.

2. Having found the trap, summon something (perhaps with the Summon Elemental reserve feat) to trigger it.
#3
Omen_of_Peace
Apr 24, 2009 9:27:41 I see 3 possibilities:
- straight Archivist, as Lormador advertises
- Factotum 1/Archivist 13. You lose 1 CL but you get to add your Int to saves twice per encounter which can be a life-saver. You don't need to expend resources to find traps either, apart from Able Learner.
- if you're going to take more Factotum, I'd recommend Chameleon. Factotum 5/Chameleon 9 is great. Use the Arcane/Divine double focus: you'll be more mad but it's worth it - you're a triple threat.
Some people use Factotum 4/Cloistered Cleric 1 to get Turn Undead and use DMM: Persist. That's up to you and the power level of the campaign.

The most powerful is the first one (dip Sacred Exorcist if you want to use DMM) ; the most fun is IMHO the last one.
#4
sofawall
Apr 24, 2009 15:00:46 I'm normally a fan of 8 Factotum, but it's not worth it with Archivist.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 noheat Apr 23, 2009 15:38:49	I was designing a 13th-14th level skill monkey for an on going campaign and was wondering if Factotum/Archivist with Able Learner feat would be a decent build. I was shooting for the trap finder roll, with some back up healing/buffing/fun magic stuff. So any input/pointers or potential builds would be greatly appreciated. All WotC 3.5 material is okay. Some of the campaign specific stuff like Eberron and Forgotten Realms has to be approved, but the DM is pretty easy going. Right now we are in the middle or near the end of The Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil if that helps. Thanks again for any help.
#2 lormador Apr 23, 2009 18:49:17	It looks to me like it'll work fine, somewhat like the Rogue/Cloistered Cleric divine skill monkey. You'll have a far better variety of spells, but not domains nor turning/rebuking. You'll also benefit from somewhat less Wisdom dependence. Putting a lot of ranks into Knowledge to use Dark Knowledge on stuff will really eat into the skill points, even if you are Human with a high Intelligence. Between Concentration and all those Knowledges, how many points are going to be left? It might not be enough. Archivists only get 4+INT. If I were making an Archivist and wanted to take down traps, I'd use spells and feats to take care of the problem instead of investing a caster level in it. There are usually only one or two savage traps per game, and traps don't really sneak up on a character, so.... 1. Cast Find Traps when you're going to explore. Use a Rod of Extend (Lesser) if necessary. Pearl of Power it back up if you'll need it again. You now have trapfinding, as a rogue, with a +7 insight bonus. Search is already a class skill for you. You take 10 on the check, and get 10+17(ranks)+7(insight)+5(Intelligence)=39. Traps in the DMG top out at Search DC 34. 2. Having found the trap, summon something (perhaps with the Summon Elemental reserve feat) to trigger it.
#3 Omen_of_Peace Apr 24, 2009 9:27:41	I see 3 possibilities: - straight Archivist, as Lormador advertises - Factotum 1/Archivist 13. You lose 1 CL but you get to add your Int to saves twice per encounter which can be a life-saver. You don't need to expend resources to find traps either, apart from Able Learner. - if you're going to take more Factotum, I'd recommend Chameleon. Factotum 5/Chameleon 9 is great. Use the Arcane/Divine double focus: you'll be more mad but it's worth it - you're a triple threat. Some people use Factotum 4/Cloistered Cleric 1 to get Turn Undead and use DMM: Persist. That's up to you and the power level of the campaign. The most powerful is the first one (dip Sacred Exorcist if you want to use DMM) ; the most fun is IMHO the last one.
#4 sofawall Apr 24, 2009 15:00:46	I'm normally a fan of 8 Factotum, but it's not worth it with Archivist.