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Skills 301: A Collection of Guides to Bettering Your Skills (by ignis_fatuss, songnsilence, skandranon-sg and others)
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<blockquote data-quote="LightWarden" data-source="post: 6744864" data-attributes="member: 6803540"><p><strong>Arcana Skill Optimization</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>Originally posted by songnsilence:</strong></p><p></p><p>Last Update: April 2011</p><p></p><p>Optimizing Arcana</p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 15px"><strong>Reasons for high Arcana </strong></span></p><p></p><p> The Sage of the Ages epic destiny utility power allows for some very very beautiful things, assuming you get your arcana check high enough: </p><p></p><p>Trick of Knowledge (Utility 26)</p><p>Encounter * Arcane</p><p>Minor Action * Personal</p><p>Effect: Make an arcana check and gain a benefit based on your check result until the end of the encounter.</p><p>30 or lower: no effect</p><p>31-35: +5 to saving throws</p><p>36-40: +2 bonus to all defenses</p><p>41-45: +2 to arcane attack rolls</p><p>46-50: make saves at the beginning of your turn instead of end.</p><p>51-55: pick 2 of the below benefits</p><p>56-60: pick 3</p><p>61 or higher: pick 4</p><p></p><p>... in other words, with good optimization you will get +5 to saves, +2 to all defenses, +2 to attacks, and save at the start of your turn.</p><p></p><p>Other benefits of high Arcana </p><p>Sorcerous Vision (feat, AP): Use Arcana check for Insight and Perception checks (requires Sorcerer class or MC Sorcerer)</p><p>Suggestion (free mage utility power, HotfL): Use Arcana instead of Diplomacy</p><p> Arcane Mutterings (lvl2 encounter skill power, dragon 379): Use Arcana instead of Bluff, Intimidate or Diplomacy check</p><p>Fools Gold (lvl2 ritual, AP): Create illusionary gold, worth x100 component cost. DC to find out: your arcana check. 10 gp -> 1000gp <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big grin :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /></p><p> Seek Rumor (lvl2 ritual, FRPG): Substitute Streetwise with Arcana to find out everything there is to know... </p><p> Knock (lvl2 ritual, PHB): Arcana+5 instead of Thievery to open locks</p><p>Mythic Senses feat (PH3, requires Minotaur) - use Perception checks in place of initiative checks - combine with sorcerous vision -> arcana for initiative</p><p>Cunning Artifice (Dragon 387, requires Artificer, Changeling) - use Arcana for Bluff in changeling racial power</p><p>Autohypnosis (heroic feat, Psionic Power): Use Arcana for Endurance Checks if not bloodied</p><p>Arcane Trickster (PP): Use Arcana for Athletics Checks</p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 15px"><strong>How to get it</strong></span></p><p></p><p>items bonus: </p><p> iron of spite (head, phb) +6 item bonus</p><p> runic armor (armor, av2) +6 item bonus</p><p> ring of wizardry (ring, phb) +3 item bonus </p><p> mirror of secrets (Artifact, Open Grave) +2/+4/+6 item bonus (concordance dependent) </p><p> opal ring of remembrance (ring, AV): +4 item bonus</p><p>staff of psicraft(staff, phb3): +1/+2/+3 item bonus</p><p></p><p>feat bonus: </p><p>skill focus (phb) +3 feat bonus</p><p> highborn drow (Dragon 364, requires drow) +2 feat bonus</p><p> power of arcana (Divine Power, domain) +2 feat bonus</p><p> yuirwood feyfriend (Dragon 370) +1 feat bonus</p><p>bardic knowledge (phb2) +2 feat bonus</p><p>Drowning of Nhalloth (Dragon 391, requires Shadar Kai) +2 feat bonus</p><p></p><p>Power bonus: </p><p>Inspire Competence +2 power (Bard encounter or Wand of Aptitude daily power)</p><p>Good Omens (Cleric PP Divine Oracle daily util, phb): +5 power bonus </p><p>Fevered Certainty of Caiphon (warlock daily util, dragon 366): +5 power bonus</p><p>Elexir of Aptitude (consumable, AV): +1/+3/+5 to skill check, lasts 1 hour, requires healing surge</p><p>Symbol of Excellence (holy symbol, AV): +1-6 power bonus, requires daily item use</p><p>CD: Ancestral Guidance is a power bonus of +Wisdom for one check. Requires Spirits of the Past.</p><p>CD: Divine Excellence is +2 power to you, and grants a +2 power on the same skill to you and all allies until the end of your next turn. Requires skill domain.</p><p></p><p>Good Races: </p><p>Eldarin (phb) +2 to int, +2 to arcana</p><p>Gnome (phb2) +2 to int, +2 to arcana</p><p>Deva (phb2): +2 to int, Memory of a Thousand Lifetimes -> reroll with +1d6 bonus (+1d8 with feat)</p><p>Shardmind (phb3): +2 to int, +2 to arcana</p><p>Changeling (eberron) + feat: becomer (dragon 386): +2 int, +2 to arcana</p><p></p><p>Backgrounds</p><p>+2 (generic, phb2) </p><p>High Imaskar (FRPG): reroll arcana check, keep second result</p><p>Netheril (FRPG) +1 </p><p>The Great Dale (FRPG) +1 </p><p></p><p>Untyped bonuses </p><p>Paragon of Learning (ED Sage of Ages feature, AP) +6 untyped </p><p>Arcane Underpinning (PP Academy Master feature, dragon 374) +2 untyped</p><p>Dabbler (PP Jack-of-all-Trades feature, MP2) +2 untyped</p><p>Unseen Aid (Sorcerer encounter util, PHB2) +2 untyped</p><p>Mage class (for free, at level 21) +3 untyped</p><p>Disciple of Lore (heroic feat, HotFL) +1 untyped to all trained skills </p><p>Talent Shard (Consumable, minor action, PHB3) +1 to +6 untyped</p><p>Resourceful Action (Halfling PP Halfling Scoundrel feature, PHB2) +5 untyped, requires AP</p><p>Fate of the Void (Star Pact Warlock pact boon, PHB) +1 untyped/ enemy killed</p><p>Morans Eye (P1 King of the Trollhaunt Warrens, wonderous item/implement, probably unique) +5 untyped for posession </p><p>Moonstone Sphere (E1 Deaths Reach, wonderous item/implement, probably unique) +2 untyped for posession</p><p>Head of Vyrellis (H3 Pyramid of Shadows, wonderous item/implement, probably unique) +2 untyped for posession</p><p>Tacticans Armor (Armor, AV): +1 untyped (maybe, check wording with DM)Familiar: Book imp +2 (Dragon 374)</p><p>Familiar: Crafter Homunculus +2 (Dragon 374)</p><p>Familiar: Rakshasa Claw +2 (Dragon 374, paragon) + free action item stow/retrieve (could allow to switch head slot items?)</p><p>Familiar: Skull +2 (Dragon 374)</p><p>Familiar: Greyspawn Shortfang +2 (paragon) (Dragon 374)</p><p>Familiar: Blazing Skull +2 (epic) (Dragon 374)</p><p>Familiar: Chaos Shard +2 (epic) (Dragon 374)</p><p>Familiar: Coure Attendant +2 (Dragon 290) </p><p> Relics of Creation (AV2, epic item set): +2 to +6 (depending on # of setitems)</p><p></p><p>Bonuses granted by Allies</p><p>Aid Another: +2 untyped per character helping BUT: requires standard action -> not practical</p><p>Clockwork Precision (Bard daily util, AP): aid another adds +3 untyped per character helping, but still requires standard action -> not practical</p><p>Find Another Way (Bard PP Lifesinger feature, AP) : +2 untyped for allies within 5 squares</p><p>Speak with Spirits (Shaman Class Feature, phb2) + feat Spirit Speaker: +wis bonus to skill check</p><p>Crucial Advice (Ranger Util 2, phb, encounter, immediate reaction): reroll check, with +wis power bonus, but works only on allies (not oneself) </p><p>Fatesinger Bard: Majestic Word -> roll twice, use better result</p><p>Glittergold's Gambit (Channel Divinity feat, FRPG) -> reroll attack roll or skill check</p><p>Golden Mean (Lord of Fate ED daily utility power, AP): take 10 on any check</p><p>CD: Sune's Touch is for an ally. One ally in Close Burst 1 gets +2 power to his next skill check until the end of his next turn.</p><p></p><p>Rerolls</p><p>Potion of Clarity (consumable, AV, costs healing surge): reroll with +1 to +6 bonus</p><p>Arcane Insight (Wizard Util 2, Dragon 366, encounter, free action): reroll arcana check, use better result</p><p>Keeper's Prescience (Sage of the Ages 24 ability): roll d20 each round, switch result with any roll during that round</p><p>Dark One's Own Luck (Warlock Daily Util 6, PHB): reroll an attack roll, skill check, ability check, or saving throw </p><p>Kensei Control Action (Fighter PP Kensei feature, PHB): AP->reroll attack roll, damage roll, skill check or ability check (no extra action)</p><p>CD: Divine Fate is Revenant-only, but not tied to a deity and gives a RtB on any skill check.</p><p>CD: Imminent Luck is GOOD. If you spend a power to reroll, and the reroll is lower, you can expend CD: ID not to expend the power. Requires only the luck domain. <em>Note that this works with RtB powers.</em></p><p></p><p>Bonus to specific Arcana Checks</p><p><em>Note: These bonuses won't work with Trick of Knowledge. But they might still be of interest to get a high arcana result in other circumstances...</em></p><p>Consult Mystic Sages (ritual, skill:religion): Get +10 to an arcana check (specific purposes given in a list)</p><p>Arcane Ritualist (feat, AP): Get a untyped +2 bonus for one specific ritual </p><p>Foreign Memories (feat, Dragon 389): +5 feat bonus, only related to aberrant creatures</p><p> Oghmas Recall (feat/channel divinity power, FRPG): Get a +10 power bonus for a knowledge check</p><p>CD: Aureon's Instruction is RtB (reroll take better) with knowledge or monster knowledge checks until the end of your next turn. Requires Aureon.</p><p>CD: Sure Knowledge is RtB for a knowledge check. Candidate for an ally feat, as it's you or an ally.</p><p>Historical Revelation (enc. Skill Power): ally can reroll knowledge check</p><p>Let your Familiar also make the check: especially useful for knowledge checks (since they are free actions)</p><p></p><p>Current maximum: </p><p>15(lvl)+9(int)+6(item)+5(trained)+2(race)+2(background)+6(ED)+2(familiar)+2(PP)+3(feat)+6(items of creation)+6(talent shard) = +64</p><p></p><p>Which would allow us to always roll 65 for all 4 benefits. Or roll Insight/Perception/Bluff/Intimidate/Diplomacy/Streetwise/Thievery/Endurance/Athletics +65. And Initiative +65. And your fools gold will be more real than normal gold <img src="http://community.wizards.com/sites/all/modules/custom/forest_site/smileys/wizards/grin.gif" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />. But more versality is always better, since you usually don't want to optimize arcana <em>only</em>, more ways to get there or even higher are welcome...</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="LightWarden, post: 6744864, member: 6803540"] [b]Arcana Skill Optimization[/b] [b]Originally posted by songnsilence:[/b] Last Update: April 2011 Optimizing Arcana [CENTER][Size=4][b]Reasons for high Arcana [/b][/size][/CENTER] The Sage of the Ages epic destiny utility power allows for some very very beautiful things, assuming you get your arcana check high enough: Trick of Knowledge (Utility 26) Encounter * Arcane Minor Action * Personal Effect: Make an arcana check and gain a benefit based on your check result until the end of the encounter. 30 or lower: no effect 31-35: +5 to saving throws 36-40: +2 bonus to all defenses 41-45: +2 to arcane attack rolls 46-50: make saves at the beginning of your turn instead of end. 51-55: pick 2 of the below benefits 56-60: pick 3 61 or higher: pick 4 ... in other words, with good optimization you will get +5 to saves, +2 to all defenses, +2 to attacks, and save at the start of your turn. Other benefits of high Arcana Sorcerous Vision (feat, AP): Use Arcana check for Insight and Perception checks (requires Sorcerer class or MC Sorcerer) Suggestion (free mage utility power, HotfL): Use Arcana instead of Diplomacy Arcane Mutterings (lvl2 encounter skill power, dragon 379): Use Arcana instead of Bluff, Intimidate or Diplomacy check Fools Gold (lvl2 ritual, AP): Create illusionary gold, worth x100 component cost. DC to find out: your arcana check. 10 gp -> 1000gp :D Seek Rumor (lvl2 ritual, FRPG): Substitute Streetwise with Arcana to find out everything there is to know... Knock (lvl2 ritual, PHB): Arcana+5 instead of Thievery to open locks Mythic Senses feat (PH3, requires Minotaur) - use Perception checks in place of initiative checks - combine with sorcerous vision -> arcana for initiative Cunning Artifice (Dragon 387, requires Artificer, Changeling) - use Arcana for Bluff in changeling racial power Autohypnosis (heroic feat, Psionic Power): Use Arcana for Endurance Checks if not bloodied Arcane Trickster (PP): Use Arcana for Athletics Checks [CENTER][Size=4][b]How to get it[/b][/size][/CENTER] items bonus: iron of spite (head, phb) +6 item bonus runic armor (armor, av2) +6 item bonus ring of wizardry (ring, phb) +3 item bonus mirror of secrets (Artifact, Open Grave) +2/+4/+6 item bonus (concordance dependent) opal ring of remembrance (ring, AV): +4 item bonus staff of psicraft(staff, phb3): +1/+2/+3 item bonus feat bonus: skill focus (phb) +3 feat bonus highborn drow (Dragon 364, requires drow) +2 feat bonus power of arcana (Divine Power, domain) +2 feat bonus yuirwood feyfriend (Dragon 370) +1 feat bonus bardic knowledge (phb2) +2 feat bonus Drowning of Nhalloth (Dragon 391, requires Shadar Kai) +2 feat bonus Power bonus: Inspire Competence +2 power (Bard encounter or Wand of Aptitude daily power) Good Omens (Cleric PP Divine Oracle daily util, phb): +5 power bonus Fevered Certainty of Caiphon (warlock daily util, dragon 366): +5 power bonus Elexir of Aptitude (consumable, AV): +1/+3/+5 to skill check, lasts 1 hour, requires healing surge Symbol of Excellence (holy symbol, AV): +1-6 power bonus, requires daily item use CD: Ancestral Guidance is a power bonus of +Wisdom for one check. Requires Spirits of the Past. CD: Divine Excellence is +2 power to you, and grants a +2 power on the same skill to you and all allies until the end of your next turn. Requires skill domain. Good Races: Eldarin (phb) +2 to int, +2 to arcana Gnome (phb2) +2 to int, +2 to arcana Deva (phb2): +2 to int, Memory of a Thousand Lifetimes -> reroll with +1d6 bonus (+1d8 with feat) Shardmind (phb3): +2 to int, +2 to arcana Changeling (eberron) + feat: becomer (dragon 386): +2 int, +2 to arcana Backgrounds +2 (generic, phb2) High Imaskar (FRPG): reroll arcana check, keep second result Netheril (FRPG) +1 The Great Dale (FRPG) +1 Untyped bonuses Paragon of Learning (ED Sage of Ages feature, AP) +6 untyped Arcane Underpinning (PP Academy Master feature, dragon 374) +2 untyped Dabbler (PP Jack-of-all-Trades feature, MP2) +2 untyped Unseen Aid (Sorcerer encounter util, PHB2) +2 untyped Mage class (for free, at level 21) +3 untyped Disciple of Lore (heroic feat, HotFL) +1 untyped to all trained skills Talent Shard (Consumable, minor action, PHB3) +1 to +6 untyped Resourceful Action (Halfling PP Halfling Scoundrel feature, PHB2) +5 untyped, requires AP Fate of the Void (Star Pact Warlock pact boon, PHB) +1 untyped/ enemy killed Morans Eye (P1 King of the Trollhaunt Warrens, wonderous item/implement, probably unique) +5 untyped for posession Moonstone Sphere (E1 Deaths Reach, wonderous item/implement, probably unique) +2 untyped for posession Head of Vyrellis (H3 Pyramid of Shadows, wonderous item/implement, probably unique) +2 untyped for posession Tacticans Armor (Armor, AV): +1 untyped (maybe, check wording with DM)Familiar: Book imp +2 (Dragon 374) Familiar: Crafter Homunculus +2 (Dragon 374) Familiar: Rakshasa Claw +2 (Dragon 374, paragon) + free action item stow/retrieve (could allow to switch head slot items?) Familiar: Skull +2 (Dragon 374) Familiar: Greyspawn Shortfang +2 (paragon) (Dragon 374) Familiar: Blazing Skull +2 (epic) (Dragon 374) Familiar: Chaos Shard +2 (epic) (Dragon 374) Familiar: Coure Attendant +2 (Dragon 290) Relics of Creation (AV2, epic item set): +2 to +6 (depending on # of setitems) Bonuses granted by Allies Aid Another: +2 untyped per character helping BUT: requires standard action -> not practical Clockwork Precision (Bard daily util, AP): aid another adds +3 untyped per character helping, but still requires standard action -> not practical Find Another Way (Bard PP Lifesinger feature, AP) : +2 untyped for allies within 5 squares Speak with Spirits (Shaman Class Feature, phb2) + feat Spirit Speaker: +wis bonus to skill check Crucial Advice (Ranger Util 2, phb, encounter, immediate reaction): reroll check, with +wis power bonus, but works only on allies (not oneself) Fatesinger Bard: Majestic Word -> roll twice, use better result Glittergold's Gambit (Channel Divinity feat, FRPG) -> reroll attack roll or skill check Golden Mean (Lord of Fate ED daily utility power, AP): take 10 on any check CD: Sune's Touch is for an ally. One ally in Close Burst 1 gets +2 power to his next skill check until the end of his next turn. Rerolls Potion of Clarity (consumable, AV, costs healing surge): reroll with +1 to +6 bonus Arcane Insight (Wizard Util 2, Dragon 366, encounter, free action): reroll arcana check, use better result Keeper's Prescience (Sage of the Ages 24 ability): roll d20 each round, switch result with any roll during that round Dark One's Own Luck (Warlock Daily Util 6, PHB): reroll an attack roll, skill check, ability check, or saving throw Kensei Control Action (Fighter PP Kensei feature, PHB): AP->reroll attack roll, damage roll, skill check or ability check (no extra action) CD: Divine Fate is Revenant-only, but not tied to a deity and gives a RtB on any skill check. CD: Imminent Luck is GOOD. If you spend a power to reroll, and the reroll is lower, you can expend CD: ID not to expend the power. Requires only the luck domain. [i]Note that this works with RtB powers.[/i] Bonus to specific Arcana Checks [i]Note: These bonuses won't work with Trick of Knowledge. But they might still be of interest to get a high arcana result in other circumstances...[/i] Consult Mystic Sages (ritual, skill:religion): Get +10 to an arcana check (specific purposes given in a list) Arcane Ritualist (feat, AP): Get a untyped +2 bonus for one specific ritual Foreign Memories (feat, Dragon 389): +5 feat bonus, only related to aberrant creatures Oghmas Recall (feat/channel divinity power, FRPG): Get a +10 power bonus for a knowledge check CD: Aureon's Instruction is RtB (reroll take better) with knowledge or monster knowledge checks until the end of your next turn. Requires Aureon. CD: Sure Knowledge is RtB for a knowledge check. Candidate for an ally feat, as it's you or an ally. Historical Revelation (enc. Skill Power): ally can reroll knowledge check Let your Familiar also make the check: especially useful for knowledge checks (since they are free actions) Current maximum: 15(lvl)+9(int)+6(item)+5(trained)+2(race)+2(background)+6(ED)+2(familiar)+2(PP)+3(feat)+6(items of creation)+6(talent shard) = +64 Which would allow us to always roll 65 for all 4 benefits. Or roll Insight/Perception/Bluff/Intimidate/Diplomacy/Streetwise/Thievery/Endurance/Athletics +65. And Initiative +65. And your fools gold will be more real than normal gold [IMG]http://community.wizards.com/sites/all/modules/custom/forest_site/smileys/wizards/grin.gif[/IMG]. But more versality is always better, since you usually don't want to optimize arcana [i]only[/i], more ways to get there or even higher are welcome... [/QUOTE]
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