akashic questions

[gerreld terrent]

my dm is running a game using 3.5 rules and i drew the job of running the skill monkey he said that i could be an akashic if i wanted to after looking at the class i really like it but i have no idea how one is put together feat wise i would apreciate any input

p.s. if this is the wrong forum i appologize ahead of time

thanks
gerreld terrent

 

[Jaws]

my dm is running a game using 3.5 rules and i drew the job of running the skill monkey he said that i could be an akashic if i wanted to after looking at the class i really like it but i have no idea how one is put together feat wise i would apreciate any input

p.s. if this is the wrong forum i appologize ahead of time

thanks
gerreld terrent

This post will probably be moved to
d20 Modern, d20 System & OGL Games. The best place to look for help on such a topic would be on Monte Cook's boards. Arcana Unearthed Miscellaneous


Peace and smiles

j.

 

[Dr. Strangemonkey]

Well, a key aspect to the choices you make in terms of feats for an Akashic are what sort of future you have in mind for the Akashic.

There are a number of different effective roads to take depending on your preferences and what you feel the party needs.

Do you have attributes yet? And I know you said skill monkey but do you know how much of social skill monkey you will be? What race?

Will the feats be from AU also? Cause if not, that will make a huge difference in how you develop the character.

Feats that up hit points are a good bet given the heavier armor you can invest in.

Pick up a good set of initial skills and stick to them, but distribute your points broadly across knowledges. The boosts you get to them from your class features mean that you get insanely good checks from a very narrow investment and the other players will really appreciate your breadth of knowledge.

Small races are a good pick if you are willing to give up the feat and skill bonus the trade off in stealth benefits, either extra dex or hit points, racial bonuses, and general ability to stay out of the way is pretty nice.

On the other hand, going human and maxing out disguise is a great strategy too.

Use magic device is a great route to go as well.

Akashics work well as the two fisted archaeologists rather than Ninjas. Use your talent for improvisation to bluff your way in, disable the traps, have a quick fight to knock out the one guard, get the treasure, get captured by the guards friends, sneak out, escape using panache and grit, and then bring valuable information to the allies. Rather then sneaking in through the window without being seen, freak out and kill everyone, sneak out with the treasure, find your friends, and then act surprised when the whole city has been shut down and there's a reward out for someone who looks suspiciously like you and his associates who look suspiciously like the party.

 

[Dr Simon]

It depends on if you're using AU feats, or 3.5 feats.

It's worth pointing out that AU classes have less of an up-front Class Ability bundle compared to D&D classes. This is because AU allows unrestricted multi-classing and it helps decrease cherry-picking (the really cool stuff starts at levels 3-5). However, to offset this AU characters get a bonus feat at character level 1.

Without that, your Akashic might be a bit weak at 1st level compared to D&D classes (his only class ability, beyond the unlimited skill selection) is a +2 bonus to one skill, once (or possibly twice) a day.

If you're going with AU feats, I've found that Skill Focus (Use Magical Device) is *very* handy when you get your paws on any wands. Night Owl or the Natural Swordsman/Archer feats give some good bonuses to back up his less than stellar Base Attack (bear in mind an Akashic has proficiency in all weapons and armour which gives them reasonable back-up fighter potential. I have recently discovered first-hand the full potential of Combat Memory).

 

[gerreld terrent]

Thanks for the input. To answer your question we are going to be using non au feats. I rolled fairly well on my stats 13 15 13 16 11 16 our dm alows to put the stats where we want them i was thinking i would be human for4 the extra feat and skills and as far as cha based skills go I like to use them but our dm mixes it up a lot some adventures are finese based and some are hack and slash. One of my thoughts was to pick feats that are useful by them selves suchs as point blank shot or combat expertise so when i hit level 12 I have a lot of options for feat memory. would that be good or bad?

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Thanks for the input. To answer your question we are going to be using non au feats. I rolled fairly well on my stats 13 15 13 16 11 16 our dm alows to put the stats where we want them i was thinking i would be human for4 the extra feat and skills and as far as cha based skills go I like to use them but our dm mixes it up a lot some adventures are finese based and some are hack and slash. One of my thoughts was to pick feats that are useful by them selves suchs as point blank shot or combat expertise so when i hit level 12 I have a lot of options for feat memory. would that be good or bad?

After you have ensured you have the basic feats to make your character viable NOW, yes, that might be not bad. Though remember that Feat Memory can be used only once per day (IIIRC), so you shouldn´t focus on it, I guess. Though a surprising Improved Trip/Disarm attack could be good...

For ranged combat mastery I´d suggest these statistics:
Str13, Dex16, Con15, Int16, Wis11, Cha13
If you prefer melee, you will probably have to switch dex and strength (the lack in AC can be compensated by better armor).
Over the course of the next levels, you should try to even out some scores, especially constitution (1 extra hp/level isn´t bad...).

Make sure that you got at least one rank in every knowledge class skill over the next few levels so you can use them. (Once you can add twice your INT Modifier, you have a reliable value). Chose a few Knowledge skills you want to specialise in (if you don´t have a wizard, take Knowledge(arcana), without a Cleric, Knowledge (religion) is good. Knowledge (dungeoneering), Knowledge (local) are also good choices)
Especially if you lack good spellcasters, Use Magic Device is great.

If you want to contribute in combat, you will have to choose the appropriate feats - I don´t think you will find any good non-combat feats for your character anyway.
Melee combat is dangerous for Akashics, and since you don´t have a Rogue´s Sneak Attack, you should probably focus on ranged combat. This means Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Shot, Far ShotWeapon Focus (Bow) , Dodge, Mobility, Shot on the Run, Many Shot, (Approximately in this order...)