Min/Max an Akashic

[Mistwell]

I'm not generally a min/maxer. However, I find it useful to see what can be done with min/maxing (because I can then just tweak the result to fit my roleplaying desires, yanking some more effective choices for less effective ones that better fit the RP ideas I have).

That said, I would really like to see what people can do min/maxing an Akashic character I have in mind.

I want him to be an Indiana Jones type character. I'd like him to be a combination of an artifact hunter and an emissary for a distant kingdom.

Focus for abilities will be on Intelligence, then Dex, then Charisma (32 point buy or a special dice-buy system that ends pretty close to 32 point buy). The primary skills I have in mind include:

Bluff, Intimidate, Diplomacy, Search, Sneak, Tumble, Use Magic Device.

The secondary skils I have in mind include: Disguise, Disable Device, Sense Motive (5 ranks to get Diplomacy synergy bonus), Open Lock, Perception (Houseruled: combines spot and listen into one skill), Forgery Spellcraft (5 ranks to get Use Magic Device bonus to scrolls), Decipher Script (5 ranks to get Use Magic Device bonus to scrolls), Knowledge: Magic, Knowledge: Monsters, Knowledge: History, Knowledge: Runes
Languages (several, since most Charisma-based skills are language dependant).

I am not sure if I want him to be a melee fighter or a ranged fighter, but I know he has to be at least acceptable at fighting, since it will likely happen a decent amount in this game. In addition, Diplomacy will be useful outside of hostile enounters (like in town), but I suspect many hostile encounters will end in violence due to at least two players who really really like combat.

Race: While I remain open, I am tending towards Human right now. Mohj is a possibility, for the detect magic at will.

Multi-classing: I am not opposed to multi-classing, as long as the bulk of the levels are Akashic. Unfettered seems likely. Runethane is possible. A level or two of Wolf, Hawk, or Snake totem seems possible as well, depending on the combat choices I make.

Feats: This is truly where I am up in the air. I need some advice on melee vs. ranged before I choose feats, and would like advice on this area.

Prestige Classes: Totally unknown in this game, so best not to plan for one.

Any advice y'all could offer? Can a character with a base hit die of d6 work out as a melee fighter, or is it best to go for ranged fighting? Could a combo with heavy armor or Unfettered or AC-buffing feats or something else make the hit die not as important for melee? Could a sneak-attack/first strike/poison use or similar assassin-type tactic work out for this kind of character?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mistwell]

Nearly 50 views and not a single reply? hmmmm.

Okay, how can I narrow this to help people out in having something to say....

How about the basic question to start with. Does anyone have any thoughts on what direction is best for an Akashic-type character to take in combat - ranged attacks or melee attacks?

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Nearly 50 views and not a single reply? hmmmm.

Okay, how can I narrow this to help people out in having something to say....

How about the basic question to start with. Does anyone have any thoughts on what direction is best for an Akashic-type character to take in combat - ranged attacks or melee attacks?

What level are you aiming at?
One important min-max choice: If you don`t know another talent that fits better (in your case, Natural Swordsman or Natural Archer might be better): Take Eidetic Memory. +1 to all Knowledge Skills, and great synergy with the improved Memory abilities of the Akashic. And than, take 1 rank in every Knowledge Skill.

A combattant with a d6 hit die is more difficult to pull of than one with d10 or d12. THe HP are never enough, so consider taking the path of archery. It will probably be more safe for you. (And you don`t have to waste akashic abilities on sneak attack, just on the Battle Memory Abilities, which I highly recommend. Think of Barbarian Rage without the Drawbacks)

32 point buy is good.
Str10, Dex14, Con14, Int16, Wis12, Cha12
might be a good choice. It might work also fine if you lower Int to 15 and Wis to 10 to be able to increase Dex or Cha, maybe even Strength (for a stronger bow and better armor carrying abilities ) The Constitution is very important for a fighter. Remember, a Magister gets the same hit die as you.

Race:
Faen (Loresong or Quickling). Both choices are good - +2 Int or +2 Dex are both useful for your concept. It might allow you to shift your abilities a bit. (I think a Akashic should get a natural - without magic items - 16 on his INT, but it doesn`t need to be more, so Loresong could allow you a better Wisdom or Charisma, maybe even Strength)
Mojh: The only reason for it is +2 to INT, but probably doesn`t fit the Indiana Jones Concept.
Litorian: +2 Dex, -2 Wis. Nice choice, does not contradict the Concept.
Human: Probably best choice: More skillpoints, one extra feat, and after all, Indiana Jones was a human.

Skills:
If you choose the archery path, Tumble is not as important as in melee combat. 5 ranks might be sufficient, especially if you consider taking the Skill Mastery ceremony feat. (Disable Device, Search, Sneak, Open Lock, Perception, Tumble).
Talents:
Eidetic Memory or Natural Archer
Feats:
Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Reload are probably must haves amd should be the first ones to take, I think.
Other feats to consider:
Bond Item (Bow), Exotic Armor Profiency (get a devenian articuted armor that you can wear without problems), Weapon Focus (Bow), Weapn Specialisation (Bow), Far Shot, Dodge, Mobility, Shot on the Run, First Strike, IMproved Initiative, Improved Critical (Bow), Infuse Weapon, Modify Combat Style (fits perfectly for Akashics, I think), Mounted Combat/Archery), Speed Burst.
Nice feat for high level akashics: Power of the Name. (Remember, you have use magic device to use your scrolls of Learn Truename, and a 20th level akashic could use his spell memory ability for it)

Akashic Abilities:
Battle Memory (all three at first oppertunity), Tongues (helpful, unless you really take skill points to get ALL AU languages), any and all of the Loresight Abilities. Learn Secret (greater) might be a good choice, take your bow at first oppertunity. You could also buy a scroll of the spell and use your "Use Magic Device" skill, depends on how flexible you want to be. (If someone decides to sunder your Bow, you can safely recast it at next day on your spare bow - maybe you even did it in advance - even in the middle of a dungeon. And you probably need several of it to also enhance other spare weapons, your tools and so on.)
Delve into Personal Memory and/or Impersonate can also be quite useful in some cases.

Equipment:
A good Bow and a good armor. Don`t overlook medium size armor, they are better in AU than in standard D&D, (perhaps a Arcticulated Plate jack or a Devanian brestplate if Dex becomes higher than 17) and you might be not strong enough to wear Heavy Armor.
Other: Gloves of Dexterity, Headband of Intellect, Amulet of Health (hp)or Circlet of Persuasion (charisma based skills). Belt of Giant Strength if you want a Mighty Composite Bow.

All these things aside: There is a reason why the Akashic is included in the Way of the Staff, not Way of the Bow. He is more spellcaster like than fighter like.
Oh, and I only saw a Winter Witch (nice, but doesn`t survive the attacks of an equal level fighter, as we figured out when my fighter was dominated by a vampire) and a Magister inplay until now, and both in a 3.0/3.5 D&D campaign.

Mustrum Ridcully

PS: I missed two notes:
Remember to buy Bodkin Arrows, and if you want to resemble Indy even a bit more, you have to take Exotic Weapon profiency (Agile) for the Whip.

 

[Mistwell]

What level are you aiming at?
One important min-max choice: If you don`t know another talent that fits better (in your case, Natural Swordsman or Natural Archer might be better): Take Eidetic Memory. +1 to all Knowledge Skills, and great synergy with the improved Memory abilities of the Akashic. And than, take 1 rank in every Knowledge Skill.

A combattant with a d6 hit die is more difficult to pull of than one with d10 or d12. THe HP are never enough, so consider taking the path of archery. It will probably be more safe for you. (And you don`t have to waste akashic abilities on sneak attack, just on the Battle Memory Abilities, which I highly recommend. Think of Barbarian Rage without the Drawbacks)

32 point buy is good.
Str10, Dex14, Con14, Int16, Wis12, Cha12
might be a good choice. It might work also fine if you lower Int to 15 and Wis to 10 to be able to increase Dex or Cha, maybe even Strength (for a stronger bow and better armor carrying abilities ) The Constitution is very important for a fighter. Remember, a Magister gets the same hit die as you.

Race:
Faen (Loresong or Quickling). Both choices are good - +2 Int or +2 Dex are both useful for your concept. It might allow you to shift your abilities a bit. (I think a Akashic should get a natural - without magic items - 16 on his INT, but it doesn`t need to be more, so Loresong could allow you a better Wisdom or Charisma, maybe even Strength)
Mojh: The only reason for it is +2 to INT, but probably doesn`t fit the Indiana Jones Concept.
Litorian: +2 Dex, -2 Wis. Nice choice, does not contradict the Concept.
Human: Probably best choice: More skillpoints, one extra feat, and after all, Indiana Jones was a human.

Skills:
If you choose the archery path, Tumble is not as important as in melee combat. 5 ranks might be sufficient, especially if you consider taking the Skill Mastery ceremony feat. (Disable Device, Search, Sneak, Open Lock, Perception, Tumble).
Talents:
Eidetic Memory or Natural Archer
Feats:
Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Reload are probably must haves amd should be the first ones to take, I think.
Other feats to consider:
Bond Item (Bow), Exotic Armor Profiency (get a devenian articuted armor that you can wear without problems), Weapon Focus (Bow), Weapn Specialisation (Bow), Far Shot, Dodge, Mobility, Shot on the Run, First Strike, IMproved Initiative, Improved Critical (Bow), Infuse Weapon, Modify Combat Style (fits perfectly for Akashics, I think), Mounted Combat/Archery), Speed Burst.
Nice feat for high level akashics: Power of the Name. (Remember, you have use magic device to use your scrolls of Learn Truename, and a 20th level akashic could use his spell memory ability for it)

Akashic Abilities:
Battle Memory (all three at first oppertunity), Tongues (helpful, unless you really take skill points to get ALL AU languages), any and all of the Loresight Abilities. Learn Secret (greater) might be a good choice, take your bow at first oppertunity. You could also buy a scroll of the spell and use your "Use Magic Device" skill, depends on how flexible you want to be. (If someone decides to sunder your Bow, you can safely recast it at next day on your spare bow - maybe you even did it in advance - even in the middle of a dungeon. And you probably need several of it to also enhance other spare weapons, your tools and so on.)
Delve into Personal Memory and/or Impersonate can also be quite useful in some cases.

Equipment:
A good Bow and a good armor. Don`t overlook medium size armor, they are better in AU than in standard D&D, (perhaps a Arcticulated Plate jack or a Devanian brestplate if Dex becomes higher than 17) and you might be not strong enough to wear Heavy Armor.
Other: Gloves of Dexterity, Headband of Intellect, Amulet of Health (hp)or Circlet of Persuasion (charisma based skills). Belt of Giant Strength if you want a Mighty Composite Bow.

All these things aside: There is a reason why the Akashic is included in the Way of the Staff, not Way of the Bow. He is more spellcaster like than fighter like.
Oh, and I only saw a Winter Witch (nice, but doesn`t survive the attacks of an equal level fighter, as we figured out when my fighter was dominated by a vampire) and a Magister inplay until now, and both in a 3.0/3.5 D&D campaign.

Mustrum Ridcully

PS: I missed two notes:
Remember to buy Bodkin Arrows, and if you want to resemble Indy even a bit more, you have to take Exotic Weapon profiency (Agile) for the Whip.

Thanks very much for the reply. I like the archer build.

Why one rank in each knowledge skill? As far as I recall, knowledge skills can be used untrained, can't they?

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Thanks very much for the reply. I like the archer build.

Why one rank in each knowledge skill? As far as I recall, knowledge skills can be used untrained, can't they?

No. Only for DCs of 10 or lower, and that`s hardly the things you really want to know in game.
And the Double INT Bonus Akashics get only applies to Knowledge Skills you have a rank in, if I recall correctly.

By the way, if you want to adjust the character for melee combat, it might be best to just take Weapon Finesse and use a light weapon. (Feats worth considering might be Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack and/or First Strike, Expertise, Improved Disarm - especially if you want to use a whip Improved Disarm might be a good idea)
Though you maybe don`t need a high dex, since, unlike a rogue, akashic can wear heavy armor (but this does not actually fit the Indy Concept nor meshes well with your Sneak Skill).

Mustrum Ridcully

 

[Mistwell]

Wow. With an 18 intelligence, that feat, one rank in each knowledge skill, and the Akashic perfect recall ability, you have a +10 to all knowledge skills. I believe you can take 10 on any knowledge check (unless threatened of course, which seems like a fairly rare thing). That's a 20 to all knowledge checks at 2nd level, enough to answer really tough questions on absolutely every subject. Nice!

You're right, it does say trained only, and limits untrained checks to "common knowledge". That's okay. I think I can spare 14 skill ranks to be able to know almost anything.

 

[Kestrel]

Heres the one I had. He was very much like you described and I had fun with him.

4th level Akashic, Human

32pt buy
S 12, D 14, C 12, I 17, D 12, C 12

Feats: Opportunist, Natural Archer, Point blank shot, Precise Shot.

Abilities: Minor Battle Memory

Skills (Ranks)
Bluff (5)
Decipher Script (5)
Diplomacy (5)
Disable Device (6)
Gather Info (4)
Intimidate (2)
Know (Beasts) (1)
Know (Geography) (1)
Know (History) (1)
Know (Magic) (1)
Know (Nature) (1)
Know (Nobility) (1)
Know (Runes) (1)
Listen (2)
Open Lock (3)
Search (6)
Sense Motive (5)
Sleight of Hand (4)
Sneak (6)
Spot (2)
Tumble (7)
Use Magic Device (4)
Wild Survival (4)


My intention with the character was to go for Power of the Name feat at 6th level and combining that with Delve into Personal Memory at 8th. That would have allowed him to get a person's truename and then use it against them.

 

[Liminal Syzygy]

Wow. With an 18 intelligence, that feat, one rank in each knowledge skill, and the Akashic perfect recall ability, you have a +10 to all knowledge skills. I believe you can take 10 on any knowledge check (unless threatened of course, which seems like a fairly rare thing).

I believe there is a specific rule that says you can't take 10 on knowledge checks, "as you either know something or you don't". Sorry for no other input Mistwell, haven't spend enough time with AU yet.

 

[Liminal Syzygy]

My intention with the character was to go for Power of the Name feat at 6th level and combining that with Delve into Personal Memory at 8th. That would have allowed him to get a person's truename and then use it against them.

I don't think this is a possible application of this ability, considering page 172 (yes this isn't a spell, but...) and that otherwise it takes a 6th level simple divination with a 12 hour casting time, the name of the creature, and a personal posession to learn the truename.

Yes it calls for some judgment but it is too good to be true no matter how you look at it.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

I don't think this is a possible application of this ability, considering page 172 (yes this isn't a spell, but...) and that otherwise it takes a 6th level simple divination with a 12 hour casting time, the name of the creature, and a personal posession to learn the truename.

Yes it calls for some judgment but it is too good to be true no matter how you look at it.

I tend to agree. Let`s just assume the Truename is not a single word.
It might be a fair ability for Greater Delve Into Personal Memory.

Be aware though, that Lern Truename has an unlimited Range, which allows you to get the Name when the person is not present...

Mustrum Ridcully