Where to go next with Paths…

::nods head::

I sketch things out too, so I will meet the requirements. As an expert archetype my problem is always having the right talents. My skills work out fine.

That said I don’t do the math “all the way through.” For example though Tukufu easily meets the Altherian Trigger Mage requirements he doesn’t have enough talents to fully exploit it without either sacrificing ASC at Tier 5 (not going to happen!) or not getting the Tier 5 bloodline power (also probably not going to happen). So all three levels of Trigger Mage are out.

I’m working through all the trade offs right now…

Archeologist is out. I essentially have it all (mechanically) already or can pick it up at will. Kinda too bad. I’d like the fluff aspect of having a path from the ES
…
Decisions decisions ….

Anyone else wrestling with their build at Tier 3 and beyond?
A little bit, yes. I was happy to see that the Warrior of the Eternal Flame had been republished in the Blessed Lands book, as Raseri has pursued that for a very long time. From a ‘fluff’ standpoint, it is perfect for him.

Mechanically, I had to significantly tweak his build to eventually qualify for WotEF, and I will get relatively minor mechanical benefits from it. That said, it is absolutely the right choice in my mind due to the story aspects.

For my other characters, at the moment there aren’t really any Paths that have grabbed my attention. It will be some time before I have multiple characters pushing T3, so hopefully there will be more paths to choose from, and something which better fits those characters.

I know my wife has had similar issues, in that there are very few paths which fit her character concept well…although there admittedly isn’t a huge demand for paths for turnip farmers turned herbalist healer.

Hi Hat,

Those are good thoughts. I had not considered spy…but looking at it I can quickly put that concept aside. It’s an interesting idea from the fluff side but I think most NPCs would think Tukufu talks way too much (rather than holding secrets) to give much thought of recruiting him. Mechanically it’s also pretty meh for someone in the expert archetype. Especially if you don’t have a lot of streetwise. Finally the talents aren’t that sexy and I could get them easily with “any 2 skill talents” if I wanted them…so I an rule that out.

On the other hand I (Of course!) have considered scholar. Several times! The talent Academic Network has me all but drooling as both a matter of fluff & mechanics. But I have two issues with the Path…

One (on the fluff side) is that taking 1 tier of it earns you the label of “apprentice scholar” …. somehow that’s a hard pill to swallow for Tukufu at Tier 3. Curse you ego!!! Still I’d probably jump on this but for the real bar … Which is that at Tier 3 Tukufu does not qualify. = (

I don’t have three different knowledge skills at 6+ ranks. I have Knowledge (History) easy and then some. Knowledge (Myths) is juuussst under …. I could make that happen by sacrificing a smidgen somewhere else. Then I’m in trouble. I do have other knowledge skills like Knowledge (Engineering), but none of them is currently above 3 skill ranks.

On the other hand I (Of course!) have considered scholar. Several times! The talent Academic Network has me all but drooling as both a matter of fluff & mechanics. But I have two issues with the Path…

One (on the fluff side) is that taking 1 tier of it earns you the label of “apprentice scholar” …. somehow that’s a hard pill to swallow for Tukufu at Tier 3. Curse you ego!!! Still I’d probably jump on this but for the real bar … Which is that at Tier 3 Tukufu does not qualify. = (

From a “title” perspective given that the 2nd Tier is Master Scholar, I think calling yourself a Scholar vs Apprentice Scholar is fine. The title of Master requires a certain amount of recognition after all, and apparently the heathens that call themselves scholars haven’t properly availed themselves of Tukufu’s shop or expertise.

From a mechanics perspective, it’s actually fairly easy. Take the “Any 2 skills” option available to Experts. It’s 2 ranks / tier at tier 3 is 6 ranks in 2 Knowledge skills of your choice. You already have the 3rd skill at 6+ ranks and never need to touch them again and they’ll still be respectable.

With a sweep of his hat,

Paul

Eric,

My character Marco is in a similar boat. Having taken two levels of Sword Sage, I am not sure where to go from there (Psion, milandisean warmind are two options I am considering). I would love to take Trigger mage but he is only Altharan by exile, not by birth, so he does not qualify.

Strangely my elorii character Gwe was not going to take a T1 path as nothing really jumped out as fitting, then towards the crusade, the crusty Berokene sailor found his spiritual side and is now well and truly down the path toward Knight of the 12 oaks.

Sometimes I just love letting the characters go where they want to. Maybe their is a path that while is suboptimal, may have cool development aspect (like the ambassador training as a Bard to woo back his wife )

Cheers

Always frustrating when the rules don’t cooperate.

For me the issue is more story driven. I could continue with my planned development (psion, maybe scholar, maybe even war mind) … Or run with something directly in service of Tukufu’s new goal in life … to run through a certain Beltinian (Grandmaster … maybe War Mind again). Where is T’s head and heart after Origins?

Decisions Decisions…