Arelith

Howdy folks,

Thanks to Voger Eol's extensive testing on PGCC, it was found that ESF: Illusion's copying mechanics will double the caster's DPS output if applicable.

We have brainstormed some builds so far, but nothing concrete as of yet. I invite everyone to build upon this idea and come up with thematic and fun builds.

Requirements:
Reaching 9th level spell in order to take Epic Spell Focus: Illusion
Have ranged weaponry as the main choice of weapon

Things to note:
If the main character of the copy has Called Shot and Rapid Shot, the copy will proceed to utilize them! Rapid Shot will be deactivated when the copy is attempting to Called Shot.

As much as having Spellsword path for the wizard variants would be cool, SS doesn't allow any form of summons, and that includes the copy. Therefore wizards have to remain wizards for now. Maybe one day that will be changed.

This is a separate thread from the All Things Ranged thread just so all build ideas pertaining to the Illusion copy theme can be discussed and finalized here before having them submitted to that thread.

Builds
Arcane Trick Shooter
Wizard 17 / AA 9 / Fighter 4
Pre-epic: Wizard 8 / AA 9 / Fighter 3 (16 BAB) WIP Section
Cleric 21 / Harper Paragon 5 / Ranger or Fighter 4 (Possible Zen Archery)

Wizard 21 / Ranger 5 / Fighter 4 (For any race)

Cleric 22 / Harper Paragon 5 / Monk 3 (Possible Zen Archery)

Cleric 17 / AA 9 / Ranger 4 (Can do Zen Archery and trade Cleric levels for Druid levels for RP reasons)

SS doesn't allow any form of summons, and that includes the copy.

On top of that, it doesn't allow any of the Epic Spell Focus perks.

My buddy toyed with the same concept a while back, but he found out that the quiver could only accommodate a measly 100 arrows. Has this changed? Did you test it?

Edit: Also, I suppose that the generalist Cleric23/Monk3/Fighter4 is the best-suited build for this with full wisdom with a longbow or shortbow, depending on how filthy and small of a gnome you want to play.

That's certainly a cause for concern. But if it is specifically put in place, I can see how it could actually be reasonable to put a limit on ammo.

Doubling a fully buffed cleric's damage output can be scary, even if it meant tons of micromanagement. With the builds hashed out, we can probably lobby for an ammo increase. The copy is meant to be similar to an epic spell, I imagine, so it should be used sparingly.

This would mean the character still has to function without the illusory copy, of which mechanically speaking Clerics would be the ideal choice for this combo.

Edit:
Cleric (Healer) 22 / Harper Paragon 5 / Monk 3 would be quite potent. Highest APR, free divine might and shield, wisdom to AC scaling, access to monk items so as Aspirant's Sash (Belt) and Beads (Amulet), and tons of other goodies, too.

Cleric 21 / Ranger 5 / Fighter 4 could work, too!

This is an excellent summary, thanks for making the effort, Kenji!

I tried this concept last summer. Cleric/archer with crossbow. In-game the illusionary double just stood there almost 100% of the time. I can't remember seeing it fire one shot. Tried creating the clone while holding the bow, while not, tried player tool 1 to make it attack-- nothing ever worked.

This was six months ago so maybe something changed (like the 64 bit update) and it works better now but that was my experience.

If you're looking for 9th level spells, ESF, and good ranged utility, a cleric with wis/cha investments and the divine might feat is going to be the heaviest damage-dealing option. The downside is something like this is harder to raise until mid/late levels when you finally have all of your needed feats (point blank shot, rapid shot, weapon focus: bow, zen archery, power attack, divine might, and your two spell focuses are going to eat up just about all your feats)

Yes, I also agree the strongest option for this is a healer monk dip with shurikens and 30ish cha.

Quiver can hold 500 arrows now. Also, all feats copy over to your summon, so you could do something like 17 cleric 13 rogue and use the drow crossbow for 12d6 sneak attack, which would be guaranteed to proc from at least one of you, along with both having epic dodge.

I've been testing strength battle clerics along the same lines, and they can get pretty stupid since you can do things like 17 cleric 7 wm 6 fighter, or 17 cleric, 10 fighter, 3 rogue, or, if you want to not be dispel bait, 25 cleric 5 fighter or ranger with AD Abj.

The melee version also doesn't have issues with ammo management, and the summon attacks more consistently.

w00t!

garrbear758 wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 13, 2020 4:17 am

13 rogue and use the drow crossbow for 12d6 sneak attack

That crossbow doesn't stack with rogue SA

Seems like Rhaels secret is out. Been using esf illusion as a zen archery for a year on that char and it works a treat.

Lmao

Cleric 17/Fighter 6/Weaponmaster 7

Feats would be tight, but why play one WM when you could play 2?

Edit: I realize this isn't a ranged build.

Jack Oat wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 22, 2020 7:41 pm

Lmao

Cleric 17/Fighter 6/Weaponmaster 7

Feats would be tight, but why play one WM when you could play 2?

Edit: I realize this isn't a ranged build.

I posted that earlier. The illusion only gets 44 ab since it cant use divine favor or divine power, but that still puts you at effectively having 10 attack per round on a strength build.