BBK Posted April 17 Clone Share Posted April 17 (edited) So, as it says in the title, I'm in the process of theorycrafting the Ultimate Jack-of-All-Trades build using Spheres in the form of the most 'flexible' character possible. Essentially, I'm tired of FOMOFear of missing out, and building a character only to say "Oh man, I wish I'd picked X instead of Y!" so I seek to theorycraft the most ADHD character concept possible. A character who can, with a bit of effort, change damn near everything about their capabilities each day. Assuming it is a Gestalt character, using any available OGL content found on the Library of Metzofitz, Spheres Wiki, and the d20PFSRD, including using the Background Skills, Oaths & Oath Boons alternative rules, and scaling from level 1-10 to start with, I've built up the most 'flexible' jack-of-all-trades build I could. In order to do so, I've relied heavily on Veilweaving - particularly the Living Veil race and the Veilweaving Sphere, as well as archetypes that lend themselves to such, and Aegis Customizations for their insane daily flexibility and general adaptability. My question to the community at large is... what would you change to make it more 'Flexible'? Also open to corrections if I've gotten anything incorrect so far. The Build So Far: Level Progression Class Choices Witch (Sphere Witch) // Aegis (Integrator | Mekanikos) Witch (Sphere Witch) // Aegis (Integrator | Mekanikos) Arcanist (Sphere Arcanist) // Aegis (Integrator | Mekanikos) Vizier (Sphere Vizier) // Soulforge (Mightforge | Sphere Soulforge) Arcanist (Sphere Arcanist) // Soulforge (Mightforge | Sphere Soulforge) Arcanist (Sphere Arcanist) // Soulforge (Mightforge | Sphere Soulforge) Arcanist (Sphere Arcanist) // Kheshig (Khorchin | Variable Veilmaster) Arcanist (Sphere Arcanist) // Aegis (Integrator | Mekanikos) Arcanist (Sphere Arcanist) // Aegis (Integrator | Mekanikos) Arcanist (Sphere Arcanist) // Aegis (Integrator | Mekanikos) Race Living Veil (Aura of the Adaptable) Construct Essence Variant Favored Class: Arcanist FCB:+1/3 Composit Living Veil Feat Traits Natural Essence [Akashic] Forgesoul Armor [Combat] Natural-Born Leader [Social] Drawback Empty Mask Oaths (+6) (+2) Forbidden Knowledge (Greater Madness: Overkill) (+2) Oath Against Mercy (+1) Oath of Celibacy (+1) Oath of Secrecy Oath Boons (-6) (-3) Enhanced Armaments (-2) Enhanced Defenses (-1) Skillful Feats Lvl 1. Unified Theory Lvl 3. Bound Living Veil Lvl 5. Student of the Astral Suit Lvl 6. [FCB] Composit Living Veil (Tactician's Tabard) Lvl 7. Personal Guardian Lvl 9. [FCB] Composit Living Veil (Hag's Shawl)*Hag's Shawl is selected because it can be used to flex all the witch hexes, but specifically the Akashic Patronage Witch Hex, which lets you select an akashic feat as a bonus feat, allowing you to flex an entire category of feat. Lvl 9. ??? Witch Hexes Lvl 1. Moldable Magics Lvl 2. Akashic Patronage (Folded Veil) Arcanist Exploits Lvl 3 (Arcanist 3). Quick Study Lvl 6 (Arcanist 1). Bloodline Development: Machinist Bloodline Lvl 8 (Arcanist 5). Item Crafting: Akashic Arms & Armor Lvl 10 (Arcanist 7). Item Crafting: Craft Self Talents by Level Witch (Sphere Witch) // Aegis (Integrator | Mekanikos) Witch Hex (Moldable Magics): +1 (Flex) Magic Talent Witch: +1 Magic Talent Witch Patron: +1 Magic Talent Caster: +2 Magic Talents 5 Talents Total: 1 Flex Magic, 4 Magic Witch (Sphere Witch) // Aegis (Integrator | Mekanikos) Witch: +1 Magic Talent Aegis: +1 (Flex) Blended Talent 7 Talents Total: 1 Flex Magic, 5 Magic, 1 Flex Blended Arcanist (Sphere Arcanist | Unlettered Arcanist) // Aegis (Integrator | Mekanikos) Arcanist: +1 (Flex) Magic Talent 8 Talents Total: 2 Flex Magic, 5 Magic, 1 Flex Blended Vizier (Sphere Vizier) // Soulforge (Mightforge | Sphere Soulforge) Vizier: +1 Magic Talent Vizier: +2 Magic Talents (Veilweaver) Soulforge: +1 (Flex) Combat Talent Soulforge: +2 Magic Talent (Veilweaving) 14 Talents Total: 1 Flex Combat, 1 Flex Magic, 10 Magic, 1 Flex Blended Arcanist (Sphere Arcanist | Unlettered Arcanist) // Soulforge (Mightforge | Sphere Soulforge) Arcanist: +1 Magic Talent Soulforge: +1 Magic Talent 16 Talents Total: 1 Flex Combat, 1 Flex Magic, 12 Magic, 1 Flex Blended Arcanist (Sphere Arcanist | Unlettered Arcanist) // Soulforge (Mightforge | Sphere Soulforge) Arcanist: +1 (Flex) Magic Talent Soulforge: +1 (Flex) Combat Talent 18 Talents Total: 2 Flex Combat, 3 Flex Magic, 12 Magic, 1 Flex Blended Arcanist (Sphere Arcanist | Unlettered Arcanist) // Kheshig (Khorchin | Variable Veilmaster) Arcanist: +1 Magic Talent Kheshig: +1 Blended Talent 20 Talents Total: 2 Flex Combat, 2 Flex Magic, 13 Magic, 1 Flex Blended, 1 Blended Arcanist (Sphere Arcanist | Unlettered Arcanist) // Aegis (Integrator | Mekanikos) Arcanist: +1 (Flex) Magic Talent Aegis: +1 (Flex) Blended Talent 22 Talents Total: 2 Flex Combat, 4 Flex Magic, 13 Magic, 2 Flex Blended, 1 Blended Arcanist (Sphere Arcanist | Unlettered Arcanist) // Aegis (Integrator | Mekanikos) Arcanist: +1 Magic Talent 23 Talents Total: 2 Flex Combat, 3 Flex Magic, 14 Magic, 2 Flex Blended, 1 Blended Arcanist (Sphere Arcanist | Unlettered Arcanist) // Aegis (Integrator | Mekanikos) Arcanist: +1 (Flex) Magic Talent Aegis: +1 (Flex) Blended Talent 25 Talents Total: 2 Flex Combat, 5 Flex Magic, 14 Magic, 3 Flex Blended, 1 Blended Note: This breakdown does not include talents gained via Combat/Casting/Unified Tradition(s) or Sphere Drawbacks. Mechanics Setup Taking iterations of the Adorn Akashic Treasure talent with static Magic Talents or static Blended Talents in order to adorn an iteration of the Talentkeeper's Opal Akashic Treasure onto every shaped veil converts the same number of static Blended Talents and/or Magic Talents spent doing so into (Flex) Blended Talents. Will always have the same number of talent points spent as his minimum number veils shaped for efficiency. Spending Aegis Customization Points on the Bonus Talent customization grants extra (Flex) Blended Talents (maximum 1 per 2 effective levels of Aegis). Once the character reaches level 7, he can shape the Dahlia's Psionic Halo veil and manifest the 3rd level psionic power Form Astral Armor, essentially letting him snag temporary (1 min/lvl) Aegis Customizations in order to get specific or specialized buffs as needed for any given situation. This requires using the Astral Skin variant if using armor, but still a great way to flex customizations that grant skill bonuses and such as needed. Once the character reaches level 10, he can shape the Dahlia's Psionic Halo veil and manifest the 4th level psionic power Psychic Reformation, essentially letting him 'Flex' all of his Skill & Feat selections as needed, making him the ultimate Jack-of-all-Flexes. The Personal Guardian feat is used to gain a Living Veil (Incarnate Form Variant) cohort that specializes in general buff & utility veils, essentially giving you a second set of (albeit less flexible) Veils to use. Using the Raja (Lordly Champion) class as their main class, they can grant you extra actions as well as essentially acting as a wearable buff bundle. "Loadouts" Using his vast wealth of 'Flex' talents, he can start each day with almost an entirely new 'loadout' of Akashic, magic talents, and combat talents in order to fill the day's needs. While he can use Quick Study to instantly flex a handful of specific magical talents in a pinch, the main appeal is being able to adapt powers on a day-by-day basis, outside of minor changes still possible during the day. While he'll have a list of 'Static' Talents, he'll have a separate list of Flexable talents that can/will change, depending on loadout. Have an example: Example Veils Personal Veils Racial Veil (Living Veil) [Shoulders ✫, +4*] Aura of the Adaptable Emulating: Eyes of the Hawkguard Foldable Option: Trickster's Overcoat Foldable Option: Hag's Shawl Foldable Option: Tactician's Tabard Stored: Alluring Voice Stored: Goldhoard Vestments Stored: Book and Quill of the Akashic Record Stored: Bangle of Barriers Stored: Blessings of the Faith Soul of the Vigilante Associated Veil [Feet] Greaves of Skirmishing (CL 1) Variable Arsenal Veil (Kheshig - Variable Veilmaster) [Headband ✫] Crystals of Radiance Bloodline Development (Machinist Bloodline) Veil [Shoulders ✫] Machinist's Powered Armor Veilweaving Sphere [Headband✫, +6] Dahlia's Psionic Halo Adorned in Veils (Vizier - Sphere Vizier) [Belt] Bandolier of the Catalyzer Shape Additional Veil Talent [Shoulders ✫] Crystalline Swarm Shape Additional Veil Talent [Head] Daring Archer's Goggles Shape Additional Veil Talent [Body] Body of Magic ✫ = Bound * = Always counts as being invested with the maximum essence possible. Strikethrough = Does not count against veils per day or assigned chakra slot. Talents Legend ☪ = Moldable Magic Talent (Reassignable during 8 hour rest or 1 Point of Arcane Reservoir to change as full action) ☯ = Flexible Blended Talent (Reassignable during 8 hour rest) ☸ = Flexible Combat Talent (Reassignable during 8 hour rest) ☮ = Blended Talent ★ = Free Talent with Sphere Unlock Static Talents (24) Equipment Sphere Equipment: Techmaniac Equipment: Toolkit Training Equipment: Natural Materials Equipment: Magic Armor Warp Sphere Warp: Extradimensional Storage Tech Sphere Tech: Emergency Gear ★ Tech: Tech Savvy Veilweaving Sphere Veilweaving: Shape Additional Veil Veilweaving: Shape Additional Veil Veilweaving: Capacity Increase ☮ Veilweaving: Capacity Increase ☮ Veilweaving: Adorn Akashic Treasure (Talentkeeper's Opal) Veilweaving: Adorn Akashic Treasure (Talentkeeper's Opal) Veilweaving: Adorn Akashic Treasure (Talentkeeper's Opal) Veilweaving: Adorn Akashic Treasure (Talentkeeper's Opal) Veilweaving: Adorn Akashic Treasure (Talentkeeper's Opal) Veilweaving: Adorn Akashic Treasure (Talentkeeper's Opal) Veilweaving: Adorn Akashic Treasure (Talentkeeper's Opal) Veilweaving: Adorn Akashic Treasure (Talentkeeper's Opal) Veilweaving: Adorn Akashic Treasure (Talentkeeper's Opal) Flexed Talents (24) Veilweaving: Shape Additional Veil ☯ Veilweaving: Veil Knowledge (Dalhia's Psionic Halo) ☯ Veilweaving: Enhanced Capacity (Dahlia's Psionic Halo) ☯ Veilweaving: Enhanced Capacity (Dahlia's Psionic Halo) ☯ Veilweaving: Chakra Bind (Shoulders) ☯ Veilweaving: Shift Veil ☯ Veilweaving: Improved Shift Veil ☯ Veilweaving: Twin Veil ☯ Veilweaving: Fluid Enhancements ☯ Veilweaving: Vizier Tradition ☯ Warp: Extradimensional Storage ☯ Warp: Extradimensional Room ☯ Equipment: Heavy Weapons Training ☸ Equipment: Firearm Proficiency ☸ Alteration Sphere ☯ Alteration: Lingering Transformation ☯ Alteration: Mechanical Customization ☯ Alteration: Greater Changes ☯ Alteration: Orb Transformation ☯ Alteration: Extreme Changes ☪ Alteration: Extreme Changes ☪ Alteration: Vitality ☪ Alteration: Cosmic Body ☪ Alteration: Size Change ☪ Gear Because of the Craft Self as well as the Unified Theory & Akashic Arms & Armor feats, almost all his spent wealth would be devoted to magical effects either on his Unified Theory Feat to add to his veils, or on himself. Not having to rely on physical items that can be lost, destroyed, or stolen, and being a Construct that does not need to eat or sleep, he is as 'self-sufficient' as I could think of. A few consumables and whatever coinage he happens to have are generally the only things he would carry with any regularity. Unified Theory Enhancement Short List: -7,500gp: Greater Transformative (Weapon) -2,000gp: Glamered (Weapon) -1,350gp: Glamered (Armor) -1,000gp: +1 Weapon -1,000gp: Special Material: Deep Crystal (Weapon) -500gp: +1 Armor -500gp: +1 Shield No Cost: Special Material: Mundane Crystal (Armor) No Cost: Special Material: Mundane Crystal (Shield) Craft Self Enhancement Short List: -4,000gp/-16,000gp/-36,000gp (Least/Lesser/Greater) Akashic Catalyst Veil Mechanics His racial base Living Veil is Aura of the Adaptable, which allows him to emulate any other veil he has access to (usually through a Tradition Talent in the Veilweaving Sphere), and is able to burn essence to flex it for any other veil he has access to. The build contains 3 veils that do not count against the normal veils per day limit, nor the chakra slots they are assigned. These are gained at levels 1 (Living Veil Race), 3 (Arcanist's Exploit), & 7 (Kheshig Archetype). At level 5 and every 3rd level afterward, he gets a Composite Living Veil, which he is able to flex in his racial veil slot via the Folded Veil feat. He would normally get either the Soulforge or Vizier Tradition talents, locking him into that tradition when gaining his first level of Soulforge, but the build assumes he would hold a different tradition at the time that would be gained with a Flex talent. Thus, the choice of Tradition Talent remains something that can be flexed. Shaped Veils By Level Levels 1 & 2 Levels 1 & 2 (2-3 Veils) Living Veil (+1) Aura of the Adaptable Veilweaving Sphere Unlock (+1) Any List (Or Current Tradition Talent) Aegis Customization (up to +1) (Optional) Daevic List Level 3 Level 3 (2-4 Veils) Living Veil (+1) Aura of the Adaptable Veilweaving Sphere (+2) Any List (Or Current Tradition Talent) (Optional) Any List (Or Current Tradition Talent) Aegis Customization (Up to +1) (Optional) Daevic List Level 4 Level 4 (4-6 Veils) Living Veil (+1) Aura of the Adaptable Veilweaving Sphere (+2) Any List (Or Current Tradition Talent) (Optional) Any List (Or Current Tradition Talent) Adorned in Veils class feature (Vizier) Any List (Or Current Tradition Talent) Aegis Customization (Up to +1) (Optional) Daevic List Arcane Exploit (+1) Machinist's Powered Armor (or) Machinist's Pile Bunker Level 5 Level 5 (5-8 Veils) Living Veil (+1) (Foldable) Aura of the Adaptable / Tactician's Tabard Veilweaving Sphere (Up to +2) Any List (Or Current Tradition Talent) (Optional) Any List (Or Current Tradition Talent) Adorned in Veils class feature (Vizier) Any List (Or Current Tradition Talent) Aegis Customizations (Up to +2) (Optional) Daevic List (Optional) Daevic List Arcane Exploit (+1) Machinist's Powered Armor (or) Machinist's Pile Bunker Soulforge (Associated) Soul Veil (+1) Forged Soul's Associated Veils List Level 6 Level 6 (5-9 Veils) Living Veil (+1) (Foldable) Aura of the Adaptable / Tactician's Tabard Veilweaving Sphere (Up to +3) Any List (Or Current Tradition Talent) (Optional) Any List (Or Current Tradition Talent) (Optional) Any List (Or Current Tradition Talent) Adorned in Veils class feature (Vizier) Any List (Or Current Tradition Talent) Aegis Customizations (Up to +2) (Optional) Daevic List (Optional) Daevic List Arcane Exploit (+1) Machinist's Powered Armor (or) Machinist's Pile Bunker Soulforge (Associated) Soul Veil (+1) Forged Soul's Associated Veils List Levels 7 & 8 Levels 7 & 8 (6-10 Veils) Living Veil (+1) (Foldable) Aura of the Adaptable / Tactician's Tabard Veilweaving Sphere (Up to +3) Any List (Or Current Tradition Talent) (Optional) Any List (Or Current Tradition Talent) (Optional) Any List (Or Current Tradition Talent) Adorned in Veils class feature (Vizier) Any List (Or Current Tradition Talent) Aegis Customizations (Up to +2) (Optional) Daevic List (Optional) Daevic List Arcane Exploit (+1) Machinist's Powered Armor (or) Machinist's Pile Bunker Variable Arsenal (+1) [Enhanced] Kheshig & Soulforge List Soulforge (Associated) Soul Veil (+1) Forged Soul's Associated Veils List Levels 9 & 10 Levels 9 & 10 (6-12 Veils) Living Veil (+1) (Foldable) Aura of the Adaptable / Tactician's Tabard / Hag's Shawl Veilweaving Sphere (Up to +4) Any List (Or Current Tradition Talent) (Optional) Any List (Or Current Tradition Talent) (Optional) Any List (Or Current Tradition Talent) (Optional) Any List (Or Current Tradition Talent) Adorned in Veils class feature (Vizier) Any List (Or Current Tradition Talent) Aegis Customizations (Up to +3) (Optional) Daevic List (Optional) Daevic List (Optional) Daevic List Arcane Exploit (+1) Machinist's Powered Armor (or) Machinist's Pile Bunker Soulforge (Associated) Soul Veil (+1) Forged Soul's Associated Veils List Variable Arsenal (+1) (Foldable) [Enhanced] Kheshig & Soulforge List / [Enhanced] Kheshig & Soulforge List Edited May 9 by BBK (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzzyKP Posted April 19 Clone Share Posted April 19 I don't have anything constructive to add, this is all a bit more advanced of a build for me to wrap my head around, but I will say that I appreciate how neatly laid out everything is. Well done with the orderly presentation and formatting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBK Posted April 19 Author Clone Share Posted April 19 4 hours ago, OzzyKP said: I don't have anything constructive to add, this is all a bit more advanced of a build for me to wrap my head around, but I will say that I appreciate how neatly laid out everything is. Well done with the orderly presentation and formatting. Thank you - I truly appreciate that. Formatting that is consistent, easy to navigate, and pared down to a level of detail that provides just enough data and required context without getting into the minutia is a wonderful thing to have when attempting to collaborate with others. I can't say my way is at all perfect, but it is the most comfortable for me of all the formats I've used so far. I can't speak to how other people like doing things, but when I take an editorial role, I like to copy the entire thing and simply highlight the changes I make (with altered formatting such as another text color, underlining changes, usually striking through the original also for reference, etc). Having a compact template assists a great deal in that type of editing, so I tend to format in that style be default because I continuously edit my own work until I'm satisfied with it. Essentially, that is what I have done over the last several weeks, and I'm now ready for outside eyes and suggestions to further fine-tune the concept. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFred Posted April 20 Clone Share Posted April 20 I made a character a bit like this for one of these silly-overpowered high-level games where it was like L20 tristalt or something. I could pretty much reconfigure their entire mode of operation on a round-by-round basis. Veilweaving with Veilshifting is pretty good for this, especially with the Veilweaving Sphere as that lets you have all the benefits and then some and none of the drawbacks and still be a Spherecaster (because that makes sense!), though obviously the Vizier L20 capstone is what you really want. The other option is Spirit Dancer Medium - I think it doesn't work by RAW but if you're using Spheres then combining it with Champion Medium makes good sense, and it's kind of bonkers especially in gestalt. The only issue is the limited number of spirit dancing rounds which can't easily be increased, but if you like doing copious amounts of fiddly maths every round then it's bang on. Also lets you use Permanent Transformation early, which frankly should never have been written, which is quite neat with Belated Shift. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBK Posted April 23 Author Clone Share Posted April 23 (edited) Made some minor changes, reflecting some private feedback. Pared down the Oaths section to something more reasonable Swapped a level of Soulforge for Kheshig Swapped a level of Witch for Vizier Added short lists for planned enhancements for Craft Self and Akashic Arms & Armor feats. Added an example of a 'Loadout'. Edited April 23 by BBK (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inash Posted April 24 Clone Share Posted April 24 I don't think Sphere Arcanist and Unlettered Arcanist stack since both alter the spells class feature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBK Posted April 24 Author Clone Share Posted April 24 (edited) 7 hours ago, Inash said: I don't think Sphere Arcanist and Unlettered Arcanist stack since both alter the spells class feature. Good catch! I'd originally read the archetype as altering the 'Spell List' (since that is the mechanical change) and didn't catch that it actually altered 'Spells' instead. I'd originally had it just to further the witch familiar's progression without having to spend an Arcane Exploit to do so. I've given up on attempting to make the familiar more useful on its own through feats, and have shifted my expectations to simply use it as an Alteration Sphere shapeshift recipient in order to remain useful and versatile. I'll plan for an Ioun Wyrd (Shadow Familiar) with a master CL of 2 from Witch. If it is going to be squishy, at least the archetype lets it respawn during spell point replenishment periods. That does leave one feat completely unfilled, however. Updated original post to reflect changes. Edited April 24 by BBK (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBK Posted May 6 Author Clone Share Posted May 6 Still hoping for outside input, ideas, suggestions, and critiques. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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