Paizo Publishing Pathfinder Core Rulebook (P2)

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Now, there is a lot of free content online for Pathfinder, courtesy of Paizo, but I do like to have the physical copies of rulebooks and it supports the publisher. Archetypes on page 219 gives you thematic options that allow you to further customize your character’s abilities. Bards are the most iconic occult spellcasters, collecting strange esoterica and using their performances to influence the mind or elevate the soul, and occult sorcerers strive to understand the mysterious power in their blood. Some feats or other abilities might add a spell to your spell list even if you don't follow the listed traditions.

Your focus pool can’t have a capacity beyond 3 Focus Points, even if feats that increase your pool would cause it to exceed this number. Rituals are never common, though if you look hard, you can probably find someone who can perform an uncommon ritual for you.

You're wielding an item any time you're holding it in the number of hands needed to use it effectively. Unless the specific ability states otherwise, such decisions can’t be changed without retraining (as explained on page 481). For example, a 10-foot pole isn’t heavy, but its length makes it difficult for you to move while you have one on your person, so its Bulk is 1. Depending on the spell, the trigger might be the presence of a type of creature, such as “red-haired dwarven women,” or it could be an observed action, such as “whenever someone enters the spell’s area.

For instance, full plate armor is 4 Bulk, a longsword is 1 Bulk, a dagger or scroll is light, and a piece of chalk is negligible. While characters can use items of any level, GMs should keep in mind that allowing characters access to items far above their current level may have a negative impact on the game. You can’t select a multiclass archetype’s dedication feat if you are a member of the class of the same name (for instance, a fighter can’t select the Fighter Dedication feat). To advance a mature animal companion to a savage animal companion, increase its Strength modifier by 2 and its Dexterity, Constitution, and Wisdom modifiers by 1. For instance, if a character is pushed through the illusion of a door, they will know that the door is an illusion, but they still can’t see through it.

A creature must have a hand free for someone to pass an item to them, and they might then need to change their grip if they receive an item requiring two hands to wield or use. Ten light items count as 1 Bulk, and you round down fractions (so 9 light items count as 0 Bulk, and 11 light items count as 1 Bulk). You might need to know the Bulk of a creature, especially if you need to carry someone off the battlefield. You must know the ritual, and the ritual’s spell level can be no higher than half your level rounded up. Your familiar has either a Speed of 25 feet or a swim Speed of 25 feet (choose one upon gaining the familiar).

Each day of casting requires 8 hours of participation in the ritual from all casters, with breaks during multiday rituals to allow rest. Each component adds certain traits to the Cast a Spell activity, and some components have special requirements. You attempt a counteract check using your spellcasting ability modifier and your proficiency bonus for spell attack rolls. A suit of armor that's carried usually has 1 more Bulk than what's listed here (or 1 Bulk total for armor of light Bulk).The ability that gives you an innate spell tells you how often you can cast it— usually once per day—and its magical tradition. Many spontaneous spellcasting classes provide abilities like the signature spells class feature, which allows you to cast a limited number of spells as heightened versions even if you know the spell at only a single level.