Simple Q&A by RAW for Pathfinder 4

[Gallowglass]

Q479 - Robes of the Archmagi

the robes description states: "Only an arcane spellcaster can fully realize this potent magic item’s powers once the robe is donned. These powers are as follows.".

What is the criteria around arcane spellcaster? you have to have at least 1 level in an arcane spellcasting class? Is access to an arcane spell through traits, feats or racial SLA enough? Does Witch and Alchemist qualify as arcane spellcasters?

[Psyren]

A479:

What is the criteria around arcane spellcaster? you have to have at least 1 level in an arcane spellcasting class?

Yep, that's exactly right.

Is access to an arcane spell through traits, feats or racial SLA enough?

SLAs are not spells, so no. Whatever method you're using has to give you the ability to cast an arcane spell, which will generally mean levels in an arcane spellcasting class.

Does Witch and Alchemist qualify as arcane spellcasters?

Witch yes, Alchemist no.

[grarrrg]

A479 part C, extended:
Alchemists do not count as any type of spellcaster. They are neither Arcane, nor Divine.
They share some things in common with Arcane casters (can share spellbooks and whatnot), but that still does not make them a caster.

[ellindsey]

Q480: If Wall of Ice is cast to create a wall of ice, and then someone casts Dispel Magic on the wall, does the ice instantly disappear, or only gradually melt away at a rate reasonable for the surroundings? I know Wall of Stone is permanent and non-dispellable, and Wall of Fire vanishes the moment that the spell expires or is dispelled, but I'm not sure where Wall of Ice stands.

[Yomega]

Q481 Is there a way to apply weapon focus to a group of weapons (clubs, swords, natural, ect) I recall a fighter archtype that could do it but I cant find it.

[Psyren]

A480: It vanishes immediately. "A dispelled spell ends as if its duration had expired."

A481: Yes - the "Weapon Specialist" Advanced Weapon Training option from WMH will let you extend such feats to all other weapons in that group.

[MizuDevil]

Q482:
Creature receive 15 Ref Save from falling object if it wasnt dropped by someone, am I right?

Q483:
Two-handed weapon for creature counts as one size as creature or at 1 size smaller then creature?

[Florian]

Q483:
Two-handed weapon for creature counts as one size as creature or at 1 size smaller then creature?

I must admit that I don´t fully understand your question. I suspect that you´re thinking about an older D&D 3.0E rule here, where there were size equivalents.

A medium-size Longsword is not equal to a small-size Greatsword, if that is what you ask.

[Psyren]

@Florian: I don't think English is his/her first language.

A482: Yes, provided the object that you are avoiding is not part of a trap. (Traps use the trap rules instead.) If you succeed at your reflex save, you take half damage, or no damage if you have evasion.

I must admit that I don´t fully understand your question. I suspect that you´re thinking about an older D&D 3.0E rule here, where there were size equivalents.

A medium-size Longsword is not equal to a small-size Greatsword, if that is what you ask.

A483 expansion: While the above is true (i.e. it would still have the stats of a longsword no matter the size relative to its wielder), a Small creature wielding a medium-sized Longsword would still need both hands to do so, i.e. they could only wield it 2-handed. It may not actually become a Greatsword for them, but it would still become a 2-handed weapon. Similarly, if a Small creature found a Medium-sized Greatsword, they would not be able to use it at all. The rule is here:

The measure of how much effort it takes to use a weapon (whether the weapon is designated as a light, one-handed, or two-handed weapon for a particular wielder) is altered by one step for each size category of difference between the wielder's size and the size of the creature for which the weapon was designed. For example, a Small creature would wield a Medium one-handed weapon as a two-handed weapon. If a weapon's designation would be changed to something other than light, one-handed, or two-handed by this alteration, the creature can't wield the weapon at all.

[unseenmage]

Q484

If one applied the Simple Class Template: Wizard to a creature with Intelligence "--" would its Int become 4 or 14?
(I suspect 14 because nonabilities are considered to be 10s... I think.)

Q485
Would a Simple Class Template: Wizard creature which originally had Int "--" which is strong enough to have access to 9th level spells be able to cast those spells? Or would it need an Int boosting magic item to even be able to make the attempt?

[Slithery D]

Q484

If one applied the Simple Class Template: Wizard to a creature with Intelligence "--" would its Int become 4 or 14?
(I suspect 14 because nonabilities are considered to be 10s... I think.)

Q485
Would a Simple Class Template: Wizard creature which originally had Int "--" which is strong enough to have access to 9th level spells be able to cast those spells? Or would it need an Int boosting magic item to even be able to make the attempt?

A484: RAW its Intelligence would become 4 and it can't actually use any of its spells. RAI I'd say you can't give the template to a creature without intelligence, the template means it's a particularly good spell casting version of the normal version, and in this case the normal version has no potential for spellcasting ability at all.

[Psyren]

A484/485 dispute: I'd say it's neither - Nonabilities are quite simply not abilities. You are not adding +4 to 0 or even to 10, you are adding it to pineapple. Such a creature does not gain any intelligence and therefore still cannot cast wizard spells.

[unseenmage]

Q484/485 clarification
Does this bit from the Construct type apply?

No Constitution score. Any DCs or other statistics that rely on a Constitution score treat a construct as having a score of 10 (no bonus or penalty).

[Psyren]

Q484/485 clarification
Does this bit from the Construct type apply?

Nope - a template is neither a DC nor a statistic. It means you treat it as a 10 for the purposes of, say, a roll or opposed check.

[Benthesquid]

Q486A: Does the Sleeper Hold feat simply give you another option when maintaining a grapple (that is, do you use it in place of repositioning, damaging, or pinning your opponent) or can it be used in conjunction with one of those?

Q486B: Do I have to use it, taking the -2 AC penalty for each round going up to the time it can be used, or only once I'm actually able to provoke the save? (For example, I'm grappling the squish 12 Con wizard. On the first round I maintain the grapple, I do not declare that I'm initiating a Sleeper Hold. On the second round I maintain the grapple, I do so declare. Do I provoke the save now, or not until the second consecutive round?)

[Korahir]

Q487
Earth elemental school: Acid Cloud: I've read so many dubious interpretations, so I need clarification:

• The cloud forces the save immediately after being cast,. The clause about entering and moving out, only enables creatures to leave the cloud without penalties.
• If the affected creature doesn't move, it has to save twice, as the cloud lasts for one round.
• Despite being described as a cloud, the cloud is not a fog effect in any way and doesn't reduce sight.

[Cieyrin]

A 486A I direct you to a quote from the feat:

You must declare that you are using this feat before you make a combat maneuver check to maintain a grapple (thus a failed check to maintain the grapple ruins the attempt).

The feat is an effect on the grapple, not a grapple option, so you can freely damage, move or pin while you're trying to choke them out.

A 486B As noted above, you have the -2 AC for the entire grapple you declared you were using Sleeper Hold in.

A 487

Q487
Earth elemental school: Acid Cloud: I've read so many dubious interpretations, so I need clarification:

• The cloud forces the save immediately after being cast,. The clause about entering and moving out, only enables creatures to leave the cloud without penalties. That is correct.
• If the affected creature doesn't move, it has to save twice, as the cloud lasts for one round. No, they've already been affected for that round; everybody gets one save if they were in when it forms or if they enter the area.
• Despite being described as a cloud, the cloud is not a fog effect in any way and doesn't reduce sight. Correct, it does not provide concealment or block line of sight.

[Kurald Galain]

Q488 Is there some item that makes natural (claw) attacks deal nonlethal damage? E.g. wrapping cloth around them, or some alchemical method that blunts them?

[Slithery D]

A488: The expensive way is a 16K +1 Merciful Amulet of Mighty Fists.

[Psyren]

A488 correction: AoMF actually doesn't need the +1 enhancement minimum, so you can do this with a 4K merciful AoMF.

Another method is a Touch of Mercy potion, but by the book those will only last 3 rounds a pop.

[RinceyNZ]

Q 489

Racial Natural Armor Class and Polymorph, for Pathfinder.

If my character has +2 racial natural AC and an undead template (eg Wight) giving her + 4 NAC, then she casts Alter Self, Monstrous Physique or other Polymorph spell, does she lose the +6 NAC to be replaced with whatever NAC is provided by the new form or keep the +6 NAC and whatever is provided by the spell, or whichever is higher or lower?

[Gallowglass]

Q490.

If I summon a creature (using any summoning spell) that has a SLA with a DC. Is there any feat or feature I can use to enhance the DC of my summon's SLAs? Like augment summoning increased strength and constitution, but for spell DC?

[Larsen]

A490.
You can increase the ability (CHA ?) the SLA DC is based on with eagle's spenldor for example (casting a spell count as a feature I guess...).

[Necroticplague]

Q 491:
Does Touch Injection allow you to get more than one use out of an extract? Looking at it, it doesn't seem to say that it stops working after you deliver an extract using it, so is there anything to prevent you from just using Touch Injection at the beginning of the day, then keeping the touch attack to re-apply the extract for as long as Touch Injection lasts (which is quiet a while)?

[Psyren]

A491: Everything in the spell description is singular, so I'd say no. "An infused extract," "The substance," "a mere touch," "a successful melee touch attack," etc. It doesn't say it discharges, sure, but it also doesn't say you get to land more than one touch with a single {thing you're trying to deliver}.

[Genth]

Q492 - Can an illusionist who already has a Major Image up 'pull a Loki' with readied actions. I.E.
(492a) Can the character 'ready an action to attack with Scorching ray' when the Major Image of themselves is charged?
(492b) Would this deny the victim their dex bonus to AC?

[Psyren]

Q492 - Can an illusionist who already has a Major Image up 'pull a Loki' with readied actions. I.E.
(492a) Can the character 'ready an action to attack with Scorching ray' when the Major Image of themselves is charged?
(492b) Would this deny the victim their dex bonus to AC?

A492a: Yes, charging is a combat action and therefore can be used as a trigger for a readied action. You can ready a scorching ray in case you are charged, if someone charges your ally, if they charge a figment of you standing over there, or any other observable trigger. Keep in mind however, that Major Image requires concentration to maintain; since you cannot cast a spell while concentrating on another one, you must cease concentrating when your readied action triggers, and the Major Image will end 3 rounds later (if it even still exists.)

A492b: No - unless you yourself are hidden when you fire (e.g. invisible), then the opponent will not be caught off guard, even if they attack the "wrong target."

[Palanan]

Q493:

Can feats be taken at the same level as the skill ranks used to qualify for them?

For example, if a Druid 3/ Wizard 2 takes one rank in Knowledge(nature) every level, can he take Shaping Focus at fifth level?

[Psyren]

A493: Yes, you can qualify for a feat and select that feat on the same level-up. Feats are added last in the leveling process (CRB 30).

[unseenmage]

Q494
Is there a base creature in PF that is built to make magic items? Preferably with 10+ HD?

Apologies if this question is too broad. If so I'll gladly open a thread for it, just wanted to try here first.