u/MTLink

Just a little while back, I posted asking for some help with an Exemplar build. Got some lovely advice, and it helped me focus in on what I'm aiming for with this character. Had a chat with the GM, and they're willing to give me some concessions to make this work. Nothing really outside of our level, of course. For those who haven't read the previous post, here's the cliffnotes of what I'm aiming for and our party comp:

Race: Automaton

Class: Exemplar

Goal(s): Highly effective combat setup, solid capability outside of combat (heavy RP game, so fights are maybe every other session).

Variant Rules: No Free Archetype. Automatic Rune Progression (so Fundamental Runes are always available/given at the expected level, no need to invest).

Party Composition: Human Battle Wizard (w/ Medicine), Human Monk (Strength based, maneuver spam), Kobold Pistolero, Vishkanya Mirror Thaumaturge (Finesse, also w/ Medicine), Human Flames Oracle

With that being said, I've got two "main" ideas I've been considering:

Combination Weapons: This one is slightly more appealing; we're in an industrial setting with a lot of firearms and funky weaponry, so something outside of the medieval fantasy fare could be enjoyable. The GM is going with the idea/preference that each "half" of the weapon counts separately, so each could be a different Ikon. So going back and forth from Gleaming Blade/Titan Breaker to Starshot seems pretty tight. Additionally, the GM was going to give this character an Intelligent Weapon anyway, so the action-tax of switching isn't something to worry about.

Pros: Thematically fun. Unique in the party. Pretty versatile. Lots of Transcendence spam. Variety of build options (could go primarily Strength with Gun Sword or Hammer Gun, or pivot to Finesse with Piercing Wind).

Cons: Not the most optimal damage setup. Lots of stats required (need to focus on Str/Dex, but then have the second stat be invested for either melee damage or ranged accuracy). Bit of a non-combo with Automaton's Reinforced Chassis.

Switch-Hitter Thrower: This would be using a Dawnsilver Spear in the Shadow Sheath, with Humble Strikes upping it to 1d8. Probably a much more "conventional" Exemplar, with a single Weapon, Body, and Worn Ikon.

Pros: Less complex. Flexibility in build.

Cons: Less Transcendence freedom out the gate (since Shadow Sheath relies on missing to use). A bit of a repeat of my last build (old character was a Thief Rogue with hella knives).

What do you all think? Which path sounds more feasible as well as fun? And how would you go about optimizing a character under that umbrella? How should I build them, both now and down the line? Thanks for the help!

Hey hey again. Just a little while back, I posted asking for some help with an Exemplar build. Got some lovely advice, and it helped me focus in on what I'm aiming for with this character. Had a chat with the GM, and they're willing to give me some concessions to make this work. Nothing really outside of our level, of course. For those who haven't read the previous post, here's the cliffnotes of what I'm aiming for and our party comp:

Race: Automaton

Class: Exemplar

Goal(s): Highly effective combat setup, solid capability outside of combat (heavy RP game, so fights are maybe every other session).

Variant Rules: No Free Archetype. Automatic Rune Progression (so Fundamental Runes are always available/given at the expected level, no need to invest).

Party Composition: Human Battle Wizard (w/ Medicine), Human Monk (Strength based, maneuver spam), Kobold Pistolero, Vishkanya Mirror Thaumaturge (Finesse, also w/ Medicine), Human Flames Oracle

With that being said, I've got two "main" ideas I've been considering:

Combination Weapons: This one is slightly more appealing; we're in an industrial setting with a lot of firearms and funky weaponry, so something outside of the medieval fantasy fare could be enjoyable. Since each "half" of the weapon counts separately, each could be a different Ikon. So going back and forth from Gleaming Blade/Titan Breaker to Starshot seems pretty tight. Additionally, the GM was going to give this character an Intelligent Weapon anyway, so the action-tax of switching isn't something to worry about.

Pros: Thematically fun. Unique in the party. Pretty versatile. Lots of Transcendence spam. Variety of build options (could go primarily Strength with Gun Sword or Hammer Gun, or pivot to Finesse with Piercing Wind).

Cons: Probably not the most optimal damage setup. Lots of stats required (need to focus on Str/Dex, but then have the second stat be invested for either melee damage or ranged accuracy). Bit of a non-combo with Automaton's Reinforced Chassis.

Switch-Hitter Thrower: This would be using a Dawnsilver Spear in the Shadow Sheath, with Humble Strikes upping it to 1d8. Probably a much more "conventional" Exemplar, with a single Weapon, Body, and Worn Ikon.

Pros: Less complex, likely. Statline is much more simple (1 in Dex for Armor, focus Strength and Con with room for Wisdom as my main "social" stat). Flexibility in build.

Cons: Less Transcendence freedom out the gate (since Shadow Sheath relies on missing to use). A bit of a repeat of my last build (old character was a Thief Rogue with hella knives).

What do you all think? Which path sounds more feasible as well as fun? And how would you go about optimizing a character under that umbrella? How should I build them, both now and down the line? Thanks for the help!

For reasons outside of my control, my sweet baby Thief Rogue has been removed from my game. Between his skill-monkey capabilities and pretty terrifying levels of damage, I'm going to miss him dearly. But I've been given the sign-off from our GM to put together an Exemplar for my new character, and I want to tear shit up. Insofar, our group consists of:

• Human Monk: Focused on athletic maneuvers, very wrestler coded. Big beefy boy, and our only Strength focused guy.
• Vishkanya Thaumaturge (Mirror Implement): A melee fighter as well, but more focused on Finesse weapons. Has Medicine focus.
• Kobold Gunslinger (Pistolero): Some overlap with my old Rogue, funnily enough. Charismatic, high damage, good dexterity.
• Human Wizard (Battle Magic): We're really early on so I haven't seen much of what he can do, but seems to be standard wizard stuff. Also has Medicine.
• Human Oracle (Flames): This one hasn't joined the group yet, but I assume they're gonna be burning stuff down with some healing here and there.

So as you can see, we have a pretty balanced crew already, besides the slight bias towards range and dexterity. I've been reading this Challenging the Divine guide, and it's been pretty helpful. I mostly need some help focusing in on the mechanical side of things. There's a few "requirements" I'm trying to hit:

• Race has got to be Automaton. It's pretty core to the concept I'm considering, so I'd love some synergy here. Heritage can be one of the Versatile ones, though, if it's a big help.
• Big Damage. Was looking at ideas like the "Berserker" from the Guide. Beyond that, I prefer not using a two-handed weapon. Since we're in a more Industrial-Fantasy setting, we can use the Uncommon/non-standard weapons, as well.
• Utility. This game has a lot of downtime. It's what made my Rogue so fun, we had skill checks for days, so he got a ton of use there. I know I won't be able to get Rogue levels of skill increases, but I want to have the capability to be proactive outside of a fight, too.
• No Free Archetype. Several people in our group are pretty new so our GM isn't using it.
• Not INT based. My last character in this group, in 5e, was a two-handed Eldritch Knight/War Wizard. So very smart, big sword, etc. I don't want to just tread that same ground again.

I'd love some advice in regards to building this character. I really loved that Rogue, but I can't use them, so I'm hoping that the process of making this character will bring me to an end destination I'm really content with. Feel free to ask any clarifying questions, I'm even down for chat discussions to flesh this out, etc etc. Thank you all, and have a good one!