PF1 - Roil Dancer, is it any good?

[Phhase]

I'm curious about Roil Dancer, since it combines the cool maneuver system they've got going with Kineticist, in an attempt to make a cool elemental warrior. Does it work? I know Kineticist is usually regarded as rather weak (Unless you go Electro or Aero), and Roil Dancer further cuts the progression of your blast damage in exchange for accessing maneuvers. Does it suck? I can't tell.

[Another Handle]

Lets take a look at Roil Dancer (https://libraryofmetzofitz.fandom.com/wiki/Roil_Dancer)
You lose a significant number of infusions and wild talents, which includes much utility. And your Blast caps at 6D.
You gain up to 6th level martial maneuvers (https://libraryofmetzofitz.fandom.com/wiki/Table:_Archetype_Maneuver_Progression). Unlock Animus. Cheap Kinetic Blade.

The most direct comparison in damage is Elemental Vortex. (https://libraryofmetzofitz.fandom.com/wiki/Elemental_Vortex) Which adds 8d6 damage to your Kinetic Blade. And thanks to Gather Power being your recovery mechanic, you could do it just about every round. Add in 2d6 for Elemental Flux Stance (https://libraryofmetzofitz.fandom.com/wiki/Elemental_Flux_Stance) and its probably more damage than you lost. Honestly, at low levels (or for blasts with reduced damage die size), you probably do more damage than other Kineticists by a fair margin. But I'm no expert, and might be missing something in looking it over. Looks fairly competitive with the Mystic at first blush.


Good enough to play if you like the style. And the DM doesn't hate 3rd party.

[Rynjin]

My opinion: just play a Mystic. You'll get better Maneuver progression which is what really matters for your damage. Elemental Flux is going to give you the same flavor as a Kineticist anyway.

[Phhase]

My opinion: just play a Mystic. You'll get better Maneuver progression which is what really matters for your damage. Elemental Flux is going to give you the same flavor as a Kineticist anyway.

That may be true, but Roil Dancer gets Mithral Current, which is cool (No idea how useful it is, but the iaijutsu style and the unique vulnerability to silver mechanic intrigue me).

[Rynjin]

That may be true, but Roil Dancer gets Mithral Current, which is cool (No idea how useful it is, but the iaijutsu style and the unique vulnerability to silver mechanic intrigue me).

Mithral Current is merely a trait away. (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/alternative-rule-systems/path-of-war/traits/unorthodox-method-regional-any/)

And yes, Mithral Current is VERY cool. It's also pretty good, though kind of relies on you investing in Improved Quick Draw (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/alternative-rule-systems/path-of-war/feats/improved-quick-draw-combat/), which can make building for it awkward.

Oh, and what do you know...the two Disciplines can synergize (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/alternative-rule-systems/path-of-war/feats/elemental-current-combat/). =p

[Phhase]

Mithral Current is merely a trait away. (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/alternative-rule-systems/path-of-war/traits/unorthodox-method-regional-any/)

And yes, Mithral Current is VERY cool. It's also pretty good, though kind of relies on you investing in Improved Quick Draw (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/alternative-rule-systems/path-of-war/feats/improved-quick-draw-combat/), which can make building for it awkward.

Oh, and what do you know...the two Disciplines can synergize (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/alternative-rule-systems/path-of-war/feats/elemental-current-combat/). =p

Oooh, very nice.