Pathfinder 1E Hunter Vermin Lord: Insectoid Transformation
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Article-At-A-Glance
- The Verman Lord is renowned for its masteries, as we will explore in this guide.
- Focuses on enhancing gameplay using Swarms and various Hunter abilities intricacies.
- Offers detailed build strategies shaping character strengths with technical emphasis.
- Build insights highlight advanced strategies for effective combat and role-playing.
Click on the level for more information
Our level 1 Vermin Lord[1] is a dexterous Drow Noble, utilizing the Verminous Hunter archetype. Equipped with Weapon Finesse and a Rapier, this build excels in weapon combat. With strong skills in Stealth, Perception, and Diplomacy, we’re both sneaky and socially adept. The included Animal Companion provides additional tactical support.
Stat Block Level 1:
Verm Lord: male, Drow Noble Hunter (Verminous Hunter) 1; CR 1; Medium humanoid (elf); HD 1d8; hp 8; Init +4; Spd 30 ft.; AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 10; Base Atk +0; Grp +0; Atk Rapier +4 melee (1d6/18-20) or Dagger +4 ranged (1d4/19-20); Full Atk Rapier +4 melee (1d6/18-20) or Dagger +4 ranged (1d4/19-20); SA Poisonous strike; SQ Darkvision, Light blindness, Poison Minion; AL CN; SV Fort +2, Ref +6, Will +3; Str 10, Dex 18, Con 10, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 13.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Craft (Alchemy) +6, Stealth +8, Perception +7, Diplomacy +5; Weapon Finesse.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Our Drow’s flesh is toxic to enemies, dealing Constitution damage.
Possessions: Rapier, Chain Shirt, Alchemist’s Lab.
At level 5, the character already shows formidable proficiency in dealing damage and social interactions. The Poison Minion trait and Vivisectionist class provide bonuses, making poisons more effective and skill interactions smoother. With a giant butterfly animal companion, the character supports versatile combat strategies.
Stat Block Level 5:
Verman-Lord: male, Drow Noble Hunter (Verminous Hunter) 4/Alchemist (Vivisectionist) 1; CR 5; Medium humanoid (elf); HD 4d8+1d8+10; hp 30; Init +4; Spd 30 ft.; AC 18, touch 14, flat-footed 14; Base Atk +3; Grp +3; Atk rapier +7 melee (1d6+2/18-20 plus poison) or thrown vial +8 ranged (special); Full Atk rapier +7 melee (1d6+2/18-20 plus poison) and animal companion bite +4 melee (1d6+4); SA Sneak Attack 2d6, Poison Use; SQ Darkvision 60 ft., Vermin Focus, Mutagen, Poison Minion; AL CG; SV Fort +6, Ref +8, Will +6; Str 10, Dex 18, Con 10, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 13.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Craft (Alchemy) +9, Stealth +9, Perception +10, Diplomacy +8; Weapon Finesse, Boon Companion, Throw Anything, Brew Potion, Weapon Focus (Rapier), Piranha Strike.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Sneak Attack allows extra damage when flanking or attacking a target that is denied its Dexterity bonus; Poison Use grants immunity to accidentally poisoning oneself; Vermin Focus lets the character gain certain benefits from vermin-like abilities.
Possessions: Rapier, chain shirt, alchemist’s lab, vials of various poisons.
At level 10, the Vermin Lord[1] excels as a supportive combatant. The character capitalizes on sneak attacks and precise strikes to output substantial damage. The character uses clever strategies of poison and mutagens to enhance combat effectiveness. Their giant butterfly acts as both a flanking partner and a distraction. The build maintains strong social capabilities with a high Diplomacy bonus, making the Vermin Lord[1] versatile across combat, social interactions, and scouting.
Stat Block Level 10:
Vermin Lord[1]: male, Drow Noble Hunter (Verminous Hunter) 1/Shifter (Swarmshifter) 1/Alchemist (Vivisectionist) 8; CR 10; Medium humanoid (elf); HD 4d8; hp 70; Init +8; Spd 30 ft.; AC 19, touch 14, flat-footed 15; Base Atk +8/+3; Grp +8; Atk Rapier +12 (1d6+6/18-20) or Claw +10 (1d4+6); Full Atk Rapier +12/+7 (1d6+6/18-20) or Claw +10 (1d4+6); SA Sneak Attack +2d6, Teamwork Feats; SQ Poisonous Slayer, Swarm Form, Mutagen; AL CN; SV Fort +8, Ref +10, Will +7; Str 10, Dex 20, Con 10, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 13.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Craft (Alchemy) +14, Stealth +19, Perception +16, Survival +15, Diplomacy +12, Intimidate +12, Handle Animal +12; Weapon Finesse, Boon Companion, Throw Anything, Weapon Focus (Rapier), Fencing Grace, Piranha Strike.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Swarm Form allows transformation into a swarm for stealth and mobility, Mutagen enhances physical prowess temporarily, Craft (Alchemy) for potent poisons.
Possessions: Rapier, Chain Shirt, Alchemist’s Lab, various poisons.
At level 15, this Vermin Lord[1] build is a versatile combatant and support character. The build combines a deadly rapier (critical range of 15-20) with a focus on poisons. Poisons can affect undead and evil outsiders due to Celestial Poisons. Sneak Attack and Precise Strike enhance damage, reaching up to 21d6+51 per round. Diplomacy is strong with a significant +30 bonus at level 20. Social, combat, and scouting capabilities make this build an invaluable ally.
Stat Block Level 15:
Vermin Lord[1]: male, Drow Noble Hunter (Verminous Hunter) 10/Alchemist (Vivisectionist) 9; CR 15; Medium humanoid (elf); HD 15d8; hp 105; Init +7; Spd 30 ft.; AC 21, touch 14, flat-footed 17; Base Atk +11; Grp +11; Atk Rapier +20 (1d6+5/15-20) or Bomb +18 (7d6+5 fire plus poison); Full Atk Rapier +20/+15/+10 (1d6+5/15-20); SA Sneak Attack +6d6, Poison Use; SQ Darkvision 120 ft., Light Blindness, True Blood, Vermin Empathy, Calming Moss, Mutagen, Persistent Mutagen, Swift Alchemy, Swift Poisoning; AL CN; SV Fort +13, Ref +12, Will +9; Str 10, Dex 22, Con 10, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 16.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Craft (Alchemy) +21, Stealth +25, Perception +25, Survival +18, Diplomacy +25, Intimidate +20, Handle Animal +15; Weapon Finesse, Boon Companion, Throw Anything, Brew Potions, Weapon Focus (Rapier), Fencing Grace, Piranha Strike, Poison Focus, Combat Expertise, Butterfly’s Sting, Outflank.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Can transform into a swarm of butterflies and gain claw attacks; capable of using and making potent poisons.
Possessions: +2 Rapier, +2 Chain Shirt, Alchemist’s Lab, suitable poisons.
The Vermin Lord[1] is a Drow Noble utilizing the Verminous Hunter, Swarmshifter, and Vivisectionist classes to create a unique combatant. Equipped with a rapier and chain shirt, it deals a potent 21d6+51 damage per round using Sneak Attack and Precise Strike. The Giant Butterfly companion aids in flanking. Poisons, both powerful and versatile, play a significant role. High social skills enable a +30 Diplomacy check, ensuring prowess both in and outside combat. Transforming into a swarm adds mobility with a claw attack.
Stat Block Level 20:
Vermin Lord[1]: male, Drow Noble Hunter 19/Swarmshifter Shifter 1/Vivisectionist Alchemist 9; CR 20; Medium humanoid (elf); HD 20d10+20; hp 150; Init +5; Spd 30 ft.; AC 26, touch 14, flat-footed 23; Base Atk +20; Grp +20; Atk Rapier +30 melee (1d6+6/15-20) or Claw +30 melee (1d4+5); Full Atk Rapier +30/+25/+20/+15 melee (1d6+6/15-20) or Claw +30 melee (1d4+5); SA Poison Focus, Butterfly’s Sting, Teamwork Feats; SQ Drow Traits, Verminous Hunter, Swarmshifter Traits; AL Chaotic Neutral; SV Fort +15, Ref +18, Will +12; Str 10, Dex 20, Con 11, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 16.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Craft (Alchemy) 20, Stealth 23, Perception 25, Survival 22, Diplomacy 30, Intimidate 22, Handle Animal 20; Weapon Finesse, Fencing Grace, Piranha Strike, Improved Critical (Rapier), Butterfly’s Sting, Combat Expertise, Precise Strike.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
With Poisonous Minion trait, flesh causes Constitution damage, poisons can be converted to contact poisons or affect undead and outsiders, +4 AC and stat bonuses from Giant Butterfly companion due to Teamwork Feats.
Possessions: Rapier, Chain Shirt, Alchemist’s Lab, various Poisons.
Milestones Of Character Development
- Levels 1-5: Begin as a versatile combatant with Weapon Finesse, utilizing a Drow Noble’s dexterity for agile attacks. Secure an animal companion, a Giant Mosquito (reflavored as a Butterfly), for tactical support. Focus on developing a foundation with basic alchemical and sneaky capabilities, topping up hit points for survivability.
- Levels 6-10: Unlock alchemical discoveries including Pheromones for social situations, enhancing Bluff and Diplomacy. Develop poison skills with Poison Conversion. Multiclass into Vivisectionist Alchemist, supplementing combat strength with sneak attacks, and hone environmental adaptability with spells like Freedom of Movement.
- Levels 11-15: Elevate your prowess with feats including Poison Focus and Butterfly’s Sting, turning crits into team opportunities. Dive deeper into alchemical mastery with Celestial Poisons, affecting a broader range of targets. Engage in teamwork with bonus feats, leveraging your Giant Butterfly for strategic positioning and combat advantage.
- Levels 16-20: Master rapid adaptability with improved critical range and initiative from feats like Improved Critical and Improved Initiative. Refine escape tactics with Escape Route. Maximize control in combat with advanced poisons and potent spellcasting. Embrace versatility, excelling in combat, exploration, and diplomacy for a well-rounded finale.
Core Abilities & Features of the Vermin Lord
This whimsical Vermin Lord[1] build, featuring a Drow Noble, unfolds a cascade of unique abilities. Central to this build is the Verminous Hunter Archetype, which allows the player to befriend vermin, here creatively transformed into beautiful butterflies. It’s a dynamic shift from the stereotyped spider motif of the Drow. The addition of the Swarmshifter Shifter Archetype spices things up, offering the extraordinary ability to metamorphose into a swarm of butterflies, perfect for infiltration or tight space navigation.
The build strategically uses the invigorating Vivisectionist Alchemist class to deliver Sneak Attacks with surgical precision, ensuring the rapier becomes a weapon of respect. The synergistic combo of Weapon Finesse, Fencing Grace, and Piranha Strike renders the rapier’s attacks more formidable, capitalizing on Dexterity over Strength. Poisons play an intriguing role, with Poison Focus heightening their potency. Coupled with the Poison Minion racial trait, it elevates the execution of venom-induced Constitution damage.
Turning your gaze to utility, the build’s skillset spans Diplomacy, Alchemy, and Animal Handling. Coupled with potent Discoveries such as Poison Conversion and Celestial Poisons, the character becomes indispensable in both combat and negotiation scenarios. The Giant Butterfly animal companion, though lacking in skills, stands as a steadfast ally in both combat via Teamwork Feats and scouting duties. Altogether, this build meticulously balances agility, venomous craftiness, and an amicable approach to social interactions.
Equipment Progression
| Level Range | Equipment | Details |
|---|---|---|
| L1-5 | Alchemist’s Lab | This setup grants a +2 circumstance bonus on Craft (Alchemy) checks, boosting initial potion creation. |
| L6-10 | +1 Rapier | Enhance your rapier with a +1 enhancement bonus, increasing your combat effectiveness. |
| L11-15 | +3 Keen Rapier | With the “Keen” property, double the threat range, improving chances of landing critical hits. |
| L16-20 | Philosopher’s Stone | Advanced alchemical substance that enhances potion creation and transformations substantially. |
Combat Scenarios as a Vermin Lord
- Dungeon Crawls:
- In tight corridors, use the Swarmshape ability to turn into butterflies, squeezing through narrow spaces. Let your Giant Butterfly lead the way to scout and spot traps. Your high Diplomacy skill aids in parleying with any dungeon denizens willing to talk rather than fight.
- Open Fields:
- Capitalize on range by using Poisonous Slayer trait to enhance your poisoned rapier attacks. Maintain a safe distance, utilizing Trustworthy to command wild creatures to fight against other foes. The Giant Butterfly provides aerial distraction.
- Ambushes:
- Stay vigilant with high Perception to detect threats early. In case of being ambushed, seek cover quickly and use the Butterfly’s maneuverability to flank opponents. Rely on your Stealth skill to counterattack or reposition silently.
- Defensive Stands:
- When holding a position, maximize your poisons and envenomed weapons. Deploy in a strategic spot, balancing offense and defense. Your precise strikes and teamwork feats, shared with the Butterfly, can turn the tide in protracted engagements.
- Urban Encounters:
- Leverage your high Charisma and Diplomacy to negotiate or deescalate conflicts. Move quickly through urban areas, employing Stealth where needed. In open conflict, exploit narrow alleys using Swarmshape to outmaneuver opponents and position for lethal strikes.
Weaknesses & Counters
| Weakness | Counter |
|---|---|
| Lack of Armor Proficiency | Equip a Mithral Chain Shirt for light weight and decent protection, maximizing Dexterity bonus to AC. |
| Low Constitution | Keep a supply of potions like Bear’s Endurance to temporarily boost Constitution in tough situations. |
| Limited Damage Types | Exploit Poison Conversion discovery to adapt poisons based on enemy resistance, ensuring effective damage. |
| Dependency on Spells for Versatility | Prepare a diverse range of utility spells like Freedom of Movement and Air Walk to maintain flexibility. |
| Limited Defensive Options | Keep defensive infusions such as Delay Poison and Lesser Restoration for self-preservation in dire situations. |
Roleplaying the Verman Lord
Opportunities Within Your Swarm
Embrace the wild duality of nature and nurture as you delve into roleplaying this extraordinary character. Imagine the inner conflict of a Drow Noble moving against the grain, swapping spiders for butterflies, a beautiful twist of your race’s archetype. Use your inherently high Charisma to weave stories, charm foes, and cajole allies. Picture an elegant yet deadly dance with your rapier, the deadly poisons creating silent chaos among enemies, while your butterfly companion distracts and confuses.
In social scenarios, project the confidence of someone who’s mastered both the art of combat and the dance of diplomacy. Wield your Diplomacy skill with a +30 bonus, turning tables in intense negotiations. Use your poisonous allure subtly, turning enemies into wary allies with promises of mutual gain. Leverage your Trustworthy trait to gain unexpected allies or defuse tense situations. Your character thrives on contrast—beautiful yet deadly, serene yet capable of chaos.
Themes of Transformation and Adaptation
Transformation is a central theme to your character’s story. As you shift into a swarm of butterflies, play up the ethereal aspect of your form. This can be a fantastic opportunity for scenes involving stealth or escape, where your character seems to dissolve into the fluttering swarm they command. Embrace moments when you physically or socially shift roles, showcasing your ability to adapt seamlessly to changing tides.
Additionally, lean into the theme of relentless adaptation when planning your strategy. Your alchemy and spells allude to the resourceful nature your character embodies, constantly evolving to meet challenges head-on. Whether in battle or diplomacy, display confident adaptability, your talents waiting to be revealed at the perfect moment. The Verman-Lord is not just about the physical transformation but also the mental flexibility to conquer what’s ahead.
FAQ
How do I optimize the combat abilities of the Vermin Lord[1]?
Focus on using swarms to overwhelm enemies while keeping your distance. Equip items that boost your Dexterity, enhancing your ranged attacks and reflex saves. Consider feats like Improved Precise Shot for accuracy. Plan your moves, allowing for disruptive swarming while allies provide cover.
What role does the Vermin Lord[1] play in a party?
The Vermin Lord[1] excels at disrupting enemy formations with swarms. It supports allies by debuffing foes and controlling the battlefield. With high mobility, it can redirect threats, allowing damage-focused allies to attack freely.
Which skills are essential for a Vermin Lord[1] to master?
Diplomacy enhances your interactions with vermin allies. Stealth allows for strategic positioning, Seize opportunities in battle while remaining elusive. Mastering these ensures you’re an asset in both combat and exploration.
How can I enhance a Vermin Lord[1]’s spellcasting abilities?
Prioritize Wisdom for spellcasting potency. Gear that boosts Wisdom and Concentration is crucial. As you level up, focus on spells that debilitate enemies like Entangle and Command. This allows you to control skirmishes effectively.
Which feats best complement a Vermin Lord[1] build?
Consider feats like Swarm Monger for enhanced vermin control. Improved Initiative sharpens early battle impact. Quick Draw ensures you’re armed swiftly. These strategically bolster your efficiency and adaptability.
Join us at Stellar Dragons with the Vermin Lord!
Try playing a Vermin Lord[1] in your next session. Do you think the Vermin Lord[1] could be the best build in Pathfinder 1E? Join discussions on Vermin Lords at the Stellar Dragons Discord server: https://discord.gg/uAPvgEq6Z7.
Authors
Terms definitions
1. ↑ Hunter – Vermin Lord – Pathfinder 1E ( Vermin Lord )
Vermin Lord
Okay I admit, this build was largely inspired by a certain girl in a certain anime. It is still a very fun build(and surprisingly strong too).
We are taking the Verminous Hunter Archetype, a level in the Swarmshifter Shifter Archetype, and a few levels in Vivisectionist Alchemist.
Our leveling should look like the following:
Class
Hunter (Verminous Hunter) 1/Shifter (Swarmshifter) 1/Alchemist (Vivisectionist) 9/Hunter (Verminous Hunter) +9
Race
We are taking Drow Noble. We are going against the spider focus of our species and instead cultivating beautiful butterflies! We’re also taking the Poison Minion Alternate Racial Trait to make our flesh poisonous for Constitution damage.
Ability Scores
15Point-Buy
Str 10/Dex 18/Con 10/Int 14/Wis 16/Cha 13 Round up Charisma then everything in Dexterity
20Point-Buy
Str 10/Dex 20/Con 10/Int 14/Wis 16/Cha 13 Round up Charisma then everything in Dexterity
25Point-Buy
Str 10/Dex 20/Con 11/Int 14/Wis 16/Cha 16
Round up Constitution, then everything in Dexterity.
Traits
Poisonous Slayer to get an attack bonus with poisoned weapons, Trustworthy to get Diplomacy as a class skill
Favored Class Bonus
Hit Points, we need all them hit points.
Skills
Craft(Alchemy), Stealth, Perception, Survival, Diplomacy, Intimidate, Handle Animal are your big go to.
Feats by Level
1-Weapon Finesse
3-Boon Companion
Alchemist Bonus
3-Throw Anything
Alchemist Bonus 3-Brew Potions
5-Weapon Focus(Rapier)
7-Fencing Grace
9-Piranha Strike
11-Poison Focus
13-Combat Expertise
Bonus Teamwork
13-Precise Strike
15-Butterfly’s Sting
Bonus Teamwork
16-Outflank
17-Improved Critical(Rapier)
19-Improved Initiative
Bonus Teamwork
19-Escape Route
Weapon Finesse+Fencing Grace+Piranha Strike makes our rapier surprisingly deadly, Improved Critical+Butterfly’s Sting means we can crit fairly often with a Crit Range of 15-20 and we can give our crit to an ally, finally Poison Focus helps the DC of our Poisons.
Discoveries
4-Concentrate Poison
6-Pheromones
8-Poison Conversion
10-Celestial Poisons
We can make all poisons into Contact poisons, get a fairly good bonus on Bluff, Diplomacy and Intimidate, make our poisons more potent and even affect Undeads and Evil Outsiders with our Poisons now.
Animal Companion
Type: Giant Mosquito(reflavored as a Giant Butterfly) 4-+2 AC, +2 Str/+1Dex
13-+4 AC, +1Str/Dex
16-+6 AC, +2 Str/+1 Dex
19-+8 AC, +1 Str/Dex
Our Butterfly has great stats but as a vermin doesn’t have skills or feats. It still counts as having our Teamwork Feats due to Verminous Hunter
Infusions by Level
- Blend, Blurred Movements, Obscure Poison, Disguise Self
- Reduce Person
- Cure Light Wounds
- Ancestral Regression
- Languid Venom
- Invisibility
- Absorb Toxicity
- Fly
- Displacement
Spells
1-Detect Poison, Detect Magic, Enhanced Diplomacy, Purify Food and Drink, Magic Fang, Pass without Trace
Read Magic, Nauseating Dart
Spark, Cure Light Wounds
Accelerate Poison, Delay Poison
Insect Scouts
Pernicious Poison
Rite of Bodily Purity, Poison, Neutralize Poison
Spit Venom
Vermin Shape I
Lesser Restoration, Air Walk, Freedom of Movements
Equipment
A Rapier and a Chain Shirt, plus an Alchemist’s Lab.
Final Thoughts on the Build
We are actually a surprisingly capable combatant with our Rapier, with Sneak Attack and Precise Strike, we can deal 7d6+17 damage per attack (or 21d6+51 per round) before any buff other than our Mutagen, and excluding our Poisons which are as deadly as poisons can get in Pathfinder. As if that wasn’t enough, we have a giant ~~mosquito~~ Butterfly following us around for flanking and distracting mooks, we can further buff it/ourselves with our Vermin Focus, and we have a variety of Infusions and Spells to adapt rapidly to most situations.
Additionally, we can turn into a swarm of vermin(butterflies for theme) and get a claw attack to go in pair with our rapier and to allow us to squeeze in extremely tight spaces.
Let’s not forget that we are also surprisingly good at social interactions with a Diplomacy bonus of +30 at level 20 before buffs. We are an excellent support build both in combat, scouting and social capability of excelling in all three without being a dedicated specialist in either of them, turning us into an invaluable ally.
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