So I am delving into my first Pathfinder Society event this evening. I've been looking forward to this for a while now, and was planning on playing a summoner. I just looked at a list of everyone who is playing and I think I should change my character.
Originally the party was going to be a monk, oracle, and summoner. Now the list is barbarian, ranger, paladin, and samurai. Yuck. I don't know any archetypes that are being taken, but obviously the party is in dire need of a full caster.
Which caster would you recommend out of Druid, Cleric, Wizard, Witch, Oracle, and Sorcerer? I have no problems playing any of the above classes, but if I play an arcane caster I will let the melee guys deal with damage and forgo being a blaster. A healer seems useful, but I almost feel that with so many hitpoints floating around that at least some of the tanks will stay standing. This is leaning me slightly towards an arcane caster, or maybe even a gnome oracle of heavens.
Any advice?
The PFS scenarios are such that any mix of characters works. I've run and played in some that there are no full casters. Or no clerics. They work most of the time. You may not be able to accomplish all the faction missions, but, that always happens, no matter what the mix.
Best thing to do is play what you want.
RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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Unless you're planning on playing consistently with the same group, then anything you pick for the sake of party balance is going to have its reason for existing revoked as soon as the table changes.
Think about what you'd enjoy playing at ANY table, and play that.
Thanks for the advice. I typically DM and never run as a PC, and I always tell my players to be what they want, and not what they think the party needs. I was just unsure how hardcore PFS was, and if dedicated casters were essential.
Are prepared casters like wizards and witches still more powerful than their spontaneous counter parts? Wizards trump sorcerers because they can come back to an obstacle the next day with a new spell. Does this come up often in PFS, or is there no time to just rest a day before coming back to face a challenge?
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RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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Are prepared casters like wizards and witches still more powerful than their spontaneous counter parts? Wizards trump sorcerers because they can come back to an obstacle the next day with a new spell. Does this come up often in PFS, or is there no time to just rest a day before coming back to face a challenge?
It's pretty common for missions to be single-day adventures, so you'll have to exercise careful resource management if you're a prepared caster. Remember that scrolls are your friend for those once in a blue moon spells. Also, remember that you can leave unprepared slots and then take some time to fill them in if you need something in particular.
Many people, however, don't like all that work and just say "screw it, I'm playing a sorcerer". That works well too. :)
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I'd go with the Cleric.
I think that it's the most well rounded class out there, and all those tanks will need a lot of healing.
You will need a high wisdom, followed by a strong Charisma. The luck domain is great with 'bit of luck' as a standard action three times a day + your Cha modifier.
Tap one of the Tanks before his action and for every d20 he rolls that round, he will roll twice and take the better result! So a ranger rolling for two arrows, rolls 4 d20s :D
And having True-Stike as a domain spell friken-rocks!
I also like the liberation domain, and some of the elemental related domains.
Also playing a Healer makes you VERY popular at society events.
I've seen many a wizard//sorcerer end up as road kill very quickly (especially elves).
Have fun!
Wizards trump sorcerers because they can come back to an obstacle the next day with a new spell. Does this come up often in PFS, or is there no time to just rest a day before coming back to face a challenge?
Depends on the Module. In First Steps I: In Service to Lore you must accomplish all tasks within the day. In First Steps II: To Delve the Dungeon Deep, there is no specific time limit. In First Steps III: A Vision of Betrayal, you're going to be taking at least a week to complete. I'll say no more for fear of spoilers.