So, after somebody mentioned the First Edition spells like Tenser's Transformation, Black Blade, Stoneskin, etc. that would let you play your magic user like a fighter, I got to thinking. I can't really do the fake-warrior-through-spells thing anymore, but I could still make a surprisingly crunchy caster with d6 HP: d6, 16 con, Toughness and favored class bonus give me 9hp per level, 13 at first level, which is up there with fighters and barbarians.
The question is, what class?
Wizard:
Pros:
--Can get good AC with Mage Armor + Shield to go with the HP pool (13hp and 18+AC at level 1? I'll just taunt martials, at least until I have to actually DO something,) and things like Mirror Image and Blur later.
--Gets a tremendous selection of spells, and an unparalleled range to choose from.
--I've always wanted to play a diviner who just knows everything, even the future.
Cons:
--What do I do outside of staying alive? My int will probably be 18 so my DCs won't be top notch.
--Early on, I won't have many spells available, and those I do have will go into making me survive.
--Very limited weapon proficiencies, not as useful to provide a flank for the martials.
Sorcerer:
Pros:
--I could be a gnome, pick up the right arcana to get a goat familiar, then cast reduce person on myself and Ride Around The Battlefield On A Friggin Goat! How cool (and annoying!) is that?
--Just as wide a range of spells to select from as a wizard?
--More spells per day than a wizard?
--Proficient in all simple weapons. Cloth caster with a morning star =)
Cons:
--Far, far more restricted list of spells known.
--I really don't know much about sorcerers, honestly.
Witch:
Pros:
--Can add to my spells known just as easily as a wizard.
--Hexes give me something to do outside of casting spells.
--Access to healing spells on my spell list, allowing me to play a support role instead of primarily a blaster or controller, if I so choose.
--Same spell progression as a wizard.
--Proficient with all simple weapons also.
Cons:
--Really dependent on mind affecting spells and abilities. I'd have to be careful with my build or I'll be twiddling my thumbs whenever we run into undead or mindless creatures.
--Everything targets fort or will saves, which seem to be pretty strong on a lot of monsters.
--The most restricted spell list of the three.
--really, Really dependent on my familiar.
So, which class would you suggest for a cloth wearing tank? I was initially thinking wizard, but the more I look at witch, the cooler I think it is. I'm pretty sure that the wizard would be sturdier, they get a ton of defensive spells, But the tradeoff is that, at least at lower levels, it wouldn't be able to do much to contribute to combat since all of its spells will be used defending itself. The witch would provide more utility, but is much squishier without shield, mirror image, or pretty much anything other than Mage Armor it seems. In fact, about the only "non-squishy" thing about the Witch is that it would have good HP.
Witch, Scarred witch docter archetype makes your Constitution your casting stat.
Sorcerer into Dragon Disciple(natural armor, natural attacks, and oodles of stat bonuses, yes please) or Scarred Witch Doctor would probably both be good.
Wiz or sorc with armor profencies, still spell and picking verbal only spells. Many defensive and offensive spells are available withoutmeta magic.
Nothing is wrong with just 18 int.
A high int isn't required if all you are doing is casting self/party buffs so you can melee better. And 18 is plenty high regardless at low level even if you throw a few save vs spells into the mix.
A pure Dragon Disciple would work pretty well - it will cost you two caster levels (assuming you only take 8 levels of it), but in exchange you'll get much more resilient (d12 hp, Con boost, +7 natural armor in total and a boost to fort saves). With a robe of arcane heritage you also get permanent wings at level 11, and a pretty potent breath weapon. And if something gets uncomfortably close in melee you can drop the spellcasting, whip out your claws and tear them apart.
Otherwise I agree that a Scarred Witch Doctor is a great idea. You'll have much more hp than the fighter types at higher levels.
Half-elf
Sorcerer - Crossblooded Draconic (Silver), Infernal (Pit-Touched) Bloodline
-Stats (20 point buy)-
STR 14 (+6 inherent)(+4 leveling)(+6 item) = 30
DEX 10
CON 14 (+6 inherent)(+6 item) = 26
INT 10
WIS 10
CHA 16 (+2 racial)(+1 leveling) = 19
21 to hit (41 with Quicken True Strike)
4d6+21 Vital Strike
-Feats-
01 Skill Focus Survival, Eschew Materials, MWP Greatsword
02
03 Weapon Focus Greatsword
04
05 Extend Spell
06
07 Toughness, Eldritch Heritage (Orc - Touch of Rage)
08
09 Quicken Spell
10
11 Improved Eldritch Heritage (Orc - Strength of the Beast)
12
13 Power Attack, Furious Focus
14
15 Vital Strike
16
17 Greater Eldritch Heritage (Orc - Power of Giants)
18
19 Improved Initiative, Combat Casting
20
-Abilities-
Claws (Draconic)
Dragon Resistances (Draconic)
Tough as Hell (Pit-Touched)
Breath Weapon (Draconic)
Power of the Pit (Infernal)
-Spells in Order ("-" means ur choice)-
Bonus - mage armor (3rd), resist energy (5th), fly (7th), fear (9th), spell resistance (11th), form of the dragon I (13th), form of the dragon II (15th), form of the dragon III (17th), wish (19th)
0- Detect Magic, Read Magic, Prestidigitation, Light, Drench, Spark, Scoop, Mage Hand
1- Shield, True Strike, Expeditious Retreat, Mount
2- Blur, Gust of Wind, See Invisibility, Knock
3- Heroism, -, -
4- Greater Invisibility, Stoneskin, -
5- Persistent Image, Sending, -
6- True Seeing, -
7- Greater Teleport, Mage's Sword
8- Clone, -
9- Time Stop, Interplanetary Teleport
Movin wrote: Witch, Scarred witch docter archetype makes your Constitution your casting stat.
This is your best bet. Go human with the Racial Heritage feat. Max con and put some points into dex and wisdom. Unless there is a barbarian in the party you will have the most HP there.
The DD would get more out of his pointbuy if he started with more Str and less Cha. Start with 13 and you end up with 19 after adding your +6 headband and therefore get better martial stats.
Add quicken SLA, add optimistic gambler trait.
You could play such a build a lot more offensive actually but I guess thats a question of what you like to do.
johnlocke90 wrote: Movin wrote: Witch, Scarred witch docter archetype makes your Constitution your casting stat.
This is your best bet. Go human with the Racial Heritage feat. Max con and put some points into dex and wisdom. Unless there is a barbarian in the party you will have the most HP there. The Witch is a pretty terrible option for this. You might have a lot of HP but your spell list is awful for defensivbe options. No Shield, Blur, Mirror Image, Displacement, Stoneskin. About the only thing they get is Mage Armour.
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