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Hello all, I've just hit 5th level as a sorceress in PFS, and I'm not sure what new 2nd-level spell to learn. For context, here's a quick rundown of some key details:
CHA 23 (including headband)
Human
Wildblooded archetype, Elemental (Primal [Electricity]) bloodline
Spell Focus/Varisian Tattoo (Evocation)
Planning on Eldritch Heritage (Arcane) at 7th (using a bloodline feat to qualify)
Spells known as of 4th level:
Level 1:
Magic missile
Silent image
Protection from evil
Mage armor
Burning hands (bloodline, always deals electrical damage)
Level 2:
Burst of radiance (from Champions of Purity)
So now that I'm hitting 5th level, I get two 1st-level spells (one from the Spells Known chart, one from FCB), my 2nd-level bloodline spell (scorching ray, but electric), and one 2nd-level spell of my choice. I plan to spend all FCBs from here on out on spells known.
I'm having trouble deciding on my 2nd-level spell. I already have damage and blindness capability, so something a little different seems good. I've been thinking of pilfering hand (which I know I'll take at some point, I just don't know if I want a different spell first). I'm also wondering about web, pyrotechnics, and hideous laughter. Before you say it, I'm staying away from pit spells for thematic reasons (and because I'm a little tired of them).
So, suggestions/reasonings/arguments/cautions? Thanks!
It might be time to pick up Liberating Command now. Pilfering Hand (and later Chain of Perdition) is a solid choice, since it will work with the CL boost to evocation.
Blindness/Deafness is a good save-or-suck for second level, if you've got good DCs. Or maybe False Life if you want more survivability.
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So many choices...Well I like mirror image, web, glitterdust, blur off the top of my head
I'll probably end up taking either mirror image or blur at some point, but now seems a bit early. Those are spells meant to keep me alive long enough to let my big bad spells do their work, but first I need to pick up said big bad spells. ;)
Since I already have an AoE blind effect in burst of radiance, I'm planning to skip it and just carry scrolls for anti-invisibility.And web... yeah, web is looking like an option. :)
It might be time to pick up Liberating Command now.
Maybe. It'll be either now or at 6th. But that's not really the point of this thread. ;)
Pilfering Hand (and later Chain of Perdition) is a solid choice, since it will work with the CL boost to evocation.
Like I said, taking that one is a given, I just wonder if I should take it later and pick up something a little less situational first.
Blindness/Deafness is a good save-or-suck for second level, if you've got good DCs.
Like I said, I already have a blindness effect, so I'm not so sure about doubling up. And yes, I have good DCs. That would be why I pointed out my current CHA score.
Or maybe False Life if you want more survivability.
Shouldn't I be learning offensive spells before I worry about buffs?
Burst of radiance is pretty...bleh. Not horrible, just ...bleh.
mirror image and glitterdust are must haves.
...
Or maybe False Life if you want more survivability.Shouldn't I be learning offensive spells before I worry about buffs?
Well you already have 4 offensive spells with 2 of them being area of effect spells. So I probably wouldn't do web if it was me.
I would probably pick pilfering hand since it has offensive as well as utility use. We have used it to snatch the trapped item on the altar of doom. Plus it is fun to steal the bow from the mondo archer or the spell component pouch (or holy symbol) from the caster.
But I would give strong consideration to mirror image (or false life if your con isn't very high). You are playing PFS. Sometimes you are at a table with a bunch of non-tactical in-duh-viduals who do a really poor job of keeping the bad guys away from the squishies. I have a 6th level sorc who has been killed twice for that reason.
Mirror Image without a doubt. Your first goal is -stay alive- and this will save you time and time again.
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Arlyn,
In my experience, in PFS i have trouble counting the number of times I have not found See Invisibility, or Dark vision in a scenario. The developers seem to love to use invisibility and Darkness as tactics.
I would recommend See Invisibility and then Darkvision.
I hope this helps
Wouldn't those be better as consumables? I already carry a potion of darkvision, and was about to buy a scroll of see invisibility (and I already have a scroll of glitterdust). I mean, we're talking a measly 150gp a pop here. That seems like a better deal than spending a spell known on see invis.
...doesn't it?
Burst of Radiance doesn't do any damage unless they're evil. In my mind I'm always wondering...hmmm I wonder if they're evil. Hmmm I wonder if my character would know that they're evil. If they are evil even then the damage is not much. It's in no way a horrible spell, I've just not had much sucess with finding many spots to use it.
Before I outleveled it, I got one good roll of the dice with it...meh! YMMV. And I'm sure you're wanting to land Blinded...
I'd probably go with Web, although I should note that I'm opposed to Create Pit on the grounds that I find it annoying. :-)
Before I outleveled it, I got one good roll of the dice with it...meh!
Sounds like my experiences with Glitterdust, which inevitably ends up blinding opponents for one or zero rounds. :-/
What other classes are in your party?
This is for PFS. Usually you have no idea until the session starts. Though occasionally a group decides to regularly go to the same event at the same table.
I'd probably go with Web, although I should note that I'm opposed to Create Pit on the grounds that I find it annoying. :-)
Before I outleveled it, I got one good roll of the dice with it...meh!Sounds like my experiences with Glitterdust, which inevitably ends up blinding opponents for one or zero rounds. :-/
But doesn't it still at least prevent invis even with the save?
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Arlyn,
In my experience, in PFS i have trouble counting the number of times I have not found See Invisibility, or Dark vision in a scenario. The developers seem to love to use invisibility and Darkness as tactics.
I would recommend See Invisibility and then Darkvision.
I hope this helps
Wouldn't those be better as consumables? I already carry a potion of darkvision, and was about to buy a scroll of see invisibility (and I already have a scroll of glitterdust). I mean, we're talking a measly 150gp a pop here. That seems like a better deal than spending a spell known on see invis.
...doesn't it?
Perhaps they would be better off as consumables.
I have always been happy to have the spell (see invisibility or Darkvision), either memorized, in my spells known, or in potion form for my non spell casters.
For my magus, I used two "Spell blending" Arcanas, to add those two spells to my characters spell book.....There were many times I was very happy to have the spell at my character's finger tips.
At higher levels, I have most of my characters invest in a Goz mask. at 8,000 gp, it allows you to see through fog and particulate matter....and has a couple other neat things it can do.
So in short, I like to have my characters be able to see invisible enemies and other enemies concealed by darkness and or fog.
So I guess it just boils down to what you prefer.
But doesn't it still at least prevent invis even with the save?
Before I outleveled it, I got one good roll of the dice with it...meh!Sounds like my experiences with Glitterdust, which inevitably ends up blinding opponents for one or zero rounds. :-/
Oh sure. I've been very happy the once or twice that I've used Glitterdust to negate invisibility/stealth, and mostly disappointed the dozen or more times that I've tried using it to blind my opponents.
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At level 5? That's about the time enemies start not being always on the ground, so my curveball idea is spider climb. If you pick up fly next level you can trade it for something else, but for now you've got something to enhance the movement of those who will do smashing for you, AND you can use it to escape the melee as well.
Add to that the utility of always passing your climb checks and I think it's better than just carrying a scroll of it.
Hrm, I might take pilfering hand after all, if for no other reason than to give myself more time to think of other spells. ;)
That one I like. +CHA, +Caster level to beat the CMD is fun. It works a lot me, tho I missed at L7 on a Roll of 19, +5CHA +7CL=31. I'm thinking that I won't get a lot more use out of it. Fun while it lasted!
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I'm not spending a spell known on meatshield hand-holding. If they can't do their job without help and I can't take down the enemies myself with my spells, that's when I'll be using silent image to cover my retreat and leaving Darwin to his work.
Well there are also the defensive and utilitarian benefits of being able to have it always up on yourself.
Go with something that targets a save you don't currently have. I'd probably pick hideous laughter since the rest of your offensive pool hits Reflex saves. Alternatively, lipstitch, a Fortitude-targeting save from the Pathfinder Society Field Guide, will make you the bane of every spellcaster anywhere.
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Create Pit is sick and ends up absolutely gamebreaking sometimes. At the very least it tends to make a combat about half as hard as it was before the Create Pit.
Stone Call seems decent to spam and offers some battlefield control options.
Invisibility is invisibility, but being a sorcerer it seems less attractive than normal.
Glitterdust and Web are pretty common standbys. They're obviously good but I wouldn't call either insane. Glitterdust is handy sometimes for the no-save flour effect.
I've always been a fan of the Sphere effects, so Flaming Sphere does not seem horrible.
Mirror Image is a good defensive option.
A few decent save or sucks like the aforementioned blindness/deafness, Hideous Laughter, Touch of Idiocy, Scare maybe.
The 2nd level spell slot is a little dry for my taste. 3rd level is where things really get spicy.
Glitterdust. Its year of the demon. You need to deal with invisibility AND things with spell resistance and Glitterdust is one stop shopping for that.
Ooh, I wasn't aware of lipstitch. I like it...
Charm person. It targets will saves and it solves a lot of problems out of combat.
Then a useful utility spell. I like levitate.
I know you don't like meatshield handholding, but bull's strength on a fighter is really effective for many levels.
Finally, summon monster II gives you a lot of flexibility, always good for sorcerers.
