Dracovar |
No problems seeing the links here - they go to Google Docs.
Solid builds, I think, though I do like the Fortune Hex - just because you are guaranteed to boost your group, and via cackle, keep them boosted. Giving fellow PC's two rolls at something/take the best is a good recipe for really clobbering the opposition, in my experience.
I also like to position a witch for some Eldritch Heritage spells to round out the spell list. With an Endurance patron and Improved Eldritch Heritage you can add some really key spells (like Time Stop) to a witch that already has Miracle at 17th (which indirectly gives access to so many spells, it isn't even funny).
Mathwei ap Niall |
Ok, 4 things about your build immediately jump out at me as less then optimal.
First, you went bonded and grabbed a ring. WHY? The familiar is 10x more useful and effective. You're giving up an entire second set of actions, a free alertness feat, a +2 on all skill checks and (at mid levels) a wand/scroll/potion/Misc. magic item user/scout in exchange for 1 re-cast of a spell per day.
Stop being scared of using the familiar, it's there to help you.
Second, Patron/Feats. You took the Elements patron for the blast spells (usually a bad choice but whatever) but never took any of the feats to make your blaster effective. You will NEED spell focus, greater spell focus, Spell Penetration, Bouncing spell, etc. When all of your spells are reflex save based you NEED to get that DC as high as you can.
Third, you have the cackle hex and the cackling hag's blouse. Kind of redundant. Drop the hex and keep the blouse burn the hex slot for something better like peace bond.
Fourth, you have a 30 int listed but I'm not seeing how you got it. Start at 19, then add +3 from level adjustment gets you to 22 and then the +6 belt gets you to 28, where's the last +2 coming from?
EsperMagic |
As for my familiar...yeah the thought of it dying sorta scares me off. THough if that is actually not as big of an issue as I think it is, Hell I'd love to get Improved Familiar as a feat but is the risk worth it? Otherwise you're correct. Also then I could be human and get a bonus feat too plus more skills.
The patron I thought looked interesting but you do have a good point. The other one I was considering was the Time patron for access to Haste, Disintegrate and Time Stop.
The cackle hex listed is the one from the blouse. I probably should have indicated that but yeah it's not doubled up on.
Starting Int 19 + 3 from levels 4, 8, and 12, 6 from the belt, 2 from age penalties. 19+3+6+2=30. Again my fault for not placing/indicating old age on there.
I have the Narcerous Gray Ioun Stone in order to prevent the aging penalties.
Mathwei ap Niall |
The fear of the familiar dying is no reason not to use it. If you are prepared to risk your character dying on an adventure why not risk the familiar on the same adventure?
Invest a few gold in a scroll of Raise Animal Companion or a few more bucks on a Stone Familiar and go for it. If it dies so what, bring it back or get another one, honestly just treat it like the party fighter/meat shield and keep going.
Time is usually rated as one of the top three most useful Patrons (along with Shadow and Ancestors) but it depends on what you want your witch to specialize in doing.
Being able to start at an advanced age or getting to that age is GM dependent, if you can do it good for you.
EsperMagic |
The fear of the familiar dying is no reason not to use it. If you are prepared to risk your character dying on an adventure why not risk the familiar on the same adventure?
Invest a few gold in a scroll of Raise Animal Companion or a few more bucks on a Stone Familiar and go for it. If it dies so what, bring it back or get another one, honestly just treat it like the party fighter/meat shield and keep going.Time is usually rated as one of the top three most useful Patrons (along with Shadow and Ancestors) but it depends on what you want your witch to specialize in doing.
Being able to start at an advanced age or getting to that age is GM dependent, if you can do it good for you.
I just dont like how the witches spellcasting is directly tied to the familiar and if it dies...ooops bye bye casting, but I had not heard of the stone familiar that is a nice idea. Though I dont believe you can cast from it? But it does help lessen some of the pain.
The patron I thought was cool since it gave me some spells I didnt have, but youre right I dont have the feats to abuse it, and honestly not really looking forward to the thought of taking SF: Evocation. I would be getting Spell Pen eventually though.
Our GM is pretty lenient on starting ages, provided you have the right backstory.
Mathwei ap Niall |
Well not quite right on the spell casting. Spell Preparation is linked to the familiar spellcasting is still memory based. If the familiar dies you just can't swap out for any new spells. Replacing that dead familiar with a new familiar requires a bit of cash and some time/
I'm a huge fan of keeping the scroll of raise animal companion around and using that if something happens. Past like 4th level it's cheap and gives you a nice bump to your leadership score if you ever use it.