Arcanist Build help


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Dark Archive

Hey people,

I am new to caster classes and wish to make an arcanist since it mixes both a wizard and a sorcerer which were two classes i was thinking of making anyway but having trouble with making him since i have never made a mage class before (rogue, zen archer, barb) i was wondering if someone could assist me in making him as i want him to be. i am basically making him out to be a mad scientist kinda arcanist. Always in his books and experimenting with spells. I want him to be a huge blaster throwing out large spells like they are candy and not thinking about the consequences. to this end he has a few dump stats to give him an insanely high int modifier at lvl 1

STR: 7, DEX: 16, CON: 14, INT: 20, WIS: 7, CHA: 7

but other than that the traits, feats, and equipment are throwing me off since i am used to wearing armor and using weapons to deal damage. i got a light crossbow 20 bolts and a dagger atm and a spell component pouch. He is an Elf with the 2 points in INT and i have him in Dark Archive as his Faction. Any assistance with exploits and feats would be appreciated since i am having troubles understanding the spellbook and Caster Level and Spell Slot mechanics. I have read the core rule book and even have ultimate magic and ACG but the writing is Egyptian to me lol. I appreciate any help you can give me.

Thanks

Liberty's Edge

You might want to spread your stats out slightly more. With 7 strength you are barely going to be able to carry your robes and spellbook, 7 CHA will mean all of your Arcanist Exploits are useless and 7 Wis... well you can live with that.

Grand Lodge

Mad Scientist, Throwing Large spells

You just described the alchemist. Which, imo, would be a better intro to the magical arts then jumping in the river with a 100 pound barbell.

However, lets start with the arcanist.

You dumped CHA, which is needed for many exploits. All the exploit saving throws are CHA based. I would take a little out of con, and a large out of INT, to get those wis and cha dumps removed. 17 after racial is fine for INT (4th level point into INT). You may get a high will save, but that -2 stat hurts things like perception.

Equipment: Your main attacks will be Acid Splash, Disrupt Undead and ray of frost. (you will likely only have 1 of those at level 1, the others will come into play as you level, but make sure you switch out for disrupt undead if you see any hint of undead in mission briefing)

No armor, no shield. You can use a crossbow, but the lack of BaB and Point Blank/Precise make this a less then optimal choice unless you have a large distance between you and the foes.

Traits: Warrior of Old (elven initiative trait) is good. Also magical lineage for a favorite spell.

Feats: extra exploit is good to give you an attack exploit and a familiar (they are useful, especially for skills) but Improved Initiative and Dodge are good options.

Dark Archive

Would Alchemist be better? for some reason i never gave it a thought since i did not think they were spell casters. I'll have to read up on it a bit to see which is better. but i am loving the information on the exploits. i did not know most were cha based.

BTW forgot to mention this was for Society gameplay.


DO NOT WORRY ABOUT CHA. You can safely keep it dumped.

Sure, some exploits won't work, but that's hardly an issue if you pick the right exploits.
Here's some that might fit your character: Counterspell, Dimensional Slide, Familiar, Metamagic Knowledge, Metamixing, Potent Magic, Quick Study and all their Greater Exploit versions.

I recommend a trait to lower the Metamagic level adjustment to a spell, plus the initiative one.

For feats, Dodge, Improved Initiative, Spell Focus, Improved Counterspell, Eldritch Eye (for the Third Eye exploit), Defensive Combat Training, Skill Focus (Spellcraft), Improved Familiar, are all good feats.

No armor and no weapon. Get a wand.


I'm not entirely familiar with the Arcanist...I like the concept, I like the execution, I just haven't played one yet. But I do know one thing: if you want to be a blaster, you need to get your hands on some Admixture! I think Arcanists can do that via one of their exploits, but hot dang do I not remember how.

But yeah, if you wanna blow crap up, get admixture. It's pretty much a necessity for blast-heavy casters.

Grand Lodge

Alchemist is a spell caster with no spells. It creates potion like items that act like spells.

My reasoning behind it being better for you is that the concept is closer to your normal characters. It also lets you dip your toes in the caster pool. The extracts are mostly self buffs that you can use to improve yourself.

Society has a lot of social encounters so I do suggest pumping it up to 9 or 10. At the very least, you will not be the one who blows the meeting with the king that way.

Dark Archive

yeah i decided to make an alchemist first i will do Arcanist some other time and use these ideas. i appreciate all your guys help ^^

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