I've got a level 2 GM credit blob that I'm looking to create a character for, and I'd like to try one of the new Occult classes. Right now I'm leaning toward an Elf Occultist (I've not played an Elf yet, and they have a great FCB). Here's what I have so far:
CG Elf Occultist
9/16/12(+2)/19/10/8
FCB: +1/2 mental focus
Traits: ???
1: Extra Mental Focus, Implements (evocation, transmutation)
2: Implement (divination)
Spells:
0 - Light, Read Magic, Message
1 - Burning Hands, Heightened Awareness, Liberating Command
Focus Powers:
Trans: Legacy Weapon, Size Alteration
Evoc: Energy Ray
Div: Sudden Insight
Mental Focus:
Trans: 5 (+2 Constitution)
Evoc: 2 (+1 blasting damage)
Div: 2 (+1 Perception)
Skills:
Knowledge(arcana) +9
Knowledge(engineering) +9
Knowledge(history) +9
Knowledge(planes) +9
Knowledge(religion) +9
Linguistics +9
Perception +8
Spellcraft +9
The idea here is to focus on support, with a little blasting thrown in. What he lacks in sheer power compared to a 9-level caster, he makes up for in versatility and staying power, using focus powers to hand out buff spells more generously than a wizard could afford to do.
Any thoughts or suggestions?
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I just made an Elf Occultist myself. I notice you're having trouble thinking of traits, as did I. The most obvious choice, however, is Pragmatic Activator, a Magic trait from Ultimate Campaign that enables you to add your Intelligence instead of your Charisma to Use Magic Device checks. Another great choice I saw but could not take myself was Relic-Proof, which inconveniently comes from a kind of low-profile book.
Two things- evocation is a fairly bad choice at low level. The resonant bonus does squat for you (no rays) beyond the two shots you get out of energy ray (and 1d6+1 is... poor). You're an elf, grab a bow, or even a crossbow if you're set on the strength penalty.
As the fourth implement it isn't so terrible, as the damage will be 3d6+ more invested focus, but right now (and for at least one more level, you're pouring limited resources into a grand total of two bad attacks per day, and the resonant power is useless outside of those two attacks.
Similarly, size alteration has a terrible duration of 2 rounds for you. Maybe for your next focus power, but as is? There are lots of more useful focus powers with 1 minute durations, and legacy weapon itself is a better choice (for focus expenditure) for a similar combat buff.
Two part question, RDN: (1) does your GM credit blob have enough gold to purchase a +1 longbow and (2) if not, why don't you have Magic Weapon on your spell list? The real punch of the Occultist is being able to set up the appropriate Bane on your weapon with Legacy Weapon. It's MUCH better than any blasting you'd be able to do with Evocation, even if you can't get down to Precise Shot until 3rd or 5th. Without PBS or Precise, you'd still be looking at longbow +7 (1d8+2d6+2) with your 9 STR penalizing the damage slightly.
I have a preference for a Necromancy for implement selection early on, as well. Your worst case scenario here is only investing one point of MF into it, meaning you can only raise one skeleton or zombie as a standard action and it's going to have half your HP (8 in your case at level 2). That's pretty useful.
Two things- evocation is a fairly bad choice at low level. The resonant bonus does squat for you (no rays) beyond the two shots you get out of energy ray (and 1d6+1 is... poor). You're an elf, grab a bow, or even a crossbow if you're set on the strength penalty.
As the fourth implement it isn't so terrible, as the damage will be 3d6+ more invested focus, but right now (and for at least one more level, you're pouring limited resources into a grand total of two bad attacks per day, and the resonant power is useless outside of those two attacks.
Similarly, size alteration has a terrible duration of 2 rounds for you. Maybe for your next focus power, but as is? There are lots of more useful focus powers with 1 minute durations, and legacy weapon itself is a better choice (for focus expenditure) for a similar combat buff.
I see what you mean about evocation, butI mostly want it for Energy Blast at level 5, and burning hands for swarms until then. I won't be investing much focus in it, but if I wait until level 6, I can't get the blast until 7.
I see your point about Size Alteration (although 2 rounds of enlarged barbarian can go a long way), but what do you recommend in its place? I planned on Abjuration at 6, but I could swap that with Divination instead.
Two part question, RDN: (1) does your GM credit blob have enough gold to purchase a +1 longbow and (2) if not, why don't you have Magic Weapon on your spell list? The real punch of the Occultist is being able to set up the appropriate Bane on your weapon with Legacy Weapon. It's MUCH better than any blasting you'd be able to do with Evocation, even if you can't get down to Precise Shot until 3rd or 5th. Without PBS or Precise, you'd still be looking at longbow +7 (1d8+2d6+2) with your 9 STR penalizing the damage slightly.
I have a preference for a Necromancy for implement selection early on, as well. Your worst case scenario here is only investing one point of MF into it, meaning you can only raise one skeleton or zombie as a standard action and it's going to have half your HP (8 in your case at level 2). That's pretty useful.
I don't plan on using weapons with this character; I have enough martial-types as it is, and I want to play around more with casting and magical support. After all, why put Bane on my mediocre archer's bow, when I can put it on the barbarian's sword?
Also, necromancy as a play style never appealed to me. If I want minions, I'll play a summoner of some kind.
I just made an Elf Occultist myself. I notice you're having trouble thinking of traits, as did I. The most obvious choice, however, is Pragmatic Activator, a Magic trait from Ultimate Campaign that enables you to add your Intelligence instead of your Charisma to Use Magic Device checks. Another great choice I saw but could not take myself was Relic-Proof, which inconveniently comes from a kind of low-profile book.
Pragmatic Activator is probably a lock. I forgot to put UMD in my skills, so I'll probably go halvsies on Engineering and Religion to make room for it. Maybe I could get Dungeoneering as a class skill for the other trait? Or just +2 initiative.
Where do you get the idea that the Evocation bonus only works on rays? I don't see that anywhere, it should work with any damaging instantaneous evocation spell - so both burning hands and magic missile will benefit, for example.
I agree that Size Alteration seems like a somewhat lackluster power choice.
Consider getting Divination implements at some point, there are some incredibly useful powers in there (even if the spells themselves are a tad dull). Abjuration is also surprisingly useful for survival, especially the whole "Protection from Energy as an immediate action"-thing.
Misremembered, actually- I paused on my way out the door to reply. But still +1 damage on burning hands is pretty blah.
Agree with abjuration and divination. Along with Transmutation, those are the obvious choice schools most of the time.
@RainyDayNinja. I would honestly just suck up the lack of evocation at 5th and pick it up at 6th, and grab extra the focus power feat (Energy Blast) at the same time. Better to spend 1 level without it than multiple levels with a poor resonant and basic power.
In its place? My personal pick would be sudden speed, but that doesn't matter much for
your elf. Philosopher's Touch can be useful, but depends on what the DM throws your way... early fey and lycanthropes become a non-issue for the party melee guys. Aegis is another buff option, and becomes more relevant later on as you can layer enhancements on people. Between Aegis and Legacy, you'd have a fairly interesting role, making the party to be more tooled to each encounter on the fly.
Later, Danger Sight or Minds Eye from Divination, Energy shield and quickness are also good for 3rd/5th level powers (and obviously mind over gravity at 7th)