Hello people. Right now, I'm finishing up my new character, and I'm stuck on what to get for her. I've got 150gp, and I really don't know what to buy. She doesn't need any armor, and I don't expect to be using her in melee range... ever (I hope). She does have a good Dexterity, but is not proficient with any Bows, just Crossbows, and with only being proficient with Simple Weapons, there isn't much in the way of weaponry for her. So I've got 150gp to spend on... anything that I normally don't spend gold on. Help me out guys. What do you think? I might give her a Longspear, since she can use it, and it has Reach, but other than that, I don't think I'll be giving her a weapon. Her spells and Hexes should work just fine.
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Hello! If you have the right books, there are a few items that can help casters. A lot of casters pick up Haramaki armor; It is relatively light, cheap, and has 0% Spell Failure. It has a +1 Armor Bonus. Although it doesn't stack with Mage Armor, it helps at low levels when you can't reach 100% Uptime. Furthermore, you can add some cool armor enhancements to it later.
As for weapons, I always get a Cestus or Spiked Gauntlet. Cestus is strictly better, but some classes (Wizard) are not proficient with it. You're not expected to punch things with them, but they allow you to constantly Threaten. This is useful in certain corner case combat situations. Additionally, again, you can put nice weapon enhancements on it.
I always have a Light Crossbow or attack cantrip at low levels (before DR becomes prevalent). If you run out of spells and have literally nothing else to do, take a shot. You will likely have a -8 past cover and in-melee penalty. Take a shot anyway; 20 always hits and having a remote chance of doing something is always better than doing nothing.
Longspear is not entirely useless. I've seen some fellow players use it to Aid Another and give frontliners a bonus to attack rolls. It's just too close for comfort though. You may hurt more than help if your tank has to keep an eye on you 10 feet from the enemy. This one I would not recommend. Hope that helps! Witches are a wonderful class, I think you'll have fun! :)
Alchemical expendables can eat up your gold quick. Smokesticks for defense, acid flasks and alc fire are always good, anti-toxins/plagues can be life savers.
You could waddle around in a swarmsuit.
MW healer's kit can be really useful.
MW tools for anything you want to do.
When it comes to arcane spell casters, I tend to buy something like an Armored Kilt, 20gp. +1 AC, no spell failure chance. Why buy this? Because later on you can buy an enchanted version with extra AC or special abilities. Armor takes up an armor slot, not a body or chest slot for magic items. Properties like spell storing, or stanching are handy.
I do buy a crossbow, just because it can be handy to take a pot shot every now and again. Using light on a bolt and shooting it down a dark hall way is one way of see what's in the darkness. Later on it can also help to have a magical version with spell storing as well. Saving a spell of 3rd level or lower in your weapon or armor is always handy and increases your flexibility as a caster. Have a couple spells left at the end of the day? Put them in your weapon and armor!
Buy a Quarterstaff, or some simple close range melee weapon. For those situation you are in melee, it is always good to be able to provide a flank for an ally, even if you are going to get out of there after they attack.
Otherwise, I would spend what is left on various scrolls that might help during more difficult combats. 25gp per 1st level scroll means you can have a couple extra spells at the ready. Or save the money for a minor bag of holding or handy haversack later on.
Just a couple thoughts.
25gp per 1st level scroll means you can have a couple extra spells at the ready.
Or buy the scrolls as a means for your familiar to learn the spells. Knowing more spells is always good.
Speaking of familiars, the familiar satchel is a great plan, especially for a witch that really really doesn't want to have to replace it.
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Having a longspear is fun because you can trip people when they try to approach you. Other than that, I wouldn't use any weapons either; using a hex is always going to be better than attempting to ping with a crossbow (and if not, you need to pick better hexes). Having something in hand to help your allies flank is valid, of course.
At low level, go for scrolls. Take a handful of situational spells that you wouldn't prepare normally, and carry them in scroll form always. It's a great investment: things like Obscuring Mist are not used frequently enough to prep, but can be a life saver in the right situation. Having a Comprehend Languages, Remove Sickness, or Suppress Charms on hand is great.