Technomancer Character, how to build it


Advice


Hello!
I'm looking into making a Technomancer character, but I have no idea where to begin with.

We would start at lvl 9, the group so far is well covered on melee damage and magic buffs, but it lacks ranged damage and some strong magic damage, for a total of 6 players. The campaign setting is Golarion.

The Technomancer has the following requirements:
- Feats: Skill Focus (Knowledge [engineering]), Technologist.
- Skills: Disable Device 6 ranks, Knowledge (engineering) 6 ranks, Spellcraft 6 ranks.
- Special: Ability to cast 3rd-level arcane spells.

How would you suggest to build a character to meet those requirements? Which class (or classes) would you think work best to meet those requirements?

I was thinking about the Investigator, but it doesn't seem to cast arcane spells :(


Wizard... it has the intelligence for skills and this is clearly the class in which the PrC is aimed at.


The issue with the wizard is that he doesn't have Disable Device as a class skill.
From what I've seen, the only class to have all requirements would be the Occultist; is it any good?

Also, I still have to pick a race for it, or make one myself with 12RP. What would you suggest?


Bober wrote:

The issue with the wizard is that he doesn't have Disable Device as a class skill.

From what I've seen, the only class to have all requirements would be the Occultist; is it any good?

Also, I still have to pick a race for it, or make one myself with 12RP. What would you suggest?

That's not a problem for the following reasons.

Class skill or not, it's the ranks that matter, not the bonus.

It becomes a class skill when you take the PrC.

As for race: any without an intelligence penalty should do fine. Human... or Elf if you want to go a bit against type.


Bober wrote:
The issue with the wizard is that he doesn't have Disable Device as a class skill.

Having disable device as a class skill doesn't matter much, it's only a +3 bonus to disable device.

Pathfinder isn't like 3.5 where if you didn't have it as a class skill it cost twice as many ranks to advance it and that you were capped lower on how high you could raise it.

Class skill bonus is nice, but not necessary for you to get into the prestige class. No matter what you do you have to wait till 7th level to get into it (because you need 6 ranks not a +6 bonus to disable device).

Bober wrote:
From what I've seen, the only class to have all requirements would be the Occultist; is it any good?

Occultist cast Psychic spells, not arcane spells. Thus they could not qualify for the prestige class.

Bober wrote:
Also, I still have to pick a race for it, or make one myself with 12RP. What would you suggest?

If you wanted an incredibly thematic race, play an Android. They get bonuses to int and dex, which a wizard/technologist will love anyways.


Also, the Occultist doesn't work, as it doesn't cast Arcane spells, it casts Psychic spells.

Exo-Guardians

1 person marked this as a favorite.

The Vagabond Child trait can give you Disable Device. The Android race gives and INT boost and fits the theme.

Not sure how to get around needing to be a wizard. Maybe an Alchemist, they are technically an arcane caster. If your GM says extracts = spells it should work. You don't get 3rd level spells as until 7th so you would have one less level of technomancer.


Claxon wrote:

Having disable device as a class skill doesn't matter much, it's only a +3 bonus to disable device.

Pathfinder isn't like 3.5 where if you didn't have it as a class skill it cost twice as many ranks to advance it and that you were capped lower on how high you could raise it.

Class skill bonus is nice, but not necessary for you to get into the prestige class. No matter what you do you have to wait till 6th level to get into it (because you need 6 ranks not a +6 bonus to disable device).

7th.. you have to qualify for the PrC the level before you take it. Because in your example, you'd have to take the PrC before you get your 6th rank. You can't use a class to qualify for itself.


Oh, I see! Wizard it is then. Which Arcane schools would you suggest? Should I just go Universalist?

Given the rank required, I should get at least 6 levels in Wizard, right? Would it be worth it to get 7 levels, so I get access to 4th level spells, or should I stop at 6 so I get 3 levels in Technomancer already?


Drahliana Moonrunner wrote:
Claxon wrote:

Having disable device as a class skill doesn't matter much, it's only a +3 bonus to disable device.

Pathfinder isn't like 3.5 where if you didn't have it as a class skill it cost twice as many ranks to advance it and that you were capped lower on how high you could raise it.

Class skill bonus is nice, but not necessary for you to get into the prestige class. No matter what you do you have to wait till 6th level to get into it (because you need 6 ranks not a +6 bonus to disable device).

7th.. you have to qualify for the PrC the level before you take it. Because in your example, you'd have to take the PrC before you get your 6th rank. You can't use a class to qualify for itself.

Sorry, typo. I've corrected my post.

Sovereign Court

I would suggest taking a trait to make Disable Device a class skill for a Wizard - I agree with Drahliana Moonrunner, the Technomancer seems to be aimed at a Wizard. Criminal or Vagabond Child (Urban) could be good and interesting choices.

I would suggest using your other trait to make up the difference of caster level the first level of Technomancer will hit you with.

The trait Magical Knack gives you +2 Wizard CL as long as that does not exceed your HD, so you could potentially multiclass a non-caster level as well. A Gunslinger level could give you firearms proficiency, for instance.

If you do go with a Wizard, Android could be a flavourful and good choice for race.

A weapon of some sort to use with Study Technology bonuses if you are fighting robots would be worth considering, I think.


wolaberry wrote:

The Vagabond Child trait can give you Disable Device. The Android race gives and INT boost and fits the theme.

Not sure how to get around needing to be a wizard. Maybe an Alchemist, they are technically an arcane caster. If your GM says extracts = spells it should work. You don't get 3rd level spells as until 7th so you would have one less level of technomancer.

Alchemists are not arcane casters! They aren't technically casters at all.

The main options, especially considering the niche the OP wants filled, are wizards and arcanists. A sage sorcerer could fit the bill too. The arcanist is the easiest to build for magic damage (take the blood arcanist archetype with some appropriate bloodline), but admixture subschool wizards have their points.


Bober wrote:

Oh, I see! Wizard it is then. Which Arcane schools would you suggest? Should I just go Universalist?

Given the rank required, I should get at least 6 levels in Wizard, right? Would it be worth it to get 7 levels, so I get access to 4th level spells, or should I stop at 6 so I get 3 levels in Technomancer already?

Technomancer will advance you spell casting either way.

Personally, I would enter technomancer at 7th level once you are able. It does mean you spell casting will falter for effectively 2 levels (now new level of spells) because the 1st level of technomancer doesn't advance casting. But waiting really wont make a difference, since there is always one level that doesn't advance spell casting you will always have that.


Leandro Garvel wrote:
I would suggest taking a trait to make Disable Device a class skill for a Wizard

The PrC makes it a class skill, you get no overall benefit by taking the trait unless you feel it's important to be that good in it earlier earlier. The PrC also makes Perception a class skill as well.


What exactly are you interested in gaining from or doing as a Technomancer? Do you know if it's abilities will come up much in the campaign you are planning it for? It seems like a very campaign dependent class.

That being said, I assume you are aware of all of this and have a reason for wanting the abilities. You say the party needs ranged/magic damage, and you didn't mention being especially interested in spellcasting outside of it being a prerequisite for Technomancer.

How about some combination of Magus (Eldritch Archer) and Gunslinger (Techslinger) as a way into the class? Now you have a character that can use a combination of grit, spells, and arcane pool to power and buff something like a laser pistol/rifle. You'll be a little behind on spells due to levels in Gunslinger (if you want those at all, could just be Magus straight into Technomancer) and the one level of Technomancer.

If that doesn't sound like what you are looking for, maybe give a better idea of what you want other than just "qualify for this prestige class". There are lots of ways to qualify for something, but not all of them will work well or be the character concept you are looking for.

Sovereign Court

Have you confirmed you'll have access to technological items or be allowed to craft them yourself? It's a super-campaign-specific prestige class.


RaizielDragon wrote:


How about some combination of Magus (Eldritch Archer) and Gunslinger (Techslinger) as a way into the class? Now you have a character that can use a combination of grit, spells, and arcane pool to power and buff something like a laser pistol/rifle. You'll be a little behind on spells due to levels in Gunslinger (if you want those at all, could just be Magus straight into Technomancer) and the one level of Technomancer.

I do like the idea of Magus / Gunslinger, mostly because I've played enough wizards/sorcerers to be kinda bored by the "full magic dmg" role. I'll give it a look and see what I can get out of it!

Ascalaphus wrote:
Have you confirmed you'll have access to technological items or be allowed to craft them yourself? It's a super-campaign-specific prestige class.

I did talk with my GM, and he confirmed I'll be able to craft some of technological items myself, given I find the materials (or pay enough for some NPC to find the rarest ones).


It's quite a stretch, but an Eldritch Archer gains a bonded item, as a Wizard, which must be a ranged weapon. This bonded item could be a technological ranged weapon. I wouldn't expect many GMs would allow this though, based on the cost disparity between technological weapons and normal weapons. But if your GM is willing to work with you, then maybe they will be ok with it. If not, you'll have cash to work with, starting at level 9, so maybe some combination of that and crafting could earn you a weapon to start. Otherwise, you'll be using a normal firearm to start, and can upgrade once you get access to a technological weapon.

Scarab Sages

The pact wizard from the haunted heroes handbook might be a better option. You gain witch patron spells, can prepare spells quickly, and can spontaneously cast patron spells. You also gain an oracle curse, but those are beneficial as well. Might be something to consider.


I'll talk to my GM about the Eldritch Archer as soon as I hear from him.

As for the Pact Wizard, I'll give it a look right now :)


A Wildblooded Sorcerer with Sage bloodline might also be able to swing it, though, you'd probably need a Robe of Arcane Heritage to help your bloodline powers keep pace.

Community / Forums / Pathfinder / Pathfinder First Edition / Advice / Technomancer Character, how to build it All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.