I'm trying to doodle up a bloatmage, and I've once again trapped myself by wanting to do too many things at once.
My starting point was "transmutation-focused bloatmage", and since the intended campaign is ostensibly going to revolve around a PC-run tavern or inn, I tried to bend it toward being more about selling magical wares and services than outright fighting. Then I thought "well, polymorph spells are the hallmark of transmutation", and the concept meandered in a bunch of different directions from there.
I'm not sure whether to ditch either the crafting aspect or the hopes of polymorphing into other forms when combat *does* happen. The crafting approach would suit the indulgent and lazy mindset I have in mind for the character, but it would also be fun to flip that on its head when the character is finally impelled to get out of his floating chair.
What I have is the following:
Race: Tiefling, Daemonspawn
Alternate Racial Traits:
1 - Prehensile Tail (may retrieve items as swift action - replaces Fiendish Sorcery)
2 - Bullying (+1 CMB to disarm/steal - replaces Skilled)
Stats (Level 6) - 25 pt. buy:
STR - 14 (14)
DEX - 14 (12 + 2 Racial)
CON - 16 (14 + 2 Belt)
INT - 22 (17 + 2 Racial, +1 Ability score increase, +2 Headband)
WIS - 8 (10 - 2 Racial)
CHA - 10 (10)
Traits:
1 - Transmuter of Korada (+1 transmutation CL, automatically Extends Bull's Strength)
2 - Extremely Fashionable (+1 Diplomacy/Bluff/Intimidate when wearing fancy duds)
Feats:
1: Spell Focus (Transmutation)
1: Scribe Scroll (Wizard Bonus Feat)
3: Bloatmage Initiate (Transmutation)
5: Craft Wondrous Item
5: Brew Potion (Wizard Bonus Feat)
Exploiter Exploits:
1: Familiar (Raccoon, valet archetype)
5: Potent Magic
Items of note:
Headband of Intelligence +2
Belt of Constitution +2
Sleeves of Many Garments
Wayfinder
Dusty Rose Prism (Cracked)
Rod of Metamagic, Extend (Lesser)
Cloak of Resistance +1
Chelish Crux
With no combat feats, poor BAB and 14 strength base you're not going to be amazing in a fight with just one short-term buff up, even a multipurpose one like a polymorph. Multiple short term buffs may have other players asking you to pull your thumb out and do something.
There are some offensive transmutation spells with close range rather than touch and you might prefer to focus on those. e.g. Strangling Hair, Slow, Pyrotechnics, Burning Disarm. Buffs like Haste, Enlarge Person, Bull's Strength etc. are also in the school.
The lazy and indolent part would work really well for a buffer, though you wouldn't get to flip it on it's head. "I can't be bothered to fight you do it for me, and this spell will make you better."
With no combat feats, poor BAB and 14 strength base you're not going to be amazing in a fight with just one short-term buff up, even a multipurpose one like a polymorph. Multiple short term buffs may have other players asking you to pull your thumb out and do something.
There are some offensive transmutation spells with close range rather than touch and you might prefer to focus on those. e.g. Strangling Hair, Slow, Pyrotechnics, Burning Disarm. Buffs like Haste, Enlarge Person, Bull's Strength etc. are also in the school.
I think you're right - the scenarios I kept thinking of all required several rounds of buffing before going into a fight, and it's rare that the PCs are the aggressors in the games I play in.
Thanks for the spell suggestions! I'll set course for the telekinesis spells and Reach metamagic to make use of all those interesting touch spells down the line.