Greetings community.
I recently joined a PF1e campaign and have realized that there is a lot more to character creation that what I am used to in DnD 5e. I actually really like the depth options, but would like to ask for some guidance on creating a lvl 11 BFC wizard. I'm used to playing this role in 5e, and love manipulating the battlefield.
I have searched multiple posts on here and other websites, and this is one guide I have found to be helpful for creating a lvl 10 wizard, but it includes summoning monsters, which I'll explain later why that isn't very practical in this campaign: How to build a wizard lvl 10
I have been using Pathcompanion to track my build, items, spells, etc, which was something I utilized in DnD Beyond tracking spells and such as a BFC wizard.
The campaign I'm joining is focused around concepts from The Witcher, so the DM essentially has us acting as monster hunters.
He set it up this way because the party is a rotating group when people are available to play every two weeks and can be from 4-10 people.
Being conscious of the number of potential players, and how long combat can drag out, I'm wanting to focus on BFC through spells and not summoning monsters.
I can see the benefits of summoning monsters to give flanking, meat shields, etc, but with a limited amount of time for a session I don't want to be "that guy..."
Diplomacy interaction seems to be minimal, and there are other characters in the group that are already good at it, but Pathfinder is new to me so I'm not sure if I should consider this for my character or not.
Below is what I have assembled thus far and any input/guidance is greatly appreciated.
Build
Male Elf Wizard 11
Arcane school - Conjuration
Opposed - Necromancy/Enchantment
Stats - Rolled
STR - 10
DEX - 16
CON - 14
INT - 18
WIS - 12
CHA - 11
Languages Abyssal, Aquan, Auran, Celestial, Common, Draconic, Elven, Gnoll, Gnome, Goblin, Infernal, Orc, Sylvan
Arcane Bond
Familiar / Bonded Item?
I'm not familiar with how familiars work in PF1e, there's a joke in there somewhere :), but I know there is an improved familiar Feat that is good.
Input on this area would be helpful.
For ease of playing, is there anything wrong with bonded item - ring, or is the chance of losing it too detrimental to your character?
Traits - Suggestions welcome
Warrior of old
Magical lineage - Spell: Glitterdust
Feats - This is where I have seen a mix of suggestions, but here is what I have so far:
1 - Improved Initiative
3 - Spell Focus: Conjuration
5a - Greater Spell Focus: Conjuration
5b - Persistent Spell
7 - Dazing Spell (Maybe improved familiar?)
9 - Craft Wondrous Item
10 - Quicken Spell (Maybe Arcane Discovery - Opposition Research: Necromancy?)
11 - ?
Skills
Outline of skills I'm thinking will be good, but please give suggestions:
Appraise, Escape Artist (helpful to get out of grapples if needed?), Fly, Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (dungeoneering), Knowledge (engineering), Knowledge (geography), Knowledge (history), Knowledge (local), Knowledge (nature), Knowledge (nobility), Knowledge (planes), Knowledge (religion), Linguistics, Perception, Spellcraft, Stealth. Racial Modifiers +2 Perception
Gear
Compilation of suggested items I have researched for a BFC wizard, but please revise/suggest as needed:
Starting Gold: 62,000
Extend metamagic rod (lesser) - I can see this being useful for extending mage armor
Mithril Buckler +2
Haramaki +2
Headband of Vast Intellect +4 - Skills?
Eyes of the eagle
Amulet of Natural Armor +1
Cloak of resistance +3
Belt of physical might +2 - Dex/Con
Ring of Sustenance
Ring of Protection +1
Ioun stone (dusty rose prism)
Ioun stone (dusty rose prism, cracked)
Handy Haversack
Prepared Spells
This is what I'm thinking so far for these, but please give feedback and recommendations:
Pathcompanion is showing 1 specialty spell for each level, so I'm not sure what that is coming from? Possibly because I have bonded item selected?
Cantrips: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Ghost Sound, Mage Hand
1st: Enlarge Person, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Protection from Evil, Silent Image, Vanish, Grease
2nd: Glitterdust, Create Pit, Invisibility, Mirror Image, Resist Energy, Stone Call, Web
3rd: Dispel magic, Haste, Mad Monkeys, Slow, Stinking Cloud, Spiked Pit, Persistent Glitterdust
4th: Black Tentacles, Dimension Door, Emergency Force Sphere, Greater Invisibility, Obsidian Flow, Persistent Create Pit
5th: Hungry Pit, Phantasmal Web, Wall of Force, Persistent Aqueous Orb
6th: ?
Spellbook Suggestions
Level 1:
Level 2:
Level 3:
Level 4:
Level 5:
Level 6:
This is what I have compiled so far, which has been a lot of fun researching and building. I work in risk analysis, so I'm ok thoroughly analyzing things and welcome to feedback on the best path to take for a straight BFC control wizard.
There is a forum member named andreww, who has given some excellent feedback people building a BFC wizard, so I'm crossing my fingers that he and others will give input on this.
Have a great day and thank you all!