Mega Matt's page

I'm getting a lot of great feedback and suggestions. Thanks all.

I will probably focus more on blasting simply because I've never done a caster before. I'm nervous to take magical lineage because I haven't the faintest idea which spell (regardless of the school I choose) will best suit it. Same goes for Spell Perfection, although I'm sure I'll have a good idea by level 15 for Spell Perfection.

So, if I don't take Magical Lineage, I'm going to take Reactionary. That would still be a good trait choice, I imagine? If I choose Magical Lineage & Evocation as my focus, which spells should I consider tying to the trait?

Also, if I go Evocation and more or less use the suggested Feats Andreww pointed out, what would be my "go-to" blasting/control spells?

I reworked my ability scores per Andreww's suggestion. It made more sense.

STR: 7
DEX: 14
CON: 14
INT: 20 (after racial)
WIS: 12
CHA: 10

Traits: Student of Philosophy (social) & Reactionary (combat) OR Magical Lineage (magic)

Also, I'm torn on my second 1st level feat (since I'm human). I want to take Toughness, Great Fortitude, Cosmopolitan or Additional Traits . . .

Edit: This is a home game and I am able to take Crafting Feats

Hey Guys!!

So, I've decided I'm going to stick with my original build idea and just tweak it.

I am going Human for the bonus feat, extra skill point & most of all, the favored class option. I'm going to stay Sage (I like having more skills/level).

we are doing a 25 point build and my ability scores will be as follows:

STR: 8
DEX: 14
CON: 14
INT: 18 (after racial)
WIS: 12
CHA: 14

so far the build will net me 7 skill points per level (important to me), 1 extra spell known/level, a bonus feat and all the goodness of the sage/arcane bloodline and all the normal sorcerer goodies. I went with a 14 CHA because I still want a decent Diplomacy/Bluff check, among a couple other things.

I am just hung up on my feats & traits now . . .

LazarX wrote:

First Rule of Sorcerers. You're not a wizard.Don't be fooled by the simmilar saves, BAB, hit dice, and spell list. Some sorcerer players try to ape being a wizard by taking the Arcane Bloodline, but you're still not a wizard. A wizard changes his build daily with his spell selection, you don't have that freedom. A sorcerer is a magical person best built around a theme. The goal is to then work that theme into something awesome.

This is pretty much awful advice. Pigeon holing yourself into a theme is a recipe for disaster. The first rule of sorcerers is that you should be able to cover multiple situations with very careful spell selection. Absolutely avoid redundancy in your spells.

For example, the "themed" fire based sorcerer probably has Burning Hands, Scorching Ray and Fireball as spells known. This is almost entirely unnecessary. Your spells are your life blood, pick them carefully.

When picking spells you want a range of spells which target each save, ideally single and multi target, you want some defensive options, some no save offence and some utility. Obviously you cannot have all of that at level 1 but as you advance you will open up options. Dont forget wands and scrolls, many spells dont need to be on your known list. A Wand of Shield for example does pretty much everything actually knowing the spell does.

The second rule of sorcerers os that you shall be either Human or Half Elf. The Favoured Class Bonus giving you extra spells known is more powerful than anything you will get from anywhere else. Aasimar may be able to get it with Scion of Humanity as well.

The third rule of sorcerers is pick your bloodline with care. Most of them are awful with terrible limited abilities and a mass of crappy touch attacks or boosts to melee rubbish. There are several stand out choices. Arcane gives you beneficial stuff with every single option, Infernal and Fey both allow you to increase many important save DC's, Serpentine lets you mind control...

I'm finding a few different references regarding "Paragon Surge" and I don't really understand it.

Also, quick question regarding the Favored Class option on Humans. It reads; "Add one spell known from the sorcerer spell list. This spell must be at least one level below the highest spell level the sorcerer can cast.", I take that to mean this: if my highest available spell level is 3rd level, when I level up and take the favored class option I will be allowed to learn a single new 0th, 1st OR 2nd level spell? Is that right? It seems self explanatory but I wanted to make sure I didn't misunderstand it.

Edit: I think I understand Paragon Surge now. That seems pretty good actually. I think I like that more than the human's favored class option. I can use Paragon Surge to adapt to situations. that's pretty nice.

Mega Matt wrote:

Haha, it's funny you mention this. I actually created a sorcerer just a few days ago and play tested it. It was a mess! Lol, I tried to do way too much. I went with the Sage bloodline out of Ultimate Magic so that I could get more skill points . . . that was my first bad idea, lol. That test build was an elf with Breadth of Experience, I felt this was also a bad decision because I couldn't hit anything with the lack of feats.

The Sage Bloodline is incredibly potent, one of the best available. Int is a far stronger casting stat than Charisma and you can remain extremely effective at Bluff and Diplomacy with the Student of Philosophy Trait.

Your mistake had nothing to do with the Bloodline and everything to do with being an elf. Be a Human or Half Elf, have access to all of the spells. As half elf you also get Paragon Surge for access to everything.

I am not sure why you complain about a lack of feats or hitting things. No bloodlines give you additional feats over the base ones all sorcerers give. As for hitting thing, you shouldn't be making attack rolls as a sorcerer except for the occasional touch attack and elves are better at those given the racial bonus to Dex.

Right, my mistakes stem mostly from my own ignorance of the class and mechanics. There's a lot of information to process for someone relatively new. Like I said, I've only ever played a Face-Rolling Fighter in Society and that's only level 5.

I don't yet own all of the books: I have Ultimate Combat, Advanced Players Guide & the Core Rule Book so far. Other than that I have to rely mainly on Paizo's Site and d20pfsrd until I purchase the other books.

When I mentioned the lack of feats and "hitting" things I was referring to precise shot and point blank shot. Basically, I was beating myself up for taking Breadth of Experience over another feat that could help me a bit more in combat. In reality I was just not in the right mindset as it seems like you and a couple others pointed out I really don't need those feats anyway.

Mega Matt wrote:

Lazurin Arborlon wrote:

Mega Matt wrote:

Lazurin Arborlon wrote:

Gnome with pyromaniac alternate racial trait. Go tatoooed sorcerer and take your focus in evocation....take feats like dazing spell and spell penetration....take improved familiar at 7th level and get him some wands to UMD for added blasts goodness....viola.

Haha, this is actually kind of interesting. Been researching it since I read this.

It is pretty darn fun...alternately you can back off the blasting a tiny bit and take the Fey Sylvan bloodline and pick up an animal companion to fight for you on the front lines while you blast from the back....need to take boon companion at third though.

I have a question for you, Lazurin. the Feat Improved Familiar says; "This feat allows you to acquire a powerful familiar, but only when you could normally acquire a new familiar.". Since you get the familiar at level 1 does that still fulfill the "Ability to acquire a new familiar" Prerequisite?

The wording gets me occasionally on some of these descriptions.

It just refers to the fact that a) you need to be a class that can get one. And B) if you dismiss your first one, you have to wait a week to get a new one.

This build idea really intrigues me. Seems like a blast. Looking over the improved familiar table, any particularly notable companions? I'm assuming it needs hands in order to use a magical device? lol

Mega Matt wrote:

Lazurin Arborlon wrote:

Gnome with pyromaniac alternate racial trait. Go tatoooed sorcerer and take your focus in evocation....take feats like dazing spell and spell penetration....take improved familiar at 7th level and get him some wands to UMD for added blasts goodness....viola.

Haha, this is actually kind of interesting. Been researching it since I read this.

It is pretty darn fun...alternately you can back off the blasting a tiny bit and take the Fey Sylvan bloodline and pick up an animal companion to fight for you on the front lines while you blast from the back....need to take boon companion at third though.

I have a question for you, Lazurin. the Feat Improved Familiar says; "This feat allows you to acquire a powerful familiar, but only when you could normally acquire a new familiar.". Since you get the familiar at level 1 does that still fulfill the "Ability to acquire a new familiar" Prerequisite?

The wording gets me occasionally on some of these descriptions.

@Marthkus

Thank you for the build example!

Gnome with pyromaniac alternate racial trait. Go tatoooed sorcerer and take your focus in evocation....take feats like dazing spell and spell penetration....take improved familiar at 7th level and get him some wands to UMD for added blasts goodness....viola.

Haha, this is actually kind of interesting. Been researching it since I read this.

I prefer wizards, since wizards make better blasters imo due to the admixture wizard.

aside from that.

couple of options-

traits- magical lineage

Feats to look at
-spell focus/greater spell focus
-preferred spells
-spell specialization
-spell penetration
-look into metamagics as well.

I like half elves so you can get the extra +2 on spell pen.

Are ranged touch attacks, like Ray of Frost/Acid Splash, affected by precise shot and point blank shot?

Mega Matt wrote:

I've only ever played PFS before and I've never played anything outside of my fighter. We are starting a new home campaign, beginning in Riddleport, with 25-point builds.

I've been wanting to try my hand at magic for a while now and as a newbie spell caster I'd like to start with a Sorcerer as there is a lot less book keeping involved.

I need some help to bring this character to life! If you could post a sorcerer build, I'd really appreciate it!

First rule of RPG's or it should be.... Your Prime Directive is to have fun. Having fun is either about crunching numbers. (whom I'll leave to others more practised) or making a character that sings to you. Not that a good roleplay character can't be an effective character, but you need framework to build on.

First Rule of Sorcerers. You're not a wizard.Don't be fooled by the simmilar saves, BAB, hit dice, and spell list. Some sorcerer players try to ape being a wizard by taking the Arcane Bloodline, but you're still not a wizard. A wizard changes his build daily with his spell selection, you don't have that freedom. A sorcerer is a magical person best built around a theme. The goal is to then work that theme into something awesome. Your choice of bloodline is the centerpost of that awesome.

Haha, it's funny you mention this. I actually created a sorcerer just a few days ago and play tested it. It was a mess! Lol, I tried to do way too much. I went with the Sage bloodline out of Ultimate Magic so that I could get more skill points . . . that was my first bad idea, lol. That test build was an elf with Breadth of Experience, I felt this was also a bad decision because I couldn't hit anything with the lack of feats.

Mega Matt wrote:

For my first caster, I think I want to focus mainly on blasting. Perhaps I can pick up a couple spells here and there for enfeebling?

Don't dilute your theme. You can be a great blaster as a sorcerer, but you've got to pour your heart and soul into it. A great choice is an elemental theme, but don't neglect force spells for when your target is resistant or immune to your chosen element. Or if you want to disable, add color spray to your repetoire. It's part of my fire sorcerer's build for the imagery alone.

Okay, I think I will enjoy blasting on my first caster the most.

So, pure blaster it is! Which spells should I focus on? Any advice on which element I should try first? I love Electricity & Ice =O

Mega Matt wrote:

I've only ever played PFS before and I've never played anything outside of my fighter. We are starting a new home campaign, beginning in Riddleport, with 25-point builds.

I've been wanting to try my hand at magic for a while now and as a newbie spell caster I'd like to start with a Sorcerer as there is a lot less book keeping involved.

I need some help to bring this character to life! If you could post a sorcerer build, I'd really appreciate it!

What do you want to focus on? Blasting? Mind control? Terrain manipulation?

All have very different builds, and lackng a focus is seriously problematic.

Thanks for the reply!

For my first caster, I think I want to focus mainly on blasting. Perhaps I can pick up a couple spells here and there for enfeebling?

I've only ever played PFS before and I've never played anything outside of my fighter. We are starting a new home campaign, beginning in Riddleport, with 25-point builds.

I've been wanting to try my hand at magic for a while now and as a newbie spell caster I'd like to start with a Sorcerer as there is a lot less book keeping involved.

I need some help to bring this character to life! If you could post a sorcerer build, I'd really appreciate it!