Greetings and well met!
I'm looking for some advice on my Thaumaturge for our upcoming Seven Dooms of Sandpoint campaign. I've been going back and forth on this build for weeks and have reached full-on analysis paralysis.
Party
Gunslinger
Gunslinger
Kholo Barbarian (with animal companion)
Champion or Oracle (player hasn't decided)
Me: Thaumaturge
Current Build
Human (Versatile Human)
Background: Curious Apprentice
Ability Scores
STR +3
DEX +1
CON +1
INT +0
WIS +0
CHA +4
Current Plan
Implement: Weapon
Level 1: Diverse Lore, Scroll Thaumaturgy
Level 2: Esoteric Warden + Champion Dedication (Free Archetype)
Level 4: Devout Magic + Basic Devotion (Lay on Hands) + Deity's Domain (Might)
Equipment will be a whip, starknife, buckler, and breastplate, eventually upgrading to full plate.
My Questions
STR or DEX? Is Strength still the better choice for this party, or would a Dexterity build offer more?
Weapon Implement: Is it actually as good as it looks, or do people tend to overvalue it? Has anyone regretted taking it?
Level 5 Implement: I originally planned on Tome for the monster-hunter flavor, but Mirror and Amulet both seem really strong. Which would you recommend for Seven Dooms?
Instructive Strike vs Champion feats: Would you prioritize Instructive Strike, or stay the course with Champion archetype progression?
Party Role: My last campaign was two years of playing a very support-heavy Zoo Bard. While this party seems like it could use support, I'd really like to be more combat-focused this time without sacrificing everything that makes the Thaumaturge great. Is that a reasonable direction, or would you lean harder into support given the party composition?
Any advice is appreciated, especially from people who have played Thaumaturges in long campaigns or Seven Dooms specifically. Thanks!