Wizard, by far.
If you include summons in battlefield control the druid can be a bit more versatile than the wizard, if not as effective, since they can prepare any spell they like and spontaneously burn the less useful ones in any given situation to summon nature's ally. You can do all this while tearing up the battlefield with your animal companion, too.
That being said, I'd still go wizard, partly because I just really like wizards.
If you include summons in battlefield control the druid can be a bit more versatile than the wizard, if not as effective, since they can prepare any spell they like and spontaneously burn the less useful ones in any given situation to summon nature's ally. You can do all this while tearing up the battlefield with your animal companion, too.
That being said, I'd still go wizard, partly because I just really like wizards.
Its hard to argue summons aren't battlefield control. They do an excellent job of it, and in some ways are much more effective then normal battlefield control spells. A typical control spell stops being a problem when you overcome it (make the save). A summon remains a problem for your enemy for its duration.
I also think this differs heavily by circumstance and level. I think it shifts back and forth between the conjurer wizard and the druid with certain select spells and summons.
If you include summons in battlefield control the druid can be a bit more versatile than the wizard, if not as effective, since they can prepare any spell they like and spontaneously burn the less useful ones in any given situation to summon nature's ally. You can do all this while tearing up the battlefield with your animal companion, too.
That being said, I'd still go wizard, partly because I just really like wizards.
Its hard to argue summons aren't battlefield control. They do an excellent job of it, and in some ways are much more effective then normal battlefield control spells. A typical control spell stops being a problem when you overcome it (make the save). A summon remains a problem for your enemy for its duration.
I also think this differs heavily by circumstance and level. I think it shifts back and forth between the conjurer wizard and the druid with certain select spells and summons.
I wasn't arguing against summons as battlefield control, I just wasn't sure if that was the direction the OP wanted to go.
Wizard probably has the edge, just because of the sheer variety of battlefield control spells that target each of the three saves (color spray and glitterdust target Will, web targets Ref, stinking cloud targets Fort, etc.) as well as summoning.
A sorcerer that specializes in control and summoning spells can also do quite well, even though it was not listed by the OP. The Fey bloodline, for instance, gains entangle as a bonus spell known at 3rd level.
Wizard is the answer
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Wizard.
It is the most powerful class in pathfinder and the best at battlefield control. Especially with CORE only options.
You get many of the Feats you desire: Spell Focus, Improved intative, Quicken spell, Empower spell (if you like blasts).
You get some good Control spells: Grease, Glitterdust, Slow, Black tentacles, Wall of force, Wall of Fire.
Druid really only competes if it's an all plant environment all of the time. Nothing sucks worse than that wasted entangle slot.
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Why is it no one ever talks about the wizard's wasted grease/charm person/etc.....slot when attacked by a swarm of wasps...Nothing sucks worse than that wasted entangle slot.I prefer to think of it as a summon nature's ally slot waiting to be used.
Because what is an entangle going to do against a swarm or a SNA for that matter? Not a darn thing.
At low levels the BEST answer to swarms is Alchemist Fires on everyone. A team of 4 all throwing Alchemist fires can burn down low level swarms quick.
Later game the fireball and like spells kill swarms. Or a Damage dealer with a swarmbane clasp.
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Because what is an entangle going to do against a swarm or a SNA for that matter? Not a darn thing.Why is it no one ever talks about the wizard's wasted grease/charm person/etc.....slot when attacked by a swarm of wasps...Nothing sucks worse than that wasted entangle slot.I prefer to think of it as a summon nature's ally slot waiting to be used.Correct! no spell works against everything, the point was no one talks about wizards wasted spell slots! Only seems like others are wasting spell slots, but not the wizard!
If the argument is battlefield control, I think you need to specify the field of battle and the opponents, and the specific druid and wizard build them compare them.
That's the danger of any caster tho. If your spell selection does not match the situation then it is all wasted spell slots.
I am a player who prefers Prepared over spontaneous but I hardly ever run into problems I am not prepared for. It comes with experience with the class and game awareness. But that is where the Prepared casters tend to shine. Being prepared for most the challenges at hand and have other methods to deal with the problems your not ready for. It is not strange to see my wizards having Caltrops, Alchemist Fires, Acid Flasks, Burst Jars, Tanglefoot/burn bags, Thunderstones for low level answers. As well as a good Scroll library of low level spells.
I am aware others don't share the same play-style but I have had the most success with the wizard class when it comes to being the groups dedicated Anvil (Controller).
Because what is an entangle going to do against a swarm or a SNA for that matter? Not a darn thing.Why is it no one ever talks about the wizard's wasted grease/charm person/etc.....slot when attacked by a swarm of wasps...Nothing sucks worse than that wasted entangle slot.I prefer to think of it as a summon nature's ally slot waiting to be used.
That isn't true. Some swarms can be damaged by natural attacks, theres also the fact that it could simply be a speed bump which in and of itself is excellent battlefield control. A swarm eating the badger you summoned for 2 rounds instead of you is not a waste.
The Game Master
The Game Master
Lol, between wizard, cleric, and druid the wizard is probably the winner. You get the best spells for the job and you can make a ton of scrolls to be ready for basically anything that might come up.
An arcane bloodline sorcerer can do an outstanding job of battlefield control with the shadow conjuration spell, especially if you're a gnome. You have to make due by picking spells wisely in the lower levels, but once you hit level 8 you have summon monster, web, obscurring mist, create pit, grease, etc, all available with only one spell known. If you like getting creative with illusions the build can be really diverse and fun.
Battlefield controllers you said?
Here's Treantmonk's Core Wizard Guide
Here's Treantmonk's Core Druid Guide
*Treantmonk made a bunch of core guides and is pretty famous for his concepts and ideas. Everyone admits to stealing his color coded system. Like SheepishEidolon, there is only core, but that is what you asked for,