Character Advice: Spiritualist Phantoms - Anger vs Despair?+

Hey all,

I am starting a new PFS character using the spiritualist class, and wanted to get some informed opinions on the choice of phantom. I originally chose this class because I

A) Wanted to try a charisma-based casting class (Fractured Mind Archetype)
B) Wanted to do something different than most other players (thus Occult Adventures)
C) Was interested in focusing on a debuffing support class

Given C, my original choice for phantom was Despair. However, after speaking with some more experienced PFS players it seems that the traditional debuff/save-or-suck party role can be pretty boring too play down the line.

I am now leaning more towards the Anger phantom, as the damage-output might compliment the debuff-based casting more than a debuff-focused phantom.

Does anyone have any experience using either the Anger or Despair phantoms? Any advice on which build can lead to a more enjoyable late level experience?

Thanks!

Anger Phantoms rush into melee and beat on the enemy. Their aura can br tricky to use as it does not distinguish between friend and foe (effectively everyone in the aura has a +4 to hit everyone else in the aura).

Despair Phantoms float around incorporeal and dealing touch attacks and releasing their aura, which only hits enemies.

I prefer Despair for the debuffer role.

However, while I like the Spiritualist, it is only a 6 level caster, so you don't really have many spells per day. This means you have to ration your debuff spells, which can be boring no matter which emotional foci you choose.

I guess my concern is that if my PC is going to be taking a heavy de-buffing role, would it be nice to supplement that with damage from an Anger phantom rather than pigeon-holing myself as solely a bebuffer (or some having some kind of extra damage when I run out of bad touch spells)

Pick Despair and build yourself as a melee sluger. The debuffs from your phantom along with him intimidating your enemies is nargly. -4 to most every roll should he land a successful attack and follow up with an intimidate.

With this style you deal good damage and will land your further debuffs more effectively.