|
I have been wanting to play a master of the elements. Someone who worships Air, water, earth and fire. Druids are more plant and animal. I am using the Wild Watcher in The Library of Last Resort as a goal. I want to use the Pathfinder setting to build him. Any idea's? Was thinking about worshipper(cleric) and taking two domains Fire and Earth, then taking the Contemplative prestige class to gain water and air domain.
I have been wanting to play a master of the elements. Someone who worships Air, water, earth and fire. Druids are more plant and animal. I am using the Wild Watcher in The Library of Last Resort as a goal. I want to use the Pathfinder setting to build him. Any idea's? Was thinking about worshipper(cleric) and taking two domains Fire and Earth, then taking the Contemplative prestige class to gain water and air domain.
I think 3.x is missing that killer treatment of an Elementalist class. Don't know if you ever played Al-Qadim in 2nd edition, but they did a good job w/ at least what would be specialists in each of the traditional 4 elements. They were arcane magic users, though, while you're proposing a build employing divine magic. W/ that possible limitation, I think you've got a good idea for one. Especially since you're trying to build the Wild Watcher character (one of my all-time favorite 3.x NPCs, for what that's worth).
Ultimately, it would be cool if someone professionally designed a true Elementalist class, that allowed for usage of the appropriate spells regardless of the arcane/divine dichotomy.
If you're a Greyhawk fan, the Bakluni are experts in elemental magics. I'm thinking in particular of the Zashassar of Ekbir, and the Sign of the Red Talisman in Zeif. I don't remember where I dredged up information on them, but I incorporated them into my own version of GH years ago.
Its a bit of a conundrum, since the two PrCs that spring to mind are based around specializing in one element. As far as divine PrCs go that have to do with elements, the elemental archon from FR's Faiths and Pantheons fits the bill, but only if you want to focus on a single element, not on a theme of the four elements.
Shugenja? From the Complete Divine? It's been a while since I read up on the class, but I think they may be what you're looking for. The class is Oriental in design, but if that wouldn't match your campaign then I'm sure the details can be altered.
Or I could be way off base.
That's the problem. Most focus on one element. I want to control them all....
Don't forget to put your pinky up to the side of your mouth and say "Bwah ha ha ha!" after saying this. ;)
Errr.... normal arcane spellcasters already do controll "all" of the elements.
Nothing personal (well I guess it is kinda but it's been a big pet-peeve of mine for a long time) but I have come to loath the idea that there needs to be a new prestige class/feat/spell/ability/base class for every friggin variation. So you have a cool idea for a mage who specializes in mastering the four classic elements? Great! It doesn't however need a new class, simply only take or learn spells with elemental descriptors, if you feel this will make you sub-par then ask the DM for a trade off of say a bonus feat or the ability to draw spells from other class's lists.
There's alot that can be done with core if you flavor it right, Bob the fighter with a bastard sword and half-plate can be the same statistically as Ichiki the samurai with a katana and classical armor.
|
|
I think you are already on the right track with your selection of elemental domains. Beyond that, a some feats could get you the rest of the way:
Elemental Substitution (Complete Arcane?): Suddenly Call Lightning can be Call Bolt of Fire...
Elemental Admixture (Complete Arcane): Suddenly Call Lightning becomes Call Lightning and Acid (earth). Or in conjunction with Elemental Substitution becomes Call Bolt of Fire and Ice...
Beckon the Frozen (Frostburn): Applies a version of the cold template to all summoned creatures. Suddenly your Summon Monster spells are a bit cooler (pun intended). "Normally, you can only summon a Celestial Eagle . I can summon a Celestial Eagle...made of Ice." You might be able to convince your DM to allow other elemental summon versions in lieu of the cold version.
Spell Thematics (Magic of Faerun/reprinted elsewhere): This feat allows you to apply a "theme" to your magic, as long as it has no in game effect. An elemental theme might allow you to "summon healing fire" when you cast Cure Light Wounds or have a harmless arc of electricity touch everyone in your Bless spell effect. The possibilities are endless there. (BTW - gives observers a -5 penalty to ID the spell you cast).
Note this feat was later nerfed into near uselessness in later reprints. Never understood why.
Hope that helps!
|
Dunno if it helps any, but I've been doing some work off and on for a class specializing in elemental magic called the "Witch". Its had versions, but the basic idea is that this class blends arcane and divine magics, and can use elemental domains. This class can also forgo a divine focus and the need of a spell component pouch by keeping a Wiccan Focus.
Spells accessible include every elemental spell(in the PHB); plus spells of the Enchantment, Illusion, Divination, and Transmutation schools.
At creation, the character has the choice to specialize in one element, gaining that domain and resistances/powers related to that element at the cost of not being able to cast spells of opposing elements, even gaining the sub-type of their chosen element at 20th level; or a generalist, but I haven't thought up a balanced benefit for a generalist, however.
|
|
I once wrote up a straight sorcerer who did this. Basically, each spell level had one of each of the four elements as a spell known - for instance, his first four 1st level spells known were burning hands, feather fall, fist of stone and jet of steam.
You can do it even better with a druid, however - you just have to be pretty strict about the spells you prep. All the best elemental effects seem to be druid spells (much to my annoyance).