Well transmutation is definitely weaker, mainly because of the breaking up of Polymorph, but it's still a very strong school.
My character is now a Diviner (switched from Universal when we translated to PF Final) and I quite like it, though it might not suit a more combat oriented character's taste. Always being able to act on a surprise round is freaking hot though and every rogue should dip a lvl in Diviner IMO.
If you are multiclassed so you can buff yourself in combat then transmuter isn't bad, if you want to be able to throw up a quick battlefield control spell before wading into combat then conjurer, etc. It's all good. Remember though that abilities like the bonus to stats from Transmuter IIRC only scale with your WIZARD level, not if you multiclass.
My personal favorite is conjuration, but transmutation is the second best. Divination has some really cool school abilities.
|
I believe the language in the conjuration power means you can't teleport, for example, 33 Ft, but you can go 5ft, 10ft, 300ft, etc.
I think character concept is probably the most important part, followed by what you want to do with the character. Also, your opposition schools are almost more important than your specialty school.
But yea, conjurer and transmuter both are cool. Diviner is very fun for a most non-combat wizard or buffer (I'm playing one in Red Hand of Doom). Really, if you want to summon stuff, be a conjurer, if you want to morph stuff, be a transmuter.
-Drillboss
Quick question - whats the best use of the level 1 conjuration Summon Monster spell?
Dunno... even with only a single round of action at 1st level, there are some pretty good options. Trip attack from the riding dog is solid compared to many other first-level spells. Two options for poison are nothing to overlook. You can mount the pony and move 200, or just block a doorway for a round with it.
Summon the eagle, cast animate rope on the subsequent round and then get the eagle to carry the rope to a non-adjacent enemy, giving the "tie and knot" command as the eagle drops the rope onto the target. Two rounds, yes. Two spells, yes. You're done for the day, yes. But at that level even the BBEG is probably through once hogtied.
Given your party line up, I might suggest ... "Universalist."
If you do choose to specialize, and there are several 'knocks' against the "univeralist," keep in mind the second point - namely that your damage output is not going to be essential to your party's success. So go with the Transmutter option.
Summoned monsters also make excellent trap locators/disarmers ;)
Summoned monsters also make excellent trap locators/disarmers ;)
I tend to use dwarf barbarians, but this is a good point. ;)
If you're starting out at 20th, an Abjurer is actually quite a nice specialist - and it's not hard to find an Abjuration spell at each level to fill your bonus slot. Energy immunity + Energy Absorption means good survival even against something like great wyrm dragon breath.
The cleric became a Cleric 8(war, good domain)/Crus1/Warb1/RKV10 (take 8th level last and the War domain weapon mastery effectively lets you take Martial study for ANY TOB Manuvere you qualify for. Nice.
No need to take the 8th level cleric last - "you can change the feat chosen each time you use this ability."
Level 20? I find it hard to say no to diviner... sure the spell selection for bonus spells isn't the best but the +10 to Initiative and automatic 20 is pretty hard to beat at high levels where going first is so important. Add in a solid DEX and improved initiative (If you have get spell compendium you can throw in Nerve Skitter for a little insurance) and you can pretty much plan on going first every combat.
Alternately, if you want a summoner and don't mind a bit of an evil bent the 15th level Abyssal ability gives you doubled summoning and the bloodline Arcana grants DR 10/Good. Quite a solid combo for a summoner.
