Hello all.
I'm relatively 'new' to the Pathfinder system, and need some assistance from the experts and creative types on here to come up with a spell list of sorts, as well as perhaps advice for a new character.
First and foremost!
1) 25 Point Epic character, base stats are 8 & Human race. (I have a set of stats, but welcome to see other thoughts.)
2) The end plan is to: Sorc + Dragon Disciple (no variation at this time)
3) Upbringing and training is from the Arabic type setting (but not specifically Pathfinders "Qaidra" location.
Thus...
I'm primarily aware that the Sorcerer + Dragon Disciple combination really isn't a 'good mix' but, I really want to make it be as 'pure' to that as possible. So please try to focus on suggestions with that in mind.
The biggest question I have is:
1) Should I be more melee minded, or can it work to be pure-er caster minded, with the eventual "switching into a dragon".
If you have any suggestions for spell lists and the like, our game is looking to start play at 5th level characters (i.e. he'd be lv5 Sorc).
Any advice is welcomed with regards to stats, spell list choices, or 'style of play', but please realize-- no changes in class (yet).
Thanks in advance!
Welcome and have fun playing Pathfinder!
I'd definitely go for the melee route, as the dragon disciple's abilities favor that (str and con bonuses, d12 HD etc.)
My emphasis on ability scores would look something like this: Strength > Charisma > Constitution = Dexterity > Wisdom = Intelligence. You should try to have a high strength score at first level, since your base attack won't be too great. It's also important because shapeshifting in Pathfinder has changed (your regular stats actually matter now) so when you eventually start changing into a dragon it'll come in handy. Charisma should be pretty high as well, around 15-16, since you've got 25 point to work with.
Try getting spells that improve your combat prowess, they're going to give you an edge against the dedicated martial classes.
Your going to want to put your favored class bonus into HP, and perhaps pick up and Toughness as well.
As for spells, here's what to avoid.
Round 1-cast to prep for combat
Round 2-cast to prep for combat
Round 3-cast to prep for combat
Round 4-Ally rogue dies
Round 5-Sorceror is ready, combat ends
You do that by looking for spells that either last a long time (Mage armor, Mount, False Life, Greater Magic Weapon), spells that benefit everyone (Haste), or spells that are quickened.
Crafting magic items is an excellent way to go here as well, especially arms and armor.
And, for flavor, improved familiar can get you a pseudodragon. No reason it can't look like a small bronze dragon, either.
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If all of your spells are cast on yourself, then realize that you don't need as high a charisma. No one's making saving throws to resist that bull's strength, after all.
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Check with your DM, but there are a LOT of good draconic themed spells in the 3.5 Spell Compendium. Voice of the Dragon and Wings of the Dragon are the first that come to mind.
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You also have the option of going with a sorceror who is a mounted archer. This strikes me as very Quadiran, and could be as simple as draconic sorceror 20.
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Hey there folks.
Many thanks for the suggestions!
It certainly seems as if there are a few options available to me.
I do appreciate your advice and thoughts.
Cheers.
Improved familiar will do nothing for you since you don't have a familiar as a sorcerer...
Beyond that: I would consider spells that have an immediate benefit against different types of things and that benefit the party.
You have claws and a bite so BAB isn't quite the problem it would normally be (since all your attacks are at full BAB with those) but you should limit your 'melee' time. Quicken spell works for you and most of the buffs you'll want to start with are low level -- getting out a quick mirror image can do wonders for your defenses.
Feats depend on just how much you really want to get into melee.
I think going melee based is pretty rough.
If you take 5 levels of Sor followed by 10 levels of DD you end up with a whooping 9 base attack.
You get natural weapons that allow you to make a claw/claw/bite attack, each at your full attack bonus. The claws are at full strength bonus, and the bite is at strength x 1.5.
But you can only do that for 3+ Cha bonus rounds per day.
Your defenses are also pretty weak. You get a slight NA increase, which is nice, but wearing armor would require 2 feats (light armor proficiency and arcane armor training). Dex and Con are probably going to be mediocre, so you won't want to be spending much time going toe-to-toe and getting full attacks.
I would either recommend going for more of a pure caster angle, or mixing in a couple levels of barbarian. (Note: moment of clarity rage power)
{Edit} It is probably worth taking the 6th level of Sorcerer bore switching over to DD. You get a point of base attack, all saves go up, and all-powerful 3rd level magic.
As for spells:
Shield and or Mage Armor
Mirror image and invisibility
Heroism and Haste
If you want to go Dragon Disciple, I would advise you don't take 5 levels of Sorceror first, take *1* level of Sorceror and 4 levels of Fighter/Barbarian/Paladin/Monk, and then start Dragon Disciple at 6th Char Level once you meet the 5 Ranks of Know:Arcana Pre-Req.
Otherwise, it's probably better to just go pure Sorceror all the way, your Bloodline abilities and Spells will more or less match what the Dragon Disciple gets flavor-wise, and after going into Dragon Form you can cast Transformation to go melee if you like. /my2cents
Again, thank you all for your suggestions.
It's kind of clear that the DD isn't exactly the 'natural' progression from a Sorcerer with Dragon blood.
But, that's part of the challenge, eh?
Cheers.
Well if you take some armor training or grab a level of arcane archer you get medium armor which opens up the arcane armor training feats... a mithral breastplate and mithral buckler and your AC is better than it was.