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I totally agree with you that loads of people think of EKs as a wacky kind of arcane paladin (i.e. a melee warrior with light casting ability), when they have so many other options. I actually think that EKs have a very strong niche as spell archers. Use their ability to pickup Fighter feats to nab Focus/Spec/Crit for rays, and add back in the orbs (and their lesser/greater variants) from that other 3.5 game, and you get fairly effective ranged combatant.
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So your EK doesn't cast level 7-9 spells then....um..he has 17 caster level, which means hes perfectly capable of 9th level spells. You do know that you only need a 19 right? so +3tome bud. Also, could always drop your dex by 2 and and be fine. Really, that was just a pointless post.
Your stat block has int at 16. Since other stats are already accounting for levels, items, etc etc...umm no you can't cast level 7-9 spells from your orginal post.
I removed a post that was excessively hostile.
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Your stat block has int at 16. Since other stats are already accounting for levels, items, etc etc...umm no you can't cast level 7-9 spells from your orginal post.So your EK doesn't cast level 7-9 spells then....um..he has 17 caster level, which means hes perfectly capable of 9th level spells. You do know that you only need a 19 right? so +3tome bud. Also, could always drop your dex by 2 and and be fine. Really, that was just a pointless post.
You are correct... however the reason he was including items etc. to Str and Dex was because they are used in his math. Int isn't used for any of his math, therefore an item or spells aren't required. It's a very simply thing to have a +4 int item to allow the character to cast up to 9th level spells.
Honestly I like the idea of an eldritch knight with the mounted combat line using a dancing lance to spirited charge for him while he casts spells.
The EK in general is going to be around 2 points behind on the DC of his spells compared to a wizard -- with that in mind he's only around 2 points behind on his DC so don't think that he can't use those spells that rely on save throws that are still nice.
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Honestly I like the idea of an eldritch knight with the mounted combat line using a dancing lance to spirited charge for him while he casts spells.
The EK in general is going to be around 2 points behind on the DC of his spells compared to a wizard -- with that in mind he's only around 2 points behind on his DC so don't think that he can't use those spells that rely on save throws that are still nice.
Actually given that he is pumping his dex with his level up stats, he is 4 DC below. 6, unless he he spends another 100k to bump his int via wishes instead of his dex. Which he may run into money issues with at anything not level 20. He is after all pretty much gonna have 180k tied up for stat items, 64k for bracers of armor, 100k for the dex boost via wish, 100k for deflection and natural armor. And that doesn't even include any weapons. A 100k weapon puts him at just above level 18 WBL. At level 19 WBL he can just afford that second 100k for +4 int via wish. And this is even before we take into account the 15-25% of his wealth that is suppose to be expendables. If you include that, then you can't afford all that even with a level 20 WBL. Oh and of course, this doesn't include any spells he may wanna buy either. So basically, he will be at least 6 DC below a caster...that isn't exactly small change.
Actually given that he is pumping his dex with his level up stats, he is 4 DC below. 6, unless he he spends another 100k to bump his int via wishes instead of his dex. Which he may run into money issues with at anything not level 20. He is after all pretty much gonna have 180k tied up for stat items, 64k for bracers of armor, 100k for the dex boost via wish, 100k for deflection and natural armor. And that doesn't even include any weapons. A 100k weapon puts him at just above level 18 WBL. At level 19 WBL he can just afford that second 100k for +4 int via wish. And this is even before we take into account the 15-25% of his wealth that is suppose to be expendables. If you include that, then you can't afford all that even with a level 20 WBL. Oh and of course, this doesn't include any spells he may wanna buy either. So basically, he will be at least 6 DC below a caster...that isn't exactly small change.Honestly I like the idea of an eldritch knight with the mounted combat line using a dancing lance to spirited charge for him while he casts spells.
The EK in general is going to be around 2 points behind on the DC of his spells compared to a wizard -- with that in mind he's only around 2 points behind on his DC so don't think that he can't use those spells that rely on save throws that are still nice.
Except the spells that need saves are the worste ones to use as an EK. Buffs, walls, and utility spells don't need saves.
Sorry I was stating in general not in this specific case.
In theory we know that up until 19~20th level you won't have 9th level spells -- so that puts you one behind on DC right there, and you'll probably be two points behind on Int which puts you a point behind there.
I'm not so sure that bracers of armor are the way to go for an EK -- I know many don't like the thought of spending a spell level or feat for still spell (which would cost a point of DC) but it would allow a much better AC. On the other hand the EK does have access to enough spells that are good for defense that a huge AC isn't quite as nessecary. I would probably stick with either +4 defensive items in general (except the cloak of resistance +5).
While the EK does well with buffs, walls and utility spells there are several good debuffers that he will usually be in good position to take advantage of that he should consider having a few of at all times.
Ray of Exhaustion is one such spell others include:
Slow, Stinking Cloud, Pyrotechnics, Bestow Curse (specific targets on this one), Cloudkill, Feeblemind, Mind Fog, Prismatic Spray, and the occasional Damage spell (not a regular thing but hey have one just in case).
While in general these shouldn't be the EK's bread and butter they have enough usefulness that having a few on his list ready for use isn't a bad thing.
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Oh yeah dex should be 2 lower. The ability of the transmutation school gives you an enhancement bonus...so it doesn't stack with a stat boost item.
As for AC...your level 20...a CR 20 critter is a mook. And given that many of these critters (either at that level or adjusted to that level...because lets be honest here, there are exactly 6 cr 20+ citters in the beastiary) can cast spells/have spell like abilities...that 39 AC can jump much higher. The gold dragon for example has 39 ac...unless it has it's mage armor up...which really, why shouldn't it...then it's AC 43. With shield that is 47. Haste, 48.
Rapid shot does not work with daggers. They are not ranged weapons. Look at the weapon chart, only weapons listed under ranged weapons can be used for rapid shot. Daggers are simple light melee weapons...that can be thrown.
That said...with rapid reload, I can't see why a light or hand crossbow can't be used with your idea.
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Except the spells that need saves are the worste ones to use as an EK. Buffs, walls, and utility spells don't need saves.Actually given that he is pumping his dex with his level up stats, he is 4 DC below. 6, unless he he spends another 100k to bump his int via wishes instead of his dex. Which he may run into money issues with at anything not level 20. He is after all pretty much gonna have 180k tied up for stat items, 64k for bracers of armor, 100k for the dex boost via wish, 100k for deflection and natural armor. And that doesn't even include any weapons. A 100k weapon puts him at just above level 18 WBL. At level 19 WBL he can just afford that second 100k for +4 int via wish. And this is even before we take into account the 15-25% of his wealth that is suppose to be expendables. If you include that, then you can't afford all that even with a level 20 WBL. Oh and of course, this doesn't include any spells he may wanna buy either. So basically, he will be at least 6 DC below a caster...that isn't exactly small change.Honestly I like the idea of an eldritch knight with the mounted combat line using a dancing lance to spirited charge for him while he casts spells.
The EK in general is going to be around 2 points behind on the DC of his spells compared to a wizard -- with that in mind he's only around 2 points behind on his DC so don't think that he can't use those spells that rely on save throws that are still nice.
I don't disagree with you on this...however the OP is talking about using the EK capstone to chuck out spells. Spells that give saves from the examples he's given. So for this build, using save spells is even worse.
There's a feat that reduces this down to a free action I believe.
Crossbows, are out because of reload times.
It was mentioned in another thread that it's possible to have an unseen servant reload your crossbow while you're doing other actions.
http://paizo.com/paizo/messageboards/paizoPublishing/pathfinder/pathfinderR PG/general/mySorceressBardInCombat
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a CR 20 creature is a mook? 1v1, a CR 20 is considered a hard or epic challenge. As far as the dragon buffing itself, thats 2 rounds its not attacking. 3 if it does cast haste. So that comes down to who has the jump on who.Also, please note the touch AC...5... am i really going to use my normal attack routine in a situation where i could aim an energy sub. cold meteor swarm at it? 8d6 blud. and 24d6 cold that he's going to take double from. 196 on average, of 377 hp. Tho, you could of course use the suggested style here, and still have a strong chance of critting in that round and hitting with this spell.
As far as using a crossbow, it would decent when combined with ammunition production while leveling but the full 15-20 crit range is your goal once you have the capstone.
No a CR of equal level isn't hard or epic...it's EQUAL footing. A CR 21 is hard...cr 22 is epic (and should generally result in your death if your solo). And mage armor should be up ALL DAY LONG. So no, one or two round...the same that YOU need.
Okay your assuming that the dragon will fail it's save. It has +14 reflex...your DC for 9th level spell is...? 10+9(spell level)+3(base int)+3(stat item) = DC 25. I'm not gonna give you the 4 wishes to bump that to 27 since your already pretty much breaking WBL anyways. That means to take 24d6 cold, I need to roll less then 11 four times. And vulnerability is an extra 50%...not double. And energy sub is not core PF...if we're allowing non core stuff, then the dragon can have the energy immunity spell and just laugh at your cold damage. nd with ac of 48, your tactic to average a crit a round doesn't work as well. Not only that, but if you fail to crit in a couple round, your dead.
And there is no PF core method of getting 15-20 ranged weapon crit.
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What SRD are ya reading? The OFFICAL one here does not have any said weapons on the weapon list.
http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/equipment.html
If your using a fan made one...then who know what additional stuff they added in?!?
And once again, that save for the MS depends on a 3.5 feat...which means I can just ignore my weakness anyways. Although your right, I did forget the -4 for being a target.
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Except the spells that need saves are the worste ones to use as an EK. Buffs, walls, and utility spells don't need saves.
THIS. Kinda.
With their higher BAB, and access to fighter feats, EKs offensive spells should really be limited more on touch attacks with no saves. The PSRD is light in that department, but there are still quite a few options available in content that I've seen many GMs allow (e.g. WotC's 3.5 Spell Compendium).
While it's not the best damage output in the game, even something like Scorching Ray is a nice damage bump through the capstone. An effectively free 12d6 damage with any crit is nothing to sneeze at. Or optimally, you pull off a round where you face the big boss guy, and pull off a crit Polar Ray, and if he's still standing, you get a free Disintegrate at his head.