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So I'm finally getting around to actually playing a Witch in a strict Pathfinder game. We are beginning at 1st level, and while I absolutely love the concept of the classes, there are some things that either I am missing or the class has real opportunities with.
Armor Class? I cannot wear armor, and my only Hex armor buff (+2?) is cancelled if I am hit once?. Somehow there are no armor buff spells in our spell list, or even invisibility? I know the concept would indicate we defeat our foes through subterfuge and spells such as Cause Fear, Charm Person, Sleep, etc., but this leaves this class unbelievably weak without 100% reliance on other party members (which isn't altogether bad, but...).
I love some of the spell versatility though. I like that I can cast cure spells, and still some damage spells. I just don't think the full range of playability is there. After 5th level when you can craft some magic items for defense, you might be ok, but until then it is just horrific.
Human Witch
Str 8, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 18, Wis 12, Cha 10
Sadly, I felt railroaded into putting higher points into Dex and Con in order to keep myself alive a little longer, when clearly a Witch might have a much higher Charisma for Bluff, Intimidation, etc.
Armor Class: 13 (Dex +3) I decline to take a feat in order to wear armor and then not be able to cast spells.
Feats: Spell Focus: Conjuration, Augment Summoning (Again, wasting some feat slots in order to be able to summon mildly stronger monsters to create a buffer between the foes and myself.
So ultimately, I really like what this class does, but their survivability is just plain scary. Worse than wizards or any other "paper" class. They are "wet paper." I'm going to roleplay my tail off and hope that our GM takes pity on me.
THOUGHTS? SUGGESTIONS? EXPERIENCES?
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1. As a caster your ac will never be high enough to make a difrence if you are being attacked.
2. CON is far more important then DEX.
3. WIS is not that important if you want some CHA.
4. Let me know if you find a way to get a wizards AC to a point where it will count. With out wasting spells that you can use for much better things like truning the person attacking you in to a chicken so you can have lunch. ( Target AC level 1 AC 18+ Level 10 AC 30+ Level 20 AC 50+ )
Dwarf Witch ( 15 point buy )
STR 7
DEX 10
CON 18
INT 17
WIS 10
CHA 6
Feet: Toughnesses
HP: Level 1 13 / level 10 (80 using rolling 3 for hp) / Level 20 ( 160 as befor )
Ok first your feats and bonus feats.....
Extra hex and extra hex!
Hexes you want
1. Evil Eye
2. Slumber
3. Cackle
Armor you want
wood armor.......
Although it has a 15% spell failure chance only for spells with a S component.....
Check Barnabus for other ideas about your witch!
I get the impression that maybe you're looking at the spell list in the Spells chapter (pg 200). If you look at the witch's spell list on page 70 you'll see that the Witch can learn Mage Armor. That's a pretty nice boost to AC at low levels. I'd imagine that things could get tough at higher levels, but my Witch is only up to level 3 so far.
The Deception patron gives you Invisibility at 4th level while Trickery gives you Mirror Image. Of the two I'd say Mirror Image is probably better, but maybe it is a matter of taste. Of course you also get Use Magic Device as a skill, so if wands are available for sale in your campaign world that can fill in a lot of the low level misses on your spell list.
Speaking of wands, since the Witch's bonus spells are no longer based on his or her familiar I suppose you could also take Improved Familiar. Since familiars get your skill ranks this can be a great way to use buff wands "for free". Imps and mephits even have good Chr 14 for a +2 to the roll. An invisible Imp with a wand of Mirror Image could probably make you pretty hard to hit. If you're crafting those wands they wouldn't even cost much.
