New Character Advice Please

[Moriarty]

I'm joining a group that has a half-orc barbarian, a halfling life oracle, a human fighter and a dwarf rogue. Obviously missing from this list is any sort of arcane caster, which I've decided to play. My question is: which one? I'm leaning towards witch because I've never played one before but it seems like a wizard would be a better choice they have a fuller spell list than the witch. Thoughts on this?

Follow-up question: If I do choose a wizard, what would be the best specialization for this group?

[Necromancer]

Since the rest of the party went with the classic line-up (melee, healer, skill-monkey, and so on), round it off with a conjurer.

[W E Ray]

I advise sticking with your gut and going Wizard.

Some full-on arcane spells are what you need.

[calagnar]

With a melee heavy group a bard is never a bad choic. You add songs and the important arcane buffs to the party.

[Helvik]

I second conjurer focus and you have the big spells in your back pockets.

*Pardon my English, it is not my proper language.

[Kryzbyn]

Helvik wrote:

I second conjurer focus and you have the big spells in your back pockets.

*Pardon my English, it is not my proper language.

you did fine! Welcome!

[Blueluck]

My suggestions are Sorcerer, Bard, Wizard, in that order.

First, nobody else has arcane magic, so that's a useful role for you to fill without stepping on anyone's toes. Also, there are no memorization style casters in this group, so they probably have a very quick play style. If you're not an expert Wizard player (or even if you are, really) you risk seriously slowing down play by having to choose spells every day and do a lot of look-ups. My guess is that a Sorcerer will fill the arcane caster role, and mesh well with their play style.

[SpaceChomp]

Sorcs of the arcane bloodline are disgusting.

With that party and it's melee focus I would really think about the bard. You would be able to help the rogue in the skill area, you get some levels of utility spell casting, and they will love how much you will add to their abilities in battle. They are also not useless in a fight.

If you decide to go wizard, your spec. is all about the way you want to play your character. All of them have their advantages.

[Benicio Del Espada]

I've yet to see a witch in play, and it does sound interesting enough to try. Pick whatever sounds like the most fun to you and go with it. As long as you've got an arcane caster with enough bread-and-butter spells to help the party, you'll be pulling your weight and having fun.

[Chillel]

Me, I would advise going an arcane caster yes for party balance.

Party balance calls for a wizard. But the arcane caster the player wants to play they should play. They will all work.

[Lady-J]

my suggestions are normal summoner, bard, sorcerer, wizard, witch in that order