I'm trying to get out of the same old grove of light melee characters, looking for a fun alternative without going full caster. Target level is 12, but I don't want a character to dead-end shortly after.
On a brainstorm came up with summoner (9) Arcane Archer (3)..
Pros: 3/4 BAB arcane caster class that can wear light armor and cast spells combined with a prestige class that continues spell abilities
Cons: summoners are very much tied to their summons, and capping a summon at level 9 (or 3+ levels below actual level) will hurt it, possibly bringing it from overpowered to no better than a ranger companion, plus summoner spells aren't that great combined with an AA.
But the idea is there, light physical combat combined with light magic, and maybe a step away from the norm.
Any thoughts on that particular class combo, or any other odd builds?
I'm trying to get out of the same old grove of light melee characters, looking for a fun alternative without going full caster. Target level is 12, but I don't want a character to dead-end shortly after.
On a brainstorm came up with summoner (9) Arcane Archer (3)..
Pros: 3/4 BAB arcane caster class that can wear light armor and cast spells combined with a prestige class that continues spell abilities
Cons: summoners are very much tied to their summons, and capping a summon at level 9 (or 3+ levels below actual level) will hurt it, possibly bringing it from overpowered to no better than a ranger companion, plus summoner spells aren't that great combined with an AA.But the idea is there, light physical combat combined with light magic, and maybe a step away from the norm.
Any thoughts on that particular class combo, or any other odd builds?
Actually an idea I've been mulling over for a few weeks is a Magus/Arcane Archer. you can go into AA after Magus 8 (personally I'd stay in an extra level for the boost to the Arcane pool and an extra Arcana). With you can deliver touch spells through a melee weapon, and area spells with your bow, enhance either weapon with Arcane pool, cast in medium armor, plus pick up a few feats, like focused shot for example. It leaves you with a really interesting Arcane Switch-hitter build.
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I currently have two of these kinds of builds in progress in games at the moment.
One is a Arcane Duelist/Rogue/Arcane Trickster - With arcane strike and the right buffs you've got yourself a decent swashbuckler type.
The other is a weird one, and probably not what you're lookin' for - Infiltrator 3/Sorc 2/Dragon Disciple - With natural claw and bite attacks at full bab every round, it's looking promising.
I'm trying to get out of the same old groove of light melee characters, looking for a fun alternative without going full caster. . .
But the idea is there, light physical combat combined with light magic
So, you want to move away from "light melee" so you're going to switch to "light physical combat"? I don't really see a change there.
Maybe you should try a fighter or paladin. There are many interesting builds for both.
I'm looking at the magus/AA combo too now, it does seem very interesting. Hard to say though if you really need the AA levels if you are a magus?
Does Arcane Strike stack with existing enhancements? In which case the restrictions/downsides I see to it is not being able to use other swift actions in the same round (some magus abilities are swift actions), as well as being an arcane caster in physical combat (which the magus is designed for, but most other classes aren't) and scaling with levels (making the cost of splashing an arcane class just to get +1 fairly high).
I take it arcane strike doesn't use levels from classes like Dragon Discipline or Arcane Archer to calculate caster level?
I have to agree with Killroy on this one: if you go Summoner, DO NOT MULTICLASS. The Eidolon is the bread and butter of the class and nothin gin PF comps the levels lost ot multiclassing...
How about a Barb2/Druid10? Mmm...yummy Raging Bear ;)
GNOME
Dragon Disciple or Arcane Archer levels do count toward caster level, and by effect, Arcane Strike; that is, levels 2-4, 6-8, and 10 of them count. "+1 level of existing class" translates to progress as normal on the "Spells per Day" section of a caster class.
Indeed, Arcane Strike is a wonderful gift to Arcane Archers. You could multiclass Dragon Disciple, Arcane Archer, Eldritch Knight and Mystic Theurge if you were so inclined, and as long as they were all progressing the same arcane spellcasting class, they'd all contribute to your Arcane Strike's caster level, although that combo would not be much advised.
Edit: Arcane Strike does stack with enhancement bonuses. A +2 longbow and +3 Arcane Strike will grant 5 points of damage, but will still count as a +2 weapon, not +5, for the purpose of overcoming DR. There's also no attack bonus from Arcane Strike.
Working on a switch hitter, elf, 9 magus, 3 AA (still debating balance between the 2 classes after level 12)
1 point blank shot
3 precise shot
5 weapon focus longbow, weapon finesse
7 Deadly Aim
9 Many shot
11 quickdraw
Arcane Accuracy, Hasted Assault, and thinking of spell blending, but taking it at level 6 I can't think of another decent 1st level spell (taking gravity arrow as one of the two spells).
Traits - warrior of old (+2 initiative, elven)
- desperate focus (+2 concentration)
heirloom weapon or magical knack would be nice, but not really needed and a bit controversial.
I'm definitely open to tweaks for this character, but the primary aim is a decent archer that can switch to being a decent melee. Also as I've deliberately avoided casters so far, I'm still figuring out what kind of spells would be good to have. Feat wise, Arcane Strike maybe a better alternative to Deadly Aim (would +3 arcane strike and +3 GMW stack for +6, or cap at +5?
Spells can be tricky. In my experiences, when a character doesn't have full caster levels, I don't bother with damaging spells, as they won't be able to keep up in that regard. For a Magus, though, even low level attack spells can continue to be useful in combat, so my rule wouldn't apply.
Cool elven trait, I don't think I had read that one. Another reason for me to play one!
Arcane Strike should stack with everything. Aside from the fact that it is considered magical for DR/magic, it's otherwise akin to feats like Weapon Specialization.
Because you're a multiclassing switch hitter, and your feats will be spread thin, I'd definitely encourage Arcane Strike over Deadly Aim (if you can't squeeze both in). Arcane Strike will fuel both melee and ranged (perhaps less so for melee if a lot of your Magus's abilities will use up swift actions).
Going AA, I lose 1 caster level at 1st, 5th and 9th (AA levels). Right now I may not go beyond 4 AA levels total, so the caster level loss is minimal.
Did the reading about arcane strike, and it definitely is better than power attack... even if it takes a swift action, Magus abilities are limited per day so arcane strike makes a nice backup that does work with any weapon unlimited times a day.
With spell blending I'm waffling between ray of enfeeblement, comprehend languages or alarm as the 2nd of my two 1st level spells (gravity bow is a must for this build for spells, and spell blending fits in best at 6th where I am restricted to 1 level 2 or 2 level 1 spells).
How about a Barb2/Druid10? Mmm...yummy Raging Bear ;)
GNOME
Blight druid with the destruction (rage) domain would do this well :)