I'm about to get 4th level spells [only one to start] and can't decide what to take.
The character is designed to part-blast but the spell could be anything really.
Any ideas/favorites?
I vote for Black tentacles.
Confusion, just so I can yell out "Cry havoc!"
]
I suggest that you:
1. Plan out your character so that you're not faced with these questions as they occur. You can change the plan as you go but you should have a default decision to go with already laid out.
2. Consider your PC as a whole rather than part by part. Sorcerer's built piecemeal tend to be less apt than those built with everything in mind.
3. what is the rest of your PC? Or to the point all of them, as we have nothing.
4. What's the rest of the party, including roles taken by them.
5. Typical way your party handles a situation, and how you contribute.
6. Places where members of the party are starting to come into their own, and places where members are falling behind as they level on. Some people can be tanks at low level but lose that role in mid levels, perhaps to pick it back up at higher (or not).
-James
Party is... Paladin, Arcane Duelist Bard [with long spear & Spring attack], Cleric/Sorcerer about to start Mystic Theurge & Me
I'm just about to join and have had my previous party help me with spell selection as my char is pretty stupid and kept blasting friends as well as foes!
I've gone with a strange selection [not optimized, although my stats are all charisma and a little Con and Dex]
1st: Magic Missile, Shield, Hydraulic Push, Pro Evil, Minor Image +Acid Hands from Earth Elemental.
2nd: Mirror Image, Create Pit, Glitterdust, not sure, not sure + Acid Ray from Earth Elemental.
3rd: Fireball, Spiked Pit + Pro Energy from Earth Elemental.
4th:?? thinking Arcane Eye/Black T's/Dim-Door but fancy something different.
Feats:[yes I know Evocation generally sucks] Spell Focus Evo, Gr. Spell Focus Evo, Ele Focus Acid, Gr. Ele Focus Acid, Spell Pen + Improved Initiative from bloodline.
Cha +6, so an Acidball, say, would have a DC of 23.
He wants to be a blaster but has been moulded toward battlefield control/versatility by past party members [back history fluff]. Also gives his money to a party member to spend for him as he isn't every good with money... did I mention he wasn't optimized!
I vote for Black tentacles.
+1 Deadly deadly spell.
heres what i vote for
1. emergency force sphere from the PF companion Cheliax. Keeps you from getting hit a lot of times.
2. bone shatter from the PF companion Osirion. fort save, 15d6 damage, and makes the target exhausted of fatigued. thats how you deal with rogues.
Do you have empower spell? I would recommend getting it and using it for scorching ray: that's the best blasting spell for 4th level. Grab something utilitarian.
I would take resilient sphere. Used creatively you can use it to trap foes to keep them out of a fight (it targets a bad save of fighters, large monsters, clerics, and wizards) , to surround yourself in a bubble so you can drink potions, as a miniature wall to block a gap or a doorway, and to keep a dying comrade from being coup de graced.
It seems a shame to have all of those Spell Focus feats with very little to use them on. I'd consider Resilient Sphere or Ball Lightning in your case.
[yes I know Evocation generally sucks]
No, it doesn´t. Especially not for sorcerers, who need spells they can use in every battle as you can do with evocation spells.
Ok I'm sold! Ball Lightning it is.
Although at my level [8] I'm only getting 2 3d6 balls [not amazing damage], I do gain from my Feats and it does last for 8 rounds so I'm getting a good duration for my 4 castings.
Resilient Sphere could be an option if the party members can't trust me with having balls flying all over the place [could be funny], as I like the versatility of it [but my character would want them Balls!]
Stu
[yes I know Evocation generally sucks]+1
No, it doesn´t. Especially not for sorcerers, who need spells they can use in every battle as you can do with evocation spells.
No evocation doesn't suck at all, evocation isn't all about blasting there are a lot of good spells there.
Also blasting may not be the best option, it may be hard to play but if built correctly a blaster can be a solid choice for arcane casters.
Your biggest problem is that you have no meta magic feats. These are one of the sorcerer's big advantage. Since he can cast any of the few spells he knows the key is being able to modify them as needed. Your character has concentrated on the saving throw way too much. Pick up some meta magic rods if you do not have them. If you single 4th level spell does not work boost a lower level spell to make it work.
That being said I would recommend Dragons Breath. since it can be multiple different energy types it will give you a lot of versatility. Since you can use acid as the energy type (Line or Cone) it will take advantage of your elemental spell focus feats.
[yes I know Evocation generally sucks]No, it doesn´t. Especially not for sorcerers, who need spells they can use in every battle as you can do with evocation spells.
You can find plenty of spells you can use in almost every combat (which is as good as blasting ever gets, either) without having to make peace with doing crappy damage instead of something good.