OK, I'm contemplating making a blaster type sorcerer. As I see it, from what research I've done so far, I'd go with
Sorcerer
Cross blooded
Shaitan
Black dragon
Elemental focus: Acid
Greater elemental focus: acid
So what other tricks would help out this cause?
I'd say acid is a decent blaster element to choose as it tends to be the least resisted of the major energy types.
Plus, wall of acid just seems nastier than wall of fire. Sure, they have exactly the same mechanical effect...but wall of acid is just wrong, man. It's just wrong.
Not to mention, think of the profusion of awful puns related to 'drop acid' that you can use.
What sources can you take from?
What's the point buy, level range and rate, and rest of the party?
What options do you have in choosing/researching spells?
One cross blooded sorcerer I was considering was Orc/Dragon to double up on the +1/die bonus... the damage that can be done with scorching ray at 11th is somewhat frightening.
-James
This is for PFS, so 20 point buy, and pretty much all Paizo Pathfinder sources (or close to it).
The reason I want to get in the Shaitan is that you get free elemental substitution so everything can be acid, and then you can focus on that.
I can see the advantage to that extra point of damage, but does that overcome the advantage of being able to focus the damage type? Tricky question.
As far as feats go- spell specialization and varisian tattoo could let you cast scorching ray as a 7th level caster at level 4.
OK, I'm contemplating making a blaster type sorcerer. As I see it, from what research I've done so far, I'd go with
Sorcerer
Cross blooded
Shaitan
Black dragon
Elemental focus: Acid
Greater elemental focus: acidSo what other tricks would help out this cause?
TBH I would avoid crossblooded having one less spell known per level than you already have is just a dealbreaker for me, it knocks the versatility down way too much.
I'd say acid is a decent blaster element to choose as it tends to be the least resisted of the major energy types.
Not true the first would be force with little to no monsters immune and second would be sonic with only a few creatures immune. Though it is implied that you were thinking of only Acid, Cold, Fire and Electricity.
I'd say acid is a decent blaster element to choose as it tends to be the least resisted of the major energy types.Not true the first would be force with little to no monsters immune and second would be sonic with only a few creatures immune. Though it is implied that you were thinking of only Acid, Cold, Fire and Electricity.
Well, he did say "element" and not just "energy type." Acid, cold, fire, and electricity are elemental, while sonic and force are not.
me, it knocks the versatility down way too much.
You can easily make up for this using a human with the favored class bonus. You might start a bit slot, but once you get up to speed, you'll be fine.
I'd say acid is a decent blaster element to choose as it tends to be the least resisted of the major energy types.Not true the first would be force with little to no monsters immune and second would be sonic with only a few creatures immune. Though it is implied that you were thinking of only Acid, Cold, Fire and Electricity.
While I suppose technically you are correct, practically, you are not. You cannot energy substitute in force or sonic for things, while you can with acid. You cannot get elemental focus (force) or (sonic) either.
The fact that elemental focus doesn't include those two, and they aren't really comparable in frequency to the other elements, would be why I specified 'major energy types'.
There was a book published in the 2002-2003 ish time period that was called Ultimate Feats.
It had a MetaMagic feat in it that allowed you to switch damage types of spells: Fire, cold, acid, sonic, ect.
Spell elevation: +0 per spell.
But if you can't use that there might be a few other tricks.
There was a book published in the 2002-2003 ish time period that was called Ultimate Feats.
It had a MetaMagic feat in it that allowed you to switch damage types of spells: Fire, cold, acid, sonic, ect.
Spell elevation: +0 per spell.
But if you can't use that there might be a few other tricks.
That's 3.0. This is for PFS, which is exclusive to Paizo products.
Though I do actually own the book you mention, and the level of cheese attainable with it was most amazing.
You can easily make up for this using a human with the favored class bonus. You might start a bit slot, but once you get up to speed, you'll be fine.me, it knocks the versatility down way too much.
This is still expending a resource that could be used for something else (i.e. favored class bonus an extra hit point or skill point). Also, in order to use this you have to be a human. This may conflict with what the OP had in mind for his character (though likely not much). An extra spell is still more powerful than an extra hit point imo, but this is going to make the character even more squishy and throwing out as many blasts as he plans on, he will likely draw some aggro. In addition crossblooded is going to hurt your will save (your only good save as a sorcerer). The OP wants to play a character more for fluff than any other reasons. However, so if he wants to play crossblooded, he should do it shamelessly.
This is still expending a resource that could be used for something else (i.e. favored class bonus an extra hit point or skill point). Also, in order to use this you have to be a human. This may conflict with what the OP had in mind for his character (though likely not much). An extra spell is still more powerful than an extra hit point imo, but this is going to make the character even more squishy and throwing out as many blasts as he plans on, he will likely draw some aggro. In addition crossblooded is going to hurt your will save (your only good save as a sorcerer). The OP wants to play a character more for fluff than any other reasons. However, so if he wants to play crossblooded, he should do it shamelessly.
In case you didn't happen to notice (and evidently you didn't), I am the OP.
Have fun,James
Thanks for the build. I don't think I want to be so ray focused though. Also that ray remains fire damage (which accounts for you switching to a brass dragon). Fire damage is far too commonly resisted for me to see that as a good option. I mean any encounter with devils, and you might as well just twiddle your thumbs based on your focus.
While I do see use in the orc bloodline, I don't think it is as good as being able to switch things to acid.
I also don't tend to ever start with a 20 since you have to dump stat too hard.
I think I'd go more like:
Str 8
Dex 14
Con 14
Int 12
Wis 10
Chr 16(+2)=18
Human
Crossbreed (Copper Dragon, Shaitan)
Feats: Elemental Focus, Greater Elemental Focus, combat casting, spell penetration (etc)
Bloodline powers: Acid ray, Dragon Resistances (Natural Armor + Acid resistance)
Racial class bonus will do HP for levels 1-3, then spells.
In case you didn't happen to notice (and evidently you didn't), I am the OP.
My perceptiveness isn't very good today, but you have my opinion thanks for reading.
As to fire resistances & acid resistances.. my build is actually not as tied to fire as yours is to acid. As you notice the orc damage bonus is for all dice, not just of a given element... you can do it on magic missile, etc.
Hmm, that's a good point in favor of the Orc over any dragon type now that you mention it. There's no advantage in being damage specific in that boost. This Shaitan/Orc would optimize in how I like to do things.
I really can't see doing with a 7 wisdom on a character. I don't like playing mildly retarded types.
Also, I'll probably wait before playing this character by storing up a fair amount of GM credit. I don't care for spell casters before a reasonable level, so this build will likely burst fully formed at around 6th level before he sees an adventure. Hence, I don't intend to be very focused on rays. I have other characters to work on in PFS in the meantime. Heck, I might not even really build this one. I was mostly curious to see what I could do.
I don't see the tie between starting at 6th and not focusing on rays. When you start at 6th you're going to have what, burning hands?
-James
You get burning hands at first level. At sixth you get lightning bolt or fireball.
You get burning hands at first level. At sixth you get lightning bolt or fireball.I don't see the tie between starting at 6th and not focusing on rays. When you start at 6th you're going to have what, burning hands?
-James
You mean at 7th you get lightning bolt or fireball.
-James
Are you sure you don't want to double check that?
Yes, 7th level is earliest you can get fireball or lightning bolt with crossblooded sorcerers.
OK, I'm contemplating making a blaster type sorcerer.
...
I'd say acid is a decent blaster element to choose as it tends to be the least resisted of the major energy types.
Are wordcasters allowed at PFS games? If so consider playing one.
I'm playing a sorcerer with the black dragon bloodline as an acid blaster at the moment at it is plenty powerful when it comes to dealing damage.In any case remember that casters require concentration checks if they are taking ongoing damage.