
Magnus Arcanis |
Hey all, was over in my magus thread and clearly I'm not knowledgeable enough yet to really accomplish what I want to accomplish.
My goal it now to (relatively) every turn inflict as many debilitating effects on my enemies as I possibly can (and as early as possible).
So I need your help!
Originally I started out with a Human Magus using Touch of Fatigue (at level 3 or earlier) and Enforcer for a Fatigue and Shaken (at a low dc each).
Now, other than a decent to-hit, moderate hp and ac I'm pretty much willing sacrifcing anything (including DCs) to inflict as many diblitating at-will effects as possible.
The goal is to keep this PFS legal and with any luck I can conjure up a breakdown from 1-12...
Some things I have so far:
-Blade of Mercy + Enforcer
-Magus Spell Combat lets us cast spells.
-Witch hair tricks can trip and grapple without actually grappling.
I heard a rumor that Rime Spell works with a Magical Lineage (Ray of Frost) for an at will entangle... though I sitll question wether or not this actually works.
Can it be done!? Can it be effective enough to not be a turd?

Beebs |

Rime spell says that the target becomes entangled for "a number of rounds equal to the original level of the spell" which in the case of Ray of Frost would be 0 rounds I believe... unless there is some hidden rule about "minimum 1 rounds" that I missed.
Conceptually, rather than focussing on inflicting as many debilitating effects as possible, you might be better served by focusing on inflicting (a few of) the most debilitating effects possible.
If you can hit someone with a really brutal condition like nauseated, who cares if they're shaken? "Creatures with the nauseated condition experience stomach distress. Nauseated creatures are unable to attack, cast spells, concentrate on spells, or do anything else requiring attention. The only action such a character can take is a single move actions per turn."
An alchemist with the stink bomb discovery can be AoE nauseating groups of enemies left and right, starting at around level 3 or 4 for example.
For the magus, frostbite (magical lineage) + rime spell + enforcer seems like it offers a lot of bang for your buck, at least against enemies vulnerable to nonlethal damage, although it eats up two feats and a trait. A fatigued, entangled and shaken enemy has some pretty hefty minuses! Still, a nauseated enemy is much more debilitated than a fatigued, entangled and shaken one.

Magnus Arcanis |
Rime spell says that the target becomes entangled for "a number of rounds equal to the original level of the spell" which in the case of Ray of Frost would be 0 rounds I believe... unless there is some hidden rule about "minimum 1 rounds" that I missed.
Conceptually, rather than focussing on inflicting as many debilitating effects as possible, you might be better served by focusing on inflicting (a few of) the most debilitating effects possible.
If you can hit someone with a really brutal condition like nauseated, who cares if they're shaken? "Creatures with the nauseated condition experience stomach distress. Nauseated creatures are unable to attack, cast spells, concentrate on spells, or do anything else requiring attention. The only action such a character can take is a single move actions per turn."
An alchemist with the stink bomb discovery can be AoE nauseating groups of enemies left and right, starting at around level 3 or 4 for example.
For the magus, frostbite (magical lineage) + rime spell + enforcer seems like it offers a lot of bang for your buck, at least against enemies vulnerable to nonlethal damage, although it eats up two feats and a trait. A fatigued, entangled and shaken enemy has some pretty hefty minuses!
I like frostbite... except... can only use it but a few times a day. Fine for nerfing the 'end guy' but not qutie what I'm hoping for. Is the bomb the same way or can I do that every round?
I more or less assume theres no way to nauseate every round :(

Beebs |

Bombs are alchemist level + int per day. +2 for the extra bombs feat, which as a PFS character I believe you get instead of brew potion. Gnome favored class bonus gets you even more bombs. And you don't need to nauseate every round, because it lasts several rounds, and by then you'll probably have killed most of the enemies anyway. Once per combat is plenty!
If you want at-will debuffs, what about a witch? A human witch could pick up evil eye, misfortune and cackle at first level (take extra hex as both your feats), and be at will debuffing all over the place. Go take a look at the witch hexes!

dunebugg |

Frostbite you can use for 1 attack per caster level. You don't get Spell Combat, but if you do a lot of moving around or just want to max your resource management, it's a great spell. Let's take a level 5 Magus as example...
Round 1: Cast shocking grasp, move and deliver. Successful hit yields, say 1d6+5 damage for the scimitar lovers, plus 5d6 electricity damage.
Round 2: Cast Frostbite(with Rime), get free touch attack and deliver through Spell Strike. 1d6+5 weapon, 1d6+5 nonlethal cold damage (triggering Fatigue, Shaken from Enforcer, and Entangle). Take next attack for another 1d6+5 + 1d6+5. Total 4d6+20.
Round 3 would only get 1 attack with Frostbite, unless you decide to cast a spell after your 1st attack (such as another SG or FB, triggering Spell Combat again).
You can easily do a lot of damage and screw people up. Who needs "save or suck" abilities (which almost all BBEG will make) when all you need to do is touch the bad guy and you give him 3 nasty effects.