By spellcaster do you mean wizard? Consider Sorcerer, you can cheery pick your spells without needing to worry too much about schools of magic, just make your charasma high rather then your int. I prefer the sorcerer to the wizard anyway :) but to each thier own. Arcane Bloodline is arguably the best/easiest but if you can find a bloodline that fits a roleplay idea you have then go for it. My last sorcerer had the elemental bloodline.
You can pick the spells you want with the exception of the spells you get automatically through your bloodline. For each level of spell try and get one offensive spell, one defensive spell, one spell that affects the battlefield and and one utility spell.
For example as a 3rd level sorcerer with the arcane bloodline - You get identify (which can never be changed). Spells that you could pick up are Grease (a decent battlefield control spell, can make people prone and/or unable to charge you. It can disarm. It can help someone in a grapple). Mage Armor (A defensive spell to give you some armor), and Magic Missle (Guarenteed to hit spell with very nice range).
Obviously these aren't the only choices of spells that you can make, but as long as you keep the variety of things you can do open you should do fine.
Use feats to help specialize what you want. Blasty? Controller? Summoner? There are specializations and feats that will increase the saving throws.
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Hi, This is my first attempt at playing Pathfinder and I would really like to build a spellcaster type. However the schools and archtypes confuse me. Not quite sure where to go after determining ability scores honestly.
A big thing, since it is probably your first character: don't choose an archetype. Just pick a standard class (the aforementioned Sorcerer would be an excellent choice for a beginner). Archetypes themselves first appeared in the Advanced Player's Guide, so just cut that portion out until you get a feel for the game.
Arcane Bloodline is arguably the best/easiest
I know I could catch a lot of flack for this, but I'm more on the "arguably" side on this, especially for a beginner. You probably won't want to even worry about metamagic feats until you're much more comfortable with the game.
Pick a bloodline you have a good understanding of, and that doesn't cause you any stress when putting your character together. Peronally, as a first bloodline, I would recommend something like Destined or Starsoul.
Also, I stress this part to players who are new and want to play spell casters in my games: Read the Magic chapter in the Core Rulebook. You may not want to read all of it, but it is there to help you out.
All in all though, don't stress, do your studying, don't feel uncomfortable asking questions, and most of all: Have Fun!
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Also take in2 consideration the characters effectiveness when it runs out of spells to cast, a lot of people dont do that and in game that can really hurt u and the party. For a 1st time caster go with spells that hit multiple targets that if the enemy makes there save they still do damage like fire ball. Also pick out spells that will aid u over a long period of time like mage armor, after all u have to live to progress. When designing the character by the way have a fall back plan. When i make casters dont limit ur self to 1 spell energy damage type like fire. Have a variety of spell damaging types at least 1 for each element of damage. Btw 1 big helper that i wish i knew when i 1st started is a 2 feat combo that will save u a lot of grief. Weapon Focus Ray and Weapon Specialization Ray with a high dex. Thats a +1 to hit and +2 damage with all ray spells even those 0 level spells that only do 1d3 damage. Meaning a cruddy 1-3 damage just turned in2 3-5 damage that u can be doing every round when ur not doing big aoe attacks like fire ball or buffing up with mage armor or shield. That combo is like having a non-magic short bow at hand that does not need ammo and has no weight. True at higher levels its piss but remember u still need to survive the levels to get there.
Weapon Specialization requires fighter levels. Athough Arcane Strike should affect rays just fine.
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Weapon Specialization requires fighter levels. Athough Arcane Strike should affect rays just fine.
Umm a ray is not a weapon. Do you see ray anywhere on the weapon list? Weapon focus ray is a special exception in weapon focus feat. It does not make rays into a weapon and AS affects WEAPONS (not grapples or unarmed strikes...both of which are valid for weapon focus due to exception in weapon focus).
The Bard Inspire Courage ability affects weapon damage rolls there is an FAQ regarding this specifically and how it interacts with rays.
Would you apply the -4 for using a ranged weapon attack into melee? What about Point Blank Shot? Firing a ray when levitating? Anyway I think that you are wrong and I don't want to get into 'another' debate on this. Plus it's fun and hardly overpowered in any way. Threads already made that you can read (including one that I started).
http://paizo.com/forums/dmtz6dw9?Does-Arcane-Strike-work-with-Ray-spells
http://paizo.com/forums/dmtz5gah?Arcane-Strike-to-Rays
Personally, I'd advice against Sorcerer. Wizards can learn all the spells on their list, and so you're never stuck with a "bad" spell choice.