Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber
Aelryinth wrote: http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2nn33&page=3?Evocation-optimization#144
Here's the link to the "Blaster Mage" build worked out by the boards, which I keep handy for just these circumstances.
Just favorite it and refer back to it for build clues.
==Aelryinth
Interesting tweaks. Be mindful that Greater Spell Specialization requires the ability to cast 5th level spells and you don't get a valid feat until 11th.
I also prefer keeping it simple so I avoid dipping into different classes as it kills one of the advantages of prepared casters: getting higher level spells/slots one level earlier. Doesn't matter end game...but most of my games are levels 1-12 (Society and home game). If your campaign is high level play...esp. where you start at high level then the build may be more viable.
Again personal preference. I'd rather throw empowered fireballs at 5th level than intensified burning hands.
Ravingdork wrote: Could you give me a direct link to that FAQ please? Here it is.
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
Thanks Darigaaz the Igniter.
I don't see anything in that FAQ in regards to metamagic rods, just normal metamagic.
As written, the rods do not count for things like the maximum limitations of Spell Perfection.
I think it's reasonable to take from that FAQ that if you metamagic your fireball up to a 4th level or higher slot, you need to use a higher-grade rod than if you keep it at a third level slot.
The bit I was highlighting was: "Spell Specialization: Benefit: Select one spell of a school for which you have taken the Spell Focus feat. Treat your caster level as being two higher for all level-variable effects of the spell."
That is not the same as being 2 levels higher, as it explicitly applies the increase to only part of the benefit.
What is the practical difference between having your caster level for a spell be two higher and treating it as if it were two higher for all level variable effects?
So I haven't built alot of straight casters unless I was a DM and they only needed to last a single combat or so. If a Blaster is feat intensive but a "God" caster isnt... can you make a caster that is good at both? Have one or two spell levels devoted to blasting and the rest of your spells for CC and buffing? Has anyone come up with a "I can do it all!" build yet? I assume it would have to be a Blaster wizard or possibly a Witch.
Me and a friend considered a Spellslinger Wizard 1/Witch 19 with a blasty parton. A +5 Gun would net you +5 DC on all your witch spells.
Spell specialization allows you to dump spells and turn them into your favored spells. Ergo, dump Wall of Force, cast Empowered Fireball.
You never need to memorize your signature spell. Memorize all the god spells, and blast away when you want to.
Of course, that's a wizard thing. Sorcs can cast any spells Known as they like...so just get a lot of spells known, and items that can generate other spells, and you're golden.
Heck, you can play god wizard with the right WANDS. Try that as a blaster, and get laughed at.
==Aelryinth
Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber
Dragonamedrake wrote: So I haven't built alot of straight casters unless I was a DM and they only needed to last a single combat or so. If a Blaster is feat intensive but a "God" caster isnt... can you make a caster that is good at both? Have one or two spell levels devoted to blasting and the rest of your spells for CC and buffing? Has anyone come up with a "I can do it all!" build yet? I assume it would have to be a Blaster wizard or possibly a Witch.
Me and a friend considered a Spellslinger Wizard 1/Witch 19 with a blasty parton. A +5 Gun would net you +5 DC on all your witch spells.
Without retyping...basically build your blaster wizard, have a single go-to blasting spell as a spontaneous cast (Preferred Spell), and then memorize battlefield control/utility spells. Blast on the go. Sorcerer is the same (Spontaneous Metafocus).
strayshift wrote: The bit I was highlighting was: "Spell Specialization: Benefit: Select one spell of a school for which you have taken the Spell Focus feat. Treat your caster level as being two higher for all level-variable effects of the spell."
That is not the same as being 2 levels higher, as it explicitly applies the increase to only part of the benefit.
http://paizo.com/prd/spells/burningHands.html
"Any creature in the area of the flames takes 1d4 points of fire damage per caster level (maximum 5d4)."
Then draconic bloodline arcana says +1 damage per dice rolled.
1st level caster
varisian tattoo (mage's tattoo on the srd): +1 caster level on evocation spells.
Spell specialization (burning hands): +2 caster level for all level variable effects like you said.
burning hands is treated as cl 4 for all level variable effects. That means 4d4 points of fire damage since dice is tied to caster level and varies.
arcana says that if you roll 4 dice for fire damage with a spell, add +4 damage to the total.
It's pretty straight forward IMO.
Aelryinth wrote: Spell specialization allows you to dump spells and turn them into your favored spells. Ergo, dump Wall of Force, cast Empowered Fireball.
You never need to memorize your signature spell. Memorize all the god spells, and blast away when you want to.
Of course, that's a wizard thing. Sorcs can cast any spells Known as they like...so just get a lot of spells known, and items that can generate other spells, and you're golden.
Heck, you can play god wizard with the right WANDS. Try that as a blaster, and get laughed at.
==Aelryinth
Not to sound nit picky, but 'Greater Spell Specialization' allows you to dump spells and spontaneously cast that signature spell. In case anybody wanted to look it up.
Dragonamedrake wrote: So I haven't built alot of straight casters unless I was a DM and they only needed to last a single combat or so. If a Blaster is feat intensive but a "God" caster isnt... can you make a caster that is good at both? Have one or two spell levels devoted to blasting and the rest of your spells for CC and buffing? Has anyone come up with a "I can do it all!" build yet? I assume it would have to be a Blaster wizard or possibly a Witch.
Me and a friend considered a Spellslinger Wizard 1/Witch 19 with a blasty parton. A +5 Gun would net you +5 DC on all your witch spells.
I guess the problem is that you really have to go all in with your feats to blast well. casting god spells is not feat intensive, you just have to make sure you have the correct spells. If you only take a few feats and powers for blasting, you're a god wizard wasting feats on something suboptimal instead of focusing them on the god wizard feats like toughness, improved initiative, and all the save boosters. If you compare a well thought out god wizard build to a similar blaster, they usually have much better defenses.
strayshift wrote: The bit I was highlighting was: "Spell Specialization: Benefit: Select one spell of a school for which you have taken the Spell Focus feat. Treat your caster level as being two higher for all level-variable effects of the spell."
That is not the same as being 2 levels higher, as it explicitly applies the increase to only part of the benefit.
I think I figured it out. Your argument applies to the Wizard Evoker's first level school ability of +1/2 your level to evocation damage spells. I'm arguing about a draconic bloodline sorcerer's arcana that gives +1 damage per dice rolled for elemental damage spells.
ZanThrax wrote: What is the practical difference between having your caster level for a spell be two higher and treating it as if it were two higher for all level variable effects? Concentration checks, Caster Level checks, Dispel checks
Cl and Dispel checks will be the same. the only difference will be spells known/castable and Concentration checks.
And if they come from feats, the bonus to CL will be doubled by Spell Perfection.
==Aelryinth
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