Sorc (Fey Bloodline) / Caster Druid - Debuff + Support

[Luna_Silvertear]

First off, let me say that I LOVE Pathfinder. It is the ONLY game I'll play now and forevermore. That said, they pretty much gimped multiclassing, which makes me a little sad, although I never have nor ever will be a powergamer.

I wish to build a Sorc with the Fey bloodline. They are great debuffers, and I like that a LOT, but I wish to add a little versatility to it. I also want to be able to support the party as well. How could I make that viable build supplimenting levels as a Caster Druid? I'll be using 25 point buy, and I'd like to make it a 4th level build. I'm looking at Aasimar (Azata-Blooded) for flavor, plus I think I could benefit from the +2 to Dex and glitterdust as a SLA...although the Vanilla Aasimar has a +2 to Wis. Can you guys help me out?

[David Haller]

I just think pure casters suffer terribly from multiclassing.

For example, I play a 12th level fey sorcerer (soon to be 13). I have:
- caster level 12 (with Spell Penetration, +14 vs. SR and I have a +23 concentration check)
- I can put EVERYTHING into Charisma (29!) to max my DCs.
- 4th, 5th and 6th level spells, including the horrific "Suffocation" (DC 26 fort) and well as "Icy Prison" (DC 25 reflex), "Dominate Person" (DC 28 will) and "Greater Dispel Magic.
- access to high-level fey bloodline abilities, so I'm pretty much Greater Invisible when fighting.

But what if I were a sorcerer 6/druid 6? I'd have:
- caster level 6 (granted, in two classes)
- I have to worry about both Charisma AND Wisdom, so I can't have very high in either (definitely not 29)
- I have access to 3rd level spells in two classes. Woohoo.
- I have lower level access to class abilities (for example, I don't have Fleeting Glance yet so I can't be Greater Invisible).

If I pit these two against each other, my 12th level sorceress - who's invisible and can't even be targeted by the 6/6 version of me - will pretty much instantly kill the multiclassed version, not to mention the fact that my caster level 12 Greater Dispel Magic is immediately wrecking anything the caster level 6 character can do. It's not even a contest!

So, I guess my answer is - it's not viable.

[Luna_Silvertear]

David Haller wrote:

I just think pure casters suffer terribly from multiclassing.

For example, I play a 12th level fey sorcerer (soon to be 13). I have:
- caster level 12 (with Spell Penetration, +14 vs. SR and I have a +23 concentration check)
- I can put EVERYTHING into Charisma (29!) to max my DCs.
- 4th, 5th and 6th level spells, including the horrific "Suffocation" (DC 26 fort) and well as "Icy Prison" (DC 25 reflex), "Dominate Person" (DC 28 will) and "Greater Dispel Magic.
- access to high-level fey bloodline abilities, so I'm pretty much Greater Invisible when fighting.

But what if I were a sorcerer 6/druid 6? I'd have:
- caster level 6 (granted, in two classes)
- I have to worry about both Charisma AND Wisdom, so I can't have very high in either (definitely not 29)
- I have access to 3rd level spells in two classes. Woohoo.
- I have lower level access to class abilities (for example, I don't have Fleeting Glance yet so I can't be Greater Invisible).

If I pit these two against each other, my 12th level sorceress - who's invisible and can't even be targeted by the 6/6 version of me - will pretty much instantly kill the multiclassed version, not to mention the fact that my caster level 12 Greater Dispel Magic is immediately wrecking anything the caster level 6 character can do. It's not even a contest!

So, I guess my answer is - it's not viable.

Ok, so as far as abilities, it's truely not viable in terms of spells and access to higher spell levels, but say I went with the multiclass, what could I do to help benefit the party. Sure I won't be able to match spells with a pure of each, but how may I use my versatility to remain a useful and active member of a party?

[Eazeh]

Though I'm hardly a pathfinder veteran (only been playing for about 8 months >_>), I've found similar situations in other games. My advice would be to pick either non-scaling spells, or spells which scale with either character level, or stack both classes to determine caster level.

Also, attempt to grab your second class as one which has the same main stat as your first class (so, Sorceror uses Cha, so to add more supposrt, try maybe an oracle aimed at cure spells & life or lore, maybe waves mystery; or a bard? I wouldn't really suggest the druid, since you'll be splitting your main stat up too much (imo), but it could still work.

[cp]

No, your versatility doesn't make you useful.

If you want to be versatile take a summoner; or take a samsaran wizard. Take healing or buff spells from the bards list.

Or take Mbangi and add a few druid spells to your wizard list.

If you compare a well created pure caster: for example thassionian evoker with a high primary stat - you have so many spells it really doesn't matter.

If you *still* want versatility - take a bonded item; leave a spell slot open for rapid learning, and buy pearls of power, carry wands / scrolls.
And finally take spell specialization or preferred spell, so you can convert utility spells (glitterdust) into your preferred spell.