Venture-Lieutenant, Maryland—Frederick
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Aqueous Orb has been great. Lots of scenarios take place on ships. Place BBEG is Orb and launch over the side of the ship (holding him there so you can get his stuff), kill his pals, kill him and fish him out. The Pit spells are also quite effective. They are quite hard to get out of.
We have a cleric in our group who constantly readies silence spells for nasty spellcasters (casting it at their feet; no save and ruining the spell they were getting ready to cast).
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I was kind of hoping for a combination of suggestions (for everyone in general) and a sort of unofficial Spellcaster 101 like article.
I like to cast Silence as well for just that reason. I have found Comprehend Languages to be somewhat useful at times, but not really a must have.
As a Cleric, Command has been very useful for low level play, preventing an enemy from getting something off, or forcing an enemy to run the gauntlet for a lot of AoO's from a well positioned party.
I have played with a lot of lower level players, so a Shield Other or two has really been a life saver a few times, as well as helps to maximize Channel healing.
Calm Emotions can either stop a fight from being a combat, or in a few scenarios rob some monsters of their Rage or similar emotion-based powers, reducing their level of threat significantly. It can also, (uncommonly) be used as a sort of back-up don't turn on us and kill the party against a small number of charm or madness-like effects.
Bless is an ok mass party buff useful until around 3rd level spells, but still remains a decent fall-back spell, and is simple enought for everyone to remember in their calculations. Bane on the other hand tends to be a poorr choice for players. It allows a save, but targets basically all enemies. This means a lot more work for DM's for a very minor debuff.
Enhanced Diplomacy (Taldor, 0 Level spell) lasts for 1 min, and boosts Diplomacy and Intimidate is also a great choice for an otherwise lackluster spell level, can either selfbuff or replace the chance of failure for an aid another on a critical skill.
Magic Vestment and Greater Magic Weapon last long enough that you can essentually cast before the scenario and keep it the whole time, but also can help to save you much needed monies.
Prayer is another great option along the lines of Bless. It combines Bless and Bane, but unlike Bane, doesn't allow a save that can really slow down play and cause the GM all kinds of issues.
Stoneshape can finally allow you to start pulling of some truely magical game altering coolness, open up a passage that the party's lack of a Rogue can't bypass, or open an emergency escape when luck isn't rolling your way.
I've noticed a lot of PFS scnarios force circumstances to pump up encounters. Wind Wall can be a life saver against enemies on the other side of a pit nailing you with ranged attacks. Even in a regular encounter, this spell can be useful. At the least, very worthy of grabbing a scroll, just in case.
In my opinion, Cleric's really get the short end of the stick when new books offer new options all around, and even new spells is no exception. This is even more true for PFS play, so I just do not think there are too many good otptions outside the core. Enhanced Diplomacy (above) is an exception. Weapon Wand could be another. I'm on the fence. If it lasted longer, it would be worth it, but the short duration for such a heavy resource expenditure, (not to mention the item Wrist Sheath) makes it an iffy spell. With the amount of scenarios that take place on or near water, Air Bubble can be either a life saver or a TPK avoider. Effortless Armor can also be nice, either to keep your heavier armored self relivant in a game that half the time might want to keep you out of the action. Would be amazing if it lasted longer, but still a nice option when you must make Climb/Jump/Acrobatics checks to be able to act in a fight and can't take an hour to take off and put back on your plates. The other side of that is PFS tends to love to through poisons around, and a Str penulized tank can really hate life sometimes. Chain of Perdition can make for some interesting rabbit-out-of-the-hat BBEG shutdowns, kind of a combination of Spiritual Weapons FORCE effect and a Hold Creature not restricted by race. Its also got a visual flavor that sets the standard for cool magic tricks.
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Honeyed tongue is awesome.
I have a character that abuses color spray(still dropping monsters for a minute at level 8).
murderous command/command are both awesome.
Any control spell really is over powered. If you can take an enemy out of the fight for a moment it puts the encounter on easy mode.
scorching ray is great scroll item for spell castors to but with 2PP.
Invisibility/vanish has allowed me to complete many faction missions.
Haste/Blessing of Fervor at higher levels.
Black tentacles.
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Bear in mind silence takes a full round to cast.
My favourites:
Arcane
1st: colour spray - even at high levels if you can tag 3-4 enemies with it and 2 fail their save that's a win on acction economy.
2nd: Glitterdust- stupidly overpowered fixes everything(I am not kidding you will get bored of this spell before it's stops being useful)
3rd: Haste: HASTE! the most damaging spell in the game
Heroism(2nd for bards) + 2 to most d20 rolls for 10min/lvl is quite a nice long term buff, cast it on skill monkey/two weapon fighters/archers.
4th
Dimension door: Fighters delay, mage teleports them into full attacks.
Divine:
1st
bless, murderous command
2nd: sound burst
3rd: prayer. magic circle vs evil
4th: blessing of fervor
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Create Water can be stupidly useful at times. If you ever get caught in a swamp/marsh chase scene, it can be a lifesaver. It can be used to assist in detecting some secret compartments or such. It is useful if you have to deal with a fire. It can even be helpful in determining where that invisible creature is, if it stays on the ground.
Bless
Abundant Ammunition (if you travel often with archers/crossbowmen/slingers/gunslingers)
Gravity Bow (if you are an archer)
Lead Blades (if you are the melee combatant)
Enlarge Person, if you have a Str-based meleer in the party.
Haste, Blessing of Fervor
Liberating Command
Black Tentacles
Color Spray
Glitterdust
Magic Missile
Snowball (see the discussion in the Balance thread)
Cause Blindness/Deafness
Obscuring Mist
Scroll or wand spells:
Comprehend Languages
Endure Elements
Magic Missile (wand for low levels)
Protection from Evil (Fighter Dominated? Hit him with PfE!)
Any spell which has little change for higher caster levels, but which, in a limited duration, can still be of benefit
Endure Elements is the poster child for this
Bless (even if the combat goes over 1 minute, you can just zap it out from the wand again, and how often does a combat go over 5 rounds?)
Cure Light Wounds (1d8+1 is usually fine at lower levels, and 1d8+5 is not much better, since you will have 3d8+5 or more available at higher levels)
Infernal Healing (another spell, like Endure Elements, where a higher caster level is only useful if someone tries to dispel it)
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One of my new favorite spells is burning disarm, especially at low levels. It is a great lose-lose spell since even if the target makes their save to avoid the damage, they drop the targeted weapon and likely have to spend a move action to draw a backup or pick up their original weapon, also provoking an AoO.
At low levels, that extra AoO you effectively give a front-liner can turn the tide of a fight.
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Oh, for Wizards, one of the best "spells" to prep? Leave an open slot. If you find something you really need to cast, and it is in your spellbook, it takes 15 minutes to learn it.
Not as quick as an arcane bonded item, but great in conjunction with one, or a familiar.
Not sure if Pathfinder has the feat, I don't think it was OGL, but in 3.5 it was called something like Alacritous Cogitation, which reduced the time to fill that open slot to one minute.
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Not sure if Pathfinder has the feat, I don't think it was OGL, but in 3.5 it was called something like Alacritous Cogitation, which reduced the time to fill that open slot to one minute.
PFRPG has the Fast Study arcane discovery.
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As a 1st level spell caster I enjoy taking the Metamagic Feat: Rime Spell, which entangles the subject damaged by your cold spells for 1 round / level of the spell caster. Then you take the Metamagic Master Trait and have it apply to the a First level spell. I enjoy using Icicle Dagger. This trait allows you to -1 from a certain spell's metamagic level usage.
So at first level I have a spell that on a melee touch attack deals 1d4 points and entangles the target if you even deal 1 damage to them.
I was curious about whether the conjuration considered the dagger to actually be a real dagger, or a spell. Upon looking up the conjuration school in the Players Handbook it says that if it has a duration it's still considered a spell and is held there solely by magic. Therefore the Rime Spell would still actively affect it each round? Below are the terms to make up your own mind. DM discretion I suppose
Icicle Dagger
School conjuration (creation) [cold]; Level sorcerer/wizard 1, summoner 1, witch 1
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S
Range 0 ft.
Effect one icicle
Duration 1 minute/level
Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance no
You create a masterwork dagger out of ice. The dagger deals 1 point of cold damage in addition to normal dagger damage. If the dagger leaves your hand for more than 1 round, it melts and the spell ends. At 6th level, the dagger functions as a +1 frost dagger. At 11th level, it gains the returning property when thrown, melting away and reforming in your hand just before your next turn.
Rime Spell (Metamagic)
Benefit: The frost of your cold spell clings to the target, impeding it for a short time. A rime spell causes creatures that takes cold damage from the spell to become entangled for a number of rounds equal to the original level of the spell.
This feat only affects spells with the cold descriptor.
Level Increase: +1 (a rime spell uses up a spell slot one level higher than the spell's actual level.)
Conjuration Creation: A creation spell manipulates matter to create an object or creature in the place the spellcaster designates. If the spell has a duration other than instantaneous, magic holds the creation together, and when the spell ends, the conjured creature or object vanishes without a trace. If the spell has an instantaneous duration, the created object or creature is merely assembled through magic. It lasts indefinitely and does not depend on magic for its existence.
The spell isn't doing damage though. The spell conjures a dagger and the dagger is doing the damage in the same way that a Summon Monster spell doesn't do damage, but rather the creature it summons does damage. So you can't do persistent metamagic summon monster and have all the spell-like abilities of the creature be modified by the persistent metamagic.
I would have to concur. Good point.
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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Personal favourite? snapdragon fireworks at low levels, good for swarms. At higher levels, if you're not moving it gives you one more method of minor damage/possible condition imparement. Heck, Talyn carries a wand of it, and he's a fighter. (albiet with a high UMD)
Edit: It might not be an 'always have' prime spell, but it's a good 'secondary' spell.
i love snapdragon :D standard setup and an attack for a move? :]
and I'd hate to say, but it kinda depends on your character and ideal, and expected adventures...
(assuming its PFS legal...) Burning Disarm can be a rather useful spell, as could a few of the cantrip/orisons. virtue, acid splash, mage hand, ghost sound.
(heh, play many more arcane than divine...)
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Some thoughts on how to use metamagic (feats or rods) to supplment spells is helpful.
I play an admixture wizard, who uses a Lesser Rime Metamagic Rod (saving up to move up to a regular rod) and have looked over the spells. Please keep in mind my character can change the elemental effects of her evocations 11 times a day, so results might vary.
-Rime Spells are great for entangling.
-Burning Spells I'm still on the fence about. 2 level bump to keep burning a target for (spell) rounds? Meh
-Thundering Spell, looks good for defeaning casters.. particularly if you put in on a spell like magic missile (no save vs spell = fort save vs deafness..which is a weak wizard save usually)
-Toppling spell. This looked good at first.. but I got a BUNCH of force spells that knock down folks or more.. but I figure it's a 'results may vary' feat.
-Elemental Spell. What a lot of folks seem to forget is that while yes you can switch out the elemental effect of the spell ENTIRELY. You can also make it a 50/50 split. (great for mixed groups of resistances)
-Selective/Widen/Reach Spell all benefit the spells if planned out right.
-Piercing/Penetrating Spell for those anticipated hard bonuses/SR targets.
-Still/Silent/Quicken Spell are 'gimmes' and I won't go into their uses/perks.
-Merciful Spell is okay.. but remember if you toss a 10 or 15d6 spell at someone.. Nonlethal damage can and will kill them (granted it takes a LOT more)
-Maximize/Empowered/Intensified are all good feats to help damage.
-Extend Spell is another 'by spell/use' feat. Some spells are AWESOME with a 1 level bumb
Some of my favorite spells right now are:
-Burning Disarm AND Burning Arc (it's like a lesser version of Selective Fireball)
-Chain of Perdition
-Bullet Shield (I see more arrows than swords come at my wizard)
-Hydraulic Push/Torrent
-Aqueous Orb
-Batterng Blast
-Any and ALL Communal Spells I can cast (I'm up to Communal Prot from Energy, mix with an admixture wizard's elemental manipulation aura makes it very nice indeed if you can't plan out the sort of pain the enemy is going to throw) I have used communal versions of Prot from Arrows and Resist Energy
IF my wizard had access to it.. I'd add spells like
-Enhanced Diplomacy: A long term face man skill buff? As a cantrip?
-Murderous Command. Sure it lasts a turn.. but.. wow.. it's soooo nasty in breaking fight up..
-Moment of Greatness. Fun note. Barbarian Rage bonuses are morale bonuses.
-Tap Inner Beauty add it's +2 insight bonus to Enhanced Diplomacy's +2 COMPETENCE bonus for those really needed rolls (remember Enhanced Dip a 1 roll spell. Between the two of them.. they would have made up for my tiefling's 10 cha and non-class skill status. )
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It would be helpful in general if in additin to naming spells, give reasons why they are good choices, specifically for PFS play. Do they help with a common issue or threat in PFS, for example. Also, please do not include spells or ideas that are dependant on a magic item or Metamagic Feats. I didn't really mean this as a Char Opt sort of thing as much as helpful suggestions for new players to spellcasters or players that are less experienced with PFS scenarios.
Wait, I feel I missed something. You can kill with nonlethal?
Nonlethal Damage: "If a creature's nonlethal damage is equal to his total maximum hit points (not his current hit points), all further nonlethal damage is treated as lethal damage."
yea, nonlethal after you've taken max HP nonlethal turns deadly, in most cases.
similar question:
in 3.5 you used to be able to not kill with the killing stroke (nonlethal instead) is that still in pf or a houserule?
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Wait, I feel I missed something. You can kill with nonlethal?
Yeah.. I didn't realize it till a friend told me of his wizard unleashing a 15d6 intensified fireball with a 'merciful rod' shaker and the GM pointed out a 70 point fireball, non-lethal or not, was like almost 10 times the average commoner's hit points and yes..they are all dead.
(They were under some very nasty charm spell and he thought it would take care of the mob without killing them)
well... it took care of the mob? *cough* though, finding the bodies to bury might be problematic...
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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I hope all the other fighters snigger at him behind his back ;-)Personal favourite? snapdragon fireworks at low levels, good for swarms. At higher levels, if you're not moving it gives you one more method of minor damage/possible condition imparement Heck, Talyn carries a wand of it, and he's a fighter. (albiet with a high UMD)
They stopped sniggering after the first time we ran into multiple swarms. :-)
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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Oh and don't forget stone call Or as I call it Rey's minor tactical nuke. The wide AoE combined with the difficult terrain makes for much fun in shutting down charges, 5' steps, pugwampies, etc.
While it kept me up WAAAAAYYYYY to late last night, there was a perverse amusement in watching the GM start to move bad guys only to be reminded that they were in difficult terrain.
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Contributor
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Any version of sleep. Additionally, if cast successfully on most in medium or heavy armor, they are fatigued if some buzzkill wokes them up.huh?!!
wow... I have to look into this. and give it some thought.
Hmmmm, that seems a little excessive. The relevant rule from p. 150 of the Core Rulebook reads: "Sleeping in Armor: A character who sleeps in medium or heavy armor is automatically fatigued the next day. He takes a –2 penalty on Strength and Dexterity and can’t charge or run. Sleeping in light armor does not cause fatigue."
It seems to me that the implication is that they had to have slept for six or eight hours or whatever, but I acknowledge it doesn't actually say that. And "the next day" can probably be jumped on by folks as well. Is that for 24 hours from waking? Until the next time the character sleeps?
I'll tell you how I'm going to rule it unless I see some spectacularly well-reasoned posts to the contrary. A character gains the fatigued condition if she sleeps in medium or heavy armor long enough to be considered well-rested normally, and remains fatigued until she sleeps (not wearing the armor) long enough to be considered well-rested.
Now to go look and see if there's anything about how long one has to sleep to be considered well-rested!