Using Pathfinder base classes, what class, or combination of classes, would you use to replicate the 3.5 artificer? For those who aren't familiar with them, artificers are a hybrid caster class that specialized in craft magic items. Originally from the Eberron setting.
Now obviously, you won't have the craft reserve of an artificer, but it's really not needed, since crafting doesn't cost xp like it did in 3.5 (thank the gods for that).
So far, I'm thinking of a Lore Oracle. Now that may seem like an odd choice, but with their Focused Trance ability, they can get a +20 bonus on a single intelligence check, which can count towards an actual craft check, if you are forging the item by hand, or a Spellcraft check, which will easily overcome any penalties for not having any required spells or feats.
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Or you could... you know... use this.
Or you could... you know... use this.
No 3rd party material allowed. :(
Besides, I've heard some disturbing things about that class...
I think that is the closest thing in Paizo material.
Yea, ignore the Adamant artificer. It's ZAD, and that just ain't right.
This is my list of artificer remakes. All homebrew and 3pp, so I guess you won't be able to use it. But it's useful nonetheless!
Forgemaster Cleric, as Claxon said, is one of your better bets. You can wing it with the alchemist, and just flavor things to your liking, but that's as close as you'll get. Unfortunately, Alchemists can't take Magic Item Creation feats so alchemist would be a far fit at best.
Another option (which I am looking forward to playing) is to make a half elven Oracle. Go with Eldritch heritage arcane and use the 3rd level spell "paragon surge" to temporarily add 1 of 2 feats to give you a new spell known (for any cleric spell), or Inproved Arcane Heritage to get Sorceror spells. Since you can not get Improved Arcane Heritage twice you need to be sure NOT to buy it with a regular feat.
You MAY want to consider spell focus Spellcraft and/or Magical Aptitude.
That's rather ingenious.
What Mystery is your oracle going to be?
This is just theorycraft at this point; I like making characters, even if I never get the opportunity to use them. I suppose I could simply ask the theoretical DM to port in the 3.5 artificer, but that's a bit unsatisfying ; I like trying to bend the existing rules into the shape I want rather then go outside of the box (3rd party).
For the purposes of this discussion, assume all official Pathfinder Material is available. Usually, when I present one of my insane creations to my DM, he'll at least think about it before he approves or says nay.
Now, so far the votes seem to be going to the Forgemaster. It does have certain artificer qualities; a unique buffing mechanic that is not unlike infusions, if less so. And it does get a craft feat for free, at a lower level than normal too. Those are the pro's.
But I'm iffy on it. It's still a cleric, which means it gets very few skills, and has wisdom based casting, another downside, since spellcraft is Int based. In addition, it seems rather mad, since you have to invest in intelligence as well as wisdom (and strength or dexterity, depending).
Well, Cleric uses charisma for channel, and without channel, you can dump charisma.
Ah, that's true. I didn't notice the lose of channeling. Good, it's not that useful beyond the first few levels anyway.