I feel like building a bloatmage. Possibly for PFS (though I dont know if they're allowed). Consider PFS restrictions (including scribe scroll to spell focus). I'm looking for something interesting thematically. Maybe a dwarf, a halfling or a tiefling.
I'm also wondering what classes would fit well. I'm thinking wizard, though witch or sorcerer could work. I'm looking for some interesting character ideas as well (though my main aim is mechanical).
Feats:
Wizard:
1 ? , Spell focus (?)
2
3 Toughness or Defensive Combat Training
4
5 Bloatmage initiate , Fast Study
Bloatmage
6
7 ?
...
I'm not sure what the best options are. I could focus metamagic, and take advantage of the blood pool. There's also the conjuration option, and take augment summoning, summon good monster, etc.
ANy ideas?
I'm unfamiliar with 3.5, but yeah, no, considering PFS limitations.
ok, so I think a dwarf would be an awesome choice,since they cant be slowed by their own girth (since the effect is "like a medium load" (for bloatmage initiate at least, not sure for corpulence).
It is legal. I think you may want to consider early entry into the class. There are two ways I know of to accomplish this. First be a vanilla assimar with the daylight as a spell like ability, if that doesn't appeal to you then you may want to consider being a scryer wizard, they get clairvoyance as a spell like at lvl 1 and therefore qualify. it's a very very strong class if used right. keep in mind never use your surge until you are bloatmage lvl 2 as at lvl 1 you risk rage even while empty and you have done the rituals
If you do go early entry, there is an important level to consider that is character level 8. you are maxed out in courpulence therefore your speed is reduced 10 ft. This is horrendous if you are a dwarf. You don't have access to overland flight yet (lvl 9 I'm looking at you) so you need to have your speed dealt with by lvl 8. 20ft min 30 ft is what you should be aiming for. Boots of springing and striding are a good solution. having expeditious retreat prepared and a lot of pearls in your inventory is another solution, though one that requires an action, so if you are suprised you need to take an action to rectify your speed, or just deal with it.
You are a bit unique as a wizard as you can cast more spells per day than you normally could, this makes blasting a cool option for you. Take a few feats that reflect that. First get a metamagic adjust on fireball 1 is good, but if it's pfs legal get 2.
Next get some feats, if you really want to go all out you could make a real blaster that still has all (or almost) the other god wizard spells. Take spell focus evocation as your free spell focus, then get spell specialization at lvl 3, then get a metamagic feat at lvl 5. if you have 2 metamagic adjusts you could go with empower, if not elemental acid is good, disruptive is also nice.
A special note here selective spell is a great metamagic feat, however you need to be lvl 10 (11 in your case as that's when you get a feat) you also need a good casting stat, and well if you don't what are you doing?
lvl 7 9 and 11 you get more feats you need to decide how you want to proceed. you could get another metamagic feat you didn't get at lvl 5, you could get varisian tatoo for another cl, if you do take this feat take it at lvl 7, and take intensified spell at lvl 9 so you can take advantage of your increased lvl.
You could take quicken spell at lvl 11. if you have 2 points of metamagic adjust quickened fireball is a lvl 5 spell, and with your blood points you could cast off the same slot several times in a day.
As you've probably noticed this takes a lot of feats. it does, however there is nothing stopping you from eschewing all these feats, preparing fireball and spamming it when needed, and using your feats to buy other things like spell pen, and toughness. I just think this build makes sense.
To take advantage of the natural armor you gain you may want to boost your ac as you can better because at character lvl 8 you get +2 na that stacks with an amulet.
Get a mithril buckler an enchant it as much as you can afford to. Always have mage armor on. remember pearls are cheap and other members of the party may appreciate a mage armor now and then, monks and those who wear medium and heavy armor and get attacked while sleeping without armor on. Get a ring of protection, get an amulet. Get a jingasa of the fortunate soldier, get the ioun stone that grants insight AC. You can attain a very respectable ac with lots of small bonuses. Mirror image is also very valuable to have prepared, remember if you use your blood to cast it you only need to prepare it once, and pearls of lvl 2, well you can probably afford one.
Dex is important as it affects rays, ac and init. remember that because of bloatmage innitiate you have a max dex of +3 to AC. con is important as you want hp and fort. str, well you want it to be no lower than 9, as if you encounter a greater shadow and it hits you for max damage and you have 8 or less you die, you could start as low as 7, and boost with an item though (remember if you want your other phisicals stats a big boost you can use an ioun stone instead, just dont take it out of the wayfinder ever). wis well you want perception, and will, but don't go over board here this is not a hugely important stat. 2 points is good really. cha dump, you are a bloat mage. if you aren't disgusting you aren't doing it right. This is one of those few times that if you don't dump you are hurting your roleplay. Int, well you should end with at very least 22, as you want that 6th level bonus spell, but the higher the better. This should really be your first priority. Especially if your race doesn't give int. Dwarf I'm looking at you.
Remember you do not get any free spells in your book for bloatmage levels.
If you go Assimar you may want to be a sin speciallist, mostly because its really cool and it fits a bloatmage, sloth would work really well unless you really want illusions, even if you go blaster remember you don't need to prepare that many fireballs because of your blood.
Personally I would take a bonded item, an amulet (you can upgrade it in pfs) for the extra spell per day, and really why would a bloatmage have a familiar anyways, it just doesn't seem appropriate.
Keep in mind that you will be sickened sometimes, so make sure you invest a lot in your cloak of resistance.
I hope this helps.
When I recommended sloth I forgot that evocation was prohibited. Don't go that route if you want to blast.
An admixture wizard is great if you want to blast
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I think you may want to consider early entry into the class. There are two ways I know of to accomplish this. First be a vanilla assimar with the daylight as a spell like ability, if that doesn't appeal to you then you may want to consider being a scryer wizard, they get clairvoyance as a spell like at lvl 1 and therefore qualify. it's a very very strong class if used right.
Wow. The only early entry I knew of before was the Aasimar/Daylight route. I did a search on the legality of using a Scryer Wizard and only one other thread came up.
It seems legit, but I'd be hesitant to do it in Society, given the number of confused looks you'll likely get. A lot of GMs still aren't aware that Spell-like Abilities qualify you for feats and Prestige Classes.
But, wow.
Well, I've been wondering about dwarf; since the bloodmage initiate effect is considered a "medium load", I dont think it would slow down the dwarf. Int will be an issue though.
I honestly dont know what is best for caster style. Blasters get a lot of spell re-use, but all spellcasters can get a lot of good stuff from extra spell slots.
I'm not a fan of early entry though, even less of the scryer route. Aasimar would be the only option in that case.
Also the gluttony sin specialist is pretty good, if you go life as you get a good deal, and lose 2 forgettable schools, dispel magic is too bad though.
Early entry will make you strong young one... give in... give in...
Only for PFS. I know I wouldnt allow it in any of my games (though I may make prestige classes otherwise more attractive).
Gluttony is great though. But the aasimar simply doesnt fit with my idea of bloodmage.
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Honestly, my reading over of the bloatmage makes me think sorcerer is a better choice than wizard. The biggest draw of a bloatmage is your pool of extra points that translates to extra spells per day, so why not maximize your spells per day and go sorcerer? Also, each level of bloatmage will grant you additional spells known if you're a spontaneous caster.
As for what kind of spells you focus on, the bloatmage doesn't really suggest anything except "you need Spell Focus, so pick a school and stick with it". It's true that Evocation is the one that benefits most from getting extra spells per day, but Conjuration is still a powerful one. Illusion probably benefits the least; with so many spells having a duration of "concentration" it gets the most action economy out of limited spell slots. Transmutation is good too-- a wide variety of effects, and it's thematically appropriate, since by becoming a bloatmage you're "transmuting" yourself into a more powerful spellcaster.
Well, I've decided on the sorcerer early entry, though you cant get the necessary feats before level 3. Crossblooded draconic/elemental (witch elemental type still needs to be determined). Still wondering about which powers would be best. It would be a full blasty-type, trying to get as many dice as possible.
What is the scorcerer early entry?
Keep in mind that you level up things in your level in the order you want, which means you get the feat first and the level second, that way you only delay your bloatmage one level instead of two.
What about the arcanist?
You can get that shift ability which takes care of emergency movement.
Keep in mind that you level up things in your level in the order you want, which means you get the feat first and the level second, that way you only delay your bloatmage one level instead of two.This is incorrect. Feats are one of the last things you choose. You pick your level first.
Huh, where does it say this? (i reasise I was just going on what I was told)
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Congratulations on your decision to become a Hemotheurge! You are fortunate and intelligent individual I can tell, who can see past all the prejudice our, uh, kind, receive from insignificant others. You've taken the first step into a better, more fatul.. er flatu.. er fabulous life!
First, I hope you can secure a proper Kaer Magan instructor - accept no substitutes! Kaer Maga is a lovely city - you should see the view from the edge above the waterfalls. Eh... careful though - some.. pranksters like to push people off. Shouldn't be a problem for a dwarf like yourself though!
Second, ignore all the ones telling you to shut your trap, that you're not good enough to lead! Pulling ultimate power out of your blood doesn't mean you can't be the life of the party. Plus, you gotta know how to put your lessers in their place. *cracks knuckles*
Third, enjoy your time as an Initiate, it's the best part of your career - all the glory, none of the expectations! Trust me, the 'shortcuts' some birds try to sell you just aren't worth it. You need a few rounds under your belt first.
Fourth, that Sin Magic stuff is pretty potent, be sure you're ready for it.
Fifth, obviously Necromancy is by far the most powerful of magics, but not everyone has the, uh, stomach for it. Transmutation is an excellent substitute, I cast quite a few myself - very useful to be able to cast lots more if I want!
Sixth, don't let your family boss you around! Even if they don't like your taste in pets... Nevermind.
Seventh, make sure you have a side gig. Even we run out of spells!
Last... always keep a sandwich around - it's a hungry job but somebody's got to do it.
Huh, where does it say this? (i reasise I was just going on what I was told)
Right "When adding new levels of an existing class or adding levels of a new class (see Multiclassing, below), make sure to take the following steps in order..."
Thanks Jubrayl, I hadnt realized the complexity. I think I've got a basic dwarven wizard set up (one PFS style, one MUHAHAHAHA style as an enemy in an upcoming campaign). Still, I'm going to have to try to find a list of what boons you can get in PFS. I havent had the patience to get a character past level 1 in PFS yet, but I might have a chance if I set a decent goal.
But is evocation really such a bad idea for a bloatmage? That +1 caster level sure could help!
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But is evocation really such a bad idea for a bloatmage? That +1 caster level sure could help!
As a great man once said, "All too easy." There is no challenge to your skills in wasting your talents on such spells!
Still, I'm going to have to try to find a list of what boons you can get in PFS. I havent had the patience to get a character past level 1 in PFS yet
I hate spoiling boons in any way, but I may as well say that it is a high-tier boon that gives you the Thassilonian option on new characters.
You know, you could always go Enchantment/Lust and pattern your dwarf after the one from the D&D movie. You don't need to move fast if you 'sweet talk' people into carrying you around.
Thanks for the inpur; I will admit I wont be going for one of the hyper-optimized possibilities (it will be a dwarf, and I wont be doing any of those weird boost combos that allow you to get 5d6 at level 1). But how do the speed restrictions affect a dwarf? I'm CERTAIN the bloodmage initiate one has no effect on it's speed (since it refer to load) but I'm unsure for "corpulence".
Ok, here's the basic ideas:
Class: Wizard (either admixture OR enhancement OR void (dont know if that last one is accessible in PFS)
Race: Dwarf (craftsman, sky sentinel)
Stats (20pts)
Str: 8 Dex: 14 Con: 16 Int: 16 Wis: 14 Cha 8
Wizard
1 Spell Focus (evocation), Steel Soul
2
3 Blood Mage Initiate
4
5 Spell Penetration, Fast Study
Bloatmage
6
7 Greater Spell Focus
8
9 Ironhide (MAYBE; unsure if it stacks with the bloodmage abilities)
10
11 ?
As for a side-job, I'm probably gonna go for craft(sculpture), just to express my artistic side.
Edit: As for boons, I've never gotten one (it takes a LONG time to level, and I just end up playing pregens), it's more an issue of "what am I not allowed to take and is limited to boons".
Check out the Additional Resources page to see what is legal for Society. I don't think Void is banned, but I only say that because I think I've seen others use it before.
I'm afraid it's one of those boon-limited things, so it's hard to say.
Edit: apparently it's in additional resources, so... that might be my choice.
FYI -
The following parts of the Advanced Player's Guide are NOT legal for play:
craftsman alternate Dwarven racial trait