PFS Based Blockbuster "Wizard"

[Cao Phen]

Taking some guidance from here, I have decided to make an attempt at the Blockbuster-typed Caster for PFS.

Introducing, the Blockbuster Cleric!:

Archon-Blooded Aasimar
Crossblooded (Draconic/Orc) Sorcerer 1
Theologian (Fire Domain) Cleric 6
Divine Scion 4

Worships Sarenrae

STR - 10
DEX - 12
CON - 14+2
INT - 13
WIS - 16+2
CHA - 10

Traits:
Combat - Reactionary - +2 Initiative
Social - Adopted (Emberkin) - Pyromancer - +1 trait bonus on damage rolls for any spell you cast with the fire descriptor.

Base 1 - Spell Focus (Evocation)
Sorcerer 1 -
Cleric 1 - Focused Domain (Fire), Domain Power (Fire Bolt)
Base 3 - Empower Spell
Cleric 2 -
Cleric 3 -
Base 5 - Spell Specialization
Cleric 4 -
Cleric 5 - Convert Spell Specialization to Fireball, Domain Secret (Intensified Fireball)
Base 7 - Additional Traits (Magical Lineage/Wayang Spellhunter)
Divine Scion 1 - Opposition Alignment (Evil)
Divine Scion 2 -
Base 9 - Varisian Tattoo
Divine Scion 3 - Domain Specialization (Fire)*
Divine Scion 4 - Divine Wrath (Evil)
Base 11 - Quicken Spell
Cleric 6 - Domain Power (Fire Resistance)

*Note - You can grab the Good Domain to get Constant Detect Evil and +2 Will

What this does is that at level 6, you are casting 9d6+19 Fireballs (Cleric Level 5 + 2 (Focused Domain) + 2 (Spell Specialization).

I am sort of uncertain about how Intensified works (I assume you need the requisite +5 levels to actually cast it), but at level 11, you are tossing 15d6+31 Fireballs at opponents.

Make note that at Level 7, your Cleric is automatically casting Intensified (Free from Domain Secret) Empowered (Free from Additional Traits) Fireballs.

To add to this, from a PFS standpoint, most creatures you encounter have a high chance of being of the Evil alignment. That is where Divine Wrath comes in. This adds another +1 damage per die against an aligned creature opposite to yours, which in this case is Evil. This is basically a "third" bloodline for damage.

So at 11th level, when you toss that Fireball at the Evil Orc Overlord, you are hitting it with (15d6+46)x1.5, or 147 average ((15x3.5)+45)x1.5). Moreover, you get a tad bit of healing every time you cast a Domain Spell. Since a Theologian Cleric can replace normal Spells with Domain Spells, you can cast Fireballs and patch yourself up a bit every time.

Now there are always a few questions to a build:

- How about Energy Immunities? This is where Elemental Metamagic Rods come in handy. Though an Admixture Wizard can do this off the bat, using a secondary option other than the class is still ok since your damage is auto Intensified/Empowered.

- Why not another race/feat/gear to increase the Caster Level earlier? I had attempted a build at this with a Gnome/Oragne Prism Ioun Stone, as well as swapping traits to Gifted Adept/Nidalese Shadowcaster. This effectively can push the Intensified cap to level 7, but then you care for earlier Maximum Damage, rather than Overall Maximum Damage, by losing the free Empowered Spell.

- But Clerics are for healing? Not all clerics want to be healers. To emphasize this with this build, a Theologian Cleric can not spontaneously cast a Cure spell when they replace a normal Spell Slot with a Domain Spell. Just say you are a Wizard in Full Plate w/ a Tower Shield and you will be fine.

- Why not Crossblooded Sorcerer 1/Wizard 10? Though this is an option, which I personally seen attempted to be done a few times, you lose some important factors that a Cleric can do. First, a Cleric's Fireball is Divine-based, not Arcane-based. This means that there is no spell failure chance when casting in any armor. This means that you can put yourself in Full Plate/Tower Shield and be fine, since you are not attacking with melee/ranged weaponry to gain the massive penalties. Second, you use your Wisdom Score, rather than Intelligence, for casting. This means better saves on both ends. One from Ability Scores (Wisdom), and one from class (Fort/Will). Third, though you are locked out of Spontaneously casting Cure spells, you can still activate wands, as well as Channel (though only 3/day - 3d6 Healing), so an emergency/secondary Healer.

- You don't have as much uses of Fireball as a Sorcerer or Wizard.
Let us compare that:

Cleric 6/Divine Scion 4 (Note that the Divine Scion has no gap in increasing Caster Levels)
If add Ability points to WIS, as well as Headband of Inspired Wisdom +6
3rd - 3+1+2
4th - 3+1+2
5th - 2+1+1
Total - 16

Wizard 11 (Base 20 INT)
If add Ability points to INT, as well as Headband of Vast Intelligence +6
3rd - 4+2
4th - 3+2
5th - 2+2
6th - 1+1
Total - 17

Sorcerer (Base 20 CHA)
If add Ability points to CHA, as well as Headband of Alluring Charisma +6
3rd - 6+2
4th - 6+2
5th - 4+2
Total - 22

So, for the amount of Fireballs, the Sorcerer tops the usage. For versatility of offensive spells, the Wizard is king. But removing 1 use of a 5th level spell (note that this is with a base 18 WIS, rather than a 20), pushing for sheer damage, moreso against Evil creatures, the Cleric is first.

Though there might be naysayers that say Wizards or Sorcerers are better at this, but I am giving another option at the "BURN EVERYTHING" category, a "BURN EVERYTHING FOR JUSTICE".

[Belafon]

The big problem with your build is that the separatist Focused Domain class feature only affects the granted powers of your domain (fire bolt and fire resistance in case of the fire domain).

Ultimate Magic wrote:

Focused Domain: A theologian chooses only one domain from her deity's portfolio rather than the normal two domains. All level-dependent effects of the granted powers from the theologian's domain function as if she were two cleric levels higher than her actual cleric level. This does not allow her to gain domain-granted powers earlier than normal.

Core Rulebook wrote:

Each domain grants a number of domain powers, dependent upon the level of the cleric, as well as a number of bonus spells.

So you wouldn't get a +2 caster level from theologian.

Some other notes:

Intensify does in fact require you to have a high enough caster level. It does nothing for fireball up to CL 10. At CL 11 it's 11d6, CL12 = 12d6, etc. up to CL 15.

There are some things that can make up for the non-gain in CL by the focused domain, but it's all stuff any class could do (be a pyromaniac gnome, have a blazing robe, etc.).

[Cao Phen]

Ah, major mistake on my part. However, if need be, what can be done is push via alternatives. Swap out Quicken Spell for Bloatmage Initiate, and purchase the Orange Prism Ioun Stone. This increases the CL by 2. The drawback is losing 10ft of movement (Can be replaced with Boots of Striding and Springing) and the Quicken Spell. A huge loss on the swift action economy, but can still push the (15d6+31)x1.5 or (15d6+46)x1.5 route.

Edit: Forgot about the Robe. Thanks for reminding me about that. =)

[Magda Luckbender]

It will work well once you iron out the details. I've GMd in PFS for a Blockbuster Cleric. It works. The main advantage over a Wizard is the heavy armor, better HP, and limited healing ability.

I recommend against the tower shield, though. You probably still want to be able to threaten, and probably don't want the huge ACP penalties.

[andreww]

I would recommend a couple of changes. I would drop Cha down to 7 and increase Int to 14 and Str to 12. You lose two sorcerer spells (but not the arcana) and two uses of channel but channel would be a terrible use of a standard action for you. In return you get an extra skill point and a bit more leeway to avoid becoming encumbered in the early levels. Given you probably shouldn't take the sorcerer level until character level 6 the loss of those low level spells isn't really an issue.

Emberkin is really a pretty bad trait. A flat +1 damage bonus is so unlikely to ever come into play I would recommend a skill based one instead or the one which adds 2 to the DC of a spell once per day.

If you can fit it in Heighten/Preferred Spell is a great way to be able to cast as many Fireballs as you want without having to ever memorise them. You probably cant though as you lack many feats.

Your DC's will be low as you cannot afford Spell Focus/Greater Spell Focus. I would definitely look for a lesser rod of persistent spell.

[andreww]

Cao Phen wrote:

Ah, major mistake on my part. However, if need be, what can be done is push via alternatives. Swap out Quicken Spell for Bloatmage Initiate, and purchase the Orange Prism Ioun Stone. This increases the CL by 2. The drawback is losing 10ft of movement (Can be replaced with Boots of Striding and Springing) and the Quicken Spell. A huge loss on the swift action economy, but can still push the (15d6+31)x1.5 or (15d6+46)x1.5 route.

Edit: Forgot about the Robe. Thanks for reminding me about that. =)

At 30k the orange ioun stone is really very expensive. I would instead buy the Staff of the Master. This will allow you to apply any metamagic feat you know to a spell as you cast it for a number of charges equal to the level adjustment. You can then apply these to any spells you cast. The sorcerer level means you can make use of the staff as well.

[Sir Thugsalot]

One of the most well-rounded wizards I've ever seen was built on a Conjuration/Teleportation chassis (rather than usual Evocation) who otherwise went the Blocbuster route; what he gave up in minor bonus damage he made up for in survivability, as he could just *wink* out of any jam (e.g., grappled, swallowed, etc) as part of his move action. High INT elf with Eyes and Ear trait and hawk familiar for Perception +30 and counting by mid-level.

[Cao Phen]

Taking a look at it, I am uncertain if Staff of the Master is needed. All fireballs are Intensified/Empowered. Getting maximized to use 3/day is very nice, bit paying 9k rather than 30k is a huge gap via Lesser Maximize Rod.

As for the DC, the end WIS stat at 11 is 26 w/ Spell Focus. 10+3+8+1= DC 22. Sort of ok.

[Belafon]

Cao Phen wrote:

Taking a look at it, I am uncertain if Staff of the Master is needed. All fireballs are Intensified/Empowered. Getting maximized to use 3/day is very nice, bit paying 9k rather than 30k is a huge gap via Lesser Maximize Rod.

If the fireball is both intensified and empowered you will need a regular Maximize Rod, not a lesser (even with magical lineage and wayang spell hunter).

http://paizo.com/paizo/faq/v5748nruor1fm#v5748eaic9r9w

[Cao Phen]

Quote:

Metamagic: At what spell level does the spell count for concentration DCs, magus spell recall, or a pearl of power?

The spell counts as the level of the spell slot necessary to cast it.

Neither Empower or Intensified increases the spell slot neccesary to cast it. Intensified is free. Empower is reduced to +0 to the spell level. The spell slot is still a 3rd level slot.

[Belafon]

Cao Phen wrote:

Quote:

Metamagic: At what spell level does the spell count for concentration DCs, magus spell recall, or a pearl of power?

The spell counts as the level of the spell slot necessary to cast it.

Neither Empower or Intensified increases the spell slot neccesary to cast it. Intensified is free. Empower is reduced to +0 to the spell level. The spell slot is still a 3rd level slot.

Quote:

An intensified spell uses up a spell slot one level higher than the spell's actual level.

Quote:

An empowered spell uses up a spell slot two levels higher than the spell's actual level.

Magical Lineage (and Wayang Spell Hunter) wrote:

Pick one spell when you choose this trait. When you apply metamagic feats to this spell that add at least 1 level to the spell, treat its actual level as 1 lower for determining the spell’s final adjusted level.

3+1+2-2=4

[Cao Phen]

Domain Secret (Ex) wrote:

At 5th level, the theologian chooses one domain spell. That spell becomes permanently modified with one of the following metamagic feats: Bouncing Spell, Disruptive Spell, Ectoplasmic Spell, Enlarge Spell, Extend Spell, Focused Spell, Intensified Spell, Silent Spell, Still Spell.

This metamagic feat does not increase the level of the spell. Once chosen, this modification cannot be changed. The domain specialist need not have the metamagic feat to apply it to a spell using this ability. At every 5 levels after 5th, the domain specialist may choose an additional domain spell to modify in this way. She cannot modify the same spell more than once.

Emphasis mine.

[Gohaken]

Cao Phen wrote:

Introducing, the Blockbuster Cleric!:

Archon-Blooded Aasimar
Crossblooded (Draconic/Orc) Sorcerer 1
Theologian (Fire Domain) Cleric 6
Divine Scion 4

Worships Sarenrae

STR - 10
DEX - 12
CON - 14+2
INT - 13
WIS - 16+2
CHA - 10

Traits:
Combat - Reactionary - +2 Initiative
Social - Adopted (Emberkin) - Pyromancer - +1 trait bonus on damage rolls for any spell you cast with the fire descriptor.

Base 1 - Spell Focus (Evocation)
Sorcerer 1 -
Cleric 1 - Focused Domain (Fire), Domain Power (Fire Bolt)
Base 3 - Empower Spell
Cleric 2 -
Cleric 3 -
Base 5 - Spell Specialization
Cleric 4 -
Cleric 5 - Convert Spell Specialization to Fireball, Domain Secret (Intensified Fireball)
Base 7 - Additional Traits (Magical Lineage/Wayang Spellhunter)
Divine Scion 1 - Opposition Alignment (Evil)
Divine Scion 2 -
Base 9 - Varisian Tattoo
Divine Scion 3 - Domain Specialization (Fire)*
Divine Scion 4 - Divine Wrath (Evil)
Base 11 - Quicken Spell
Cleric 6 - Domain Power (Fire Resistance)

This looks awesome man, but maybe I missed it --how are you getting around the feat pre-reqs for Divine Scion prestige class?

Iron Will and Weapon Focus (deity's favored weapon) don't appear on your feat list.

-Goh

[Cao Phen]

Sorry for the late reply, but you are correct on the prerequisites.

To fix this, we can swap the race to Human and give the bonus feat to Weapon Focus.

Base 1 - Spell Focus (Evocation)
Human - Weapon Focus
Sorcerer 1 -
Cleric 1 - Focused Domain (Fire), Domain Power (Fire Bolt)
Base 3 - Iron Will
Cleric 2 -
Cleric 3 -
Base 5 - Spell Specialization
Cleric 4 -
Cleric 5 - Convert Spell Specialization to Fireball, Domain Secret (Intensified Fireball)
Base 7 - Additional Traits (Magical Lineage/Wayang Spellhunter)
Divine Scion 1 - Opposition Alignment (Evil)
Divine Scion 2 -
Base 9 - Empower Spell
Divine Scion 3 - Domain Specialization (Fire)*
Divine Scion 4 - Divine Wrath (Evil)
Base 11 - Quicken Spell
Cleric 6 - Domain Power (Fire Resistance)

Now, if you are going beyond 11, what you can do is swap the Level 11 feat of Quicken Spell to the new Harrowed feat to enter into the Harrower prestige class.

At the third level of the Harrower, you get the Tower of Strength class ability. This gives you at that level 3/day - Pull 3 cards from the harrow deck. For each Strength card revealed, you add 1 damage per die rolled.

What this means is that a Maximized Empowered Intensified Fireball with 3 Strength cards pulled against an evil creature will deal:

(90+90+1)*1.5=271 damage