Which flexible caster to roll as a Sixth ranger?

[Corvino]

I'm joining an ongoing Kingmaker module in a couple of weeks and am unsure of which class to play. The party seems pretty balanced as is with a 2h Fighter, Switch-Hitter Ranger, Bard/Rogue, Wizard and Cleric. However, attendance may be a bit of an issue and there seems to be a player missing sometimes.

I am trying to create a flexible Battlefield Control/Support Caster who can fill in should the Wizard or Cleric go AWOL. At present I'm leaning toward an Oracle, Druid or Witch as all have access to interesting control/debuff and heal/support combos. This character will be starting at level 3 with a 20 point buy.

I've had a look at various guides to each class and have a couple of ideas but would appreciate a bit of help processing it all. Does one of these classes really stand out in this flexible role?

[Gregory Connolly]

I would think all 3 are excellent choices. Heavens Oracles are probably the best Oracle to split the difference with Awesome Display, Color Spray and Cure Light Wounds you are a good replacement for either caster. A Druid can fill in for either caster or a melee type, but you have to build them to do so, if you try to do both you just end up mediocre and unfocused. Elements patron Witches can blast like an evoker and remove conditions like a cleric while being the best debuffers in the game, they play almost like wizards.

[Dave Justus]

End of the day, you can't go wrong with 9 levels of spell casting.

Kingmaker is pretty thematically suited to a Druid character though. Quite a few animal and fey encounters, wilderness exploration, stuff like that.

[Kolokotroni]

I would echo the value of a druid in kingmaker. All those situational spells that only apply to nature, animals and such come up very frequently. That and the druid is among the best in the game for filling in for missing party members.

[Corvino]

Sounds like the Druid has potential then, thanks guys! I've not played one before and the temptation is to go for the Animal Companion on a caster. Treatmonk's guides make this seem like a bad idea though. I can see the advantages of some of the Domains - Cave for the various pits/wall etc - but is an additional cast-per-level-per-day worth giving up my own personal tank?

Build will probably be something like:
Human
Str 12 Dex 14 Con 14 Int 10 Wis 18 Cha 8
Level 3 Feats: Improved Initiative, Spell Focus (Conjuration), Augment Summoning
Either a Wolf AC or Cave Domain

Any pointers?

[andreww]

If you are dumping charisma take it to 7, an extra -1 on a few skills will more than be made up or by upping Int from 10 to 12.

[Atarlost]

I would avoid animal companions. First, you're already in a six man party. Second, they've been nerfed into the ground in Animal Archive by the division of a small number of nonspecific tricks into a large number of overly specific tricks. I would not even consider an animal companion that you won't be controlling with the ride skill if your GM uses AA tricks.