Help With a Gish Character Please? (Reward: Cookies!)

[Akaara]

Okay well I don't know how to bake cookies but I would really appreciate some help here. My 1st D&D character ever was a human Neutral Evil sorcerer and was... kind of Gish-ish using armor spells and enchanting weapon to attack, etc but now that D&D and Pathfinder and all that is available... so much stuff!!!!!!

:: The Idea ::

To power-build a warrior/sorcerer designed for a 'standard' Pathfinder game (this means assuming DM is not using Spell Recharge or Spell Point systems, but might still allow D&D 3.5 feats and source books (this is "to be determined").

:: The Race ::
Human - Yes I know there's plenty out there that could be used to min-max this build, but for roleplaying and backstory purposes I must have him human. If allowed by DM I did have a Dhampir in mind as well that 'could' fit the character's backstory, but for now let's just assume Human.

:: The Classes ::
Fighter (level 1) with Armored Mage Alternate Class Feature (this sacrifices medium and heavy armor along with heavy shields but allows one to cast arcane spells in light armor.

Sorcerer (level 1) Imperious; human Bloodline
------ Conflict -------
Now here I was thinking of instead..... going with Wizard and the Eidetic Spellcaster alternate class feature (which would replace Scribe Scroll and Arcane Bond, to be able to cast spells without a spellbook), if DM approved of course.

However the build I'm going for is mostly Sorcerer for several reasons... Dat Charisma and the character's silver tongue should be able to talk his way in (or out) of anything. Just part of his nature. Plus there's quite a few spells that I want him to use that depend on Charisma too *shrugs* So many good options for this game >.> lol
----------------------

:: The Feats ::
This is what I had planned but is in NO WAY, SHAPE, or FORM of being complete.

Starting feat, human feat, and fighter feat: 1) Medium Armor Proficiency, 2) Battle Caster (allows spell casting without arcane spell failure of 1 armor category higher - must already be an armored caster), and 3) Improved Unarmed Strike (to remove AoOs when delivering touch attack spells)

Sorcerer 2 (total 3): Spell Penetration

Sorcerer 4: Craft Wonderous Item (what mage doesn't need this?! :D)

Sorcerer 6: Greater Spell Penetration

Sorcerer 8: Forge Ring

Sorcerer 10: Heighten Spell

Sorcerer 12: Maximize Spell

Sorcerer 14: Quicken Spell

Sorcerer 16: Spell Perfection (Enervation)

Sorcerer 18: Spell Focus (Necromancy)

Sorcerer 20: Extra Rings*

* Prerequisites: Forge Ring(PH), Caster Level 12th
Benefit: You can wear up to four magic rings, two on each hand, and all function normally.

Normal: Without this feat, you can only wear and use two magic rings at one time.

:: Ability Score Progression ::
"planned" stats (but of course depending if it's point buy or rolled, may subject to change). Priority 1->2->3->4->5->6

Charisma -> Dexterity -> Intelligence -> Strength -> Wisdom -> Constitution.

I have chosen this priority because Cha is the main stat of a Sorcerer and will be crucial to this build, Dex will help in defense where the armor may lack (even more so if we scrub the Medium armor Prof / Battle Caster feats for something else) plus could use for Weapon Finesse.

Intelligence to help with skills (like crafting and knowledge checks). The reason I put Strength next is because of a Gish-like character we'll need an actual positive score if possible to dish out damage. Even if we go with Weapon Finesse with our Dex, not many campaigns houserule allowing that to add to damage bonuses too :\ So I'm just trying to play it safe here. And Wisdom of course mainly for will saves, Con as a dump stat (With Lichdom in mind as a possibility Charisma will be our health booster anyways, Con will be useless.. but until then at least a 10 Con would be good).

Str 12(+1); Dex 16(+3); Con 10(+0); Int 12(+1); Wis 14(+2); Cha 18(+4)

Naturally these are "hopeful" scores but let's pretend that's what we rolled. Of course +2 to Charisma from Human bonus making it Cha 20(+5).

:: The Help ::

Okay FINALLY after all that babbling and background, this is where I wanted to ask you, fellow Pathfinderinians, and D&D fanatics :D If you can help me (or at least point me in the right direction) to help maximize a human sorcerer gish character with the above information, even additional suggestions for feats, traits, maybe even other classes that might compliment this role.

Please keep in mind I'm not looking for a front line fighter gish. Just one that could blast enemies from afar, debuff them (with that Spell Perfection + Maximized Enervation >D Muwahahahaha *coughs* sorry), and then hold his own if he got into a fight. Magic Weapon spell for instance or something like that.

I have also looked into using a Transmutation Wizard (for the +1 to +5 enhancement bonus buffs to STR, DEX, or CON). I'm just... confused as ever lol. So yeah.. done rambling now. Free Internet Cookies ^_^

[Ciaran Barnes]

Are you familiar with the Magus class?

[TreDawg]

I've got a few suggestions for you.

1. You don't need Improved Unarmed Strike. You get to make a Melee Touch Attack as part of most attack spells (such as shocking grasp) which is different than an Unarmed Strike. Melee Touch Attacks do not provoke attacks of opportunity although casting in melee will (unless you defensive cast).

2. Look into the Eldritch Knight prestige class instead of straight wizard/sorcerer past level 1. You get full BAB with it and only lose 1 casting level. You'll have to be fighter 1/wizard 5 or fighter 1/sorcerer 6 before going into it though.

3. If going Eldritch Knight also look into Weapon Finesse with their extra combat feats as well as the Magical Knack trait to make up for the 2 lost caster levels.

4. I highly recommend getting Arcane Strike if you'll be not casting semi-frequently. It's a good boost to damage for a swift action especially if you'll have a higher DEX than STR.

5. If you're holding a shield and a weapon, which hand are you using to cast? To get past this you can get a Weapon Cord (Ultimate Equipment) but that takes a swift action to retrieve so you can't draw it and do something like Arcane Strike or use Quickened Metamagic in the same round. You could also use a buckler instead of a light shield but if you cast with your buckler arm you lose the shield bonus it provides in the round that you cast.

Outside of those, I personally like the combination of the Sohei monk archetype and the Empyreal sorcerer bloodline (it lets you use WIS to cast & for monk stuff like AC) and then go into Eldritch Knight with it at level 8.

[Anzyr]

Well... the best way to go about this is probably to take 2 levels in Paladin. Then take 1 Level in Sorcerer. Using a SLA (Like say by being an Aasimar though there's other ways) starting taking Eldritch Knight levels until you hit level 5. Then swim the River Hellknight Signifier (Hellknight Enforcer) to level 8 HS. This will let you cast spells in Mithril Kikko Armor with no Arcane Spell Failure. Then finish up with Eldritch Knight. Make sure to pick up the Magical Knack Trait so that you are only behind 1 caster level. With the bloodline you want, this is probably the best path.

[TreDawg]

Also, check out these guides.

Walter's guide to the Magus if you thinks a Magus strikes your fancy.

Zolthux's Guide to the Gish if you'd prefer the Eldritch Knight route.

[Fruian Thistlefoot]

Quote:

Well... the best way to go about this is probably to take 2 levels in Paladin. Then take 1 Level in Sorcerer. Using a SLA (Like say by being an Aasimar though there's other ways) starting taking Eldritch Knight levels until you hit level 5. Then swim the River Hellknight Signifier (Hellknight Enforcer) to level 8 HS. This will let you cast spells in Mithril Kikko Armor with no Arcane Spell Failure. Then finish up with Eldritch Knight. Make sure to pick up the Magical Knack Trait so that you are only behind 1 caster level. With the bloodline you want, this is probably the best path.

Powered up Sorcerer Beat stick Build:

I will mention Aasimar race build.

2 levels of Paladin > 1 level Draconic bloodline Sorcerer > 2 Eldritch Knight > 4 Levels of Dragon Disciple > 8 Levels of Eldritch Knight >3 Levels Sorcerer

Magical Knack Trait...Behind 2 caster levels and up to 8th level spells.

Will have capstone of Eldritch Knight Spell Critical, +4 Str from Dragon disciple, A bite Attack, A breath Weapon, Free Natural Armor, Some Elemental Resistances, Claws (back up never use over a real weapon), Best saves in the game, Smite.

Very strong choice indeed!

2nd build

Human based Eldritch Knight:

1 Level Ranger or fighter(your choice I like ranger batter...skills and a favored enemy) > 1 Levels Divination (scyer) specialized Wizard > 10 levels of Eldritch Knight> 8 Levels Divination (scyer) specialized Wizard

9th level spells at 20th level, Forewarned, send senses, Eldritch knight capstone, Int based for more skills and knowledge.

Build #3

20 levels of Magus