Hello Optimizers!
I am building a new character for a home game utilizing 20 point buy, all the Paizo books, starting at level 1.
Character concept:
- Bertil Adelbrecht, Shelyn Follower (BASF); He doesn't make the party, he makes the party better.
- Emphasizing buff spells
- Optimizing craft feats
So far, the mechanics I'm looking to include:
- Human
- Focused Study (Spellcraft L1, TBD L8, L16)
- Thassilonian Specialist (Greed) Transmutation, loses Ill/Ench
I'm debating the following traits:
- Inner Beauty (+4 Trait to Bluff, Craft, Diplomace 1/day)
- Spark of Creation (+1 all craft checks, -5% to craft costs)
- Merchant Family (+10% sold goods costs)
- Transmuter of Korada (+1 caster level for transmutation)
- Finding Haleen (+1 HP & Skill/level) this one feels sketchy
I like all of those traits, so I'm considering taking Additional Traits as my L1 Feat. Would you recommend:
- Varisian Tattoo (+1 caster level for transmutation)
- Additional Traits (Take all 4 above)
- Fast Learner (+1 HP/Skill per level)
L3 - Craft Wondrous
L5 - Craft Arms & Armor
W5 - Inscribe Magic Tattoo
L7 - *Open* / Craft Construct
L8 - Skill Focus X
L9 - Craft Rod
Annihilation Spectacles are the gear that makes the Thassilonian specialist so attractive. Instead of prepping and casting the same two spells every level, the option becomes prepping the same two spells and casting ANY level appropriate transmutation spell at every level.
Merchant Family is ridiculous. I've been using it on my character for ROTRL and I'm also the loot master (record all loot, sell loot after party agrees on distribution). I neglected to tell them about my bonus 10%, and it's essentially giving me a 40% bonus share. You can imagine how nice that is.
You should take a valet archetype familiar to double your craft output. Your 7th level feat needs to be improved familiar (faerie dragon if possible). You want max ranks on UMD so your familiar will be able to use items to fill in your missing illusion/enchantment spells and you'll have access to those schools when crafting.
Lastoth,
Thanks for the insight on the valet familiar.
With respect to traits, I'm forced to choose between
- Spark of Creation vs. Transmuter of Korada
The +1CL seems like a massive benefit...
Thanks,
Ben