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So I rolled up an arcaninst, and down the line his stats are all 13s and 14s I did this for fun, but I'm not sure what exactly to do with an arcanist who's above average at everything but excels at nothing. So I was looking for advice, the first thing I'm doing at least at low levels is avoiding loading up on spells with saves favoring spells with touch attacks instead. The first discovery I took was the one that lets you replace a prepared spell with one full round of study. I don't have my character sheet with me so I can't go into further detail yet, but when I can I'll post all the info like what his stats are exactly, my first level spell selection etc.
Sounds like it's too late, but taking Occultist and invest feats in summoning and focusing on buffing/summoning/no save spells will take you a long way.
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Okay got the char sheet so far So here's the character:
Maeghrim the Magus
Known by his clan a Maeghrim the dim. Maeghrim has always been obsessed with magic. The problem in his very traditional dwarven clan who view wizards with disdain to begin with, what do you do when you're a dwarf with no particular talent for magic who dreams of being a wizard? Well, like any good dwarf you put your head down and barrel through until you become a wizard. That's how Maeghrim got his nickname. His dwarven brethren belittled him for pursuing such an undwarvenly pursuits when he could be such a promising quarryman, or soldier, or cleric, the really dwarven pursuits. Instead he wasted time on every passing charlatan who promised to teach him magic and every hedge mage who really didn't have much to teach to begin with. Maeghrim kept on reading and studying, until between enough learned here and there and enough self taught Maeghrim is now a wizard, and he makes sure everyone knows it. He calls himself Maeghrim the Magus, he decks himself in occult paraphenalia (most of it is meaningless but damnit it looks magical) wears a proper wizards hat and carries his axe instead of a staff, he is a dwarf after all, but that axe sure has some mystical runes all over it. He won't take eschew materials, silent spell, or still spell because if you don't have all the little fiddly bits that scream wizard then what's the point?
Stats
Str 13
Dex 14
Con 13
Int 14
Wis 12
Cha 14
Racial traits as standard dwarf except I took magic resistant and sky sentinel because no proper dwarf trusts the open sky!
my Exploit is Quick Study
I took Child of the Streets to represent his apprenticing under various charlatans and Hucksters
Influence because of his wearing all that magic paraphanalia helps him when the threatens people with his magic powers (intimidate)
I took the headstrong drawback to get that 3rd trait because headstrong just fits him too well.
So there you have it, looking for where to go from here.
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And you won't take archetypes? (I was going to suggest Eldritch Font because it thoroughly limits the number of spells you have.)The third trait should be Magical Lineage (Infernal Healing) and your first feat should be Extend Spell. You see, you've got some good stats to make him a melee summoner (wait, what?)
Take the bloodline development exploit for Abyssal (at some point). Cast an extended Rage on yourself and wade in when there's a bunch of weaklings. With power attack and cleave, because you're a dwarf. Make sure to get Transformation as your second 6th level spell.
Take the school power exploit as well, for Conjuration. Summon a bunch of monsters to cast more spells for you. After power attack and cleave, get spell focus (Conjuration), Augment Summoning, and Superior Summoning. Now you can spend an arcane pool point on your Abyssal bloodline development at 15th level to summon in 3 fiendish somethings off your top level list.
The next round, summon something that can heal you, the following round, Transformation and charge into battle with your +6 inherent bonus to strength +4 enhancement from transformation and full BAB, like a dwarf.
Just a thought.
I do like the idea of being a bit fighty as a dwarf.
Any other suggestions? so far everything has been summons focused anyone have suggestions that don't go the summony route?
If you are playing in a campaign where everyone isn't min-maxed, and thus the GM has to adapt, you will be fine with those stats. Your DCs are a little low, but they are fine against normal opponents. You also won't have any glaring weaknesses, which goes a long way.
Summons are certainly always strong, but a good fireball is always satisfying (even if not optimal).
If you went say... Samsaran instead of Dwarf you could have 16 int and 18 cha. Would be be great. Could focus strongly on the exploits.
Why would you make an arcanist with stats like that?
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Why would you make an arcanist with stats like that?
Well I wanted to play an arcanist, and I wanted to play a race I don't play to often. Since I can't remember ever making a dwarf character (and I prefer to make core races unless I have some amazing concept) Then I had the choice of having a stronger int with a crap cha or make them equal and I chose to make them equal. Also why not, does every character have to be super powerful, can't I just have fun playing a mediocre wizard who acts as if he's Oz?
If you are playing in a campaign where everyone isn't min-maxed, and thus the GM has to adapt, you will be fine with those stats.
No offense Dave, but this sentence seems entirely backwards to me. If you're in a campaign without min-maxed players, the GM *WON'T* have to adapt. But I do agree, DCs 1-3 lower than a min-maxed PC doesn't make a big difference overall.
lastknightleft - your character sounds exquisite. Arksangiel's suggestion of transformation eventually is a good idea. You could also plan on going for Eldritch Knight. Also don't be afraid of spells with saves - particularly multi-target spells.
1st feat: Could be Martial Weapon Proficiency (Dwarven Waraxe), but a battle axe probably works just fine. There's a decent 'dabbler' feat that gives you a bonus on knowledge skills as long as you don't have 5 ranks in them that seems to fit in well with your background. Dodge/Power Attack/Toughness work well also.
Traits: If you decide on Eldritch Knight, take Magical Knack. If you're not sure, avoid taking a magic trait so you could pick it up later potentially. (Side note: Influence sounds like a Social trait, as is Child of the Streets)
Enjoy!
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Traits: If you decide on Eldritch Knight, take Magical Knack. If you're not sure, avoid taking a magic trait so you could pick it up later potentially. (Side note: Influence sounds like a Social trait, as is Child of the Streets)Enjoy!
You are correct, I just remembered that you can't take traits from the same group so I have to look for another trait. unless drawbacks let you pick from the same group. which I don't think so. So thanks for pointing that out to me :(