Creating a Bard / Wizard for Pathfinder Society play?

[S. Selcouth]

I have been seriously considering joining a local PFS game, and while I will likely start with a character that will make the play simple and easy I've been mulling around an idea the mechanics of which have got me a bit flustered. As such, I figured I'd post here and see what sort of ideas the community here has.

Since the max level, to my knowledge, is level 12, I thought I would create a 11Bard/1 Wizard. The reason was obvious enough: I wanted a familiar for my character. That's it; that's my motivation. I am willing to sacrifice an additional level 4 spell slot and soothing performance for the a familiar, with the bonus of having a level 1 arcane spell.

The idea seems more gimmick than sense, but it's brought up some questions both in how it could be done mechanically well, as well as the best way to move forward with it from a gameplay perspective (in part because all characters start as level one single class characters.) Ability scores are also going to be an issue here; Wisdom will likely be a dump stat, which means that CHA will likely be a primary stat while DEX and INT will be secondary. I would imagine that one would start as a bard, get that level in wizard after four sessions, then head on the bard train the rest of the way there, but who knows?

I'm curious, mechanically and through source, how you would not only build this character, but how you would make it playable. Are there races you feel would be preferred here, for example? Options worth considering versus options you'd suggest running away from?

I understand that multiclassing in this way is often mechanically a bad idea, but I'd like this thread to focus less on how this is a bad idea and more on critical and creative ways it could be made to work.

[calagnar]

I recommend havening this character hold at level 1. Until the release of Familiar Folio. You can do a full rebuild until you play your first scenario at level 2. If this book is any thing like the animal archive it will open up a ton of options that where not available before. Just make a second character until you find out what kind of options this book will open up for this build.

[RainyDayNinja]

If you want a familiar, check out Eldritch Heritage. If you use that to get the Arcane bloodline ability, you can get a familiar without dipping, for the cost of two feats (Eldritch Heritage and Skill Focus (any Knowledge) as a prerequisite). Depending on how you plan on playing your bard, you may not have an urgent need for feats anyway.

[Jade Suryani]

You might also be interested in the sea singer bard archetype from the Advanced Player's Guide which gets a familiar at second level.

[Under A Bleeding Sun]

The soft cap for PFS is actually 11, not 12. That being said you can go past 11th (all the way up to 20 with the exact right planning, most will stop at 19 though) but games tend to be pretty sparse at that range.

Anyway, I'd try the sea singer or eldritch heritage. The dip is going to be very painful for little gain, and both accomplish what you want.

If you take the eldritch heritage route half-elves can get skill focus as a racial trait, so thats a big plus for them, though so can humans (with a bonus skill focus at level 8). I thought there was another way a bard could get a familiar but its escaping me now if its out there.

[Kess, Humble Servant of Abadar]

I don't see much downside. I see no need to dump wisdom, since yes, technically, you need intelligence to cast arcane wizard spells, but since you'll only ever be casting 1st level spells, no big deal. All you'll ever need is an 11 INT.

Focus on spells where a high DC is irrelevant. Spells such as Identify can compliment a bard nicely. True Strike when you really need to hit (and it bypasses concealment!). The list goes on with Enlarge Person, Feather Fall and the like.

As for races, I suppose a good question would be, do you have a feat tree in mind? if so, then human all the way. Else, perhaps an elf for the bonus to identify.

Mechanically I would go 1 level bard, 1 wiz then bard the remainder. I see no issues with playability, since you are essentially a bard through and through. May be a bit more support focused, but then again, who doesn't like +1 to hit and damage?

[Hmm]

Oh my... They are releasing a familiar folio! I want it, I want it!

Most bards can qualify for eldritch heritage, and you can get your skill focus in any knowledge skill -- I took knowledge local.

Otherwise, the parrot familiar that the sea singer archetype gets is great. It can talk!

Hmm

[Mattastrophic]

Though it's entirely opposite of what you're planning to do, I can say that I had good results with a Bard1/Wizard6/Loremaster once. Instead of a bard with a familiar, I had a skillful Wizard.

-Matt

[S. Selcouth]

I haven't forgotten about this post! Sorry I left it alone for so long. It looks like the Familiar Folio may allow this character to have a familiar without multiclassing, but it won't be out for two more months. In the strongest of theories, I could create a support bard character with stats that would favor casting and multiclassing, and if I so chose might be able to use the information in the Folio after the fact if applicable. I mean, it would take four games to unlock Wizard 1 if I so chose anyways.

As I continue to mull this character over, one of the other issues I'm running into is weapon choice, considering the desire to use a Metamagic Feat or two. Heighten Spell is one I'm particularly eyeing; Persistent Spell will really depend on which magic songs I take. The issue with this is that one of the most popular bard builds, the shortbow build, is heavily feat intensive. I know controlling with a whip has its fans as well.

Has anyone had any luck with any other weapons? I was considering the longspear, although I'm not sure how easily one could trip with it (but hey, reach!) Also, that Spear Dancer feat could be novel. Or perhaps just finding a way to go sword and board but with expertise for added survivability (easily done, since there will already be an INT investment.) Any thoughts or recommendations?

[Fruian Thistlefoot]

Some mentioned eldritch hearitge arcane.

This is best option.

Why?

Because 1 level of a class makes your familiar level 1. With eldritch heritage you can be at -2 levels but still have a decent familiar. You could also then upgrade into improved familiar. A familiar with all your bard skills is very nice.

[ngc7293]

I know the OP has probably long since joined a game, but wouldn't it be easier to take a level of Sorcerer than a level of Wizard?

Though going with Eldritch Heritage still means you have to spend a prereq. feat. If you are not planning on playing a human character, this can be expensive if you have other feats planned out for your bard.