Looking through the spell lists. A bunch of the best and most interesting spells have a range of touch (touch of slime). Now primary casters rarely want to get that close to an opponent. It is generally too risky for squishy casters to risk. I have sometimes taken one as an emergency back up in case someone gets close. But I hope against and try to avoid that. So they rarely get used. But I like those spells.
I would like to make a caster that really uses these effectively. I only see a few ways to do this.
1) Build a caster that can live in touch range of dangerous opponents. This doesn't seem very viable. Tell me if I'm wrong.
2) Extend the range of touch spells.
2a) Reach meta magic. Extends the reach of any spell. But it costs a spell level each time so I won't be able to use my highest level of spells. Make touch into ranged touch using dex. Can't really use until I get 2nd level spells.
2b) Spectral Hand spell. Need to try and have it going before a fight or I will be late contributing. Still a touch using str. Again can't use until I have 2nd level spells. Only increases the range of touch spells. Can only be used with 4th level and lower spells. Only lasts 1 min each level. Gives medium range, so well out of threat range.
2c) Aberrant bloodline as sorc or eldritch heritage. Doesn't cost a spell slot, need to have a spell active, and can use at 3rd level (11th if eldritch heritage). But only increases the range of touch spells and only increases the range slightly. Will still often be threatened.
3) Familiar deliver touch spells. This seems like begging the GM to kill your familiar. But it works with all spell levels, doesn't cost a spell slot, or having another spell active, and range depends only on movement of the familiar.
Did I miss any options?
All have pluses and minuses. Have you seen anyone try this concept? Which method did they use? How successful was it at all levels?
Guess I'm leaning toward a combination of spectral hand and aberrant bloodline. Can use the bloodline when don't have time to get the spectral hand up or when I get 5th level spells and the range is improving. Otherwise, can use spectral hand to stay out of reach.
Wizards hook + Transformative. Change hook into scorpion whip and use it as whip. Hit with touch spells 3 squares away with a +4 to hit and +1 DC.
|
A build I'm playing with right now - Monk 2/Sorcerer (Celestial (Wild-Blooded:Empyreal)).
Be a human or half elf/orc so you can the favored class bonus of extra known spells.
Have the Magical Knack trait so you don't lose any caster levels.
Max your Wisdom, then buy up Con and Dex, dump str, use Weapon Finesse so you an use Dex for attacking with touch spells.
You do lose two sorcerer levels (which hurts) but you have insane AC at low level (plus evasion and good saves) and can go to town with touch spells.
For extra synergy, make the monk a Sensei. Those two monk levels will give you Wis to hit on your unarmed strikes, which will mean wis to hit on your touch spells.
You don't touch the other orcs like that.
|
|
Another option would be to be a druid. Better BAB, Better AC, and Better HD make you more effective in melee range. You can Wild Shape into a melee monster and still cast your spells with natural spell. Or you can be a Nature Fang and have Studied Target, Slayer Talents, and a litlte bit of Sneak Attack to add to your touch spells.
They have great touch spells on their lists for several levels.
1st: Produce Flame, Frostbite
2nd: Flame Blade, Gozreh's Trident, Frigid Touch
3rd: Fungal Infestation, Contagion
4th: Rusting Grasp, Touch of Slime
ACG has an incredible feat, Lunging Spell Touch.
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/lunging-spell-touch
Adds 5 ft to your touch attack, so no Meta Magic needed if you can be safe enough at that distance.
They might not have every touch spell you are interested in but the Magus makes probably the best touch caster.
Clerics get heavy armor, decent HD and I think their domains have some good touch spells.
I'm really not interested in the martialness of the EK, magus, or monk dips.
.
.
Wizards hook + Transformative. Change hook into scorpion whip and use it as whip. Hit with touch spells 3 squares away with a +4 to hit and +1 DC.
Nice concept, but not nice enough to chop off my hand. =)
..
... Or you can be a Nature Fang and have Studied Target, Slayer Talents, and a litlte bit of Sneak Attack to add to your touch spells.
They have great touch spells on their lists for several levels.
1st: Produce Flame, Frostbite
2nd: Flame Blade, Gozreh's Trident, Frigid Touch
3rd: Fungal Infestation, Contagion
4th: Rusting Grasp, Touch of Slime
I had not seen this before. Are spells considered class abilities that would benefit from from the Studied Target DC increase?
Wizards hook + Transformative. Change hook into scorpion whip and use it as whip. Hit with touch spells 3 squares away with a +4 to hit and +1 DC.Nice concept, but not nice enough to chop off my hand. =)
As LoneKnave said transformative should sidestep the missing hand requirement or if needed, a greater hat of disguise fixes it (and had dozens of other uses).