I'm brainstorming my next PFS character (a wizard, arcanist, or sorcerer of some kind) and I'm trying to figure out what's going to make him different from every other bearded conjurer with a pointy hat and colored robes. I get my enjoyment of this game from the creative things I can do with class and feat combos, so I'm trying to do something more interesting than "Wizard 20." Sure, it'll be effective, but it's pretty boring.
My one caveat is that I not sacrifice a spellcasting level. I'm not willing to delay access to my higher-level spells by dipping into Eldritch Knight or something.
I'm thinking my character will be a Wizard/Hellknight Signifier. Signifiers get full spellcasting progression, so I figure that will make the character a bit more interesting without really losing much in the way of power. Plus, it'd be fun (though I'm not sure if it will be particularly powerful) to be a primary spellcaster running around in full plate armor.
I'm hoping there's something Signifiers are good enough at that it's worth playing one for the mechanics alone. So far, the only interesting interaction with other abilities I can think of is using the Aura of Law to qualify for Sacred Summons and summon creatures as a standard action.
It also might be interesting to be a Blade Adept Arcanist and combine my Black Blade skills with the defensive capabilities of the Signifier's heavy armor to be a fully-leveled caster who can mix it up in melee with the right buffs.
Any thoughts? What are Signifiers good at? Any suggestions on fun things to do with wizard builds in general?
Well, they're pretty much the kings of full wizard casting in armor. But how are you getting armor proficiency? Unless you dip something else or know some trait or other trick I'm not thinking of, you're going to burn 3 feats in order to trade 2 more feats for 2 BAB, some hit points, and a truckload of weird, miscellaneous mask abilities and casting in armor.
Arcanists, even Blade Adepts, are just about as painful. Either go with the Sacred Summons route (which will be weird), or find another mechanic to graft on to the Signifier.
Yeah, the unfortunate problem is that getting medium BAB is a pain for a wizard. You either have to pick up light and medium armor proficiency feats (on top of the required arcane armor training feat) or dip.
It is much more efficient to dip one level of fighter (in my opinion) for the bonus feat and only lose one level of casting progression.
The main shtick of a hellknight signifier is to cast spell in heavy armor and be proficient with their order's weapon. It's kind of like being a Eldritch Knight, but with slightly different focus thematically.