First post ever! So, I've just started a Kingmaker campaign, and I have a list of character concepts. Initially I was going to play a tank, but my party consists of a Barbarian, Fighter (Swordlord), and Slayer archer, so everyone voted that I should play a caster that could heal.
I'm looking for advice on this build. We're level 1, so nothing else is established. He's a half-elven Spirit Guide Oracle with the Battle mystery, and the Aged curse. Stats from a 25 point buy were:
Str15 Dex13 Con15 Int14 Wis7 Cha15. Plus 2 to Charisma and aging penalties adjust this to the following with the physical stats getting a +2 bump at fifth level.
Str12 Dex10 Con12 Int17 Wis10 Cha20
This character is focused on maximizing spells known, because he's a "Wizard". At 3rd level, he'll be taking the Arcane Enlightenment hex from the Lore Spirit. Since we aren't there yet, the GM has yet to rule on whether or not I get to reselect the Sor/Wiz spells every morning, but from that point on he'll likely forgo armour and just cast Mage Armor ("Wizard"), though I'm saving the idea of picking up the Skill At Arms revelation and wearing some fullplate, maybe around 11th level. At 4th, he'll be cashing in on the additional spell known favoured class bonus at every level. Out of combat, he'll be a healer/toolbox and a party face, with my high Charisma and number of skill points. In combat, I want to play him as a blasting Sorcerer.
Have I bitten off more than I can chew? Am I missing anything good by not selecting Ancient Lorekeeper? I'd get more spells that way, but at an adjusted level and not nearly as quickly, plus I can adjust my Charisma score for more. I'd also get more Revelations.
Cause hammer, hammer, hammer.
We vote you band-aid.
Disgusting.
Screw them and play what you want. Healer is not a party role.
If they demand it then you should demand first pick of classes next campaign and see how the new healer likes to be strong armed into such a terrible role.
Nah, that's okay. I really wanted to play this character someday. I just went into this campaign thinking that some kind of tank might actually be necessary, and then it wasn't. And I don't want to cast a spell higher than Cure Light Wounds if I can avoid it. I agreed to dabble in healing, not heal full-time. This character is definitely going to be a "Wizard".
You're the only caster in this group, so I think it's good that you're going for maximum spells known. You don't have a cleric, wizard, or druid to cover your gaps when a specific spell is needed.
You're going to want to invest in scrolls. Lots of scrolls.
Consider mnemonic vestments. Body slot item that lets a spontaneous caster cast once per day from a written source without consuming it. (We houseruled in that buying multiples would essentially act as adding charges, because it's a little silly to imagine switching out robes every time.) Gather a collection of scrolls - bam, spellbook, at least for some casts per day.
The Mnemonic Vestment is an excellent idea, thank you! I actually intend my bonded item to be a spellbook. Unfortunately, the Vestment currently restricts me to only divine spells, despite my broadened list, but I might get the GM to overturn that. Does anyone remember the feat(?) from 3.5 that gave spontaneous casters the ability to prepare spell in slots (for example, to avoid the casting time increase on metamagic)? I ask for Pearl of Power reasons, but also because I might argue that I can add things into it from my spellbook.
EDIT: By RAW, the spell that it requires to craft it, Mnemonic Enhancer, gives me the ability to prepare spells (unless a rules lawyer determines that "additional" trumps that). It might be something I'm looking for. No fireballs with metamagic on them will fit into a 3rd level slot though.
Also, pages of spell knowledge. You could add those to your 'spellbook'. While twice as expensive, you also have the runestones of power as the spontaneous equivalent of pearls of power.
Also, verify with your GM that Arcane Enlightenment works for your Oracle. RAW suggests that it would not work for spontaneous casters.
I think I recall seeing that ruling somewhere on here. If he did have a problem with it I would switch archetypes, but he has no problem with it. The only things he vetoes are things that don't fit the setting or that can't be flavoured. My character is supposed to be channelling the spirit of a long-dead elven wizard, so there's no danger there.
Ignoring the Oracle part, does anyone know of a ruling for reselecting your spells every day for Arcane Enlightenment? I seem to recall this comes up a lot for Shamans, with their Wandering Spirit class feature. The ability just assumes that Lore is your main spirit, not the one you choose every day.
Since you're charisma driven max out your UMD and invest in wands; then use them. Not healing wands, AoE effect wands. Your oracle is playing himself off as a wizard, use those burning hands, acid arrow, and lightning bolt wands as you go up in level. Literally make yourself into a blaster mage with accessories.
Usual Suspect wrote: Since you're charisma driven max out your UMD and invest in wands; then use them. Not healing wands, AoE effect wands. Your oracle is playing himself off as a wizard, use those burning hands, acid arrow, and lightning bolt wands as you go up in level. Literally make yourself into a blaster mage with accessories. The save DCs for wand-based spells are kind crappy: it wastes the investment you've made into Charisma and anything else that boosts your save DC. And they're at minimum caster level (and therefore damage) unless you pay extra.
If you do go this route, try to use spells that use an attack roll instead of a save - like acid arrow, since you'll still get to use your own attack bonus (which is better than a wizard's anyway.)
Why are you using the Battle mystery if you're trying to be casty? Taking the Flame or Wind mystery might get you Mystery spells that better suit what you're going for.
Eldritch Heritage doesn't work anymore because of FAQ.
As you have high int, you could potentially get arcane spells from the Spirit Guide archetype and the Lore spirit. It even mirrors a wizard's ability to change the spells daily.
Why not play a samsaran wizard and use the samsaran racial ability and pick some healing spells.
Usual Suspect wrote: Since you're charisma driven max out your UMD and invest in wands; then use them. Not healing wands, AoE effect wands. Your oracle is playing himself off as a wizard, use those burning hands, acid arrow, and lightning bolt wands as you go up in level. Literally make yourself into a blaster mage with accessories. Wands are good. I honestly paid no attention to the mystery spells at first glance. It was about revelations (which I get three less of). I like Enlarge Person for my all-warrior party though. I'll give them some thought.
deuxhero wrote: Eldritch Heritage doesn't work anymore because of FAQ.
As you have high int, you could potentially get arcane spells from the Spirit Guide archetype and the Lore spirit. It even mirrors a wizard's ability to change the spells daily.
FAQ rulings are good, links to said rulings are good-er. And I am playing the Spirit Guide archetype with the Lore spirit.
Rogar Stonebow wrote: Why not play a samsaran wizard and use the samsaran racial ability and pick some healing spells. Because I'm playing an Oracle that's channelling the spirit of a long dead wizard. And I like the bump to my casting stat from the Aged curse. And the armor proficiency.
Is Pathfinder Savant (SRD Arcane Savant) worth it, especially with Mnemonic Vestment?
Sorry, I quoted the wrong person. That first one should have been @Ross.
New thought: assuming that I can get my DM to rule that I qualify for Flexible Hex (and ignoring all FAQs aimed at nerfing the very thing I'm trying to do with this character), is it worth a feat to be able to pick my spells as a swift action, say in the start of the first encounter?
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