Building an excellent Arcanist for PFS

[Cdenneau]

Hey y'all!
I read over the Arcanist recently and I love it!
I'm just having trouble with exploits and spells as I feel this class gives the player a lot of options for casting.
I went with a Human and here are my ability scores including my racial +2, which I dumped into Intelligence:
STR 7
DEX 14
CON 12
INT 18
Wis 12
CHA 14

Any opinions on exploits and spells?

[Eponine Lokrien Savet]

I think that the majority of amazing exploits (Dimensional Slide, Consume Magic Items, Familiar, Metamagic Knowledge, Metamixing, Quick Study, School Knowledge, and Swift Consume) do not require Charisma to determine uses/day. As such, I believe that Charisma is a bit of a trap.

If you plant to use some Charisma related skills (Diplomacy and Use Magic Device come to mind) you can opt to spend a couple traits on things like Pragmatic Activator and Clever Wordplay.

With that in mind, I would considering putting some of your Charisma build points into intelligence (but only to 19, take the level 4, 8, and 12 bonuses to Int and you will have a 22 natural).

As to exploits, I listed the ones I like best above.

Best first level spell? Probably Color Spray as it is a huge SoS at low levels.
Best first level utility? Grease, it never goes into the 'useless' stack.
Best first level damage? Snowball

Other honorable mention: Mage Armor, Shield, and Protection from Evil (mostly for the mind control prevention), and Ant Haul at later levels when one cast lasts all day. Honestly, Mage Armor is in that same group. Best once it lasts 8+ hours. I used to love Obscuring Mist, but now I like Euphoric Cloud instead, at level 2.

Level 2: Create Pit
Level 2 Utility: Alter Self
Best Level 2 damage?: Burning Arc. It isn't too great at level 2, but it gets better and better as it can hit more and more targets.

Honorable mentions: See Invisibility (for Quick Study as needed) Euphoric Cloud

[Fruian Thistlefoot]

I recommend occult archetype. Its a very strong choice.

Spellwise I like color spray or sleep, grease, and snapdragon fireworks.

For wands: mage armor, infernal healing, and magic missile.

Second level gives you create pit, flaming sphere/aggressive t-cloud glitter dust, and cloud of seasickness.

[Cdenneau]

Thank you guys, the advice helped with my build! I took the Exploits that do not need Charisma, so I was able to increase my Intelligence as well as my Dexterity. He's almost Level 3 now and he's an absolute delight to play.