Build me a Feat set for a generalist Arcanist.

[Cith]

I am starting Pathfinder after being on a long, long break from D&D. I've settled on an Arcanist for my first class, as it has all the bells and whistles I want, and I like the spellcasting paradigm of the class. However, I have been away from the game so long, and there are so, so many feats to ponder, so I am somewhat daunted.

For a general purpose caster, probably focusing on battlefield control, and assisting the other characters more than tossing nukes around, what feats would you recommend? Which should I pick up early, and what should my feat list look like over time?

[Bandw2]

Cith wrote:

I am starting Pathfinder after being on a long, long break from D&D. I've settled on an Arcanist for my first class, as it has all the bells and whistles I want, and I like the spellcasting paradigm of the class. However, I have been away from the game so long, and there are so, so many feats to ponder, so I am somewhat daunted.

For a general purpose caster, probably focusing on battlefield control, and assisting the other characters more than tossing nukes around, what feats would you recommend? Which should I pick up early, and what should my feat list look like over time?

any general feat with the word spell in it, toughness, metamagic feats that strike your fancy.

look up arcanist guides on the for more comprehensive advice.

[Rerednaw]

Battlefield control? Most of those spells are in the Conjuration (Grease, Glitterdust, Web, Various fog/clouds, Create Pit) or Evocation (walls). Or covering the battlefield with allies (summons).

And you said nuking was not a focus.

So I'd probably go with:

Spell Focus Conjuration
Augment Summoning
Extra Arcanist Exploit

Then a lot depends on the campaign. If item creation and wealth are an issue, then craft wondrous is still good. If leadership is allowed it is also one of the best feats.

[Secret Wizard]

Expanded Preparation increases your abilities.

I also like a Conjuration/Transmutation focus.

[Necrovox]

Secret Wizard wrote:

Expanded Preparation increases your abilities.

I also like a Conjuration/Transmutation focus.

That feat is really... Really good. IMHO.

[avr]

There aren't enough good exploits to go standard arcanist all the way IMO. You probably want to take one of the archetypes; Occultist if you want to summon, Blood Arcanist or School Savant otherwise.

If you're not in PFS then a crafting feat is a worthwhile investment. If you're investing heavily in summoning then there are more feats you can take there after Augment Summoning: Superior Summoning, Summon {Good/Evil/Neutral} Monster. Persistent Spell is worthwhile by mid-levels, Quicken Spell is something any spontaneous spell caster should take as soon as they can use it.

[Cith]

I was leaning Occultist, as I love summoning, but for Blood Arcanjst or School Savant what would you recommend?

[pipedreamsam]

Craft rod is a really good feat for a mid level Arcanist. One of the greater exploits allows you to change a metamagic feat that you know once a day. Considering that the requirements for making metamagic rods is that you have the feat this gives you a lot of flexibility (I.e. make all the situational rods on your off time, pick dazing or quickened when you go out).

And honestly if your coming back to spell casters after a long hiatus from d20 systems maybe summoning isn't the way to go though. With that said I'm obviously not familiar with your history so feel free to disregard.

[Cith]

I can see it is quite different from previous editions, but that is why I am looking forward to it. I always wanted a summoner sort of Mage, but it wasn't such a great way to go in the versions I previously played. Now it looks quite solid (perhaps too much so, if not played reasonably) and flexible. I prefer the Arcanist/Wizard/Sorcerer way to the Summoner class way, I think. Summoner just doesn't feel right.

[Gregory Connolly]

1 Toughness
3 Craft Wondrous Item
5 Improved Initiative
7 Persistent Spell
9 Spell Penetration
11 Quicken Spell

[avr]

Cith wrote:

I was leaning Occultist, as I love summoning, but for Blood Arcanjst or School Savant what would you recommend?

School Savant (Divination) if you like going first (most wizards & arcanists do), SS (Evocation: Admixture) if you like a bit of blasting, Blood Arcanist (Shadow) if you're a sneaky bastard, BA (Fey) if you like humiliating your enemies with mind-affecting spells, BA (Daemon) if you feel like being evil, BA (Martyred) if you feel like being good; not a comprehensive list.