I am having a tough time making a decision on the class for my Mind bender themed character. I have always loved the whole Psionic/mind blast themes, but at this point there are too many options and I am overwhelmed.
I have the following ideas:
Telepath Psion (from dreamscarred press)
Pros: Power points, no arcane spell failure. wizard spell progression. Telepathy at lvl 8.or thrall class ability. Equivalent to undercasting astral construct spell.
Cons: not paizo (it leaves a bit of a cheapen feel to me), fewer AMAZING/Must have spells to get. Cant get mind thrust (love that spell). Highly more specialized in having smaller spell pool to choose from.
Straight Psychic or Sorcerer1(Dual Blooded:Fey&Serpentine)/Psychic
pro: no arcane spell failure, access to mind thrust and being able to undercast + intensified spell spam for good fall back damage. Bloodlines give versatility and bonus DC's to compulsions. Access to possession. Able to effect Monstrous humonoids, magical beasts, animals, Humoids, Undead (Phrenic class ability) with mind effecting spells as normal.
Cons: Slower spell progression due to multi classing...level 3 spells at character level 7 ect.
Note: I can go just straight Psychic but I don't get access to the important serpentine arcana (which I find valuable...if others don't view it as such then please let me know).
Wizard/Sorcerer 1 (dual blooded: Psychic and Serpentine bloodline):
Pro: No arcane spell failure. Sorcerer spell progression (1 faster then sorcerer/psychic). Unlimited spells known.
Con: No mind thrust access or under casting.
TL:DR: not sure what build to go with a mind bender style caster. HALP
A Cult Master archetype Mesmerist maybe?
There's also the Aether-element Kineticist (Telekineticist). That's something entirely devoted to your mind blast theme.
I don't know a lot about Mesmerist in terms of specific capabilities, so I'm not sure if that would have anything for this theme.
A Mindbender, well, bends minds. Controls them, and whatnot.
Your description, is not that.
What exactly do you want again?
I understand that, and the majority of the spells would be Enchantment based (charms, mind block[if I go psychic], dominate). Hence the high importance I am placing on the serpentine blood line.
Mesmerist left me incredibly underwhelmed. It just doesn't fit with the themee in my head.
If any have read the Drizzt Duorden Books by R.A. Salvatore, think of the character Kimmuriel Oblodra
Besides, Kimmuriel is no mindbender.
Serpentine Blood line + Red lazers = Cobra