Cheapest way to produce smoke

[Yeebin]

Is the smoke stick the cheapest way to produce smoke consistently?

I'm looking to do a flame oracle/Ninja build with the gaze of flames revelation and I'd like to produce a small amount of smoke that I can be in so I can sneak attack over and over again. 20g per encounter is expensive at low levels but likely manageable.

My GM said gaze of flame would work with obscuring mist so I have that but a 40 ft diameter of mist isnt fun for the rest of the party.

Advice?

[Markov Spiked Chain]

Eversmoking bottle is the permanent way to do it. It's a pretty big radius too, though.

[Imbicatus]

The Smoke Arrow is only 10gp, and you should be able to ignite it without firing it, but expect table variation on that.

[Paulicus]

Is it a homegame? If so, try getting your party members on board for developing a tactic based around smoke. A Goz Mask (8000gp) and Fogcutting Lenses are the cheapest ways I know to see through mist. A party that fights together can get the upperhand in a lot of situations, though if you use it too much your opponents will likely start preparing counters for it.

Smokesticks are cheap, but hard to use since you need to take them out and light them, and the area is small. There are items called smoke pellets that might be cheaper, but I believe they have an even smaller area.

Ninjas have a trick called 'smoke bomb' if you aren't aware. It's a nice medium in size, might not last long though and costs 1 ki. Could be your best option if you're party doesn't want to buy in on the strategy.

If they do, though, Eversmoking Bottle is a great item if you have some way to carry it or attach it to yourself.

Almost forgot: You can get these items cheaper if someone in your party has the Craft Wondrous Items feat. In fact, you could make them yourself if you have at least 3 levels in Oracle, or a way to boost your caster level.

edit- ninjas in a ninja thread.

[Yeebin]

I like that eversmoking bottle. That's sweet. It is a home campaign I might be able to get the party on board with a smoke strat. If it works too well, I feel like the GM will eventually nerf it or me or both and then I'll have wasted a level in Oracle for nothing.

[Tiny Coffee Golem]

Light something on fire.

[Markov Spiked Chain]

If you're just taking the Oracle level for this, you might look at three levels of Flame Dancer Bard, which will grant it to the whole party.

[RaizielDragon]

Putting some points into Craft (alchemy) lets you make your own Smokesticks at 1/3 the cost. It's a DC 20 which is a little rough early on though, and then later on the cost is fairly negligible.

[Dekalinder]

Creating strong winds is very low level magic so be wary and have a plan B