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I don't play arcane characters very often.
I am looking to retire my Synthesist. Yeah, sure , he is arcane...but not really. He was a death machine that stunned the table with its dominance and makes the DM cry. I tend to think about it as if it was a melee character.
I am looking to make an Elf Arcanist.
Looking for help and advice..
Most people find blasting pretty fun. Its not optimal unless you overspecialize but being a boom stick is quite satisfying
Ex Build
Arcanist LV1-6, Soul Drinker Lv7 and 8, Arcanist Lv9+
Feats
Lv1 Spell Focus(evocation)
Lv3 Spell Specialization
Lv5 Varisian Tattoo(Evocation)
Lv7 Merciful Spell
Lv9 Intensified Spell
Lv11 Empowered Spell
Lv13 Quicken Spell
Lv15 Spell Perfection(Fireball)
Lv17 Maximize Spell
Typical blaster setup for the most part. NE is the alignment so you can use Souldrinker and have no qualms what burns. For Exploits get extra metamagic and craft feats. Opening a slot for spell penetration is a good idea. Using greater metamagic knowledge for elemental spell is nice
Merciful spell is to use with the Soul Drinker abilities. Basically you blast them unconscious then refill your spell slots. Also if you have a cheap craft feat use the cacodaemon to take a soul gem. Then between adventures make some spell point re fillers(wands, scrolls, etc) for free. Also unconscious folk can be stored indefinitely on a timeless demiplane
The build works pretty much the same if you don't want to go soul drinker. Just don't take Merciful and be more careful with slots
Blasting can be fun, so can control, it depends on what you like. You can mix the two with metamagic feats like dazing spell.
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Agree. I was recommending blasting because pretty much everyone loves rolling hand fulls of dice and asking the dm " Do I even need to add this up?"
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The Evil alignment thing will be a sure No Go.
There were only 2 guides I could find and neither were complete. Which is quite disappointing.
A bit more detail might helpful.
We are a party of 5. Solid builds but not really over optimized. Playing in an AP, don't want to say which so I don't accidentally get any spoilers here. Core races, non-evil.
Human sword/board fighter. Solid damage output, not going to win the DPR Oly, but solid.
Elf Ninja, using Elven Curve Blade.
Gnome Life Oracle. No combat/All cure.
Halfling Kineticist. Good single target blaster.
I was a 1/2E synthecist using a Daemon with the unchained rules (the character wasn't evil, but Daemons are willing to bind themselves to others just for the chance to sow death in the Material Plane, So the story is that I have it so strongly under my control it won't kill any but who I deem as my enemy). I was a combat beast but now want to take a step back from dominating combat. I obsolete to many other party members and put the DM is in a tough spot because he cannot really up the challenges without the possibility of killing everyone else.
So I want to try my hand at the arcanist.
The blaster might be fun, but I am not looking to over step the Kineticist.
I am more looking to be support for the fighter and ninja, with a bit of blast.
Maagaabyan Archetype + PrC looks interesting.
So does School Savant.
As I said, I don't really ever play Arcane Casters, for casting sake. So I need some help to not completely nerf myself.
If you're looking at the Magaambyan archetype and/or Prestige Class, it is worth having a look at the thoughts in this thread:
http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tqak?Magaambyan-Arcanist-Arcanist-or-Wizard#1
I haven't had a chance to play one, but it seems like it could be a fun character.
If you're interested in being a buff-oriented arcane caster, I have heard good things about the Brown Fur Transmuter archetype. You'd want to make sure your allies will be okay with being turned into other creatures, but applying some of the transformation spells to your fighter or ninja could be pretty boss...
What level is the party at right now?
Agree. I was recommending blasting because pretty much everyone loves rolling hand fulls of dice and asking the dm " Do I even need to add this up?"
I understand, I wasn't trying to discredit your advice. I was just adding that control can be fun, because I enjoy it more, but I've also been a big fan of tactics games and rts games where area denial are a big part of them, so it suits me. That being said I do like to split it down the middle and do some blasting, especially with dazing spell. Dazing magic missile is a great thing to have if you are in deep crap and want to take a poke at something and hope the daze lands. Of course this is a lower level option, but I like it.
The Evil alignment thing will be a sure No Go.
There were only 2 guides I could find and neither were complete. Which is quite disappointing.
A bit more detail might helpful.
We are a party of 5. Solid builds but not really over optimized. Playing in an AP, don't want to say which so I don't accidentally get any spoilers here. Core races, non-evil.
Human sword/board fighter. Solid damage output, not going to win the DPR Oly, but solid.
Elf Ninja, using Elven Curve Blade.
Gnome Life Oracle. No combat/All cure.
Halfling Kineticist. Good single target blaster.
I was a 1/2E synthecist using a Daemon with the unchained rules (the character wasn't evil, but Daemons are willing to bind themselves to others just for the chance to sow death in the Material Plane, So the story is that I have it so strongly under my control it won't kill any but who I deem as my enemy). I was a combat beast but now want to take a step back from dominating combat. I obsolete to many other party members and put the DM is in a tough spot because he cannot really up the challenges without the possibility of killing everyone else.
So I want to try my hand at the arcanist.
The blaster might be fun, but I am not looking to over step the Kineticist.
I am more looking to be support for the fighter and ninja, with a bit of blast.
Maagaabyan Archetype + PrC looks interesting.
So does School Savant.
As I said, I don't really ever play Arcane Casters, for casting sake. So I need some help to not completely nerf myself.
I have yet to play an arcanist, though I'd like to, but since you are casting spells from the sorcerer/wizard spell list you can take a lot of the advice from wizard guides on spell selection and be assured you won't be useless.
I can't speak much to the archetypes, but if you cast haste and protect their flanking positions with area denial your melee characters will love you forever.
Brown fur Transmuter Alchemist may also help with buffing the party , the ability to boost all the stat booster spells is nice and other pc's may appreciate you being able to cast spells like Monstrous physique on them
The Evil alignment thing will be a sure No Go.
There were only 2 guides I could find and neither were complete. Which is quite disappointing.
A bit more detail might helpful.
We are a party of 5. Solid builds but not really over optimized. Playing in an AP, don't want to say which so I don't accidentally get any spoilers here. Core races, non-evil.
Human sword/board fighter. Solid damage output, not going to win the DPR Oly, but solid.
Elf Ninja, using Elven Curve Blade.
Gnome Life Oracle. No combat/All cure.
Halfling Kineticist. Good single target blaster.
I was a 1/2E synthecist using a Daemon with the unchained rules (the character wasn't evil, but Daemons are willing to bind themselves to others just for the chance to sow death in the Material Plane, So the story is that I have it so strongly under my control it won't kill any but who I deem as my enemy). I was a combat beast but now want to take a step back from dominating combat. I obsolete to many other party members and put the DM is in a tough spot because he cannot really up the challenges without the possibility of killing everyone else.
So I want to try my hand at the arcanist.
The blaster might be fun, but I am not looking to over step the Kineticist.
I am more looking to be support for the fighter and ninja, with a bit of blast.
Maagaabyan Archetype + PrC looks interesting.
So does School Savant.
As I said, I don't really ever play Arcane Casters, for casting sake. So I need some help to not completely nerf myself.
Alright sounds like a god wizard to me. The trick here is that blasting kinda sucks unless you specialize in it hard while control/buff doesn't take much investment. Also I would note there is a massive difference between a single target blaster and an aoe blaster
That said...
Can't recommend the Maagaabryan stuff. Good spells are not very common especially for arcane casters. Getting druid spells is nice but honestly you already have the best spell list in the game + a healbot
School Savant is quite nice. Recommending Teleportation, Foresight, and Admixture.
Knowing your level would help
Good feats include: Toughness, Improved Initiative, Spell Focus, Spell Penetration, Greater Fortitude, Scribe Scroll, Craft Wondrous Item, Craft Rod, Craft Staff, Reach Spell, Persistent Spell, Empowered Spell, Quickened Spell, Spell Perfection
Best Spells Include: Magic Missile, Mage Armor, Protection From Evil, Mount, Enlarge Person, Scorching Ray, Invisibility, Mirror Image, Protection from Evil Communal, Haste, Fireball, Summon Monster III, Resist Energy Communal, Dimension Door, Shadow Conjuration, Invisibility Greater, Ablative Barrier, Wall of Force/Stone, Baleful Polymorph, Stonskin Communal, Chain Lightning, Form of the Dragon I, Contingency
Not including the various silly spells from non Core, UC, UM, APG. Also note this was off the top of my head so I probably missed a few
Guide to the God Wizard. Intended for Wizard class but a lot of its advice is transferable
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xjPIOH8F8a0l74BdDF7Q23nCfZ-YX68Xr6Jmmtz nMw4/edit
Level 9 is where the Brown Fur Transmuter takes off as a party buffer, if that remains of any interest. Spells like Monstrous Physique can be pretty strong on your allies!
Polymorphing the Fighter and Ninja sounds fun, but you might want to check with the players first to make sure they'll accept your buffs. Sometimes folks might not want their PCs to become gargoyles, giants, etc.
Since your DM is already allowing some stuff from Unchained you might want to ask about Variant Multi-classing. As an arcane caster you can probably do pretty well even without a lot of feats, and some of the VMC options can expand your PC's scope. VMC Bard or VMC Wizard (Diviner) could be nice for a buff/support PC. VMC Sorcerer or VMC Wizard (Evoker) could potentially help your blasting.
I'm a big fan of familiars and other action economy enhancers, and even something silly like having an Improved Familiar play a goblin fire drum could help you blast things a little better while also adding some RP flavor.
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I can find nothing that mechanically ties the Brown-Fur to actually changing the shape of another creature.
Good advice, I will look into the VMC feats.
Not generally a fan of familiars, but since I am trying to get outside my box I will not close it as an option.
I have mocked up:
School Savant;
Magaabyan Initiate, tried the Magaabyan PrC but decided to drop it;
Brown-Fur.
I am enjoying what the Arcanist can bring to the table...
Here's the ability which allows you to change the shape of another creature:
Share Transmutation (Su)
At 9th level, the brown-fur transmuter can target others with her transmutation spells. A brown-fur transmuter can expend 1 point from her arcane reservoir to change any transmutation spell with a range of personal to a range of touch. Such a spell automatically fails on unwilling creatures.
This ability replaces the arcanist exploit gained at 9th level.
That's potentially a pretty powerful ability if you consider Monstrous Physique and later Giant Form, both of which allow the subject to keep using his or her equipment. I guess even Form of the Dragon might be useful if you grant some Mage Armor first. An Improved Familiar wand jockey could potentially apply the Mage Armor via wand with the UMD skill.
Something funky on a Witch build.... very different flavour