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Cleaning up my Hot Mess

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I started off as a wizard, and I did not have a plan. After one session I talked to my GM, and he allowed me to rewrite the hot mess.

I am still working on it.

Miril The Magnificient
Male elf arcanist (blade adept) 1 (Pathfinder RPG Advanced Class Guide 8, 76)
NG Medium humanoid (elf)
Init +4; Senses low-light vision; Perception +4
--------------------
Defense
--------------------
AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 10 (+4 Dex)
hp 8 (1d6+2)
Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +3; +2 vs. enchantments
Immune sleep
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 30 ft.
Melee black rapier +3 (1d6+2/18-20) or
. . dagger +2 (1d4+2/19-20)
Ranged sling +4 (1d4+2)
Special Attacks arcane reservoir (1/4), consume spells
Arcanist (Blade Adept) Spells Prepared (CL 1st; concentration +6)
. . 1st—mage armor, magic missile
. . 0 (at will)—detect magic, jolt[UM], mage hand, prestidigitation
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 15, Dex 18, Con 14, Int 17, Wis 12, Cha 15
Base Atk +0; CMB +2; CMD 16
Feats Breadth Of Experience[APG]
Traits focused mind, scholar of the ancients
Skills Appraise +7, Knowledge (All) +5, Knowledge (arcana) +10, Knowledge (history) +10, Perception +4, Profession (All) +3, Spellcraft +7 (+9 to identify magic item properties), Use Magic Device +6; Racial Modifiers +2 Perception, +2 Spellcraft to identify magic item properties
Languages Custom Language, Draconic, Elven, Gnome, Goblin
SQ arcane focus, elven magic, sword bond
Other Gear black rapier, dagger, sling, sling bullets (10), arcanist starting spellbook, belt pouch, belt pouch, candle (10), chalk (2), crowbar, flint and steel, grappling hook, ink (2), inkpen, masterwork backpack[APG], parchment (5), scroll case, silk rope (50 ft.), spell component pouch, string or twine[APG] (5), trail rations (2), waterskin, whetstone, donkey, animal harness, bedroll, blanket, cauldron, pack saddle, soap, 89 gp
--------------------
Special Abilities
--------------------
Arcane Focus +2 to concentration checks to cast arcane spells defensively.
Arcane Reservoir +1 DC or CL (4/day) (Su) Pool of points fuel exploits, or can expend to add +1 CL or DC while cast spell.
Consume Spells (2/day) (Su) As a move action, expend a spell slot to add its spell levels to arcane reservoir.
Elven Immunities - Sleep You are immune to magic sleep effects.
Elven Magic +2 to spellcraft checks to determine the properties of a magic item.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in dim light, distinguishing color and detail.
Sword Bond (Rapier, 1/day) Arcane bond with proto-black blade.
--------------------
Miril was always slightly odd, while a gifted mage he was always thinking about the world beyond his forest home. He was a wander at heart, and when he reached the age of mautity he set out to see the world. He has an inate sense of direction and a curiosity about the world that cannot be quenched.

In his travels he has picked up an animal companion, a white rabit that he named Harvey after an old story he heard once.

His most prized possesion is a small journal that he keeps in a belt pouch. He can often be seen writing notes about what is going on around him.

Hero Lab and the Hero Lab logo are Registered Trademarks of LWD Technology, Inc. Free download at http://www.wolflair.com
Pathfinder® and associated marks and logos are trademarks of Paizo Inc.®, and are used under license.

Long term plan: To take 1 level in every class

KIDDING

Seriously planning on taking a level in warpriest at 2nd (Magic/not sure)or oracle or cleric and crusader. The choice here is about secondary abilities...

Then back to arcanist for about 5 levels

Then Eld Knight

Not sure about everything yet, but that is a start

You might just be better off being a Magus. It provides you with basically all of what you need to become a mage with a sword. You'll need to build up to your black rapier (level 3) and you won't have the same sort of spell flexibility, but you will also be much better off for the majority of your career. With only 1 non-full BAB level under your belt, I'd highly discourage you from multiclassing, especially into a non-full BAB caster class. Oracle might be acceptable if you were rocking a truly beastly CHA, but Warpriest is almost definitely a no-go if you're dipping for something besides the weapon boosts. Caster levels will not stack, and that's a priority for a fullcaster like an Arcanist or Oracle. If it's possible to alter your stats, you should consider pushing around points around. If you could rebalance the 15 STR and CHA into 14s, then throw around the spare points into INT, sacrificing from WIS if necessary, that could help you. Alternatively, you could toss the spares into WIS if you don't have enough points to boost your INT or STR.

If you're really certain you want to remain a Blade Adept Arcanist, then you need to fast-track yourself into Eldritch Knight. Forget about multiclassing into all of the divine classes you suggested- you'll want something with full martial proficiency. Fighter is a tried-and-true class for martial dips. Avenger Vigilante will give you a small edge in skills, but is otherwise inferior to Fighter. Grey Paladin is a no-go. You probably want to avoid Bloodrager/Barbarian if you like casting in combat, since you won't stick around long enough to get Moment of Clarity or have enough rage rounds for later levels. Ranger is OK, if you only need/want one favored enemy. If needed, you can use CLW wands, although Infernal Healing (on the Arcanist list) is better as a wand. Slayer is equivalent to Ranger- it will suck up more actions, but give you more versatile bonuses. Swashbuckler has bad saves, so avoid it unless you take the Inspired Blade archetype for the Weapon Focus and Weapon Finesse. Gunslinger has very little you want, unless you're really itching to become a gun-mage. Cavalier/Samurai bonuses at this level are negligible. Magus, Warpriest, and Skald don't have full BAB, which is bad for your prestige class. I'd recommend Fighter, but it's entirely your choice.

4d6 drop the lowest.

I am dipping PRIMARILY for the Martial weapons, I have a list of secondary desires

Secondary desires
* The ability to cast some divine spells
* Hand of the apprentice ability
* The Crusader ability to share a team feat (this is going to depend on my groups willingness to help me out)
* Rolling 2d20 init and choose one
* Feat: +2 concentration, +1 init

I am also not married to the idea of being a Blade adept, arcanist I am sure of.

A part of me wants to concentrate on staffs instead. still working, still working...

Hand of the Apprentice is available to School Specialist Arcanists with the Universalist school, although that conflicts with the Blade Arcanist archetype. Hand of the Acolyte (Blessing and Domain), on the other hand, uses WIS instead of INT, which is your lowest stat. When you include the fact that you are gaining +0 BAB by taking a level in Warpriest or Cleric, this is a fairly subpar option. You'd be using the Hand of the Acolyte ability at +1, instead of chucking a dagger or shooting a longbow at +6. Team feats are also best shared on the front line, since most team feats are melee combat feats. The Warrior Priest feat is actually 1/4 of the Improved Initiative feat (+4 initiative) and 1/2 of the Combat Casting feat (+4 concentration). Warrior Priest is only 3/4 of a full feat.

Divine casting has a really slow start, but becomes amazing later. I'd recommend not dipping and focusing on one type of casting.
Jason Wedel wrote:

I am also not married to the idea of being a Blade adept, arcanist I am sure of.

A part of me wants to concentrate on staffs instead. still working, still working...

So what sort of character are you trying to create? Are there any specific mechanical concepts (mage with sword, mixed arcane/divine caster, twirly staff-guy, etc.) or character concepts (broody loner, quirky wanderer, magical elf, etc.) that you are trying to explore? Also, what is the rest of your party like?

The other idea, without blade, would probably dip into oracle on this one

Miril The Magnificient
Male elf arcanist 1 (Pathfinder RPG Advanced Class Guide 8)
NG Medium humanoid (elf)
Init +4; Senses low-light vision; Perception +4
--------------------
Defense
--------------------
AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 10 (+4 Dex)
hp 8 (1d6+2)
Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +3; +2 vs. enchantments
Immune sleep
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 30 ft.
Melee dagger +2 (1d4+2/19-20) or
. . quarterstaff +2 (1d6+3)
Ranged sling +4 (1d4+2)
Special Attacks arcane reservoir (1/4), arcanist exploits (familiar[ACG], school understanding[ACG]), consume spells, hand of the apprentice (5/day)
Arcanist Spells Prepared (CL 1st; concentration +6)
. . 1st—mage armor, magic missile
. . 0 (at will)—detect magic, jolt[UM], mage hand, prestidigitation
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 15, Dex 18, Con 14, Int 17, Wis 12, Cha 15
Base Atk +0; CMB +2; CMD 16
Feats Extra Arcanist Exploit[ACG]
Traits focused mind, scholar of the ancients
Skills Appraise +7, Knowledge (arcana) +8, Knowledge (history) +8, Perception +4, Spellcraft +7 (+9 to identify magic item properties), Use Magic Device +6; Racial Modifiers +2 Perception, +2 Spellcraft to identify magic item properties
Languages Custom Language, Draconic, Elven, Gnome, Goblin
SQ arcane focus, elven magic, school (universalist)
Other Gear dagger, quarterstaff, sling, sling bullets (10), arcanist starting spellbook, belt pouch, belt pouch, candle (10), chalk (2), crowbar, flint and steel, grappling hook, ink (2), inkpen, masterwork backpack[APG], parchment (5), scroll case, silk rope (50 ft.), spell component pouch, string or twine[APG] (5), trail rations (2), waterskin, whetstone, donkey, animal harness, bedroll, blanket, cauldron, pack saddle, soap, 89 gp
--------------------
Special Abilities
--------------------
Arcane Focus +2 to concentration checks to cast arcane spells defensively.
Arcane Reservoir +1 DC or CL (4/day) (Su) Pool of points fuel exploits, or can expend to add +1 CL or DC while cast spell.
Consume Spells (2/day) (Su) As a move action, expend a spell slot to add its spell levels to arcane reservoir.
Elven Immunities - Sleep You are immune to magic sleep effects.
Elven Magic +2 to spellcraft checks to determine the properties of a magic item.
Empathic Link with Familiar (Su) You have an empathic link with your Arcane Familiar.
Familiar Bonus: +4 to initiative checks You gain the Alertness feat while your familiar is within arm's reach.
Hand of the Apprentice (5/day) (Su) As a standard action, throw melee weapon (use Int instead of Dex) and instantly returns.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in dim light, distinguishing color and detail.
School Understanding (2 rounds) Use 1 reservoir as a swift action to treat school ability at full level & gain other ability for 2 rds.
Share Spells with Familiar Can cast spells with a target of "You" on the familiar with a range of touch.
--------------------
Miril was always slightly odd, while a gifted mage he was always thinking about the world beyond his forest home. He was a wander at heart, and when he reached the age of mautity he set out to see the world. He has an inate curiosity about the world that cannot be quenched.

His most prized possesion is a small journal that he keeps in a belt pouch. He can often be seen writing notes about what is going on around him.

Hero Lab and the Hero Lab logo are Registered Trademarks of LWD Technology, Inc. Free download at http://www.wolflair.com
Pathfinder® and associated marks and logos are trademarks of Paizo Inc.®, and are used under license.

Is there anything I can do to dissuade you from dipping into multiple caster classes? 1 level of Cleric gets you 2 domains and dozens of 1st level Cleric spells known, but 1 level of Oracle gets you 1 revelation, a curse and only 3 1st level Cleric spells known. Not that Cleric is a great dip class, either.

Why not consider single-classing the Inquisitor Living Grimoire class?
Silver Crusade
Jason Wedel wrote:

Miril The Magnificient

Male elf arcanist (blade adept) 1
Str 15, Dex 18, Con 14, Int 17, Wis 12, Cha 15

Seriously planning on taking a level in warpriest at 2nd (Magic/not sure)or oracle or cleric and crusader. The choice here is about secondary abilities...

Then back to arcanist for about 5 levels

Then Eld Knight

Your expecting to much out of any one character. Their are ways to do it however none of them involve what you have lined out. Your best option might be to list what you want the character to do at the end. To find out how to make it work.

FYI almost all prestige classes are weaker then full classes that can do the same thing. It's a known flaw in 3, 3.5, and pathfinder. Prestige classes where suppose to be better. However their only effective when build to an exact purpose build. That means you start with a prestige class and build backwards. That's one of the few ways prestige classes work.
My Self wrote:
Jason Wedel wrote:

I am also not married to the idea of being a Blade adept, arcanist I am sure of.

A part of me wants to concentrate on staffs instead. still working, still working...

So what sort of character are you trying to create? Are there any specific mechanical concepts (mage with sword, mixed arcane/divine caster, twirly staff-guy, etc.) or character concepts (broody loner, quirky wanderer, magical elf, etc.) that you are trying to explore? Also, what is the rest of your party like?

He is an explorer at heart, wants to know EVERYTHING, He is also blessed by his God...

Mechanically: A good mage, who is in the mix of things.

The rest of the party

Dwarf Cleric of the God of death, with a demented desire to see us always just shy of death's door

Elf Thief (Not sure where he is planning to go). Character is my character's twin brother

Dwarf Ranger with Arcane Archer aspirations

Half-Elf Thief with a Duelist aspect (more social Based)

Not really, I see him being chosen by his god to be a big deal with the character. At least a little bit of divine is strongly desired for flavor reasons. If I go with second build then the one level in warpriest or oracle will be enough for my wants/desires for him. I might move his strength 15 into his wisdom, but seems a waste for a one level flavor ability.

By "Thief", do you mean "Rogue"?

I'd recommend you play some sort of frontliner or semi-frontliner. A single-classed Magus, Warpriest, Inquisitor, Occultist, caster-archetyped Vigilante, or Bard would do well here. Wizard, Arcanist, Sorcerer, Witch, Shaman, or Psychic are also strong caster possibilities, but not as great in close combat. Summoner, Medium, Skald, and Kineticist don't really seem to be up your alley, but they are good options. Oracle would be good, except you don't seem to have enough direction in your character concept to warrant an Oracle, since Oracles are excellent specialists but not-so-great generalists without lots of knowledge of the system.

Note that you don't need to have levels in a divine class to be favored by a deity. Just have that as part of your backstory.

I do understand what you are saying. I don't feel the need to be the best of anything, just good at it.

Right now I am leaning towards second build with one level of warpriest. Gets me most of what I consider high priority. At 20 I will be an 18 caster w/a bab of 14 and have the most important special abilities I crave. It also lets me get a free feat

I might change my magical trait for magic knack. with that I will loose some spells but still cast like a 20
Silver Crusade

I suggest you look in to. Magus with a dip in Inquisitor for your divine component. This will give you a fighting arcane caster with some divine casting with out giving up much.
Jason Wedel wrote:

I do understand what you are saying. I don't feel the need to be the best of anything, just good at it.

Right now I am leaning towards second build with one level of warpriest. Gets me most of what I consider high priority. At 20 I will be an 18 caster w/a bab of 14 and have the most important special abilities I crave. It also lets me get a free feat

I might change my magical trait for magic knack. with that I will loose some spells but still cast like a 20

If you multiclass, save it until you have a few levels under your belt. You might not be aiming to be the best at something, but multiclassing early on through caster classes is a very quick way to make yourself worst at weapon-based combat. I agree with Calagnar with the build- Mostly Magus with a level in Living Grimoire Inquisitor will help prevent your stats from smearing out too far, since Living Grimoire is a prepared caster that casts off INT.

Don't care for Magus. I like the flexible spell book of the arcanist

For one level the difference in a warpriest v. fighter is small

d10vd8 hit points
1 v 0 bab
bonus combat feat v bonus Weapon Focus

Spellcasting
Sacred weapon
Blessings (unless I use an archtype)

I was actually thinking if I did it right I could take it at 3, If I have magic Knack, or 5 if not. That way I could take Arcane Armor.
Jason Wedel wrote:

Don't care for Magus. I like the flexible spell book of the arcanist

For one level the difference in a warpriest v. fighter is small

d10vd8 hit points
1 v 0 bab
bonus combat feat v bonus Weapon Focus

Spellcasting
Sacred weapon
Blessings (unless I use an archtype)

If you'd like to play an melee Arcanist, it would be best to stick to the plan of Blade Adept Arcanist + Fighter -> Eldritch Knight, or just play a straight Arcanist and load up on Arcanist self-buffs. The reason to select Fighter over Warpriest is precisely because of the BAB. At the level you can enter the prestige class, 1st level divine casting will be trivial at best. The extra +1 BAB is not only +1 to hit, it's also +1 to CMD and 1 step closer to getting another attack as part of a full attack. +1 BAB also qualifies you for more combat feats and makes your Power Attack better.

Arcane Armor training uses up your swift actions to allow easier casting in armor. This may be a problem with Warpriest action economy, which assumes you can already cast in armor and uses swift actions to apply some Blessings. This may be a problem if you like to use Blessings and cast in armor. Note that Sacred Weapon does not scale unless you put more levels into Warpriest- with a 1-level dip, it is entirely wasted on any weapon that does 1d6 or more damage.

If you're dead-set on Warpriest, I suppose there isn't much I can do to stop you, but I would recommend shifting the 15 CHA into WIS. Maybe if your stats were slightly different, you'd be better equipped as an Arcanist/Warpriest. Perhaps:
STR 16, DEX 17 (14+2), CON 13 (15-2), INT 18 (16+2), WIS 14, CHA 12
Although it really depends on your feat choices. If you're going to pick up Weapon Finesse, having STR 15 and DEX 18 would be fine. Otherwise, Toughness would be a good selection.
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I'd suggest scrapping the divine spellcasting and simulate "chosen by a god" through Divine Obedience and possibly the Evangelist prestige class. You still get several blessings from your god, but all you really lose is one level.

That's... the only *constructive* thing I have to say about this, and I'll keep the rest to myself.

My Self:

I can see the wisdom of what you are saying. I really do. I do think that one level for flavor is not the end of the world however. Having said that, Oracle is also a option I am exploring, as I could then use some of my Feats to get a couple of the special abilities.

I am far from deciding (I still am thinking of going thurg instead of EK for instance...)
Jason Wedel wrote:

My Self:

I can see the wisdom of what you are saying. I really do. I do think that one level for flavor is not the end of the world however. Having said that, Oracle is also a option I am exploring, as I could then use some of my Feats to get a couple of the special abilities.

I am far from deciding (I still am thinking of going thurg instead of EK for instance...)

Oracle is decent for Mystic Theurge, however, Mystic Theurge itself is not very powerful. The problem with Mystic Theurge goes as follows: Fullcaster spellcasting is meant to require a single casting stat, scale with caster level equal or greater than character level, and have a spell level of 1/2 character level, rounded up. Other fullcaster class features are usually not very strong because casting is strong. Mystic Theurge requires you to have 2nd level casting in two classes. That requires you to spend minimum 6 levels building up the prerequisites to enter the class. However, that also stunts your casting progression, as below:

Stunted casting:

Lvl-BAB-CL - SL - Classes
1 --- 0 - 1/_ - 1/_ - Wiz1
2 --- 1 - 2/_ - 1/_ - Wiz2
3 --- 1 - 3/_ - 2/_ - Wiz3
4 --- 1 - 3/1 - 2/1 - Wiz3/Cl1
5 --- 2 - 3/2 - 2/1 - Wiz3/Cl2
6 --- 3 - 3/3 - 2/2 - Wiz3/Cl3
7 --- 3 - 4/4 - 2/2 - Wiz3/Cl3/MT1
8 --- 4 - 5/5 - 3/3 - Wiz3/Cl3/MT2
9 --- 4 - 6/6 - 3/3 - Wiz3/Cl3/MT3
10 -- 5 - 7/7 - 4/4 - Wiz3/Cl3/MT4

Although with the Magical Knack trait, you'll be more like:

Lvl-BAB-CL - SL - Classes
1 --- 0 - 1/_ - 1/_ - Wiz1
2 --- 1 - 2/_ - 1/_ - Wiz2
3 --- 1 - 3/_ - 2/_ - Wiz3
4 --- 1 - 4/3 - 2/1 - Wiz3/Cl1
5 --- 2 - 5/4 - 2/1 - Wiz3/Cl2
6 --- 3 - 5/5 - 2/2 - Wiz3/Cl3
7 --- 3 - 6/6 - 2/2 - Wiz3/Cl3/MT1
8 --- 4 - 7/7 - 3/3 - Wiz3/Cl3/MT2
9 --- 4 - 8/8 - 3/3 - Wiz3/Cl3/MT3
10 -- 5 - 9/9 - 4/4 - Wiz3/Cl3/MT4

Versus a pure Bard, who will cast like:

Lvl-BAB-CL - SL - Classes
1 --- 0 -- 1 --- 1 -- Bard1
2 --- 1 -- 2 --- 1 -- Bard2
3 --- 2 -- 3 --- 1 -- Bard3
4 --- 3 -- 4 --- 2 -- Bard4
5 --- 3 -- 5 --- 2 -- Bard5
6 --- 4 -- 6 --- 2 -- Bard6
7 --- 5 -- 7 --- 3 -- Bard7
8 --- 6 -- 8 --- 3 -- Bard8
9 --- 6 -- 9 --- 3 -- Bard9
10 -- 7 - 10 -- 4 -- Bard10

Or a pure Cleric, who will cast like:

Lvl-BAB-CL - SL - Classes
1 --- 0 -- 1 --- 1 -- Cl1
2 --- 1 -- 2 --- 1 -- Cl2
3 --- 2 -- 3 --- 2 -- Cl3
4 --- 3 -- 4 --- 2 -- Cl4
5 --- 3 -- 5 --- 3 -- Cl5
6 --- 4 -- 6 --- 3 -- Cl6
7 --- 5 -- 7 --- 4 -- Cl7
8 --- 6 -- 8 --- 4 -- Cl8
9 --- 6 -- 9 --- 5 -- Cl9
10 -- 7 - 10 -- 5 -- Cl10

In short, you will be playing a character whose only ability is casting, but only casts as high-level spells as a Bard, who has lots and lots of other abilities besides casting. You will be 3 levels (or 1.5 spell levels) behind a pure Cleric or Wizard, assuming you select a prepared fullcasting class to enter into MT with. If you choose Oracle instead of Cleric, you will be 4 levels, or 2 full spell levels behind a pure Cleric/Wizard MT. If you decide to be an Oracle/Sorcerer MT, or Oracle/Arcanist MT, you will be 2.5 spell levels behind a pure Cleric/Wizard MT. This will also set you back relative to the Bard, meaning that the Bard will be as good, if not a better caster until you get to high levels. All of this spells bad news for you as a caster except for one thing:

You can ask your GM to houserule it to be able to enter MT with only 1 or 2 levels in the constituent classes. Mystic Theurge is pretty widely considered a weak PRC on these forums, so it shouldn't be too difficult to convince him.

Houseruled MT:

Lvl-BAB-CL - SL - Classes
1 --- 0 - 1/_ - 1/_ - Wiz1
2 --- 0 - 2/2 - 1/1 - Wiz1/Cl1
3 --- 0 - 3/3 - 1/1 - Wiz1/Cl1/MT1
4 --- 1 - 4/4 - 2/2 - Wiz1/Cl1/MT2
5 --- 1 - 5/5 - 2/2 - Wiz1/Cl1/MT3
6 --- 2 - 6/6 - 3/3 - Wiz1/Cl1/MT4
7 --- 2 - 7/7 - 3/3 - Wiz1/Cl1/MT5
8 --- 3 - 8/8 - 4/4 - Wiz1/Cl1/MT6
9 --- 3 - 9/9 - 4/4 - Wiz1/Cl1/MT7
10 -- 4-10/10-5/5 - Wiz1/Cl1/MT8

Above enters PRC as a Wizard 1/Cleric 1. Below enters PRC as a Wizard 2/Cleric 2. Bottom is an Arcanist 2/Oracle 2. All assume you have the Magical Knack trait. And all are houseruled, of course.

Lvl-BAB-CL - SL - Classes
1 --- 0 - 1/_ - 1/_ - Wiz1
2 --- 1 - 2/_ - 1/_ - Wiz2
3 --- 1 - 3/3 - 1/1 - Wiz2/Cl1
4 --- 2 - 4/4 - 1/1 - Wiz2/Cl2
5 --- 2 - 5/5 - 2/2 - Wiz2/Cl2/MT1
6 --- 3 - 6/6 - 2/2 - Wiz2/Cl2/MT2
7 --- 3 - 7/7 - 3/3 - Wiz2/Cl2/MT3
8 --- 4 - 8/8 - 3/3 - Wiz2/Cl2/MT4
9 --- 4 - 9/9 - 4/4 - Wiz2/Cl2/MT5
10 -- 5-10/10-4/4 - Wiz2/Cl2/MT6

Lvl-BAB-CL - SL - Classes
1 --- 0 - 1/_ - 1/_ - Arc1
2 --- 1 - 2/_ - 1/_ - Arc2
3 --- 1 - 3/3 - 1/1 - Arc2/Ora1
4 --- 2 - 4/4 - 1/1 - Arc2/Ora2
5 --- 2 - 5/5 - 1/1 - Arc2/Ora2/MT1
6 --- 3 - 6/6 - 2/2 - Arc2/Ora2/MT2
7 --- 3 - 7/7 - 2/2 - Arc2/Ora2/MT3
8 --- 4 - 8/8 - 3/3 - Arc2/Ora2/MT4
9 --- 4 - 9/9 - 3/3 - Arc2/Ora2/MT5
10 -- 5-10/10-4/4 - Arc2/Ora2/MT6

My GM would say no...trust me no reason to even ask

Right now I am leaning towards moving my attributes to, Str of 12, Dex 17, Con 14 Int 17, Wis 16, Chr 15

Then going
1-3 Arcanist (Take Magic Knack)
1 Cleric (Archtype +2 casting) ---Arcane Armor at this point
4 Arcanist
2-3 Cleric
1-10 Mystic Thurg
5-7 Arcanist (Might move Arcanist 5 in between the 2-3 cleric)

Will loose spells, but should be able to cast strong. Loose the fighting ability, but hopefully the magic will save my bacon...

If you want to get into Mystic Theurge using those classes and only those classes, and your absolutely determined to get Arcane Armor Training, you might be better off with a progression of:

Level progression:
1: Arcanist 1: Your choice of feat
2: Arcanist 2
3: Arcanist 3: Your choice of feat
4: Arcanist 4 (2nd level Arcanist spells)
5: Cleric 1: Arcane Armor Training
6: Cleric 2
7: Cleric 3: Your choice of feat (2nd level Cleric spells)
8: Mystic Theurge 1
9: Mystic Theurge 2: Your choice of feat (3rd level spells)
10: Mystic Theurge 3
11: Mystic Theurge 4: Arcane Armor Mastery (4th level spells)
12: Mystic Theurge 5
13: Mystic Theurge 6: Your choice of feat (5th level spells)
14: Mystic Theurge 7
15: Mystic Theurge 8: Your choice of feat (6th level spells)
16: Mystic Theurge 9
17: Mystic Theurge 10: Your choice of feat (7th level spells)
18: Arcanist 5
19: Arcanist 6: Your choice of feat (8th level Arcanist spells)
20: Arcanist 7

Although instead of being an Arcanist/Cleric/Mystic Theurge, could I instead recommend the Evangelist prestige class? Take a quick peek at the Evangelist prestige class and the Deific Obedience feat and the specific Deific obediences. Instead of Arcanist/Cleric/Mystic Theurge, just do something like the following:

More level progression:
1: Arcanist 1: Your choice of feat
2: Arcanist 2
3: Arcanist 3: Deific Obedience (Your choice of deity)
4: Arcanist 4 (2nd level spells)
5: Arcanist 5: Your choice of feat
6: Evangelist 1
7: Evangelist 2: Your choice of feat, Aligned Class (Arcanist) (3rd level spells)
8: Evangelist 3
9: Evangelist 4: Your choice of feat (4th level spells)
10: Evangelist 5
11: Evangelist 6: Your choice of feat (5th level spells)
12: Evangelist 7
13: Evangelist 8: Your choice of feat (6th level spells)
14: Evangelist 9
15: Evangelist 10: Your choice of feat (7th level spells)
16: Arcanist 6
17: Arcanist 7: Your choice of feat (8th level spells)
18: Arcanist 8
19: Arcanist 9: Your choice of feat (9th level spells)
20: Arcanist 10

Evangelist has a higher base attack bonus than Arcanist, which means that you will become better in combat than you would as a straight Arcanist. It also gives more skills, more languages, and small AC buffs as you level, which is fairly useful. The most important parts of the PRC are that at level 2 and afterwards, it levels your Aligned Class with the prestige class, so you get all the benefits of leveling your aligned class by leveling the prestige class. The second most important part is that it gives you access to deific boons from the Deific Obedience feat early. These boons are fairly powerful, and usually let you cast some divine spells, get a bonus to skills, saves, or DR, and a single unique ability, such as the ability to double your animal companion or add your WIS to hit and damage. And you only lose one caster level by entering this PRC.

Is there any chance I could convince you to not get Arcane Armor Training and instead pick up a Haramaki? You can cast spells in it without a failure chance and use it without being proficient in it.

Is your GM flexible with rules? You can try and sneak into early entry for MT using Equipment Trick.

actually evangelist looks cool. will need to check to see if permitted. can you tell me what Nethys gives as boons?
Jason Wedel wrote:
actually evangelist looks cool. will need to check to see if permitted. can you tell me what Nethys gives as boons?

Nethys

Buncha extra SLAs

You are underestimating how important every class level is to a caster.

The high level spells are incredibly powerful, and delaying access to those hurts you a lot.

What about Yuelral. his entry is bare

Okay: Assuming I can go Evangilist, this is the build

Spoiler:

Miril The Magnificient
Male elf arcanist (blade adept) 1 (Pathfinder RPG Advanced Class Guide 8, 76)
NG Medium humanoid (elf)
Init +4; Senses low-light vision; Perception +5
--------------------
Defense
--------------------
AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 10 (+4 Dex)
hp 8 (1d6+2)
Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +4; +2 vs. enchantments
Immune sleep
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 30 ft.
Melee dagger +1 (1d4+1/19-20) or
. . mwk rapier +2 (1d6+1/18-20) or
. . quarterstaff +1 (1d6+1)
Ranged sling +4 (1d4+1)
Special Attacks arcane reservoir (1/4), consume spells, hand of the acolyte (1/day)
Arcanist (Blade Adept) Spells Prepared (CL 1st; concentration +6)
. . 1st—mage armor, magic missile
. . 0 (at will)—detect magic, jolt[UM], mage hand, prestidigitation
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 12, Dex 18, Con 14, Int 17, Wis 15, Cha 15
Base Atk +0; CMB +1; CMD 15
Feats Believer's Boon[ACG]
Traits focused mind, scholar of the ancients
Skills Appraise +7, Knowledge (arcana) +8, Knowledge (history) +8, Perception +5, Spellcraft +7 (+9 to identify magic item properties), Use Magic Device +6; Racial Modifiers +2 Perception, +2 Spellcraft to identify magic item properties
Languages Custom Language, Draconic, Elven, Gnome, Goblin
SQ arcane focus, elven magic, sword bond
Other Gear dagger, mwk rapier, quarterstaff, sling, sling bullets (10), arcanist starting spellbook, belt pouch, belt pouch, candle (10), chalk (2), crowbar, flint and steel, grappling hook, ink (2), inkpen, masterwork backpack[APG], parchment (5), scroll case, silk rope (50 ft.), spell component pouch, string or twine[APG] (5), trail rations (2), waterskin, whetstone, donkey, animal harness, bedroll, blanket, cauldron, pack saddle, soap, 89 gp
--------------------
Special Abilities
--------------------
Arcane Focus +2 to concentration checks to cast arcane spells defensively.
Arcane Reservoir +1 DC or CL (4/day) (Su) Pool of points fuel exploits, or can expend to add +1 CL or DC while cast spell.
Believer's Boon Domain (Magic) Granted Powers: You are a true student of all things mystical, and see divinity in the purity of magic.
Consume Spells (2/day) (Su) As a move action, expend a spell slot to add its spell levels to arcane reservoir.
Elven Immunities - Sleep You are immune to magic sleep effects.
Elven Magic +2 to spellcraft checks to determine the properties of a magic item.
Hand of the Acolyte (1/day) (Su) As a standard action, melee weapon strikes at foe in 30 ft. Use Wis for att bonus instead of Str.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in dim light, distinguishing color and detail.
Sword Bond (Rapier, 1/day) Arcane bond with proto-black blade.
--------------------
Miril was always slightly odd, while a gifted mage he was always thinking about the world beyond his forest home. He was a wander at heart, and when he reached the age of mautity he set out to see the world. He has an inate curiosity about the world that cannot be quenched.

His most prized possesion is a small journal that he keeps in a belt pouch. He can often be seen writing notes about what is going on around him.

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I am debating on the trait (debating on Arcane Focus or Arcane Knack)

Current plan is level to Evangelist, then go 10 in evangelist. After that I'm not sure...

Frankly going Arcanist 10/Evangelist 10 is your best bet.
Johnnycat93 wrote:
Frankly going Arcanist 10/Evangelist 10 is your best bet.

probably what I will do. There is a SMALL chance of going cavalier for one level...take the teamwork trait for concentration....+12 sounds good to me :) If I decide that is the plan will defiantly take Knack...

might also consider diviner or pathfinder...but that is a LONG WAY off

Flavor wise Blade Adept isn't bad but ability wise you lose so many arcane abilities and your BAB is lower then The Magus which is the archtype it's meant for. You might if anything look at the Magus if you like the Blade Adept's theme. It is a more melee offensive class then the Arcanist.

You loose 2 and an option IIRC (Level 3 & 9, loose option on 1) but will consider it. you can make them up in feats also

If his party is in need of an arcane caster then Arcanist is the better choice, even with Blade Adept.

The difference between the Magus and the Arcanist is the Magus was meant to be a class version of the Eldritch knight It's BAB comparable to a Cleric. It's not bad far better then the Arcanist which has the Wizards BAB which is the worst.
The Magus offers a few advantages, the first armor proficiency and you can until seventh wear light armor without arcane failure. At seventh you can wear medium. The abilities it offers compare to the Arcanist overall just different. The worse loss is the Potent Magic ability allowing you to increase the spell's level or DC by two.

It also has a extremely limited max spell level IMO, and I really like the idea of a flexible spellbook, which is the feature that really drew me to the Arcanist. I realize that it is not as good on the fighter side, however I am the only one on the .5 BAB in the group (2 Rogues, a Cleric and a Ranger). The Ranger is planning on a level of Arcane somewhere to get Arcane Archer. I don't know what the others are planning yet...

So I want to be a bit better in combat (don't want to be to far in the back, don't mind the being last, just not to far last). I think the Blade Adept will give me the combat edge I am looking for. I realize that it flies against conventional wisdom in some ways, but there it is. I see a number of Feats I can take to make it work well even without a great strength.

Hopefully someones planning on playing the frontline...Remember to stock up on Summon Monster!

I know....

But the Death Priest is kind of beefy if nothing else

Any thoughts on Knack or Focus? I kind of like that I squeezed out combat casting without taking it (+2 for trading in elvish weapons and +2 for Focus)

I wouldn't invest too many feats in melee combat. Maybe only weapon finesse once you qualify (skip on strength). Focus on buffing spells and underhanded tactics like casting sleep and then CDGing people. You shouldn't need much in the way of feats, especially if you pick up Spellstrike and spam Shocking Grasp (look up guides for it, if you'd like. You can do it almost exclusively Arcanist). The +3 to strike from Shocking Grasp will help keep you hitting usually.
Jason Wedel wrote:
Any thoughts on Knack or Focus? I kind of like that I squeezed out combat casting without taking it (+2 for trading in elvish weapons and +2 for Focus)

Personally I use Arcane Temper when I want to boost concentration by a little. You may want to take full blown combat casting, though, if you plan on being in melee a lot.

You'd be better off then going Arcanist Eldritch knight. Your problems as an Arcanist are now two fold. The first is you can't wear armor. That problem can be solved one of two ways. The first is potent magic exploit. Mage armor cast with that ability adds two hours to duration since the spell is an hour a level. +4 but no dex limit or arcane failure. The second requires feats and special materials but still doable. The second problem is at low levels your BAB will suffer going up the required levels of Arcanist. The nice thing is I compared BAB for a straight Magus to the Eldritch Knight and they compare about even. You still won't be hitting as well as the Ranger but you won't lack too far behind the cleric. Spells will make a difference.
I'd suggest a level, two at best of fighter. Normal non archtype fighter. Here's why two bonus combat feats. If done right you can have arcane training and mastery by the time you are first level eldritch knight.
You will lose a bit doing it this way but your spell abilities are better and you have a wider range of spells. I like the Magus but they are a blaster caster with their spell selection.

I disagree. Mage Armor, Shield, and a lesser rod of extend will be just fine. Even if you spring for wands, that's only around 5000 gp.

BAB is kind of a non-issue.

I was thinking Finesse, Inititive, Spec, and Focus (Note some can be got as exploits)

Most of those are fine, but I'd pass on Specialization and stick with Spellstrike.

Thinking about making a few minor changes

Dropping Blessing (Just not worth it IMO)
Moving Str and wisdom
Changing weapon to Longsword
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