Hoping for a little guidance on what might be better to go into EK with. Blade Adept Arcanist VMC Battle Oracle or Tattooed Sage Blooded Sorceror VMC Battle Oracle with a Protector Familiar?
Obviously using VMC Oracle to get Skill at Arms to meet the prereqs of EK without losing caster levels.
Blade Adept gives me that sweet, sweet Black Blade that scales with caster level. Tat Sorceror allows me to bypass the awful replacement bloodline power Arcane Bolt with the Familiar I lost to get Int based spellcasting. And if the familiar counts as touching me when in tattoo form I get Shield Other on demand without leaving my little friend as a target. Do you guys think that it would work that way?
Need to know which entry is better and if you're feeling generous a possible sample build would be great if anyone has done this before. The guidelines for the game it'll be played are as follows.
- 20 PB
- Starting level 1 (150gp for equipment)
- 2 traits
- Core and Uncommon Races allowed
Thanks!
I did specify the starting level as 1st. Would go until possibly level 15,but probably no further than that.
I appreciate the suggestion, but I'm aware of the Magus class and have played several of them in the past. The whole point of this character is to keep some of the same flavor as the Magus, but to have the more powerful/versatile Sorc/Wizard spell list at my disposal. Maybe do something a little different then just Blast.
If you want qssomething different from a magus, then go for sorceror, the blade adept is copying a magus archetype after all.
But if it's versatility you want, then go arcanist.
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The whole point of this character is to keep some of the same flavor as the Magus, but to have the more powerful/versatile Sorc/Wizard spell list at my disposal. Maybe do something a little different then just Blast.
Well, instead of blasting, you could easily build a Magus that's focused on maneuvers (reach weapon + true strike FTW), debuffing (frostbite stack), multiattacking (polymorph into octopus), or on BFC and support spells. There's even archetypes that give you lots of Bard or Psychic spells for free. Until level 13'ish, all of those are going to be better melee combatants than a sorcerer or arcanist. Linky for more info.
The whole point of this character is to keep some of the same flavor as the Magus, but to have the more powerful/versatile Sorc/Wizard spell list at my disposal.
Maybe the warlock archetype of vigilante is something for you. It starts off with martial weapon proficiency, has 6th level casting with the wiz / sorc list and mystic bolts as backup solution. It's compatible with VMC battle oracle or VMC magus.
You are free to ignore the social identity stuff of the vigilante - but I'd at least take the 10% discount on magical items, if I were you.
I would go arcanist but not use the black blade. Instead use vanilla for more exploits; Notably Quick Study and Dimensional Slide. Combine with the Dimensional Assault feats for great mobility(check with your dm this works beforehand). Also you can grab an arcane bond(weapon) or a familiar
Another option is to build for telekenesis spam and go crit fishing(for EK capstone) by hurling a ton of 18-20 crit range weapons similiar to
Build
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Yay, responses! I'm not forum savvy so I'm just going to @ to respond to all of you individually.
@Kurald First, allow me to thank you for writing that amazing Magus guide! I've used it more than once to build characters for my home games and the result has always been ruthless efficiency in combat. :-) Now that's out of the way, let me say that although I love the Magus class, I've played too many of them recently (2 out of the last 4 characters actually) so although I really like their action economy and efficacy in combat, I want something a bit different this time. I also think my DMs might appreciate the change as well to be honest. Losing Spell Combat will go a long ways in that direction and there are a few spells I'd like to try out that Magus doesn't get or would take too long to Spell Blend. I also don't need to be able to tear it up in melee as my parties usually have that covered. I'd just like to have the ability to not whiff horribly should I need to swing a sword. lol
@My Self I understand the EK will be a bit behind the curve in weapon combat and I'm okay with that. To me it'll be a lot like playing a combat Bard without the Inspire Courage so not the best, but more than passable. I do like the ability of the Arcanist route to Swift buff their weapon, Standard cast a nasty Touch spell and Spellstrike the enemy with it, and Move teleport away to safety. Seems super neat and useful. I'm just not sure if that's more enticing than the familiar who could honestly be any archetype. I just choose protector originally for the Shield Other ability and that's only if Melded counts as touching.
@Sheepish Eidolon I hadn't considered the Vigilante path because to be honest, I'm just not a fan of the premise for the class. I know, I know, fluff is changeable yadda yadda yadda, but I just... Anyway, since you suggested it I'll take a look at it and see what's there. Thank you!
@Dastis I do like Quick Study, but with the limited number of spells an Arcanist can prep do you think it would see much use? Dimensional Slide was already going to be my one free Exploit. :-) Also, holy crap that build is hilarious, but wouldn't fly in my group. We don't really allow suped up oversize weapon shenanigans.
Shameful self bump. :-P
Can you even take tattooed with sage? Don't they both alter the first bloodline power?
One trick I like for EK is the surprise weapon trait. +2 to attack rolls with improvised weapons. Grab Catch-Off Guard and your accuracy shouldn't be too bad. Plus, smacking someone with a shovel is just hilarious. Arcane Strike can help with DR.
@Sah. I suppose you're right about that. I always forget that the Wildblooded options are actually considered an Archetype. That is... unfortunate. I suppose I could be a Tattooed Cha Sorceror with the Protector or a Sage Int Sorceror,bit not both. Well, that kind of makes the decision for me as I like having skills so Arcanist it is unless Vigilante proves better. Thank you for pointing that out.
@Magehunter. As amusing as the Shovelknight build is, I'm not sure it's what I want for this character. Side question, do you think you could choose a shovel to be your Black Blade?
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@Sah. I suppose you're right about that. I always forget that the Wildblooded options are actually considered an Archetype. That is... unfortunate. I suppose I could be a Tattooed Cha Sorceror with the Protector or a Sage Int Sorceror,bit not both. Well, that kind of makes the decision for me as I like having skills so Arcanist it is unless Vigilante proves better. Thank you for pointing that out.
@Magehunter. As amusing as the Shovelknight build is, I'm not sure it's what I want for this character. Side question, do you think you could choose a shovel to be your Black Blade?
Blackblades can be any one-handed slashing weapon, rapier, sword cane. Of course, this'll probably be an interaction soon.
MageHunter:Hey, can I get a shovel to count as a black blade?
My GM: Why?...
MageHunter; I just want to beat people up with a magic shovel. Can I or not?
My GM: Eh, why not?
And thus began the adventures, of Soil Spade; the spell and shovel slinging warrior...
TLDR; Bribe your GM with Pizza and Beer
@Sah. I suppose you're right about that. I always forget that the Wildblooded options are actually considered an Archetype. That is... unfortunate. I suppose I could be a Tattooed Cha Sorceror with the Protector or a Sage Int Sorceror,bit not both. Well, that kind of makes the decision for me as I like having skills so Arcanist it is unless Vigilante proves better. Thank you for pointing that out.
@Magehunter. As amusing as the Shovelknight build is, I'm not sure it's what I want for this character. Side question, do you think you could choose a shovel to be your Black Blade?
Blackblades can be any one-handed slashing weapon, rapier, sword cane. Of course, this'll probably be an interaction soon.
MageHunter:Hey, can I get a shovel to count as a black blade?
My GM: Why?...
MageHunter; I just want to beat people up with a magic shovel. Can I or not?
My GM: Eh, why not?And thus began the adventures, of Soil Spade; the spell and shovel slinging warrior...
TLDR; Bribe your GM with Pizza and Beer
It's actually not too far-fetched. We do already have a shovel-wielding Investigator archetype.
^Problem is: Shovel is apparently a two-handed weapon (unless you count the backup weapon also shown briefly).
If you're willing to use VMC Magus, here is a build to be a gish that is not a Magus and dispenses with the Eldritch Knight levels (also see the next few posts, and for more details, see the previous few posts). Dip 1st level in Blood Conduit Bloodrager (preferably Aberrant to get Reach for AoOs, whereas the Sorcerer version only gives you Reach for your normal attacks), and then Blade Adept Arcanist the rest of the way, using VMC Magus to qualify for the Magus Arcana Maneuver Mastery (but it doesn't give you effective Magus levels for determining effect, but Blade Adept Arcanist covers you there, while it doesn't offer this Magus Arcana on its own), using Bloodline Development to progress the Bloodrager Bloodline.