Sleep-inducing Build?

[Grizzly Baron]

I have a player who wants to play as a spellcaster who specializes in putting enemies to sleep. We've looked at a Witch build, a Mesmerist, as well as the Wizard and Sorcerer.

The problem (might be unfair to call it a problem) is that this player isn't really interested in any other spells. He just wants to be able to cast sleep as his only action in a fight. He's willing to fulfill any other party roll i.e. Healer, Face, Librarian, etc. I thought he might play a Bard or some other class that could focus on using wands instead of learning spells, but that's not really affordable at lower levels.

Ideally, we'd like advice on a lower level character (maybe as high as level 5) including feats and traits that would allow this spellcaster to avoid battle, especially melee, and focus on casting sleep, slumber, lullaby, etc.

Any ideas?

[Ridiculon]

Witch with the slumber hex is your best bet. Unlimited uses per day and affects a wider range of creatures than the normal sleep spell.

If they aren't interested in spellcasting they can multiclass out of witch immediately into a martial class, although this will mean a shorter duration on the sleep effect and a smaller DC to resist it.

[David knott 242]

Make the character a Witch, select the Sleep spell and the Slumber hex. Boost intelligence and take the Spell Focus (Enchantment) feat.

The Witch's main shtick is knocking out single opponents with save or suck effects. If he wants to play a Healer, his other spells should include Cure Light Wounds. He will still pick up a fair number of spells just from class advancement, but he will be defined more by his hexes than by his spells.

[Nathan Monson]

I second the vote for Witch. Slumber Hex lets you sleep the enemy 1 target at a time, he can take evil eye to set it up; take cure spells, and the heal hex to heal.
as an Int based caster he will have good knowledge's if he wants to devote the skill points to them; the clever wordplay trait allows any 1 cha based skill to be based off int instead, so he would be able to be a face if he wanted as well.

[Chromantic Durgon <3]

The Sleep spell isn't really a long term solution for a character since it has a Hit die limit. As such the only viable option is the sleep hex.

A witch could be the party librarian and a half decent party healer hex/CLW wand are decent

EDIT: split hex eventually lets you hit multiple targets with slumber at once as well :)

[Selvaxri]

Well, a sorcerer of the Fey Bloodline gets a free "Spell Focus (Enchantment/Compulsion)" equivalent that stacks with the actual Spell Focus/Greater SF and later learns Slumber as a free spell.

If he wants to go Witch, tell him he will have into invest in the Hex Vulnerability spell to whammy the same enemies with his Slumber Hex, if they make their first save

Ideally, tell him that specialist casters are more a hinderance to the party than he knows. Tabletop RPG's are cooperative games, and he's being a lone wolf. No consideration of the other party and their tactic, will result in a bad environment.

Until he invests in Selective Metamagic, he may hit allies in the Sleep/Slumber spells radius. And at later levels, he'll need to invest in metamagic that allows him to target undead/constructs with his Slumber spell- else his tactic will be ineffectual, even then- at high levels, he'll fight enemies that are downright immune to mind-affecting spells.

Being dedicated to a single spell is a bad idea in execution. Tell him that one trick ponies may often find themselves twiddling their thumbs.
Investing a few damage spells- magic missile, scorching ray/acid arrows, etc- and a few buff spell- protection from evil, haste, protection from energy, et al and he'll be a welcome addition.

Lastly, there are other Enchantment spells out there, that are just as comical as Sleep. Hideous Laughter, Oppressive Boredom, Terrible Remorse. Spells like Mage Armor/Shield/Mirror Image prolong survivability.

Rant aside, spell casters need Spell Penetration, Spell Focus, Improved Initiative, Toughness, Artful Dodge/Dodge.