Mesmerist / Spiritualist?

[Douglas Muir 406]

Would there ever be a reason to do this?

The drawbacks are obvious: you're combining two 3/4 BAB partial-spellcasting classes, which means you're going to gank both combat and casting. On the other hand, there are some synergies. For instance, a 3rd level Mesmerist / 7th level Spiritualist with the Nightmare Stare and a Fear phantom = a lot of foes running away in terror; the phantom's slam attack plus the stare forces the target to save twice at -2, taking the worse save, or be shaken, and then do it again immediately or be frightened and flee. That's pretty sweet. Or: dipping a single level of Spiritualist gives a Mesmerist a +4 Shield bonus to AC, two Skill focuses, and one or two cool special abilities i.e. a Dutiful phantom also gives you Iron Will. Even a first level phantom is useful through midlevels as a scout and ectoplasmic meat shield.

Given the number of different phantoms, stares, and archetypes, there should be lots of interesting possibilities here, even if the overall package ends up being somewhat underpowered.

Has anyone played around with this?

Doug M.

[Douglas Muir 406]

Bump?

I can't be the only person who's contemplated this?

Doug M.

[Selvaxri]

A single dip into Spiritualist doesn't give you the shield bonus. Ectoplasmic Manifestation is a 3rd level ability; unless you meant getting Shield on your spell list.

As you've said- two classes of 3/4 BAB partial casters, until you get the build to a point it can sustain itself will a very ineffectual character, it's almost a moot point. You Phantom is weaker because of the dip, unless you invest in the Phantom Ally feat.

It's never a wise idea to multiclass two casting classes- trying to keep track of spell would be annoying.

You could take the Umbral Summoner [Mesmerist Archetype], and just summon Shadow Hounds until you want to bring out the Phantom.

Also, Mermerists are charisma-based casters; Spiritualist's are wisdom-based casters...

[avr]

You think so? Don't multiclass two 6-level spellcasters is one of those common-sense rules, and the occult rules haven't been that popular. They use different casting stats by default too.

Taking a look at it now - An exciter spiritualist might make an interesting dip for a mesmerist. A +4 to dex & cha as a free action would be useful, even if it loses them most casting as some tricks (e.g. Reflection of Weakness) use cha-based saves, as does a vexing daredevil's dazzling feints, or a dreamstalker's slumber hex.

[Markov Spiked Chain]

Exciter looks like it stacks with Fractured Mind (to make spiritualist spells Cha based.) That looks like it could be a neat dip for a Mesmerist.

[Douglas Muir 406]

An exciter spiritualist should indeed stack with Fractured Mind, which seems like a bit of an oversight. If a Mesmerist dips one level of this and then throws a feat at Phantom Ally, he gets a scout / meat shield / flank buddy that'll be useful for many levels, plus the ability to surge his spell DCs. I wouldn't call this OP -- you're giving up a level of casting and a feat, and after a few levels the phantom becomes less useful -- but for a while, it's pretty amazing; you stack this with your Stare and watch foes try to make their Will saves at (effectively) -4 or -5.

Doug M.

[Markov Spiked Chain]

Exciter can't manifest their Phantom, so no scout/flank buddy, right? Just some Skill Focus feats and even more protection vs Mind Affecting.

The DC surge is still a big win. I'm not sure it's better than a level of Crossblooded Sorcerer(Fey/Serpentine) though. Maybe as a second dip around Sorcerer 1/Mesmerist 5 (Manifold Tricks and 2nd mirror image) or 8 (-3 Stare penalty)?

[Markov Spiked Chain]

I'm thinking more and more about this Exciter/Fractured Mind dip for my Mesmerist. It looks like you need a Furious metamagic rod to really do this though.

Just thinking out loud, Exciter/Fractured Mind with Dedication focus get

Non-rage:
10' movement
Skill Focus Diplomacy and Sense Motive
+4 Will (2 class 2 Iron Will), +4 more vs Mind Affecting
+2 Fort
Some extra spells.

Rage (need furious rod):
10' movement
+2 Cha DCs
+4 Concentration (+2Cha, +2 Furious)
+2 SR/Caster Level Checks
+6 Will ( 2 class, +2 Towering Ego, +2 Rage)
+2 Fort

[Grandlounge]

Because you don't qualify for extra rage it is with considering the you will likely be fatigued in fights if you are using a round or two per fight. It's still a good dip but it's worth considering.

[Oswald S]

I started playing in my very first Pathfinder campaign a couple months ago as a Mesmerist (Vizier) / Spiritualist (Fractured Mind). I happened to roll really high during character creation and have 9/10/10/18/16/18 ability score at my current level (Mes 2/Spi 3; class 5).
I didn't do any research before making him outside of workshopping him a bit with my GM. I'm having an awesome time so far with shutting down will saves and putting everything to sleep all the time.
I'm learning as I go and think he's going to be a pretty great support/disrupt character for my two hyper-damage melee.

[Douglas Muir 406]

Oh, cool. Glad I started this discussion, then!

Doug M.