Need help building an "Intimidation Wizard" ...

[Crai]

Back in 3.5 days, the Dreadful Wrath feat (a Forgotten Realms-specific feat) was quite useful to my Wizard who also happened to have a high Charisma accompanying his maxed-out Intelligence. I was able to build a very cool fear-slinging Charisma Wizard who could stack Fear status effects (from multiple sources) quite effectively from Shaken all the way up to Panicked.

I'm now in the process of recreating this Wizard for 12th level play in Pathfinder and I can't use any 3.5-specific material. In light of that, I'm hoping all of you could help me find some Wizard resources (feats, traits, spells, ACF's, etc.) that could help me maximize his Intimidation skill prowess as well as finding ways to stack "Shaken" effects from multiple sources. None of my party mates are Fear-themed, so all these Fear effects need to come from my Wizard.

Like a typical optimized Wizard, he has a maximixed INT with all the level-ups and gear you'd expect in a 12th level Wizard. But his Charisma is also an 18 and he probably doesn't have room for a Charisma-boost magic item (so Eagle's Splendor will have to do). The high Charisma will also help him with Charm spells and opposed Charisma checks in Planar Binding spells. But in all honesty, I want his Intimidate skill to be stratospheric and for him to have some traits, feats and spells that make him one terrifying mage to deal with.

So I'm open to all suggestions from y'all. And thanks for your time and attention!

[LoneKnave]

Say hello to my little friend

[Crai]

Thanks, LoneKnave. That's a great pickup.

I'm still poking around trying to find a way to Demoralize ... as a Wizard casting spells ... via a Swift or Move Action.

Not easy. Because most everything that allows you to do that involves combat with weapons.

[lemeres]

Well, dazziling display doesn't actually need combat...just combat feats and a weapon. And it takes a full round action

Still, if you stack disheartening display on top of that, you can ramp up feat effects by another level (up to 'cowering in a corner', as described by the feat itself). It basically uses resources to allow you to deal fear without wasting more spells.

[LoneKnave]

Another thing that might be interesting

At least you are doing it with a spell.

With Shadow Grasp could also entangle them.

[Nazrelle]

There is this trait: Omen

Even if it sounds stupid, let your Familiar Intimidate your opponents. It still gets your ranks. Pick the Mauler Archetype for it, and it should work quite well.

You can also try to get "Blistering Invective" on your Spelllist. For example as Samsaran Race. There also should be other methods, I guess.

Edit: Oh, and a level in Rogue (Thug), maybe even 2 levels could be worth. Gives a duration bonus to demoralize, possibility to convert it into frightened and the 2nd level grants evasion and a rogue talent.

[cavernshark]

Consider using a familiar to do the intimidate on single targets (Mauler archetype gets intimidate as a class skill and will use your skill ranks) and then follow up on the same round with a spell that moves the target farther up the fear ladder. It's not necessarily a great tactic for groups of opponents, but it could help speed things up without Quicken Spell in certain circumstances.

If you aren't doing PFS and your GM allows it, you could also take the Wizard archetype Spirit Binder which fits thematically with necromancy + fear spells and trades your wizard bonus feats to let your familiar pick up feats instead. You might be able to use those to get the familiar the ability to AoE Intimidate.

If you opt to go this route, the Peacock familiar from the Familiar Folio gives +3 to Intimidate as well (for when you do it and not the familiar). It's also small so will suffer less penalty for size difference, and can get larger if you went Mauler.

[Errant Mercenary]

Forget Charisma.
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/traits/social-traits/bruising-intellect/
Bruisng intellect adds your int instead of cha to intimidate. There are other similar traits too.

[Crai]

I'm also curious .... are there any good or notable 3PP spells (please name the product, too) that are Fear Stacking-friendly or Demoralization-friendly?

I have a pretty good bead on all the Pathfinder/Paizo fear-friendly spells.

[Crai]

Just to update this .... the spell Bloody Tears & Jagged Smile (Pathfinder #71 - Rasputin Must Die!) is an absolutely ideal building block for this Intimidation Wizard of mine. Extending the spell to 3rd level gives you 20 minutes / CL of 2 terrific features to work off of:

1. +4 Profane Bonus to the Intimidate Skill.
2. +4 Spell DC to your [Fear] descriptor spells.

Plus it gives you a bite attack for 1d4 damage on a medium body chassis. Plus you can perceive creature types as if you are under a Deathwatch spell. This spell is insane. So much goodness for so little investment.