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Is a dip into Empyreal Sorcerer worthwhile for a Zen Archer/Qinggong Monk? If so, how many levels? When would you recommend taking the dip?
I've been pondering this, and believe the most benefit comes from just one level of Sorcerer, taken at either 4th or 5th, which would get you over the "hump" for Zen Archery's WIS to Attack rolls.
One level of Sorcerer would allow for four cantrips and two 1st level spells known. Most likely something like Gravity Bow and Mage Armor, so the Monk can self-buff.
Gravity Bow - Zen Archers tend to lag behind in pure damage output compared to some of the other archer types, but jumping from 1d8 up to 2d6 damage will help with that. Only lasts for 10 rounds, but that should be sufficient for most fights.
Mage Armor - Saves the need for Bracers of Armor, allowing the use of Bracers of Archery instead. Lasts for an hour. Stacks with Qinggong Monk's Barkskin ability at 4th Monk level for even higher AC self-buffing.
The Magical Knack trait could be included to bump up these durations to 30 rounds/3 hours. Pages of Spell Knowledge and Runes of Power can be used to add additional 1st level spells known, or additional spells per day, if desired.
This one level dip would also open up the ability for the Monk to use scrolls and wands, granting access to other useful arcane utility spells like Expeditious Retreat, Shield, Spider Climb, Monkey Fish, Endure Elements, Infernal Healing, Invisiblity, Owl's Wisdom, etc.
Celestial/Empyreal Bloodline allows for Wisdom to be used for all Sorcerer class features and effects to Sorcerer class. And with the option for a Celestial Bloodline Familiar in Familiar Folio, you can swap out your weak Heavenly Fire 1st level bloodline power for a Celestial bloodline familiar that grants you Fast Healing 1 for WIS mod rounds at a time, usuable 3+WIS Mod times per day. Plus the familiar's normal bonus.
Then, going with a protector Familiar archetype and taking Boon Companion as the 5th level feat seems like a heck of a useful ability for a monk. That would put the familiar at Level 5, which with a Protector allows for the familiar to grant +2 to AC (1st level ability) and soak half your HP damage at will (5th level ability).
Granted, the familiar wouldn't be able to progress past Level 5 for Natural Armor, Intelligence, or familiar abilities, but that's enough for Speak with Master and the aforementioned Protector abilities, and the familiar would continue to gain BAB, HP, saves, and skills as the Monk continues to level.
It would also open up the ability to take levels in Arcane Archer at a later time, if so desired. Likely sometime after reaching at least 10th level (Monk9/Sorc1).
In summary:
With a 20 Wisdom, a Zen Archer Monk with one level of Empyreal Sorcerer would basically end up with two 1st level arcane spells castable 5 times per day to boost AC and damage, four cantrips, 1.5x hitpoints (effectively), +2 AC, Fast Healing for a total of 40 HP per day, +2 to Will saves, +2 to Heal and Knowledge Religion, dual rolls or Aid Anothers on various skills, and a scout/pet.
In exchange, the Monk would end up 1 level behind on gaining class abilities, and would be -1 BAB, -1 HP, -1 Fortitude save and -1 Reflex save, compared to a Monk without a dip. The free effective feat from the Familiar's bonus could cancel out the feat spent on Boon Companion. (Depending on the bonus... I'm thinking Greensting Scorpion for Improved Initiative.)
That, to me, seems like a worthwhile trade. What are your thoughts?