Buffer / Debuffer tactical and battlefield controller build


Advice


For an upcoming campaign I want a suggestion about a Buffer/Debuffer tactical and battlefield controller build.
I am undecided between a bard and a sorcerer.
Any suggestions for a build with this requirements for this two classes?


I don't think Bard's are very good at battlefield control :/

so if you wanna buff/debuff and control I'd say sorc of those, but sorcs don't have the easiest time debuffing.

A witch would probably be an easier pick.


I was just talking about such a thing. It's an old idea of mine, really.


Sorcerers can debuff & BFC with the best of them. Take wild-blooded void-touched for the bloodline arcana, a metamagic feat or two (rime spell and persistent spell would be good; lingering spell or fleeting spell could be fun), and in case you need to move and cast a debuff get chilling amplification or similar. To go with those you need a few evocation spells, plus glitterdust comes free with the bloodline. For buffing make sure you get haste and some protective spells (e.g. resist energy).

Bards can get some debuffs & battlefield control in spells but it's not their best thing. Grease, illusory maze and slow are adequate in this role. Buffing comes naturally to them though, it's what the class is about.

Grand Lodge

Here is my debuff/buff control bard. Maybe it will inspire you.

Aracne Healer/ Thunder Caller.

They key to the build is Variant Channeling music harm:

Quote:
Creatures take a channel penalty on saving throws against illusions, sonic effects, and language-dependent effects for 1 minute.

This is a penalty to the majority of your potent spells as well as your thundercall. Eventually you can channel and thunder call in the same turn. There is a trait and a feat to boost the DC of your channel though the roof (Sacred Conduit, Improved Channel). Extra channel helps as well. Gnomes are great for this build as they have multiple racial traits to boost DCs of relevant spells.

The benefit of the build is bards run out of spells easily, this build has many more "casting" resources. 6th level caster also have the problem of their DCs falling behind because there top level spells are fewer and behind that of 9th level casters. This build fixes that. Class abilities scale well better than spells in this case and give you a boost to your casting in the form of a penalty to your opponents saves.

Sorcerer

Sorcerers fill this role exceptionally well they can focus on a subset of spells and cast a lot of them. I like a mix of conjuration, evocation, necromancy. Take a mix of AOE and single target spells. Rods of persistent are huge as they are reasonable affordable and greatly improve your casting potency. Rings of spell knowledge and mnemonic vestment dramatically increase your spell availability.

I like the sylvan bloodline mainly because there is a lot of fun things that can be done to control the battlefield with an extra body. Arcane is great for metamagic and knowing more spells, and void has been recommended. There is also the fey bloodline if you want to use spells like suggestion and confusion for control.


An Evangelist Cleric with a Banner of the Ancient Kings and aura spells is a colossal buffer/debuffer just by existing. By mid-level, they can be providing a +5 attack and damage bonus through Flagbearer and Inspire Courage, while running Persistent Archon's Aura to debuff foes with -2 attacks, saves and AC.

Cleric spellcasting can do some interesting control through metamagic and Domain spells.

Lantern Lodge

What about a witch? Isnt’t there one that makes the casting stat based off Con to flavor it like a barbarian warrior type?


Between those 2 sorcerer. Witch and wizard are better for what your asking. Alternatively if you want spontaneous casting Psychics have access to some unique spells and early access to several fun ones. Nothing beats toppling etheric shards :D


There's actually a spontaneous casting archetype for the Witch called the Ley Line Guardian. That might be worth looking into.


kaisc006 wrote:
What about a witch? Isnt’t there one that makes the casting stat based off Con to flavor it like a barbarian warrior type?

Not any more, the scarred witch doctor got changed by errata.

There is a charisma-based archetype now though, the seducer.


well........
shaman is amazing. take speaker of the past and now you get heroism with evil eye and slumber.

hexcrafter magus is a super debuffer with hex strike.

Evangalist cleric with heroism domain is nice.
animal domain with bodygaurd small kitty is WOW, adding hit, AC and whats not.

Inspiring commander that focus on dirty trick is also a nice one.

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