Character Builds - Advice?

[Lazaryus]

I'm using gestalt as well as Spheres of Might and Spheres of Power. The rules of the world are that there are only animal races (humanoids with animalistic features) and that everyone can use magic to an extent (no purely martial characters).

The Shifter (not necessarily the class):

A car mechanic from a more modern world, who has developed shapeshifting powers fueled by his ego upon entering this world. He has extensive know-how of the more technologically advanced gear, which can be found laying around in this world, but is somewhat confused by magic. I'm going with Incanter for the first half, but I'm torn between Technician (to reflect his former job as a car mechanic) and Shifter (to add to his shapeshifting) for the second half of the gestalt.

The Dragon Maiden:

A noblewoman under the tutelage of numerous dragons, able to learn and cast any spell she sees a dragon cast. While she has an affinity with dragons, she feels extremely uncomfortable taking the form of one. I was thinking about making her an Arcanist (non-Sphere)/Incanter, with the GM Fiat that she can cast spells from any spell list, but can only learn spells by indentifying them as they are being cast by a dragon and recording it into her spell book as an arcane spell, which cannot be copied by anyone else.

The Phobomancer:

A gloomy wanderer who is an expert in fear spells and curses. He have a severe fear of eyes, suffering hallucinations of eyes appearing everywhere whenever he makes eye contact with anyone or anything, even his own reflection. Maybe a Witch (either-or)/Elicitor for him.

The Clairvoyant:

A calm and tranquil diciple of a monastery with divination spells. He was born without eyes, but refuses offers to get eyesight. The first half will be Monk, but I don't know about the other half.

The Battle Master:

A tough and confident warrior with a blend of Destruction, Life, And War talents. She seems to have something against men. I'm thinking Armorist/Incanter for her.

The Allied Scoundrel:

An innocent-looking urchin with a pair of extradimentional pets (a tiny dragon bound to her and an imposing bodyguard Eidolon). She hopes to be adopted one day, even though there are numerous warrants for her arrest. Going with Rogue/Sphere Summoner.

Any advice for building these? Also taking suggestions for improving the concepts, even if it's to switch out a class that I seem decided on.

[avr]

Technical ability sounds pretty core to your shifter. Shapeshifting doesn't require the shifter if he's to be an incanter as well. The SoP shifter class has always-on bestial features and being able to shapeshift as a move action - neither of those seems critical to the idea?

I have no idea how crippling that learning restriction might be to the dragon maiden in your planned campaign. Would she still get the 2 free spells gained each level by an arcanist? Are there any very friendly dragons around?

The mesmerist class has class features related to their gaze which might fit the phobomancer.

The clairvoyant might be an aether kineticist - touchsight seems like it'd work for him. A hedge witch with font of inspiration might work instead if you need his divination to be online faster.

[Lazaryus]

While the bestial features aren't that important, the faster and longer lasting shapeshifting seemed very useful, hence why I'm considering it in the first place.

Yes, she would gain the two free spells each level, and the are a good number of dragons that would put up with a mortal for at least a couple hours a week. She starts off with two tutors, one gold and one blue.

The problem with gaze attacks is that they require eye contact, which would trigger his fear of eyes.

[avr]

I didn't say he'd enjoy using the stares... it might be useful but still make him start screaming from his own phobia.

The dragon maiden sounds fine then. If you don't want her getting original summoner 2nd level haste, or some of the stranger inquisitor spells or whatever, it'll be easy not to include those. And while she can't loot spellbooks effectively I expect tea with dragons for odd spells will appeal to certain players.

[Lazaryus]

Ok, Mesmerist/Elicitor for the Phobomancer, then! Decided to go with Incanter for the Clairvoyant.

On to races, class options, and traditions:

Shifter (Bitter Lily's Dogfolk, Chaser breed): No idea what alternate racial features to use. Won't be using specialisations through the Incanter so I can get both the Shifting Disguise and Transformation feats at 1st level. Might have him dabble in artificery, but stay primarily focused on tech stuff for Technician. Going all in on the Alteration and Sniper Spheres. Going Combat Gunner and Custom Spherecasters (Mental Focus, Emotional Casting, and Lycanthropic, possibly more drawbacks) Traditions.

Dragon Maiden (Lizardfolk): Not sure which direction I want her to go, really.

Phobomancer (Ratfolk): Using the Fright Wright Archetype for Elicitor. Not sure if there's a good archetype for Mesmerist. Might go for the Mind casting tradition.

Clairvoyant (Tengu): Definitely grabbing Divination, Telekinesis, and Greater Alternative Divination talents at 1st level so he can use touchsight. Beyond that, no idea.

Battle Master (Wyvaran): Might use a Champion Archetype for the Armorist to get some Leadership Talents to switch things up.

Allied Scoundrel (Catfolk): No idea, but I definitely want the Bound Creature Boon for her.

Any ideas?

[avr]

The dragon maiden's a full arcane(-ish) spellcaster. With gestalt, so that's twice over. While there might be some high society stuff involved spellcasting is what she does in almost any other situation.

For the mesmerist the base class seems fine, but the umbral mesmerist could work if his hallucinations become real and start moving around.

The clairvoyant is a monk; he hits things in melee. As a tengu he might flurry a temple sword. Ascetic style (& successors) might be feats to aim for then. When he gets higher level there will be self-telekinesis involved so he can do the Crouching Dragon, Hidden Tiger-style flight.

The obvious weakness of the allied scoundrel is that she could easily get squashed if anything gets past her bodyguard. Some investment into not dying easily (a little magic healing, a few defensive feats) might be worthwhile, and as a 'scoundrel' some investment into stealth is expected.

[Lazaryus]

I'll see if there's anything good in Ultimate Intrigue for the Dragon Maiden.

I could give the Allied Scoundrel the Canny Scoundrel rogue archetype so she can get some good Combat talents and be a little tougher, but she shouldn't have a problem getting into flanking positions for that sweet, sweet sneak attack damage anyways.