Morning,
Looking at making an effective caster in melee combat and have noticed there is no still spell. The closest you get is CONCEAL SPELL & STEADY SPELLCASTING, which by no means are a reliable answer... Am I missing somthing here?
Thanks,
Dave
Just flipping through Cleric and Sorcerer, it appears that still spell and silent spell are no longer a thing. I believe this is because of the change to attack of opportunity becoming a relatively rare feat.
Still Spell is no longer a thing.
Spells provoke, though AoOs are not universal so that's less often a threat, though still a major threat when it does arise if your casted gets pinned down. Most low-level creatures w/ AoOs don't disrupt spells except on a crit, so your spell will likely occur. At high levels...um, yeah. Beware.
(There's a legendary threat that will teleport to you to take its AoO!)
Also armor doesn't hinder spellcasting so no use there for Still Spell. Some of the spell results (i.e. charm) imply spellcasting is less provocative socially than before. Not sure, or if secret casting was a factor. I think Paizo removed Still Spell intentionally, likely to keep creature Reactions relevant. (Heck, Steady Spellcasting is an unreliable counter to those itself.)
Also note, being a 6 h.p./level mage in melee is a death sentence. Being an 8 h.p./level caster is more doable, especially w/ Heal.
You can get much of the same melee utility (and arguably more) by getting Reach Spell and staying behind the tanks. Since touch spells don't stay on your hand any more, there's no loss in tossing them. Ranged & melee use spell attack rolls based on your casting stat, so they're the same that way too. And many touch spells that had attack rolls in PF1 only have a saving throw now.
So stay back 30' & use those "touch" spells safely w/ Reach Spell.
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Conceal spell will prevent AOO triggered by a manipulate component if the foe with AOO doesn't see you cast the spell. There's nothing I'm aware of to help with the failure chance for a manipulate component when grabbed.