A 3rd level samsaran white mage arcanist has one exploit and a couple of feats. One way to use those would be to get spell focus, spell specialization and the potent magic exploit to have a single beefed-up spell, but that might not fit with a buffs/healing focus. Call this the Powerful Mage idea.
Another would be to get the quick study exploit so that they can always have the right spell on hand, extra arcane reservoir to power that and the white mage ability, and extra exploit (familiar) for another helping hand. Academic Mage.
Or they could get blissful spell, a trait to reduce the cost of metamagic on their favourite buff spell, the aspect of innocence exploit and extra exploit (charmer). Cutesy Mage.
If getting into melee doesn't seem suicidal to him as an arcanist then the dirty fighting feat, armored mask exploit and extra exploit (arcane discovery: knowledge is power) could work. Annoying Mage.
If he has a different epithet he'd like to describe his character let me know.
A lot of cures and buffs are touch range, so you’ll want the reach spell metamagic to cast from safety. But that can wait till 5th level or even later. The spontaneous cures can burn up a lot of reservoir, so you might want to consider the extra reservoir feat. At 3rd level you might consider the extra exploit feat. Dimensional slide and quick study are good for almost any build.
If you’re not planning to use attack magic, the vanish spell is a great way to start many fights.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
He might like one of timely inspiration or gallant inspiration. Delay poison, reinvigorating wind, accept affliction and music of the spheres are (admittedly mostly poor) means of dealing with conditions with arcane magic. Good hope and freedom of movement are useful buffs.
For mystic past life, witch offers a few status removal spells.
At 3rd level, you'll still only have 1st level spells, so your choices are limited.
Liberating Command is always good
Protection from Evil, if you expect to be up against enemy casters
I don't think you'll want to focus exclusively on support spells either though. You'll probably want Mage Armor for yourself. And you'll want an attack spell for enemies that are immune to regular attacks, like swarms. Burning Hands or Magic Missile are good to keep prepared.