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(English is not my first language, sorry for weird phrasing)
Hello everyone,
I am going to begin the Tyrant's grasp next week, the GM told us it would be hardcore si I am coming to you for advise as I need to optimise my build. Our group will conssist of a Life Oracle, an Urban Ranger, a Pole Fighter, a Vivisectionist/Barbarian and me a Spirit Binder Wizard (I will fight buffing and polymorphing my familiar while still providing spells in the back).
This guide was my inspiration for this build
The DM also told me that familiars and any other companions on this campaign will not be available until level 5 minimum, mostly level 7. (I can still provides buffs and spell to my teamate, great polymorphing spells arrive at that level anyway)
Class : Wizard (Archetype Spirit Binder)
Race : Tiefling
School : Transmutation (Enhancement)
Opposing schools : Necromancy, Evocation (or Enchantment, I am not sure)
Traits : Transmuter or Korada (Bull's strenght) / Lawbringer (campaign trait)
CHARACTERISTICS :
25pt point buy
Strength : 8
Dexterity : 14 (12+2)
Constitution : 17
Intelligence : 19 (17+2)
Wisdom : 10
Charisma : 7 (9-2)
The campaign will reach levels 17-18 if I understood correctly, so that means +4 stats progression / "+4 physical enhancement bonus" from our specialised school.
Lvl 4 : +1 Intelligence (20) / "+1 Constitution" (18)
Lvl 8 : +1 Constitution (18) / "+2 Constitution" (20)
Lvl 12 : +1 Intelligence (21) / "+3 Constitution" (21)
Lvl 16 : +1 Intelligence (22) / "+4 Dexterity" (18) at this point, I'd probably have got a Constitution Belt +6 (24)
so stats by level 17 should be like this :
Strength : 8
Dexterity : 18
Constitution : 24
Intelligence : 28
Wisdom : 10
Charisma : 7
FEATS :
The archetype replace the wizard's bonus feats to his familiar instead, it also sacrifice the scroll free feat for the ability for the familiar to chose the old favored class of his soul, giving him the BAB and save of this class (obviously Ranger or Slayer).
1 : Toughness
3 : Reach spell (or Extended spell)
5 : Distant spell link
7 : Superior familiar
9 : Spell focus Transmutation
11 : Idealize
13 : Quicken spell
15 : Craft wondrous item
17 : Greater spell focus Transmutation
Craft at lvl 15 is probably too late but apparently the campaign doesn't offer the possibilies to craft/buy until the end of the 4th book.
1 : Toughness / Flyby attack (Arbiter)
5 : Power attack
10 : Hammer the gap
15 : (no idea yet)
The archetype is mostly for the excellent BAB and save for the familiar, losing bonus on the wizard feat hurt a little nevertheless
The main reason for me to ask you help tonigh is my choice of familiar.
Animal :
Compsognathus : Initially I was going with a mauler version of this one but being a very exotic animal (and without the possibility to take it at lvl 1 with a RP explanation [spoiler everyone die ate the beginning]) I am not sure I can find one in this campaign (apparently the visit to the magic mall is not going to happen soon either).
Fox : They also make great mauler and would be far more easy to find in the Last Wall area where the campaign take place. But there is not a lot of savor or special abilities to it and its bonus (+3 reflex) is less tempting than the Compsognathus (+4 initiative).
Superior :
At least I can summon one so I don't need to go looking after the right animal, especially if this is not a great time for fox hunting in the story.
Arbiter : My main source of concern. My DM told me that - for him - if she dies while polymorphed and I cancel the spell within a few rounds, its regeneretaion/chaotic will kick in again, making her very resilient. With that and all the constructs immunities it has, it look like the best possible choice for her to cheat death. But ... can I cast all my buff spell on an Inevitable Arbiter familiar ? (because of his nature) There is also the problem of item slots (the arbiter lacks Belt and neck who are very important for him but I suppose I could give her the Extra item feat or does that not work like taht ?
The Nycar offers quite a similar option with its regeneration/cold iron, but has the default of not having as much utility of the Arbiter (no immunities, no communication, no fly, no shortsword, etc ...)
I would really appreciate any opinion on the subject :)
The share spells ability lets you cast anything on your familiar that you could cast on yourself. I think the arbiter is a good choice if your GM lets you have one.
Thanks, that's reassuring
What do you think of the feat choice ? That's my second concern as I don't have a lot without the bonus ones ^^'
Hammer the gap is always a bad choice. The damage bonus gets reset when you miss and at the end of your full attack. It averages about +1 damage/attack on a full attack, and is exactly 0 on a standard action attack. It isn't the prerequisite for anything.
Lunge or combat reflexes or even just martial focus as the prereq for some weapon mastery feat at level 15 would be better. Martial dominance might be fun.
Martial focus is a really good idea thanks :o
But the Arbiter missing both neck and belt slots, I think I may need 2 Extra item slot feats, at first for an amulet of mighty fist I hope to loot at some point, lately for a belt of either Dexterity or Strength (but with all the long durations buff I can cast at this poin - Idealize + Transmuter of Korada - I am not even sure it is necessary).
Arbiter• (eyes, hand, headband, wrist) and they can wield short sword it seems.
Favored classe (due to archetype) : Slayer (full BAB, full Fortitude and Reflex, full Will from the wizard master)
1 : Toughness / Extra item slot (both replace Arbiter initial 2 feats)
5 : Power attack
10: Martial focus (Naturals)
15 : Extra item slot (Belt or maybe ring ?)
Headband : (no idea, the Shifter headband seems unfit for the familiar)
Eyes : Eyes of the Eagle (with Perception as a class skill and not me, the familiar is better suited for this I think)
Neck : Amulet of mighty fists (Holy ?)
Wrist : Bracers of armor (need to discuss the RAW / RAi problem while polymorphed)
Hand : Gloves, Deliquescent (don't know if i can activate them to refilt while polymorphed)
Does that seems right ? :)
(I could take the spell focus feats at higher level to take Craft wondrous item earlier (lvl 9), IF the campaign let me craft nything of course)
I mentioned martial focus mainly because it was a useful prerequisite. I didn't intend to recommend it on its own merits. +1 damage for a feat isn't a good bargain.
BTW, toughness on a familiar is pointless. Their hit points are set to half yours, not half + 1/HD from toughness.
Hit Points: The familiar has half the master's total hit points (not including temporary hit points), rounded down, regardless of its actual Hit Dice.
Toughness Benefit: You gain +3 hit points. For every Hit Die you possess beyond 3, you gain an additional +1 hit point. If you have more than 3 Hit Dice, you gain +1 hit points whenever you gain a Hit Die (such as when you gain a level).
I have indeed saw a few topics where everybody seem to repeat the same thing but without any valid argument why.
The familiar rule states that : "HP = Hit dice + Constitution" became "HP = Half Master's Hit point and Master's hit dices for every other effects".
A feat is another effect, by RAW is see absolutely no reason why it wouldn't work.
But that's not the point :)
Martial focus seems really nice as he offer +1 damage on every attack for a creature who will have a lot while polymorphed. On the contrary, I have not seen any really interresting weapon mastery feat for level 15, do you have a recommandation ?