This will be a combination of rules questions and just trying to untangle some analysis paralysis.
So, after a year, we've finally reached 7th level - which, for my earth elemental sorcerer, means an influx of spells plus two feats.
The party:
- Aasimar paladin of Iomedae, weapon bond, generally mounted build.
- Elf druid, AC bond (wolf). For some unknown reason, has a special ability that appears to be the bloodline arcana of Stormborn (+1 DC with electric and sonic).
- Human barbarian.
- Half-elf cleric of Sarenrae (domains: fire/good)
- Grippli bard 5 / mysterious stranger gunslinger 2. Princely alternate racial. ...better to not ask.
----
And now for my current build.
Gnome earth sorcerer
Feats: Improved initiative, spell focus conjuration, augment summoning
Spells known:
L0 | Acid splash, detect magic, light, mage hand, message, read magic, spark
L1 | {Burning hands}, grease, magic missile, mount, protection from evil.
L2 | {Scorching ray}, glitterdust, summon monster 2
L3 | {Protection from energy}, haste
So for what I'm thinking.
- Bloodline feat: Great fortitude.
- General feat: I'm not sure whether I want to go into item creation, or pick up Toughness.
- Spells:
--- L1: Heightened awareness. +2 perception (and trained Knowledge) for tens of minutes, which can be discharged as needed for another +4 to initiative.
--- L2: I'm leaning toward invisibility, and hoping the bard/slinger doesn't take it.
As for L3, I want something attack-ish, but trying to decide from one of these:
- Shifting sand (Ref-based control. Also thematic for earth.)
- Slow (Will-based debuff)
- Aqueous orb (Ref-based control, and conjuration so extra DC. Not particularly thematic because water, but a fun spell otherwise.)
- Sleet storm (no save; Acrobatics-based control. Would this apply a +5 to the Acrobatics DC for icy terrain? Or is the DC 10 assumed to include that?)
Any advice would be peachy-keen.
Thanks!
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
L2 - Stone Call fits your theme, adds some control and a little bit of damage, or Frigid Touch. Do not overlook anything that lowers the number of actions an opponent can take. Frigid Touch's auto stagger is great on its own, but if you have anyone that can trip, grapple or otherwise make an opponent have to use their only action to get back to you, it's a great combo spell.
L3 - few spells of that level can change a battle like Slow can, but it's not very "flashy". If anybody can apply debuffs, before you throw this (dazzling display, bane or prayer, sickened, etc...) do that to make sure this lands and it's pretty much over especially after you haste your party.
L2 - Stone Call fits your theme, adds some control and a little bit of damage, or Frigid Touch. Do not overlook anything that lowers the number of actions an opponent can take. Frigid Touch's auto stagger is great on its own, but if you have anyone that can trip, grapple or otherwise make an opponent have to use their only action to get back to you, it's a great combo spell.
L3 - few spells of that level can change a battle like Slow can, but it's not very "flashy". If anybody can apply debuffs, before you throw this (dazzling display, bane or prayer, sickened, etc...) do that to make sure this lands and it's pretty much over especially after you haste your party.
I'd need Reach Spell to make use of Frigid Touch - auto-stagger is indeed great, but melee touches are for... other characters. On the other hand, an alternative element would be quite welcome - and it's a spell I hadn't even considered. Thanks for that!
And yeah, I know the quiet power of Slow quite well. (:
Is your GM/campaign relatively generous with money and magic? If so, I'd recommend getting Heightened Awareness as a wand. You'll probably burn through it pretty quickly, but using the +4 initiative will take away from the per-level advantage of casting it from a spell slot. If purchasing magic items is difficult due to money or availability, Craft Wondrous Item is probably the way to go for your feat.
Consider Summon Monster III for the spell. You've already invested two feats into summoning so you can make the most of it.
With regard to heightened awareness, I can get that into my ring of spell knowledge quite easily (it's also a druid spell). Currently have expeditious construction there though. It'd leave me with a choice for 1st level spell (shield, vanish, unseen servant, or roll Diplomacy against the GM for stone shield, though he's fairly permissive.)
As for the GM's generosity with WBL... we've been running a bit on the low side, though I think we're not in that bad a spot right now. I think most of the others are into +2 weapons at this point, plus we have around 55k in communal resources (45k of which needs to be converted into wealth and then worked with.) I'm personally a bit behind, but that's due to lowering priority on myself.
And as for summon 3: while it's redundant (something sorcerers usually want to avoid,) I can swap out of summon 2 at 8th, so it's not too bad. Then I just hope the bard *does* take invisibility, and I can get the other L2s.
Create Pit (2nd) or Spiked Pit (3ed) are both quite good control spells and they are thematic.
I've been toying with that idea as well. Well, things to think about during my (short this time) work day.
Thanks to both of you! (:
I would get Reach Spell for your general feat. It's so versatile and it increases your survivability by a lot. Touch of Idiocy and Frigid Touch are a couple of the best low lvl debuffs in the game, and making these into Close or Medium Range spells is pretty stellar.
As far as choosing an attack spell, Spiked Pit (as previously mentioned), Battering Blast, Pellet Blast, Air Geyser, and Diamond Spray are somewhat thematic to an Earth Sorcerer.