I have this idea for a support character focused on helping spellcasters... and I am wondering what, exactly, would be most helpful. Like what do I prioritize?
I know the Court Poet Skald's Insightful Contemplation is probably way up there... a morale bonus to Charisma and Intelligence boosts concentration checks and spell DC's... which is huge. The Magician Bard's Dweomercraft performance gives a bonus to caster level checks, concentration checks, and spell/SLA attack rolls. Not quite as epic as boosting actual casting stats, but both would have a similar vibe/playstyle.
I was looking at the Divine Strategist Cleric, as well. Not only do they give their allies a bonus to Initiative, but they can use Aid Another to boost caster level checks and concentration checks. I was going to pair this with VMC Cavalier for Order of the Staff's Spell Aid ability... which gives a bonus to caster level checks and concentration checks any time you use Aid Another. Both abilities provide scaling bonuses that stack... Caster Support being a circumstance bonus, and Spell Aid is a competence bonus. I was thinking the Cooperation subdomain's Synergistic Touch would go well with Tactician from VMC Cavalier, too.
Speaking of teamwork feats... Allied Spellcaster, is it worth it? It seems like the biggest benefit would be the +1 CL for all level dependent variables, but that requires having the same spell(s) known/prepared... which seems like it shouldn't actually happen very often. I understand that a support character should be willing to do these things, but your Bard/Cleric/Skald may not have the same spells as your blaster Arcanist/Sorcerer/Wizard. Yes, the Magician Bard has Expanded Repertoire, and the Court Poet Skald has Spell Kenning... but it is still very likely that neither will have the necessary spells known to effectively and dependably help the dedicated blaster. Any other teamwork feats that help spellcasters?
It's probably more reliable to use Eldritch Aid. Or even the Coven Hex.
What else is there for caster support?
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The alternate cavalier banner, jinx standard, is an extra boost, perhaos from a single level dip into standard bearer cavalier. Riving strike for a martial leaning arcane caster, like a bard
I recently found COLLABORSTIVE THAUMATURGY, and I think it'd be a great spell for everyone to have in an all-caster party.
Also any effect that can debuff saves or force rerolls would obviously go over well - the Witch's Misfortune Hex or the Dual-Cursed Oracle's Misfortune ability are both excellent for helping casters get through enemy saves .
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I recently found COLLABORSTIVE THAUMATURGY, and I think it'd be a great spell for everyone to have in an all-caster party.
Also any effect that can debuff saves or force rerolls would obviously go over well - the Witch's Misfortune Hex or the Dual-Cursed Oracle's Misfortune ability are both excellent for helping casters get through enemy saves .
Very cool spell. Thank you for sharing that.
I always learn the Bard-only version of that spell on all my Bards...
Arcane Concordance
School evocation; Level bard 3
CASTING
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, M (a spent wand)
EFFECT
Range personal
Area 10-ft.-radius emanation centered on you
Targets you
Duration 1 round/level
Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance no
DESCRIPTION
A shimmering, blue and gold radiance surrounds you, enhancing arcane spells cast by your allies within its area. Any arcane spell cast by a creature within the area gains a +1 enhancement bonus to the DC of any saving throws against the spell, and can be cast as if one of the following metamagic feats was applied to it (without increasing the spell level or Casting Time): Enlarge Spell, Extend Spell, Silent Spell, or Still Spell (you choose the metamagic feat when you cast arcane concordance).
Would the Perfumer Alchemist's Pheromones be considered caster support for a Charisma-caster? Lol. Seriously, though, a level one Perfumer has a Court Poet beat until level 8... matches the Court Poet until level 16, too.
They both stack, so a Charisma-caster could potentially benefit from Insightful Comteplation and Pheromones... and the normal enhancement bonus from a headband... +8 to +16 (+4 alchemical, +2 to +6 enhancement, +2 to +6 morale)... that's a lot. Sure, they'd also be taking a penalty to AC and Constitution, and couldn't make any Strength-based skill checks... but, d@mn, we're talking about potentially stacking three sources of casting stat bonuses.
Getting the enhancement bonus to a mental stat is pretty standard with headbands or ioun stones, and inherent bonuses can be gained. But, to my knowledge, being able to hand out bonuses to mental stats is relatively rare/unique.
I recently found COLLABORSTIVE THAUMATURGY, and I think it'd be a great spell for everyone to have in an all-caster party.
Its a shame that spell isn't one level lower, because you could do some very interesting shenanigans with the Spellcasting Contract line of spells once you hit 9th level. Still possible at 13th level, despite that. Loading up all your material characters with the ability to cast spells and have them immediate action dump their 3rd level 'gift' into empowering their allies' spells is ... delicious. BBEG idea right there, though. Completely worth locking out some of your higher level spells for that.