Spider Mage [PF]

[ExemplarofAvg]

So I tried playing a Rage Prophet, yeah, it didn't work so well, and the character died, both literally as in they were killed in the game, physically because we held the character sheet death ceremony in our group and emotionally because they were so useless at points they are dead to me.

Now to find a character to fill the void, Oh how about a Drow Noble Wizard, with a Scarlet Spider familiar. Wizard is, as Wizard does. The only questions I'm wondering are:

1. If I take an ACF that gets rid of the familiar, have they moved the "Obtain Familiar" feat over to Pathfinder or equivalent. Alternatively taking Arcane Bond Item and then taking the "Obtain Familiar" or the like.

2. Are there any good Wizard ACF's? I looked at a few and the two that struck me as a neat were the Scrollmaster Wizard (Scrolls are Weapons, and Shields) combined with the Cyphermage and their abilities related to scrolls (like the ability to draw as a swift action while moving, or not provoke AoO's when drawing a scroll (which would be your weapon or shield, not that a Wizard should actually use those, but helpful for making AoO's and the shield doesn't incur Arcane Failure with the shield.)

3. Prestige Classes? Thematically the Pathfinder Savant fits (Flavour over Power, because it looses a caster level) but the character has been studying magic for quite some time (will be joining a level 8 party) and thinks he may have found the true source of all magic, however he feels he must get stronger before he leaves on this quest.

4. Transmutation Specialist (Thinking maybe even the Thassilonian Greed Specilaist (Transmutation), although a party member was wondering whether or not it stacked with the regular Transmuter Specilist, I'm inclined to think the latter (actually almost positive it doesn't) but rule of cool if it can. Transmuter because of fun, buffs and Form of the Dragon on the Tiny Spider Familiar is just funny.

5. Yes, Drow Noble is taken for being the most ridiculous base race with no LA, but our Party Nova's and the DM actively tries to end us. "Oh, I'll just make these Goblins a little more challenging" (Makes them levels three Swordsages, while we were level one)

6. Are there any major problems with a Scarlet Spider familiar? Also any way to buff up the Poison DC?

7. Also anyway to make a Wizard Melee capable without Gishing, the DM favours swarm tactics so often standing at the back and casting so something to do instead of cowering would be good.

[legomaster00156]

Don't play a Drow Noble. For the sake of all that is reasonable in the game, don't play a Drow Noble.

[ExemplarofAvg]

Don't play a Drow Noble. For the sake of all that is reasonable in the game, don't play a Drow Noble.

There's noting reasonable in the games I'm part of.

[grarrrg]

1. If I take an ACF that gets rid of the familiar, have they moved the "Obtain Familiar" feat over to Pathfinder or equivalent. Alternatively taking Arcane Bond Item and then taking the "Obtain Familiar" or the like.

2. Are there any good Wizard ACF's? I looked at a few and the two that struck me as a neat were the Scrollmaster Wizard (Scrolls are Weapons, and Shields) combined with the Cyphermage and their abilities related to scrolls (like the ability to draw as a swift action while moving, or not provoke AoO's when drawing a scroll (which would be your weapon or shield, not that a Wizard should actually use those, but helpful for making AoO's and the shield doesn't incur Arcane Failure with the shield.)

There is (currently) no equivalent to "Obtain Familiar" in Pathfinder.

Scrollmaster + Scrollblade + Scrollshield = Lolwut?
That's.... a very.... odd? ability.


There's noting reasonable in the games I'm part of.

What is your normal starting level?

[ExemplarofAvg]

There is (currently) no equivalent to "Obtain Familiar" in Pathfinder.

Scrollmaster + Scrollblade + Scrollshield = Lolwut?
That's.... a very.... odd? ability.



What is your normal starting level?

Yeah, it seemed out to me as well, interesting though.
We start at Lv 1, and then work from there. We're currently Lv 8's facing Lv 15 threats. Then we have my one friend, who spends his nights figuring out various spell combinations. Not to mention he pushes to apply real world physics to DnD. He managed the 'Peasant Railgun', without the peasants.

[grarrrg]

We're currently Lv 8's facing Lv 15 threats.


There's noting reasonable in the games I'm part of.

In that case...
GUNDOLON (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=12152413#post12152413)!

We'll need a modified build to suit level 8.
Either
Gunslinger 5/Alchemist 3
Normal or Pistolero ACF for Gunslinger/ most ACF's will work for Alchemist, I recommend Vivisectionist if you can't afford a decent INT score.
or
Gunslinger 1/Ranger 2/Summoner 5
Mysterious Stranger Gunslinger/ Trophy Hunter Ranger (taking the Quick Clear Deed)/Synthesist Summoner


I have more retarded awesome builds if you're interested.

[ExemplarofAvg]

In that case...
GUNDOLON (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=12152413#post12152413)!

We'll need a modified build to suit level 8.
Either
Gunslinger 5/Alchemist 3
Normal or Pistolero ACF for Gunslinger/ most ACF's will work for Alchemist, I recommend Vivisectionist if you can't afford a decent INT score.
or
Gunslinger 1/Ranger 2/Summoner 5
Mysterious Stranger Gunslinger/ Trophy Hunter Ranger (taking the Quick Clear Deed)/Synthesist Summoner


I have more retarded awesome builds if you're interested.

No, Noble Drow Wizard, No, No Gundolon. We've done something similar except we called it the Desperadopus (Desperado Octopus) Eight Gun style is pretty cool. (Then it just got more ridiculous)

Just a simple Noble Drow Wizard who specializes in turning his Tiny Spider into all sorts of big and dangerous beasts (although the new Form of the X and X Body confuse me a little. But I think they were supposed to be simplified versions)

[Randomatic]

You can take the Eldritch Heritage feat in Pathfinder to gain Sorcerer Bloodline abilities.

You could take that with the Arcane Bloodline to gain Arcane Bond if you've already traded it away. It won't let you take Arcane Bond twice to get a Bonded Item and a Familiar though.

[ExemplarofAvg]

You can take the Eldritch Heritage feat in Pathfinder to gain Sorcerer Bloodline abilities.

You could take that with the Arcane Bloodline to gain Arcane Bond if you've already traded it away. It won't let you take Arcane Bond twice to get a Bonded Item and a Familiar though.

Bollocks. Oh well, it's solves the taking an ACF and losing the familiar to regain one. Also isn't one of the prerequisites for that already having a bloodline?

[Randomatic]

Bollocks. Oh well, it's solves the taking an ACF and losing the familiar to regain one. Also isn't one of the prerequisites for that already having a bloodline?

No, the prerequisites are being 3rd Level, having Skill Focus in the Bloodline's Bonus Skill, and having 13+ in CHA. It would mean taking a total of two feats to have the familiar, and it would be at your level -2, but you don't have to already be a Sorcerer.

[ExemplarofAvg]

No, the prerequisites are being 3rd Level, having Skill Focus in the Bloodline's Bonus Skill, and having 13+ in CHA. It would mean taking a total of two feats to have the familiar, and it would be at your level -2, but you don't have to already be a Sorcerer.

That's not so bad, better than basing it on levels in a certain class if I want to prestige. But still, Skill Focus (Knowledge) even if it's any, I dislike Skill Focus.

[ExemplarofAvg]

I suppose the biggest question I'm wondering about this character is the Polymorphing of his familiar. It's Tiny when he needs it but drop a "Form of the Dragon III" on it, and well, it's pretty phenomenal now. I mean from the rules it should be viable, You can cast "you" target spells on your familiar rather than yourself, Form of the Dragon (and all other Body spells) are "you" targeted. I question it only because I haven't seen it anywhere else, and the thought of turning your familiar into a Huge Dragon while you, I dunno, Giant Shape? Shouldn't be too awful an option.

[Randomatic]

I suppose the biggest question I'm wondering about this character is the Polymorphing of his familiar. It's Tiny when he needs it but drop a "Form of the Dragon III" on it, and well, it's pretty phenomenal now. I mean from the rules it should be viable, You can cast "you" target spells on your familiar rather than yourself, Form of the Dragon (and all other Body spells) are "you" targeted. I question it only because I haven't seen it anywhere else, and the thought of turning your familiar into a Huge Dragon while you, I dunno, Giant Shape? Shouldn't be too awful an option.

The familiar is a valid target for those spells with the Share Spells ability. The familiar still will only have half as many Hit Points as your Wizard, as well as sharing BAB and Saving Throws. It also won't take on the stats of the new form, so it's only going to get + 8 or so total to it's STR from those spells, so it's still likely to be a bit weak in melee. The Breath Weapon from Form of the Dragon will be nice, as long as you don't mind it being even more of a glass canon than the Wizard.

[ExemplarofAvg]

The familiar is a valid target for those spells with the Share Spells ability. The familiar still will only have half as many Hit Points as your Wizard, as well as sharing BAB and Saving Throws. It also won't take on the stats of the new form, so it's only going to get + 8 or so total to it's STR from those spells, so it's still likely to be a bit weak in melee. The Breath Weapon from Form of the Dragon will be nice, as long as you don't mind it being even more of a glass canon than the Wizard.

I dunno, that's still a
"RedScarlet SpiderDragon"
13 Str, 21 Dex, 18 Con, 13 Int, 10 Wis, 2 Cha,
(If you add in the size change, which I originally forgot, but can't remember if you add them)
25 Str, 17 Dex, 24 Con, 13 Int, 10 Wis, 2 Cha
+8 Natural Armor
120ft Fly Speed (Poor) Can be improved with the Master having the Fly skill.
Blindsense 60ft
120ft Darkvision
Damage Reduction 10/Magic
Frightful Presence DC 22 (Assuming minimum Int to cast the spell)
Immunity to Fire
As well as
Bite 2d8
Claw (x2) 2d6
Wing (x2) 1d8
Tail 2d6
50ft Cone of Fire 12d8 Ref Half, Usable every 1d4 rounds
Fire Resist 30
Cold Vulnerability.
15 Minutes per casting
We use Max HP and should always have at least 14 Con so it sits at a not all together comfortable range of 60Hp,
(Wow, when you look at it that way, all the rest looks rather bleak, and a Bab of +7/+2 Now I'm sad, I had this Grand Vision of being near beaten down with very few spells left with the bad guy looming over me when I take out this little spider, he starts to laugh, and then I turn it into a Dragon. I must find another spell that will somehow fix this problem.