PF- Master of All Forms (Help Please)

[NeoSeraphi]

My PF party has decided after the very near TPK today that we're going to drop the Dragonlance setting and move on to something a bit less restrictive and deadly. In the spirit of this, I'd like to give playing a PF wizard one more try (because there are no alignment restrictions imposed on specialist wizards, like there are in Dragonlance).

The shape spells look pretty interesting to me, and as they offer just as much versatility to a wizard as wild shape does for a druid, I'll go ahead and play a transmuter. I was thinking about taking the Enhancement sub-specialization, as it is very shiny (A bonus equal to half your wizard level? Nice!)

But the question is, how do I optimize this build? Obviously, I'm not too worried about BC or blasting or other combat-related spells, as I won't be able to cast them in some of my forms. So I'm planning to spend the majority of my spellcasting on buffs, I just need to figure out how else to work this.

Which schools should I prohibit? I was thinking enchantment and necromancy. And is there any way for a character to become an eldritch knight without dipping fighter?

The game will most likely restart with us at level 7, so if I went the "normal" route for an eldritch knight I would end up with 3rd level spells, +4 BAB, 2d10+5d4, a continuous +2 enhancement bonus that I can add to Str, Con, or Dex every day, and access to the alter self, beast shape I, and monstrous physique I spells.

What feats would be best for this build? I have 15 PB, and I figure I'll be dumping Wis and Cha, and putting around a 15 base in Int, and then prioritize Str, Con and Dex in that order. For race, I was actually thinking dwarf would be best, since that adds to one primary score without penalizing any of the others, gets me Medium size, and lets me more safely drop Wis.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Feedback?

[Hylas]

Prohibit divination and evocation, because you're a boss and don't need cheese or blasting.

Then, since you want to shapeshift, take multimorph (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/wizard/archetypes/paizo---wizard-archetypes/arcane-discoveries/multimorph) so you can change your form mid-fight. Just in case.

Then buy a scroll of Polymorph Any Object (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/p/polymorph-any-object) (3000 GP), make your caster check to use the scroll (DC16, against, IIRC, 1d20+int+wizard caster level), turn yourself into a human, elf, or something very similar to your current race to make it permanent. Use multimorph to change into anything allowed by the spell (which is anything) by deducting 1 minute from the permanent duration spell.

And by not needing any cheese I meant needing all of the cheese.

Then, of course, you gotta put on some Eldritch Knight so your sweet dragon form can hit stuff.


To qualify to become an eldritch knight, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.

Spells: Able to cast 3rd-level arcane spells.

Weapon Proficiency: Must be proficient with all martial weapons. Emphasis mine.

Since there are no feats that grants proficiency with all martial weapons for some unknown reason (like, seriously, why?) fighter is the obvious choice to dip. Other choices are Paladin, Barbarian, Ranger, Magus, Cavalier, Samurai, Gunslinger, Oracle (with battle revelation), Arcane Archer, Duelist, and maybe some other prestige classes.

I think the best choices are any with a high BAB or Magus if you want more cantrips. Ranger with the guide archetype will give you a "smite"-like version of favored enemy, which can be useful at level 1, and you get some skill points to play with. Fighter gives you a bonus feat. The rest probably aren't too useful.

[Corlindale]

I would probably do a traditional fighter 1/Transmuter 5/EK - because you want good BAB, and you want to delay spell progression as little as possible.

You might also be able to pull off a pure Transmuter, since BAB is not quite as important when you rely on natural attacks rather than iterative attacks. And you'll have a killer strength score between your transmutation school power (though once you get a good strength item you probably want to use it on Con instead) and the form bonuses (and you'll get access to the better forms two levels earlier).

Consider grabbing Still & Silent spell, maybe Eschew Materials, so you can have a select few handy spells available even in animal form. Though once you get access to Form of the Dragon spellcasting will be less of an issue.

Also consider the Improved Familiar feat - remember that you can use all your transmutation spells on your familiar too. It will have low hp, so it's risky, but in a pinch it might be useful to have another Huge dragon in the field.

[grarrrg]

I'll go ahead and play a transmuter. I was thinking about taking the Enhancement sub-specialization, as it is very shiny (A bonus equal to half your wizard level? Nice!)

I'd just like to point out that that Physical Enhancement, both Enhancement Sub-School powers, and Stat-Equipment ALL give 'enhancement' bonuses, which means they do not stack.
Keep this in mind.

Also, you don't get the tasty 1/2 Wizard level until Wizard level 8, you'll have to decide if this, or Eldritch Knight levels are more important (I'd go with the EK)


And is there any way for a character to become an eldritch knight without dipping fighter?

Not really.
The 3 best options are
Fighter for the Bonus Feat
Ranger with the Trapper (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/ranger/archetypes/paizo---ranger-archetypes/trapper) archetype if you don't have a Rogue in the party.
Magus is Flavorful, if Arcane Pool is ruled to work with 'natural' weapons even better. And you can cheat a little with spellbook spells.
"A magus begins play with a spellbook containing...three 1st-level magus spells of his choice. The magus also selects a number of additional 1st-level magus spells equal to his Intelligence modifier to add to his spellbook.
A magus can learn spells from a wizard’s spellbook, just as a wizard can from a magus’s spellbook."



For race, I was actually thinking dwarf would be best, since that adds to one primary score without penalizing any of the others, gets me Medium size, and lets me more safely drop Wis.

Looking over the available Monster PC options.... Int bonuses only come with a STR penalty, CON penalty, and/or Small size.
Options:
Elf: +Dex, -Con
Samsaran: -Con, +Wis
Wayang: +Dex, -Wis, Small
Drow Noble: yeah...good luck with that...
Ratfolk: -Str, +Dex, Small
Sylph: +Dex, -Con
Tiefling: +Dex, and either -Wis or -Cha (see also 'Drow Noble')

Feel free to browse the first Link in my Signature, I have a condensed Race Listing, you might find something better than Dwarf.


fighter is the obvious choice to dip. Other choices are Paladin, Barbarian, Ranger, Magus, Cavalier, Samurai, Gunslinger, Oracle (with battle revelation), Arcane Archer, Duelist, and maybe some other prestige classes.

You missed Aristocrat and Warrior. :smalltongue:

[NeoSeraphi]

You might also be able to pull off a pure Transmuter, since BAB is not quite as important when you rely on natural attacks rather than iterative attacks. And you'll have a killer strength score between your transmutation school power (though once you get a good strength item you probably want to use it on Con instead) and the form bonuses (and you'll get access to the better forms two levels earlier).

I'm worried about my hit points though. EK gives you 9/10 and d10 hit dice, which is really nice for a gish. Since no matter what I do, my AC is generally going to be crap, I want the hit points to be able to soak while I'm in melee.


Also consider the Improved Familiar feat - remember that you can use all your transmutation spells on your familiar too. It will have low hp, so it's risky, but in a pinch it might be useful to have another Huge dragon in the field.

Unfortunately, our group has seven members at the moment so the DM has strongly requested that we play characters without animal companions or cohorts, etc. The idea of turning my rat into a lion with pounce and then ganking people is incredibly appealing, though.

Looks like my build is going to be Wizard 5/Fighter 1/EK 10 though.