[Pathfinder] Help me create an epic sorcerer / dragon disciple

[mirtexxan]

Hello everybody,
we're about to start a Pathfinder Epic Level Campaign, and I'm going to play a sorcerer 20 / dragon disciple 10 gnome. We're using the standard Pathfinder rules plus the 3.5 Epic Level Handbook (but for the moment, no epic feats).
Unfortunately this is my first epic campaign, and also my first pathfinder one!
So i was wondering... can anyone please post some suggestions? Or even a complete build?

Rolled array 18,18,18,14,12,8
Race and class are somewhat fixed, but skills, feats and especially equipment are not!

Thank you very much!

[doko239]

What's the full list of available resources?

[grarrrg]

we're about to start a Pathfinder Epic Level Campaign, and I'm going to play a sorcerer 20 / dragon disciple 10 gnome. We're using the standard Pathfinder rules plus the 3.5 Epic Level Handbook

Rolled array 18,18,18,14,12,8
Race and class are somewhat fixed, but skills, feats and especially equipment are not!


Start here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=12568710#post12568710).
Crossblooded (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/sorcerer/archetypes/paizo---sorcerer-archetypes/crossblooded) is a VERY solid choice if going/starting Epic, as the Lost Spells known is much less noticible (and it helps that you'll have 20+Caster Levels anyway).
AND you get to choose which Bloodline your bonus Spells come from, which is VERY handy considering the Draconic Bloodline normally gives you all 3 versions of "Form of Dragon"...


Gnome is fine for Race, but just how "fixed" are the fixed classes?
The last 2 levels of Dragon Disciple won't do much for your build, you'll already have max Bloodline Powers from your 20 Sorc levels, leaving the last 2 levels of DD fairly redundant/pointless.

Dipping (Anti)Paladin (if Alignment allows) for 2 levels grants CHA to All Saves

1 level of Oracle with the Lore Mystery (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/oracle/mysteries/paizo---oracle-mysteries/lore) can get you CHA to AC and Ref saves. Pair with the Noble Scion (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/noble-scion) feat (Scion of War option) for CHA to Initiative and you can dump that 8 you rolled into your DEX and never look back.
Also, optionally, with either +2 levels of Oracle, or the Extra Revelation feat, you can grab another Revelation to use CHA for Knowledge checks instead of INT.
So you could put your 18's into STR/CON/CHA, and your 12 & 14 into INT & WIS (your choice, depends if you want that +1 Will Save, or 30 more Skill points).

Also, you only need a total Bloodline level of 20, so we could swap out some Sorc levels for other (Near)Full casting PrC's.
Harrower (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/e-h/harrower) has some interesting abilities, and fairly easy Pre-Reqs.
Loremaster (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/core-rulebook/loremaster) has much higher Pre-Reqs, but still has some useful abilities.
But my vote would have to be for Pathfinder Savant (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/n-r/pathfinder-savant)
has easy Pre-Reqs, but you do lose 1 level of casting. BUT:

At each class level beyond 1st, the Pathfinder savant chooses a spell from any class’s spell list and thereafter treats it as if it were on the spell list of his base spellcasting classes; if his base class could not normally cast that spell, it is treated as 1 level higher.
Not only do you get extra spells known, but they can be ANY SPELL EVER! (excluding level 9's, unless your Epic Rules allow for level 10 spell slots...).

My suggested build would be along the lines of:
Crossblooded (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/sorcerer/archetypes/paizo---sorcerer-archetypes/crossblooded) Sorcerer 14/Oracle 1/Pathfinder Savant 7/Dragon Disciple 8
Final caster level 26, Bab is either 16, or 17.25 if using Fractional.

[mirtexxan]

For the first poster, any material officially published by Paizo is legal, plus the aformentioned Epic Level Handbook.

Thank you very much for your help grarrrg.
Your build seems really solid... however I don't really like the Pathfinder Savant class as it may be too tied to a specific settings... any alternative? However I like the Oracle dip, and the Crossblooded archetype (btw, which other bloodline? I was thinking Arcane... or Fey for background reasons).

For my PC I was thinking (as he is a gnome) of suffering the bleach curse... what do you think? (DM approval has been granted)

As for skill and spell selection... which spells behave well at very high levels?
Finally, my single greatest problem is the equipment: what should my priorities be?

[Rajhiim]

I just wrapped up a sorc/DD in PF... and I found halfling to be the best race for them, so unless you're absolutely RP tied to being a gnome, I suggest checking out halfling.

=D

Plus, it's just fun to be a tiny ball of dragon fury!! Hahahaa!

[grarrrg]

Your build seems really solid... however I don't really like the Pathfinder Savant class as it may be too tied to a specific settings... any alternative? However I like the Oracle dip, and the Crossblooded archetype (btw, which other bloodline? I was thinking Arcane... or Fey for background reasons).

Alternatives:
Either Oracle 1 or (Anti)Paladin 2 can be used to ditch DEX.
Paladin is overall the better option, but costs you 1 extra caster level.

Sorc 12/Paladin 2/Eldritch Knight 8/Dragon Disciple 8
Levels can be arranged so you'd have 16 Bab by level 20, giving you full iteratives (Sorc 6 > DD 4 > Pal 2 > EK 8). Cannot take all 10 levels of Eldritch Knight though, as you are already at the 'bare minimum' of 20 Bloodline levels.

As for other ideas, most Arcane Casting PrC's have Good/Evil alignment Reqs, do you have a planned alignment? Or just go with what works?
Also, do you have a "flavor" idea for the character yet? Blaster/Buffer/Batman??



For 2nd Bloodline,
1st level powers aren't worth caring about, most are weak, Draconic has solid level 15 and 20 powers. So you want definitely want something with a good 3rd level power (Draconic's 3rd level is redundant with it's 20th level power), and if you don't plan on using your Breath Weapon, you can skip that and take something else for the 9th level power.

Basically looking for good level 3 and 9 powers, Arcana/Level 1 power is a plus.

Aberrant increases your Touch Spell range to 20 feet, combined with your good STR you're Touch Attacks are very likely to hit. You also get 50% Immunity to Crits/Precision Damage.

Abyssal will get you Electricity Resist 10 and a bonus vs. Poison. EITHER will give you +6 STR. Orc with get you Immune to Fear and a Natural Armor boost (DD Armor stacks with anything). Good options for a more Gish-type build.

Arcane can get you a Familiar (one of the few worthwhile level 1 powers), 5 times a day you can add Metamagic without increasing casting time, and you get +3 spells known (must be Sorc/Wiz though).

Pestilence can give Immune Nausea and Disease.

The various "Genie" bloodlines, and/or Elemental Bloodline can get you Energy Resist 20 of your choice.
Celestial can get Resist 10 for both Acid and Cold.


If you're allowed to take Wild-Bloodlines ('technically' incompatible with Crossblooded if going by RAW, but there isn't any real conflict, so it might be ok, ask your DM)...
Pit-Touched can give you +6 CON, and Fire Resist 10.

[doko239]

Starsoul or Void-touched are also solid choices; no longer have to breathe, increased caster level on teleport spells, and one/day can put one enemy into orbit just for fun :smallbiggrin:

Arcana on Void-touched is especially solid; adds Silence effect to evocation spells.