[PF] Is Shadow Evocation Blasting Worth it?

[Raven777]

I am fully aware that blasting shouldn't be the first solution to most problems. Enchantment, Necromancy or Conjuration all offer stronger options. However, sometime, finishing encounters with a blast or two saves you more time and resources than laying down buffs and debuffs. Sometime, you just wanna kill stuff dead. Not to mention, frying stuff just feels good.

As a Sorcerer, to meet these "killing stuff dead" situations in a spells known efficient manner, I am considering outsourcing all blasting to the Shadow Evocation (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/s/shadow-evocation) line, which is both flavorful and versatile. In particular, this would allow me to better tailor blasting to different situations, such as these pesky fire resistant monsters thwarting my regular fireballs. I could just Shadow Evocate a Dragon Breath or some Ball Lightnings instead, without the need for these actual spells to fill my limited slots. This would also give me access to all of Evocation's utility (walls, darkness, daylight, other stuff) without having to learn these spells either.

Obviously, Shadow Evocation has the trade-off of tacking a Will save on top of your blasts. Which means I am going to want to boost their DC as much as possible. To that effect...

As a Human Arcane Sorcerer...

Bloodline Arcana (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/sorcerer/bloodlines/bloodlines-from-paizo/arcane-bloodline) : +1 DC when Metamagic is used
School Power (Illusion) (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/sorcerer/bloodlines/bloodlines-from-paizo/arcane-bloodline) : +2 DC
Spell Focus (Illusion) (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/spell-focus---final) : +1 DC
Spell Perfection (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/spell-perfection) : Doubles numerical bonuses from feats, 1 free Metamagic effect
Persistent Spell (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/metamagic-feats/persistent-spell-metamagic) : Opponents roll all Saves twice and take the worst rolls

This adds up to a +5 to Illusion DCs, with checks always rolled twice for the worst results. On my Sorcerer, as currently outfitted in regards to charisma score and gear, this would mean a 10 (base) + 6 (charisma) + 5 (spell level) + 5 (DC bonuses) = 26 check for Shadow Evocation.

How will it fare in actual play? Can it be improved further or is dedicating these feats to the spell a waste or resources? Any people have accounts of trying Shadow Evocation / Conjuration in Pathfinder and how it turned out for them? I am aware of this guide (https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B5kvBvq2DEHjTVF4NEY4SXpSTUU/edit?pli=1), which I read thoroughly, but would still like more input, especially from people who played with the spell in a "Pathfinder content only" campaign.

[Corlindale]

I'm not sure it's worth it to go to such lengths to make Shadow Evocation viable. If playing a 3.5 warmage from level 1-20 taught me anything, it is that you don't really need that many different ways of throwing d6s at enemies.

Just make sure you have 2-3 different elements available, in 1-2 different shapes depending on the situation. That doesn't take many spells known, especially not if you have Elemental Spell or Selective Spell. You can also swap out low level blasting spells as they become obsolete, for more buffs and utility.

Not to say that the Shadow Evocation line of spells is not useful and versatile, but I think I'd rather use it with a primary illusionist for some backup blasting power instead of as the actual foundation for a blasting build.

[VonDoom]

Take Greater Spell Focus for another +2 (when affected by Spell Perfection). You may also want to consider Spell Specialization for this sort of thing, even though it's probably a bad choice under most circumstances. However, with the many different options of Shadow Evocation (and Spell Perfection), it treats your caster level as 4 levels higher. That's better and more versatile than Spell Penetration, since you only need to add a single Feat to your build.

As a Sorcerer you don't care, but if you did this with a Wizard you could even take the Greater Spell Specialization to cast it spontaneously (rather than going Heighten Spell->Preferred Spell to do the same).

If you can convince your DM to allow Gnome Racial Traits, there's the Trickster: +1 to CL when determining duration, range and area of all spells from the Illusion school.


Also, since you already have the Spell Focus in Illusion, you may want to use Shadow Conjuration while you're at it.

[Need_A_Life]

Will your GM allow Shadowcraft Mage? Because that'll sure help.
How about some Complete Mage material? Reserve feats in particular

Shadow Evocations are flexible, but less damage-intensive on average than the basic evocation spell, so it takes some more investment to make them as dangerous. On the other hand, they're a lot harder to make useless than normal evocations once you do. :smallsmile:

[Evard]

Will your GM allow Shadowcraft Mage? Because that'll sure help.
How some Complete Mage material?

Shadow Evocations are flexible, but less damage-intensive on average than the basic evocation spell, so it takes some more investment to make them as dangerous. On the other hand, they're a lot harder to make useless than normal evocations once you do. :smallsmile:

That would be quite crazy... :D 120% real illusions


But OP you should go with shadow conjuration (pit trap) (spiked pit) (and the other one that eats you) if not only for the halarity of it all :p (they also do decent damage.

[Raven777]

Will your GM allow Shadowcraft Mage? Because that'll sure help.
How about some Complete Mage material? Reserve feats in particular

Shadow Evocations are flexible, but less damage-intensive on average than the basic evocation spell, so it takes some more investment to make them as dangerous. On the other hand, they're a lot harder to make useless than normal evocations once you do. :smallsmile:

The campaign is Pathfinder only.

[Blyte]

I like the concept, but I think a lot of the time you might find yourself wanting to use the 5th and 8th level spell slots to cast actual 5th and 8th level spells, that aren't emulating (and doing a damn good job at it, granted) a lower level spell.

I think I would prefer playing a wizard using 'staff like wand' to generate cheap effective burn.

[Dissonance]

with the aside to greater spell specilization, I think it works out fine. Being able to take two/four spells to completely cover 2 different schools is absolutely astounding for a sorc. However you should at least carry around a few lower level blasts so you can have the option available. Wasting a 5th level spell to cast scorching rays is not exactly cost effective. :smalltongue: