[PF] help making a Lightning mage!

[Naoki00_]

Hello all, I'm making a character for a campaign starting in a week or two, but I'm having a terrible time figuring out how to actually even build the type of character I want. We're using pathfinder and the SRD wiki for it has nearly everything possible to have I think so sources shouldn't be too much an issue, and while I'd like to stick to straight pathfinder some 3.5 material might be swingable too.

The character concept I first thought of was a 'storm mage', someone who controlled or manipulated the forces of lightning, wind, and sound to defeat foes or even so much as just use the wind to push stuff around and distract people. The problem I'm running into is that the character is meant to primarily be a caster of sorts, but all the casters sans the druid who is of course in a niche of it's own, are so entirely devoted to the idea of "all spells" that picking up just things like lightning bolt and such would run out very fast and not work like hoped, even the stormborn sorceror bloodline was rather underwhelming, only doing something cool maybe once a day, then finally another cool thing at lv 15, way too late for it to seem really worth the wait...I admit I'm not much a 'caster' player, and I like class meat more then just "oh look I can cast a single 4th level spell now!".

I'm asking the people of the forums if I might need to just give up the looking, have already pasted up gold in the wiki, or if there is in fact a way to craft a fun and versitile lightning blasting, storm calling specialist mage. Feel free to ask for more information, since I wasn't sure what might needed providing upfront, and will happily elaborate on anything I missed.

[HylianKnight]

I'll leave it up to more experienced people to post spell-list or even specific builds, but I think the first place you'd want to look is the Advanced Players Guide. For Wizards they added new Arcane School options revolving around the 4 elements.

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/wizard/arcane-schools/paizo---arcane-schools/elemental-arcane-schools/air

Air sounds like what you're looking for. Cool abilities levels 1 through 10, and your bonus spells come from a pre-themed air/lightning/storm related list at the bottom there.

[Naoki00_]

I'll leave it up to more experienced people to post spell-list or even specific builds, but I think the first place you'd want to look is the Advanced Players Guide. For Wizards they added new Arcane School options revolving around the 4 elements.

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/wizard/arcane-schools/paizo---arcane-schools/elemental-arcane-schools/air

Air sounds like what you're looking for. Cool abilities levels 1 through 10, and your bonus spells come from a pre-themed air/lightning/storm related list at the bottom there.

that is kinda cool I'll admit, but it still mostly just feels like a wizard with minor bonuses to stuff and casting levitate at will :/

[Psyren]

A sorcerer with the Stormborn Bloodline (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/sorcerer/bloodlines/bloodlines-from-paizo/stormborn-bloodline) sounds like it would be a good "lightning mage."

[Naoki00_]

A sorcerer with the Stormborn Bloodline (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/sorcerer/bloodlines/bloodlines-from-paizo/stormborn-bloodline) sounds like it would be a good "lightning mage."

I kinda outlined my opinion on that in my first post but I'll elaborate a bit more lol. I don't like 'casters' usually since they all feel VERY much the same, so when I say storm mage, I don't mean "just a regular caster that'll prepare/know the same stuff as another one because it's almost necessary", but gets to throw around lightning and cool stuff once a day at NINETH level, I mean that I want their primary form of attack to be shooting bolts of lightning and gusts of wind.

[Ninjaxenomorph]

Well, if you want to specialize in lightning, you can take the Elemental Metamagic feat, you can change a spell's damage fully or half to another element you pick when you choose the feat. Or you could pick something else and modify your lightning spells: a fire/lighting bolt kinda thing. The Draconic bloodlines also augment elemental spells.

[Bovine Colonel]

Have you considered playing a Sorcerer with Words of Power (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/variant-magic-rules/words-of-power)?

It doesn't give you the versatility or power of a standard Sorcerer, but you'd get your spammable lightning spells, not to mention the ability to choose the spell's shape/area while casting.

[Naoki00_]

Well, if you want to specialize in lightning, you can take the Elemental Metamagic feat, you can change a spell's damage fully or half to another element you pick when you choose the feat. Or you could pick something else and modify your lightning spells: a fire/lighting bolt kinda thing. The Draconic bloodlines also augment elemental spells.

hmm..thats definitely an idea, I didn't know about that feat, so if I end up needing to just 'cast' that could work out nicely :D

[Naoki00_]

Have you considered playing a Sorcerer with Words of Power (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/variant-magic-rules/words-of-power)?

It doesn't give you the versatility or power of a standard Sorcerer, but you'd get your spammable lightning spells, not to mention the ability to choose the spell's shape/area while casting.

huh, I've never actually even noticed that section 0.o, reading to be done

[ArcturusV]

You mention "Some 3.5", so I feel kinda obligated to point out the Stormcaster PrC in Stormwrack. You lose a caster progression level off the bat right away in 3.5 (Don't know if that is fixed in some conversion process or the like)... but otherwise it's pretty solid with decent Lightning based class abilities. Free "Turn a spell slot into a 30' AoE sonic damage and stun", not bad. Caster level boosts, free interrupting Wind Wall, resists penalties for high winds if your DM likes to throw that in your face (Some do), turns all your electric spells into free 1 round stuns, free energy resistances and saving throw bonuses against various "Storm" types like Sonic, Electric, Water, Wind.

[avr]

What level are you starting at?

If you want tricks you can use more than once a day, metamagic feats like toppling spell (wind knocking your foes down) or dazing spell (a crash of thunder accompanying your spell) might help.

You might look at a cleric, inquisitor or a druid with the Weather domain and/or the Wind or Storms subdomain if class features are more your thing than spells.

[Psyren]

Oh I misread your opening post - but it does go beyond just spells, the bloodline powers are lightning themed as well and most can be used many times per day.

Beyond that, if you want someone that just shoots lightning all day - you can either port in the Dragonfire Adept from 3.5, port in and refluff the Warlock, or homebrew.

[Naoki00_]

What level are you starting at?

If you want tricks you can use more than once a day, metamagic feats like toppling spell (wind knocking your foes down) or dazing spell (a crash of thunder accompanying your spell) might help.

You might look at a cleric, inquisitor or a druid with the Weather domain and/or the Wind or Storms subdomain if class features are more your thing than spells.

I'm starting right now at lv 4, and yeah that pretty much the cut and dry, I like class powers way more then spells lol, I think their over done and far too much the only thing a caster gets, but we already have an oracle >.>

[Hashiel_Dammit]

You might consider a Magus. Ridiculously buffed Shocking Grasp is kind of their thing and they are very good at it. If you want to lay down the Tesla-style smackdown, its a way to go.

[Red Rubber Band]

Born of Three Thunders (I think it's called) is a feat which will match you very nicely.

[Tokuhara]

Having played a Words of Power Oracle, I feel obligated to say that Words of Power isn't for everyone.

Generally, WoP spells are less powerful (smaller ranges, lower damage, shorter durations), but you can do some clever things with it and as a spontaneous caster, you build the words on the fly and can combine words to create unique combinations.


My only suggestion is to talk with your GM before you decide to roll into WoP and ask if both of you can homebrew new words.

[IronFist]

On the not-caster side:

Suli (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/races/other-races/uncommon-races/arg-suli) race. They have elemental assault, which can be electricity-only if you take the energy strike alternate racial trait.
Monk (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/monk). Elemental Fist (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/elemental-fist-combat) deals extra elemental damage. It can be boosted either by being a Monk of the Four Winds (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/monk/archetypes/paizo---monk-archetypes/monk-of-the-four-winds) or by taking Dragon Ferocity (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/dragon-ferocity-combat).
Suli gets a favored class option for Monks to increase elemental assault damage.
Season with Dragon Roar (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/dragon-roar-combat).

[Naoki00_]

You might consider a Magus. Ridiculously buffed Shocking Grasp is kind of their thing and they are very good at it. If you want to lay down the Tesla-style smackdown, its a way to go.

Magus and Druid are probably gonna be my "it's not possible to do what I'd like, so I'll settle" options, cause being able to do shocking grasp isn't really being a lightning specialist..

[Fax Celestis]

Play an archer, fluff your bow as lightning bolts.

[Naoki00_]

Born of Three Thunders (I think it's called) is a feat which will match you very nicely.

Thank you I was trying to remember the name for this one!, I could remember it had thunder in it but that was it lol

[Naoki00_]

On the not-caster side:


Thanks for the options, but I AM wanting it to be a caster lol

[Naoki00_]

Having played a Words of Power Oracle, I feel obligated to say that Words of Power isn't for everyone.

Generally, WoP spells are less powerful (smaller ranges, lower damage, shorter durations), but you can do some clever things with it and as a spontaneous caster, you build the words on the fly and can combine words to create unique combinations.


My only suggestion is to talk with your GM before you decide to roll into WoP and ask if both of you can homebrew new words.

Well of course, I've sent the page for it to him already to look over and pass judgement :D

[Naoki00_]

Play an archer, fluff your bow as lightning bolts.

I like your imagination...but then I'm just playing an archer with some fluff

[Fax Celestis]

I like your imagination...but then I'm just playing an archer with some fluff

...then play a warlock or a dragonfire adept, fluff your blast/breath as lightning bolts (in the case of DFA, you won't even need to refluff as long as you actually take the lightning breath).

[Naoki00_]

...then play a warlock or a dragonfire adept, fluff your blast/breath as lightning bolts (in the case of DFA, you won't even need to refluff as long as you actually take the lightning breath).

I've already asked my DM about those, and he's thinking it over still since they are 3.5 and he's only sorta ok with adding it

[Fax Celestis]

I've already asked my DM about those, and he's thinking it over still since they are 3.5 and he's only sorta ok with adding it

...if your DM is concerned about the power level of warlock or DFA, ask them if they allow wizards, sorcerers, clerics, inquisitors, oracles, witches, or magi. If the answer is yes, then he has no reason to disallow them.

[Naoki00_]

...if your DM is concerned about the power level of warlock or DFA, ask them if they allow wizards, sorcerers, clerics, inquisitors, oracles, witches, or magi. If the answer is yes, then he has no reason to disallow them.

It's more like he wants to remain as strictly close to pathfinder as possible and isn't entirely sure about adding in anything, but he's openly said he might be persuaded otherwise or might change his mind.

[Psyren]

If he doesn't allow 3.5 material, your only recourse for at-will lightning is homebrew.

I still don't see the problem with the Bloodline abilities though, 3+Cha is plenty of uses in a day. (How many combats do you plan on having anyway?) And you can spam Spark (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/s/spark) for kicks as well.

[Naoki00_]

If he doesn't allow 3.5 material, your only recourse for at-will lightning is homebrew.

I still don't see the problem with the Bloodline abilities though, 3+Cha is plenty of uses in a day. (How many combats do you plan on having anyway?) And you can spam Spark (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/s/spark) for kicks as well.

hopefully something can be decided on without that, but it's sorta like this, the bloodline power for the guy who's entire magical being is CENTERED around storms and lightning...can make a weapon spark a little maybe 7-8 times a day. the fighter just goes and buys one, and sure it can be stolen, but it's still easier to do that, not to mention that being a sorceror you shouldn't normally be able to make USE of that power since you wouldn't be hitting anyone with your horrible BAB. at 3rd level you do actually get something pretty cool i will admit, but you get nothing else until 9th level that you get to do once..a grand total of once. All the mystical powers of the storm, and you do 1 spell for free, make your staff spark, and get some nifty resistances. I know this is because the sheer ridiculous power and versitility of spells..but I like meat more then potatos :/. I'd be fine with every caster getting batted to 6th or 5th level spells MAX, but getting interesting and customizable ways to specialize and create true mages instead of different shades of merlin.

Edit: I did just reread the Thunderstaff power, and while it's nice that you can in fact do it to others weapons..they probably would have already bought it for them lol

[NamelessNPC]

Have you seen this prc (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/s-z/storm-kindler)? It's not very powerful, but the fluff may be what you are looking for

[Naoki00_]

Have you seen this prc (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/s-z/storm-kindler)? It's not very powerful, but the fluff may be what you are looking for

I did actually lol, it was somethign I was hoping to go into

[Dark.Revenant]

Sorcerer of Air

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/sorcerer/bloodlines/bloodlines-from-paizo/elemental-bloodline

Not the most powerful thing but I don't think you're going for power.

Basically:

All elemental spells can get swapped to electricity damage for free [this is cooler than it sounds, in terms of flavor]
~8/day bolts of lightning from level 1
Lightning blast at level 9 [5 with robe]
Permanent flight at level 15 [11 with robe]
Immunity to electricity, sneak attacks, and critical hits at level 20 [16 with robe]


If you pick Sylph as your race you also get a bonus +2 Charisma by picking this.

[Naoki00_]

Sorcerer of Air

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/sorcerer/bloodlines/bloodlines-from-paizo/elemental-bloodline

Not the most powerful thing but I don't think you're going for power.

Basically:

All elemental spells can get swapped to electricity damage for free [this is cooler than it sounds, in terms of flavor]
~8/day bolts of lightning from level 1
Lightning blast at level 9 [5 with robe]
Permanent flight at level 15 [11 with robe]
Immunity to electricity, sneak attacks, and critical hits at level 20 [16 with robe]


If you pick Sylph as your race you also get a bonus +2 Charisma by picking this.

now this I didn't notice and is much closer to the idea..if I have to stay sorcerer maybe this with crossblooded?

[TheTick]

Cross-blooded with Draconic of a matching 'color' dragon always seemed a solid choice to me. I know there are others that synergize, but I'm not sure about lightning/air themed ones.

[Karoht]

May I recommend Druid?
Take Elemental Spell Metamagic.

Flame Blade = Lightning Blade.
Gozreh's Trident = Lightning Trident off the hop.
Produce Flame = Produce Electricity
Call Lightning = Summon bolts of lightning onto something's head.
Ice Spear is pretty awesome.

I find the Druid spells are more Storm and weather themed.
Also, you can swap the animal companion for a domain.
And as I recall, there is at least one Storm archetype for Druid, possibly more.

[Hylas]

I recommend the Djinni Bloodline (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/sorcerer/bloodlines/bloodlines-from-paizo/djinni-bloodline) over the air bloodline. Yes, they're very similar, but I think that Djinni has better bonus spells.