Marshal+Sorcerer?

[Kaulz]

Hi Playgrounders,

I try to figure out a Sandshaper build, entering with Marshal and Sorcerer, to use minor aura and good spells whith high Charisma.

Did someone have expirience in this kombination already? what are good auras?
What are good Spells, maybe to fill gaps that the Sandshaper class do not fill with his expanded Spelllist?

Sources: No Eberon, Psi-stuff or Dragonmagazine, nor TOB!

thank u ! ^^

[AlsoD]

Hi Playgrounders,

I try to figure out a Sandshaper build, entering with Marshal and Sorcerer, to use minor aura and good spells whith high Charisma.

Did someone have expirience in this kombination already? what are good auras?
What are good Spells, maybe to fill gaps that the Sandshaper class do not fill with his expanded Spelllist?

Sources: No Eberon, Psi-stuff or Dragonmagazine, nor TOB!

thank u ! ^^

Firstly, you almost certainly want Motivate Dexterity for the initiative bonus.

Secondly, as you sure you want to take the marshal level? Losing out on the level of spells is a big deal! If you're using some pathfinder stuff, I really like being a half-elf marshal as you can turn your racial bonus feat (Skill Focus: Diplomacy) into any other feat.

I recommend not going past the 8th level of Sandshaper, the class features really don't make up for the lost spellcasting.

As for spells, well the only difference from a normal sorcerer is that you should place an unusually high emphasis on spells that boost your charisma. Persistent Spell, as ever, is really really good for this.

[prufock]

Firstly, you almost certainly want Motivate Dexterity for the initiative bonus.
Determined Caster is also a good choice, but comes online later in play when you run up against things with high SR. With this build, you're at least level 7 for the first level of Sand Shaper. IMarvinTPA only returns 11 CR7 monsters with SR, but that will increase as you get higher in level.


Secondly, as you sure you want to take the marshal level? Losing out on the level of spells is a big deal!
Leadership for a marshal cohort is superior, if allowed. That way you can gain multiple minor auras that he can switch out at will, as well as major auras and grant move action.

[Vaz]

CR7 not necessarily, but as you say when you get higher, it becomes a problem. The usual one is that enemy 'big bosses' tend to be +2 or even higher CR's, the DMG suggesting 5% to be CR+8.

Note that as a Sandshaper, you have the brilliant ability, as effectively an immediate action (to save your sanity) to produce a small wall of sand to block line of effect.

The problem with Marshal+Sorcerer into Sandshaper is that you are removed from the caster level arms race by 3. Sorcs Have a slower spell access, marshals lose you one, and Sandshaper another lost one.

While 'oh the horror, no 9ths until ECL20' syndrome sets in, bear in mind that this means you are limited to 4th level spells at ECL11, while a Wizard is taking 6th level ones. Depending on the power level of the group, this might not be so bad, especially if you are a buffer sorcerer, but, obviously, 6th level buffs are a lot more potent.