Extra Anchovies
2014-08-12, 06:19 PM
Specifically, single-classed Human Duskblade 20, unless there's a one-level dip along the way that I should consider. I'm unsure if I want to toss in one level of warblade in there somewhere, or maybe something else with good BAB and nice dipping potential. Plan is to have a dragon familiar, and rely a lot on Knowledge Devotion and Arcane Strike. I've got most of it fairly solidified already, but I would like any advice you guys have as far as spell selection goes. I also have a few questions about how some of the feats I plan to take function in various situations.
Arcane Disciple and Arcane Strike at 1st level, Knowledge Devotion at 3rd, Versatile Spellcaster at 6th. I know for sure I'll be taking these feats, although I do have questions about one or two of them which will be presented below.
Obtain Familiar at 9th, Dragon Familiar at 12th. Familiar will be a houseruled-in Gem Dragon (I already have the DM's permission to do this), either Topaz (equivalent to Silver) if I've taken only Duskblade to that point or Emerald (equivalent to Bronze) if I've taken a 1-level dip. Why? The alternate movement modes are great (fly, burrow, and swim), and Emerald and Topaz wyrmlings both have Int 14. That means they have 8 skills, possibly spot, listen, and a pile of knowledge skills to round out Knowledge Devotion. Not sure which of the two types would be more useful, though; Topaz has an extra HD and a slightly better breath weapon (that also deals untyped damage), but Emerald has at-will object reading, which could definitely come in handy.
I'll be sticking with Martial weapons (don't have a spare feat for exotic weapon proficiency). Will probably carry a greatsword and a guisarme.
1. Can I use a familiar's Knowledge skills for Knowledge Devotion? That's part of what drew me to Dragon Familiar in the first place, because I'll probably only have Knowledge (Religion) {I need four ranks for Arcane Disciple anyways, so I might as well max it to use against undead} and maybe one other Knowledge skill. A Topaz or Emerald dragon familiar could have Arcana, Dungeoneering, Nature, and The Planes (the other four that apply to creature types) and have four skills to spare.
2. Knowledge (Local) is described as the skill under which knowledge about humanoids fall. Would ranks in Knowledge Local) apply to any and all humanoids, or would I have to specify a subtype of humanoid to which it would apply? If it works for all humanoids equally, then between me and the dragon I could use Knowledge Devotion against any creature type.
3. Could I use Versatile Spellcaster to re-cast spells gained via Arcane Disciple that I've already cast that day? Arcane Disciple's description says that each day I can cast each domain spell once. Versatile Spellcaster states "You can use two spell slots of the same level to cast a spell you know that is one level higher. For example, a sorcerer with this feat can expend two 2nd-level spell slots to cast any 3rd-level spell he knows." Arcane Disciple allows me to learn the domain's spells as normal for my class, so spells I pick from the chosen domain are on my spells known list. Unsure if the maximum of 1/day still applies to spells cast via Versatile Spellcaster.
Finally, I have no idea what spells I should take and when. I don't really need a comprehensive list, but if you have suggestions for the first one or two spells I should learn at each spell level, that would be greatly appreciated.
ETA: if you're curious about the logic behind the gem dragon familiars, here's an earlier thread in which I proposed a homebrew solution (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?366430-3-5-Gem-Dragon-Familiars).
Arcane Disciple and Arcane Strike at 1st level, Knowledge Devotion at 3rd, Versatile Spellcaster at 6th. I know for sure I'll be taking these feats, although I do have questions about one or two of them which will be presented below.
Obtain Familiar at 9th, Dragon Familiar at 12th. Familiar will be a houseruled-in Gem Dragon (I already have the DM's permission to do this), either Topaz (equivalent to Silver) if I've taken only Duskblade to that point or Emerald (equivalent to Bronze) if I've taken a 1-level dip. Why? The alternate movement modes are great (fly, burrow, and swim), and Emerald and Topaz wyrmlings both have Int 14. That means they have 8 skills, possibly spot, listen, and a pile of knowledge skills to round out Knowledge Devotion. Not sure which of the two types would be more useful, though; Topaz has an extra HD and a slightly better breath weapon (that also deals untyped damage), but Emerald has at-will object reading, which could definitely come in handy.
I'll be sticking with Martial weapons (don't have a spare feat for exotic weapon proficiency). Will probably carry a greatsword and a guisarme.
1. Can I use a familiar's Knowledge skills for Knowledge Devotion? That's part of what drew me to Dragon Familiar in the first place, because I'll probably only have Knowledge (Religion) {I need four ranks for Arcane Disciple anyways, so I might as well max it to use against undead} and maybe one other Knowledge skill. A Topaz or Emerald dragon familiar could have Arcana, Dungeoneering, Nature, and The Planes (the other four that apply to creature types) and have four skills to spare.
2. Knowledge (Local) is described as the skill under which knowledge about humanoids fall. Would ranks in Knowledge Local) apply to any and all humanoids, or would I have to specify a subtype of humanoid to which it would apply? If it works for all humanoids equally, then between me and the dragon I could use Knowledge Devotion against any creature type.
3. Could I use Versatile Spellcaster to re-cast spells gained via Arcane Disciple that I've already cast that day? Arcane Disciple's description says that each day I can cast each domain spell once. Versatile Spellcaster states "You can use two spell slots of the same level to cast a spell you know that is one level higher. For example, a sorcerer with this feat can expend two 2nd-level spell slots to cast any 3rd-level spell he knows." Arcane Disciple allows me to learn the domain's spells as normal for my class, so spells I pick from the chosen domain are on my spells known list. Unsure if the maximum of 1/day still applies to spells cast via Versatile Spellcaster.
Finally, I have no idea what spells I should take and when. I don't really need a comprehensive list, but if you have suggestions for the first one or two spells I should learn at each spell level, that would be greatly appreciated.
ETA: if you're curious about the logic behind the gem dragon familiars, here's an earlier thread in which I proposed a homebrew solution (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?366430-3-5-Gem-Dragon-Familiars).