Sorcerer'ing as an intro to arcane magic in pathfinder..

[animewatcha]

So paladin was a no. Though, party needs an arcane caster apparently. I wanna go sorcerer to have less bookkeeping and plenty of spells 'on the fly'. I having tried googling for guides to pathfinder sorcerer. Unfortunately, kept getting google documents. First time opening them and they either are formatted wrong for me viewing ( help me here ) or they were messed with too much by everyone on the right side column editing it tto kingdom come.

Allowed sources are the core rulebook 4th ed and the Advanced Player's guide 2nd ed.

base 10. 32-point buy ( DM admits to making mistake, but he running with it anyway ). I know Cha, but what comes next?

Human sorcerer is a given.

Good feats? Which bloodline is good? Items to look for within these 2 books?

Starting at 10th level.

[Endarire]

Greetings! I was researching this stuff last night.

1: Human Sorcerer Yes. The favored class bonus means you're pretty much always better off going Sorcerer than another class, even if said class advances your casting.

2: What stuff from 3.x can you import? Getting access to 3.5's Flaws and Traits (in addition to Pathfinder's Traits) is wonderful. Sanctum Spell (http://dndtools.eu/feats/tome-and-blood-a-guidebook-to-wizards-and-sorcerers--51/sanctum-spell--2508/) from the start means you can learn spells from your favored class bonus (and paragon surge (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/p/paragon-surge) + Expanded Arcana (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/expanded-arcana)) of the highest level you can cast. Just take Racial Heritage (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/racial-feats/racial-heritage) (Half Elf) no later than level 5 so you can use paragon surge ASAP.

3: Noble Scion (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/noble-scion) (Scion of War) is wonderful for a Sorcerer, and a welcome pick at level 1.

4: Arcane Bloodline Yes. Take a greensting scorpion (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/vermin/scorpion/scorpion-greensting) as your familiar for +4 initiative, or a compsognathus (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/animals/dinosaur/compsognathus) if your GM is a fan of dinosaurs, and especially if your GM allows said dinosaurs to activate wands, scrolls, and staves via your Use Magic Device skill ranks. The Arcane Bloodline is debatably the best for any Sorcerer in Pathfinder, and is the default (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/sorcerer/bloodlines).

5: Snuggle up with Treantmonk (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/extras/community-creations/treatmonks-lab/test). Much of his advice holds true for Sorcerers. Just assume you're CHA-based, human, and a Sorcerer (with fewer spells known, but with Use Magic Device as a class skill and the ability to use wands, scrolls, potions, and staves) and you'll be fine.

6: Winnining initiative is still good. Improved Initiative + Reactionary Trait (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/ultimateCampaign/characterBackground/traits.html) (Combat) = +6 initiative. That's in addition to your DEX and familiar.

7: Where to put your stat points, ensure you have at least 14 DEX, 14 CON, and 18 DEX. An array of 8 STR, 14 DEX, 14 CON, 14 INT, 12 WIS, and 18 CHA (made 20 CHA after your Human bonus) gives you a solid stat array. That way, you can afford to max Spellcraft, Use Magic Device, Perception, and 3 other skills. (I recommend two or three Knowledge skills and perhaps Bluff.) Put further stat boosts into CHA and boom! You're solid.

[Yanisa]

Yeah the google docs thing puzzled me too, but there is a "view-mode" and a "suggest-mode". One of the more famous Sorcerer guides somehow has the suggest-mode as main result, leading to a messy document where hundreds of children scribbled over. To fix that in the upper right there is a large green button (named Suggesting) to switch modes.

Or just try these links, although all guides are hosted on Google docs, except the bloodline guide. For me they work without problems.
A Quick Guide to Pathfinder Sorcerers (https://docs.google.com/document/d/13MRfgZWlAakfd06JnboqbK6xNdb2Ht63dYqVg2kpGiI)
The Inner Power. A Guide for Sorcerers (Core, APG, UM, UC) (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qUkVlonpJHQhy9jqicCuJDw-kmc1S3eY98GANjIlDkI)
Magic in the Blood: A Guide to Eldritch Heritage and Sorcerer Bloodlines (http://www.pathfindercommunity.net/tyler-s-pathfinder-guides/magic-in-the-blood-a-guide-to-eldritch-heritage-and-sorcerer-bloodlines)

As for some basic tips. Sorcerer prefer Cha (for casting) > Dex (for aiming spells) > Con (for surviving) > Int (for skill points) > Wis (for Will saves) > Str is useless unless you want a melee build, but thats a whole different story. Also wisdom is not that important because you already start with a +2 on will saves. Int is a personal preference for people (And there is an archetype that switches cha and int). Most people suggest to aim at 16 cha, 14 dex, 12 con and then upgrade as you see fit.

Bloodlines, Arcane has the most versatility and is useful for any type of sorcerer. Other bloodlines are more locked to play styles and many are between meh and okay unless they sync well with your playstyle. If you have a style in mind we can probably point out a fitting bloodline and narrow down a lot more. Also the bloodline guide puts a lot of thought on the subject.

[animewatcha]

Endarire. The group and DM are just getting into Pathfinder. Only allowed things are Core rulebook and Advanced Player's Guide.

[Azurefenrir]

base 10. 32-point buy ( DM admits to making mistake, but he running with it anyway ). I know Cha, but what comes next?
The supposed stat order is Cha > Dex > Con > Int, but keep in mind that you (usually) don't want to pump DEX or CON as high as they can go, like you want to do with CHA. In fact, both DEX and CHA are perfectly fine at 14 points. My recommended array with a 32 point buy is (before racial adjustments):

STR: 8
DEX: 14
CON: 14
INT: 14
WIS: 12
CHA: 18

This will give you a decent number of skill points as well, which can be pretty important even as a human sorcerer.

Sorcs also have ways to switch their primary casting stat to INT or WIS, if you would like. WIS requires you to take the celestial bloodline, which isn't as good, though INT is a sub-archetype of the Arcane bloodline.


Human sorcerer is a given.
Without ARG, I agree with this. Do note, though, that PF FAQs have ruled that any race that "counts" as another race can take the mimick'd race's ACF and feats. This means that the human ACF is actually also open to half elves and half orcs, as well as Aasimar with the ability that makes them count as humans.

With ARG, Aasimar is arguably the best sorcerer race, though in your case it doesn't apply. Still, weigh Darkvision (half orc) and half-elf bonuses against the human and see if one of them stacks up any better.


Good feats?
From just the two sources?

Extend Spell - Metamagic, useful for buffs. Doubles duration for only +1.
Craft Wonderous Item - Help the newbies out by crafting their magic items for them. And for yourself.
Augment Summoning - Summons are always useful. Requires spell focus.
Spell Focus/Greater - Increases DC.

APG adds a few more:

Dazing Spell - Really good. Allows your spell to daze all targets it hits. Spells that hit multiple times force multiple saves. +3 is steep, but it's useful. May also be useful to get it on a rod.
Spell Perfection - This is a very powerful feat. Get it on a blast that you use very often and dazing becomes free on that spell. This also doubles the effects of things that add static bonuses, which means that if you did take the Orc bloodline you now get +2 per dice on that spell. Unfortunately requires level 15, so keep an eye out for it.

And the standard useful ones: Improved Initiative, Toughness, and such.

Of course, Magical Lineage (trait) is useful here as well since you basically take -1 level off when applying metamagic applied to the spell.


Which bloodline is good?
There are some good ones. Arcane is usually the default that people turn to, but the following are also useful:
Orc: Very useful for blaster sorcs. Get +1 Damage per die on spells which add up very quickly.
Imperious: Instantly get a bunch of class skills, then get +1/+2 on every morale bonus, and bardic songs at level 15.
Rakshasa: Very nice if you are doing social stuff.

If you choose arcane (highly recommended), note that bonded item is a risk, and if a bonded item is stolen you take heavy penalties to your casting. If you don't like the familiar or bonded item, you can trade it and your arcana for the Sage archetype, which replaces both of them with INT as your primary stat (plus stat bonuses and a crappy blasting ability).


Items to look for within these 2 books?
I'd recommend that you at least convince your DM to add Ultimate Equipment Guide. Base doesn't have very many good options that are must-haves (other than metamagic rods).

[Yanisa]

Orc: Very useful for blaster sorcs. Get +1 Damage per die on spells which add up very quickly.
Imperious: Instantly get a bunch of class skills, then get +1/+2 on every morale bonus, and bardic songs at level 15.
Rakshasa: Very nice if you are doing social stuff.


A lot of good advice within the allowed sources, but these three bloodlines are not in the CRB or APG. (Orcs of Golarian, ARG and UM respectively.) And yeah, core has a lot of meh bloodlines.

[Raezeman]

So, first a question, what is more important to you, character optimisation or character concept and fluff?

Anyway, here is a guide to sorcerer stuff.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/13MRfgZWlAakfd06JnboqbK6xNdb2Ht63dYqVg2kpGiI/edit#
(I know, it's google docs, but i also have encountered to problem of sorcerer guides on google docs not working and this one does)
This one gives info and suggestions on stats, feats, equipment… (the link it provides for spells doesn't work for me)
For bloodlines however, it only states arcane is by far the best (the link it provides doesn't work for me)

Her is a link for more bloodline stuff (check wether the one you like is in your allowed booklist)
http://www.pathfindercommunity.net/tyler-s-pathfinder-guides/magic-in-the-blood-a-guide-to-eldritch-heritage-and-sorcerer-bloodlines

If you favor optimisation, then yeah, arcane is your choice. But if you like fluff and character concept, consider this:
the advanced players guide has some nice bloodlines, my favorite of which being the stormborn, with which eventually you can turn yourself into a living lightning bolt once per day for rounds per level!
Another concept, take the undead bloodline, but play it so that it comes from an evil lich ancestor, but you yourself despise undeads and the like, you see the specific undead powers you have more as a curse than a gift and vow to only use the powers to do good in the world and slay that lich ancestor you have.

And for spells, consider a bit the rest of the party. Haste (lv 3) is really nice, especially if you have plenty melee oriented party members. Other than that, go with what you like in terms of blasting, summoning, buffing, de-buffing, area control,…

[caimbuel]

If your DM allows I would try a cross blooded Arcane/Fey(slyvan)
it would look something like this.

1 Improved Initiative
Animal Companion
3 Your choice metamagic
Arcane Bond - familiar
5 Boon Companion
7 Improved Familiar
9 Your choice metamagic
Meta magic adept

This gives you a comapnion with sorc level = druid level, a familiar for wand shenanigans, and both work with share spells. This can be a bit for some DM's to swallow tho I will admit.

[Eanow]

I built a gnome sorcerer for my wife to play in our every-other-week pathfinder game. If I remember correctly, the stats are:

Str/Dex/Con/Int/Wis/Cha
7/14/12/12/8/18, giving 5/14/14/12/8/20 with the gnome racial adjustments. (20 point buy)

Arcane bloodline, with a rat familiar for flavor.

Traits: Reactionary (+2 init), focused mind (+2 concentration)

Feat (1st level) Improved initiative (+4 initiative)

1st level spells were color spray and magic missile
0th level were resistance, acid splash, detect magic, and arcane mark

Gnome magic of course grants a 1/day of dancing lights, ghost sound, prestidigitation, and speak with animals.

Focus of this character was to go early in the initiative order, have a high DC on spells (especially color spray) and be able to do well on concentration checks. Note that flat-footed enemies cannot make attacks of opportunity, so on the opening round it's a viable tactic to get up and color spray them in the face. 20 Charisma gives you 2 extra 1st level spells/day, gnomes get a bonus to illusion DCs meaning your level 1 color spray (up to 5 times a day) has a DC of 10+5+1+1=17. All of this is in the Core and APG. Good followup feats would be spell focus/mastery for better DCs, and combat casting to improve defensive casting concentration checks.

[caimbuel]

Sorry about my previous advice, not to pertinent with what you are allowed.

Race: Human is the best choice x10 get hp's 1-3 then start grabbing spells known at max level usable-1 each level as bonus.

Bloodline: Arcane is generally agreed to be the best if you are not doing a niche build and only CRB and APG are allowed.

I would highly advise to spend a feat on improved familiar and get a Lyrakien if your alignment is 1 step from CG, they have 20 CHA and are humanoid in shape so they can use wands, also have some nifty SLA's and such to help in a pinch. Tho they are out of Bestiary 2 so not sure if this is cool. Can always look them up at d20pfsrd.com and any other rules you need. But the ability to have a familiar use wands while you cast spells adds a lot of action economy ( very important ) that base familiars generally cant do per most GMs.

the rest others have covered, but if you need more please specify and we can try to help.