Pathfinder Optimizing CL at low levels

[JesusCraig]

Hey Playground!

I was wondering if you guys could check my planned build for a campaign I'm taking part in to make sure it's all legitimate. The character is beginning at level 4 (Second book Carrions Crown). I am looking to play an evocation based wizard (I have the rod of ectoplasmic spell to make it a little easier to hit incorporeal)

Alright, so I'm thinking

Race: Human
Class: Cross blooded sorceror (Orc/Dragon [fire]) 1, exploiter wizard 3

Rolled stats 7x4d6(drop lowest dice and set)
Str:10, Dex:16, Con:18, Wis:8, Int:21, Chr:12

Traits:
Magical Knack
Unassigned

Feats:
Spell Focus (Evocation)
Varisian Tattoo (evocation)
Spell specialization (Burning Arc)

Class features: +1 to damage per dice (+1 additional damage per dice to fire spells)
Arcane Exploit: Potent Magic

Which should give me CL9 for burning arc = 4 CL, + 2 from Potent Magic, + 2 from spell specialization, + 1 from varisian tattoo. Which is 9d6+18 to the primary target and then half that to secondary targets and half that again to a tertiary target.

So we are looking at like 50 damage from each of my second level spells to the primary target.

What do you guys think? Planning on getting the school understanding exploit next and then I can use Evocation (Admixture) school to change the energy type.

[JesusCraig]

Nothing? I know evokers aren't cool but still....

[grarrrg]

Nothing? I know evokers aren't cool but still....

Chill dude.
Sometimes it takes more than 3 hours to get a hit.

[Psyren]

There is seldom a point in optimizing blasting like that because it just sparks* an arms race with the GM. So you figure out a way to get 9d6+18 damage at ECL 4 on a multi-target spell, then you'll mysteriously start running into fire resistant or immune bad guys constantly.

*no pun intended

[avr]

It works. Dealing about twice as much damage as you have hit points from a single spell is going to get you attacked by something too tough for you to handle sooner or later though. Or just focus fired to death by enemies who cry 'Geek the Mage!'

[atemu1234]

There is seldom a point in optimizing blasting like that because it just sparks* an arms race with the GM. So you figure out a way to get 9d6+18 damage at ECL 4 on a multi-target spell, then you'll mysteriously start running into fire resistant or immune bad guys constantly.

*no pun intended

True, but the man did ask, so he probably should receive. Anyone got anything?

[Psyren]

It works. Dealing about twice as much damage as you have hit points from a single spell is going to get you attacked by something too tough for you to handle sooner or later though. Or just focus fired to death by enemies who cry 'Geek the Mage!'

*Shadowrun senses tingling*


True, but the man did ask, so he probably should receive. Anyone got anything?

He has a trait slot open - Metamagic Master + Elemental Spell will help him deal with any aforementioned fire resistant opposition.

[JesusCraig]

Thank you for your help so far. I know it's not optimal but I do enjoy evocation. I won't be using the "big guns" every fight, but want to have stuff to fall back on in the event of an emergency.

I intend to pick up school understanding (Evocation [admixture]) exploit to help solve the elemental resistance problems.

[Kurald Galain]

I intend to pick up school understanding (Evocation [admixture]) exploit to help solve the elemental resistance problems.

Many creatures that are resistant to elemental damage are resistant to other elements as well. So, save some spell slots for versatility for any situation in which direct damage is not your best option.

I suggest going specialist evoker instead of exploiter, because of staying power: you'll get +3 damage to all spells instead of +2 levels to a few spells per day, and you have more spells per day. Also, tattooed sorcerer + orc bloodline may be better than crossblooded (depending on level and whether you care about will saves and if you like to have some sorc spells as well, and note that an evocation school familiar further adds to your damage). Finally, you'll probably want a metamagic rod of intensify, so you cast e.g. Burning Hands once your L2 spells run out.

[Secret Wizard]

I seriously suggest that you don't Crossblood and you don't go into Wizard.

Just take a single Bloodline, then get the Tattooed Sorcerer archetype (+1 CL thanks to free Mage's Tattoo) and then take the Variant Multiclassing option into Admixture Wizard.