Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 iskajir Apr 17, 2009 11:10:25	Party includes Cleric of Pelor (going towards RSoP), a knight, and a melee-focused rogue, the latter two with no plans of prestige class. Game starts at 1st level, set in Paizo's Pathfinder: Rise of the Runelords. What I had in mind: Human Domain Wizard 1/Shadowcaster 3/Noctumancer 10/MT 6 Rolled stats: Str 6, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 17, Wis 11, Cha 16 I'm probably going to with Abjuration Domain, though Conjuration tempts me. Abjuration domain goes well with the Noctumancer granted ability. Feats: 1.Precocious Appentice (DM ok with this for early entry.) Human- ((DM said no to Fiery Burst Reserve feat)) Regional Bonus- Cityborn (a plus to Ref saves, where this will be weakest) Wizard 1. Scribe scroll (or more likely the fighter feat substitution) 3. Practiced Spellcaster (wizard) 3. 2nd level Shadowcaster feat-- ?? 6. 9. 12. 15. 18. DM nixed kobold cheese in any form; setting is not kobold-friendly. As far as I know, whisper gnome would be ok, but I'm not sure that feat wouldn't come in handy. CHA penalty vs. small size, 30 spd, CON and DEX bonuses. As low as the STR is already, another penalty won't matter. What I'm most interested in knowing, is will this be fun, and power solid throughout? Shadowcasting is weak, but the extremely early entry into doublecasting should sort that out, or no? Reflex saves are going to be puny at higher levels, also BAB (but that shouldn't be an issue). Also, what are some good feats that could benefit both sides of the progression?
#2 jameswilliamogle Apr 17, 2009 11:22:44	Shadowcasters have some great options in their mysteries. It will be great as either a blaster or debuffer, but imo not fulfill the "general" arcanist role at all. I have a thread somewhere around here about playing a straight shadowcaster (its more like "musings" on it). If your DM OK's the "Creeping Darkness" variant, you can start out as: Wizard 5, then take Shadowcaster 2, and end up w/ Wizard 3 / Shadowcaster 4 / Noctumancer X. Finish it later w/ 2 more Shadowcaster levels to generate a Wizard 1 / Shadowcaster 8 / Noctumancer X. That saves a feat spent on Precocious Apprentice. Also, there's a designer note about changing it up to make the Shadowcaster a bit easier to work with. Your party needs an arcanist, though. Playing a Shadowcaster doesn't count.