Artificer/Seeker Hybrid... Seen one?

[surfarcher]

Hey folks,

One of my players has asked if he can reroll his Heroic tier Genasi (Watersoul) Artificer as an Artificer/Seeker hybrid.

The party is very Leader heavy (Chaladin, Cleric, Artificer) and fairly Striker heavy (Ranger, Sorcerer), with no dedicated controller. The Ranger and Sorceress fill that role best they can, but the absence certainly shows.

I've never heard of this kind of Hybrid before so off to Google my fingers went... But the only example I've been able to find is Harold, the Potter.

I can't see any obvious signs of abuse or excess cheese and I find the idea intriguing. So, as things stand, I'm inclined to allow it.

But I had to ask... Has anyone else seen one of these before? How did they go in the campaign. And have I overlooked something?

Cheers!

 

[Aulirophile]

Seeker is, overall, not a strong class. This is more likely to weaken his character then anything, so if you're worried about it overpowering him... don't.

 

[MatthewJHanson]

I have not seen one, but from looking at them, I do not see any immediate exploits, and indeed they do not seem to synergize very well. (Primary stat for artificer does nothing for a seeker.)

 

[interwyrm]

Pre-errata, primal eye would add intelligence modifier to damage for ranged basic attacks. This meant that a artificer|seeker had ability score compatibility and implement/weapon compatibility - use a crossbow for everything.

Now, there's very little to recommend adding seeker.

Also, genasi don't make very good seekers. Artificer|Wizard would be *much* better. Even Artificer|Invoker would be a better choice.

 

[surfarcher]

I should have said "balance issues" rather than inferring overpowered

If anything it looks like it could be a bit underpowered and some closer charop might be required!

I'll pass on the feedback and thanks again!

 

[Herschel]

Seeker is, overall, not a strong class. This is more likely to weaken his character then anything, so if you're worried about it overpowering him... don't.

Seekers work very well, IF you're smart enough to play them well. They don't have a lot of extras (no splat books) but they are great complementary characters when played within the group setting (like a Warlord).

Pre-errata, primal eye would add intelligence modifier to damage for ranged basic attacks. This meant that a artificer|seeker had ability score compatibility and implement/weapon compatibility - use a crossbow for everything.

Now, there's very little to recommend adding seeker.

Also, genasi don't make very good seekers. Artificer|Wizard would be *much* better. Even Artificer|Invoker would be a better choice.

While generally I'd agree, if you use the Hybrid Talent to go for the throwing build (which IIRC is an option) then Genasi make fine Seekers. Throwers can even more easily become ridiculously accurate. The issue then becomes though reliance on three stats. Still a 16/16/16 Str/Int/Wis is a solid spread between all three defenses and works well enough, especially if you take a +3 heavy thrown weapon.

That said, I'm sometimes leery mixing controllers and leaders because of action economy. Controllers' big guns are often sustained zones and leaders heal with their minor actions. Superior Will becomes almost a requirement as a feat.

 

[Aulirophile]

Seekers work very well, IF you're smart enough to play them well. They don't have a lot of extras (no splat books) but they are great complementary characters when played within the group setting (like a Warlord).

If you optimize the whole party around the Seeker they get marginally better, it is true. Marginally. If you optimize a whole party around, say, a Wizard, you know what happens? Encounters die in two rounds. Or an Invoker, or... You better damn well play a Seeker intelligently if you're going to play one, or it'll basically be like adventuring with 1/2 a PC.

Seeker is not a well designed class, has poor power selection, and doesn't do its job (Controlling) at all well in comparison to other controllers. Someone has to be at the bottom of the barrel, Seeker is it. A well designed Warlock is a much better Controller, even, and you can do damage at the same time.