Pimp my Archivist

[Ruslanchik]

I'm building a 3rd level human Archivist I would like recommendations on two things:

what feats should I choose?
and
what scrolls should I buy to add to my spellbook?

I would like to have some kind of fighting ability so I was thinking of taking at least one feat to improve crossbow use. Is there a better way to go? Should I spend a feat to gain proficiency with a bow or sword?

Also, I'm not trying to break the game, so the whole "have a Warlock create a divine scroll of xxx totally broken arcane spell" is not what I'm looking for. I just want suggestions on which Cleric and Druid spells will give an Archivist the most bang for the buck.

All WotC books are accepted.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Zurai]

Produce Flame is a good first-level druid spell for general combat use. Entangle, of course.

There's not much spell-wise at level 3 that will help you with a crossbow. And I'd certainly not spend any feats on other weapons - once you get a few more levels, you'll never use your crossbow.

 

[stonegod]

scorching ray is a level 2 adept spell, which is divine. Much better than produce flame.

I'd either take feats to pimp out your archivist ability (draconic archivist, archivist or nature) or add metamagic.

 

[Dagredhel]

Human Paragon levels might interest you. You get a free martial weapon proficiency, a new class skill of your choice, a +2 bonus to an ability score, d8 hit points, and two levels of casting over 3 levels.

It would provide some variety without taking the character too far off on a tangent.

 

[Ruslanchik]

There are some good suggestions here.

I hadn't thought about adept spells. I'll have to go over that list, too.

What book is the draconic archivist feat in?

 

[Zurai]

scorching ray is a level 2 adept spell, which is divine. Much better than produce flame.

Depends what you're using it for. Scorching ray will do more damage per cast, but produce flame works in both melee and at range, and works over multiple rounds so you don't have to waste spells (or use a crossbow). They fill two entirely different niches.

What book is the draconic archivist feat in?

Heroes of Horror, same as the Archivist class itself.

 

[stonegod]

Depends what you're using it for. Scorching ray will do more damage per cast, but produce flame works in both melee and at range, and works over multiple rounds so you don't have to waste spells (or use a crossbow). They fill two entirely different niches.

True for the spells, but an archivist in melee is asking for trouble (not as much as a wizard, mind you, but...)

 

[gnfnrf]

Here is a list I prepared for my own potential character. Formatting is a little wonky. Asterisks are for sources that aren't optimal. Even options are listed once only, not once per source.

Some of these (like the prestige class ones, and the planar domains) may be pushing it.

I think.

It's been a while since I've looked at it.

Core books:
Flamestrike (Drd 4) 700 gp
Longstrider (Drd 1, Travel 1) 25 gp
Speak with Animals (Drd 1) 25 gp
Barkskin (Drd 2, Plant 2) 150 gp
Cat’s Grace (Drd 2, Elf 2, Celerity 2) 150 gp
Neutralize Poison (Drd 3) 375 gp

Wall of Fire (Fire 4) 700 gp
Holy Smite (Good 4) 700 gp
Detect Secret Doors (Knowledge 1) 25 gp
*Identify (Magic 2) 150 gp
Spell Immunity (Protection 4, Strength 4) 700 gp
Fly (Travel 3) 375 gp
Dimension Door (Travel 4) 700 gp
Invisibility (Trickery 2) 150 gp
Confusion (Trickery 4) 700 gp

Lesser Restoration (Pal 1) 50 gp
Break Enchantment (Pal 4) 700 gp

Resist Energy (Rgr 1) 50 gp
Tree Stride (Rgr 4) 700 gp

Scorching Ray (Adp 2) 200 gp
Web (Adp 2) 200 gp
Lightning Bolt (Adp 3) 600 gp

Spell Compendium:
Traveller’s Mount (Drd 1) 25 gp
Earthfast (Drd 2) 150 gp

Silverbeard (Pal 1) 50 gp
Sacred Haven (Pal 4) 700 gp

Haste (Time 3) 375 gp
Armor of Darkness (Darkness 4) 700 gp
Chill of the Grave (Deathbound 1) 25 gp
Dominate Person (Domination 4) 700 gp
*Ray of Enfeeblement (Envy 2) 150 gp
Mage Armor (Force 1) 25 gp
Magic Missile (Force 2) 150 gp
Ghoul Gesture (Hunger 3) 375 gp
Displacement (Illusion 3) 375 gp
Identify (Oracle 1) 25 gp
*Heroism (Pride 3) 375 gp
Melf’s Acid Arrow (Slime 2) 150 gp
Anyspell (Spell 3) 375 gp

Opalescent Glare (Arborea 4) 700 gp

Complete Divine:
Fireball (Shu 4) 700 gp

Ray of Enfeeblement (Blighter 1) 150 gp
Legend Lore (Consecrated Harrier 4) 700 gp
Heroism (Holy Liberator 2) 200 gp


Draconomicon:
Expeditious Retreat (Hoardstealer 1) 50 gp

Book of Exalted Deeds:
Spider Climb (Slayer of Domiel 1) 50 gp
Alter Self (Slayer of Domiel 2) 200 gp

--
gnfnrf

 

[Ruslanchik]

Complete Divine:
Fireball (Shu 4) 700 gp
gnfnrf

Thanks, gnfnrf. This list will definitely be helpful.

I hadn't thought about the Shugenja list. That should be an excellent source for elemental spells.

I can see now why everyone says that the Archivist is broken. The ability to pick and choose from Divine spell lists can result in a Spellbook filled with multiple layers of goodness. With a fairly lenient DM you could really outclass a Wizard or Cleric (in terms of spellcasting, that is.)

 

[Zurai]

Yeah, you can easily break Archivist with a lenient DM. Look no further than Frostburn's Disciple of Thrym for that - they get Summon Giants as a 4th level spell. Who wouldn't like to summon three fiendish hill giants guaranteed every cast at 7th level? Normally Summon Giants is an 8th level spell.

On the flip side, a hardnose DM can easily break Archivist the other way. If you can't get access to scrolls of non-cleric spells, you're really nothing but a much weaker cleric.


Basically, if you want to stay "within the boundaries" so to speak, stick to common base classes that more-or-less share cleric/druid spell progression for your spells. That means don't use spells from Prestige Classes that get separate casting progression, and don't use spells from classes that get 1-4 progression like rangers and paladins. Adept casting (2/3, like bards) is about as far from full casting as you probably want to go.

Some people may disagree with me on the ranger/paladin thing; it's my personal opinion. Most will agree about not allowing PrCs, though.