Article-At-A-Glance
- The Power of the Base Spiritualist[1] in both melee and spellcasting on showcase.
- Details character progression from initial resilience to late-game dominance.
- Provides strategic feat and spell combinations vital for effective gameplay.
- Discusses overcoming weaknesses and enhancing phantom utility in combat scenarios.
Click on the level for more information
This level 1 Spiritualist focuses on dealing damage with a scythe, utilizing spells and the Phantom for versatility. With decent defense from Medium Armor and planned spell selections oriented toward necromancy and utility.
Level 1 Stat Block
Spiritualist: female, human Spiritualist 1; CR 1/2; Medium humanoid (human); HD 1d8; hp 10; Init +0; Spd 30 ft.; AC 14, touch 10, flat-footed 14; Base Atk +0; Grp +2; Atk Scythe +2 (2d4+3/x4) or Slam +2 (1d4+3); Full Atk Scythe +2 (2d4+3/x4) or Slam +2 (1d4+3); SA Spiritual Interference; SQ Phantom, Etheric Tether, Shared Consciousness; AL Neutral; SV Fort +4, Ref +0, Will +5; Str 14, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 10.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Perception +4 (2 ranks), Knowledge (Religion) +4 (2 ranks), Spellcraft +4 (2 ranks), Use Magic Device +4 (2 ranks); Toughness, Medium Armor Proficiency.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Phantom linked emotionally to Hatred focus, capable of Enhancing the Phantom’s melee abilities with Weapon Finesse.
Possessions:
Scythe, Medium Armor, Adventurer’s kit.
At level 5, the Base Spiritualist[1] thrives in melee combat, wielding a scythe with Power Attack and dealing significant damage. The character’s defenses are bolstered with Heavy Armor Proficiency and the Toughness feat. The Phantom, focused on Hatred, augments battles with its slam attack and weapon finesse. Spells include defensive buffs and some necromantic flair. Equipment features optimal medium armor, upgrading to full plate when possible.
Level 5 Stat Block
Spiritualist: female, Human Spiritualist 5; CR 5; Medium humanoid (human); HD 5d8+10; hp 35; Init +0; Spd 30 ft.; AC 18, touch 10, flat-footed 18; Base Atk +3; Grp +6; Atk Scythe +6 melee (2d4+6/x4) or Slam +6 melee (1d6+3); Full Atk Scythe +6 melee (2d4+6/x4) or Slam +6 melee (1d6+3); SA Phantom’s Slam, Power Attack; SQ Bonded Senses, Shared Consciousness, Spirit Bond; AL N; SV Fort +6, Ref +1, Will +7; Str 16, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 10.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Perception +4, Knowledge (Religion) +4, Spellcraft +4, Sense Motive +4, Use Magic Device +4; Toughness, Medium Armor Proficiency, Power Attack, Heavy Armor Proficiency.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Phantom’s slam attack benefiting from Weapon Finesse; the spirit can manifest as corporeal or incorporeal.
Possessions:
Scythe, chainmail (eventually full plate), various tools for spellcasting.
This spiritualist build at level 10 is a robust melee combatant, dealing significant damage with a scythe using Vital Strike and Power Attack. Equipped with medium to heavy armor, the character balances offense with resilience. The phantom partner boosts versatility with Hatred focus, excelling in melee attacks. The character also benefits from a suite of necromantic and support spells, including spellcasting capabilities like Animate Dead and Bestow Curse, enhancing both combat and utility.
Level 10 Stat Block
Spiritualist: female, human spiritualist 10; CR 10; Medium humanoid (human); HD 10d8+30; hp 80; Init +5; Spd 30 ft.; AC 21, touch 10, flat-footed 20; Base Atk +7; Grp +11; Atk Scythe +12 melee (2d4+10/x4) or slam +11 melee (1d8+5); Full Atk Scythe +12 melee (2d4+10/x4) or slam +11 melee (1d8+5); SA Phantom’s slam attack, Power Attack, Vital Strike; SQ Phantom, bonded manifestation, spiritual interference; AL Neutral; SV Fort +9, Ref +3, Will +9; Str 16, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 10.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Perception +15, Knowledge (Religion) +13, Spellcraft +13, Sense Motive +15, Use Magic Device +13; Toughness, Medium Armor Proficiency, Heavy Armor Proficity, Power Attack, Improved Initiative, Weapon Focus (Scythe), Vital Strike.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Phantom’s Hatred focus grants Weapon Finesse, increase dexterity for improved attacks, ghostly defenses when incorporeal.
Possessions:
Masterwork scythe, full plate armor, various potions for healing and resistance, spell components.
The Level 15 Base Spiritualist is a formidable combatant, wielding a scythe for devastating damage with Vital Strike and Power Attack. Equipped with Medium or eventually Full Plate Armor, the character is tough to take down. The spiritualist has a Phantom with a Hatred focus, enhancing offensive capabilities. Spellcasting includes buffs, healing, and animating undead. The build can defend well, support allies, and handle direct confrontations.
Level 15 Stat Block
Spiritualist 15; CR 15; Medium Humanoid (Human); HD 15d8; hp 127; Init +5; Spd 30 ft.; AC 25, touch 12, flat-footed 23; Base Atk +11; Grp +15; Atk Scythe +18 melee (2d4+10/19-20/x4) or Slam +16 melee (1d8+6); Full Atk Scythe +18/+13 melee (2d4+10/19-20/x4) or Slam +16/+11 melee (1d8+6); SA Vital Strike, Improved Vital Strike, Power Attack; SQ Phantom Link, Shared Consciousness, Detect Undead, Incorporeal Bond; AL Neutral; SV Fort +11, Ref +7, Will +12; Str 17, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 17, Cha 10.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Perception +20, Knowledge (Religion) +15, Spellcraft +15, Sense Motive +15, Use Magic Device +18; Toughness, Medium Armor Proficiency, Power Attack, Heavy Armor Proficiency, Improved Initiative, Vital Strike, Weapon Focus (Scythe), Improved Critical (Scythe), Improved Vital Strike, Dirty Fighting, Improved Trip.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Phantom Emotional Focus: Hatred, increased Dex with Weapon Finesse; Feats like Improved Natural Attack and Piranha Strike.
Possessions:
Masterwork Scythe, Full Plate Armor.
This Level 20 Spiritualist build is a powerhouse in melee with a scythe, [character] combines high strength with vital strike and power attack for incredible damage output. The character also excels in defense with heavy armor and toughness for survivability. The Phantom companion, focused on hatred, boosts damage further with weapon finesse, acquiring improved natural attacks. The spell selection provides exceptional buffs, healing, and necromantic utility, making them versatile in both offense and support roles.
Level 20 Stat Block
Spiritualist: male, human spiritualist 20; CR 20; Medium humanoid (human); HD 20d8+60; hp 200; Init +4; Spd 30 ft.; AC 28, touch 18, flat-footed 24; Base Atk +15; Grp +22; Atk: +28 Scythe (2d4+15/×4) or Slam +29 (1d6+10); Full Atk: +28/+23/+18 Scythe (2d4+15/×4) or Slam +29 (1d6+10); SA: Vital Strike, Power Attack, Animate Dead; SQ: Phantom, Emotional Focus (Hatred), Spell Casting, Spiritual Interference; AL CN; SV Fort +15, Ref +10, Will +18; Str 20, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 19, Cha 10.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Perception +28, Knowledge (Religion) +23, Spellcraft +20, Sense Motive +25, Use Magic Device +23; Toughness, Medium Armor Proficiency, Heavy Armor Proficiency, Power Attack, Improved Initiative, Vital Strike, Weapon Focus (Scythe), Improved Critical (Scythe), Improved Vital Strike, Dirty Fighting, Improved Trip.
Special Attack and Qualities:
Spiritualist’s Phantom (Hatred), spell casting ability, incorporeal touch, necromantic spell list, companion utility.
Possessions:
+5 Scythe, +5 Full Plate Armor, various necromantic and buffing scrolls, potion of greater invisibility, wand of cure moderate wounds, belt of physical might (+6 Str & Con).
Milestones Of Character Development
- Levels 1-5: The character begins as a strong melee combatant with Toughness for added survivability. Power Attack boosts damage output significantly when combined with the Scythe. The Human bonus feat allows for immediate Medium Armor Proficiency, improving defenses early on.
- Levels 6-10: Gains Heavy Armor Proficiency for even more resilience. Improved Initiative ensures striking first in combat. The introduction of spells like Lesser Animate Dead augments combat potential with undead allies.
- Levels 11-15: Advanced combat abilities with feats such as Improved Critical (Scythe) and Improved Vital Strike, optimizing potential damage. By now, core spells like Animate Dead and Haste enhance both the Spiritualist and their companions’ effectiveness.
- Levels 16-20: Final stages focus on utility and dominance with spells like Dominate Person and Disintegrate. Greater Invisibility and Harm ensure the Spiritualist maintains control, while abilities like Create Undead solidify command over the battlefield.
Core Abilities & Features
The Base Spiritualist[1] thrives on a synergy between strength and wisdom, framing a resilient melee combatant supported by a versatile Phantom. Focusing on human for flexibility, the build maximizes Wisdom and Strength, crucial for spellcasting and intense melee engagement.
Main Ability Scores: Prioritize Strength for powerful physical strikes and Wisdom for effective spell use. Typical setups with 15 to 25 point-buy systems ensure substantial Strength, starting at 14 and capping at 17, while maintaining a robust Wisdom of 16 or 17. Constitution stays reliable for health at 14, ensuring survivability.
Feats & Traits: Strategic feat choices enhance combat prowess. Toughness and Heavy Armor Proficiency boost endurance, while Power Attack and Vital Strike amplify damage. Reactionary and Seeker traits improve initiative and perception, making the character agile and aware.
Phantom Emotional Focus: The Hatred focus sharpens the Phantom’s combat skills, utilizing Weapon Finesse. Specialization in slam attack builds with feats like Improved Natural Attack and Piranha Strike, providing lethal dexterity-based damage output.
Spellcasting: A well-rounded spell list offers control, support, and utility. Early access to Bleed, Chill Touch, Cure Light Wounds builds a strong foundation. As levels increase, gain access to Animate Dead, Bestow Curse, and more powerful spells like Heal and Disintegrate, offering battlefield control and healing options.
Equipment Progression
| Level Range | Equipment | Details |
|---|---|---|
| L1-5 | Scythe and Chain Shirt | Start with a Scythe for strong critical hits. A Chain Shirt provides good armor class while preserving Dexterity bonus and maintaining low armor check penalties. |
| L6-10 | +1 Scythe, Breastplate | Upgrade to a Breastplate for better AC. The spell ‘Obscuring Mist’ is crucial for early concealment. |
| L11-15 | +2 Scythe, Full Plate Armor | Equip Full Plate for maximum AC available from medium armor proficiency. Display improved defenses and aggressive attacks with your scythe. |
| L16-20 | +3 Scythe, Full Plate, Fortified Shield | A +3 Scythe enhances your damage further. With Full Plate and Fortified Shield, you gain immunity to critical hits and sneak attacks, cementing yourself as a melee force. |
Combat Scenarios
- Dungeon Crawls:
- In tight corridors, the reaper[2] can take advantage of chokepoints, utilizing spells like Obscuring Mist or Wall of Bones to control flow. The phantom, with its incorporeal nature, can scout ahead safely, and alert if danger lurks beyond corners.
- Open Fields:
- The long reach of the scythe allows the Spiritualist to maintain distance while applying Power Attacks. Use Haste to close gaps quickly or retreat as necessary, coordinating strikes to debilitate key opponents.
- Ambushes:
- React quickly with Improved Initiative. The spiritualist can cast Invisibility to reposition, while the phantom, focused on Hatred, unleashes precise attacks using Piranha Strike to disrupt attackers.
- Defensive Stands:
- When holding a position, the spiritualist excels with abilities to bolster defenses. Deploy spells like Lesser Animate Dead to create an undead shield, and use Medium or Heavy Armor to withstand assaults. The phantom can bolster this defense aiding in counter-attacks.
- Urban Encounters:
- In urban settings, the ability to maneuver through crowds with Invisibility or evasion from rooftops is critical. The phantom’s Weapon Finesse ability comes in handy in tight scrambles, while Slay Living deters any close threats.
Weaknesses & Counters
| Weakness | Counter |
|---|---|
| Low Dexterity | Consider adding ‘Belt of Physical Might’ to enhance Dexterity and Strength. Also, improve Armor Class and initiative by choosing items like ‘Gloves of Dexterity +2’. |
| Limited Ranged Options | Use ‘Telekinetic Projectile’ for a long-range magical attack and invest in a ranged backup like ‘Composite Longbow’ with Strength bonus. |
| Sensory Attacks Vulnerability | Acquire ‘Blindfold of True Darkness’ to give blindsense, mitigating the effect of visual impairments in battle situations. |
| High Strength Concentration | Spread ability enhancements using ‘Headband of Inspired Wisdom’ and ‘Periapt of Health’ for better overall aptitude and resistances. |
| Weak Against Mental Attacks | Use ‘Cloak of Resistance’ to improve saving throws against mind-affecting spells and consult ‘Resilient Sphere’ spell for protection. |
Roleplaying
The Mysterious Reaper
Embody a character who straddles the line between the living and the dead. With a scythe in hand and a phantom companion by your side, your presence is both feared and respected. Lean into the theme of death and rebirth. Use your spectral abilities to communicate with spirits, giving voice to souls trapped between worlds.
Your human nature brings empathy, ensuring your reaper is not just a harbinger of death, but also a guide for lost souls. Play up the contrasts in your character: a quiet demeanor against the violent swish of your scythe, a warm heart beneath a cold exterior. This duality enriches your sessions and offers depth to your interactions.
Guardian of the Veil
View your role as a guardian between realms. You protect the living from the deceased and the dead from the living. This responsibility comes with moral dilemmas, perfect for roleplaying. Must you sever a spirit’s tether to save the living? Explore these shades of grey.
Your spells can aid your storytelling. Animate Dead could be used to ‘borrow’ knowledge from a long-passed sage. Or use Detect Magic for mysterious omens, enhancing plot lines with cryptic forewarnings. Pair your powers with a rich backstory: perhaps you learned necromancy from a ghostly mentor, or you seek redemption for a past mistake.
FAQ
What makes the Spiritualist a strong melee combatant?
The Spiritualist combines high Strength with effective use of Feats. Feats like Power Attack and Vital Strike boost damage significantly. Heavy Armor Proficiency adds durability, enhancing resilience in melee engagements. The Phantom provides additional combat prowess with slam attacks.
How does a Phantom enhance the Spiritualist’s abilities?
A Phantom offers versatile combat and utility support. With Emotional Focus features like Hatred, it boosts attack accuracy. Feats such as Improved Natural Attack increase its damage output. Phantoms can scout, disrupt enemies, and turn battles in your favor.
Which spells should a Spiritualist prioritize in battle?
Early levels should focus on control and healing spells. Spells like Bleed, Chill Touch, and Cure Light Wounds are essential. As you level up, include Animate Dead, Bestow Curse, and Disintegrate. These spells enhance strategic battlefield control and healing options.
What are common weaknesses of a Spiritualist build?
Low Dexterity and reliance on the Phantom pose challenges. Items like ‘Belt of Physical Might’ offset Dexterity weaknesses. Keep ‘Amulet of Natural Armor’ for your Phantom to improve its durability. Prepare to adapt against sensory attacks with the ‘Blindfold of True Darkness’.
How can a Spiritualist survive mental attacks?
Equip ‘Cloak of Resistance’ to bolster saving throws against mind-affecting spells. Consult ‘Resilient Sphere’ as a protective measure, ensuring safety during mental onslaughts. Diversify defenses to resist spells targeting the mind.
Join us at Stellar Dragons with the Base Spiritualist!
Consider testing a Base Spiritualist in your next Pathfinder 1E session. Do you think the Base Spiritualist[1] could be the best build in Pathfinder 1E? Share thoughts and join the discussion on the Stellar Dragons Discord server at https://discord.gg/uAPvgEq6Z7.
Author
Terms definitions
1. ↑ Spiritualist – The Base Spiritualist – Pathfinder 1E ( the Base Spiritualist )
The Base Spiritualist
Our Base Spiritualist build will be a reaper, a man with a scythe, supported by his Phantom, who can cast necromantic spells and get in melee for some great damage.
Race
We will take Human and place our floating +2 in Wisdom.
Ability Scores
Put everything in Str.
15Point-Buy
Str 14/Dex 10/Con 14/Int 10/Wis 16/Cha 10
20Point-Buy
Str 16/Dex 10/Con 14/Int 10/Wis 16/Cha 10
25Point-Buy
Str 17/Dex 10/Con 14/Int 10/Wis 17/Cha 10
Traits
Reactionary is great for better initiative, Seeker makes Perception a class skill which is great.
Favored Class Bonus
You thought you could avoid putting those in HP did you?
Skills
Perception, Knowledge(Religion), Spellcraft, Sense Motive, Use Magic Devices
Feats by Level
1-Toughness
Human Bonus-Medium Armor Proficiency
3-Power Attack
5-Heavy Armor Proficiency
7-Improved Initiative
9-Vital Strike
11-Weapon Focus(Scythe)
13-Improved Critical(Scythe)
15-Improved Vital Strike
17-Dirty Fighting
19-Improved Trip
So, your scythe is dealing lots of damage with Vital Strike and Power Attack. Plus you are reasonably resilient via Toughness and Heavy Armor Proficiency.
Phantom Emotional Focus
Hatred, since it gains Weapon Finesse: continue increasing dex and pick feats such as Improved Natural Attack and Piranha Strike for its slam.
Spells Learned by Level
1-Bleed, Detect Magic, Grave Words, Telekinetic Projectile, Chill Touch, Cure Light Wounds
2-Resistance, Obscuring Mist
3-Guidance, Shield
4-Lesser Animate Dead, Death Knell
5-Cure Moderate Wounds
6-Invisibility
7-Ventriloquism, Animate Dead, Bestow Curse
8-Fly
9-Haste
10-Ghoul Touch, Slough, Wall of Bones
11-Inflict Light Wounds, Deathward
12-Possession
13-Displacement, Scrying, Telekinesis
14-Spectral Hand, Slay Living
15-Dominate Person
16-Greater Invisibility, Harm, Heal
17-Invisibility Purge, Circle of Death
18-Create Undead
19-Break Enchantment
20-Imbue with Spell Ability, Disintegrate
Equipment
A Scythe and the best Medium Armor you can get. Eventually a full plate.
Final Thoughts on the Build
So not only do we deal stupid damage with our Scythe, have some excellent defenses and have our own Companion that can be Incorporeal or fully manifested, or into our mind to give us great boosts, we have some of the best buff spells in the game, can animate our own army of the dead and can heal decently well? Yeah. Very powerful.
2. ↑ Fighter – The Reaper – Pathfinder 1E ( the reaper )
The Reaper
This build was a build I wanted to play for a while for a fighter in Pathfinder. A Scythe wielding fighter that deals downright stupid amounts of damage. We will go Fighter 1-20 and will take the Two-Handed Fighter Archetype. Prepare for brutal numbers.
Class
Fighter 20
Race
We are taking Orc as we want that +4 in Strength. We will also be taking Dayrunner as Light Sensitivity.
Ability Scores
Just put everything into Strength.
15Point-Buy
Str 22/Dex 10/Con 10/Int 6/Wis 10/Cha 6
20Point-Buy
Str 22/Dex 10/Con 12/Int 6/Wis 12/Cha 6
25Point-Buy
Str 22/Dex 10/Con 14/Int 6/Wis 12/Cha 8
Traits
Reactionary for bonus to Initiative, Unnatural Presence to Intimidate Vermin and Animals.
Favored Class Bonus
Skill as we would gain no skill points otherwise.
Skill
Intimidate. That’s it. This is your sole skill. Deal with it.
Feats
1-Power Attack
Intimidating Prowess
Weapon Focus(Scythe)
3-Dazzling Display
4-Weapon Specialization(Scythe)
5-Skill Focus(Intimidate)
6-Cornugon Smash
7-Shatter Defenses
Greater Weapon Focus(Scythe)
Improved Critical(Scythe) 10-Disruptive
Toughness
Greater Weapon Specialization(Scythe) 13-Penetrating Strike
14-Deadly Stroke
15-Critical Focus
16-Greater Penetrating Strike
17-Staggering Critical
18-Stunning Critical
19-Tiring Critical
20-Exhausting Critical
Since we will always be using Power Attack, this means Cornugon Smash, Shatter Defenses every single attack and between Intimidating Prowess and Skill Focus, despite our abysmal Charisma we are Intimidating for days. With the Weapon Focus feat line, we get +2 Atk/+4 Damage, and our Scythe now has a crit range of 19-20/x4.
Penetrating Strike let us downright ignore DR.
Finally, we get various Critical feats that make our Critical Hits exceedingly deadlier (and we are already quadrupling our damage on a critical, which admittedly is only on a 19-20).
Equipment
A Scythe and the best armor you can get.
Final Thoughts on the Build
Two-Handed Fighter let us get get double our Strength bonus on damage with two handed weapons, and double instead of 1.5 Power Attack. With Weapon Training with our Scythe, a Str at lvl 20 of 27, without magic item, we are looking at an attack routine like the following:
+23/+18/+13/+8 2d4+48. All that is before any buff or magic item.
Now, thats all good and all, but combining the Two-Handed Fighter’s Devastating Attack feature lets us take a -5 to attacks to autocrit on each attacks that lands.
Remember how our Crit is x4 and all those juicy Critical Feats? Oh, I am not done yet. Weapon Mastery at lvl 20 add +1 to that crit modifier and we auto confirm our crits. So now we crit x5. So now each attack deals 10d4+240 damage. Again. Before magic items. Have fun with this 😈
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