Article-At-A-Glance
- The Ritualist[1] focuses on undead heritage, occult temptation, stealthy manipulation, and a raging Phantom companion.
- Combat tactics exploit reach, armor, intimidation, and negative energy healing across varied encounter types.
- Equipment progression upgrades armor and longspear for frontline durability, control, and lethal reach.
- Build combines Necrologist and Ritualist to create a melee-focused dhampir with undead phantom.
Click on the level for more information
The Ritualist[1] build focuses on turning your Phantom undead, maximizing Occult Rituals. It excels in Intimidation and melee, surrounded by auras of fear and power. At this early stage, with a Chain Shirt and Longspear, the character is already set for both defense and a 10ft reach attack, making them potent despite low Constitution. Traits bolster Initiative and Stealth, crucial for battlefield positioning.
Level 1 Stat Block
Ritualist: male, Nosferatu-Born Dhampir Necrologist 1; CR 1; Medium undead (dhampir); HD 1d8; hp 8; Init +5; Spd 30 ft.; AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 13; Base Atk +0; Grp +3; Atk Longspear +3 (1d8+3/x3) or Touch -1 melee; Full Atk Longspear +3 (1d8+3/x3) or Touch -1 melee; SA Power Attack; SQ Darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, undead traits, negative energy affinity; AL CN; SV Fort +2, Ref +2, Will +3; Str 16, Dex 12, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 10.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Stealth +5 (1 rank), Knowledge (arcana) +1 (1 rank), Spellcraft +1 (1 rank); Toughness. Negative Energy Affinity: Heals via negative energy and harmed by positive energy.
Possessions:
Chain Shirt, Longspear, backpack, common clothes.
The Level 5 Ritualist build is designed around a Nosferatu-Born Dhampir that focuses on Strength and Wisdom to maximize combat and spellcasting. With high physical attack potential, this character efficiently utilizes the Power Attack feat alongside medium and heavy armor, enhancing its resilience. Stealth and Knowledge skills are prioritized to support occult rituals, offering significant power due to the Necrologist’s influence. The character balances melee capabilities with spell support like Stabilize and Inflict Wounds, making it a formidable presence in both combat and utility roles.
Stat Block Level 5
Ritualist: male, Nosferatu-Born Dhampir Necrologist 5; CR 5; Medium humanoid (dhampir); HD 5d8; hp 30; Init +1; Spd 30 ft.; AC 18, touch 11, flat-footed 17; Base Atk +3; Grp +6; Atk Longspear +6 (1d8+5/×3) or Slam +6 (1d4+5); Full Atk Longspear +6 (1d8+5/×3) or Slam +6 (1d4+5); SA Spiritual Interference, Bleeding Touch; SQ Speak with the Dead, Undead Empathy, Negative Energy Affinity; AL Neutral; SV Fort +6, Ref +2, Will +7; Str 16, Dex 12, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 10.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Skills Stealth +9, Knowledge (religion) +8, Spellcraft +8; Feats Toughness, Power Attack, Medium Armor Proficiency.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Ability to use necromantic spells like Inflict Moderate Wounds and support with spells like Stabilize and Detect Magic.
Possessions:
Chain Shirt, Longspear, medium armor option.
The Ritualist[1] at level 10 is a Nosferatu-Born Dhampir blending Necrologist and Ritualist classes. With robust Strength and potent Occult Ritual capabilities, the character excels in melee with a reach advantage and sustains in combat with healing from negative energy.
Level 10 Stat Block
Ritualist: Male, Nosferatu-Born Dhampir Necrologist 10; CR 10; Medium humanoid (dhampir); HD 10d8+10; hp 55; Init +1; Spd 30 ft.; AC 20, touch 10, flat-footed 19; Base Atk +7; Grp +10; Atk Longspear +10 (1d8+3/x3) or Power Attack; Full Atk Longspear +10/+5 (1d8+3/x3) or Lunge with Power Attack; SA Occult Rituals, Intimidating Prowess; SQ Channeled Energy, Necrologist class features, Heal from Negative Energy, Vampiric Resistances; AL N; SV Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +6; Str 16, Dex 12, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 10.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Stealth +13, Knowledge(Arcana) +8, Spellcraft +8; Toughness, Power Attack, Medium Armor Proficiency, Heavy Armor Proficiency, Dirty Fighting, Improved Trip.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Phantom companion as undead, Anger Emotional Foci, Channeled Negative Energy.
Possessions:
Chain Shirt, Longspear, preparing for Full Plate armor.
The Ritualist[1] at level 15 is a potent mix of damage, control, and support. This build leverages the Dhampir’s racial abilities, Necrologist’s undead manipulation, and the Ritualist[1]’s skill in Occult Rituals to create a formidable force. With access to powerful spells like Animate Dead and Death Knell, and unrivaled reach in combat, this character excels at battlefield control. Enhanced initiative and combat maneuvers ensure they strike first and control the battlefield.
Level 15 Stat Block
Ritualist: male, Nosferatu-Born Dhampir Necrologist 10/Ritualist 5; CR 15; Medium undead (half-vampire); HD 15d8; hp 112; Init +7; Spd 30 ft.; AC 26, touch 12, flat-footed 24; Base Atk +10; Grp +16; Atk +18 melee Longspear (1d8+6) or +16 melee Power Attack Longspear (1d8+15); Full Atk +18/+13 melee Longspear (1d8+6) or +16/+11 melee Power Attack Longspear (1d8+15); SA Power Attack, Improved Trip, Cornugon Smash; SQ Undead traits, Phantom Companion, Resist Level Drain, Spiritual Bond; AL Neutral; SV Fort +8, Ref +6, Will +10; Str 16, Dex 14, Con -, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 10.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Stealth +18, Spellcraft +8, Knowledge (Arcana) +10, Knowledge (Planes) +10; Toughness, Power Attack, Medium Armor Proficiency, Heavy Armor Proficiency, Dirty Fighting, Lunge, Combat Reflexes, Stand Still, Improved Initiative.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Enhanced reach with Lunge (15 ft.), heals via Negative Energy, excels at Occult Rituals.
Possessions:
Full Plate, Longspear, Potion of Invisibility, Wand of Animate Dead.
This Ritualist Spiritualist build maximizes Occult Rituals expertise and melee reach. With a Nosferatu-Born Dhampir Necrologist 10/Ritualist 10, it shines with support from an undead Phantom and Strength-focused development. Key Feats such as Combat Reflexes allow for formidable battlefield control. Heavy armor boosts resilience, while Stealth and Invisibility enhance scouting. Occult Rituals offer powerful effects, making this one of the build’s strongest benefits. Healing via negative energy, and potent spellcasting support high-level adventuring.
Level 20 Stat Block
Ritualist: male, Nosferatu-Born Dhampir Necrologist 10/Ritualist 10; CR 20; Medium humanoid (dhampir); HD 20d8+40; hp 180; Init +5; Spd 30 ft.; AC 30, touch 12, flat-footed 28; Base Atk +15; Grp +20; Atk Longspear +21 melee (1d8+7/x3) or Inflict Critical Wounds; Full Atk Longspear +21/+16/+11 melee (1d8+7/x3); SA Occult Rituals, Undead Phantom; SQ Channel Resistance +4, Darkvision 60 ft.; AL Neutral Evil; SV Fort +14, Ref +10, Will +11; Str 16, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 10.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Stealth +23, Spellcraft +20, various Knowledge maxed; Toughness, Power Attack, Medium Armor Proficiency, Heavy Armor Proficiency, Dirty Fighting, Improved Trip, Lunge, Combat Reflexes, Stand Still, Improved Initiative.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
The Phantom has Anger Emotional Focus, gains Intimidating Prowess, Cornugon Smash; heals through negative energy; capable of intimidating foes with Power Attacks.
Possessions:
+3 Full Plate, +3 Longspear, Cloak of Resistance +5, Belt of Giant Strength +6, various ritual spell components.
Milestones Of Character Development
- Levels 1-5: Begin as a Necrologist, focusing on enhancing survivability with Toughness and learning essential spells like Bleed and Stabilize. Acquire Reactionary for improved initiative and start building up Stealth with Silent Hunter. Equip basic gear such as a Chain Shirt and Longspear while learning occult skills.
- Levels 6-10: Complete the Necrologist progression and take the first levels in Ritualist prestige class. Bolster combat capabilities with Medium and Heavy Armor Proficiency, and increase offensive power with Power Attack. Learn vital spells like Invisibility and Life Pact to strengthen your arsenal.
- Levels 11-15: Strengthen control and battlefield presence with feats such as Improved Trip and Lunge, making excellent use of your Longspear’s reach. Your Phantom evolves with high-impact abilities, becoming a formidable Intimidancer. Learn impactful spells like Teleport and Vampiric Shadow Shield to round out your toolkit.
- Levels 16-20: Finalize your build by mastering several critical spells like Freedom of Movement and Harm. Further enhance your reach and reaction potential with Combat Reflexes and Stand Still. Complete your Ritualist journey to maximize the impactful Occult Rituals benefits, cementing your mastery of both scouting and melee prowess.
Core Abilities & Features
The Spiritualist Ritualist build is a fascinating synergy of necromantic and occult skills in Pathfinder 1E. By combining the Necrologist archetype with the Ritualist[1] Prestige Class, this build turns a Phantom into a fully undead entity. This transformation confers substantial resistances typical of undead and unlocks unique interactions with negative energy, particularly potent for healing and dealing damage.
Central to the build is the Nosferatu-Born Dhampir race selection, enhancing several undead attributes and capitalizing on Dhampir’s innate propensities. The ability score prioritization into Strength signifies its role, ensuring the character is formidable in melee encounters. Through feats like Power Attack and Combat Reflexes, the build maximizes its melee potential, while armor proficiencies further bolster defense, enabling this character to wade into battle effectively.
One of the standout features of this build is the array of spells learned at each level. These spells provide fantastic versatility in various situations. From Inflict Wounds and Animate Dead to powerful utility spells like Dimension Door and Teleport, the character is equipped to handle numerous challenges. Additionally, the Ritualist[1] bonus on Occult Rituals significantly enhances the build’s capability to perform these powerful rites, occasionally at the expense of further Phantom progression, underscoring how the combination of necromancy and occult mastery leads to a unique and potent playstyle.
Equipment Progression
| Level Range | Equipment | Details |
|---|---|---|
| L1-5 | Longspear | Offers 10 ft. reach, complementing Combat Reflexes. |
| L6-10 | +1 Longspear | Increase attack and damage; maintain distance superiority. |
| L11-15 | +2 Full Plate | Enhance durability; vital for frontline presence. |
| L16-20 | +3 Vicious Longspear | Delivers high damage; ensures engagement control in combat. |
Combat Scenarios
- Dungeon Crawls:
- Utilize your Nosferatu-Born Dhampir’s Darkvision to spot traps and enemies early. With your Phantom’s Anger Emotional Foci, intimidate foes to reduce their effectiveness, using your Lunge feat for tactical positioning within the narrow corridors.
- Open Fields:
- Command your Phantom to draw enemy attention using Intimidating Prowess, while you leverage your Lunge and Longspear’s reach to strike from 15ft away. This distance control keeps you safe from most melee attackers.
- Ambushes:
- Initiate combat with a quick Bleed or Inflict Wounds spell. Your high Initiative from Reactionary traits gives you the edge to act first. Use Combat Reflexes to exploit any enemy movements in response.
- Defensive Stands:
- Position yourself centrally using your Heavy Armor Proficiency to endure hits. Enhance your defense with Shield and Inflict Critical Wounds on assailants. Keep enemies at bay with Improved Trip to prevent them from engaging effectively.
- Urban Encounters:
- Your Phantom’s ability to heal from Negative Energy grants you the upper hand in gritty alley fights. Use Shadows for stealth, cast Invisibility when scouting, and leverage the crowd with Dirty Fighting for extra advantage.
Weaknesses & Counters
| Weakness | Counter |
|---|---|
| Low Constitution | Choose Toughness feat for extra HP. |
| Reliance on Negative Energy | Use Negative Energy Affinity to heal phantom and self with negative energy spells like Inflict Wounds. |
| High Occult Ritual DC | Max out skills like Spellcraft and Knowledge (Arcana) to boost success rate. |
| Limited Spell Slots | Focus on versatile spells like Invisibility and Animate Dead for utility. |
| Vulnerability to Positive Energy | Equip magic items like Amulet of Natural Armor for extra protection. |
Roleplaying Opportunities with the Ritualist
Embrace the Nosferatu-born Dhampir lineage. This character is steeped in a rich backstory of undead heritage, creating dynamic role-playing opportunities. Living in the shadows, you could develop a deep-seated fear of what you may become if you ever succumb to the undead curse entirely. Let this internal conflict shape your interactions with other characters, often seeing the world in shades of grey and questioning the binary notions of good and evil.
The unique link to your undead Phantom opens avenues for exploration of themes like companionship, even when it transcends life and death. This Phantom is more than just a tool; it’s a reflection of your deepest anger, capable of dramatic expressions in your journey. How does this affect your dealings with others? Do you struggle with controlling the Phantom’s rage, or do you relish in unleashing it upon foes?
Themes in Ritualist Roleplaying
The concept of power and its potential corruption can be central to this character. With skills focused on Occult Rituals, your Ritualist constantly teeters on the brink of harnessing dangerous, powerful forces. This struggle could drive storylines where you either resist the temptation of dark power or succumb to it, impacting the party as a whole.
Stealth and manipulation theme your interactions in society. With invisibility and great stealth skills, you can embody a character who moves unseen, gathering secrets and using them to influence outcomes subtly. Consider adopting a persona that thrives on the unknown, both in magic and in everyday dealings. Your ability to navigate social situations with both charm and menace can become a key aspect of your character’s identity.
FAQ
How does the Ritualist[1] actually fight on the front line?
You fight as a reach tank who punishes movement and bad positioning. Start in full plate with a longspear, standing just behind any squishier allies. Use Power Attack once your attack bonus feels comfortable, usually mid levels. Combat Reflexes lets you threaten a huge zone with many attacks of opportunity. Improved Trip and Stand Still keep enemies locked in your reach. Your Phantom flanks, demoralizes, or blocks routes while you control the center.
How should I use my Phantom once it becomes undead-like?
Your Phantom becomes a brutal support bruiser and fear engine. Lean hard into the Anger emotional focus and Intimidate-based abilities. Have it demoralize enemies, then flank to feed you better hit chances. It can soak negative energy, so do not hesitate with Inflict spells. Let the Phantom lead scouting in dungeons, then retreat into you if threatened.
What are the must-have spells for a Ritualist Spiritualist?
Early, prioritize Bleed, Stabilize, Inflict Light Wounds, and basic utility like Detect Magic. Mid levels, Invisibility, Animate Dead, Life Pact, and defensive staples become core. At higher levels, Teleport, Dimension Door, Freedom of Movement, and Harm define your power. Keep at least one panic button like Dimension Door prepared every adventuring day. Animate Dead plus your undead Phantom creates a mini-united dead squad.
How do Occult Rituals fit into real play at the table?
Occult Rituals give you story leverage more than raw combat power. Use your Ritualist bonuses to push through those scary high DCs reliably. Max Spellcraft, Knowledge (arcana), and relevant knowledges to support these checks. In campaigns heavy on mysteries, you become the “big magic” option for the party. You can seal demons, bind spirits, or reconstruct lost knowledge between dungeons.
How can I get the most fun out of this build in play?
Play boldly and lean into being the strange occult backbone of the party. Use your Phantom aggressively, but protect it with smart retreats into your consciousness. Find story reasons to perform rituals, not just mechanical excuses. Negotiate with NPCs using secrets you unearthed through occult investigations. On the battlefield, experiment with choke points, trip-locks, and fear stacking. Between fights, explore the moral fallout of marching with an undead partner.
Join us at Stellar Dragons with the Spiritualist!
Try a Ritualist in your next campaign and see how far you can push this synergy; do you think the Ritualist[1] could be the best build in Pathfinder 1E? If you want feedback, arguments, or build help, join the Stellar Dragons Discord!
Author
Terms definitions
1. ↑ Spiritualist – The Ritualist – Pathfinder 1E ( The Ritualist )
The Ritualist
So, our Phantom is usually an Outsider tied to the Ethereal Plane and as such has a variety of such resistances and all. But what if we wanted to go full undead here?
Enters the Necrologist Archetype which turns our Phantom into an Undead, and the Ritualist Prestige Class to play heavily into the Occult classes, giving us many bonuses to use Occult Rituals. Our leveling should look like the following:
Class
Necrologist 10/Ritualist 10
Race
We will go for a Nosferatu-Born Dhampir.
Ability Scores
Throw everything into Strength.
15Point-Buy
Str 16/Dex 12/Con 10/Int 10/Wis 16/Cha 10
20Point-Buy
Str 16/Dex 14/Con 12/Int 10/Wis 16/Cha 10
25Point-Buy
Str 16/Dex 14/Con 12/Int 10/Wis 16/Cha 10
Traits
Reactionary is great for that boost to Initiative, Silent Hunter to get Stealth as a Class Skill
Favored Class Bonus
Skills. Occult Rituals require Skill Checks and thus we want more of these.
Skills
Stealth, then max as many Knowledge as you can. Spellcraft too.
Feats by Level
1-Toughness
3-Power Attack
5-Medium Armor Proficiency
7-Heavy Armor Proficiency
9-Dirty Fighting
11-Improved Trip
13-Lunge
15-Combat Reflexes
17-Stand Still
19-Improved Initiative
Toughness will compensate for our low Con and FCB into Skills, Power Attack is always great, Heavy Armor Proficiency turns us into a fairly resilient character, Improved Trip is amazing, Lunge paired with our Longspear gives us a 15ft reach which is great, and your already 10ft reach combines extremely well with Combat Reflexes and Stand Still.
Phantom
So, your Phantom is undead. Which means like you it heals on Negative Energy. I recommend picking up the Anger Emotional Foci with this one, and then picking Feats like Intimidating Prowess and Cornugon Smash and turn your Phantom into a Power Attacking Intimidancer for you.
Spells Learned by Level
1-Bleed, Stabilize, Detect Magic, Telekinetic Projectile, Inflict Wounds, Shield
2-Read Magic, Magic Fang
3-Resistance, Obscuring Mist
4-Invisibility, Inflict Moderate Wounds
5-Life Pact
6-False Life
7-Touch of Gracelessness, Inflict Serious Wounds, Haste
8-Animate Dead
9-Gaseous Form
10-Death Knell, Inflict Critical Wounds, Crushing Despair
11-Unseen Servant, Dimension Door
12-Enervation
13-Invisibility Purge, Vampiric Shadow Shield, Teleport
14-Detect Thoughts, Waves of Fatigue
15-Scrying
16-Freedom of Movement, Banishment, Harm
17-Hostile Levitation, Create Undead
18-Shadow Walk
19-Plane Shift
20-Black Tentacles, Unwilling Shield
Ritualist
So, Ritualist gives you a bonus on Occult Rituals. Occult Rituals usually have a fairly high DC, but if you succeed they have some tremendously powerful effects. Enough so to warrant multiclassing out and not progressing our Phantom so good they are.
Equipment
A Chain Shirt and a Longspear at first, but do aim for that Full Plate armor.
Final Thoughts on the Build
We can heal ourselves and our Phantom, or damage enemies, we have some crazy good buffs, and on top of that we have a fairly good chance of learning and casting Occult Rituals. This build may not look like it, but it is easily amongst the most powerful I have presented thus far. Plus you are fairly good as a scout via a good Stealth+Invisibility, and you have a great reach meaning some great melee presence!
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