Witch spell choices in Pathfinder may vary depending on the player's preferred playstyle and the specific needs of their character. Witches have access to a wide range of spells and class abilities that make them versatile magic users. One important aspect of choosing spells as a witch is understanding the witch's unique spellcasting mechanics. Witches use spells known, which means they have a set number of spells they know, but they can cast any of these spells spontaneously. This requires careful consideration when selecting spells to learn, as witches cannot change their spell choices on the spot like a wizard. When selecting spells, witches should consider their role in the party and the types of encounters they are likely to face.
We won’t go over all the Patrons here, but there are a few to highlight. It’s important to work with your GM to determine the details of your Patron, and make sure your GM is using that Patron in their game.
I gather that debuffs are supposed to be their Thing, and considering the name of the campaign as well as the campaign traits we will be fighting a lot of fairly large opponents who presumably have poor Reflex saves, so any spells that target those will likely be useful. Because of or maybe despite this dubious nature, there were vast parts of history where Witches and their craft were considered evil, and hundreds were hunted for even the suspicion of being a Witch.
When selecting spells, witches should consider their role in the party and the types of encounters they are likely to face. Witches have access to spells that can provide utility, crowd control, damage, and healing. It is important to have a mix of spells that cover different aspects of gameplay to be effective in various situations.
[Pathfinder] Let's talk about Witches (1 Viewer)
The current campaign in my group is winding down, and it looks like we will be playing the Giantslayer Adventure Path next. Most of the other players seem to be intent on playing fairly focused melee builds, so it was suggested to me that I play a ranged/general utility class. Since I am always willing to try something new, I am currently considering a class I hadn't paid much attention to - the Witch (the Giantslayer Player's Guide suggests the Mountain Witch, which fits what I am envisioning - a wild-eyed, wild-haired hermit living in a mountain cave with his owl familiar).
Thus, I'd like to hear your thoughts if you have played a Witch or been in a group with a Witch character so that I can get a better handle on this class.
First of all, is it just me or are most Hexes kind of weak? I mean sure, they are Supernatural abilities, which is very useful against foes with spell resistance or if you get grappled (and in yesterday's session, it sucked a lot when my 14th level gnome oracle was grappled by an elder fire elemental - he basically was unable to do anything other than scream for help), and they can be used fairly frequently. But in power they seem to be comparable to low-level spells which don't get much better as the character rises in level and thus using actual spells seems to be a better choice if you still have any.
Furthermore, Witches have a very long spell list with which I have not all that much familiarity with and (like clerics and druids) they can choose between all spells for their level every day - so what are some choice spells you can recommend? I gather that debuffs are supposed to be their Thing, and considering the name of the campaign (as well as the campaign traits) we will be fighting a lot of fairly large opponents who presumably have poor Reflex saves, so any spells that target those will likely be useful.
Finally, what are some good feats for Witches?
Times have changed in the modern-day, one would say the Witch has become an iconic horror emblem, and is often seen all over the place in American Halloween celebrations.
Utility spells can be invaluable for a witch. Spells like identify, detect magic, and comprehend languages can help the party navigate through unknown areas and uncover hidden information. Spells that allow the witch to communicate with animals or objects may also be useful in specific scenarios. Crowd-control spells are often a specialty for witches. Spells like sleep and charm person can incapacitate enemies and make encounters easier. Witches can also utilize their hexes, such as evil eye or misfortune, to weaken opponents and give their allies an advantage. Damage-dealing spells are essential for any witch. Spells like magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, and scorching ray can help the witch contribute to combat and deal damage to enemies. The witch's hexes, such as slumber or ice tomb, can also be used to incapacitate or damage opponents. Healing spells may not be the witch's strongest suit, but they can still provide support to the party. Spells like cure light wounds or infernal healing can help to keep allies in the fight. Witches can also utilize their hexes, such as healing or cackle, to provide healing or extend the effects of healing spells. In addition to spell selection, witches can enhance their spellcasting abilities with the choice of familiar. Familiars can provide additional abilities, assist in combat, or even deliver touch spells for the witch. Choosing a familiar that complements the witch's playstyle and desired role can be advantageous. Overall, selecting the right spells for a witch in Pathfinder requires striking a balance between utility, crowd control, damage, and healing. It is important to consider the witch's role in the party and the specific challenges they are likely to face. With careful consideration and planning, witches can become formidable magic users in the world of Pathfinder..
Reviews for "Spellcasting Secrets: Unlocking the Potential of Pathfinder Witches"
- Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to play a witch in Pathfinder, but I was incredibly disappointed with the available spell choices. It seemed like every other spell was either a charm or a hex, and there wasn't much variety in utility or damage spells. I felt limited and constrained in my options, and it made the whole playing experience less enjoyable for me. I ended up switching to a different class because I just couldn't get past the lack of interesting spells.
- John - 1/5 stars - The witch spell choices in Pathfinder were incredibly underwhelming. It felt like the class was designed to only have a small handful of viable spells, and everything else was just filler. There were hardly any powerful offensive spells, and the utility spells were lackluster at best. It was frustrating to be limited to such a small pool of spells and feel like my character wasn't as useful as other spellcasters in the game. I would not recommend playing a witch if you're looking for a diverse and powerful spellcasting class.
- Emily - 2/5 stars - I found the spell choices for witches in Pathfinder to be quite disappointing. While the charm spells and hexes were interesting, they became repetitive and predictable after a while. I was hoping for more spell variety that would allow me to create unique and versatile strategies, but instead, the options felt limited and stale. It seemed like the developers focused too much on the witch's thematic elements without considering the need for a diverse and engaging spell list. Overall, I was left wanting more from the spell choices available to witches in Pathfinder.
- Mark - 2/5 stars - As an avid Pathfinder player, I was excited to try out the witch class. However, I quickly grew frustrated with the spell choices available. Many of the spells seemed overly situational or niche, and I found it difficult to find spells that would be consistently useful in combat or exploration. Additionally, the lack of strong offensive spells meant that I couldn't contribute as much to combat encounters as other spellcasting classes. While the witch has its thematic appeal, the spell choices left me feeling underpowered and uninspired.