Favored Soul - EDM or Drug Free?

[Jaffool]

I'm building a Favored Soul, and I recognize that EDM is basically the premier power drug, and I've seen people say that FS doesn't really need it. Just how big a difference is it between having EDM and not?

Also, is it kosher to grab Heavy Armor Proficiency for a Favored Soul?

[Sun Wukong]

You do not need EDM from Cleric, Blackguard or Paladin dip. You could just go for high strength and buff yourself into high heavens. There is no need to stay pure single class either, you could take five levels of Frenzied Berserker, for example and retain caster level of 29, would be fitting for someone following Garagos for example. Or basically a dip into any other PRC or base class you might fancy.

Also, is it kosher to grab Heavy Armor Proficiency for a Favored Soul?

If you want to spend a feat on it, you can. But... multiclassing often gives it for free along with other perks.

[Jaffool]

You do not need EDM from Cleric, Blackguard or Paladin dip. You could just go for high strength and buff yourself into high heavens. There is no need to stay pure single class either, you could take five levels of Frenzied Berserker, for example and retain caster level of 29, would be fitting for someone following Garagos for example. Or basically a dip into any other PRC or base class you might fancy.

Also, is it kosher to grab Heavy Armor Proficiency for a Favored Soul?

If you want to spend a feat on it, you can. But... multiclassing often gives it for free along with other perks.

Thanks for the quick response!

[Tsidkenu]

FvS synergises wonderfully with a 3-4 level dip in any of cleric or paladin/blackguard (depending on alignment) due to the casting stat for FvS being CHA (for spell slots), and that beefy CHA benefits from the crossclass purpose: CHA to saves & turn undead for EDM/Divine Shield. All three of those classes grant Heavy Armour as a bonus proficiency so you never have to pick it as a separate feat if you go that way.

26/4 is the standard split and you can't go wrong on BGTSCC with that kind of build.

[Sun Wukong]

Now, I suppose a Favored Soul has some feats to spare. Thus, you can actually afford to get Brew Potion, Scribe Scroll, and Craft Wand, even qualify for Master Alchemist while going for EDM.

After all, a Favored Soul 21/Blackguard 4/Master Alchemist 5 build only requires the following list of feats: Able Learner, Power Attack, Cleave, Divine Power, Brew Potion, Practised Spellcaster, which is six. So if you go human, you can get either Craft Wand or Scribe Scroll. It could be something fun if they do go around lowering the crafting costs for scrolls and potions - you know, you are still that EDM powerhouse - but you can also help others by brewing potions, crafting wands or scrolls.

[chad878262]

It might be fun to go for a TWF FvS by taking a deity that has Short Swords, Daggers or some other light weapon as it's favored.... Could potentially go FvS 24/SD3/WD3 or FvS 25/IB5 and be a feinter...

Another neat option might be to go FvS 17/B3/StormSinger 10, or if you don't mind the deity and RP requirement you could add in StormLord.

The point with FvS is they don't NEED anything, so EDM and Evasion are optional things that add extra power, but are not required. Could even go FvS25/WM5 (or 23/7) if you don't mind a lower CL and reliance on crits for your full power... Because you are a FvS you will be fine even without them.

[aaron22]

FvS20/C3/WM7 favored by jergal, who chooses to follow umberlee. **still awaiting approval**

[Sun Wukong]

Another neat option might be to go FvS 17/B3/StormSinger 10, or if you don't mind the deity and RP requirement you could add in StormLord.

The thing here is that your higher Charisma will actually increase the DC of your Stormsinger Songs, which means that you can be something of an offensive spellcaster while ignoring your wisdom stat. And, if you go for Favored Soul 14/Bard 3/Cleric or Blackgaurd 3/Stormsinger 10, you can even add the previously mentioned EDM while ending up with caster level of 28. Humans and Half-elves allow you to avoid multiclassing experience penalty with the 'Bard/Cleric' option.

Now, if Divine Seeker ever gets its Divine Spellcasting progression, Favored Soul 20/Divine Seeker 5/Master of Disguises 5 could be something wonderful at caster level of 29~, or so. Mask, Leira, or whatever.

As for the Blackflame Zealot, well, it is one PRC that is currently a bad match up with Favored Soul. You need to get 3 levels of Rogue to qualify for it, and the PRC itself only offers 5/10 spellcasting progression. Well, I suppose that a Rogue 3/Blackflame Zealot 3 could do it and get caster level of 30, but if you actually want the black flames you are looking at caster level of 28 at best. It is a different story with Clerics, they could take Hierophant to increase their caster level with Spell Power feats.

[aaron22]

Humans and Half-elves allow you to avoid multiclassing experience penalty with the 'Bard/Cleric' option.

so do Orcs. dont forget about us orcs over here.

[Sun Wukong]

Grey Orcs? Yeah, well, they do suffer a bit from the Charisma penalty, and well, from beings orcs.

[aaron22]

charisma penalty? an orc looks and acts totally fine to other orcs. humans have a cha penalty

[metaquad4]

Imo, the most optimal route is to go something along the lines of cleric 3 (water domain) w/ divine shield/EDM or Blackguard 4/Rogue 3 (Tumble, Detection, EDM, Divine Shield, Expose Weakness).

[Hrafnar]

charisma penalty? an orc looks and acts totally fine to other orcs. humans have a cha penalty

Mind blown...