[PF] Non-Core Pathfinder Spells that are Awesome.

[Craiconn]

Beyond the standard core spells offered in the Pathfinder PHB, which spells from the various Paizo splatbooks/sourcebooks and large hardcovers (UM, UC, ARG, etc.) are worth consideration as high-performance, upper-tier spells? While posting some of the more broken & controversial spells (like Blood Money) are certainly welcome, I'd prefer you emphasize talking about high-performers that are useable right out of the gate. Also, please expound on Your tactical analysis of a given posted spell. Just in case there are nuances we may not be aware of.

so in essence! this thread is really more so about finding diamonds in the rough amongst these non-core spells.

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If any of you would like, we can also branch out to include some of the more reputable or popular 3PP Pathfinder magic tomes as well (Deep Magic, 1001 Spells, etc.). As it seems that, on the whole, PF's 3PP sources are more balanced and quality-controlled than 3.5's 3PP sources.

[phaedrusxy]

Explosion of Rot
Heatstroke
and Aboleth's Lung
are all druid spells that I like. While not 3rd party, they are from splats (and the last one is race specific and so requires GM approval to use).

I am just getting started playing a druid with a Spellstoring Amulet of Mighty Fists (which is only 4000 gp, since you don't have to get the +1 on it) which I plan on using the latter two in (along with Frigid Touch).

[Power]

I suppose these would be in the broken and controversial category.

Source Severance (Cleric/Druid/Witch 6 - Faiths and Philosophies): It's an AMF specific to divine or arcane (you choose)
Vision of Lamashtu (Cleric/Shaman/Witch 7 - Inner Sea World Guide): It's Nightmare which lets you cast any non-hp damaging spell you like on any target. Basically lets you cast fun stuff like Quest, Dominate Person, Baleful Polymorph, Aboleth's Lung (will kill a person in their sleep), etc. on people in their sleep without any range restriction (I suppose they have to be on the same plane as you, not sure).

[StreamOfTheSky]

It belongs in the most broken and controversial category, but since it has not been invoked by name yet, I feel like I must...

PARAGON SURGE.

[Power]

Emergency Force Sphere (Wizard 4 - Cheliax, Empire of Devils): As an immediate action you can summon a waterproof, hemispherical wall of force on your square for a 1 round/level duration. Main abuse of this spell is combining it with the Arcane Archer prestige class's Imbue Arrow passive ability: "At 2nd level, an arcane archer gains the ability to place an area spell upon an arrow. When the arrow is fired, the spell's area is centered where the arrow lands, even if the spell could normally be centered only on the caster. This ability allows the archer to use the bow's range rather than the spell's range. A spell cast in this way uses its standard casting time and the arcane archer can fire the arrow as part of the casting. The arrow must be fired during the round that the casting is completed or the spell is wasted. If the arrow misses, the spell is wasted." In essence, you burn an immediate action to shoot someone (or their square) and imprison them in a 1-square Forcecage, no save.

[zook1shoe]

Snowball

Also from Fun Finds...

Abundant Ammunition, Accelerate, Bestow Grace of the Champion, Blood Crow Strike, Call the Void, Cleromancy, Collaborative Thaumaturgy, Create Pit, Excruciating Deformation, Frigid Touch, Mad Monkeys, Paragon Soul, Parasitic Soul, Skinsend, Summon Minor Monster, Swarm Skin, Touch Injection, Utter Contempt

[TiaC]

Frostbite is pretty nice on a Magus with the ruling that multi-touch spells don't count as holding a charge.

[Craiconn]

As a 5th level spell ... casting Calcific Touch (4th Level) with a +1 Reach Spell Metamagic ... gives your wizard a pretty awesome ranged dual-debuff attack for an entire fight.

[DavidWL]

I suppose these would be in the broken and controversial category.

Source Severance (Cleric/Druid/Witch 6 - Faiths and Philosophies): It's an AMF specific to divine or arcane (you choose)
Vision of Lamashtu (Cleric/Shaman/Witch 7 - Inner Sea World Guide): It's Nightmare which lets you cast any non-hp damaging spell you like on any target. Basically lets you cast fun stuff like Quest, Dominate Person, Baleful Polymorph, Aboleth's Lung (will kill a person in their sleep), etc. on people in their sleep without any range restriction (I suppose they have to be on the same plane as you, not sure).

Great finds!

Visions of Lamashtu is really cool!

[Craiconn]

Bloody Tears and Jagged Smile - http://www.archivesofnethys.com/SpellDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Bloody%20Tears%20and%20Jagged%20Smile

This spell is insane for what it gives you.  4 solid benefits for a 2nd level spell that has an awesome 10 minute/level duration.

1.  You perceive all creatures as if running Deathwatch.  A 1st level Cleric spell with the same duration.  Deathwatch is useful from levels 1-20.
2.  You gain a bite attack (1d3 points of damage if you are Small, 1d4 points of damage if you are Medium).  Nice.
3.  You gain a +4 profane bonus on Intimidate checks.  A rarely seen bonus type for Demoralizer builds.
4.  You gain a +4 profane bonus on spell DCs for spells with the fear descriptor. WOW!

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#4 is what I used this spell for in a Dread Witch (PrC) / Wizard build.  Being able to affect Fear-immune creatures with my [Fear] spells and boosting them by an additional +4 Profane DC ... made for insanely powerful caster theme.  All the other benefits were just gravy.  Deathwatch is incredibly useful at higher levels when you actually have Undead and Constructs who can magically cloak or disguise themselves in different appearances.

[zook1shoe]

Damn... not allowed in PFS

[phaedrusxy]

Yeah, that's pretty amazing. Decently long duration, too.

[Power]

4.  You gain a +4 profane bonus on spell DCs for spells with the fear descriptor. WOW!

Should be fun with Phantasmal Killer. Add a Persistent Spell metamagic (all saves must be rolled successfully twice to pass) and that's a done deal. A Fetish of the Frog Queen might be nice too for turning that will save into another fort save.

[zook1shoe]

not PFS legal either