Summary

  • Occult magic offers a lot of mystery and versatility, allowing for unique character roles and gameplay experiences.
  • Choosing spells that have both power in battle and roleplay potential can enhance the fun at the gaming table.
  • Spells like Paralyze, Vampiric Feast, Phantom Pain, Scrying, Cozy Cabin, Paranoia, Cursed Metamorphosis, Vision Of Death, Possession, and Rewrite Memory provide various strategic and storytelling opportunities for occult magic users.

Of all the Magical Traditions in Pathfinder Second Edition Remaster, occult magic has the most mystery surrounding it. If you want to investigate the secrets of the world and lean into the strange and unexplained side of magic, playing a character with these spells at their disposal is the way to go.

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When playing an occult magic user, you have a lot of freedom from the usual expectations regarding your role in a standard adventuring party. You can play a supporting role, or you can be a total wildcard - it's up to you. However, picking good spells and ensuring you have useful tools in your arsenal will just make your time at the table that much more fun.

While some of the best spells you can use as an occult spellcaster also belong to other traditions, the unique freedom and versatility you possess make you able to use them to full effect. So, the spells on this list are chosen with that in mind - rated not only by their power or usefulness in battle but also by roleplay potential and the fun you can have with them on your list.

10 Paralyze

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If you like to control the battlefield and assist your allies while they deal damage - there aren't many better options than leaving your enemies unable to move or defend themselves. While this spell paralyzes your target on a failed save, it also stuns them if they succeed, which makes Paralyze even more useful.

There are a lot of ways you can use a spell like this, and that versatility is just one of its strengths. You can turn the tide of battle, you can ensure a quick escape, or you can cast a heightened version that affects up to ten creatures.

9 Vampiric Feast

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Occult magic and vampire-flavored spells make for a perfect combination. This spell deals 6d6 void damage, and after damage calculation, your dark touch also gives you half of the amount in temporary Hit Points.

This spell isn't only powerful, it's also great fun for all the occult magic users. Also, what makes it extremely worthy of your spell list is that the great damage it deals and the Hit Points you gain all come packaged in a third rank spell.

8 Phantom Pain

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One of the spells exclusive to the occult tradition, this is a must-have for your caster during the early stages of the game. While your target gets the chance to make a will save, they take the initial 2d4 mental damage, whatever the result. If they fail their save, you do 1d4 of persistent damage to them for one minute.

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Causing your target pain with this spell allows you to get creative and have fun. You can bring some always-appreciated comedy into the mix with a funny illusion, or you can lean into the scary side of things. Whatever you do, you will have a useful and fun spell at your disposal.

7 Scrying

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Some spells are too versatile not to use. However, Scrying also allows you to further expand on the mystical atmosphere that occult magic brings to the table. All you have to do is concentrate on a specific target; wherever that may be in the world, you will have a chance to see them.

Imagine a witch looking into a crystal ball and muttering descriptions of her visions in a deep trance or a bard sitting by the fire and pulling out another trick from their bag to help the party find useful information. If you want to combine fun storytelling moments with gathering important information, don't miss out on this spell.

The success of your Scrying can be affected depending on the situation - if you haven't met your target, the DC is lowered by two, but it can be lowered by ten if you don't even know its identity. So, if you learn some information about the target first, this spell will have a higher chance of working.

6 Cozy Cabin

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There's nothing like a warm hut and a hot meal around the fireplace after a hard day of travel and dangerous adventures. This spell takes a minute to cast, and when you're done, you create a little 20-foot-wide cabin that can shelter you through all but the most treacherous conditions.

Cozy Cabin isn't a spell that will change your game entirely, but every adventuring party has its best roleplaying moments when the players are alone in a safe environment, sheltered from the dangers of the world. If you can provide those moments with a single spell, then that spell is absolutely worth having.

5 Paranoia

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When it comes to spells available to you at early levels - Paranoia is hard to beat. This second rank spell gives you the ability to make your target see all the creatures around it as potential threats, including their allies.

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The best thing about this spell is that, in a way, it always works. Even if your target succeeds on their save, they will still be affected, although only for a round. However, if they fail their save, they will suffer the effect of Paranoia for a full minute.

4 Cursed Metamorphosis

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If you decide to play a witch with access to occult spells, you can hardly refuse a chance to turn someone into an animal, which is exactly what this spell does. If your target succeeds on their save, they still suffer mild consequences, but if they fail, you can render them harmless in a single turn.

While this spell also belongs to the arcane and primal traditions, it shines in the hands of support characters who can afford to get creative on their turn. Let your imagination run free, and soon, you'll have countless funny stories about the times you used Cursed Metamorphosis.

If your target succeeds on their save after you cast Cursed Metamorphosis, they are considered sickened, and they still gain a few characteristics of the creature you tried to turn them into, which can make for a funny story on its own.

3 Vision Of Death

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This spell fits perfectly with the idea of the occult, and for the right character, it can easily become a signature move. Apart from dealing 8d6 mental damage (which is both a good amount and a great damage type), it also kills your target instantly if they drop to 0 Hit Points because of it.

When you cast this spell, your target gets a vision of their demise, and if you succeed in getting them to 0 Hit Points, that vision becomes a reality. So, if you decide to play a character from the darker side of your Magical Tradition, don't miss out on Vision Of Death.

2 Possession

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Possession is a spell that deserves a place on every occult spell list because of its versatility. Firstly, being able to control a creature is an extremely powerful ability in any combat situation. Secondly, even if the target succeeds on a save, this spell can be useful in info-gathering situations.

With all the good things about this spell comes a risk: while this spell is active, you will be unconscious, and if you fail a save after it ends, you could end up paralyzed for some time. However, Possession will make for a great story whatever you do, so think about adding it to your list.

1 Rewrite Memory

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This is another spell exclusive to the occult magic users. It is a spell of rank four, and you can use it to alter a creature's memory by enhancing it, erasing it, or even adding a false one. The target makes a Will save against your DC, but even if it succeeds, it won't know what you tried to do.

There are so many things you can do with Rewrite Memory. Moreover, since this spell is rank four, the chances are you will get to use it a lot if you're playing a long-running campaign. Whether you want to build a bard who is an elusive trickster or a witch with a manipulative side, this spell can cause a headache for many a GM.

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