I have a friend interested in playing a Gish in our future PF (with most official Paizo sources, including APG) Game. I can build a caster just fine, same with a melee character, but I have never been much for playing the Gish unless it's built into the class, ala Duskblade.
So, there are some things I have heard mention of on the Paizo boards that I thought I would ask the masterful optimizers here about, and to get general suggestions and build ideas.
I don't really want to bring Bard into the mix, as we have already discussed at length the Arcane Duelist variant, so please I am more looking for full-casting classes.
Witch seems like a very interesting option with access to spells like Heal and Vampiric Touch, while still maintaining a lot of the good lower level controller spells like Glitterdust and Web. And has access to the full buffing suite if you pick the strength Patron.
EKnight actually seems viable, well mostly the only choice after a point...
Arcane Archer? It looks as if most builds would turn out as 90/30 Fighter/Caster split. I may be underselling the Fighter side, as ranged is very good in PF, so it could be as high as 100. Working off a rough optimized Gish clocking in somewhere around 75/75, with around 10 points varying buy build either way, having a build with full capabilities of one is very powerful, maybe not what he wants to play exactly, but could be fun to examine.
Do you eschew armor?
Take the feat tree that lets you ignore ASF as a Swift action? Tank up and rely on Still Spell in later levels? Some combination of both?
If you plan on finishing EKnight, which you likely will, I'd think you'd want to have those Swift actions to cast spells off your criticals (likely with an 18-20 base weapon) so some level of Stilling will have to come into play eventually if you aren't just a ray caster.
I am also interested personally in seeing a good Rage Prophet build. Heavens seems very potent in the low-mid levels, enough to get you to the point where you have enough PrC levels to be dangerous.
Any suggestions or builds are greatly appreciated, all!