A good wizard/fighter build?

[2nd Ed Paladin]

An interesting elf only variant is the bladesinger PrC in CW. The prereqs are tricky to manage but it can be done by level 7 (maybe 6). Gets INT to AC, full BaB, d8 HD(?) and 1/2 caster levels. It is more of a fighter first than a caster though. It won't be the most powerful PC but will hold its own.

If you use the elven racial substitution levels (can be found in Unearthed Arcaca or the SRD) the build is much more effective.

 

[Darklone]

Core only, I found 3 levels of wizard especially for the roguish classes pretty intriguing. Lotsa nice spells (featherfall, invisibility, true strike, shield). Being able to cast Bulls strength on yourself might help with the BAB loss.

Eeks. One level of Bladesinger only looks pretty sick to me. And not even a limit to the Int to AC. Many prereq feats, this class has been written to make elven fighters surviveable.

 

[szilard]

If you have access to Complete Mage, check out the Abjurant Champion.

-Stuart

 

[Magesmiley]

I haven't seen the runecaster (RoS) mentioned. It provides a way to ignore the arcane spell failure problems. You've got to be a dwarf though.

 

[Gundark]

I think it's possible to do a decent combo by using core material only.

For example, 2 levels of Wizard or Sorcerer and the rest Fighter is going to make you lose only +1 BAB, a fighter bonus feat and a few hit points. But True Strike alone (which has no somatic component so you cast it in armor without ASF) a few times per day is going to be very useful. Other spells known could be Feather Fall (no somatic too) and then some useful out of combat/armor.

Blur is a verbal only spell as well.

 

[Mort]

I think it's possible to do a decent combo by using core material only.

For example, 2 levels of Wizard or Sorcerer and the rest Fighter is going to make you lose only +1 BAB, a fighter bonus feat and a few hit points. But True Strike alone (which has no somatic component so you cast it in armor without ASF) a few times per day is going to be very useful. Other spells known could be Feather Fall (no somatic too) and then some useful out of combat/armor.

Correct me if I'm wrong but Eldritch Knight is core only as well, it just happens to be in the DMG.

If you're going with the 1-2 level dip, Sorcerer seems best - it greatly increases castings per day (and seems less cheesy than taking a specialist mage, which could approach that number).

But let's see:
core combo: fighter 1/wizard 6/Eldrich Knight X
non core:
fighter 1/wizard 6/spellsword 1/Eldrich Knight X ( take out spell sword and Eldrich Knight and replace with Knight Phantom in Eberron)
duskblade

further non-core:
add Abjurant Champion for extra HP's (d10 per level), full BAB, full spellcasting progression, a hefty bonus when casting the spell: shield, and the ability to cast abjuration spells of up to 3rd level as swift spells.

 

[The Grackle]

you want a wizard/fighter or a fighter/wizard?
I really like the battle sorcerer from UA.

 

[Vuron]

Eldritch Knight is definitely the way to go under the core rules for higher end builds but it's sometimes a bear to get up to the levels where it begins to really shine over classes like the Duskblade.

If you want high end spellcasting plus full iterative attacks at 20 then the Eldritch Knight is the way to go, if you want ease of use and in many ways survivability the Duskblade is the better choice.

 

[Thurbane]

Does anyone/has anyone use the Havoc Mage PrC from the Miniatures Handbook? Are it's abilties actually useful in play for a "gish"?

 

[JiffyPopTart]

I play a Fighter2/Warmage8/EldritchKnight2.

He can cast in full-plate and has an archer build selection of feats.

Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Greatbow)
Weapon Focus (Greatbow)
Point-Blank Shot (useful for spells and arrows)
Rapid Shot
Precise Shot (useful for spells and arrows)
Improved Initiative
Armored Caster (lets you wear heavy armor without casting penalty)
Practiced Spellcaster (Warmage)
Smiting Spell (lets you cast touch spells though a weapon)


He is 2 spell levels behind the normal Warmage (I can cast 6/8/7/7/6) however due to Practiced Spellcaster, his caster level is still 12 so he isn't behind on damage dealt with the spells he does know.

When push comes to shove he can pop out his Frosty Greataxe and cut down some mooks, shoot arrows into some mooks, and cast spells at tough guys. Bad guys tend to leave you alone when you have your Fire Shield AND Ring of Blades going at once. In a couple more levels when he gets Tensers Transformation he can go totally-fighter if need be and already have the equipment handy to get use out of it.

DS