Best counterspelling wizard build

[technophile]

I'm building a wizard, and I want to try a counterspelling specialist. It looks like I'll need improved counterspell, and reactive counterspell, also planning on taking the archmage prestige class to get the Mastery of Counterspelling ability.

Whats the best build for a counterspelling wizard?

 

[AuraSeer]

How set are you on being a wizard? It seems to me that sorcerer might be a bit more suitable, since you'd be less likely to run out of spell slots. If you cast and also reactively counterspell every round, you'll burn through your spells twice as fast as a regular caster.

 

[Magesmiley]

My personal suggestion is to go for Mystic Theurge (cleric3/wizard3/Mystic Theurge?) rather than straight wizard if you really want to be the master of counterspelling. You don't have quite as high levels, but you have a much greater breadth (and of course dispel magic from both classes to fill in the gaps).

This also helps with the problem that AuraSeer pointed out - burning through your spells. I have yet to run into a Mystic Theurge who ran out of spells during a session.

You didn't indicate what level of character you're working with (and any other information, such as stats) which might be helpful for this.

 

[ByteRynn]

In 3.0 I played a highly effective Fighter/Wizard/Spellsword counterspelling mage from level 1-16, so I have a few good tips.

Your feat path looks pretty good, go with it.

As for spell selection, I highly reccomend not specializing, or if you do specialize, to specialize in Divination. Having a high-level spell for each school is handy with improved counterspelling, also, look out for spells with long ranges, as they can counterspell farther away.

Playing a sorcerer might be a good idea, because you really can run out of spells doing this whole thing pretty easily, however, you can make some BBEGs look pretty stupid when they can't get a spell off. My personal favorite was blowing conjurations to keep the evil clerics from healing their masters.

As far as class selection:
With improved counterspell, I don't see much of a need for going Mystic Theurge, and let me tell you, Improved Counterspell works MUCH better when you are on the cutting edge of spell levels for your ECL, as a multi-classed wizard, I was frustrated with my lower Dispel Magic rating topped with my lack of highest-tier spells.

Pro-Wizard/Anti-Sorcerer Arguments: A straight-up sorcerer has the disadvantage of getting the higher rank of spells one level behind, so that's a big plus for wizards. Also, the ability to add any spell to your book can really help when you know which enemies you are facing, and what their favorite spells are. Recurring villains robbed of their signature spells get very mad very quickly.

Go Archmage!

Finally: Any chance you can run a counter-spelling cleric? It could work very well too!

 

[Raspen]

what your missing is the feat arcane mastery "CA"/ perhaps elven spell lore "PHB2" and dispell magic, greater, and chain "PBH2"

 

[technophile]

I'm pretty much decided to go wizard. I've been running spontaneous casters the last three campaigns I was in, and I'd like to give the wizard a spin.

 

[RigaMortus2]

Human with Sorc 6/Incantrix 10/Archmage 4 for the most basic version to get through your DM's radar . . . But if you've got a lenient DM then maybe you can squeeze Inner Tempest from the Bestiary of Krynn for:
Sorc 5/Incantrix 10/Archmage 1/Inner Tempest 4.
Trust me, it's worth the one caster level hit to be able to use metamagic without taking a full round action, and being able to apply enlarge and extend metamagic in reverse! Unfortunately DragonLance isn't completely WotC material.

Feats:
1st: Iron Will
B: Heighten Spell
3rd: Improved Initiative
6th: Improved Counterspell
B: Extend Spell
9th: Skill Focus: Spellcraft
B: Enlarge Spell
12th: Spell Focus: Abjuration
15th: Spell Focus: Divination
18th: Reactive Counterspell

Important Spells Known:
All the dispells.
Most of the prismatic effects and the spells necesarry to tear them down.
0: One of each school.
3rd: Battlefeild Perception (From Heroes of Battle)
9th: Disjunction.

School Abandoned for Incantrix: Necromancy

Important Archmage High Arcana: Master of Counterspelling, Arcane Fire, Master of Shaping.

 

[Evil Monkey]

Trust me, it's worth the one caster level hit to be able to use metamagic without taking a full round action

You can also achieve that by choosing the Metamagic Specialist sorcerer variant ability from PH2. You lose your ability to gain a familiar, but who cares about that?

 

[RigaMortus2]

You can also achieve that by choosing the Metamagic Specialist sorcerer variant ability from PH2. You lose your ability to gain a familiar, but who cares about that?

Correct... This is an old build that I hasn't been updated with some of the new books that have been out yet.

 

[technophile]

Arcane Mastery is definately a necessary touch. Also Arcane Thesis and Elven Spell Lore boost the caster level of dispel magic/greater dispel magic.