Character Build: 12th-level primary arcane caster

[Kazinsky]

Hi all. Back again from my gaming and I need an offering of help from those that have read (or preferrably played or played with) an interesting 12th-level arcane caster.

What I'm looking for is a lively and interesting way to entice one of my players into playing the primary arcane caster in my latest game. The party is lacking in arcane magic right now, and has a cohort that tags along to provide some spot magical utility here and there, but the players want more "oomph" in their party mage.

Here's the breakdown of the group, as it stands:

? / ? Dracotaur Barbarian (not sure what his ECL is -- new toon)
12 Druid
12 Tiefling Rogue
11 Drow Cleric

I'm looking for a good 12th-level character build that is: a) fun to play, b) full caster levels, c) a strong nuker or force multiplier and d) from any Complete / Core / WotC source (pref.).
The player that will be playing this toon is a tactical strategist type. Don't worry if it's a complex build, so long as it's interesting and allows him to shine somewhere, he'll enjoy it (and I'll have an arcane caster in the group ).

Thanks in advance all! I appreciate the experience that ENWorlders can bring to bear on this. (Off to read some Story Hours to see if I can glean some interesting builds from there in the meantime...)

 

[FireLance]

Define "interesting". For a straight out blaster caster, you can't go far wrong with a 12th level warmage. You won't have much in the way of buffs and utility spells (although mass fire shield is really nice), but you probably won't need them with a druid and cleric in the party. The warmage/fighter/eldritch knight in my game is labelled "the MVP" because of the effectiveness of his spells in a fight.

 

[Khaalis]

Wow, thats a tall order to fill. There are just so many questions that need to be asked.

What kind of speciality do you want in the caster (pure blaster, utility, flavor, etc.)?
Do you want a true "specialist"?
Do you use UA?
What kind of flavor do you want the character have (ie: planar, divine, gish, etc.)?

Here are some really basic ideas I have done up, if you use all WotC sources and dont mind world dipping.

Classic Power Build: Wizard (Abjurer) 5 / Incantrix 10 / Archamge 5


Pure Force Blaster: Warmage 1 / Battle Sorcerer 5 / Force Missile Mage (DR328) 5 / Argent Savant 5 / War Mage (AoM) 4

Force Wizard: Wizard 6 / Force Missile Mage (DR328) 5 / Argent Savant 5 / Incantrix 4

1 Wizard - Silent Spell, Still Spell
2 Wizard
3 Wizard - Quicken Spell
4 Wizard
5 Wizard - Empower Spell
6 Wizard - Combat Casting
7 FMM (Bonus Missile, Still Missile)
8 FMM (Energy Missile, Swift Shield)
9 FMM - Empower Spell – (Overpowering Missile)
10 FMM (Reflective Shield)
11 Argent Savant - Force Specialization
12 FMM - Iron Will – (Bonus Missile)
13 Argent Savant – (Force Armor)
14 Argent Savant – (Extend Force)
15 Argent Savant Feat (Ablate Force)
16 Argent Savant – (Unbind Force)
17 Incantatrix (B) - Innate Spell – (Focused Study)
18 Incantatrix - Repeat Spell – (Cooperative Metamagic)
19 Incantatrix (Metamagic Effect)
20 Incantatrix (B)Twin Spell

Both Force casters - Combine with Mordenkainen’s Force Missiles:
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=dnd/sb/sb20020809a


Gish: (17 or 18th caster level)
Fighter 1 / Sorcerer 6 / Eldritch Knight 10 / Archmage 3
Paladin 2 / Sorcerer 6 / Eldritch Knight 10 / Archmage 2
(Dwarf) Fighter 1 / Wizard 4 / Runesmith 4 / Spellsword 1 / Eldritch knight 10

Gish: (18th caster level - maximizes use of 1st level Magic Missile)
Warmage 1 / Battle Sorcerer 5 / Force Missile Mage (DR328) 5 / Argent Savant 5 / Spellsword 1 / Dragonslayer 1 / Eldritch Knight 2

Bardic Wizard: Wizard (Diviner) 5 / Harper Mage 5 / Loremaster 10

Theurge: Exalted Wizard (Evoker or Enchanter) 8 / Apostle of Peace 2 / Mystic Theurge 10


Hope that gives you some ideas to think on and formulate what you want to present.

 

[Iku Rex]

b) full caster levels,

Is this an absolute requirement? (Many PrCs make you sacrifice a caster level.)

c) a strong nuker or force multiplier

Force multiplier?
(Buffs? Battlefield control? "Annoying" the enemy? Ability to change into a war troll with draconic polymorph and squish the puny humans?)

 

[Li Shenron]

Ruleset: 3.5

Race: Human
Class: Sorcerer 12

Feats: Energy Substitution, Chain Spell, Empower Spell, Sculpt Spell, Heighten Spell; Spell Penetration

Known spells:
0th - Resistance, Detect Magic, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Mending, Message, Open/Close, Prestidigitation
1st - Shield, Grease, Glitterdust, Magic Missile, Protection from Evil
2nd - Invisibility, Web, False Life, Detect Thoughts, Resist Energy
3rd - Slow, Fireball, Fly, Dispel Magic
4th - Polymorph, Dimension Door, Black Tentacles
5th - Wall of Force, Prying Eyes
6th - Analyze Dweomer

 

[Bront]

I like the Recaster PrC if you allow Eberron, it's fun and flexable. Stack that with Loremaster, and you get all sorts of Metamagic goodness.

If you want fairly straight core, Loremaster is a nice, doesn't loose a caster level, and only costs one feat, which you can make up in a special ability later. And while your familar doesn't gain any more power, you get some cool extra abilities

If you don't mind giving up 3 levels of caster for flexability, the Arcane Hirophant can be a lot of fun with it's Familiar companion, dual druid/Arcane casting, and wildshape. Go Druid 3/Wiz 4/AH 5.

 

[Thanee]

LG Star Elf Monk 1/Sorcerer 8/Fatespinner 3

Power Attack (Str 13+)
Improved Grapple (Monk bonus)
Ascetic Mage
Empower Spell
Heighten Spell
Split Ray

Not entirely sure about requirements there, maybe there is another feat needed.

1st - Shield, Grease, True Strike, Magic Missile, Ray of Enfeeblement
2nd - Glitterdust, Scorching Ray, Invisibility, False Life, Wraithstrike
3rd - Fireball, Haste, Slow, Dragonskin
4th - Evard's Black Tentacles, Dimension Door, Enervation
5th - Greater Blink, Draconic Polymorph

Bye
Thanee

 

[kjenks]

I was going to suggest something very close to Li Shenron's sorcerer. Make the character the opposite sex of the PC, a troubled teen with distant, incompetent parents. The character is working through some issues with guilt about accidental arson, a failed relationship, and is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder related to frequent exposure to fiery death.

Ruleset: 3.5

Race: Human
Class: Sorcerer 12

Feats: Arcane Preparation, Quicken Spell, Draconic Heritage (Brass/[Fire]/Gather Info as class skill), Draconic Power, Empower Spell, Twin Spell

Known spells:
0th - Resistance, Detect Magic, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Mending, Message, Open/Close, Prestidigitation
1st - Guided Shot, Lesser Orb of Frost, Featherfall, Magic Missile, Protection from Evil
2nd - Scorching Ray, Swift Fly, False Life, Glitterdust, Resist Energy
3rd - Slow, Fireball, Fly, Dispel Magic
4th - Greater Invisibility, Dimension Door, Orb of Fire
5th - Wall of Force, Mass Fly
6th - Fires of Purity

Metamagic Rod (Extend, Lesser) x2
Cloak of Charisma +6
Vest of Resistance
Scepter of Obedience (Miniatures Handbook)
Some scrolls

Here's one spellcasting schtick: In round 1, cast Extended Guided Shot and Twinned Scorching Ray. In round 2, cast Quickened Scorching Ray and another Twinned Scorching Ray. If all of that hits, it's 60d6 damage.

Another schtick: In round 1, Wall of Force to keep the bad guys away from the party. In round 2, Mass Fly. Rounds 3+, nuke the bad guys from the air.

Yet another schtick: Familiar casts Greater Invis and holds the charge, touching the party's rogue in round 1. Also in round 1, this character casts Fires of Purity on the party fighter, then uses Swift Fly to get above the melee. Mass Fly on the party in round 2.

Twinned Fireball is also mighty nice.

You need Arcane Preparation to cast Quickened spells as a sorcerer. You also need Arcane Prep to make Extended Guided Shot work right.

Draconic Power adds more punch to [Fire] spells, but you also need at least one [Cold] spell for creatures with the [Fire] subtype and SR (which makes them hard to hurt with Empowered Magic Missiles).

Draconic Heritage allows Gather Info as a class skill, backed up by a big Cha score and the Scepter, so this character has something very useful to contribute out of combat.

 

[Herremann the Wise]

Speaking from personal experience, I'm sure there are lots of amazing combos out there but to be honest, I prefer straight base or at the most a single prestige class that builds upon the base. You want to be hitting those bigger spells every two levels.

Anyway, my own particular fascination is with the conjurer/alienist. The school of conjuration gives so much flexibility in between nasty damage and summoning the right creature for the right occasion. The alienist part not only beefs the summoning elements but gives the player a character to really play, rather than just the generic mage.

If you want to read about THE alienist, I suggest you go to Sepulchrave's Story Hour and enjoy the various exploits of Mosten the Metagnostic. If this has already been devoured or if you are interested in a slightly different twist, may I suggest my own Story Hour and The Happenings of Lucifus Cray (see my signature for the link).

Both should give some interesting ideas of how to play the fascinating perspectives of the Alienist.

As for Lucifus Cray, he is just a little bit above your 12th level target but should be OK.
INT Stupidly High, WIS Stupidly Low. Very good Con and Charisma. Everything else pretty poor.

Feats:
Spell Focus (Conjuration)
Augment Summoning
Skill Focus Knowledge (Arcana)
Craft Wonderous Item
Energy Focus (Cold)
Extend Spell
Leadership
Quicken Spell
A Special Summoning Feat (co-wrote by the DM and Myself)

Best Regards
Herremann the Wise

 

[Kazinsky]

Define "interesting".

Interesting in the regards that the character is more than a one-trick pony. The ability to contribute in investigations, combat and the ability to provide alternate solutions to challenges other than just casting another MM or fireball.

The warmage/fighter/eldritch knight in my game is labelled "the MVP" because of the effectiveness of his spells in a fight.

Wow, now that's a neat concept. I just may look into that for myself one of these days. I've not seen an effective Eldritch Knight, yet, but admittedly, have been out of the gaming scene for a couple of years (just been reading, not playing). Thanks for the idea, though.