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Gnome Illusionist (Help Build)
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<blockquote data-quote="StreamOfTheSky" data-source="post: 4590785" data-attributes="member: 35909"><p>First off, when you say 8 points to buy with, is it straight addition, or point buy values? The former meaning, for example, it would cost 8 points to go from 15 to 18 (15 costs 8 points, 18 costs 16). Ideally, you want an 18 in the casting stat, but paying all your points for it is too steep. If that's the case, I'd say do a 16 (from 15), 13-->14, 12-->14, 11-->12, and either 10-->12 or 8-->10. By point buy rules, that's be 8 points. Then you'd want Str 8 (or 10), Dex 14, Con 14, Int 16, and...Wisdom and Charisma...pick what you like better and asign the two 12's or 12 and 10 as you see fit.</p><p></p><p>You have a good list of alternates there, it depends how you want to go with it. I like Shadowcraft Mage prestige class from races of stone, but you cannot enter it until level 8, and the MAJOR class feature isn't gained till level 3 in it (level 10). You say the game's capping at 9... If not, or even if you still decide to enter it, you should also look at the Master Specialist prestige class in C.Mage. It can be entered VERY early (level 3, iirc)and shares the main entry requirement with Shadowcraft Mage -- Spell Focus in Illusion.</p><p></p><p>Gnome Illusionist: Not casting conjuration or transmutation at first level can be rough, but this is a very good variant. Normally, transmutation is the easier one to drop a level in, but with light armor casting, you don't need Mage Armor starting out.</p><p></p><p>Focused Specialist: It always seemed like giving up WAAAAAY too much for me to like this. Once you hit Shadowcraft Mage 3 (impossible in your game), you can effectively cast 3 schools with just Illusion, so it may be worth it then.</p><p></p><p>Collegiate Wizard: It makes level 1 much easier to get by. Definitely pick it up if the DM will let you re-train it later on. If not...do you think you can get a blessed book fairly quickly? Once you do, this feat loses value fast, IMHO.</p><p></p><p>Alacritous Cogitation: Eh, I'm not a fan. Sounds like you want it, though.</p><p></p><p>Shadow Veil: I don't recall what this is, other than a level 2 spell in Spell Compendium.</p><p></p><p>Dazzling Illusion: That just dazzles someone for a round, right? I don't think it's worth a feat unless it has some widespread radius of effect I'm forgetting.</p><p></p><p>Reserve Feat: Some are ok, and they are very good at the early levels, generally crapping out around level 8-9 (except Minor Shapechange, which never goes out of style). In other words, perfect for your game. My favorite is Acidic Splatter because of the combination of uncommon resistance, no save, and no SR. Just a simple touch attack. Fiery Burst is also amazing because you can get it at level 3 (or 1 with a dirty trick) and the nature of how it works. Unlike the acid, lightning, and cold attacks, Fiery Burst does not start from your space. As a Su ability, it has no somatic or verbal components. In other words...it's great for being sneaky or covert. The elemental summoning one can also be excellent, especially for trap-finding. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p></p><p>What kinds of spells and schools do you want to focus on? What schools are you going to ban? Oh, one last initial suggestion: Ask the DM if you can swap Bardic Knowledge for Bardic Knack (PHB2). Although, with int as your casting stat, if the DM allows Bardic Knowledge frequently, it may actually be worth keeping anyway.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="StreamOfTheSky, post: 4590785, member: 35909"] First off, when you say 8 points to buy with, is it straight addition, or point buy values? The former meaning, for example, it would cost 8 points to go from 15 to 18 (15 costs 8 points, 18 costs 16). Ideally, you want an 18 in the casting stat, but paying all your points for it is too steep. If that's the case, I'd say do a 16 (from 15), 13-->14, 12-->14, 11-->12, and either 10-->12 or 8-->10. By point buy rules, that's be 8 points. Then you'd want Str 8 (or 10), Dex 14, Con 14, Int 16, and...Wisdom and Charisma...pick what you like better and asign the two 12's or 12 and 10 as you see fit. You have a good list of alternates there, it depends how you want to go with it. I like Shadowcraft Mage prestige class from races of stone, but you cannot enter it until level 8, and the MAJOR class feature isn't gained till level 3 in it (level 10). You say the game's capping at 9... If not, or even if you still decide to enter it, you should also look at the Master Specialist prestige class in C.Mage. It can be entered VERY early (level 3, iirc)and shares the main entry requirement with Shadowcraft Mage -- Spell Focus in Illusion. Gnome Illusionist: Not casting conjuration or transmutation at first level can be rough, but this is a very good variant. Normally, transmutation is the easier one to drop a level in, but with light armor casting, you don't need Mage Armor starting out. Focused Specialist: It always seemed like giving up WAAAAAY too much for me to like this. Once you hit Shadowcraft Mage 3 (impossible in your game), you can effectively cast 3 schools with just Illusion, so it may be worth it then. Collegiate Wizard: It makes level 1 much easier to get by. Definitely pick it up if the DM will let you re-train it later on. If not...do you think you can get a blessed book fairly quickly? Once you do, this feat loses value fast, IMHO. Alacritous Cogitation: Eh, I'm not a fan. Sounds like you want it, though. Shadow Veil: I don't recall what this is, other than a level 2 spell in Spell Compendium. Dazzling Illusion: That just dazzles someone for a round, right? I don't think it's worth a feat unless it has some widespread radius of effect I'm forgetting. Reserve Feat: Some are ok, and they are very good at the early levels, generally crapping out around level 8-9 (except Minor Shapechange, which never goes out of style). In other words, perfect for your game. My favorite is Acidic Splatter because of the combination of uncommon resistance, no save, and no SR. Just a simple touch attack. Fiery Burst is also amazing because you can get it at level 3 (or 1 with a dirty trick) and the nature of how it works. Unlike the acid, lightning, and cold attacks, Fiery Burst does not start from your space. As a Su ability, it has no somatic or verbal components. In other words...it's great for being sneaky or covert. The elemental summoning one can also be excellent, especially for trap-finding. :) What kinds of spells and schools do you want to focus on? What schools are you going to ban? Oh, one last initial suggestion: Ask the DM if you can swap Bardic Knowledge for Bardic Knack (PHB2). Although, with int as your casting stat, if the DM allows Bardic Knowledge frequently, it may actually be worth keeping anyway. [/QUOTE]
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