kjenks
First Post
Gruns said:
From that party mix, you clearly need an arcane caster. A bard might do, but a wizard or sorcerer would be better in terms of balancing the party.
What level do you start at? If you start off at level 1 and you must claw your way up, you might find a different solution. If you start off at level 10, you can build a character that would be less-than-optimal in the low levels, but you won't care.
So if you start at level 1, I'd go for a human sorcerer. With a large enough Use Magic Device total, you can use that Wand of CLW or other non-sorcerer items.
But if you start at level 10, I'd go for a cleric-wizard-mystic theurge. This fills two gaps in your party, cleric and wizard.
Let's stick with human for the race for that extra feat and skill point goodness.
Sorcerer starting stats:
Str 8
Dex 12
Con 16
Int 12
Wis 12
Cha 18
1st level feats: Draconic Heritage (Copper Dragon), Draconic Power (+1 caster level and +1 DC for [Fire] spells)
Later on, pick up Empower Spell, Twin Spell, Arcane Preparation, Quicken Spell
Make sure you have a bunch of [Fire] spells, like Scorching Ray, Fireball, Orb of Fire, but also have a [Cold] spell in case your target is immune to fire, like Lesser Orb of Cold.
Spells: Magic Missile, Lesser Orb of Fire
Later on, when you pick up Orb of Fire, you can drop the Lesser Orb of Fire for a Lesser Orb of Cold.
Here are the spells for my 11th sorceress with similar feats:
Spells:
PH Cantrips + Repair Minor Damage
1st:
Magic Missile -- Evocation
Guided Shot
Ray of Enfeeblement
Featherfall
Orb of Cold, Lesser
2nd:
Scorching Ray -- Evocation, [Fire]
Fly, Swift
False Life
Glitterdust
Familiar Pocket
3rd:
Fireball -- Evocation, [Fire]
Dispel Magic
Haste
Slow
4th:
Dimension Door
Orb of Fire -- [Fire]
Greater Invisibility
5th:
Wall of Force
Mass Fly
This spell selection gives her many options instead of just blasting. Swift Fly is especially nice for getting up from prone as a free action (swift spell, 5-ft. step). She usually casts a Greater Invisibility, designating her raven familiar as the toucher, then the raven holds the charge; this lets the two of them get off at least two spells in the first round of combat.
A Lesser Metamagic Rod of Extend Spell works well for this spell selection, as does a Lesser Metamagic Rod of Empower Spell.
A Cloak of Charisma is necessary -- as big a bonus as you can afford. A Scepter of Obedience (Miniatures Handbook) is even better than a Circlet of Persuasion at boosting Cha skills like Use Magic Device (cross-class) and Gather Information (a class skill because of the Draconic Heritage feat). That Gather Info gives her something useful to do in non-combat parts of the game.
At level 11, with Cha 24 and the Scepter, her Use Magic Device total is +19, or +21 with scrolls. This is sufficient to activate any wand or scroll she wants.
Mystic Theurge starting stats:
Str 10
Dex 12
Con 14
Int 17
Wis 15
Cha 13
Feats: Empower Spell, Chain Spell, Divine Metamagic (Chain Spell), Practiced Spellcaster (on both sides), maybe another Divine feat from Complete Divine -- Divine Spellpower seems to be quite popular
Start with a wizard level for extra skills. Or start with a cleric level for a couple more HP.
And you asked about the whip.
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=428447
Good luck. Please tell us what you choose and how the game goes.
