Wizard build?

[duhtroll]

Hi - while the search function is disabled I'm passing the time reading threads. Is anyone willing to help me with a cool wizard build?

I'm in a FR campaign and I was thinking of Shadow Adept from the PGtF. I also thought of a ray spell specialist (high dex/twin+chain spell eventually etc.)

I know the "what are your favorite spell lists" has been asked many times. However, anyone have some time and willing to post some of your favorite wizard spell combos/feat selections/build ideas?

To help out, he is currently 4th and I am trying to decide which PClasses to take. Like for example if I go with ray spells I will take one level of Arcane Devotee for the range bonuses (as well as any cone spells) and with Shadow Adept I would focus on Necro spells (like the RoE discussion here on board combined with other things).

I think indirect spell effects will be more helpful at higher levels than direct damage spells (things like monster summoning and charm spells seem to work well at high levels more so than empowered fireballs and the like).

If some of you wizard gurus have the time to type in some of your favs I will be appreciative.

Thanks all,
-Andrew

 

[duhtroll]

lil' help?

ECHO!

<echo>



-A

 

[duhtroll]

Doesn't anyone play wizards anymore?

What, just 'cause they nerfed haste and disintigrate?

:whistles:


-A

 

[mikebr99]

If you are looking for more reading material... http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=165134


Mike

 

[Meeki]

There is a book called the complete book of eldritch might, created by monte cook I believe, published by Malhavoc Press. This is an excellent buy and contains lots of fun spells. In my heart I believe that the wizard class is fine just as it is, no one actually plays just wizards anymore. Everyone wants to be some sorta uber shadow adept true necromancer orange blue purple mage combo extreme team or something made up of other broken obscene prestige classes. One of the coolest wizards that has ever graced our gaming table was an artificer (not the prestige class) named Tavidar. He was specialized in enchanting and had rouhgly 20ish levels of wizard by the time we ended the campaign, however he did become a lich on the way there. He had crafting feats and spell focus and greater enchantment, however what made hims awesome was his craft construct feat, I think its from the monster manual. The DM worked out a new chart for pricing constructs because we dont use golems, but talk to your DM. On top of that he had craft ring, which our DM doesnt require xp to use because seriously what 12th level caster is going to sit around all day and craft RoP+1 ( they exist in uber abundance in almost all campaign settings).
Also, with the aid of my friend, I am working on expanding the illusion school if you are interested you can send me a PM.

 

[beaver1024]

Doesn't anyone play wizards anymore?

What, just 'cause they nerfed haste and disintigrate?

:whistles:


-A

They nerfed way more than that. It actually doesn't matter anymore. If you insist on playing a wizard one option is as bad as another.

 

[Pacio49]

Cool is in how you play it.

Even limiting choices in the PC design realm can still yield excellent characters that become beloved subjects of stories for years. You just have to play the characterization the right way and not be overbearing with it. Fine balance, 'n all that.

But here's a character concept I've been considering playing (if ever the chance presents itself and the party actually does need a Wizard).

Human Wizard (Diviner) (Illusion forbidden school)

Take Skill Focus (Concentration) and Combat Casting when you first start out. Be sure that above all else you put your max ranks into Concentration. Next feat take Spell Focus (Divination), and from that point forward put all of your feats into Item Creation stuff.

The metagame-thinkers will be puzzling over why that particular combination... more sense to put an Evoker as a premier combat caster with high ranks in Concentration, right? Well, yeeees, I suppose, but this is a class combo that is cool because a) Diviners are an underplayed specialization, b) sometimes the simplest race/class combos yield the best results, and c) for most GMs, all of the above are things that present unique challenges that actually force *them* to think. Divinations can put them on the spot and makes them improve their game. Combat Casting and high Concentration means that eventually at higher levels, even getting hit by the AoOp means you won't lose the spell so you can be magical on the front lines. And with Item Creation feats you can take a little extra time in levelled to sacrifice some cash and some XP in order to turn all of those 'mundane' Masterwork items into magical weapons, upgrade the 'simpler' magical plussed weapons, and in general up the magical punch factor of the party on your own.

 

[Apok]

Doesn't anyone play wizards anymore?

What, just 'cause they nerfed haste and disintigrate?

:whistles:


-A

Heh.


Wizards are still very usefull as a support class but they can't tear it up on the battlefield like they used to.

If you're thinking of Shadow Adept, I'd focus on Necromancy and Illusion. Necro has lots of yummy no-save spells (many of which are ranged touch, so keep your Dex up) and I find Illusion to be one of the more versatile schools out there; very freeform in what you can do and you get access to gems like Shades, Shadow Conjuration and Evocation.

You are of course right in that direct-damage spells loose their luster quickly at higher levels when HP and Saving Throw inflation gets ridiculous while your save DC's drag in the dust.

 

[duhtroll]

I was kidding about people not playing wizards. I know they are still loads of fun and new discoveries are around every corner.

I'll be a little more specific with this PC and maybe it will help:

I play a wizard level 4, currently in a FR campaign. (Silverymoon area) I have access to any book I want to use (stop drooling). I also have access to/am member of the wizard school listed in Silver Marches (wizard college p.60) that allows me to make any item/buy any spells I want. Item cost is 60% of DMG or book value.

The downside? We have little money or treasure and our GM is throwing CR stuff twice our level at us -- or more. There are 5 of us in the party and only two of us are longtime gamers who can abuse the rules when needed.

When I say little or no treasure I mean a handful of minor magic items for the entire party so far and no one has more that 1500 gold to spend on anything. I have no magic items to speak of. We track all expenses, so I'm busy enough buying spells and making scrolls.

Within the rules, (of course!!) I would like to venture into the Shadow Adept area for PrClass or something that does not rely on damage spells (but can cast a few for fun sometimes). I love the use of spells that have unintended uses (low level illusions breaking encounters and the like.)

I'm not locked into anything. I thought of necro ray spells with that high dex (below) and taking things like twin spell/chain spell at higher levels, but I feel there is a better way to uber this PC - I just can't put my finger on it.

Some of you "out of the box thinkers" help me out on this one.

4th human wizard - we rolled stats with 5d6/drop2

STR 13
DEX 18
CON 16
INT 18
WIS 15
CHA 14

What feats, prestige class combos, and spell combos would you use, knowing you probably won't have tons of cash to spend, but otherwise very nice access to item creation and spells from anywhere you want?

I will be very appreciative for any help!

Thanks all,
-Andrew

 

[thorian]

If you are interested in a powerful, versatile and flavorful build, try this:

Races
Arcane Gnome [Dragon 291]
Whisper Gnome [RoS 96]

Prestige Classes
Shadowcrafter [Und 43]: 8-10 levels
Shadowcraft Mage [RoS 121]: 5 levels
Shadow Adept [PGtF 72]: 1 level

Feats
1: Spell Focus (Illusion) [PHB 100]
3: Shadow Weave Magic [PGtF 43]: +1 DC & SR checks for illusion, enchantment, necromancy
5: Heighten Spell [PHB 95]
6: Greater Spell Focus (Illusion) [PHB 94]
9: Earth Sense [RoS 138]
12: Earth Spell [RoS 138]
15: Enhanced Shadow Reality [Dragon 325]
18: Easy Metamagic (Heighten) [Dragon 325]
Alternate: Tattoo Focus [DMG 194]: +1 DC and caster level to specialized school
Free: Scribe Scroll, Alertness

Variants from Unearthed Arcana
Illusion Domain (I prefer to create a custom Shadow Domain) [UA 56]
Illusion Specialist Substitution [UA 63]
1) Chains of Disbelief
1) Shadow Shaper – You’ll only get the 1st and 5th level abilities, but Hide as a class skill and adding Intelligence modifier to Hide checks is great.
1) Illusion Mastery

Gnome Illusionist Substitution [RoS 149]
1) Gnome Illusionist Spells – I like having silent image at 1 level lower. It makes the heightened Silent Images just that much better. I’d probably choose {Abjuration, Divination, Enchantment, Necromancy, Transmutation} to be cast 1 level lower.
5) Extended Illusions – I’d rather have the bonus feat and the two spells learned at that level, especially since the Shadowcraft Mage doubles the duration already
10) Insidious Illusions – Probably won’t make it to 10th level wizard, otherwise it is pretty cool, but similar to the insidious ?? gained by the shadow adept

Become a wizard specializing in illusions. Make liberal use of Heightend Silent Images which are transformed by your feats and class abilities into (shaodow) spells which can mimic the effects of Shadow Conjuration and Evocation. You will have no problem with SR due to the Earth Spell feat, and you can mimic tons of spells.

Here is a formula I use for figuring out how effective my heightened Silent Images are:
Heightened illusion (shadow) spells are x% real, where x = lvl*10% + { +20% Enhanced Shadow Reality, +20% Powerful Shadow Magic, +10%-20% for conjurations and evocations, +10% if standing on earth/stone }

Have fun!