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1st level wizard design
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<blockquote data-quote="bret" data-source="post: 482386" data-attributes="member: 713"><p>OK, the person said it was their first wizard.</p><p></p><p>Don't specialize. You have to learn what the spells do before you can figure out what spells you really like or hate. As seen even on this thread, people do not agree on specialization.</p><p></p><p>You get a fair number of starting spells, pick them wisely. After that, it is two spells a level plus whatever you can afford.</p><p></p><p>Wizard must have spells: Mage Armor, Sleep or Color Spray, Identify</p><p></p><p>You will eventually want Magic Missle and Shield. Shield doesn't last long enough to be useful at first level. Magic missle doesn't do crowd control. You will want these, but they don't have to be in your initial selection.</p><p></p><p>Other spells I really like: Endure Elements, Comprehend Languages, Tenser's Floating Disk (put on a scroll), Feather Fall</p><p></p><p></p><p>Lots of people will have different opinions on these. I'm just listing what I like.</p><p></p><p>Attributes:</p><p>Int should be your highest attribute. It is by far your most important.</p><p>Con and Dex are your next most important attributes. Con for when you get hit and Dex to try and reduce the chances of getting hit and help your initiative rolls.</p><p></p><p>Races:</p><p>Human, Gnome, Dwarf, and Halfling all make good wizards.</p><p></p><p>I would not go Elf with your first wizard, the Con penalty makes it harder to survive with an elf.</p><p></p><p>Human gives the bonus feat and bonus skill points. For a wizard, it is more for the bonus feat than anything. It also allows the most flexibility in multiclassing. They are also the only race I listed that has a base movement of 30'.</p><p>Gnome gives a Con bonus (more hit points) and a size bonus (harder to hit).</p><p>Dwarf gives a Con bonus (more hit points) and gives a bonus to saving throws.</p><p>Halfling gives you a Dex bonus (harder to hit, better initiative), a size bonus (harder to hit) and a bonus to saving throws.</p><p></p><p></p><p>Feats:</p><p>Unless required for a PrC that you already know you want, I would not suggest taking toughness. If you make it to high levels, the feat will seem like a waste.</p><p></p><p>Improved Initiative is nice, helps you get your spells off in time.</p><p></p><p>Spell Focus is good <strong>if you already know<strong> what school of spells you will be casting most of the time.</strong></strong></p><p><strong><strong></strong></strong></p><p><strong><strong>I like Spell Penetration because I get so aggrevated by SR.</strong></strong></p><p><strong><strong></strong></strong></p><p><strong><strong>Extend Spell starts becoming useful at 5th level, but you might want to think about taking it immediately so that you can do item creation feats at 3rd and 5th level.</strong></strong></p><p><strong><strong></strong></strong></p><p><strong><strong>Skills: Max out Concentration and Spellcraft. Most people will expect you to have some Knowledge: Arcana. After that, take what fits your idea for the character.</strong></strong></p><p><strong><strong></strong></strong></p><p><strong><strong>Equipment: </strong></strong></p><p><strong><strong>The Alternate Standard Equipment in the PHB isn't too bad. I generally prefer dagger over quarterstaff, but it doesn't matter that much. If you are in melee you are doing something wrong.</strong></strong></p><p><strong><strong>The big thing is pick up a crossbow and expect to use it a lot the first few levels.</strong></strong></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="bret, post: 482386, member: 713"] OK, the person said it was their first wizard. Don't specialize. You have to learn what the spells do before you can figure out what spells you really like or hate. As seen even on this thread, people do not agree on specialization. You get a fair number of starting spells, pick them wisely. After that, it is two spells a level plus whatever you can afford. Wizard must have spells: Mage Armor, Sleep or Color Spray, Identify You will eventually want Magic Missle and Shield. Shield doesn't last long enough to be useful at first level. Magic missle doesn't do crowd control. You will want these, but they don't have to be in your initial selection. Other spells I really like: Endure Elements, Comprehend Languages, Tenser's Floating Disk (put on a scroll), Feather Fall Lots of people will have different opinions on these. I'm just listing what I like. Attributes: Int should be your highest attribute. It is by far your most important. Con and Dex are your next most important attributes. Con for when you get hit and Dex to try and reduce the chances of getting hit and help your initiative rolls. Races: Human, Gnome, Dwarf, and Halfling all make good wizards. I would not go Elf with your first wizard, the Con penalty makes it harder to survive with an elf. Human gives the bonus feat and bonus skill points. For a wizard, it is more for the bonus feat than anything. It also allows the most flexibility in multiclassing. They are also the only race I listed that has a base movement of 30'. Gnome gives a Con bonus (more hit points) and a size bonus (harder to hit). Dwarf gives a Con bonus (more hit points) and gives a bonus to saving throws. Halfling gives you a Dex bonus (harder to hit, better initiative), a size bonus (harder to hit) and a bonus to saving throws. Feats: Unless required for a PrC that you already know you want, I would not suggest taking toughness. If you make it to high levels, the feat will seem like a waste. Improved Initiative is nice, helps you get your spells off in time. Spell Focus is good [b]if you already know[b] what school of spells you will be casting most of the time. I like Spell Penetration because I get so aggrevated by SR. Extend Spell starts becoming useful at 5th level, but you might want to think about taking it immediately so that you can do item creation feats at 3rd and 5th level. Skills: Max out Concentration and Spellcraft. Most people will expect you to have some Knowledge: Arcana. After that, take what fits your idea for the character. Equipment: The Alternate Standard Equipment in the PHB isn't too bad. I generally prefer dagger over quarterstaff, but it doesn't matter that much. If you are in melee you are doing something wrong. The big thing is pick up a crossbow and expect to use it a lot the first few levels.[/b][/b] [/QUOTE]
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