2 Qs: metamagic, incantatrix, and archmage

[GakToid]

1) What are the favorite metamagic feats to take? Did you pick these because of power or flavor?

2) Sorcerer 6/Incantatrix 8/Archmage 2 - A worthy combination? I'm playing a sorcerer/incantatrix (pretty generic) and strongly considering the archmage. Primarly for mastery of elements and mastery of shaping. These seem like perfect abilities for a sorcerer. This is a feat intesive (5) combination of prestige classes. Alternatively, is the sorcerer better off taking scuplt spell and two energy substitution feats?

Any other thoughts/warnings?

Thanks.

-Gak Toid

 

[Liquidsabre]

Are you using the 3.5 Incantatrix?

 

[GakToid]

Are you using the 3.5 Incantatrix?

Yup.

-Gak Toid

 

[James McMurray]

Archmage is definitely better than Sculpt Spell and Two Energy Substitution feats. You give up the same number of feats and a couplke of spell slots, but you don't have to worry about using higher level slots or full round actions to modify your spells.

When using incantatrix, Empower and Maximize are obvious choices. What are you looking at for your spell selection?

 

[Pax]

Additionally, a Sorceror can benefit handily form Improved Counterspell, and in turn, Reactive Counterspell and Epic Counterspell benefit greatly from the Archmage's Mastery of Counterspelling. Something to look at for moving into Epic levels, if your game goes that way: being able to burn slots to coutner and reflect most or all spells chucked at you by your opponent would be very nice, indeed.

 

[James McMurray]

If you go for counterspelling, be sure to get Heighten Spell. With the Instant Metamagic ability on the Incantatatrix you can heighten a spell on the fly, which is great for Improved Counterspell. Even if you don't have any 8th level evocation spells, you can just use a heightened fireball to counterspell your enemy's forcecage.

 

[Thanee]

Empower Spell is still one of the best metamagic feats.

Maximize Spell is a bit better for most damaging spells, but has a higher cost, so I usually go for Empower Spell, which can be used in more situations.

Heighten Spell is a must-have for sorcerers at higher levels.

Silent Spell is also quite useful. Still Spell might be nice, too.

Twin Spell is a good high end metamagic feat.
Quicken Spell + Arcane Preparation is also something to look at.

Mastery of Elements is really good for a sorcerer, that alone is probably worth spending the feats (and Spell Focus is something you probably want anyways, at least once) to qualify for the archmage.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Thanee]

With the new 3.5 incantatrix, Extend Spell might be worthy, too, to use on your fellow's spells.

Bye
Thanee

 

[GakToid]

Prohibited School

The hard part with the Incantatrix and Archmage is picking your prohibited school and still have spells from 5 schools in time to qualify for Archmage.

Obviously I'll have to pick two schools to focus in. I hate picking schools to focus/prohibit. I can always find a spell in a school that I'd hate to lose access to or want a higher save for.

Abjuration, Conjuration, and Evocation are 'must have' schools. I'm thinking of giving up either Illusion or Necromancy. Unless someone can make a good case for Divination, Enchantment, or Transmutation.

-Gak Toid

 

[James McMurray]

What will the rest of the party be? If there will be a wizard and/or a cleric they can take over the brunt of the Divination work. Assuming the class doesn't say you can't use divination. IDHTBWM, but specialist wizards can't drop divination.

If you can't drop divination, go with necromancy. It definitely has some nice spells, but illusion has greater invisibility and mirror image, two must haves. Nondetection is also pretty nice.