A wizard in melee?

[jasin]

I'm is nearing 14th level and 7th-level spells with my wizard and ever since we met Tenser, I've been thinking about my options for turning myself into a melee warrior.

Bite of the wereboar would get me +16 Str, so +8 attack and +12 damage. Also, Power Attack.

Spectral touch is swift, and it creates a shadowstuff weapon which uses touch attacks, but allows a Will save for half damage.

I could also have a contingency up along the lines of "improved invisibility when I cast bite of the wereboar".

So in a single round, I could go from +7/+2 for 1d8 to +11/+6 (against flat-footed touch) for 1d8+24 (Will DC 22 half).

Alternately, it could be greater magic weapon instead of spectral weapon, and divine power (I could UMD a scroll) instead of imp. invis. in the contingency. +25/+20/+15 for 1d8+15, modulo Power Attack.

Granted, that's a bunch of spells, and it would only work once per day. But contingency and the companion spell could be cast days in advance, and I'd still have plenty of slots to be useful once I've pulled this trick, so I'm really tempted...

 

[jontherev]

That is nothing at 14th level. Most melee monsters of that CR will laugh at you. How many hit points do you have? If you're a straight wizard, you have no business even thinking about engaging foes in melee, other than maybe pulling off a touch spell (and then quickly getting away from melee). If you must do so, you're better off casting one of those spells that polymorph you into a golem. I think there's a nice one in Spell Compendium...but then you can't cast spells. But hey, if it floats your boat, go for it...just don't be too frustrated when you get full attacked and fall down in 1 round. Good luck!

 

[jasin]

That is nothing at 14th level.

What values would be reasonable for 14th level, IYO?

Most melee monsters of that CR will laugh at you.

Presumably, I could use it against the kinds of opponents whose main strength isn't melee.

How many hit points do you have?

68. With invisibility, that's nearly as good as the fighter's 130, isn't it?

 

[Thanee]

When we played CotSQ, my sorceress had a decent selection of spells, which allowed her to fight in melee quite well without wasting too many slots. That proved to be very effective, indeed, despite her not being 'built' for melee in the slightest (she didn't even have Power Attack, but learned Arcane Strike later, which is truely nasty).

Bye
Thanee

 

[Patlin]

68. With invisibility, that's nearly as good as the fighter's 130, isn't it?

One word: "Dragon." Or "No."

In addition to blindsight, true seeing and see invisibility become more and more commmon as you level up. If you want Greater Invisibility to contribute to melee, cast it on a fighter or (even better) a rogue. That way your multiplying good combat skills, instead of trying to merely simulate them.

If you do want to go into combat, don't forget the basics. False Life, mirror image, and haste are all good to have. Long duration buffs, especially ones you can cast when you wake up in the morning before leaving your rope trick or magnificent mansion to face the day, are excellent since you shouldn't need to use a combat action to put them into action.

 

[Mort]

I'm is nearing 14th level and 7th-level spells with my wizard and ever since we met Tenser, I've been thinking about my options for turning myself into a melee warrior.

Bite of the wereboar would get me +16 Str, so +8 attack and +12 damage. Also, Power Attack.

Spectral touch is swift, and it creates a shadowstuff weapon which uses touch attacks, but allows a Will save for half damage.

I could also have a contingency up along the lines of "improved invisibility when I cast bite of the wereboar".

So in a single round, I could go from +7/+2 for 1d8 to +11/+6 (against flat-footed touch) for 1d8+24 (Will DC 22 half).

Alternately, it could be greater magic weapon instead of spectral weapon, and divine power (I could UMD a scroll) instead of imp. invis. in the contingency. +25/+20/+15 for 1d8+15, modulo Power Attack.

Granted, that's a bunch of spells, and it would only work once per day. But contingency and the companion spell could be cast days in advance, and I'd still have plenty of slots to be useful once I've pulled this trick, so I'm really tempted...

If you're going to use a staff as and use power attack, you may want to consider wraithstrike if your DM will let you. Still, you'll be a bit of a paper tiger.
Also If your going into melee a lot you may want abjurant champion. Full caster progression and full BAB, what's not to like, if you're an elf it doesn't even cost a feat - again if your DM will let you.

 

[AnonymousOne]

... you may want abjurant champion. Full caster progression and full BAB, what's not to like, if you're an elf it doesn't even cost a feat

Source?

 

[Mort]

Source?

Complete Mage p. 50. You need to be proficient in at least 1 martial weapon (elves get this free). You do need to sink a feat into combat casting, but the prestige class makes up for it. It's clearly intended as more of a fighter/mage than mage prestige class but since it has full caster progression it works well for a mage too (possibly a little too well).

 

[Stalker0]

Frankly, Tenser's transformation just isn't that good. It turns you into a meleer, but its bonuses in no way compensate for a straight up fighter. It can be fun to become a melee man and fight lower guys all day without wasting magic, but otherwise, bleh.

 

[jasin]

Frankly, Tenser's transformation just isn't that good. It turns you into a meleer, but its bonuses in no way compensate for a straight up fighter. It can be fun to become a melee man and fight lower guys all day without wasting magic, but otherwise, bleh.

Exactly. That's why I'm looking at other spells with the same idea like bite of the wereboar or divine power.