Character Creation Advice Required

[Gregor]

Hey all,

I hope this is in the right forum, if not then I apologise in advance. Further, I tried to search for related threads on my topic but for some strange reason, despite the fact that I am logged in, it claims I am logged out and cannot search. Maybe it has to do with the new adjustments that enworld is experiencing.....or maybe its my own idiocy....I would most likely put my money on the latter

Alright, down to business. I am interested in creating a specialist wizard of the evocation school who will be entering the campaign most likely at 4th level. I am aiming towards the Red Wizard PrC at higher levels. Since I am new to playing spell casters (I generally play fighters or barbarians) I have two questions:

1) what spells are the essential, must have spells for an evoker of my level to take? Assuming I drop Conjuration as my opposed school.

2) what feats would you suggest? Since I am human (good old extra feat) I will be taking spell focus evocation, that tattoo feat which is needed to be a Red Wizard - both of which up the DC of my evocation spells. I was then thinking craft wonderous item??? Any ideas?

-->Party Make-up (if this helps anyone with advice)
Halfing Necromancer 4
Elf Fighter 2 / Rogue 2
Halfling Cleric 2 / Rogue 3
Aasimar Cleric 2


My thanks in advance for your suggestions and advice.

Edit - changed the title due to my aforementioned idiocy...

 

[ph34r]

Spells: All the evocation ones.
Feats: Spell Focus, Greater Spell Focus, Spell Penetration, Greater Spell Penetration, Maximize Spell, Empower Spell, Quicken Spell.

 

[gariig]

I found this over at the wizards boards:

Not low level, but I'll chime in with a favorite:

- Wizard (Evoker) 7
- Red Wizard 10
- Archmage 3

This one is all about DC's for those evocation spells. Barred school at 1st is Conjuration, then take Enchantment and Illusion as second set of barred schools per the Red Wizard pre-req's. Go to level 7 in order to get the "almighty" Improved Invisibility before losing Illusion - who needs illusion/enchantment when you have evocation?

Start with an Intellience 18 with Spellcasting Prodigy, dump all bonus points via leveling into intelligence (of course). Need to take Tattoo Focus (evocation) in order to qualify for Red Wizard PrC.

Assuming a +5 bump to intelligence via "wish" around 17th+ and add a Headband +6, a 36 intelligence (w/spellcasting prodigy) is achieved.

Toss in Spell Focus (Evocation) and Greater Spell Focus (Evocation) along with Spell Penetration and Greater Spell Penetration. Finally, stock up on Spell Enhancer spells too.

With 3 levels of Archmage, take Spell Power +3, Spell Power +2, and Mastery of Elements (I know, not DC related, but a must for any evoker).

Thus:

Base DC = 10
Intelligence Modifier = +13
Greater Spell Focus = +4
Red Wizard = +5
Archmage High Arcana = +5
Tattoo Focus = +1
Spell Enhancer = +2

Final DC for Evocation spells = 40+ spell level

This is epic ready for more levels of Red Wizard (another +5 to DC's), Epic Spell Focus (another +2), more Intelligence bonuses (assume 30th level @38/40 Intelligence (spellcasting prodigy) for another +2) and a +10 headband (another +4).

DC = 53+ spell level @30th = 54 - 62 ...not bad.

 

[DanteHayes]

I largely agree with Gariig.

I would heavily reccomend Spell Casting Prodigy, Spell Focus: Evocation, Tatoo Focus: Evocation, Spell Penetration and, maybe, Craft Wand. Although, I probably wouldn't take Wizard up to 7th level just for Improved Invisibilty.

Now, I feel compelled to say this, having read a number of specific posts to the contrary over the last weeks but; just because you optimize your character is no reason to believe that you have failed to "breathe life" into them.

Have fun.

Dante

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Don't worry, there's lots of time, given the nine-month gestation period and the generally accepted nine-year waiting period before allowing them to play.

Oh, you meant character creation?

The spell list part is the easiest -- magic missiles and flaming spheres being great 1st and 2d level evocation spells.

Feats (depending on what sources are allowed): definitely Spell Focus and (if allowed) Greater Spell Focus at low levels, and Spell Penetration later on. You'll have to take the Tattoo feat for Red Wizard, IIRC.

For a little RP flavor, consider specializing in a particular element, and take the Energy Substitution feat. Pyromaniac evokers are fairly common, but there's always the water wizard who was burned in the lab as a young child, hates fire, and now only throws water (or acid) based spells.

There are a couple of d20 products (Mongoose's Encyclopaedia Arcane: Elementalism comes to mind) that have some takes on this last idea.

This also might get some good input if the mods move it to Rules ...

 

[Number47]

Come to think of it, I guess I would be pretty interested in player creation, too. The natural kind, not all that icky mad scientist stuff.

Edit: In just seven days, I can make you a man...

 

[Gregor]

Whoops! I definitely meant Character creation....but now that I think about it, Player creation could be fun too

Thanks for the suggestions btw.

 

[BigFreekinGoblinoid]

Hey all,

Further, I tried to search for related threads on my topic but for some strange reason, despite the fact that I am logged in, it claims I am logged out and cannot search. Maybe it has to do with the new adjustments that enworld is experiencing.....or maybe its my own idiocy....I would most likely put my money on the latter

FYI: You are not trippin' - Utilizing the "search" function is a benefit reserved for community supporters only.

 

[David Argall]

more data needed

Check with your DM for additional details before you take any advice here. As written, the item creation feats rule. But there are dozens of ways the DM can make them suck.

I can't say I am thrilled with the metamagic feats, at least the ones requiring extra levels. [And last I heard, those levels stack. Your quickened, empowered, maximized spell is a zero level spell cast as a 9th.]