Class focussed on low level spells?

[Herzog]

Does anyone know af a way to focus a (spontaneous, arcane) spellcaster on low level spells?
As in, get huge amounts of 0th-4th level spells, both known and per day, instead of learning and casting higher level spells?

I'm thinking about building a ray and orb throwing rogue (possibly using Arcane Trickster PrC).
This would mean ranged touch attack spells (with no save, so DC not too important) with (most?) part of the damage originating from sneak attack.
Especially increasing the number of zero-level spells per day to use sneak attack frost rays etc. would be cool.

I'm aware of the possibility to use Reserve Feats to get unlimited usage of, for instance, force needles, but they have a range of 5' per spell level, which would require 6th level spell slots for 30' range. Since I also plan to use Sniper's Shot, I'd like to get a little more range.

Another question: If you lack the ability score to cast high level spells, can you still prepare the spell at the high level for purpose of Reserve Feats (for instance, with Heighten Spell)?

 

[Starbuck_II]

Does anyone know af a way to focus a (spontaneous, arcane) spellcaster on low level spells?
As in, get huge amounts of 0th-4th level spells, both known and per day, instead of learning and casting higher level spells?

Have you played spellcaster before?

I ask because why not just prepare/cast lower level spells in higher level spell slots.
It says as much in PHB.

 

[Herzog]

Yes, I've played spellcasters before.
I played a 3.0 druid, I have a 3.5 Bard and I've just lost a 3.5 Artificer.
I also have a 3.5 Wizard/Rogue going for Daggerspell mage in a campaign thats currently on hold.

I'm aware of the possibility to prepare spells in higher level slots. However, that's a poor substitute in my opinion: Why prepare another first level spell (in a 5th level slot) when you can prepare a 5th level spell in that slot?
I'd rather find a way that would allow you to prepare 2, 3, 4 or even 5 1st level spells instead of that one 5th level spell.

Wait. It just dawned on me I may be looking for a Psionic thing.....

Thanks for the inspiration

Any other tips remain welcome while I dive into the Expanded Psionic handbook....

 

[rgard]

In lieu of the above, you could try this...

Multi-class wizard and sorcerer and rogue, then take the Ultimate Magus PrC from the Complete Mage.

So...Rogue2/Wizard4/Sorcerer1/Ultimate MagusX/Arcane TricksterX.

Throw in a reserve feat and you'll be blasting stuff all day long.

I don't have the DMG in front of me, but you may need another level or two of Rogue.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[Allenchan]

What you are looking for is a feat called Arcane Manipulation, from Lost Empires of Faerun. As an example, if you had a 5th level spell slot, you could turn it into a 3rd level splot and a 2nd level splot, or even 10 0th level slots.

 

[Eldritch_Lord]

What you are looking for is a feat called Arcane Manipulation, from Lost Empires of Faerun. As an example, if you had a 5th level spell slot, you could turn it into a 3rd level splot and a 2nd level splot, or even 10 0th level slots.

It's important to note, though, that you can only do this to 3 spell slots per day, so you couldn't break down all of your slots like this.

 

[Flatus Maximus]

Sounds like maybe what you really want is: Full Rogue + cranked UMD + Rod of Enlarge Spell + 0th-level wands. Or replace "cranked UMD" with one or more levels of wizard. 0th-level wands are dirt cheap (take enough levels of wizard to make them yourself, even cheaper) and the Rod is cheap too.

Edit: Never mind the rod -- you can't use it with wands. In any case, you can't sneak attack from further than 30+ ft anyway....

 

[irdeggman]

Yes, I've played spellcasters before.
I played a 3.0 druid, I have a 3.5 Bard and I've just lost a 3.5 Artificer.
I also have a 3.5 Wizard/Rogue going for Daggerspell mage in a campaign thats currently on hold.

I'm aware of the possibility to prepare spells in higher level slots. However, that's a poor substitute in my opinion: Why prepare another first level spell (in a 5th level slot) when you can prepare a 5th level spell in that slot?
I'd rather find a way that would allow you to prepare 2, 3, 4 or even 5 1st level spells instead of that one 5th level spell.

Wait. It just dawned on me I may be looking for a Psionic thing.....

Thanks for the inspiration

Any other tips remain welcome while I dive into the Expanded Psionic handbook....

Yup I think psionics is the mechanic you are looking for. Also no ASF (so you can use full rogue armors without any issue).

You are limited to the number of powers you can know but you can use them in any combination as long as you have sufficient pp.

Look at the lurker (complete psionic) for a rogue/psionic type of character.

 

[Jhaelen]

I'm thinking about building a ray and orb throwing rogue (possibly using Arcane Trickster PrC).
This would mean ranged touch attack spells (with no save, so DC not too important) with (most?) part of the damage originating from sneak attack.

Hmm, actually that character concept sounds a lot like the 'Spellwarp Sniper' from Complete Scoundrel might be the perfect fit... unless you're going the psionic route via psion/wilder, of course.

 

[Herzog]

It does sound like 'Spellwarp Sniper', doesn't it?

Except of course, that the mechanics of the Spellwarp Sniper don't live up to the fluff, IMO.

It's a PrC more centered around replacing saving throws with touch attacks in exchange for number of affected targets.

Now, a prestige class centered around reserve feats, that would be interesting.....