Competative low-level Gnome Illusionist?

[Mistwell]

I know all about the Shadowcraft Magegnome illusionist. And, I think that is a very good character build that is very effective. However, it's only really effective it seems once you get all those shadow spells, which don't happen until around levels 7-10, and don't REALLY kick in until level 12 or so.

However, I am curious if there is a way to make a competitive, functional Gnome Illusionist at low levels (1-4). Assuming all WOTC books are open, including the Illusionist alternate class features from Unearth Arcana and the Gnome Illusionist alternate levels from Races of Stone and Complete Mage and Forgotten Realms and Ebberon. etc.., with a 32 point build, can one make a Gnome Illusionist that is actually effective in combat situations at those low levels, if the goal is to become a Shadowcraft Mage at the higher levels (thus locking out most, if not all, of your feats for things like Spell Focus: Illusion)?

 

[Darklone]

High DC build with Spell Focus and Gnome bonus and enjoy Color Spray. With two rogue archers in the group, it's one of the most deadly level 1 spells out there (area stun effect).

We killed several ogres that way with level 1 and 2 chars.

 

[szilard]

A low level Gnome Beguiler is pretty effective. You'll have better HP and AC than a sorcerer or wizard. With Spell Focus: Illusion, cloaked casting, and your gnome bonus to illusion spells, you should have a very, very good DC - and some nice spells with which to use it.

-Stuart

 

[Nifft]

Spell Focus (Illusion) seems like a fine feat, even if it's mandatory for your PrC -- many things you want to do with Illusions will benefit at every level, particularly color spray at levels 1-6. No reason to avoid Greater Spell Focus at 3rd level.

What are your prohibited schools?

Cheers, -- N

 

[Mistwell]

Spell Focus (Illusion) seems like a fine feat, even if it's mandatory for your PrC -- many things you want to do with Illusions will benefit at every level, particularly color spray at levels 1-6. No reason to avoid Greater Spell Focus at 3rd level.

What are your prohibited schools?

Cheers, -- N

Probably Conjuration and Evocation, since the shadow spells will replicate those.

 

[MongooseFamiliar]

Probably Conjuration and Evocation, since the shadow spells will replicate those.

Oh good lord, never, EVER ban Conjuration! No teleports? Are you mad? Jeebus...

I'd suggest Evocation and Enchantment or Evocation and Necromancy. Some people suggest Abjuration, but I think giving up the Dispel Magic line would just hurt too much.

 

[Mistwell]

I don't view teleports as an essential for this character. So yes, probably dropping conjuration.

Nor do I think there is ANY school which is a "never ever ban" school. They all have benefits and weaknesses.

Necromancy and Enchantment work well with Illusion. The Shadow Weave line of feats (Pernicious Magic, Tenacious Magic, Shadow Weave User, all through Shadow Adept), give bonuses to all three.

 

[szilard]

Ah - you actually want to make an Illusionist Specialist Wizard. That makes it a bit tougher, particularly with the loss of Conjuration, but it should still be doable.

Some definites:

Immediate Magic from PHBII. A familiar isn't too helpful (though, if you go with a burrowing mammal, it can be more so for a Gnome), and the ability to essentially get a 50% miss chance on attacks against you as an immediate action is very, very nice. Also from that book, the low-level spells Blinding Color Surge and Vertigo are quite effective.

Gnome Illusionist substitution levels. The level one substitution is, to me, a no-brainer. The others are nice, but you need to determine if the cost will make it worth your while. The real kicker here is that at first level, you'll be able to create scrolls of Silent Image as a 0-level spell. You should do so. A lot.

Honestly? Even with those two changes, you'll be pretty darn effective at low levels.

Also, Alchemy is tempting at low levels (particularly for a Gnome). If your DM allows some of the alchemical items from later books (like Complete Adventurer) it doesn't become useless later on, either.

-Stuart

 

[MongooseFamiliar]

I don't view teleports as an essential for this character. So yes, probably dropping conjuration.

Nor do I think there is ANY school which is a "never ever ban" school. They all have benefits and weaknesses.

Necromancy and Enchantment work well with Illusion. The Shadow Weave line of feats (Pernicious Magic, Tenacious Magic, Shadow Weave User, all through Shadow Adept), give bonuses to all three.

So, you never want to use a scroll of teleportation? Ever? Or plane shift? Dimension door? Planar binding? None of these can be duplicated with shadow spells, and you won't even be able to use magic items for these effects.

How about Mage Armor? That's a conjuration spell, too. And don't get me started on the battlefield control spells in that school, like grease, web, and stinking cloud. You can use illusions to mimic the fog spells, but until you get shadow conjuration, you won't have any of that.

Also, consider what you will do when you get to higher levels and start dealing with creatures that have true seeing and are immune to mind-affecting spells. The reason that people are so quick to give up evocation is because they have good direct damage and debuffs in conjuration to make up for it. Or if all else fails, they can teleport their squishy caster butts away from whatever is trying to eat them.

I love illusionists, I love the mindset of fighting smarter rather than harder and outsmarting your opponent. I just think that giving up conjuration would be an insanely bad idea in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Pale Master]

Forgive my ignorance - I always take Illusion as a barred school - but couldn't you just use Shadow Conjuration (or, in this case, Silent Image + Killer Gnominess) to duplicate the effects of teleport / mage armor / etc.?

Or, if that doesn't fly, Shadow Conjure a creature with appropriate SLAs to teleport for you?