Azaar said:
Hmm. I need to do some thinking as well, especially with feat swap-outs. Given my build as-is, what would be good to swap out, insofar as metamagic feats go, for Energy Substitution (cold), Energy Admixture, and Lord of the Uttercold? I likely will swap out Heighten Spell for Quicken Spell; I'm considering just making Energy Substitution (acid) rather than (cold). Should I perhaps consider Silent/Still Spell metamagic and set myself up for the potential for Innate Spell later on, or work towards Extend/Empower/Enhance?
Rhket: I'm tempted to go ahead and make Nethien human and add the level of wizard and spellsword like you suggested, but I'm still worried about saves (Reflex in particular, since it will only improve by 1, while the others will apparently improve by 2 by having the full 30 levels to play with instead of the 28 I currently have). I know I can use shapechange (in fact, a quickened shapechange might very well become one of my 11th level spell slots for some race with Cha-to-AC/saves, even though that won't be worth much since Cha was my dump stat along with Str). Any other suggestions?
Several things:
Pick your Epic Feats first. They come from a shorter list and are more important. NEVER place a normal feat in an epic slot.
Specifically, pick up two Improved Metamagics (shame EK doesn't grant it as a bonus feat, or else you should get three). Also pick up Multispell. Those are the staples of a high-level mage.
For nonepic metamagics: now that all metamagics are at -2 spell level, you should take a look at the more expensive ones.
Quicken goes without saying.
Extend/Persistent is more or less a necessity for a Gish. Check out Wraithstrike from Complete Adventurer.
Twin Spell is pretty good at +2. It is awesome at +1 but alas.
Split Ray is like Twin Spell, though limited to rays. It's only +1 level though, and it stacks with Twin.
Maximize is good at +1.
Admixture is good too, though it's expensive (two feats) and more limited. I'd only pick that up when there are no better choices.
Delay Spell finds use almost solely with Time Stop. If you want to go that way, then there you go.
Non-metamagical caster feats:
Mobile Spellcasting
Extraordinary Spell Aim
Arcane Thesis (pick the spell carefully, though)
On your existing feats:
Improved Critical isn't worth a feat. Just cast Extended Keen Edges on your weapon.
Why did you take EWP? The difference between an Elven Thinblade and a Rapier is an average of 1 damage per strike. Definitely not worth a feat.
Improved Feint isn't worth it. Analyse the Feint mechanic: with I.F. it's a move action. Which means you need a standard action to take advantage. The two together is the same as a full-round action. If you can afford to spend a full-round action pounding away, though, then full-attack is almost always the better choice.
For Shapechange: don't limit youself to forms with Cha-to-Saves. A form that has godly Con and Dex works just as well. Will saves can be shielded against with Mind Blank. Stick to the humanoid forms, though, or your gear won't work.
