Feats for a 1st Level Wizard

[Olaf the Stout]

I'm about to play a 1st Level Human Wizard for the first time in 3.xE. I think I've figured out the spells but I'm not sure what 2 feats to take at 1st level (1 for 1st level, 1 for being a Human).

I'm not going to specialise (in fact, one of his goals is to cast as many different spells as he possibly can). With that in mind I don't think Spell Focus would be an appropriate choice. Most of the Metamagic and Item Creation feats are either out of reach or not very useful at 1st level. I don't think Toughness and Improved Initiative would be that useful to my character either.

So any suggestions? Keep in mind that any feats outside the PHB have to be approved by the DM.

Thanks in advance,

Olaf the Stout

 

[theredrobedwizard]

Alacritous Cogitation (Complete Mage) and Collegiate Wizard. AC lets you leave a spell slot open to (once per day, as a full round action) cast any spell in your spellbook of equal or lesser level. Collegiate Wizard gives you 6+Int Mod spells at level 1 and 4 at each level up.

Win win situation for the generalist in you.

-TRRW

 

[Sir Elton]

If I were human:
Combat Casting
Spell Focus

If I were not:
Spell Focus

 

[Olaf the Stout]

Where is Collegiate Wizard from? And do you mean that it increases the amount of spells that you can cast per day, or it increases the amount of spells you automatically know when you level up?

Olaf the Stout

 

[Nonlethal Force]

Point Blank Shot leading up to Precise SHot is surprisingly useful if you are going to be a wand weilder (for ranged attack spells) or if you plan on using spells outright that have ranged attack rolls. I can't tell you how many times I have cursed my low level psion for having to wait until 3rd level before getting rid of the penalty for firing into a melee!

These are only necessary for spellcasters who plan on firing into a melee, of course.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

If I were human:
Combat Casting
Spell Focus

If I were not:
Spell Focus

I think that Skill Focus (Concentration) is better than Combat Casting. It is only +3 (compared to +4 for Combat Casting) but it is usable in all situations, not just when casting on the defensive or while grappled.

Olaf the Stout

 

[Venator]

Where is Collegiate Wizard from? And do you mean that it increases the amount of spells that you can cast per day, or it increases the amount of spells you automatically know when you level up?

Olaf the Stout

Complete Arcane IIRC, its in some sidebar towards the end of the book.

It increases the amount of first level spells known, and increases the amount of new spells you learn upon level up by 100% (from 2 to 4).

In games where downtime isn't something you have a lot of, or party money isn't in abundant supply, its just about the best investment you can make.

 

[FalcWP]

The Sudden Metamagic feats from Complete Arcane can be worth a look. Things like an Extended Mage Armor are handy at low levels, and it means you'll always have the option of applying a metamagic feat to your highest level spells. The whole "Only once per day" thing is a bit of a drawback, though.

Of course, it all depends on your game. If its primarily combat, Point Blank and Precise Shot, Spell Focus, and Metamagic are all good. If it isn't... well, my last wizard took the Research feat, from Eberron. Game didn't last terribly long, but it was still handy to have. All depends on the DM and the game he's running.

 

[theredrobedwizard]

Page 181 of Complete Arcane. +2 on Knowledge (Arcana), 6+Intelligence Modifier 1st level spells known at character creation, 4 spells learned at each level up.

-TRRW

 

[krunchyfrogg]

Toughness, twice.

j/k, I like Combat Casting, and Point Blank Shot for the wand reasons listed above.