Feats for spell casters in lvl 2 one-off game

[Veven1290]

I am going to run short one-off game to introduce my coworkers to D&D tomorrow. In order to get started quickly i am going to be using pre-generated characters. I am not really sure what feats to pick for the Druid,Cleric,Sorc,& Wizard. Meta Magic feats are kinda pointless due to only having 1st level spells.

These characters won't be played more than one time so setting up for some awesome feat chain is not important, I am looking for feats that would benefit a 2nd level spell caster. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

For the arcanists: Precocious Apprentice (Scorching Ray) + Fiery Burst. At will 30 ft ranged supernatural fire attack for 2d6 in a 5 ft radius burst, DC 12 + casting mod reflex for half. Simple and effective.

 

[Dandu]

Improved Initiative and Spell Focus

 

[Nifft]

Spell Focus and Greater Spell Focus.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Baveboi]

Depends, what kind of spellcaster we talking about?

For enchanters spell focus is pretty much a necessity, as is for conjurers and necromancers as in debuffers. Spellcasting prodigy is another good call.

Now, for summoners, augment summoning comes to mind.

For buffers and healers I believe improved initiative + readied actions can be a life saver.

And so on.
I don't believe there is a "right way" to do this, it's up to everyone's guessing. Anyway, I hope this was helpful.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Augment summoning when they'll only last 2 rounds each? I think summoning in general (other than possibly mount, if the DM lets it fight in combat) is out.

EDIT: Idea for a sorcerer, or even the cleric if he has good charisma. Daunting Presence from Libris Mortis. An at will standard action to make a creature within 30 ft of you shaken for 10 minutes. Doesn't stack with any previous fear effect, but you could add fear to it afterwards to escalate the fear to the next level. Will DC is 10 + 1/2 HD (so...11) + charisma mod. Only requirements are BAB +1 and cha 13, so you'd either need ot let them get a feat at level 2 or have them multiclass with fighter or something (not a terrible idea in a level 2 one shot IMO...)

 

[Allegro]

For a un-sexy feat toughness for a one-shot second level wizard can literally be the difference between life and death. Another possibility is protection devotion give yourself and all PCs within 30 feet a +2 sacred bonus to AC as an immediate action. Or perhaps Fey Heritage and Fey Skin for a human sorcerer to gain 2/cold iron damage resistance.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Oh yeah, devotion feats. A Scout 1 / Cleric 1 with Travel Devotion would be good, too.

 

[Nifft]

The power level and fragility of 1st and 2nd level PCs are exactly why I always started my 3.x games at 3rd level, and reduced HP variance by granting at least half your HD each level, and also gave the PCs bonus racial HP.

IMHO 3rd level is where 3.x becomes an interesting game.

Cheers, -- N

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

...and also gave the PCs bonus racial HP.

Why on earth would you do that? Unless it was your attempt to re-balance the races? Like... humans and dwarves get nothing, elves, gnomes and halflings get X, half -elves and half-orcs get X+Y...