Feats for starting Wizard?

[Khelvan]

We are starting a new Campaign this Weekend.
Rules will be 3.5 and i will play a Wizard.
Since the Feats were changed from 3.0 to 3.5 can someone give me some
suggestions Which Metamagic Feat one should take?
Is Spellcasting Prodigy a good take as starting Feat ?
Is persistent spell usable or is there anything better in higher level since you can
use it only with Spells up to level 3.
This Campaigin will be long going so i have to plan the Charachter in advance a bit.
If think i will be going for the Incantatrix PRC so there will be a lot of Metamagic Feats
available.

All suggestions welcome.


Thanks.

Khelvan.

 

[FEADIN]

You have Scribe scroll for free.
If you're human that's two more feats.
Improved initiative is never a bad choice.
There is a feat, don't remember the name, to take at 1st level only, lets you cast a second level spell.
Wait at least until 3rd level to take Metamagic feats.

 

[EvilGM]

In a long-running campaign I would do this:

Human Wizard specializing in Divination (prohibit: Enchantment, and later Illusion when you become Incantatrix). Increase Intelligence every four levels.

1 - Wizard 1 - Spellcasting Prodigy, (hbf) Improved Initiative, (wbf) Scribe Scroll
2 - Wizard 2
3 - Wizard 3 - *Iron Will
4 - Wizard 4
5 - Wizard 5 - (wbf) Extend Spell; Note: need to take a metamagic feat to qualify for Incantatrix
6 - Incantatrix 1 - *Skill Focus (Spellcraft), (bmm) Empower Spell
7 - Incantatrix 2 - Cooperative Metamagic
8 - Incantatrix 3 - Metamagic Effect
9 - Incantatrix 4 - *Spell Focus (choose one), (bmm) Maximize Spell
10 - Incantatrix 5 - Metamagic Spell Trigger
11 - Incantatrix 6 - Seize Concentration
12 - Incantatrix 7 - *Spell Focus (choose one), (bmm) Widen Spell, Instant Metamagic 1/day
13 - Incantatrix 8 - Snatch Spell
14 - Incantatrix 9 - Instant Metamagic 2/day
15 - Incantatrix 10 - Spell Penetration, (bmm) Quicken Spell, Improved Metamagic
16 - Arch-Mage 1 - High Arcana (Spell Power; -5th lvl spell slot)
17 - Arch-Mage 2 - High Arcana (Mastery of Shaping; -6th lvl spell slot)
18 - Arch-Mage 3 - Greater Spell Penetration, High Arcana (Arcane Fire; -9th lvl spell slot)
19 - Arch-Mage 4 - High Arcana (choose one)
20 - Arch-Mage 5 - High Arcana (choose one)
21 - Incantatrix 11 - (epic feat), Instant Metamagic 3/day

All further levels in Incantatrix.

Focus choices are up to you.

You might consider Improved Counterspell, Reactive Counterspell, and Epic Counterspell if the campaign will feature many spellcasters.

hbf = human bonus feat
wbf = wizard bonus feat
bmm = bonus metamagic feat
* = feat is necessary for listed advancement in prestige classes

 

[KarinsDad]

Improved Initiative is vastly overrated, especially at lower levels.

Overall, it basically allows you to beat one opponent on average per combat that you would not have beaten anyway.

When you consider that low level Wizards often either delay, or do not even cast a spell on any given round, it is not worth the feat.

At higher levels, it starts becoming more valuable, but even then it is not even close to a must have feat. At low levels, it is basically a waste of a feat.

 

[gabrion]

There is a feat, don't remember the name, to take at 1st level only, lets you cast a second level spell.

The feat is precocious apprentice and I recommend it for a starting wizard.

As for metamagic feats, they may not be super useful ATM, but you could start taking them now to free up stuff latter on. Extend spell is useful by 3rd level, plus it opens up the road to persistent spell (which via metamagic effect can do some cool ), and energy sub opens the road to energy admixture for the blasting types.

Also, KD is right about improved initiative. Skill focus is always an option as well (either spellcraft or concentration could serve you well).

 

[irdeggman]

I think Improved Initiative is a very good feat, for certain classes especially.

Rogues can greatly benefit from it - any time they can go first can be a huge benefit since they can sneak attack as long as their opponent is flat footed.

Wizard/sorcerer is another class that IMO can benefit from II very much. Anything that allows them to go earlier than someone who can likely knock them to negative hit points with the first blow can be a pretty strategic advantage. That d4 can be real nasty at low levels.

By going first they can get away, find cover or use a buff/protection spell before getting attacked.

Now I find that clerics are frequently best going later in the round. They can usually take a hit and by going after their allies it allows them to apply any cure spells where needed.

 

[Whimsical]

I think that Skill Focus(concentration) is an excellent 1st level feat. It helps get that Concentration skill to a semifuntional level at 1st level.

 

[JiffyPopTart]

I would invest in Point-Blank shot to get Precise Shot. You get prescious few spells per day and don't want to blow them all the time with the -4 in melee. Also it give you a function in combat when you don't want to/can't use spells.

DS

 

[irdeggman]

I would invest in Point-Blank shot to get Precise Shot. You get prescious few spells per day and don't want to blow them all the time with the -4 in melee. Also it give you a function in combat when you don't want to/can't use spells.

DS

That is a very good concept and feat path for weapon like spells.

It also doesn't hurt for when using a crossbow (when spells are used up).

 

[BlueBlackRed]

I like Improved Initiative, but it is really not all that needed until casters get to the point where going first in a battle can turn the tide.

Also, if you're thinking of taking Combat Casting, just take Skill Focus: Concentration instead. It's one less point, but more versatile.