First time arcane caster....(little help?)

[TracerBullet42]

I've been gaming for years and years, and I've never, ever, played an arcane caster. I've played a cleric once...just once (a spunky little halfling of Tymora, who everyone thought was just a thief, but that's another story...) And that's the extent of my magic using. I'm playing a halfling rogue (he's really just a cook) in a game now, and when I move up to 4th level, I'm considering taking some sorceror levels to work towards the arcane trickster PrC. So this being my first time with the arcane arts, I thought I could probably use a little help. And when it comes to help, this is often the place to be. You guys are the best....(awww....)

So I was looking over some of the 0 and 1 level spells, and trying to decide what ones to take. I'm not interested so much in damage spells, rather ones that will be "fun". For instance, Prestidigitation looks like a fun one...with lots of flexibility to do wacky little things. What's the craziest use of that spell that any of you have done? And what other spells should I look forward to. (Don't say fireball....)

Thanks in advance for all your great advice. May your dice be blessed and your rivals dice fall into a toilet.

 

[Zaruthustran]

Well with a blessing like that how can I refuse to answer?

Prestidigitation is much fun. Use it to make the bully fart, to set off or create fireworks, for tricks, and to clean yourself up after tromping through the sewers. Must-have.

Light is good to have, but not so much for a rogue.

Ghost sound is great for rogues.

Detect Magic is very handy.

But Ray of Frost (or Acid Splash in 3.5) is what you want. You can sneak attack with it. For a rogue, that's huge.

First level spells: so many choices! I'm fond of Alter Self. It's very versatile, and handy for a rogue: with it you can breathe water, fly, disguise yourself, camouflage yourself, grow smaller (to squeeze through bars) or larger (to reach high ledges), and more. Handy spell.

Magic missile is good at higher levels, especially since you can get affect ethereal, incorporeal, and Damage Reduction. Good for a wand.

Color Spray is a life saver. Simple Illusion can draw off Readied attacks and Attacks of Opportunity (when presented with a dangerous door or passage, make the illusion go first).

One piece of advice: as a multiclassed caster, your spells will be easily resisted. Focus on personal transmutations, abjurations, and utility spells instead of attack spells.

-z, typed quickly before he leaves for the day

 

[EricNoah]

My advice is not so much about what spells, but what tools. I suggest downloading one of the auto-calculating spell spreadsheets fans have made. They make your life so much easier when you don't have to figure out the DC on the fly or the range or the damage, etc. Plus having a good spellsheet makes it easy on the player who has to run your PC when you are absent.

 

[Goobermunch]

Ventrilloquism can be very useful too. Depending on how you read the description, the target will hear the noise even on a failed save. It's great for a distraction.

--G

 

[TracerBullet42]

***cough*** (bump)

Anybody else?

 

[Voadam]

Multiclassing spell users depend on spells that are not level dependant for reasonable duration or damage.

Attack spells should gravitate to ranged touch attacks so you can get in sneak attack damage.

Focusing on spells that do not affect people targets is a good way to go, the DCs of low level spells are easy to overcome. Buffing yourself is better, as are utility spells like knock and wizard lock.

 

[TracerBullet42]

I think I've gotten some good answers...so I would like to focus more on the Prestidigitation spell....what's the most unusual/coolest use of that spell you've seen/done?

***cough, cough*** (another bump?)

 

[Iced Tea]

i wouldnt really focus on that spell, now what you need to do is to cast grease on your familiar and play catch with him

 

[Iced Tea]

to tell you the truth, it cant really do much besides soil, clean, or change the taste of something. i have never once used it and will mostlikely never will (unless i need one of the above hings done)
but if you insist.
1. soil the clothes of an emporer while he is delivering a speech
2. make your fighters finger taste like cherries (maybe he will develope a thumbsucking problem?
3. if there is a paladin, soil his clothes after he washes them so he has to wash them again (i think it is apart of some orthodoxes that they need to keep a cleanly manner)
4 change the taste of food that a cook makes and run him out of business (could be a plot by an competing cook to gain a stronghold on the cooking industry and drive his competetor out f business )

dont really focus on predigination is my advice, though i have thought f some interesting plots for a funny adventure for some of my friends

 

[Tabarnak Smokeblower]

I'm playing a rogue/sorceror as well, although i'm not going for AT for the moment.

Z mentioned Alter Self as a good 1st level choice of spell, but that spell is 2nd level, and Change self isn't nearly as useful, but if you plan on going incognito a lot, its great. Of course, if you'Re going to go up in level and take Alter Self later, you're better off leaving Change Self alone.

0 level:
- Ray of frost is indeed a good little damage spell, since you can sneak attack with it.
- Detect magic is almost a must, if you want to know what's best to steal
- Light can get you out of some tight spots, since halflings don't have low-light or darkvision
- Mage Hand can have some cool uses (limited telekinesis)
- Prestidigitation for amusing the common folk and (since your characetr is a cook) making his food taste better

1st level:
- Expeditious can be useful for running away (of course) but also have good movement capacities in combat (getting into flanking position) since halflings have a smaller speed.
- Mage Armor if you want a good armor boost and avoid Arcane Spell Failure
- Magic Missile, not that useful if there are other ranged damage machines in the group
- Shield, depends which version you use, but +7 AC is really nice for a rogue, even if its only for half the battlefield. It has saved the life of my Rapine a few times...
- Spider climb
- True Strike, when you HAVE to make that shot

Hope this helps a little

TS