StreamOfTheSky
Adventurer
IMO, core only specializing isn't worth it, but splat books added a LOT more options for specialists than generalists, which made specialization (in a good school, at least) stronger.
good wizard builds
- Thread starter superkurt13
- Start date
Dandu
First Post
Malachei
First Post
Dannyalcatraz said:
Link is not working.
Statistical analysis is only relevant if the given framework applies to the OP's campaign. As pointed out above, some conditions favor focused, some favor versatile builds. I think there cannot be a definite statement whether specializing is superior or not.
I agree that PrCs like Master Specialist and the many non-core spells make specialization a much better choice than in core -- however, again, that depends on the other factors, as well: for instance, going Incantatrix means losing an additional school.
I'd try to include Archmage levels before reaching epic, and go epic with levels that grant bonus feats.
Persiflage
First Post
My personal favourite is for Ultimate Magus builds. Done properly, you give up very little by way of spells-per-day in exchange for vast flexibility.
One of the things it might be an idea to tell us is; what level of powergaming are your group and DM comfortable with? Some groups find things like Incantatrix (which really bugs me as a name when applied to male characters) or Initiate of the Sevenfold Veil just too cheesy for words.
By contrast, I sent out a series of articles to the groups I'm involved in entitled "Dr. Ruleslove, or: 'How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love My Inner Munchkin'", which set the tone for play every since.
Mileage, in all cases, varies.
One of the things it might be an idea to tell us is; what level of powergaming are your group and DM comfortable with? Some groups find things like Incantatrix (which really bugs me as a name when applied to male characters) or Initiate of the Sevenfold Veil just too cheesy for words.
By contrast, I sent out a series of articles to the groups I'm involved in entitled "Dr. Ruleslove, or: 'How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love My Inner Munchkin'", which set the tone for play every since.
Mileage, in all cases, varies.
Malachei
First Post
The male version is Incantatar.
My favourite build would combine Incanatrix and Ultimate Magus as the two main building blocks.
They complement nicely, and while UM is a rather late-blooming build, Incantatrix offers the main punch early in the PrC progression (level 3).
But I agree that in a group with lower-tier classes, this could spoil the balance. Nonetheless, Incantatrix can offer a lot in a teamwork / party-supporting role by applying metamagic and persisting effects.
Persiflage
First Post
Actually, the male form should be Incantator...
Hell yes. It's a cracking combo.
Damn straight: I'm all for Wizards giving the meatshields a reason to get out of bed in the morning. Despite this, I've encountered groups that aren't prepared to let that level of awesome stand, even if it's used for the benefit of the party as a whole.
Malachei
First Post
Actually, not.
A Player's Guide to Faerun said:
Although Incantator might be more appropriate in Latin... and of course, a DM can call them whatever he/she wants in the campaign world.
FoxWander
Adventurer
Some general advice for all wizard PCs
1. Play an elf (preferably a grey elf for the INT bonus) and take the Generalist Wizardry racial substitution level from Races of the Wild. This gives you an extra learned spell every level and the ability to prepare one additional spell of your highest level every day. This synergizes with...
2. Take the Alacritous Cogitation feat from Complete Mage. Leave your bonus spell from Generalist Wizardry open and once a day you'll be able to cast ANY spell in you spellbook. This particular trick has saved my wizard's @$$ more times than I can count! This ability is what makes the automatic Scribe Scroll feat worthwhile- but AC works even better because it's much more versatile AND it doesn't cost you the gold and xp of scribing all those emergency scrolls. It's so much better in fact I would advise you to ask your DM if you can have AC in place of Scribe Scroll at 1st level. The ability to cast ANY spell in your spellbook, even just once a day, will come in handy more ways than you can think of. Speaking of spellbooks...
3. Take the Collegiate Wizard feat from Complete Arcane. Coupled with your elven wizardry you'll be adding FIVE spells to your spellbook every level! This should give you all the spells you'll ever need- and it will make the AC feat even better. If your DM allows flaws, consider taking one to get CW. Not having to rely on treasure drops to build an awesome spellbook will be worth it.
4. As suggested earlier, definitely take the Spontaneous Divination acf from Complete Champion. Now you never have to worry about preparing divinations. But the acf is even better than StreamOfTheSky implied in his post because it isn't limited to "any divination spell you know" (which implies only spells in your spellbook), the exact text says " You can spontaneously cast any spell of the divination school by sacrificing a prepared spell of equal or greater level." That means any divination spell from any list- provided you have an appropriate level spell to sacrifice. The acf would be worth it even if it was limited to spells in your book, but as written it's not so it's gold.
Beyond that, any of the suggestions so far in the thread are great- my suggestions just adds to any of them- well, except for the specialization advice, obviously.
1. Play an elf (preferably a grey elf for the INT bonus) and take the Generalist Wizardry racial substitution level from Races of the Wild. This gives you an extra learned spell every level and the ability to prepare one additional spell of your highest level every day. This synergizes with...
2. Take the Alacritous Cogitation feat from Complete Mage. Leave your bonus spell from Generalist Wizardry open and once a day you'll be able to cast ANY spell in you spellbook. This particular trick has saved my wizard's @$$ more times than I can count! This ability is what makes the automatic Scribe Scroll feat worthwhile- but AC works even better because it's much more versatile AND it doesn't cost you the gold and xp of scribing all those emergency scrolls. It's so much better in fact I would advise you to ask your DM if you can have AC in place of Scribe Scroll at 1st level. The ability to cast ANY spell in your spellbook, even just once a day, will come in handy more ways than you can think of. Speaking of spellbooks...
3. Take the Collegiate Wizard feat from Complete Arcane. Coupled with your elven wizardry you'll be adding FIVE spells to your spellbook every level! This should give you all the spells you'll ever need- and it will make the AC feat even better. If your DM allows flaws, consider taking one to get CW. Not having to rely on treasure drops to build an awesome spellbook will be worth it.
4. As suggested earlier, definitely take the Spontaneous Divination acf from Complete Champion. Now you never have to worry about preparing divinations. But the acf is even better than StreamOfTheSky implied in his post because it isn't limited to "any divination spell you know" (which implies only spells in your spellbook), the exact text says " You can spontaneously cast any spell of the divination school by sacrificing a prepared spell of equal or greater level." That means any divination spell from any list- provided you have an appropriate level spell to sacrifice. The acf would be worth it even if it was limited to spells in your book, but as written it's not so it's gold.
Beyond that, any of the suggestions so far in the thread are great- my suggestions just adds to any of them- well, except for the specialization advice, obviously.
Last edited:
Similar Threads
