Help increase Save DC's

[Nail]

Did they change 3.5 that the spell focus feats give +1 instead of +2 ?

Yep.

Lost yer copy of the 3.5e SRD, did you? Try here.

 

[Synthetik Fish]

That also made Haste, Fly, and Polymorph suck (well, made them significantly weaker at least, and unjustifibly so, IMO.) Harm was significantly weakened as well.

3.5 was significant for magic-users in the way that it really, Really weakened them. The Expanded Psionists books also weakened Psions in a lot of ways, too (but they were bloody powerful in 3.0)

Although, they did improve a few spells imo, like Bulls Stength/Cat's Grace etc., Sleep, Charm, ... now that I thnk about it, most of the spells that were greatly revised are lower level spells.

 

[kenobi65]

The originial poster specifically excluded ability-boosting magic items, like Headband of Intellect, but they're one of the most obvious ones (then again, maybe he excluded it because he already has one).

They also have the benefit of giving you more spells per day. For a Wizard, the Headband has the nice fringe benefit of adding to your skill modifier for several relevant skills (Knowledge, Spellcraft).

+6 ability-boosters are only 36K. IMO, they're a great value for the benefit for any class, but particularly for spellcasters.

 

[Synthetik Fish]

Ditto. A wizard would be getting extra spells per day, higher DC to all spells, more skill points per level, and bonuses to Int-based skills such as Knowledge. Nope, can't find a down side to this...

I DO wish that there were more ways to boost save DC's tho. Raising a stat, and a couple feats seem to be the only way...

 

[Warmage-in-Onley]

Try the 5th level arcane spell Sword of Deception from Complete Arcane. 1 rd/level duration, no saving throw, melee attacks at bab=caster level, potential for multiple attacks per round, 1d4 damage/hit and -1 saving throw penalty to target hit, penalty cumulative to -5 maximum, penalty lasts until target must save in dangerous situation then resets.

 

[kenobi65]

Ditto. A wizard would be getting extra spells per day, higher DC to all spells, more skill points per level, and bonuses to Int-based skills such as Knowledge. Nope, can't find a down side to this...

Not more skill points...at least not in 3.5. The 3.5 version of the Headband of Intellect specifically states that it does not grant additional skill points.

 

[Mistwell]

Monte Cook's Arcana Unearthed/Evolved has an item that grants +1 DC to your spells for 12,000gp cost.

If the save DC issue is really getting you down, I suggest a build something like this using the Elemental Savant PRC from Complete Arcane:

Human Sorcerer (Cold Evocation Specialist)
Lev 1 Sorc Spell Focus feat: Evocations +1 DC, Greater Spell Focus feat: Evocations +1 DC, Familiar
Lev 2 Sorc
Lev 3 Sorc Energy Substitution feat: Cold
Lev 4 Sorc
Lev 5 Sorc
Lev 6 Elemental Savant (Cold), Resistance to Cold 5, Elemental Specialty (all energy spells auto-convert to cold), Draconic Heritage Feat (Complete Arcane): Silver (Disguise Class Skill, +2 v. Sleep Paralysis Cold)
Lev 7 ElmSv Immunity to sleep
Lev 8 ElmSv Energy Penetration: Cold (SRP +2)
Lev 9 ElmSv Restistance to cold 10, Draconic Power feat (Complete Arcane) (+1 Caster level and DC all cold spells)
Lev 10 ElmSv Energy Focus: Cold +1 (-1 Spell Casting Level)
Lev 11 ElmSv Darkvision
Lev 12 ElmSv Resistance to cold 20, Cold Focus Feat (from Frostburn) +1 DC
Lev 13 ElmSv Energy Penetration: Cold +4
Lev 14 ElmSv Immunity to Paralysis and Poison
Lev 15 ElmSv Elemental Perfection, Energy Focus: Cold +2, Energy Immunity: Cold, Greater Cold Focus Feat (from Frostburn) +1 DC (-1 Spell Casting Level)

+7 DC to cold evocations by 15th lev
+5 SRP to cold spells by 15th lev
+1 Caster Lev to cold spells by 9th lev

You might consider replacing a feat with Spell Thematics for an addition +1 caster level and +1 SRP to some cold spells. The Frost Mage PRC is also an option with this build (from Frostburn), perhaps for levels 16-20.

This build could also work well with a Wizard if you are allowed by your DM to use the Evoker Variants on page 62 of Unearthed Aracana. You would no longer get the two dragon feats above since you are not a sorceror, however the familar replacement and other variants make up for it and also free up a feat (and possibly give you an extra feat as well for your 5th level wizard bonus feat, if you don't replace it).

 

[Mistwell]

Not more skill points...at least not in 3.5. The 3.5 version of the Headband of Intellect specifically states that it does not grant additional skill points.

And hence being forevermore the bane of all d20 Game Aid software makers around the world.



By the way, I totally forgot the Tattoo Focus feat from the DMG (bottom of Red Wizard PRC). It gives +1 DC to your school of focus PLUS +1 Spell Resistance Penetration, making it better than the normal Spell Focus feat.

 

[Testament]

That also made Haste, Fly, and Polymorph suck (well, made them significantly weaker at least, and unjustifibly so, IMO.) Harm was significantly weakened as well.

What are you on? Polymorph got BETTER, since it now grants you the type you assume the form of (hello Plant immunities!), and Haste became WHAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALL ALONG. Extra actions is not something a 3rd level spell should be granting. Heck, its not something a 6th level spell should be granting!

 

[Synthetik Fish]

What are you on? Polymorph got BETTER, since it now grants you the type you assume the form of (hello Plant immunities!), and Haste became WHAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALL ALONG. Extra actions is not something a 3rd level spell should be granting. Heck, its not something a 6th level spell should be granting!

Yeah, but they cut polymorph into 2 spells, thus cutting down its effectiveness. It was much more... lets say supple? before, when it was an all-in-one deal.

as for haste,well, they DID make it weaker

I still don't understand knocking spell focus from +2 to +1 though.