Help my 12 hp wizard (lvl 4)

[Shadowdweller]

Some other things: Don't be surprised. Don't skimp on the scouting/Divinations.

Resist Energy can help you survive AE effects-- if you know what's coming.

Try to talk a friendly cleric into thinking that it's in the best interest of her god to cast Shield Other on you.

 

[welby]

This is simply a case of a player disliking one of hte built-in ways by which his character PAYS for their GOOD parts. My sympathy level is, therefor, much reduced ...

That's really a shame because I remember specifically asking for your sympathy. Clearly, finding an in-game way to protect myself is not what this thread is about.

 

[rrealm]

Also, pick opposing casters out of the crowd if you ever face them. Get Improved Counterspell or load up on dispel magics and ready them for his/her casting until your party takes them out. Not only will you save yourself from a potential fireball, but you will also gain the trust of your party members since you are cancelling spells that would have been cast on them as well.

All part of your master plan I'm sure before you turn them into undead slaves!!!

As a fellow member of your party, I like the idea of not being blasted with harmful spells. And that last part, about turning Thokk and the others, well - Thokk doesn't want to be undead.

 

[Blue]

My current wizard (necromancy) has no con bonus, and as such I have 12 hit points at level 4. And if that's not bad enough, my AC is 12 (mage armor is in an opposed school). I'm feeling like anything that wanted to kill me, could, and it's just by the DM's mercy that I am alive. But I'm bound to get caught in some area effect spell or trap eventually. Long story short, I'm feeling pretty frail.

Live (and Die) bold.

I feel your pain. I played a 7 Con wizard from 1st to 12th. d4-2 HP is not fun. I luckily had a feat (FR - Mind over Body) that helped by letting me use my Int mod instead of Con mod for level 1, but 12 HP by level 4 sounds about right.

What did I do? Ran him into melee as soon as he was out of spells. He was an elf, so he had prof in long sword, and just ended up fearless. The party ended up taking such good care of him because he was so fragile that in the 2.5 year campaign he only had one dead, and that was a failed save vs. a surprise round fireball (and when the party found a ring of fire resistance, guess who they gave it to.).

Basically, work with your party, and turn a weakness into a roleplaying strength.

Now, I'm not saying don't plan - spells like Energy Buffer and Stoneskin help keep him alive, and it's better when HP are that low to have a short but potent protection then long and weak because if /anything/ gets through you're half-way to death's door. But plan with your party, that makes it work much better. Have other characters (ranged combatants?) stay near you in case you are rushed in combat. Be able to be retreat. Think and plan - as a group.

Good luck,
=Blue

 

[Saeviomagy]

Oh, my last suggestion: reactive counterspell - you'll almost never have to worry about being subjected to an unexpected AoE again.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Try to talk a friendly cleric into thinking that it's in the best interest of her god to cast Shield Other on you.

This is a good idea. I currently play a paladin in a low (3rd-level) game with a very fragile wizard. I think he has 9 hp right now. He's been knocked below zero twice so far, and exactly to 0 once. If it weren't several levels away, I'd love to cast Shield Other on him. It'd help us all out a lot. Luckily we have a cleric in the party, so I'll suggest it next time we play (and since the wizard player is the cleric player's son, it's likely he'll cooperate. )

This thread is already filled with some really good ideas. I'd also suggest keeping a few potions on-hand, so that you can top off your hp the instant you take damage. Potions of Cure Light Wounds should do it. While this won't save you from a 30pt. Fireball, it will give you a better chance to survive if you are nearly always at full health. Even better if you can get the cleric to brew these potions for you for at a discount.

Aside from all the other wizard defenses, you might also consider not looking like a mage. Strap on a longsword. Get yourself a Hat of Disguise and create the illusion of full plate. If you don't look like a wizard, enemies won't be gunning for you as much.

 

[rrealm]

Aside from all the other wizard defenses, you might also consider not looking like a mage. Strap on a longsword. Get yourself a Hat of Disguise and create the illusion of full plate. If you don't look like a wizard, enemies won't be gunning for you as much.

Excellent idea. Enchanters typically target warriors for their charm and dominate spells because they tend to reek the most short term havoc because of their typically high damage and low Will saves. With your wizard’s high save throw, he would make it most of the time which would result in the enemy enchanter wasting a spell.
Plus, you don’t want Thokk charmed and power attacking you and that idea would actually work *cough* unlike Lance’s campaign! *cough*

 

[welby]

Very inspirational post Blue. Thanks for sharing. I'm all pumped up to play my necro tonight (oh boy!).

 

[Darmanicus]

My current wizard (necromancy) has no con bonus, and as such I have 12 hit points at level 4. And if that's not bad enough, my AC is 12 (mage armor is in an opposed school). I'm feeling like anything that wanted to kill me, could, and it's just by the DM's mercy that I am alive. But I'm bound to get caught in some area effect spell or trap eventually. Long story short, I'm feeling pretty frail.

Help my wizard become "safer"! Opposed schools are conj and enchantment. Assume I can use 3rd level spells (I'll be 5 soon enough) and can purchase or craft items appropriate for my level.

So far I've figured out to use false life and vampiric touch to gain some temporary hps (do temp hps stack?).

I feel for you, I seriously do.....but don't worry.

Couldn't be arsed to read the entirety of this thread so apologies if this has already been mentioned..........

Why not take at least 3 levels in cleric and then go the mystic theurge route?

1. This will boost your saves.
2. This will boost your HPs........hopefully.
3. You will have a shed load more spells.
4. You will gain domain abilities.
5. Turn Undead + Divine Vigour,(feat from BoED), = more temp HPs + 10ft extra speed.
6. Metamagic feats become far more attractive because you have so many more spells.
7. Your specialisation doesn't apply to clerical magic.......now you can summon stuff.

Now you will lose out on higher level casting for a while but I think it could be a cool character to play and your HP problem should sort itself out!

Good luck.

 

[Darmanicus]

Some other things: Don't be surprised. Don't skimp on the scouting/Divinations.

Resist Energy can help you survive AE effects-- if you know what's coming.

Try to talk a friendly cleric into thinking that it's in the best interest of her god to cast Shield Other on you.

Read a bit more now, (obviously).

Great ideas, especially the divinations.......

We have a player in our group who plays a specialist diviner, (and I'm now inclined to believe this is the best specialist wizard type ever), and he totally rocks. He regularly scrys, sends floating eyeball things to scout, (extended obviously) and all this other divination stuff I can't quite remember.

Check it out.