Help picking 4th level arcane spells

[Iron_Chef]

I've got a 7th level wizard who can't cast evocation or necromancy (conjuration specialist), and need to pick 4th level spells for the first time. I got the Theologian character concept from Quintessential Wizard and that made me get an extra opposition school in exchange for access to one clerical domain (I picked the Summoning domain, which doubles my summoning spell durations and teaches me one bonus summon monster spell per spell level, including arcane versions of the planar ally ones).

My spells to aid you in selecting optimal 4th level picks for me:

3rd level: Dispel Magic, Fly, Spell Haste (Villain Design HB, allows casting 2 spells/round), Summon Monster III

2nd level: Adrenaline Rush (MoTW, +4 strength to all my summoned monsters in 30 ft. radius), Cat's Grace, Dragonhide (RR2, +3 natural armor bonus), Eagle's Splendor, Endurance, Fox's Cunning, Glitterdust, Igedrazaar's Miasma (MoF), Invisibility, Melf's Acid Arrow, Mirror Image, Rope Trick.

1st Level: All Conjuration spells, Charm Person, Feather Fall, Shield, etc. Basically, I know almost all 1st level spells due to background factors.

Recommendations from any source, official or not, are needed urgently. Thanks!

 

[fba827]

Not sure if you're looking for preferences from in character or more of general (out of character perspective) utility

Doing this completely from memory... (so if something referenced is not 4th level, sorry in advance!)

Stoneskin is always nice!

People in my group would say to take improved invisibility 'cause they like the invisibility spells and, well, it's the improved version

Finally, I am also partial to polymorph self because of the versitile utility (if you can put up with errata)... and rary's mnemonic spell lets you cast another spell so for a wizard that is never a bad thing.


(again, all this from memory, sorry if something is not accurately reflected)

 

[Technik4]

Scrying is a good spell that will never cease to come in handy. Charm monster and confusion are good 4th level combat spells for incapicitating the enemy.

Improved Invisibility or Phantasmal Terrain are good choices from the illusory school. Shadow Conjuration is also helpful, especially for a conjuration specialist. Psych em out with one spell, then cast the real one.

Dimension Door is a good choice for mobility. Its sort of a lite-teleport.

Technik

 

[Lord Pendragon]

4th-level?

Dimension Door. The tactical advantage to being able to move (and bring others) virtually anywhere on the battlefield is very, very valuable. Chasms, high ledges, charging ogres with really big clubs...all become managable with Dimension Door. Put the fighter right next to the BBEG. Warp away when your hp are low. Warp someone else away when their hp are low. Low climb skill? Just skip to the top! Iron grate in your way? Pop to the other side!

Dimension Door is also good because it allows you to circumvent the wall spells, including the dreaded Wall of Force.

 

[Destil]

I'll second dimention door: not only does it have all the benifts Lord Pendragon specified, but it also allows you to escape from a graple (only V compnent). And a silent Dimention Door is invaluable when held.

 

[shilsen]

Couple of uncommon ones which haven't been suggested yet:

Arcane Eye - Very nice spell for scouting out the area around you.

Solid Fog - Great tactical spell for keeping foes immobilised for a couple of rounds. Though you could just wait for the 6th lvl Acid Fog instead.

 

[mikep18103]

Let us not forget what happens when you combine dimension door with a feather fall spell or a ring of feather falling. Take the big bad evil guy up 400 feet and watch him fall while you float down.

Cool trick.

 

[Bauglir]

From SRD:

Dimension Door

Transmutation [Teleportation]
Level: Brd 4, Sor/Wiz 4, Travel 4
Components: V
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level)
Target: The character and touched objects or other touched willing creatures weighing up to 50 lb./level
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None and Will negates (object)
Spell Resistance: No and Yes (object)

 

[Hypersmurf]

Target: The character and touched objects or other touched willing creatures weighing up to 50 lb./level

Well, we know there are men who treat women as objects... we just need a wizard who feels the same way about ogres...

Or a wizard with a really good Bluff check. (No, really, I'm a polymorphed Lammasu...)

-Hyp.

 

[Voadam]

The Greater Mark spells from Book of Eldritch Might have given my wizard a lot of mileage.

Charm monster lasts a long time applies to lots of things and turns your enemies into your friends.

Phantasmal killer is save or die.

So is poly other, but it can also boost up your trained attack dogs or turn you into lots of neat useful things.

Scry is good, but it can be done by any cleric so I wouldn't waste the spell choice.

Detect scrying lasts all day and you get to see the main villain wizard if you are good.

Thunderlance from Forgotten Realms is great if you have combat reflexes (instant 0 to 20 ft reach).

Book of Eldritch Might II (also on Monte's website as the playtest version) has Force Globes which interrupt AoO against you and damage the attacker.

I've actually gotten a lot of mileage from Illusory Wall due to the duration when I've set up guard posts or ambushes.

Wall of Ice is nice for blocking physical opponents from running away in a dungeon.

Fourth level has a lot of great options.