How can I intentionally lose levels??

[Shaele]

"Severely crippled" would be if your wizard had, for example, no arms.

Being 3 wizard levels down from the rest of the party, on the other hand, is the kind of "clearly severely crippled" character I've seen in plenty of parties simply because not everybody was the same level. That is to say, the pretend kind.

LOL!! It's not that bad, really - I'm much better off that the wizard 3 levels lower, since I do have the odd Cure Light spell. I think you and I are on the same page here Doc - My wizard isn't that badly off, just overshadowed by the rest of the party.

I'm really pleased that I was wrong about epic levels - that was my biggest worry, and it sounds like I can still get to a respectable level. My damage dice might never be as solid as a wizard 3 levels higher, but there's lots of creative ways to work around that.

I think I'll start by chatting with my DM about commissioning or questing for some useful divine items, and try to play him through. If that fails, or if the DM is against it, we can always discuss more drastic measures.

 

[Shaele]

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If using the Epic Level Handbook you are correct. Shaele doesn't say specifically but does mention Epic levels so I imagine that's what they intend to use. You'll be able to get to Wiz20 at character level 23.

That's it exactly - we're considering running these characters through to Epic levels using the Epic Level Handbook.

Thanks everyone for clarifying - I misunderstood, and thought I was capped at wiz17 spell progression. As long as I can get there eventually, it will even out.

 

[Metalsmith]

Strange question I know...

I have a character who is a converted 1/2 elf wizard/cleric from 2nd edition. He was the first character I attempted to convert when 3e came out, and at the time I decided to split his character levels based on his history. I ended up making him a cleric 3 / wizard 3 since that matched my concept (scholar of Oghma) and I didn't think it would hinder him much.

After a year of playing him, I now have a cleric 3, wizard 9 with feats like Brew Potion, and ranks of Profession: Herbalist. Neat character to play, tons of history, and the rest of the party appreciates him. He feels gimped though: the rest of party is casting 7th level spells, and he just learned his first 5th level spell. With a druid in the party, his paltry 1-2 cure lights a day doesn't add much *oomph*, and the clerical feel like a huge waste. If I was to recreate him from scratch, I would go cleric 1 / wizard x, but it's too late now (a year later...)

You could always go around the Problem, and pick up a Bead of Karma, and a Candle of Invocation. Now you'd be a Cleric 9, Wizard 9. Not too Shabby. Get up in the morning Burn Candle for 15 minutes to Memorize spells Activate Bead of Karma, Cast Extended Buff Spells. and Go.

Metalsmith

 

[christm]

The cleric's buff spells are nothing to laugh at, even though you would make a sorry healer. Also keep in mind that at higher levels you can get your familiar to deliver touch attack spells for you. In the middle of an battle you can send your little bat/bird/cat/whatever familier off to go heal the fighter getting tag teamed by orcs while the party druid would have to dis-engage his foe, wade through combat just to heal the fighter while probably getting smacked around a few times himself and leaving the flank unguarded.

 

[ConcreteBuddha]

Thanks everyone for clarifying - I misunderstood, and thought I was capped at wiz17 spell progression. As long as I can get there eventually, it will even out.

Yeah, it wouldn't make sense if a L20 Fighter took his next level as wizard and didn't get any spells.


Anyway, (and this is a question for everyone as much as you), is there a way to get a zero arcane spell failure on a type of armor? Such as mithral + something else? Is their an enchantment he can get to buff up his AC without hindering his arcane casting ability and start using his armor proficiencies?

Just a thought...