Incantatrix vs. Anima Mage

[WarlockLord]

Assuming that we can take "Bind Vestige" and "Improved Bind Vestige," then "Improved Binding" at level 6 (to keep you binding 2nd level vestiges) to qualify for anima mage, which PrC is better for a wizard?

 

[Sejs]

Incantatrix.

Similar benefit.

Less feat loss.

Less "I got into this class by jackass shuffling".

 

[wildstarsreach]

I liked the class when presented in Dragon way back around issue 90. It was a great anti-mage mage as well as great for party support. Still the case.

 

[Krafen]

The metamagic insanity that is the Incantatrix is really beyond compare.

 

[lukelightning]

I voted anima mage but that's because I'm biased: I'm playing an anima mage.

I don't think the method of taking the bind vestige feat etc. method is worthwhile; you don't actually get levels of binding from those feats, so all your effective binding levels from anima mage are wasted.

My guy is a gnome binder1/wizard3/anima mage 9 (used improved binding to qualify for the binding requirement). He's only down one caster level and that is made up by all his awesome vestige powers. Hello Dantalion! Oh no, they're all going too attack me...*Dantalion's Awe* Oh no, I'm grappled! *Thought travel* Oh no, a mysterious monster! *+8 to all knowledge checks*...I get a 32, how much do I know about it?

And now I can bind Haures as well. Phantasmal killer and major image each once every 5 rounds, ignore hinderance from bad terrain, woo hoo!

And I love my vestige metamagiced enervations!

p.s. I also don't know anything about incantatrixes other than the fact that people complain about them.

 

[Gestalt]

I also play an anima mage, and I agree with lukelightning that they are a blast. I also think that the Bind Vestige/Improved Binding trick doesn't interact well with the Soul Binding +X class feature of the anima mage. In fact, Soul Binding +X does so little for you that the Incantatrix is a much better choice.

Having never played an Incantatrix I have difficult comparing the power level with a more conventional Anima Mage. I'd wager my anima mage is more flexible than an equivalent Incantatrix. Now that our party has one person that casts healing spells (a Bard/Fighter) Buer's Healing Gift is very handy.

We have substituted the Far Realms as a source for bindings. This has no mechanical effect, but I think it ties into an existing setting more easily. It also makes Dantalion's boost to Knowledge checks a bit more alarming - why does something in the Far Realms know so much about local politics?

 

[WarlockLord]

Nah, Soul Binding, starting as an Anima Mage, allows you to bind (number & level of vestiges) as though you were a binder of equivalent level. That's why I take Improved Binding. That's how I interpret it (like that damage bonus from unseen seer).

I am leaning toward anima mage myself, as Vestige MM+Heighten Spell has no adjustment limit (unless there's new errata I don't know about), and the vestige powers are just as cool. Plus, you can use Persistent Spell in similar tricks, and not have to prohibit a school.

 

[Gestalt]

I now agree with you about Soul Binding treating you as if advancing as a binder. That will teach me to post without my books.

I also use Persistent Spell, but find my choices a bit restricted. Persistable spells that are useful are pretty easy to find, but ones that are difficult to notice are rarer. If that weren't the case my mage would use things like Blink.

I'm trying to avoid other wizards asking questions about the source of a persistent spell. If this is also a problem for you, Unfettered Heroism (Magic of Eberron) looks pretty good.

 

[WarlockLord]

Yep, Persistent Spell +VMM = good times.

 

[Krafen]

I now agree with you about Soul Binding treating you as if advancing as a binder. That will teach me to post without my books.

I also use Persistent Spell, but find my choices a bit restricted. Persistable spells that are useful are pretty easy to find, but ones that are difficult to notice are rarer. If that weren't the case my mage would use things like Blink.

I'm trying to avoid other wizards asking questions about the source of a persistent spell. If this is also a problem for you, Unfettered Heroism (Magic of Eberron) looks pretty good.

Persistent shapechange is nice. You can use a subtle form most of the time and only take a powerful form when necessary. Svirfneblin is a good base form. You get nice SR as a first line of defense.