Multi-class Wizard/Sorcerer, Is it Viable?
- Thread starter Oni
- Start date
Capellan
Explorer
Oni said:
For Elves, Half-Elves or Humans I think it can be a viable option. Why those races? Simply because I think a Sor/Wiz multi-class works best if you focus on one class and only get a few levels of the other (of course, if your DM ignores the XP penalty for wide level gaps, any race will work for this option).
Why I think high one class, low the other works better than keeping the two matched:
Consider a Wiz 12 or a Sor 12. They have spells up to 6th level, and they dispel or penetrate spell resistance at 12th level effect.
Consider a Wiz 6 / Sor 6. They only have spells up to 3rd level (though admittedly they can cast them a lot) and only dispel or penetrate SR at 6th level effect. They'll be pretty useful against large numbers of weak foes, but very weak against opponents with high Saves and/or SR.
On the other hand, there's the Wiz 10 / Sor 2. They can cast spells up to 5th level and dispel / penetrate SR at 10th. This is not too far short of the straight 12th level Wizard, and your mtulti-class character has the advantage of a bucket load of extra 0 and 1st level spells to use. This lets them save their 'big gun' spells for big targets, while still allowing them to cast fairly freely against weaker opponents.
Conversely, the Sor 10 / Wiz 2 has a goodly chuck of firepower (though not quite what they would if they were 12th), but also enjoys the versatility of learning and preparing 0 and 1st level Wizard spells. This can be particularly handy for 'utility' spells that would not necessarily be part of a Sorcerer's collection.
Another nice thing about this high/low approach is that you can get away with a fairly minimal stat in your secondary class: an 11 will do if all you want to cast is 1st level spells.
I'd be interested to hear if anyone has thought of a way to make a character with similar Sor and Wiz levels work, though. Anyone got any ideas for the Sor 6 / Wiz 6 I mentioned above?
Storminator
First Post
I think the key would be uneven level distribution. If one or the other is low level, you don't fall too far behind in the "highest-castable-spell" race, and you might pick up some versatility.
PS
PS
If you have access to the Books of Eldritch Might, you can get the lace spell feats. Some of them require a high Int and Cha stat, wich would work well for a wiz / sor, as they need those two stats high anyhow.
Also, this combo could work well for a specialist wizard, using sorcerer levels to plug any weak spots that you have in your spell list with your sorc spells.
Spell penetration and greater spell penetration would be essential feats, and be very wary of any prestige class that doesn't give you a caster level per level, as you are already dropping caster levels down by splitting them among two classes.
As for a level split, I would guess that ending up as a 15th wiz / 5th sorc or a 16th sorc / 4th wiz would be good, as that way you still get up to eigth level spells.
Also, this combo could work well for a specialist wizard, using sorcerer levels to plug any weak spots that you have in your spell list with your sorc spells.
Spell penetration and greater spell penetration would be essential feats, and be very wary of any prestige class that doesn't give you a caster level per level, as you are already dropping caster levels down by splitting them among two classes.
As for a level split, I would guess that ending up as a 15th wiz / 5th sorc or a 16th sorc / 4th wiz would be good, as that way you still get up to eigth level spells.
Shard O'Glase
First Post
T&B offered a nice bit of cheeze. Play a specialist wizard and take one level of sorcerer and then buy wands and staves to ocver the gaps in your opposed schools.
Something else just occured to me.
Say I have a sorc 16, wiz 4 with the craft wondrous feat. I have mage armour as a wiz, but not as a sorc. I want to make bracers of armour.
Would I be limited to making bracers +2 (half my caster level as a wiz where I know the spell) or could I make +8 (half my highest caster level, all I gotta do as a wiz is cast the spell)?
Even if it is limited to the caster level of the class that knows the spell, imagine all the lovely items that 1st and 2nd level spells would let this character make, something that a pure sorc wouldn't be able to do in anywhere near as much variety.
Say I have a sorc 16, wiz 4 with the craft wondrous feat. I have mage armour as a wiz, but not as a sorc. I want to make bracers of armour.
Would I be limited to making bracers +2 (half my caster level as a wiz where I know the spell) or could I make +8 (half my highest caster level, all I gotta do as a wiz is cast the spell)?
Even if it is limited to the caster level of the class that knows the spell, imagine all the lovely items that 1st and 2nd level spells would let this character make, something that a pure sorc wouldn't be able to do in anywhere near as much variety.
jdavis
First Post
It wouldn't be too bad if you were going to be primarily support, if the class had a dedicated wizard or sorcerer to fill in the power stuff, you'd probably spend most fights supporting the other characters with spells instead of being very offensive. I'm sure most fighters would love sombody casting Bulls Strength on them before (or during) every fight, and you could fill up on detect spells.
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