No spell resistance vs. Orb spells? Why?

[James McMurray]

Yeah, 12 Con is incredibly low. I'd say at least a 20 (base 14, +6 item).

 

[Diirk]

For PCs, con is generally the wizard's second best stat. First is int, second is con. AC to the wizard isn't that critical because the wizard tries to stay out of combat. But he needs the hitpoints to be able survive a fireball, or take that one big hit from a charging dragon before he can d door to safety.

Using 28 point buy, I'd never even consider making a character that didn't start with at least 14 con, no matter what class it is. Preferably more (I'm a big fan of gnomes as wizards/sorcerers).

 

[jensun]

Yeah, 12 Con is incredibly low. I'd say at least a 20 (base 14, +6 item).

*fails his will save*

A +6 con item at level 15 is still a bit of a stretch. 36k out of an available 200k when you are already spending 36k on a +6 int item.

Now, I agree that Con will often be the Wizards second highest stat but if we are talking about Orb hurling Wizards here then its probably going to be Dex as a second priority instead.

Touch attacks might not be that hard to hit in ideal circumstances but when you have to factor in things like firing into melee or cover, people who cast Shield of Faith, Rogues, Monks, Druids with Monk Belts and Orbs are your main source of damage then you really want to pump it.

*goes back to lurking, offers popcorn*

 

[jensun]

Using 28 point buy, I'd never even consider making a character that didn't start with at least 14 con, no matter what class it is. Preferably more (I'm a big fan of gnomes as wizards/sorcerers).

Same here. Personally I prefer Dwarves as Wizards and Gnomes or Humans for Sorceror.

 

[James McMurray]

*fails his will save*

A +6 con item at level 15 is still a bit of a stretch. 36k out of an available 200k when you are already spending 36k on a +6 int item.

I prefer to think of it as 36,000gp and 1,440xp for both.

 

[jensun]

I prefer to think of it as 36,000gp and 1,440xp for both.

Thats a lot of downtime there and also opens the thorny question of whether or not crafting feats allow you to effectviely double your starting welath when starting a game at a higher level.

 

[Seeten]

Getting extra wealth and less feats is a tradeoff, to be sure. I do not believe crafting and getting double wealth is worth more, or less, than having more firepower feats. Look what Rystil does, extra damage wise, with the 2 feats you used for CWI and CA&A, or, what have you.

 

[jensun]

Getting extra wealth and less feats is a tradeoff, to be sure. I do not believe crafting and getting double wealth is worth more, or less, than having more firepower feats. Look what Rystil does, extra damage wise, with the 2 feats you used for CWI and CA&A, or, what have you.

You only really need to invest in Craft Wondrous Item which leaves more than enough feats for metamagic.

Personally I have no real issue with the Orbs. Direct Damage has struggled to be effective since 3.0 due to the mass HP inflation. If damage spells are finally becoming a potential threat then I have no real problem with that.

The fact that you have to stack a mass of metamagic and most likely a metamagic rod or two leaves me very much in the "meh, they're ok" camp.

 

[Notmousse]

Why I don't buy the 15th level mage walking into a dragon's lair and killing it. A spell or a feat completely shut down the orb specialist. Scintilating Scales, or Maximize Breath.

The first makes it nearly impossible (5% in most cases) to hit the dragon, the latter obliterates the mages, (and I believe many 15th level characters).

 

[Notmousse]

I prefer to think of it as 36,000gp and 1,440xp for both.

Doesn't that make you 14th level then?