Playing a Diviner

[Byronic]

So, I'm going to play a Wizard in 3.5 for the first time and people are advising me to play a Diviner (specialist in Divination) and giving up the Evocation school. Apparently this is a very good combination.

While I'm quite fine with becoming a specialist instead of a generalist (especially if it'll benefit the party), I'm wondering. What's so great about the Divination school?

And why is the Evocation school "the best choice to drop"?

Edit: If it's important, the PHB 1, Complete Series and the Faerun books are all allowed.

 

[cdrcjsn]

It's mainly because everything in Evocation can be replicated by Conjuration or Alteration.

So going Divination nets you an extra spell slot per level without any real opportunity costs because you only have to give up one school that you can live without.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

I don't think Divination is anything amazing, it's just the whole drop one school deal. A generalist is just as good.

A diviner is great for a fighter/mage gish, though, to get some extra casting slots, and many good combat buffs are in the school of Divination (True Strike, for example). In Spell Compendium, there's also some great spells for buffing a Rogue/Diviner multiclass type.

If you're going to make a Diviner, definitely look into C.Champion for the Wizard alternate class feature to spontaneously cast all divination spells that you know, like a cleric can spont. cast cure spells. It costs you a level 5 (or higher) Wizard bonus feat, well worth it IMO. And Spell Compendium alone will add enough good divination spells to your spell book that you'll have at least one useful one to cast each spell level. I particularly enjoy the Unluck spell. And everyone loves Assay Spell Resistance.

 

[Dandu]

Edit: If it's important, the PHB 1, Complete Series and the Faerun books are all allowed.

Someone please prevent me from recommending either the Incantatrix or the Initiate of the Sevenfold Veil.

 

[Byronic]

Someone please prevent me from recommending either the Incantatrix or the Initiate of the Sevenfold Veil.

I was actually kinda interested in them. I know that they're very powerful, but are they a lot of fun?

Right now I'm going for a Divine Oracle/Loremaster thing to make a wizard who'll double as a priest of a God of Knowledge.

Although I suppose I could make two more builds that focus on those two paths.... *needs to think of what will be fun*

Has anybody had good experiences with them?

 

[Dandu]

They're very fun. They will also make the DM hate you if he does not expect it. I'd suggest going Wizard/Master Specialist/Something more balanced

Incidentally, if you want to play a specialist, Diviner isn't that powerful compared to a Transmuter or Conjurer.

Ban Enchantment as your second school, or Necromancy if you dislike negative energy, although Necromancy is fairly powerful.

 

[Byronic]

My DM actually recommended item creation and the "Mage of the Arcane Order" prestige class. Must say, the idea of being able to switch spells on whim?

It sounds very very nice. And I'm deadly curious to see what his ingame solution is for item creation...

So many choices.

 

[Dandu]

Item creation requires time. This is hard to do if you are pressed for time.

I'd go Specialist Wizard 3/Master Specialist 2/MotAOX for starters.

 

[Andion Isurand]

If you have a workplace you know is safe, you could try and get yourself a Dedicated Wright homonculus (Eberron CS, pg. 285) to save you the time of crafting.

 

[Eldritch_Lord]

If you have a workplace you know is safe, you could try and get yourself a Dedicated Wright homonculus (Eberron CS, pg. 285) to save you the time of crafting.

Or stick it in a bag of holding or other safe, portable extradimensional space.