Raising Spell DC

[stegma]

Hey

I was wondering if anyone could give me some hints as to ways of bringing spell DC up - other than buying a HEADBAND of INTELECT.

Its my first time playing a caster and so I am thinking there has to be more ways of hightening this.

THANKS!

 

[Machiavelli]

You did indeed use the correct word: "heighten". There's a metamagic feat called Heighten Spell in the Player's Handbook that does what you're looking for by increasing the spell's equivalent level. Of course, you have to be able to cast a spell at that level, and use up the appropriately high spell slot.

 

[Mistwell]

It depends on the kind of spell you want to to this with.

If it is illusion, enchantment, or necromancy, and if you are playing in the Forgotten Realms or allowed to use Forgotten Realms books, then Shado Magic is the way to go. There are feats associated with Shadow Magic that increase the DCs of all your illusion, enchantment, and necromancy spells.

Spell Focus (a specific school) and Greater Spell Focus (a specific school) also help.

As mentioned, Heighten Spell helps. In addition, if you have access to the Races of Stone book, there is a feat that increases the DC of all spells you heighten using Heighted Spell while you are standing on any kind of earth. That can be quite a boost.

 

[starwed]

If you're interested in specializing in [Element] type spells, elemental savant from Complete Arcane can give a nice boost to whichever type you choose. The downside is that most of the spells you'll use will just do damage, as opposed to producing more interesting effects.

 

[The Thayan Menace]

Unusual DC Boosts

The Fatespinner prestige class (Complete Arcane, pp. 37-39) has some cool DC dynamics.

You can also utilize spell enhancer from the Spell Compendium (p. 198) for a (swift action) +1 DC ... although it is a 4th level spell.

-Samir

 

[Mistwell]

The Fatespinner prestige class (Complete Arcane, pp. 37-39) has some cool DC dynamics.

You can also utilize spell enhancer from the Spell Compendium (p. 198) for a (swift action) +1 DC ... although it is a 4th level spell.

-Samir

I think it was Wild Mage + Fatespinner + Practiced Spellcaster that made the best combo for this sort of thing. The Wild Magic class ability reduces your caster level by three and adds +1d6 to the caster level of every spell you cast, while practiced spellcaster moves you caster level back up by +4 (and WOTC confirmed in the FAQ that it works that way), and as mentioned Fatespinner increases the DC. All around, it seems like a combo that also makes sense from a roleplaying perspective as well.

 

[Herremann the Wise]

Another approach (although it's not exactly what you were asking for) is to cast spells that don't offer a save. Most of these normally require a ranged touch attack (so if your guy has a little bit of dexterity about him, then this should be something you look at). Ray of Enfeeblement and Magic Missile are the most obvious 1st level spells, Melf's Acid Arrow 2nd level. If you are using the Complete Series and in particular the Complete Arcane, the Lesser Orb spells are very good too (getting around spell resistance as well).

I suppose what I'm trying to point out is that there are many ways to skin a cat. Buffing your DCs up is one way but spell selection is almost always a cheaper more effective way of going about things. Knowing who to target with your will save based spells and who to target with your fortitude based spells is equally as important. No point trying to get the opposing fighter to fluff a fortitude save. Knowing who to target with what is just as important.

Best Regards
Herremann the Wise

 

[stegma]

Thanks everyone for your advise eh! Hereman, your deffinetly right to mention that there are many ways to getting around Spell DC. Good hint - got me thinking on a different wavelenght.

Thanks!

 

[The Thayan Menace]

True Dat, Meatwad!

I think it was Wild Mage + Fatespinner + Practiced Spellcaster that made the best combo for this sort of thing.

Agreed.

It seems like a combo that also makes sense from a roleplaying perspective as well.

Definitely ... although my DM despises it for "flavor" reasons.

-Samir