Why, oh why...

[Iku Rex]

... That is not what this character does...

Maybe some basic information about "what this character does" is in order then?

Is it an existing character?
If so, what are his current feats and main skills? How does he typically fight? (Tactics? Spells?)

Which books do you have access to?

 

[Sejs]

Hmm...How does the electrical specialization work out? What do I do if I run into, say, a blue dragon?

Run.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

...does almost every prestige class designed for arcane spellcasters for one to lose 1+ caster levels?

TANSTAAFL.

 

[Artoomis]

Q: Why not just say a pure Wizard?

A: Because prestige classes exist that increase a Wizard's power at virtually no cost.

If you can't find a good match for you, than stay a wizard.

 

[Sejs]

If you're looking for a theme like a Storm Mage as you mentioned, go with an appropriate PrC even if you lose out on a caster level.

If you're just shopping for cool powers, .. meh. Just stick with straight wizard and pick up archmage later on when you qualify.

 

[Jack Simth]

Run.

Nah, same thing you'd do if you ran into anything that you couldn't affect directly. Buff your allies / Summon minions / Counterspell.

 

[HeapThaumaturgist]

TANSTAAFL

Go for Archmage. Not every character needs a PRC. If the storm-themed PrC in Stormwrack doesn't do it, then just ... call it a storm-themed wizard and follow pure Wizard.

--fje

 

[Particle_Man]

From the DMG:

Archmage, Loremaster, and Red Wizard of Thay all offer full caster progression.

 

[wedgeski]

...and I've found the Loremaster to be a surprisingly interesting PrC myself. Full caster progression, extra skill points over a wizard, a Bardic-Knowledge equivalent, free Identify's at 6th level, and a bunch of Secrets to choose from which includes free Feats, skills, and other goodies. It's not at all the kind of studious, dust-covered librarian that a description of the class come sometimes conjure in other people.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

Maybe because spellcasters don't really have any other special abilities to give up. If they're not giving up something then there really isn't a point in someone playing just a straight wizard or sorcerer.

Olaf the Stout