Wizard Feat Selection

[Malachei]

So, after confirming my doubts about Intensify Spell (see previous thread), I'm still in the midst of my feat selection. It would be great to have your advice on this.

I have four feats left prior to epic levels. I already have Quicken Spell, Spell Focus in two schools, Craft Wondrous Item -- One flavor-wise choice might be Craft Staff, but beyond this, I'm not looking for more Item Creation Feats. Also, I do not need to qualify for a prestige class (I'm in a campaign-specific prestige class). Also, I'm not looking for Extend Spell, Silent Spell or Still Spell due to class abilities and items.

If I take Craft Staff, this leaves me with three open feat slots. Because the build will end up with two slots of Improved Metamagic in epic levels, this makes me prefer Maximize Spell over Empower from a long-term perspective -- I'm not sure if I'd take both (especially now that I am not going to take Intensify Spell and don't need them as prerequisites). I'm definitely considering Twin Spell. I've no preferences for the third slot, yet. I'm not sure Chain Spell will be available, and Energy Substitution / Admixture would not fit flavor-wise. I'm also not looking for a build that optimizes output on a single spell.

The role of the character is the generic wizard, with a balance of buffing, debuffing and some battle-field control and direct damage. Due to the story, the character will not use Necromancy spells at all, but often uses other SODs, such as Disintegrate.

What feats would you choose in this situation, and in what order?

Looking forward to your ideas!

 

[Dandu]

Is there a reason you have not chosen to take Epic Spellcasting?

 

[Runestar]

Is there a reason you have not chosen to take Epic Spellcasting?

Maybe because those feats have to be non-epic feats?

There is sculpt spell (complete arcane), which is ridiculously under-costed at +1.

For non-metamagic feats, consider alacritous cogitation (complete mage), proteus (exemplars of evil, requires focus: illusion), uncanny forethought (exemplars of evil, requires spell mastery), as well as the spontaneous divination variant from complete champion. These let you cast some spells spontaneously, improving your versatility.

 

[Malachei]

Excellent advice, Runestar!

I'll discuss Alacritous Cogitation (as, unfortunately, my build does not let me dip into MotAO) and Uncanny Forethought, which both seem to be good choices. I did not know the latter, so thanks again for pointing to it.

As I'll get Mastery of Shaping as Archmage, so I'll skip Sculpt Spell.

Some more ideas?

 

[HoboGod]

The lists of spells in the sudden line always seem to attract me. It's once per day, but a free empower makes me feel better about myself.

 

[Dandu]

Does it make you feel better than buying a metamagic rod?

 

[HoboGod]

Yep! I keep my gold for wands of expendable spells and decking out a cohort.

Which reminds me of another good one: Leadership. You can never go wrong with having a personal body guard when you don't trust the beatstick who likes to RP his intelligence score.

 

[Malachei]

For non-metamagic feats, consider alacritous cogitation (complete mage), proteus (exemplars of evil, requires focus: illusion), uncanny forethought (exemplars of evil, requires spell mastery), as well as the spontaneous divination variant from complete champion. These let you cast some spells spontaneously, improving your versatility.

I think Uncanny Forethought is the best option. Having the otherwise a lot less useful Spell Mastery as a prerequisite may be a balancer. I'm planning to take it, if I can. The question now, is the choice of spells.

Which seven spells would you select for Uncanny Forethought? Limited Wish, Greater Teleport and Greater Dispel Magic are all obvious choices for me. How would your seven-spell selection look like (PHB, SC, PHBII, CM)?

 

[Runestar]

I suggested cogitation as well because DMs seem more hesitant to allow uncanny forethought compared to the latter, so it's there really for completeness.

Take note though, a literal reading of said feat allows you to cast any spell you know as a full-round action, even if its casting time is longer. So you may want to consider spells with really long casting times such as greater geas Get ready to dodge flying DMGs if you bring this up with your DM though.

Also, if you want to maximize the use of spell mastery, consider taking the magelord prc.

Lost Empires of Faerûn Excerpt

Spells, can't really think of any at the moment. Any favourite spells you can't get enough of?

 

[Malachei]

Take note though, a literal reading of said feat allows you to cast any spell you know as a full-round action, even if its casting time is longer. So you may want to consider spells with really long casting times such as greater geas Get ready to dodge flying DMGs if you bring this up with your DM though.

If I'd suggest this, I'd have to allow it in my campaign, too, and no, I wouldn't. Also, I'd still consider Uncanny Forethought an excellent choice without its second quality. Having 4+ open slots transformed into flexible casting is excellent by itself. At least in high-level play, when you're spell repertoire is huge, the second part of the feat is even better than spellpool access (MotAO), IMO. I guess you'd agree with me?

Also, if you want to maximize the use of spell mastery, consider taking the magelord prc.

Lost Empires of Faerûn Excerpt

Spells, can't really think of any at the moment. Any favourite spells you can't get enough of?

Magelord: Fine, but not for my character, flavor-wise. Will use it for NPCs or for another build, though.

Spells: though I hope I won't need the 'traditional value' of Spell Mastery (having to preparing those spells without spellbook), I thought it might make sense to select a mix of some 'emergency' spells (such as Greater Teleport) and some that I'd need fairly often (such as Greater Dispelling), plus Limited Wish for versatility, especially if no full-round access to all spells is possible. Maybe add one or two flexible-use spells, like Polymorph or Shapechange.

But that still leaves me with three choices...