Wizard Help/Challenge

[Exthalion]

I am starting a new campaign as a first level wizard. Both the DM and and players want to go into high epic levels. This is my first time playing D&D so I don't have much experience with this kind of thing.

So, here is my request: From lv 1-60 what is the most powerful wizard build and best magic items?

The starting conditions are as follows:
Race: Gray Elf
Base Class: Wizard
Stats:
STR 10
DEX 18
CON 15
INT 20
WIS 15
CHA 10

I would like to play a Generalist, mostly because I like the flavor and access to all spells. If that is too much of a weakness, then I would let it go. I would prefer not to have any divine caster classes but am fine with Psionics, Truenames, and Incarnum. I would like to be a pure arcane caster, no gish. Cheese is most welcome. Epic spellcasting is expected to be very important in higher levels. I would like, if possible, to be about equal at utility and combat effectiveness.

I have done some reading and the following is what I think this will look like. I am most likely very wrong.
Wizard 5
Incantatrix 10
Initiate of the Seven Fold Veil 7
Archmage 5
Geometer 5
Wizard 15

I am deeply grateful for any help anyone provides.

 

[roguerouge]

In my experience, a straight wizard is one of the most powerful characters at epic levels. i wouldn't necessarily spend too much time on prestige classes.

 

[Runestar]

Personally, I would recommend that you specialise (and take the focused specialist variant from complete mage if possible). I feel that knowing every spell in the game is overrated, since you won't have the slots to cast them as and when you want, and you will probably settle for a few "favoured" spell picks eventually. So i don't mind giving up 3 schools of magic for extra slots.

This also paves the way for the master specialist prc (also from complete mage). I suppose the last 7 lvs could be taken up by initiate of the 7 veil.

I am unfamiliar with the bonuses granted by initiate of the veil and geometer, so I would recommend wiz5/incantatrix10/archmage5/epic incantatrix all the way. You get more bonus epic feats and uses of metamagic this way.

I can't offer any specific builds, though there are some general advice in the link below. What sort of combat effectiveness are you looking towards? Battlefield control, SoD or blaster?

A guide to Wizards: Playing a GOD

 

[Dandu]

Wizard 3
Master Specialist 10
Incantatrix 10
Initiate of the Sevenfold Veil 7
Fatespinner 4
Archmage 4
Cleric 1
Dweomerkeeper 10
Mindbender 1
Swiftblade 10

60 levels, there you go.

 

[Pathologik]

Well, if you're new to D&D, first thing to remember is that it's a little more open-ended than most games - there really isn't such thing as a "best build"; there are so many possibilities, there's always bound to be something better for certain groups and certain situations. Some characters may be innately stronger than others, but typically, it's not a *HUGE* deal. I always just built characters for fun and flavor, with enough power to hold their own. That's just me, though.

It looks like you're shooting for, more or less, a master of all things arcane. One class that I particularly liked was the Ultimate Magus, out of Complete Mage. If you're moving into epic-level D&D, you're going to have access to your highest level spells anyway, so more spells per day is going to be the real bang for your buck. Dual advancement prestige classes (such as the Ultimate Magus or Mystic Theurge) require you to sacrifice a level or two of advancement in one class' spells, in exchange for advancing two class' spells at once.

What this translates into is slightly lower level spells (irrelevant at higher levels), but an absurd number and variety per day - nearly twice that of your average single-class caster. In my experience, very, very handy.

WARNING - not optimized, but fun!

 

[the Jester]

If you specialize, go diviner; you only need one barred school and high-level divination is awesome. Knowledge is power; use contact other plane and the like liberally.

DO NOT take anything that costs you caster levels. At epic levels, spell resistance is a HUGE consideration. You'll want spell penetration, greater sp and epic sp eventually. Improved Spell Capacity- the one that gives you slots above 9th level- is a must, as is Quicken Spell.

But the cream of the crop, once you're about 25th or 30th level, is Epic Spellcasting. Holy crap can you do out of hand things with it.

Good luck, and good gaming!

 

[Pathologik]

If you specialize, go diviner; you only need one barred school and high-level divination is awesome. Knowledge is power; use contact other plane and the like liberally.

DO NOT take anything that costs you caster levels. At epic levels, spell resistance is a HUGE consideration. You'll want spell penetration, greater sp and epic sp eventually. Improved Spell Capacity- the one that gives you slots above 9th level- is a must, as is Quicken Spell.

But the cream of the crop, once you're about 25th or 30th level, is Epic Spellcasting. Holy crap can you do out of hand things with it.

Good luck, and good gaming!

Whoops, forgot about the spell resistance entirely - good point, chap. Still, I cannot tear myself away from Theurgic characters!