Wizards & swords

[Hypersmurf]

Wow, thanks for all the near instantaneous responses guys. This site is great.

Hey...

... did he just tell us all to get a life?

-Hyp.

 

[Davelozzi]

... did he just tell us all to get a life?

Nope. If it makes you feel better, I answered "3 hours" on the recent "how much time do you spend on this site a day?" poll

 

[Ciaran]

You need but one hand free for casting.

Generally true, though some DMs, like nemmerle, rule that you need both hands free. Check with your DM before you invest.

- Eric

 

[SpikeyFreak]

A) you need only one hand free to cast spells with somatic components

B) wizards are only restricted by armor which causes arcane failure

C) elves get weapon proficiencies for free

D) wizards can't use weapons very well because they have a bad BAB

Did I miss anything?

--Repetitive Spikey

 

[Starfox]

D) wizards can't use weapons very well because they have a bad BAB
[/B]

Well, wizards are still nonproficient in all types of armor. But the penalty for using a suit of armor without proficiency isn't that severe; you should check out mithral chain shirt and mithral buckler. If I remember correctly, that gives you no penalties except a 10% spell failure, quite good for AC 5 and two places to place armor enchantment slots.

Of course, if you don't like the failure chance (who does), then use just the buckler. But it won't stack with mage armor, so you are probably better of with either that spell, or the whole kit.

 

[Shard O'Glase]

Ah but that buckler can have the armor bonuses. Sure you wont get a AC benefit from it, unless it is beter than your mage armor or bracers of armor, but you can get bonuses to certain skills, damage reduction v a certain element, or my favorite fortification ignore those pesky crits and sneak attacks.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

Well, wizards are still nonproficient in all types of armor. But the penalty for using a suit of armor without proficiency isn't that severe; you should check out mithral chain shirt and mithral buckler. If I remember correctly, that gives you no penalties except a 10% spell failure, quite good for AC 5 and two places to place armor enchantment slots.

Of course, if you don't like the failure chance (who does), then use just the buckler. But it won't stack with mage armor, so you are probably better of with either that spell, or the whole kit.

That is not a bad idea for a Wizard or Sorceror who expects to mix it up.

For 32k gp, you enchant these to +4 equivalent items. That could give you, say, 75% Fortification (hah! stupid rogues), 10 pts. of fire resistance, and an armor bonus to AC of +7. And you haven't used any precious slots.

That looks pretty good compared to spending 49k gp for +7 bracers of armor plus 16k gp for 15 pts. of fire resistance.

It would make for a wizard a little different from the classic hide in the back brainy type. Certainly gives good reason for picking up those weapon and armor craft feats. I think it would be a good fit for a gnome (extra HP, bonus to hit and AC for size) or elf (free weapon proficiency).

In some campaigns being a Wizard who looks like a Rogue or Ranger at first glance could be a real advantage. You certainly earn style points.

 

[Starfox]

The armor bonus of magic shields don't stack. That doesn't mean they can't be combinded, just that they do not stack. So, you can have a +1 mithral buckler with +9 worth of enchantments for a cost of 101,155 gp. Sure, you lose two points of armor class, but ypu can combine it with anty Bracers of Armor you can affort. And the same principle holds all the way down to a +1 Mithral Buckler with a +1 ability for 5,155 gp.

 

[CRGreathouse]

Note that some races have a weapon proficiency as a bonus. IIRC, Elves may choose a proficiency in either longbow, shortbow, longsword, or rapier or something like that. It is a nice bit of advantage to single class Elven wizards and Rogues.

Elves are proficient in the 4 basic bows (notr crossbows) and either longswords or rapiers.

 

[Gromm]

Just for the record...

PHB p151

"A somatic component is a measured and precise movement of the hand or some other part of the body. You must have at least one hand free to provide a somatic component."


As far as two handed weapons you can hold them in one hand and cast with the other with no real downside. It only gets confusing when shields get in the mix, since you need to keep track of whats in your hands at any given time. Lots of maces have been dropped to the floor in our parties (since its a free action and all).