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View Full Version : [3.5] Conjuration Optimization



Bugbeartrap
2009-01-06, 09:26 PM
I have a character concept for an arcane caster who specializes in using the planes. His spells focus on summoning and teleporting. I planned on using a primordial half-giant, taking only the first level of half-giant, so as to avoid Level Adjustment (half-giant is necessary to apply the primordial template). He could then use invisibility at-will and be able to use all of the conjuration spells he dreams of to summon and transport without giving up his position. I'm building him at level 10 and plan to go to level 20. I think a base class of sorceror would be best, because he has a limited list of signature spells as well as being able to use them more frequently. I've been thinking of going into Malconvoker as soon as possible as well as getting Spell focus(conjuration), augment summons, and cloudy conjuration to beef up his conjuration spells. I'm looking for any suggestions to expand on this idea or make it more viable. Spells, feats, classes? Thanks for hearing me out, playgrounders.

Mushroom Ninja
2009-01-06, 09:29 PM
1. Be a Wizard.

2. Take Abrupt Jaunt variant from PHB2.

3. Pick up Malconvoker.

4. ????

5. Profit.

Darrin
2009-01-07, 11:10 AM
I've been thinking of going into Malconvoker as soon as possible as well as getting Spell focus(conjuration), augment summons, and cloudy conjuration to beef up his conjuration spells. I'm looking for any suggestions to expand on this idea or make it more viable.

Specialist Wizard: Conjurer is actually probably better. There are some alternate class features in Unearthed Arcana that really help. If you give up your familiar, you can get Rapid Summoning, which reduces the casting time on summon spells to 1 standard action. You also pick up Augment Summoning as a bonus feat instead of Scribe Scroll at 1st level (although you still have to blow a useless feat on Spell Focus: Conjuration to get into Malconvoker). You can also take Spontaneous Summoning, which gives you something a little similar to a Sorcerer's ability to spontaneously cast summoning spells, although you lose the bonus spell per day as a specialist wizard.

If you want to stick with Sorcerer, see if your DM will allow you to take Rapid Summoning in exchange for your familiar. One other advantage to Sorcerer is if you play a Kobold, you can spend a feat on Draconic Reservoir/Draconic Rite of Passage to get back the caster level you lose going into Malconvoker.

sentaku
2009-01-07, 11:16 AM
1. Be a Wizard.

2. Take Abrupt Jaunt variant from PHB2.

3. Pick up Malconvoker.

4. ????

5. Profit.
I would go this way:

1. Play a wizard

2. Pick up Rapid Summoning (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/specialistWizardVariants.htm#rapidSummoning)
abrupt jaunt is great however if your focusing on summoning getting them to the field is more important

3. Along with your levels of Malconvoker, which you mastered (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=918792) take all 10 levels of master specialist.

4. As an intermediate action summon two of your highest level summons.

5 ???

6. Make the DM cry.

Kurald Galain
2009-01-07, 11:20 AM
(1) be a Focused Specialist conjurer
(2) drop your familiar for Abrupt Jaunt
(3) drop Scribe Scroll for Augmented Summoning
(4) take the Summon Elemental reserve feat
(5) consider Master Specialist, MOTAO, and Archmage.

Sstoopidtallkid
2009-01-07, 12:21 PM
Do you want to focus on summoning demons to rip enemy's heads off, or conjuring raw magical death? The build is very different.
If you want to summon monsters, go Wizard/Malconvoker, take Rapid Summoning and Enhanced Summoning, and summon the hordes of the abyss. It's possible to be a summoner without being a Wizard, but the ACFs are so much better it's not even funny. If you do decide to be a non-Wizard Malconvoker, Cleric is a much better base than Sorcerer. Charisma is surprisingly unimportant for a Malconvoker, and a Specialized Wizard or a Cleric only has one less spell per day of his highest level.
If you want to be an actual Conjurer, not just a meatshield who doesn't require healing spells, Sorcerer is fine. Spell selection will be hard, but focus on trading out spells at every opportunity and you should be fine.