Spellstitched Help

[Foryn Gilnith]

I'm in an epic campaign right now (level 21, not too much time to make epic spells, not enough XP to start with them, DM isn't going to let us break the game with them); and the way things are going is prompting me to look at a replacement character. Pertinent facts:
1) Resurrection/True Resurrection is implausible for PCs (and most of our enemies)
2) If my current character dies, that means that Contingent Revivify/Greater Plane Shift, a Clone, and cleric spellcasting couldn't save him. :(

In light of this, my hypothetical new character would need new heights of survivability. Specifically, I am looking at a lich with wizard casting, which might hopefully survive where cleric contingencies failed. Maybe make him into a demilich in 4 levels to shoot my ECL up. Looking at something like Wizard 3/Master Specialist 2/Mindbender 1/Ur-Priest 2/Mystic Theurge 8, so I can start with 9th-level spells.

Onto the actual question: What are some good spells for the Spellstitched template (self-inflicted)? I have up to the 6th-level ability, and both cleric and wizard spells to fill the SLA spots. Looking at Revive Outsider, Unhallow, and Symbol of Pain ATM.

Allowed books are Core, Completes, Races, SC, and MiC.

[jiriku]

You could spellstitch animate dead or create undead, allowing you to create massive undead armies without having to pay for the expensive material component for each undead. I hear that controlling 20 mohrgs, each of which controls 1000 zombies, can give you some clout at the negotiating table.

Spell-stitching permanency and symbol of pain both would allow you to create permanent symbols without XP or gold cost. You could inscribe them on the chests of the commanders of your zombie army for extra style points.

Actually, there are a heck of a lot of cool things you could do with a spell-stitched permanency.

Casting legend lore, fabricate, or major creation as a spell-like ability allows you to convert the long casting time of these spells into a standard action.

[Optimystik]

You could spellstitch animate dead or create undead, allowing you to create massive undead armies without having to pay for the expensive material component for each undead. I hear that controlling 20 mohrgs, each of which controls 1000 zombies, can give you some clout at the negotiating table.

Make sure your DM rolls initiative for every single one. That'll teach him to run an epic campaign :smallamused:

[Myrmex]

Have you thought about going 10 levels in a class that turns you into a lich at the end of it so you don't have to pay for the LA?

[Foryn Gilnith]

The only one of those I know of is Walker in the Waste, and getting that approved is going to be... a headache. There are two character creation methods. The one with all books allowed is level 15 (rather than 21), has 25 point buy (as opposed to 84 ability points total for the properly epic one), and has about a third of the gold. You get a nifty little artifact that gives a -10 luck penalty to anyone directly aggressing against you, but you lose a lot of class-based flexibility.

Permanency technically isn't Conjuration, Necromancy, or Evocation. I could try to get it approved; but if I'm trying to pull Spellstitched semi-cheese, I doubt DM will interpret favorably. Interesting point on the Morhgs, though, and interesting thoughts on the fabrication-type abilities.

[Ixcuazl]

The best spellstitching picks are ones with exorbitant material or XP components, since you get to avoid them entirely. Major Creation, Animate Dead and Symbol of Pain are good for this, but the absolute best pick is Animate Dread Warrior from Unapproachable East. Dread warriors keep their class levels and stay loyal to you forever. In a high level game, you can basically recruit every elite NPC your DM throws at you. Watch out for falling rocks!

If you pick the right race, the Magic in the Blood (http://realmshelps.dandello.net/cgi-bin/feats.pl?Magic_in_the_Blood,) feat lets you use all your spell-likes 3/day. Abilities from templates are racial abilities, so it works. Probably not worth two feats over being a regular human, though.



Casting legend lore, fabricate, or major creation as a spell-like ability allows you to convert the long casting time of these spells into a standard action.


Sadly, no. From the SRD (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm#spellLikeAbilities):


A spell-like ability takes the same amount of time to complete as the spell that it mimics (usually 1 standard action) unless otherwise stated.

Plus, spellstitched spells have to be Evocation, Conjuration or Necromancy.

As for templates... if you're already prepared to eat heavy LA in exchange for survivability, there's always ghost. If you've got 15hd, you can't fail the level check to rejuvenate when destroyed. You can't spellstitch incorporeals, though.

Dry liches are far better than regular liches - five phylacteries and bonus hitpoints from charisma - but I don't think you can be one without taking ten levels of Walker in the Waste.

[Foryn Gilnith]

That's all well and nice for 5th/6th-level spells, and maybe even 4th, but there aren't really expensive 1st/2nd/3rd level spells. I don't want to just waste those SLA slots. Any advice for those?

[Ixcuazl]

There are fewer really obvious choices, especially for a wizard as opposed to a spellstitched monk or dread necromancer. Ultimately you want things that you're going to use a lot, or spells which will save your shrivelled hide if you lose your spellbook or end up bound and gagged.

It's also worth remembering that the save DCs are charisma based, so no-save spells are probably better for your guy.

So, uh, ideas:

1st: Grease, Ray of Enfeeblement, Floating Disc, Ghoul Glyph, Unseen Servant.
2nd: Glitterdust, Create Magic Tattoo, Scorching Ray, Kelgore's Grave Mist.
3rd: Shivering Touch, Sleet Storm, Phantom Steed, Greater Mage Armour, Manyjaws.
4th: Solid Fog, Animate Dead, Orb of Whatever, Black Tentacles, Dimension Door.
5th: Teleport, Symbol of Pain, Major Creation, Wall of Stone/Force.
6th: Animate Dread Warrior.

Hope that helps.