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gallagher
2009-11-28, 09:30 PM
hey all, just asking for a little help.
i am playing a level 10 game over the winter break, dunno how many levels we expect to gain, if any, but should take us all the way to the new year.
i am playing a human red wizard of thay, and i am wondering what kind of equipment i should get, and if you guys think that i allocated my resources properly. it was a 36 point buy system

anyway, here are my stats: Str: 8, Dex: 14, Con: 16, Int: 20 (upped the Int at lvl 4 and 8) Wis: 8, Cha: 12
Focused wizard, i believe i have to ban 2 schools for that, so i rid myself of necromancy and enchantment, and for the red wizard i gave up conjuration instead of abjuration because the other wizard of the party gave up abjuration but not conjuration. i am specializing in illusion. this is entirely character concept.

Feats:Improved Initiative, Spell Focus (Illusion), Greater Spell Focus (Illusion)
Tattoo Focus (for all my red wizardry, it is a required feat), Scribe Scroll, [free to wizard], Silent Spell, Spellcasting Prodigy [intelligence] Ocular Spell (for absolute fun to be had by me)

i put 13 ranks into: bluff, concentrate, knowledge:planes and arcana, spellcraft. i have 10 in slight of hand so i have a 5 modifier, and then i put 2 ranks into getting the skill trick: conceal spellcasting. i have 15 skill points left to do whatever, so if you have a suggestion for here that is welcome and much appreciated.

i have an obsidian knife for the use of torture (if need be) and sacrifice (also if need be) i am chaotic neutral, but i know the difference between that and "chaotic do whatever i want because thats what the book said".

should i get a familiar (and if so, what?)

also, since i am a specialist wizard, what does that do for my spells? i dont have the book in front of me anymore so i dont have the wording for it.

any help and ideas welcome. i have 49,000 gp to spend on equipment, so please make any suggestion you can for it!

also, can i have a divine caster as one of the spellcasters for my circle? if so that would be immensely helpful

Eldariel
2009-11-28, 09:44 PM
I assume you aren't allowed Leadership? 'cause it's one of the best ways to fuel Circle Magic. Are you limited in sources? 'cause unless you took Martial Wizard (trades Scribe Scroll for a combat feat), I wouldn't bother with Improved Initiative; at least not quite yet. I'd also consider Spontaneous Divination [CC] ACF on level 5 to trade your feat for ability to cast Divinations spontaneously.

I'd definitely give up Evocation over Conjuration even if you have another character in the party with Conjuration since stuff like Solid Fog, Wall of Stone, Glitterdust, Web, Grease and so on is just irreplaceable while you can partially cover Evocation with Conjurations (particularly the Orb of X-series from Spell Compendium and stuff like Cloudkill, Acid Fog and eventual Maw of Chaos and so on).


Get a familiar. Use Improved Familiar and get yourself a Quasit. Quasits kick ass; the free Commune, decent for Use Magic Device (1 level of Loremaster allows you to max UMD), handy spell-likes, they're nice overall. With SC spell "Imbue Familiar with Spell Ability", they can also cast well.

Raven, out of the normal Familiar-choices, could also arguably UMD as it can talk, but the manipulation of the items is kinda left up to interpretation. Other than that, the skill check bonuses are still nice.

Though if you're a focused Illusionist, I'd take Chains of Disbelief (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/specialistWizardVariants.htm#chainsofDisbelief) over Familiar and use Obtain Familiar to pick Familiar instead.

Extend Spell and Quicken Spell are very solid metamagic feats I'd pick up, long before Silent Spell. Also, Chain Spell [CArc], Sculpt Spell [CArc] and company have their uses.


As for circle magic, if you can't use Leadership, create Simulacrums (of yourself) that serve as your magic batteries. You can start creating them on level 11. Not bad considering you only just got Circle Leader. Honestly, you should use Simulacrums anyways as they're much more powerful than even pimped out followers.


And with regards to equipment, consider picking up a Craft-feat or two and using them (Craft Wondrous Items is great). You'll probably want Int and Con-boosters. You'll also probably want some Lesser Metamagic Rods, maybe even one for Quicken and a standard Metamagic Rod of Extend or something. A Pearl of Power or two on low levels and lots of especially level 1 scrolls (they're dirt cheap) seems like a good idea.

If you have Use Magic Device, Beads of Karma from Strand of Prayer Beads is incredible; +4 CL for your all-day buffs! Costs 20k, but you can craft it for 10k, which is affordable. And yeah, as said, probably +4 Int, +2 Con and some lower level Pearls of Power and such. Use spells to cover most equipment functions, like Superior Resistance [Spell Compendium] instead of Cloak of Resistance, (Greater [SpC]) Mage Armor instead of Bracers of Armor and so on.

Oh, and Eternal Wand [CArc] of Craft Magical Tattoo [Spell Compendium] at CL which allows you to make the +1 CL tattoo is definitely a solid idea.

cupkeyk
2009-11-28, 09:52 PM
I'd ditto dumping evoc instead. I would suggest dumping improved init in favor of shadow weave magic. This makes you wanna dump conju. Enchantment and Necro are great schools once you get shadow weave magic. LOLZ.

Myrmex
2009-11-28, 09:57 PM
Where, and what, is martial wizard?

Thrice Dead Cat
2009-11-28, 10:05 PM
Where, and what, is martial wizard?

Here. (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#wizard)


This space for rent.

EDIT: As for actual wizardry advice...

For Focused Specialist, you have to ban an extra school, thus, three schools as an illusionist. I would recommend banning Enchantment, Necromancy, and Evocation. As an illusionist, you can already do everything Evocation has to offer you. For Red Wizard, I would advise against banning conjuration, but, if there is another wizard in the party to cover that base, just load your spellbook up with a bunch of conjuration spells before you hit Red Wizard.

Rough build stub
Wizard1-3, using the martial variant to net yourself Improved Initiative in place of Scribe scroll. Also get Spell Focus (Illusion)
Master Specialist 1-2: These levels net you Greater Spell Focus (Illusion) and Skill Focus: Spellcraft for basically nothing. I don't recall off hand the School Esoterica for illusion, so it will probably just end up being filler before and after Red Wizard.

The feat choices you listed were pretty solid, but I would recommend picking up Extend Spell, if you go the Master Specialist route.

gallagher
2009-11-28, 10:09 PM
leadership was banned. apparently it causes the DM issues, so i still need to know if a divine caster counts for my circle. it is a party of a barbarian, a paladin, a cleric, a rogue, a different wizard and myself. the pally said that if i need another arcane caster for it then he would switch it up

all core is acceptable. anything from the complete series has to be run by the DM. i took silent spell for the same reason that i took ocular spell and conceal spellcasting, for the split second advantage or for usage when i am hiding.

i am keeping improved initiative because i want to be able to at least use a spell before someone is in my face in the event that it happens

i switched out evocation for conjuration. i guess that it is more useful because the orbs work on touch AC as i recall, and the teleport spells are invaluable.

i also am going to use chains of disbelief, that is indeed a good idea.

i looked up some things online for equipment, so feel free to comment on what you think of them:
headband of intellect +4 for 16000 gp, leaving me 33000 left.
boccobs blessed book for 12500, leaving me with 20500
bracers of armor +3 for 9000 (i have no idea how much mithril armor costs or if it has a casting check) leaving me with 11500
amulate of natural armor +2 for 8000, leaving me with 3500 and giving me a total of 16 armor, which is okay i guess.

anything else that i can get for 3500? i am not totally enamored with my armor bonus, so if that can be worked with i would love it.

Thrice Dead Cat
2009-11-28, 10:17 PM
i also am going to use chains of disbelief, that is indeed a good idea.

i looked up some things online for equipment, so feel free to comment on what you think of them:
headband of intellect +4 for 16000 gp, leaving me 33000 left.
boccobs blessed book for 12500, leaving me with 20500
bracers of armor +3 for 9000 (i have no idea how much mithril armor costs or if it has a casting check) leaving me with 11500
amulate of natural armor +2 for 8000, leaving me with 3500 and giving me a total of 16 armor, which is okay i guess.

anything else that i can get for 3500? i am not totally enamored with my armor bonus, so if that can be worked with i would love it.

Bracers of Armor are a pretty bad trap. Just blow a slot on Mage Armor and you'll be set for the day.

I would also recommend dropping Silent Spell and grabbing a metamagic rod of it. Sure, it's only 3/day, but that should be enough, considering having to prep silent spells can be a hassle, unless you can get it to +0.

gallagher
2009-11-28, 10:50 PM
Bracers of Armor are a pretty bad trap. Just blow a slot on Mage Armor and you'll be set for the day.

I would also recommend dropping Silent Spell and grabbing a metamagic rod of it. Sure, it's only 3/day, but that should be enough, considering having to prep silent spells can be a hassle, unless you can get it to +0.
ok, so nix the bracers of armor, i get 9000 gp back. that puts me to 12500.... enough to buy another blessed book! jk of course :)

the metamagic rods are incredibly expensive, but i can see taking the silent one for 11000 if i have the GP to spare if there arent any more items i should look at. how much does an animated shield cost?

thanks to my circle magic, i can just use that instead of metamagic feats, right? or do i need the feat in order to lessen its cost with the circle?

Thrice Dead Cat
2009-11-28, 11:00 PM
thanks to my circle magic, i can just use that instead of metamagic feats, right? or do i need the feat in order to lessen its cost with the circle?

IRRC, you still need the feats, but, yeah, I forgot about circle magic lowering the cost of metamagic feats. If that's the case, as long as you have access to a decent amount of slots to fuel a few free metamagics, silent and still are actually quite effective.

As for other items, I am a big fan of Sandals of the Vagabond from Complete Champion. Only 4k, boost initiative, and give immunity to either exhaustion or fatigue, I can't remember which.

Rings of arcane might, sustenance, and/or anticipation (Drow of the Underdark) are all fine choices. Arcane Might is a little pricey, so I would go sustenance and anticipation so you are less vulnerable during the night and more likely to go first in combat, respectively.

gallagher
2009-11-28, 11:08 PM
IRRC, you still need the feats, but, yeah, I forgot about circle magic lowering the cost of metamagic feats. If that's the case, as long as you have access to a decent amount of slots to fuel a few free metamagics, silent and still are actually quite effective.

As for other items, I am a big fan of Sandals of the Vagabond from Complete Champion. Only 4k, boost initiative, and give immunity to either exhaustion or fatigue, I can't remember which.

Rings of arcane might, sustenance, and/or anticipation (Drow of the Underdark) are all fine choices. Arcane Might is a little pricey, so I would go sustenance and anticipation so you are less vulnerable during the night and more likely to go first in combat, respectively.

i am sorry, but what does IRRC mean? i am not quite that informed on acronyms here

GoodbyeSoberDay
2009-11-28, 11:14 PM
i am sorry, but what does IRRC mean? i am not quite that informed on acronyms hereHm, good question. I'm not sure if I recall correctly.

Deth Muncher
2009-11-28, 11:16 PM
i am sorry, but what does IRRC mean? i am not quite that informed on acronyms here

I think he meant IIRC, which is If I Remember Correctly.

Thrice Dead Cat
2009-11-28, 11:16 PM
I think he meant IIRC, which is If I Remember Correctly.

This, this exactly.:smallredface:

gallagher
2009-11-28, 11:35 PM
This, this exactly.:smallredface:
well i just got off the phone with my DM, and so far what i have definately taken is okay. i also am thinking of taking some flaws for maximize spell and quicken spell. he also says that i can use divine casters for my circle, which will be great so i can have 3 dudes for it. i do need to know the metamagic feat to be able to use it. i am making my spellbook right now, as i found my flash drive with my PHB and DMG on it. any other ideas to use 12500 gp on though?

Thrice Dead Cat
2009-11-28, 11:44 PM
well i just got off the phone with my DM, and so far what i have definately taken is okay. i also am thinking of taking some flaws for maximize spell and quicken spell. he also says that i can use divine casters for my circle, which will be great so i can have 3 dudes for it. i do need to know the metamagic feat to be able to use it. i am making my spellbook right now, as i found my flash drive with my PHB and DMG on it. any other ideas to use 12500 gp on though?

I would recommend against maximize, personally. Either chain spell or reach spell would be a nice, considering they're going to be free anyhow. Ring of Arcane Might might actually fall within the 12.5k price range, which is nice. If not, go for a +CON item and one of the rings I mentioned earlier.

As for spell choices, save or sucks/loses are good to start. It's been said by better people than me, so I'll just let 'em say it again. (http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/19873034/Treantmonks_guide_to_Wizards_Being_a_God) Apologies about the link, but there should be some decent spell suggestions in there for you. I'll try to also dig up the individual spell school reviews, too.


EDIT: Bah, looks like the link lacks the spell suggestions. Will fix shortly.

EDIT2: New link is up. Second post has some links to individual spell school reviews. Hope that helps.

Eldariel
2009-11-29, 01:36 AM
As I said, you can take Martial Wizard (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#wizard) to get Improved Initiative without burning a feat on it.

I wouldn't bother with Amulet of Natural Armor. You can be pretty defensible with: Blur, Invisibility, Mirror Image, Overland Flight, and eventual Contingency (through Greater Shadow Evocation). That means your primary defense isn't really your AC; spending money on boosting it isn't that useful in your case since you don't have armor nor any stat to AC. Amulet of Con, on the other hand, could be v. useful.


And handy equipment you don't already have:
- Amulet of Con +2
- Heward's Fortifying Bedroll [Magic Item Compendium] - get two and you'll make do with only two hours sleep a night
- Ring of Sustenance
- Ring of Enduring Arcana [Complete Mage] - protects you vs. Dispels
- Circlet of Rapid Casting [Magic Item Compendium] - cheap item that's very much like Lesser Metamagic Rod of Quicken
- Healing Belt [MiC] - Only 750gp, lotsa healing
- Scrolls of especially level 1 spells, especially utility at that. 25gp a pop.
- Wand of something you can use constantly when you need to conserve your spells.


Also, according to DMG you need no feats to use Circle Power. See:
"Add Empower Spell, Maximize Spell, or Heighten Spell metamagic feats to spells currently prepared by the circle leader. Each circle bonus level counts as one additional spell level required by the application of a metamagic feat to a spell. The circle leader may add one of the three listed feats to a spell even if he does not know the feat or if the addition of the feat would raise the spell level past the circle leader’s normal maximum spell level (maximum spell level 20th)."

Given I think DMG is the latest printing of the PrC, I think that stands (it was first printed in FRCS).