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View Full Version : Help optimize my Daggerspell Mage



Godskook
2010-01-27, 06:13 PM
Before you even start, my progression thus far is set in stone as a Rogue 1/Wizard 4/Daggerspell 1.

Here's the sheet: http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=152247

I built this for a game I recently joined and I started to realize that my character doesn't seem to have a lot of effective in-combat options yet. That's not horrible for me, since we're a 5-man team and I can console myself with being the guy who keeps us safe from being 'eaten' by traps, identifies and appraises the goods, and just generally has the ability to make skill-checks. I feel useful in the group, despite my expectation of not being able to contribute meaningfully to combat. However, I expect that to be unfair to the group, and also a little boring for me during the combat scenes, so how can I boost my effectiveness? I've considered Abjurant Champion for the AC/BAB boost.

All books allowed, except TOB.

Innis Cabal
2010-01-27, 06:17 PM
Good spell selection will win you the day in all honesty. I know you said you can't change the classes, but for future builds, even if you get fewer spells and weaker ones, Sorcerer or Beguiler are better picks for the Dagger Spell Mage.

But, on to the real issue. Pick spells that will synergize well with being in close combat, use them as often as possible and don't stop till the thing is dead. Your honestly only level 6 with one level in the PrC, so it stands to reason your not yet in your prime. Give it some time before you go looking for more options. You'll be weaker in the long run if you do that now.

faceroll
2010-01-27, 06:24 PM
Go focused specialist and prepare transmutations that make you a better fighter. Spell Compendium has a lot of 'em.

tyckspoon
2010-01-27, 06:25 PM
You're a Wizard. You know Glitterdust. I'm afraid I don't understand the question. :smalltongue:

It will take a few levels for your rogueishness+magic to be properly blended by the Daggerspell class. Until that happens, you'll be primarily acting as a wizard for combat actions; look up some of the guides on good low-level spells and you should do fine. You could memorize nothing but Web and Glitterdust in your second level slots and probably make an effective contribution, really, although all the AoE disable might annoy your party a bit.

Godskook
2010-01-27, 06:30 PM
Its not that I want more options, its that I want a plan. Don't want to hit L15 and realize I not only suck, but can't fix it anymore either.

Also, as for spell selection which are you referring to? My thought so far was to choose batman-style spells and stay the hell out of combat, especially before the prestige class starts blossoming(Yes, I realized that I'm in an awkward spot right at the moment due to just hitting the prestige class the character is built around).


You're a Wizard. You know Glitterdust. I'm afraid I don't understand the question. :smalltongue:

Thanks. That's both hilarious and reassuring(I needed the laugh).

As for the problem, its not that I don't want to use my spells in combat, its that I'm worried I'm lagging behind on the DCs due to being a spell level behind and missing spell focus in my chosen school. Its also cause I've never played in a campaign that managed to last long enough for me to level up more than once.

faceroll
2010-01-27, 06:39 PM
Later on, you don't want to worry about DCs, because you're a build that full attacks flanked opponents.

Wraithstrike, for instance, let's you cut through heavily armored foes like butter. Belker's Claws adds 2d12 to your attack, and lingers for multiple rounds, depending on your level. Just look through the Transmutation spells in Spell Compendium, especially the first 3 levels. There are a ton of touch attack ones. It's a shame you banned necromancy, as that has some very solid touch attacks in it. You're build looks pretty standard batman/god, but the rogue & daggerspell mage really takes away from that. You have to think gishier.

You're also going to want golem strike (SA vs constructs), critical strike (+1d6 SA), Sniper's Shot (no range limit on next SA), Nerveskitter (immediate action for +5 initiative), Bladeweave (daze effect on melee attacks), Heroics (bonus fighter feat for round/lvl), Whirling Blade (60ft line of death with a thrown slashing weapon), Bite of X (massive boosts to physical stats & some nice feats), Ruin Delver's Fortune (immediate action to avoid some misfortune), and quickened mass snake's swiftness (7th level slot to give all allies in a 20ft radius burst an extra attack, very handy for when you just HAVE to kill something).

Sculpt Spell + Whirling Blade is very neat, since you can get sneak attacks vs multiple creatures in either 4 cubes, a cone, or a radius. Only a 3rd level spell slot.

All of these spells, save bladeweave (illusion) are trans, unfortunately.

[edit]
With abrupt jaunt, you can either get into or out of tight spots, which is very nice, since there's very little action cost with it. I would seriously consider switching that to transmutation, though, since batmanning it up just isn't worth it when you've got a sneak attack focus.

jiriku
2010-01-27, 06:54 PM
What's your Int? Does your DM use level-appropriate encounters, or typically throw things at the party that are 4+ levels above the group's EL? Those have a lot more impact on the effectiveness of your save DCs than whether or not you took spell focus.

If your DCs are low, however, you probably can't fix it, so choose spells that either offer no save, affect many targets, or provide a valuable benefit even if the enemy passes a save. Good examples include grease, web, glitterdust, haste, stinking cloud, evard's black tentacles, and wall of stone. I'm also fond of greater slide as a means of getting allies out of grapples or into full attack position.

Godskook
2010-01-27, 06:59 PM
@Jiriku, did you notice the character sheet? And as far as the DM goes, its pbp, so I don't know his style yet.

faceroll
2010-01-27, 07:01 PM
Black Tentacles & Grease will be great for letting you sneak attack stuff. So will using blinding effects that don't offer a save, like things that make stuff dark or foggy. Then just use blindsight or ebon eyes or something to find them.