PDA

View Full Version : [3.5] How to optimize an Uttercold Assault Wizard Necromancer?



Endarire
2010-10-30, 04:38 AM
Intro
I read K's Revised Necromancer Handbook (http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=5584.0) and found no detailed build for an uttercold Assault Wizard Necromancer. My version emphasizes some blasts, but my elite skeleton cadre makes me feel like a squad commander.

This assumes I start at ECL1 with all first party material available. "Dragon" will also be considered.

Saranul's Story
Saranul was a frail old man living in the mountaintop village of Morask. In Morask, he lived as a sage for many years, with a mind that had largely gone to waste. In his isolation, he lost parts of his sanity, and began to believe that he had been cursed to watch his village wither away and die.

In his last days, he called out to Bahamut for an extension on his life and a chance to start anew. Saranul underwent the ritual in the frigid cold with only the frail ritual shell to protect him.

After Saranul awoke, he returned home to gather his things, and found a string of freshly-slain corpses strewn about. Saranul knew these people. They were like family to him!

Saranul searched the village, but found no signs of life. Those who had not perished simply disappeared. Not even the animals remained.

"The Undercalling" as Saranul puts it is why he is determined in this new life to understand death. As he mutters time after time, "I should be dead."

Stats (32 Point Buy)
08 STR (08 base)
16 DEX (16 base +2 race -2 template) [10 Points]
10 CON (06 base +2 racial variant +2 template)
22 INT (18 base +2 race +2 racial variant) [18 Points]
12 WIS (12 base) [ 4 Points]
06 CHA (08 base -2 racial variant)

Race
Dragonborn (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20060105b&page=1) Fire (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/races/elementalRacialVariants.htm#fireElves) Water (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/races/elementalRacialVariants.htm#racesOfWater) Drow (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/sp/20040213a) who takes the Necropolitan template (Libris Mortis 114) later in life.

Class
Elf Generalist (Races of the Wild 157) Domain Wizard (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#wizardVariantDomainWiz ard)5/Incantatrix10/Olin Gisir1 (Lost Empires of Faerun 21)/Archmage (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/prestigeClasses/archmage.htm)3/X1

1: {Aggressive (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/buildingCharacters/characterTraits.htm#aggressive)}, {Murky-Eyed (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/buildingcharacters/characterflaws.htm#murkyEyed)}, {Noncombatant (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/buildingcharacters/characterflaws.htm#noncombatant)},
1: [Domain: Transmutation], [Familiar: Hummingbird ("Dragon 323" 98) for +4 initiative OR a Raven (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/classes/sorcererWizard.htm#familiars) for using staves and wands

1: Easy Metamagic: Fell Drain ("Dragon 325"), Fell Drain ([i]Libris Mortis 27), Spell Focus: Conjuration
3: Energy Substitution: Cold, Complete Scoundrel 151)], [Natural Bond: Double familiar bonus but can't deliver touch spells (Races of the Wild 157]
5: [Granted Domain Power: Travel] (Complete Champion 52)
6: Corpsecrafter (Libris Mortis 25), [Lord of the Uttercold], [Opposed School: Enchantment]
7: [Cooperative Metamagic]
8: [Metamagic Effect]
9: [Extend Spell], Persistent Spell
12: [Quicken Spell], School Focus: Evocation/Necromancy OR Skill Focus: Spellcraft
15: , School Focus: Evocation/Necromancy OR Skill Focus: Spellcraft, [@METAMAGIC FEAT@]
16: [@METAMAGIC FEAT@]
17: [Spell-like Ability: [i]time stop]
18: [Mastery of Shaping OR Spell Power], -=FEAT=-
19: [Mastery of Shaping OR Spell Power]
20: ?

-=FEAT POOL=-
-Lifesense (Libris Mortis 28)

@METAMAGIC FEAT POOL@
-Easy Metamagic ("Dragon 325")
-Sudden Empower/Maximize

Notes
Dumping CON
I'm doing something contrary to typical CO logic by dumping my CON. Instead, I'm boosting my DEX and INT. I'll be a Necropolitan soon enough, and they don't get CHA instead of CON to HP. Oh well. I'll live with my augmented undead body.

Level Plan
If I could safely do so, I'd instead go Wizard5/Ultimate Magus7 (Complete Mage 77)/Full Casting1/WhateverX. I'd have L9 spells by L13, but my group considers me powerful enough without such tricks.

How's an Uttercold Assault Wizard Necromancer play compared to a typical 'God' Wizard?
I've never played a 3.P blaster caster nor an undead controller, but I suspect I'll be doing a lot of crowd control and buffing as well, just like a standard Wizard.

Lord of the Uttercold and Reserve Feats
I greatly wanted Lord of the Uttercold to also apply to the Winter's Blast reserve feat (Complete Mage 48) for full out of combat healing.

Spellstitching
I need some way to get +7 WIS for Spellstitching (Complete Arcane 161). I could spend a level point on it, but I'd prefer not. I could borrow an item of +6 WIS for the time. If I pay another for the task, it'll cost at least 48,500G. Yowza!

Slaymates
I want a Slaymate (Libris Mortis 123). What are easy ways to get a loyal one?