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View Full Version : [3.5] Master Ultimate Archconjurer - a wonky build, please correct/advise



JBento
2011-01-24, 04:53 PM
I had 1hr free and decided to put to paper a build I've been mentally toying around with for a while. This is a theoretical build, as I currently have no game to play it in, but I'd like to play it in a future game. Therefore, no TO tricks are allowed, and, since I don't know what the DM will go for, no optional stuff like flaws either.
I can't seem to make a table :smallfrown: so here it goes in a (hopefully slightly) worse way:

SpC lvl=Spellcasting level, as in Spells Known/per day thingie
MS=Master Specialist
UM=Ultimate Magus
AM=Archmage
SpC and Caster level colums are in a x.y format, where x is Wiz side, y is Sorc side


Level Class SpC lvl Caster lvl Feat
1 Wiz1 1.0 1.0 SpF (Conj), Heighten Spell
2 Sor1 1.1 1.1
3 Wiz2 2.1 2.3 P. Spellcaster (Sorc)
4 Wiz3 3.1 3.4
5 MS1 4.1 4.5 SF (Spellcraft)
6 UM1 5.1 6.6 Leadership
7 UM2 6.2 7.7
8 UM3 7.3 8.8
9 UM4 8.3 10.9 Summon Elemental [Reserve]
10 UM5 9.4 11.10 B
11 UM6 10.5 12.11
12 UM7 10.6 13.13 here
13 UM8 11.7 14.14
14 UM9 12.8 15.15 B
15 UM10 13.9 17.17 SpF (Trans)
16 AM1 14.9 18.17
17 AM2 15.9 19.17
18 AM3 16.9 20.17 here
19 AM4 17.9 21.17
20 AM5 18.9 22.17

I hope I didn't get any math wrong along the way :smalleek:

Depending on the ability scores, Sorc might be Beguiler instead.
I still have 4 feat slots free, 2 of which must be metamagic feats.
Will I need Spell Penetration? Or will assay resistance/higher-than-level-caster-level see me through easily enough?
What metamagic feats would you recommend? I was thinking Empower, Extend, Quicken and Chain Spell
For the Archmage's High Arcana, I was thinking Mastery of Elements, Mastery of Shaping, and Spell Powerx3.

Any thoughts/advice on the whole of the thing? Also, any good way of getting more skill points? Even as a human I would like another skill point/lvl to get one more Knowledge skill...

Sorry about the whole mess - I hope it's not too tricky to read :smallfrown:

nedz
2011-01-24, 06:37 PM
Beguiler gets you more skill points than Sorc, but since its only one level I'm not sure there's much point.
Feat: Nymph's Kiss from BoED +1 Skill point per level, and some other stuff.
More Int ?

What about Practiced Spellcaster (Wiz) I know its only +1 CL, but it is CL ?
I believe the UM thingy stacks, if I read it right ?
Maybe there are better feats for you though.

I'm not sure about the Archmage ? I mean its interesting, but there are better PrCs.

Keld Denar
2011-01-24, 07:04 PM
Change your race to Illumian. Pick any sigil combination that includes the word Krau. This gives you basically a +2 CL to any spellcasting class, so long as it doesn't exceed your HD. Basically, a half strength Practiced Spellcaster. This is important because that combined with Practiced Spellcaster will allow you to take all 10 UM levels and apply them all to your wizard casting side.

I'd go with Beguiler as a base. Heck, go Beguiler for 1st level, then start taking Wizard levels. You'll get WAY more SP, and the 1st level is clutch.

As for metamagic, I'm fond of Quicken Spell, Split Ray, and Sculpt Spell. Chain is decent, but you'll mostly be using it for buffage rather than offense, and that is best done with a Least MM Rod of Chain Spell. For your UM free metamagic doodad thingy, eventually the big +4s like Twin Spell become worthwhile, but Quicken also serves well on this list, and is actually useful from about level 10 and up. Other ones that are fun to play with include the Libris Mortis Fell X spells, particularly Fell Draining, Fell Weakening, and Fell Frightening. Fell Weakening + Empowered Ray of Enfeeblement is a no save GAME OVER for most melee brutes, or just about anyone carrying equipment or wearing any armor.

Just some musings.

JBento
2011-01-25, 05:29 AM
Nymph's Kiss requires the character to be Exalted - not just Good, but Exalted. Also, it's an extra feat - something to consider if I get flaws, but not otherwise.

Practiced SpC (Wiz) would be ANOTHER feat, and unless taken really late, it would interfere with bumping Wiz with UM (and, as you said, its just +1 caster lvl).

I know about the Illumian trick - the extra Wizard caster lvl doesn't really seem worth one feat (when this is already pretty feat intensive) and 1 skillpoint/lvl (when I'm already trying to get more).

Beguiler is definetely an option and, if taken, will of course be 1st level - extra hp, bump in skill points, and only one casting stat to care about.

Taking Chain off the list, then - TOTALLY forgot about the MM rods :smallredface:
Going to check the Book of Bad Latin for the fells, then :smallsmile:

Thanks :smallbiggrin:

dobu
2011-01-25, 07:26 AM
Fell Weakening + Empowered Ray of Enfeeblement is a no save GAME OVER for most melee brutes, or just about anyone carrying equipment or wearing any armor.
.


Augmented Casting
[...] You can't use this ability to augment a spell already affected by a metamagic feat. [...]


Just saying. This one is always forgotten...