(3.X) A question about 3rd level spells

[DracoDei]

I am doing some background research for a homebrew I am considering.
If one is playing a batman type wizard, what sort of spells are considered higher priority spells to add to one's spellbook than Haste?
Fly would probably be one, right? But what else?

[ericgrau]

Well 3rd level is when you start getting the major combat spells. Fly is not one of those. You can't rain death from above without any death. So what you do is make fly a priority once you get 4th or 5th level spells. Other awesome combat spells would be sleet storm, stinking cloud, deep slumber (until higher levels), fireball (damage amazing if you can hit 2-4+ targets), and slow.

Other good buffs once you get to higher levels are magic circle against evil (no domination, minor buffs, 10' radius), protection from energy, heroism, flame arrow, greater magic weapon and keen edge. These last so long you can cast them out of combat. And if your enemy uses buffs or etc., that's what dispel magic is for.

I left out some specialty spells like illusions which are good under the right circumstances. For buffs that lasts rounds or minutes you only want 1 or 2 of those since you only get so many buffing rounds. If your heart is set on fly, that doesn't leave much room.

[Eldariel]

If one is playing a batman type wizard, what sort of spells are considered higher priority spells to add to one's spellbook than Haste?
Fly would probably be one, right? But what else?

Dispel Magic, Greater Magic Weapon (permabuff for your party in a couple of levels; not worth it at +1 obv tho), Slow, Stinking Cloud, Phantom Steed (better than Fly once you get to caster levels where it flies) are big ones. Eventually, given access, you'll also want Magic Circles, Major Image, Ray of Exhaustion, Heroism, Keen Edge, Tongues, Sleet Storm, Displacement & Invisibility Sphere, too. Flame Arrow is a nice long duration free buff for warriors too. And yeah, Keen Edges and Heroism are both long enough duration to keep up for the relevant time on higher levels (not yet tho). Oh, and a scroll of Wind Wall if you have Evocation.

Outside Core you get a bunch of good stuff; just refer Playing a God (http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=394.0) for ease of reference, there.

EDIT: Oh yeah, and Shrink Item & Explosive Runes are quite brokenly powerful, though both certainly have reasonable uses, too.

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

Stinking Cloud.
Dispel Magic.
Shrink Item.

Fly shouldn't be necessary if you have Alter Self.
You'll want Heart of Water (CM).

Bands of Steel (SpC) is also pretty good for knocking down winged opponents.
Ray of Exhaustion is good for fighting a single tough enemy.
Ray of Dizziness (SpC) if you didn't ban enchantment.

[DeAnno]

Battlemagic Perception (HoB) is very useful when fighting other casters, and generally gives you a lot of information you don't deserve (right up Batman's alley). If you're interested in Bands of Steel, Shadow Binding (SC) is similar and superior in some areas (slightly harder checks, small area of effect instead of single target).

Haste is probably generally better than either though.

[Thurbane]

Fly shouldn't be necessary if you have Alter Self.
Main issue there is you can't cast Alter Self on your allies (barring that one FR PrC or other shenanigans)...

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

Main issue there is you can't cast Alter Self on your allies (barring that one FR PrC or other shenanigans)...

They should learn to pull their own weight and play spellcasters, or he can just force them to pitch in for a Wand of Spider Climb.