Optimator
2011-08-11, 12:17 PM
My current character is rapidly approaching level 20 (18 now) and I want to plan my final spell selection now. I just have a few more to pick and was wondering what people thought would be the most useful spells. I've narrowed down some choices but I'm looking for any suggestions.
I have access to pretty much the entire 3.5 library. If there is a Pathfinder spell that's particularly noteworthy, please let me know--I have access to one or two of the books but I'm not familiar with them. :smallsmile:
Character:
The character is a Sublime Chord Virtuoso (Bard 6 / Lyric Thurmaturge 3 / Virtuoso 1 / Sublime Chord 2 / Virtuoso 6+) but my spells known is roughly doubled--the houserule is to pay double the cost of a scroll and pay 100 times the spell level in XP to learn a new spell permanently, to a limit of twice the original number known. I have made judicious use of this rule and have stayed one level behind my comrades and rode the XP river to glory. Well, I'm 2 levels behind from Sublime Chord (in terms of what spells I can cast) and a level behind in XP, so it's not that glorious, but still, spells. :smallcool:
Current spells known list:
0th: 11 known
Prestidigitation
Summon Instrument
Read Magic
Detect Magic
Songbird
Mending
Summon Cocktail
Light
Message
Mage Hand
Lullaby
1st: 11 known
Improvisation
Nystul's Magic Aura
Grease
Tasha's Hideous Laughter
Scholar's Touch -RoD 167
Immediate Assistance -CM 108
Comprehend Languages
Undetectable Alignment
Combined Talents -CM 100
Inspirational Boost
Stay the Hand -PHB2 126
2nd: 8 known
Silence
Jig of the Waves -SW 117
Harmonic Chorus
Sonorous Hum
Know Vulnerabilities
Tongues
Fly, Swift
----Open----
3rd: 8 known
Sirine's Call -SW 121
Sculpt Sound
Ray of Dizziness
Enduring Scrutiny CM 101
See Invisibility
Charm Monster
Allegro
Major Image
4th: 8 known
Fugue
Ruin Delver's Fortune
Freedom of Movement
Celerity -PHB2
Greater Mirror Image -PHB2
Ray Deflection
Dimensional Anchor
Spell Enhancer
5th: 8 known
Feeblemind
Teleport
Nightmare
Mislead
Greater Dispel Magic
Greater Blink
Mind Fog
Telekinesis
6th: 8 known
Empyreal Ecstasy -BoED 98
Hindsight
Probe Thoughts
Rapture of the Deep -SW 120
Otto's Irresistible Dance
Snowsong -FB 105
Nixie's Grace
Freezing Glance* -FB 95
7th: 8 known
Glass Strike
Limited Wish
Final Rebuke
Greater Teleport
Greater Arcane Sight
Arcane Spellsurge
Vision
-----Open-----
8th: 6 known
Chain Dispel -PHB2 105
Steal Life -BoVD 106
Maze
Greater Arcane Fusion -CM 96
-----Open-----
-----Open-----
9th: 4 known
Time Stop
Foresight
Programmed Amnesia
-----Open-----
Considerations:
**This is just stuff I've thought of that will influence (and has influenced) my spell selection. It's not super important so don't let it deter you from suggesting something; these aren't criteria.
Highly optimized, high-tier party, usually party with a Druid, an Erudite, a Wizard-heavy Gish, a Cleric-heavy Ruby Knight Vindicator, and a TWF Rogue/Swash/Swordsage. Spells that also appear on the Cleric or Druid list are less desirable. Wizard/Sorcerer- or Bard-only spells are more desirable, if only to be a little more unique.
The character focuses on Divination, Enchantment (only due to DC increases and availability/niche, the character himself doesn't consider it a preferred school, just something he's good at), cold and nautical spells(Stormwrack and Frostburn), dispelling, and time manipulation, so spells of that sort are thematically appropriate--especially time-related spells. The character really plays up the Math-Music-Magic aspect of his casting (via the default fluff of both Sublime Chord and Lyric Thurmaturge. I liked enough that I'm playing it straight).
Party buffing, self buffing and survival, and anti-caster casting is the usual MO.
Metamagic Song for "free" Quicken, Extend, and Chain spells. Also, Doomspeak.
I can boost Enchantment DCs by 4 (Veil of Allure and Captivating Melody).
Illusions at +2 DC
I can boost my caster level by 4 with Song of Arcane Power and take 10 on caster level checks with Arcane Mastery. I use this to bypass SR and auto-dispel most enemy casters and effects.
I have no compunctions against using Limited Wish constantly, to duplicate other spells in emergencies or when they'd be highly appropriate, including 6th level Bard spells (DM allowance, technically the spell only duplicates wizard spells up to 6th and others to 5th). 7th level slots are precious though.
I have Sonorous Hum running at most times, so concentration spells are slightly more useful.
Arcane Spellsurge and Greater Arcane Fusion. 1 Round casting time spells could be done with a standard. DM also has houseruled spontaneous casters using metamagic don't suffer increased casing times.
************************************************** ******************
So with that out of the way, here are the spells I'm considering. Please let me know what you think. I'm looking for any advice so if you see a spell you think I should or should not have, let me know :smallbiggrin:
*An asterisk means I'm heavily considering it, for power or thematic reasons.
+A plus sign means it's probably a good Limited Wish candidate but also something I'd cast frequently or would just like to know.
2nd: One slot open
Alter Self
Battle Hymn
Glitterdust
Locate Object
Suggestion
5th: One slot open if I trade out Telekinesis
Bolts of Bedevilment -something to do each round, DC will be high, powerful debuff.
Greater Heroism* -Good for party buffer role, more useful for the temp HP and skill bonus than the attack and fear immunity. Tempting...
Telekinesis* -Concentration spell, so it's good for Sonorous Hum.
6th: [Edit] Spell chosen. Went with Freezing glance
Analyze Dweomer+ -flavorful, useful in a way the character would certainly appreciate, but may not come up often enough.
Heroes Feast -Spontaneous feast? The character would cast it daily, just so he wouldn't have to prepare food himself. Plus, it's a good buff spell regardless.
Freezing Glance* High DC but not mind-affecting. Powerful offensive addition.
Revenance*+ -High Optimization campaign, so we die with some frequency. Plus, I like the fact that it's a Bard spell.
Interplanar Telepathic Bond -Go teamwork!
Ruby Ray of Reversal -Handy for a spontaneous caster.
Contingency*+ -Obvious use and a tier-1 staple. Dispellable though, and I have a limited selection of spells to use in conjunction with it. Plenty of good ones though.
7th: One slot open, two if I trade out Final Rebuke.
Elemental Body -Very powerful self buff. Somewhat redundant due to gear, but not entirely.
Ironguard*-Very powerful self buff. I'm somewhat squishy if my defenses are actually breached. At least this could fully protect me from some threats. Plus the utility aspect too.
Stun Ray -Take (nearly) anything out of the fight at a safe distance.
Final Rebuke* -Save or die with a high DC, daze on successful save. Good for the guaranteed daze, plus it's 7th level and castable through Greater Arcane Fusion.
8th: Two slots open
Temporal Stasis* -Thematic and useful. Targets a save which not many of my other spells target. It's also generally the highest save and it's expensive to boot.
Wrathful Castigation* - Save or die, make that save and then save or lose. Superior but redundant with Final Rebuke, but both have their uses.
Moment of Prescience* -Thematic and powerful.
9th: One slot open
Effulgent Epuration* -Powerful protection. Near-invincibility, considering my other buffs and magic items.
Frostfell -WTF crazy-strong offense. Party druid uses this a lot. 1 round casting time (Arcase Spellsurge). One of my favorite spells.
Dominate Monster -The pinnacle of Enchantment magic. DC 36 (39 at level 20 and with a +5 book) or be my slave. Casting Rapture of the Deep, then casting Programmed Amnesia could potentially accomplish the same thing, though not as fast and at -3 to the DC. 1 round casting time (Arcase Spellsurge).
I have access to pretty much the entire 3.5 library. If there is a Pathfinder spell that's particularly noteworthy, please let me know--I have access to one or two of the books but I'm not familiar with them. :smallsmile:
Character:
The character is a Sublime Chord Virtuoso (Bard 6 / Lyric Thurmaturge 3 / Virtuoso 1 / Sublime Chord 2 / Virtuoso 6+) but my spells known is roughly doubled--the houserule is to pay double the cost of a scroll and pay 100 times the spell level in XP to learn a new spell permanently, to a limit of twice the original number known. I have made judicious use of this rule and have stayed one level behind my comrades and rode the XP river to glory. Well, I'm 2 levels behind from Sublime Chord (in terms of what spells I can cast) and a level behind in XP, so it's not that glorious, but still, spells. :smallcool:
Current spells known list:
0th: 11 known
Prestidigitation
Summon Instrument
Read Magic
Detect Magic
Songbird
Mending
Summon Cocktail
Light
Message
Mage Hand
Lullaby
1st: 11 known
Improvisation
Nystul's Magic Aura
Grease
Tasha's Hideous Laughter
Scholar's Touch -RoD 167
Immediate Assistance -CM 108
Comprehend Languages
Undetectable Alignment
Combined Talents -CM 100
Inspirational Boost
Stay the Hand -PHB2 126
2nd: 8 known
Silence
Jig of the Waves -SW 117
Harmonic Chorus
Sonorous Hum
Know Vulnerabilities
Tongues
Fly, Swift
----Open----
3rd: 8 known
Sirine's Call -SW 121
Sculpt Sound
Ray of Dizziness
Enduring Scrutiny CM 101
See Invisibility
Charm Monster
Allegro
Major Image
4th: 8 known
Fugue
Ruin Delver's Fortune
Freedom of Movement
Celerity -PHB2
Greater Mirror Image -PHB2
Ray Deflection
Dimensional Anchor
Spell Enhancer
5th: 8 known
Feeblemind
Teleport
Nightmare
Mislead
Greater Dispel Magic
Greater Blink
Mind Fog
Telekinesis
6th: 8 known
Empyreal Ecstasy -BoED 98
Hindsight
Probe Thoughts
Rapture of the Deep -SW 120
Otto's Irresistible Dance
Snowsong -FB 105
Nixie's Grace
Freezing Glance* -FB 95
7th: 8 known
Glass Strike
Limited Wish
Final Rebuke
Greater Teleport
Greater Arcane Sight
Arcane Spellsurge
Vision
-----Open-----
8th: 6 known
Chain Dispel -PHB2 105
Steal Life -BoVD 106
Maze
Greater Arcane Fusion -CM 96
-----Open-----
-----Open-----
9th: 4 known
Time Stop
Foresight
Programmed Amnesia
-----Open-----
Considerations:
**This is just stuff I've thought of that will influence (and has influenced) my spell selection. It's not super important so don't let it deter you from suggesting something; these aren't criteria.
Highly optimized, high-tier party, usually party with a Druid, an Erudite, a Wizard-heavy Gish, a Cleric-heavy Ruby Knight Vindicator, and a TWF Rogue/Swash/Swordsage. Spells that also appear on the Cleric or Druid list are less desirable. Wizard/Sorcerer- or Bard-only spells are more desirable, if only to be a little more unique.
The character focuses on Divination, Enchantment (only due to DC increases and availability/niche, the character himself doesn't consider it a preferred school, just something he's good at), cold and nautical spells(Stormwrack and Frostburn), dispelling, and time manipulation, so spells of that sort are thematically appropriate--especially time-related spells. The character really plays up the Math-Music-Magic aspect of his casting (via the default fluff of both Sublime Chord and Lyric Thurmaturge. I liked enough that I'm playing it straight).
Party buffing, self buffing and survival, and anti-caster casting is the usual MO.
Metamagic Song for "free" Quicken, Extend, and Chain spells. Also, Doomspeak.
I can boost Enchantment DCs by 4 (Veil of Allure and Captivating Melody).
Illusions at +2 DC
I can boost my caster level by 4 with Song of Arcane Power and take 10 on caster level checks with Arcane Mastery. I use this to bypass SR and auto-dispel most enemy casters and effects.
I have no compunctions against using Limited Wish constantly, to duplicate other spells in emergencies or when they'd be highly appropriate, including 6th level Bard spells (DM allowance, technically the spell only duplicates wizard spells up to 6th and others to 5th). 7th level slots are precious though.
I have Sonorous Hum running at most times, so concentration spells are slightly more useful.
Arcane Spellsurge and Greater Arcane Fusion. 1 Round casting time spells could be done with a standard. DM also has houseruled spontaneous casters using metamagic don't suffer increased casing times.
************************************************** ******************
So with that out of the way, here are the spells I'm considering. Please let me know what you think. I'm looking for any advice so if you see a spell you think I should or should not have, let me know :smallbiggrin:
*An asterisk means I'm heavily considering it, for power or thematic reasons.
+A plus sign means it's probably a good Limited Wish candidate but also something I'd cast frequently or would just like to know.
2nd: One slot open
Alter Self
Battle Hymn
Glitterdust
Locate Object
Suggestion
5th: One slot open if I trade out Telekinesis
Bolts of Bedevilment -something to do each round, DC will be high, powerful debuff.
Greater Heroism* -Good for party buffer role, more useful for the temp HP and skill bonus than the attack and fear immunity. Tempting...
Telekinesis* -Concentration spell, so it's good for Sonorous Hum.
6th: [Edit] Spell chosen. Went with Freezing glance
Analyze Dweomer+ -flavorful, useful in a way the character would certainly appreciate, but may not come up often enough.
Heroes Feast -Spontaneous feast? The character would cast it daily, just so he wouldn't have to prepare food himself. Plus, it's a good buff spell regardless.
Freezing Glance* High DC but not mind-affecting. Powerful offensive addition.
Revenance*+ -High Optimization campaign, so we die with some frequency. Plus, I like the fact that it's a Bard spell.
Interplanar Telepathic Bond -Go teamwork!
Ruby Ray of Reversal -Handy for a spontaneous caster.
Contingency*+ -Obvious use and a tier-1 staple. Dispellable though, and I have a limited selection of spells to use in conjunction with it. Plenty of good ones though.
7th: One slot open, two if I trade out Final Rebuke.
Elemental Body -Very powerful self buff. Somewhat redundant due to gear, but not entirely.
Ironguard*-Very powerful self buff. I'm somewhat squishy if my defenses are actually breached. At least this could fully protect me from some threats. Plus the utility aspect too.
Stun Ray -Take (nearly) anything out of the fight at a safe distance.
Final Rebuke* -Save or die with a high DC, daze on successful save. Good for the guaranteed daze, plus it's 7th level and castable through Greater Arcane Fusion.
8th: Two slots open
Temporal Stasis* -Thematic and useful. Targets a save which not many of my other spells target. It's also generally the highest save and it's expensive to boot.
Wrathful Castigation* - Save or die, make that save and then save or lose. Superior but redundant with Final Rebuke, but both have their uses.
Moment of Prescience* -Thematic and powerful.
9th: One slot open
Effulgent Epuration* -Powerful protection. Near-invincibility, considering my other buffs and magic items.
Frostfell -WTF crazy-strong offense. Party druid uses this a lot. 1 round casting time (Arcase Spellsurge). One of my favorite spells.
Dominate Monster -The pinnacle of Enchantment magic. DC 36 (39 at level 20 and with a +5 book) or be my slave. Casting Rapture of the Deep, then casting Programmed Amnesia could potentially accomplish the same thing, though not as fast and at -3 to the DC. 1 round casting time (Arcase Spellsurge).