RAY wizard/magic user build

[leegi0n]

All,

I have never built a ray exclusive user, but hear they're quite nice. Can anyone help me with the ideal setup for one. Party level is 9 (1 figher, 1 barbarian, 2 scout/rangers, 1 psion, 1 druid, 1 cleric, and 1 bard)

The RAY user is to be one of the big baddies and if it permits (he/she doesn't die) a recurring character until the "end"

Thanks in advance.

[Malachei]

It is pretty straightforward. Ray specialists usually focus on a few trademark spells, relying on metamagic reducers to get the most out of it. The various wizard guides address the issue for feat selection. Most builds use Empower Spell, Split Ray, Arcane Thesis etc. -- the classic example is Enervation of course (*yawn*).

For spells, I'd say the Spell Compendium has a nice selection of Ray spells (note the Orb spells are not Rays). Then there are enhancers, which improve subsequent Ray attacks, such as Seeking Ray or Targeting Ray.

For defense, I'd have that caster always carry Ray Deflection, to make sure he will not be beaten by his own tactics.

[ericgrau]

This is similar, even though it's a pathfinder sorcerer: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218040&page=2
Ya 3.5 will add a few more tricks to it.

[JohnDaBarr]

(note the Orb spells are not Rays)

get 4 lvl's of Spellwarp Sniper from Complete Scoundrel and get those Orbs in to ray, then Spit Ray, Arcane Thesis, Empower Spell, Maximize and Energy Substitution = qazilion of dmg no save no SR just need's to hit XD

Edit: Split Ray Of Exhaustion is a fun way to deal with grunts with sharp sticks.

[Keld Denar]

You can't Spellwarp orbs. Only area spells that have a ref save. Orbs are neither AoEs, nor do they allow ref saves.

[Qwertystop]

What's the difference between a ray spell and any other spell with a ranged touch attack required?

Also, you could try adding some Line spells. Similar appearance, so it fits thematically, but it also goes through people. For example, call Lightning Bolt a Piercing Ray of Lightning.

[Keld Denar]

A ray spell has the following line in the spell statblock:

Effect: Ray

If it doesn't have that line, its not a ray. It might look like a ray, it might smell like a ray, and it might quack like a ray, but its not a ray.

[Kaje]

You can't Spellwarp orbs. Only area spells that have a ref save. Orbs are neither AoEs, nor do they allow ref saves.

You can spellwarp any area spells with instantaneous duration and a range greater than touch. The reflex save part is a different part of the ability (spellwarping removes reflex saves, but not other saves).

[Qwertystop]

A ray spell has the following line in the spell statblock:

Effect: Ray

If it doesn't have that line, its not a ray. It might look like a ray, it might smell like a ray, and it might quack like a ray, but its not a ray.
So it does exactly the same thing except for abilities that specifically call out rays...

You can spellwarp any area spells with instantaneous duration and a range greater than touch. The reflex save part is a different part of the ability (spellwarping removes reflex saves, but not other saves).

Still counts out Orbs though.

[JohnDaBarr]

range greater than touch

is there an area spell with touch range??

[Qwertystop]

is there an area spell with touch range??

Mass healing spells (like Mass CMW)

EDIT: Never mind, the Mass Cure spells are Close range.

[JohnDaBarr]

damn shame you can't spellwarp Orb's they are probably one the best spell's to warp

but get back on the topic

good classes for Ray Specialist are Arcane Trickster, Unseen Seer and ofc Incantatrix (hehehe but Incantatrix is great for everything)

and btw what are nice spell's for spellwarping I would like to try playing that Sniper?

[Kaje]

Shrug, I just read the ability description.

[leegi0n]

You can't Spellwarp orbs. Only area spells that have a ref save. Orbs are neither AoEs, nor do they allow ref saves.

So, how would an orb jive with a ray?....or does it matter?

[Keld Denar]

Its nearly identical, except that certain effects and abilities only work with spells that are explicitly a ray. Split Ray metamagic, for example, would work with Ray of Frost, but not with Lesser Orb of Acid.

Ray Deflection, despite its name, works on all ranged touch attacks because it says so.

Like just about everything else in D&D by this point, there is a list for that.

Spellwarpable spells (http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/19870226/Spellwarp_Sniper_List_of_Handy_Spells)

[leegi0n]

[QUOTE=Keld Denar;12109583]Its nearly identical, except that certain effects and abilities only work with spells that are explicitly a ray. Split Ray metamagic, for example, would work with Ray of Frost, but not with Lesser Orb of Acid.


I've decided to pursue the following build:
rogue3/wizard5/incantatrix1/spellwarp sniper5 race: hobgoblin

Ability stats (buffed/modified/racial bonuses, etc):
Str: 11
Dex: 22
Con: 22
Int: 20
Wis: 15
Cha: 10

Now as far as feats, these are what I have in mind:

Empower Spell
Point Blank Shot
Weapon Finesse (ray)
Improved Initiative
Split Ray
Improved Unarmed Strike
Deflect Arrows

Flaws:
Frail
Noncombatant

That leaves me TWO available feat slots, one of which needs to be a bonus metamagic feat. Any suggestions?


...Bueller?.......anyone?

[The Boz]

AFB right now, does anyone know of a way to treat melee touch attacks as ranged touch attacks or rays via feats, metamagic or spells?

[Gotterdammerung]

You can't Spellwarp orbs. Only area spells that have a ref save. Orbs are neither AoEs, nor do they allow ref saves.

Tell that to the Lilliputians. A hand sized orb is fireball sized to them.

[leegi0n]

AFB right now, does anyone know of a way to treat melee touch attacks as ranged touch attacks or rays via feats, metamagic or spells?

Mage Hand or Spectral Hand, no?

what is AFB?

[Keld Denar]

AFB - Away From Books

As far as making touch spells at range, Archmage's Mastery of Reach and the Reach Spell metamagic feat works. So would Occular Spell, from Lords of Madness, but that one is a little awkward.

[Fax Celestis]

Dragon Annual 5 also has Ray Coning, Ray Burst, Ray Splitting, and Ray Extension. Ray Splitting + Split Ray = 4 rays. Tastes great, more chilling.

[GoodbyeSoberDay]

The best spell to warp is Wings of Flurry. Uncapped Xd6 force damage + daze, reflex to halve the damage and avoid the daze. But spellwarp takes away the reflex save. Problems: SR: Yes, Forceward, Ray Deflection, Wings of Cover. Solution: Dispel/counterspell minion.

If you don't want to be a sorcerer (required for WoF) or don't want auto-daze to be a focal point of the caster, Frost Breath (level 2, Spell Compendium) deals (CL/2)d4 cold damage and, you guessed it, dazes on a failed ref.