Flavorful Wu Jen/JPM Build (suggestions please!)

[Morbis Meh]

Hello playgrounders!
In an upcoming campaign I have decided to play an oriental themed character and I wanted to try out the JPM. So instead if going into the PrC with wizard I thought I would try the Wu Jen class because I like the flavor ans I plan in specializing in fire. So I will be taking a total of 6 levels to gain the Elemental mastery feat. Now for my 1bonus level of iniator class I want to take a level of unarmed swordsage because I want him to be an unarmed Kung Fu asain mystic. So we're starting at level 56 and I either want to go human or gray elf.
My stats: (32 PB)
Str- 9
Dex- 16
Con- 14
Int- 17 +1=18
Wis- 10
Cha- 18

Feats: (1 flaw allowed)
(F) Searing spell
(1) Energy substitution: Fire
(H if I go human) Easy metamagic: Searing Spell
(3) Weapon finesse
(6) Shadow blade
(9) practiced spellcaster
(12) Elemental adept:Fire
(15) Superior unarmed strike
(18) Snap kick


Anyways I plan to build it like so: Wu Jen 4/USS 1/ Wu Jen 2/JPM 10/X 2 (doubt we'll get this high). Alright playground I want to keep the Wu Jen class and USS so lets see what you can do!

[Snowbluff]

I just want to say I find the JPM class incredibly disappointing. Both Empowering and Quickening Strike are 1/encounter, which is kind of sad. The rest of the benefits are sub-par when compared to what divine casters get in the same book. It's called a Windicator for a reason.

You can bring Sudden Quicken and Quicken Spell to give your self some more things to do with you swift actions, especially if you don't want to spend Full-Round action recovering Maves. Personally, I think Crusader is a better fit, since it has a better recovery mechanic, and the Mave selection from JPM won't be worthless versus fire resistant enemies.

[Zonugal]

You are going a fairly solid way with Wu Jen as a lot of its higher-level spells work great in conjunction with maneuvers.

Do you have an idea what schools you will want to specialize in with the Unarmed Sword Sage?

[Snowbluff]

You are going a fairly solid way with Wu Jen as a lot of its higher-level spells work great in conjunction with maneuvers.

Do you have an idea what schools you will want to specialize in with the Unarmed Sword Sage?

She only has 2 schools to choose from as JPM, and only one SS qualifies for, and her stance will has to be a shadow hand one for Shadow Blade.

[Morbis Meh]

Alright since when did I spontaneously grow lady bits lol? I am a he and always have been... putting that aside I know crusader is more mechanically sound than swordaage but the flavour doesn't fit and I want an unarmed combatant and don't have enough feats to take IUS. As for the fire immunity that's where searing spell comes inasmuch it will damage anything with fire resistance and half to immune.

[sreservoir]

wu jen makes me think archmage abusing SLAs with BOB, but.

[Tvtyrant]

Here I thought you were going the King o Smack route and using Wu Jen to become colossal, stacking it with your unarmed damage to do like 12d8 damage a hit and combine with Leaping Flame to get full attacks.

Your way works too though.

[sreservoir]

you could always take a level of archmage, and do the giant size thing with BOB clones...

[Morbis Meh]

you could always take a level of archmage, and do the giant size thing with BOB clones...
I think I will refrain from that type of gouda... I am playing with a first time DM and I don't want to break him...

[Snowbluff]

Alright since when did I spontaneously grow lady bits lol? I am a he and always have been... putting that aside I know crusader is more mechanically sound than swordaage but the flavour doesn't fit and I want an unarmed combatant and don't have enough feats to take IUS. As for the fire immunity that's where searing spell comes inasmuch it will damage anything with fire resistance and half to immune.

Since you-... wow, I just assumed because I thought you Avatat had boobs. Whatever.

You got my two cents, though I will say the Searing Spell focus is a pretty good idea for a fire specialist. :smallsmile:

[Talionis]

wu jen makes me think archmage abusing SLAs with BOB, but.

This is usually the reason people take this combo since being an initiator gives you stuff to do with the clones. Archmage just lets you go near infinite.

But if you aren't going for that I'm assuming you're going for fire synergy?

With JPM you loose at least three caster levels and Wu Jen is already a pretty limited spell-list. Complete Mage, Complete Arcane, possibly one or two in Dragon Magic. Then of course 3.0 Oriental Adventures, but most of those spells are reprinted.

Wu Jen is best at it mystery spells. Is there a good spell you can buff with one of those mysteries?

[Morbis Meh]

Haven't really though about what spell to use... any elemental spell would do since I can substitute it for fire thus getting an overall +5 to my caster level at high levels.

[sreservoir]

This is usually the reason people take this combo since being an initiator gives you stuff to do with the clones. Archmage just lets you go near infinite.

exponentially growing unbounded is pretty silly, I must agree.