Illumian Arcane Heirophant (3.5)

[panaikhan]

I created an Illumian Arcane Heirophant build some time ago now, and basically screwed it up. I got Caster Level and Casting Level horribly confused, misunderstood how the Sigils helped, and basically made a mess of everything.
I was wondering if the playground could give me a few pointers on how to make it right this time, including early entry options if possible.
Race: Illumian.
Divine Class: Druid
Arcane Class: I was thinking of Beguiler or Duskblade? I am not looking to make an optimized mage or druid, just something that is interesting and fun to play, can pull their weight in a party, and be the healer.

[Ernir]

How to make an Illumian Arcane Heirophant work:
Be a Krau sigil Illumian.
Take the Improved Sigil (Krau). Races of Destiny 153. (There are other ways, but this one works well since you are an Illumian anyway.)

Take one level of an arcane spellcasting class that has access to 1st level spells at class level 1. Assign your Improved Sigil bonus to one of the spells you know via this class. You now know a second level arcane spell.
Take Druid levels until you qualify for Arcane Heirophant. It is a good idea to take at least 5 Druid levels regardless, so you get Wild Shape without shenanigans.




Duskblade technically works for this, but it's kind of horrible. Its power is mostly in the class features, the spell list and progression isn't very hot compared to other casters. A Beguiler would be less bad.

[dextercorvia]

And if you go Aeshkrau, then Wild shape into something with an extreme Str score, you get massive bonus spells since you can stay Wildshaped for several hours at a time.

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

Illumian (Krau/whatever), Druid 2/ Wizard 1/ Mystic Theurge 6/ Arcane Heirophant 8/ Sacred Exorcist 1/ Arcane Heirophant 2.
ACFs: Conjuration specialist (Enchantment/Evocation prohibited), Enhanced Summoning (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/specialistWizardVariants.htm#conjurerVariants), Abrupt Jaunt (PH2).

Get two flaws (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/buildingCharacters/characterFlaws.htm).
Feats: Ashbound (1), Greenbound Summoning (flaw), Natural Bond (flaw), Augment Summoning (Wiz), Improved Sigil: Krau (3), Obtain Familiar* (6), Extend Spell (9), Natural Spell (12), Persistent Spell (15), Divine Metamagic: Persistent Spell (18).

*Replace your Obtained Familiar with the Animal Companion ACF (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#sorcererWizard), which allows you to count half of your Wizard + Mystic Theurge + Arcane Heirophant levels toward your effective Druid level for your Animal Companion. Due to Natural Bond, you'll count your full character level towards its benefits at 1st-8th, 9th will be behind by only 1/2 level, and then at 10th you'll catch back up to your character level for the rest of your career. Once you hit 16th level you won't even need Natural Bond any more, but you can get a 'level -3' companion and it will negate that drawback.


If you want a not-optimized build, use an Elf race for proficiencies and go Druid 8/ Suel Arcanamach 2/ Arcane Heirophant 8/ Seeker of the Misty Isle 1/ Paragnostic Apostle or War Shaper 1.

[Snowbluff]

Illumian (Krau/whatever), Druid 2/ Wizard 1/ Mystic Theurge 6/ Arcane Heirophant 8/ Sacred Exorcist 1/ Arcane Heirophant 2.

Yo, where's Trackless Step.

Shoulda been a Bamboo Spiritfolk. :smallsigh:

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

Yo, where's Trackless Step.

Shoulda been a Bamboo Spiritfolk. :smallsigh:

Forgot about that. Just drop one of the Mystic Theurge levels for the third Druid level.

[Snowbluff]

Forgot about that. Just drop one of the Mystic Theurge levels for the third Druid level.

B-but, the Wizard CL :smallfrown:

[Little Brother]

Yo, where's Trackless Step.

Shoulda been a Bamboo Spiritfolk. :smallsigh:Doesn't work. Doesn't have the class feature.

[panaikhan]

Obtain Familiar*

Not sure why I would need this. AH never specifies you ~need~ a familiar, just that your arcane class counts.

is the MT for when AH runs out? Just asking (our campaigns don't usually get that high)

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

Not sure why I would need this. AH never specifies you ~need~ a familiar, just that your arcane class counts.

is the MT for when AH runs out? Just asking (our campaigns don't usually get that high)

You didn't bother reading why there's an asterisk on it, then. That feat gives you the Familiar class feature back, but counts both your Wizard level and all of your prestige class levels that advance Wizard casting toward its progression. Then you trade it out for THIS (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#sorcererWizard). That switches every level of Familiar progression to half as many levels of Animal Companion progression. It makes it so your effective Druid level for your Animal Companion's benefits keeps up with your character level for your entire career.

Arcane Heirophant has a +4 BAB requirement. That's what Mystic Theurge is there for, so you're still progressing spellcasting in both classes until you qualify for Arcane Heirophant. I always put level progressions in the order you take each class level, the MT goes before AH.