[3.5] Ultimate Magus Build

[Yael]

I'm aiming for a build of a decent arcane caster (im not a power player, though). I want to be the arcane casting mastah, THE wizard, and DAH sorcerer as well... I though of Ultimate Magus.

Note: I don't want to know if the PrC is bad or good, I want tips of how to run this guy~~ Which means, feats, skill tricks, spells and items~~ Help with the build improves me as a player and you as wise players/DMs :amused:

Name: Yoeilus Ace Kaei
Race: Human.

Ability Scores.
STR: 8 = 8
DEX: 14 = 14
[B]CON: 12 = 12
[B]INT: 16 = 16
[B]WIS: 8 = 8
[B]CHA: 16 = 16

[B]Proggression.
Sorcerer 1
Sorcerer 2
Wizard 1
Wizard 2
Wizard 3
Ultimate Magus 1
Ultimate Magus 2
Ultimate Magus 3
Ultimate Magus 4
Ultimate Magus 5
Ultimate Magus 6
Ultimate Magus 7
Ultimate Magus 8
Ultimate Magus 9
Ultimate Magus 10
Mystic Theurge 1
Mystic Theurge 2
Mystic Theurge 3
Mystic Theurge 4
Mystic Theurge 5

[B]Variants.
Sorcerer: Metamagic Specialist.
Wizard: Wizard of the Sun and Moon.

Feats.
[Lv1st] Spellcasting Prodigy (Charisma)
[Human]
[Flaw]
[Flaw]
[Lv3rd] Sudden Maximize Spell
[Wizard] Scribe Scroll
[Lv6th]
[Lv9th]
[Ultimate Magus]
[Lv12th]
[Ultimate Magus] Alternative Source Spell
[Lv15th]
[Lv18th] Reaping Spell

[Malroth]

you can get into the prestigue class at lv 3 instead of lv 5 if you grab the precocious apprentice feat to snag a second lv spell early.

[Namfuak]

You'll probably want practiced spellcaster (sorcerer) and versatile spellcaster so you can qualify with only 1 sorcerer level and can keep your sorcerer CL above your Wizard CL, allowing you to always advance your wizard side. That way, you end up only being 1 wizard level behind while getting most of your sorcerer levels (14 total at 20, iirc).

I'm assuming your DM has already ruled that Mystic Theurge progresses both wizard and sorcerer, so that seems like a good choice if none of the single-progression arcane prestige classes interests you.

[Karnith]

you can get into the prestigue class at lv 3 instead of lv 5 if you grab the precocious apprentice feat to snag a second lv spell early.
Actually, no, you can't, because Ultimate Magus requires 8 ranks in Spellcraft.

[Waker]

What role do you see yourself playing as this character? Buffing, BFC, Blasting, Generalist.....

[eviljav]

You might want Sorc 1 + Wizard 4, and feat "practiced spellcaster" for sorc, to boost the CL. (Maybe at 3)

Versatile Spellcaster is always a good choice, probably better than prodigy (I think)

Sudden Maximize requires another metamagic feat - maybe take heighten early?

The higher cost metamagics seem better to take, in my opinion - you only get to do them a few times a day, so make them count. (i.e. twin or maximize, rather than empower)

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

No.

Int > Con > Dex > Str 8, Wis 8, Cha 8

Illumian (Krau/anything)

Beguiler 1/ Wizard 4/ Ultimate Magus 10/ Mindbender 1/ (Wizard 1/ Paragnostic Apostle 3) or (Incantatrix 4)

Ultimate Magus 1, 4, and 7 increases whichever spellcasting class has the lower caster level, which will be equal for both classes at each of those levels with Practiced Spellcaster: Beguiler prior to 6th and the Krau sigil. That means you get 19/20 Wizard casting and 8/20 Beguiler casting.

Specialize in Conjuration, Enchantment and Evocation prohibited.
Use the martial wizard variant to get Improved Initiative instead of Scribe Scroll. Trade your familiar for Abrupt Jaunt.

Never take sudden metamagic feats, they're a complete waste, easily replaced by metamagic rods. Metamagic feat choices should include Extend + Persist, Invisible Spell, Fell Drain Spell, Split Ray, and Quicken Spell. Don't bother with anything beyond those, and never ever take sudden metamagics.

With two flaws, get Able Learner, Versatile Spellcaster, and Practiced Spellcaster: Beguiler at 1st level, and any metamagic feat at 3rd level. Get Mindsight at 18th level. Consider picking up Obtain Familiar and Improved Familiar at some point, preferably for an Imp or Quasit, which get to use your ranks in Search, Disable Device, Use Magic Device, etc.

Illumians are Humanoid (Human), so they can take Able Learner. With an all-in Int-based caster, you'll have plenty of skill points and an amazing class skill list from Beguiler, plus tons of skill points at 1st level.

Versatile Spellcaster allows you to spend two spell slots of the same level to cast any spell you know of one level higher, which includes spells you've learned via Wizard. This gives you spontaneous access to every Wizard spell you know of up to 5th level, and also gives you early access to the next higher level of the Beguiler class spell list. With this it's completely unnecessary to have Wizard of the Sun and Moon, and Abrupt Jaunt adds tons of survivability as it can be used to completely and automatically avoid an attack.

Check out some batman wizard guides, google is useful for this. Play the character as a batman with all the skills of a rogue and all the social spells of a bard. Don't ever cast a spell to deal damage unless you know it will outright kill an uninjured opponent, cast spells that debuff or crowd control your opponents or buff your party. Using a single spell to prevent multiple opponents from attacking is far better than spending your limited spell slots to do something that a sword and the fighter attached to it with limitless daily uses can accomplish.