Optimised Domain Wizard

[SolBallads]

Hello! I need your help building a very optimised, level 10 wizard.

As the title says my dm allowed me to build a domain wizard and exchange my familiar for abrupt jaunt :smallcool: so that's a pretty good start, right?

The problem is that my character, a neutral evil wizard wants revenge from an opponent party so he will try to defeat them..

I have to choose 10 known spells from each level and one item (+4). Also I have 30000 gp for additional equipment.

My stats are Str 10, Dex 18, Con 18, Int 18 (+2 from level 4 and 8 = 20),Wis 12, Cha 18 and I cannot rearrange any points.. I rolled pretty good though :smallbiggrin:

So what are your suggestions? I was thinking going for IoSV or Incantatrix, but I haven't got much experience playing wizards.. Especially ambitious ones..!

[Emperor Tippy]

Dump Abrupt Jaunt, go Gray Elf Generalist instead.

Domain Wizard Gray Elf Generalist, take Spontaneous Divination at level 5 (best feat in the entire game for a wizard :smallwink:).

Domain wise, Abjuration or Transmutation are probably your best choices

If you want to go Incantatrix then you are pretty much going persistent buff mailman.

Wizard 5/ Incantatrix 10/ Archmage 4/Mindbender 1

Mess with the order somewhat, move Mindbender up to level 8 or so (Mindsight is just grand, so Mindbender 9 is probably your best choice there) and probably dip 3 levels of Archmage in-between the Incantatrix levels (for Mastery of the Elements, Arcane Reach, and Spell power). The last Archmage bit should be Mastery of Shaping.

Feats should be all towards turning your Orb of Fire into a nasty, nasty ball of death so lots of metamagic.

About the only non metamagic feats (besides prerequisites) that you should have are Mindsight and Faerie Mysteries Initiate.

For level 10 I would go Wizard 5/Incantatrix 3/Mindbender 1/Incantatrix 1.

Continue that with Incantatrix 2/Archamge 2 (Reach and Elements)/Incantatrix 4/Archmage 2.

EDIT: Also try to convince your DM to let you take the Planar Wizard substitution levels from the Planar Handbook, if he says yes take those; they are well worth the cost.

Using this (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#sorcererWizard) variant combined with the Obtain Familiar feat might also be worth it. That gives you double share spells and the AC is basically utterly disposable (you get a new one in 24 hours at no cost). Make it an owl and use it as a disposable scout. Might not be worth the feat though, still might want to take it.

EDIT 2: Wizard of the Sun and Moon can double your spell slots for the cost of your familiar. And for minimal inconvenience if you use it to mostly stagger your buff list.

[Rebel7284]

Strongly disagree about dumping Abrupt Jaunt. Ignoring an attack Int time a day (often as often as you want to) is really really good. Not to mention the out of combat uses.

Will this be a long campaign or are you stuck at level 10?

Some build ideas:

Gnome Conjurer 5/Incantatrix 2/Shadowcraft Mage 3
1. Spell Focus Illusion
Magical Location: Iron Will
3: Heighten Spell
6: Earth Sense
9: Earth Spell

Human Conjurer 5/Incantatrix 5
1. Extend Spell
H: Persistent Spell
Magical Location: Iron Will
3: Metamagic School Focus[Conjuration]
5: Spontaneous Divination
6: Empower Spell
6: [Bonus] Split Ray
9: Arcane Thesis [Orb of Fire]
9: [Bonus] Searing Spell

[SolBallads]

Dump Abrupt Jaunt, go Gray Elf Generalist instead.

Domain Wizard Gray Elf Generalist, take Spontaneous Divination at level 5 (best feat in the entire game for a wizard :smallwink:).

Domain wise, Abjuration or Transmutation are probably your best choices

If you want to go Incantatrix then you are pretty much going persistent buff mailman.

Wizard 5/ Incantatrix 10/ Archmage 4/Mindbender 1

Mess with the order somewhat, move Mindbender up to level 8 or so (Mindsight is just grand, so Mindbender 9 is probably your best choice there) and probably dip 3 levels of Archmage in-between the Incantatrix levels (for Mastery of the Elements, Arcane Reach, and Spell power). The last Archmage bit should be Mastery of Shaping.

Feats should be all towards turning your Orb of Fire into a nasty, nasty ball of death so lots of metamagic.

About the only non metamagic feats (besides prerequisites) that you should have are Mindsight and Faerie Mysteries Initiate.

For level 10 I would go Wizard 5/Incantatrix 3/Mindbender 1/Incantatrix 1.

Continue that with Incantatrix 2/Archamge 2 (Reach and Elements)/Incantatrix 4/Archmage 2.

EDIT: Also try to convince your DM to let you take the Planar Wizard substitution levels from the Planar Handbook, if he says yes take those; they are well worth the cost.

Using this (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#sorcererWizard) variant combined with the Obtain Familiar feat might also be worth it. That gives you double share spells and the AC is basically utterly disposable (you get a new one in 24 hours at no cost). Make it an owl and use it as a disposable scout. Might not be worth the feat though, still might want to take it.

EDIT 2: Wizard of the Sun and Moon can double your spell slots for the cost of your familiar. And for minimal inconvenience if you use it to mostly stagger your buff list.


Strongly disagree about dumping Abrupt Jaunt. Ignoring an attack Int time a day (often as often as you want to) is really really good. Not to mention the out of combat uses.

Will this be a long campaign or are you stuck at level 10?

Some build ideas:

Gnome Conjurer 5/Incantatrix 2/Shadowcraft Mage 3
1. Spell Focus Illusion
Magical Location: Iron Will
3: Heighten Spell
6: Earth Sense
9: Earth Spell

Human Conjurer 5/Incantatrix 5
1. Extend Spell
H: Persistent Spell
Magical Location: Iron Will
3: Metamagic School Focus[Conjuration]
5: Spontaneous Divination
6: Empower Spell
6: [Bonus] Split Ray
9: Arcane Thesis [Orb of Fire]
9: [Bonus] Searing Spell


Thank you both for your quick answers!! They were very helpful.. I forgot to mention though that I'm gonna play a human (DM's rule) and that Abrupt Jaunt is kind of required!

Also I cannot dump Domain Wizard.. Any ideas for the spells I should take to build a Party Killer Wizard??

[Emperor Tippy]

Also I cannot dump Domain Wizard.. Any ideas for the spells I should take to build a Party Killer Wizard??
Why and Why?

Is the DM requiring Abrupt Jaunt?

You also can't have both Domain Wizard and Abrupt Jaunt on the same build.

Domain Wizard requires that you don't specialize while Abrupt Jaunt requires that you be a Conjuration specialist.

[Emperor Tippy]

Strongly disagree about dumping Abrupt Jaunt.
It's not worth two schools of magic, and that's what you are paying for it. Especially on an Incantatrix where you will end up down three schools. A specialist wizard is already borderline tier 2, with three schools lost he is solidly tier two.


Ignoring an attack Int time a day (often as often as you want to) is really really good.
Celerity, Craft Contingent Spell, not being within reach of your enemies. Possibly worth it at low levels, not remotely worth it at level 10.


Not to mention the out of combat uses.
Spend a feat on Martial Study: Shadow Stride, fifty foot teleport every five minutes as a move action.

Some build ideas:

Gnome Conjurer 5/Incantatrix 2/Shadowcraft Mage 3
1. Spell Focus Illusion
Magical Location: Iron Will
3: Heighten Spell
6: Earth Sense
9: Earth Spell
God no, never go Incantatrix 2. At a minimum you want Incantatrix 3 for metamagic effect. Incantatrix is a 3 or 10 level class, anything else tends to be really ill-advised.

Also don't try to combine Shadowcraft Mage and Incantatrix before level 15-20 (and really 18-22).


Human Conjurer 5/Incantatrix 5
1. Extend Spell
H: Persistent Spell
Magical Location: Iron Will
3: Metamagic School Focus[Conjuration]
5: Spontaneous Divination
6: Empower Spell
6: [Bonus] Split Ray
9: Arcane Thesis [Orb of Fire]
9: [Bonus] Searing Spell
Split Ray doesn't work with Orbs. Twin Spell is a better choice (or Quicken or Invisible). Replace Empower with Maximize. Replace Searing with Arcane Thesis: Orb of Force, you can Chaos Shuffle later.

You don't want variability, it's bad for you.

[thethird]

Personally being a neutral evil wizard I would go with Abysal specialist (drow of the underdark), fiendish planar spellcasting (planar handbook) and a hat of many spells (animated series handbook) to use all the optional spellcomponents in book of vile darkness.

[SolBallads]

Why and Why?

Is the DM requiring Abrupt Jaunt?

You also can't have both Domain Wizard and Abrupt Jaunt on the same build.

Domain Wizard requires that you don't specialize while Abrupt Jaunt requires that you be a Conjuration specialist.

Yes! Actually the character was an NPC and we are gonna turn him into a PRC.. I now it seems silly but my DM told me that I had to trade my familiar with Abrupt Jaunt and not make a Conjuration Specialist.. He knows this not how it works but he told me to do that anyway..
That's why I was thinking of Incantatrix. Because I wouldn't have to sacrifice three schools to get there.. :smallwink:

[SolBallads]

Personally being a neutral evil wizard I would go with Abysal specialist (drow of the underdark), fiendish planar spellcasting (planar handbook) and a hat of many spells (animated series handbook) to use all the optional spellcomponents in book of vile darkness.

Thank you for your answer! Unfortunately I don't know how many sessions we still have left for the campaign to end and I was reading that for Planar Wizard to work you need at least 14 levels. Not to mention that I have to destroy the opponent goody-good party..!

That's why I need your help! Evil shall Prevail!! (At least once!)

[thethird]

No, you don't the build I actually posted comes online at level 10.

When all your spells are considered evil, and from your specialized school (thus any feat that you have that improve those would improve all your spells) and sinergies with the hat of many spells to pull all the components that improve your evil spells (i.e. all your spells).

Basically with every spell you cast you can use the following items:


Agony (Liquid Pain): Pain in distilled liquid form, as extracted by certain spells or items, automatically increases the effective caster level of a single spell by +2.
Chromatic Dragon Heart: If a spell this component is applied to deals damage, there is a 30% chance that the spell deals an additional +2d6 points of damage to a good-aligned target.
Demon’s Heart: A spell that this component is applied to has a 25% chance to have any damage the spell deals increased by +10%.
Devil’s Heart: A spell that this component is applied to has a 10% chance to remain prepared even after being cast.
Humanoid Heart: A spell that this component is applied to has a 25% chance to have its effective caster level increased by +2.
Humanoid Brain: A spell that this component is applied to has a 50% chance to have its range doubled.
Humanoid Child’s Eye: A spell that this component is applied to has a 20% chance to have its duration doubled.
Humanoid Finger: If a spell that this component is applied to requires a touch attack (melee or ranged), there is a 40% chance to receive a +1 profane bonus on the attack roll.
Metallic Dragon Heart: A spell that this component is applied to has a 30% chance to have its saving throw DC increased by +1.
Soul in Larval Form: A spell that this component is applied to has its saving throw DC increased by +2.
Soul in Receptacle: A spell that this component is applied to gains a +10 profane bonus on caster level checks to overcome spell resistance.
Yugoloth’s Brain: A spell that this component is applied to has a 10% chance to allow no saving throw against its effect. There is also a 10% chance that the spell affects the caster as well as the target or area, with no saving throw allowed. Make the two checks independently of one another.

[Emperor Tippy]

Yes! Actually the character was an NPC and we are gonna turn him into a PRC.. I now it seems silly but my DM told me that I had to trade my familiar with Abrupt Jaunt and not make a Conjuration Specialist.. He knows this not how it works but he told me to do that anyway..
That's why I was thinking of Incantatrix. Because I wouldn't have to sacrifice three schools to get there.. :smallwink:

*shrug*

Human Abjuration (Domain) Wizard 5 (Spontaneous Divination)/Incantatrix 3/Mindbender 1/Incantatrix 1

1: Extend Spell
1(Flaw): Persistent Spell
1(Flaw): Invisible Spell
1(Human): Maximize Spell
1(Bonus Feat): Scribe Scroll
3: Cooperative Spell
*:Iron Will (Otyugh Hole)
6: Sanctum Spell
6(Bonus Feat): Arcane Thesis: Orb of Fire
9: Mindsight
10(Bonus Feat): Empower Spell or Fell Drain

Attack with an Invisible Cooperative Sanctum Empowered/Fell Drained Maximized Arcane Thesis: Orb of Fire (Chaos Shuffle Scribe Scroll for Energy Substitution). Deals 60+(.5*10d6 [average 35]) or 60+1 negative level out of a 4th level slot. That will generally two to three shot CR 10 monsters and forces a Fort Save DC 15 or die from Massive Damage.

[SolBallads]

No, you don't the build I actually posted comes online at level 10.

When all your spells are considered evil, and from your specialized school (thus any feat that you have that improve those would improve all your spells) and sinergies with the hat of many spells to pull all the components that improve your evil spells (i.e. all your spells).

Basically with every spell you cast you can use the following items:


Agony (Liquid Pain): Pain in distilled liquid form, as extracted by certain spells or items, automatically increases the effective caster level of a single spell by +2.
Chromatic Dragon Heart: If a spell this component is applied to deals damage, there is a 30% chance that the spell deals an additional +2d6 points of damage to a good-aligned target.
Demon’s Heart: A spell that this component is applied to has a 25% chance to have any damage the spell deals increased by +10%.
Devil’s Heart: A spell that this component is applied to has a 10% chance to remain prepared even after being cast.
Humanoid Heart: A spell that this component is applied to has a 25% chance to have its effective caster level increased by +2.
Humanoid Brain: A spell that this component is applied to has a 50% chance to have its range doubled.
Humanoid Child’s Eye: A spell that this component is applied to has a 20% chance to have its duration doubled.
Humanoid Finger: If a spell that this component is applied to requires a touch attack (melee or ranged), there is a 40% chance to receive a +1 profane bonus on the attack roll.
Metallic Dragon Heart: A spell that this component is applied to has a 30% chance to have its saving throw DC increased by +1.
Soul in Larval Form: A spell that this component is applied to has its saving throw DC increased by +2.
Soul in Receptacle: A spell that this component is applied to gains a +10 profane bonus on caster level checks to overcome spell resistance.
Yugoloth’s Brain: A spell that this component is applied to has a 10% chance to allow no saving throw against its effect. There is also a 10% chance that the spell affects the caster as well as the target or area, with no saving throw allowed. Make the two checks independently of one another.



Sounds like a fun build to play but I don't know if I could win against a whole party by myself (or having a chance anyway :smallsmile:) .. I need an optimised build that can give me some good odds in achieving my goal..

Oh, FYI the opponent party consists of a cleric, a paladin, a mage killer (or something like that), a fighter and a ghostwalker...
Hopefully on my side will be a ravager, a marshall (with Leadership, cleric as cohort) and an assassin.. That's my inside info anyway..

[SolBallads]

Attack with an Invisible Cooperative Sanctum Empowered/Fell Drained Maximized Arcane Thesis: Orb of Fire (Chaos Shuffle Scribe Scroll for Energy Substitution). Deals 60+(.5*10d6 [average 35]) or 60+1 negative level out of a 4th level slot. That will generally two to three shot CR 10 monsters and forces a Fort Save DC 15 or die from Massive Damage.

Very interesting combo! One problem though (I'm sorry!!! :smalleek:) No flaws allowed..

[Emperor Tippy]

Very interesting combo! One problem though (I'm sorry!!! :smalleek:) No flaws allowed..

*shrug*
Drop Cooperative and Fell Drain/Empower.

60 Damage per Orb. Get a Rod of Quicken and a Rod of Empower.

Quickened Orb for 60 damage followed up with Empowered Orb for 60+(.5*10d6) for 95 average damage.

Damage per round is now 120+(.5*10d6), average 155. Assuming that both attacks hit.

[SolBallads]

*shrug*
Drop Cooperative and Fell Drain/Empower.

60 Damage per Orb. Get a Rod of Quicken and a Rod of Empower.

Quickened Orb for 60 damage followed up with Empowered Orb for 60+(.5*10d6) for 95 average damage.

Damage per round is now 120+(.5*10d6), average 155. Assuming that both attacks hit.

Thanks so much mate! Dmg sounds good.. but is it gonna be enough..?? :smallfrown:

I just found out that one of my opponents has a nearly 50 AC... :smalleek:

[Emperor Tippy]

Thanks so much mate! Dmg sounds good.. but is it gonna be enough..?? :smallfrown:
Max HP at ECL 10 that you are looking at on a PC is 190 or so (d12 HD, all rolled max plus 24 con for bonus HP)


I just found out that one of my opponents has a nearly 50 AC... :smalleek:
Touch or regular?

[SolBallads]

Max HP at ECL 10 that you are looking at on a PC is 190 or so (d12 HD, all rolled max plus 24 con for bonus HP)


Touch or regular?

You are right of course Emperor Tippy (cause you equal win of course)

I think it's his regular AC..

I humbly apologize for being an absolute N00B but I have only played spellcaster once before and I don't know how to be effective.. Is there any way for playing first?

[Emperor Tippy]

Cast Nerveskitter for +5 to Initiative, use a Hummingbird Familiar, use a Craft Contingent: Greater Celerity that triggers a Craft Contingent: Favor of the Martyr set for you being attacked.

[SolBallads]

Cast Nerveskitter for +5 to Initiative, use a Hummingbird Familiar, use a Craft Contingent: Greater Celerity that triggers a Craft Contingent: Favor of the Martyr set for you being attacked.


Excellent advice man!! Thx!! I have to study now!

If anyone has any other suggestions I'm all ears...

[Urpriest]

I have to choose 10 known spells from each level and one item (+4).

This part doesn't mean anything. There are +4 weapons, +4 armor, and items that give +4 bonuses to various things. But they aren't all "+4 items" in any general sense. You probably misunderstood your DM here, and should get clarification.

[SolBallads]

This part doesn't mean anything. There are +4 weapons, +4 armor, and items that give +4 bonuses to various things. But they aren't all "+4 items" in any general sense. You probably misunderstood your DM here, and should get clarification.

I have 30000 gp to spend for my starting equipment and I can choose any item with a value of +4.. That's what he told me..

[SolBallads]

Any ideas for the equipment I should take??

I have a party to poop!

[Urpriest]

Any ideas for the equipment I should take??

I have a party to poop!

Either get your DM to give an actual rule for the "item with a value of +4" or get an item that would be totally balls-to-the-wall insane as a "+4" item. I can't think of a good example...+4 to level if you can get away with it, or at the absolute minimum a Belt of Magnificence +4. Pile a bunch of other belt enhancements on it too, after all your DM only restricted the bonus on the item, not its other properties.

[SolBallads]

Either get your DM to give an actual rule for the "item with a value of +4" or get an item that would be totally balls-to-the-wall insane as a "+4" item. I can't think of a good example...+4 to level if you can get away with it, or at the absolute minimum a Belt of Magnificence +4. Pile a bunch of other belt enhancements on it too, after all your DM only restricted the bonus on the item, not its other properties.

Yes but I think that if I add any other enchantments on an item it's like increasing its value.. Am I wrong?

Also I'm thinking of buying this: Phylactery of Change (Arms and Equip, 11,200 gp) Allows you to Polymorph Self with unlimited duration. *

[Urpriest]

Yes but I think that if I add any other enchantments on an item it's like increasing its value.. Am I wrong?


Your DM didn't specify the value, though, he specified the bonus. Anything else could be on that item, it wouldn't change whether or not it had that bonus, since an item with a +4 bonus could be any value whatsoever.

That or, y'know, tell your DM he can't give item guidelines that don't have a meaning in D&D.

[SolBallads]

Tomorrow we are playing the first session of the campaign where I got to rp my wizard.. Can any of you help me with the spells that I should know at level 10?? I get to choose 10 known spells (all books are allowed) from each level..

A desperate noob spellcaster..

PS thx!

[Spuddles]

You can't stack obtain familiar and animal companion. A familiar animal becomes a magic beast and an animal companion must be an animal, not a magical beast.

If you want a familiar companion, AH is the only non-3rd party way to do it, I believe.


Your DM didn't specify the value, though, he specified the bonus. Anything else could be on that item, it wouldn't change whether or not it had that bonus, since an item with a +4 bonus could be any value whatsoever.

That or, y'know, tell your DM he can't give item guidelines that don't have a meaning in D&D.

It'd be hard to buy a +4 belt of magnificence with only 30k.

[SolBallads]

Thank you for your answer my friend! I won't use a familiar cause that's what dm said. About the belt he told me OK and I still have 30000 gp to spend..

I was also reading this http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/19861022/Top_Spells_from_levels_1-9 and I was wondering what known spells should I choose..
Any ideas??

[SolBallads]

Hello again! So I decided to play a domain wizard (transmutation or conjugation) /incantatrix /IoSF

What is a good build for that? In case that the campaign doesn't progress after level 15 is it a good idea?

[Roguenewb]

IoSF is only super great if your dm lets the viels block AMF, IMHO.

Domain wizard incantatrix is pretty close to the PO ceiling.

Tippy has been saying awesome things all thread. Do as he recommends.

Persist some buffs that leave you very hard to kill off with melee. Throw your mailmained damage spells, pick off the wizard first, then fly out of the way of everyone else. Once their caster is dead, Dispel Magic the other characters out of the sky. Laugh as you Batman your way to god-hood.

[SolBallads]

Thx mate.. I'm just a little nervous.. I am new to spellcasting and I don't wanna end up building a dysfunctional character.. Oh! And I have a party to obliterate too!!

[Gwendol]

Some observations from years of arena fighting: jack up your DC's as much as possible. Use SR:no spells when possible, in case your opposition has or can obtain SR. Since you will start out alone vs many, you must debuff/disable/split them up as early as possible. Look for save or suck spells, similar to web.
Research the opposition, you're a wizard and to function properly you must be prepared.

[SolBallads]

That's what I'll double in terms of role playing.. Spying and learning weaknesses.. How can I use /oppose to SR?

[Gwendol]

Well, you can take the spell penetration feat, but that's not very optimal. Better to choose spells that disregard SR altogether. There's quite a few.

[Roguenewb]

Some observations from years of arena fighting: jack up your DC's as much as possible. Use SR:no spells when possible, in case your opposition has or can obtain SR. Since you will start out alone vs many, you must debuff/disable/split them up as early as possible. Look for save or suck spells, similar to web.
Research the opposition, you're a wizard and to function properly you must be prepared.

DC optimization gets feat intensive in a hurry. I'm not sure you can fit an Arcane Thesis mailman package into the same feat set as a DC boost package. Since the Mailman package can provide like a point and click 90 force damage twice a round, it might be better. Alternatively, something like Snowcasting/Eschew Materials/Draconic Aura (energy)/Cold Focus/Greater Cold Focus is giving like a +5 to all Save DCs? Hard to say which is better. 5 levels of incantatrix gives like 2 bonus metamagic feats? I still don't think you fit it all in without like DCFS and the elven weapon profs.

[Acanous]

Split ray CAN work if you grab ocular Spell.
It's usually considered a prerequisite TO Split Ray.