Low Int(18-19) Wizard Gish and Spells

[Yogibear41]

So I'm working on a Wizard based gish that is most likely going to have a relatively low int score compared to most wizards(basically the INT is going to be just high enough to cast spells) I'm probably going to go conjuration specialist banning ench and necro, I might go focused specialist and drop evocation too but I want to be more of a jack of all trades type wizard so I can have control spells as well as some of the damaging evocation spells(yep I know the orb spells exist :smallsmile:) However with my lower INT score especially at higher levels I am slightly worried about control type spells because the majority of them have allow for saves, so I am looking for advice on spells. Should I just not worry about the DC being lower and focus on only attacking the weakest saves of a monster(which is what I would do anyway if i had a higher INT) or should I just forget about saves type spells and try to only focus on spells that allow no save at all?

Would appreciate any advice. In my Build I don't get 9th level spells til level 20 so at that level I Plan to use my stat bump to increase int from 18 to 19. All others are going to strength, or maybe con if my HP is really low.

[RFLS]

So I'm working on a Wizard based gish that is most likely going to have a relatively low int score compared to most wizards(basically the INT is going to be just high enough to cast spells) I'm probably going to go conjuration specialist banning ench and necro, I might go focused specialist and drop evocation too but I want to be more of a jack of all trades type wizard so I can have control spells as well as some of the damaging evocation spells(yep I know the orb spells exist :smallsmile:) However with my lower INT score especially at higher levels I am slightly worried about control type spells because the majority of them have allow for saves, so I am looking for advice on spells. Should I just not worry about the DC being lower and focus on only attacking the weakest saves of a monster(which is what I would do anyway if i had a higher INT) or should I just forget about saves type spells and try to only focus on spells that allow no save at all?

Would appreciate any advice. In my Build I don't get 9th level spells til level 20 so at that level I Plan to use my stat bump to increase int from 18 to 19. All others are going to strength, or maybe con if my HP is really low.

Well, if you have your levels already planned out, then yes - absolutely pick Save: No spells. However, I would recommend a slightly different approach: Why not play a Bard, perhaps with a dip into Sublime Chord followed by the Abjurant Champion class and other Gish PrCs? You'd get full casting, decent BAB, lots of skills.

[Yogibear41]

What can a bard do that a wizard can't?

[RFLS]

What can a bard do that a wizard can't?

Some built-in melee buffing, better BAB, better saves, more skill points. If you're okay with delayed casting, Sublime Chord is a pretty solid choice for you.

[Yogibear41]

What I currently have planned is an Incarnate Golem Maug, I get skills as an outsider for my 2 racial hit die and all martial weapons and armor proficiencys because it now has the giant type(besides I'm pretty sure it had them already), after that going for 6 levels of wizard into 1 level of spellsword then 5 levels of AC and finishing out with Eldritch Knight for 9th level spells and a BAB of 16. (LA buy off is allowed so I can get rid of the +1) Its going to start off rather slow in the BAB department but I will have a +10 bonus to strength to help even that out.

[RFLS]

What I currently have planned is an Incarnate Golem Maug, I get skills as an outsider for my 2 racial hit die and all martial weapons and armor proficiencys because it now has the giant type, after that going for 6 levels of wizard into 1 level of spellsword then 5 levels of AC and finishing out with Eldritch Knight for 9th level spells and a BAB of 16. (LA buy off is allowed so I can get rid of the +1) Its going to start off rather slow in the BAB department but I will have a +10 bonus to strength to help even that out.

Fair enough. Sounds like you've got a flavorful character ready to go, and bard definitely does not fit with that character concept. Moving on!

If you're in the market for battlefield control spells, I recommend that, instead of forcing saves, you directly alter the environment. Wall of (Stone, Ice, Fire) is your friend here. Fog spells, too, are good choices, as are the Pit spells. When dealing with flying opponents, pick up some of the Wind spells - blam, no more flying.

Secondly, I would recommend specializing, either in Evocation or in Conjuration as you mentioned. Either way, the majority of your slots should be dedicated to those two spells. Shivering Touch will also be your friend; it's a great way to drop an enemy beatstick.

[Dusk Eclipse]

If you are going with Low-int Gish I would actually suggest to avoid spells with saves and focus on buffing yourself. But if you want to use some BFC focus on stuff like Black Tentacles, Wall of Stone, stuff like that.