Help me spend 49,000 gp to equip my Wizard!

[INDYSTAR188]

Greetings! I haven't played 3.5 in approximately 10 years and this Saturday a friend of mine is running our first session of a new campaign. I have elected to play a Divination Specialist Wizard 6|Master Specialist (Divination) 2|Divine Oracle 2. My stats are very nice but the multiclassing has left me with a low Fort/Ref (although I haven't done the numbers yet so I'm not sure just how low). I have no equipment, have 49K to spend, and get to obtain one wish-list item if I can work it into the background (so please also suggest an item that would be amazing to have - that's within reason).

Party: Favored Soul Half-Celestial; Urban Ranger (not exactly sure what else); Scout|Trapsmith (I think that's the prestige class?)|Arcane Archer type.

Stats (almost embarrassed their so good) STR 12, DEX 18, CON 18; INT 22; WIS 14; CHA 15

I have access to most of the books (including MiC). Let's go shopping!

[Crake]

buy ALL the spells.

Edit: Also anklets of translocation and a scout's headband

[WeaselGuy]

Make yourself immune to death effects and negative levels, +1 Soulfire Bracers of Armor. They run around 50k, so make it your wishlist item.

[chaos_redefined]

I hate to hand off guides like this... But...

First off... this one has a misleading title. It's a list of necessary effects, and magic items that are good at giving those effects.
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?187851-3-5-Lists-of-Necessary-Magic-Items
As a diviner, you can skip out on a lot of those effects because spells give the same effect. But some of them still apply.

Second off... Bunko's Bargain Bin. Excellent source.
http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=1002.0

Finally, Fill that Slot
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?149464-Fill-That-Slot!-3-5

Of course, before any of that, I'd buy a Headband of Intellect +4 (16000 gp), and fill up my spellbook as appropriate. If you want, you can get a Headband of Intellect +6 instead, but that costs 36000 gp, and is therefore quite expensive... I'd personally hold off a tad, unless you really want that extra +2 int.

For the particular weakness you pointed out... I suggest the Ring of Action before Thought and the Ring of Mind over Body.

For the low price of 3000 gp, you can have one of these rings. You can use them to replace a reflex (Action before Thought) or fortitude (Mind over Body) save with a Concentration check as an immediate action. However... they take a minute to recharge, so it's a once/encounter deal. (They do require access to Tome of Battle, but I'm assuming that's not a major problem).

[Rubik]

Don't forget an artificer's monocle. Spend a use of Detect Magic to nab an Identify effect and spare yourself 100 gp each time.

You may also want to consider grabbing a crafting feat or two, especially Craft Wondrous Item. Half-price magic items are great, but you'll start out a level behind (and quickly catch up during play) from the XP you spend, so there's a tradeoff there.

And have you considered the spontaneous divination ACF? (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=10484152&postcount=2)

[avr]

Since you haven't played in a while, let me just remind you to get a cloak or vest of resistance, an amulet of health and a headband of intellect.

[atemu1234]

Don't forget an artificer's monocle. Spend a use of Detect Magic to nab an Identify effect and spare yourself 100 gp each time.

You may also want to consider grabbing a crafting feat or two, especially Craft Wondrous Item. Half-price magic items are great, but you'll start out a level behind (and quickly catch up during play) from the XP you spend, so there's a tradeoff there.

And have you considered the spontaneous divination ACF? (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=10484152&postcount=2)

Ooh, that monocle sounds like fun.

[JoranShadeslayr]

Don't forget a self loading crossbow (AEG pg. 116) enchanted with the quickloading property. Load the extra dimensional space with bolts coated in a poison that cause blindness, unconciousness, or paralysis for use against enemy casters, or for when you're caught in an anti-magic field (or the anti-magic cone of a beholders central eye)

[Dolour]

with 40k+ at your disposal id first pick up a lesser rod of quicken.
action economy is imo the by far largest boost.
(allso pick up a rod of rapid spell if you rely on summons alot, they only cost a fortune)

throw a feat at true believer boccob, and pick up the MIC version of the tome of ancient lore,
wich'll give you 1free spell to scribe/day, for the rest of your career.
...dont forget to pick up a blessed book asap if you plan on scribing ALL the spells.

thatll cover your 2 most urgent needs(spell selection after your gusto, and the ability to pump
them out faster during an encounter)and leaves you 8500 to play with for +1 resi items, etc...
stats can wait, looking at what you got, and theres still loot to be put to good use. ;)
(mind you should prolly pick stuff your not likely to loot off the next random monster,
like relics or powerful, and pricy rods... ;o )

[ZamielVanWeber]

Cheap and easy defense would be good too. My favorite is the Shadow Cloak from Drow of the Underdark. 3/day concealment or tactical teleportation as an immediate.

[Rubik]

Ooh, that monocle sounds like fun.Fifteen uses of Detect Magic, and the monocle is fully paid for.

[Zanos]

Fifteen uses of Detect Magic, and the monocle is fully paid for.
It's of questionable value, considering that:

Detect Magic: Obviously, the easiest way for characters to discern whether an object is magic is to use detect magic.
When focused on an item, a character can attempt a Spellcraft check to determine the school (or schools) of the highest-level spell (or spells) involved in the item’s creation, as well as the strength of the item’s aura (based on its caster level). Also, a character making such a check can divine the function of an item by succeeding by 10 or more.
An int based caster should be able to make those dcs fairly easily.

For 49k, I'd probably go with:
Headband of Intelligence +2(4k)
Cloak/Vest of Resistance +3(9k): You could go as high as you'd like with this. Even the +5 cloak is relatively cheap and making saves is important.
Become a Necropolitan (1k and a level and 1000xp), if you're into being undead. Only sets you back 2000 xp if you do it at level 3. Otherwise:
Belt of Constitution +2(4k)
Handy Haversack(2k)
Gloves of Dexterity +2(4k)
Blessed Book(12.5k) Saves you quite a bit in the long run, but not sure if it's worth 1/4 of your wealth at the moment. Still, solid choice.
Travel Cloak(1.2k) Nifty item, gives you 3 trail rations a day, some tea, constant endure elements vs cold, and turns into a tent. Nice if your DM cares about any of that stuff, otherwise kinda useless.
Fortifying Bedroll(3k): Similar to the cloak, only useful if your DM cares about harrassing you while you rest. Gives you 8 hours of rest, including spell preparation, in 1 hour.
Circlet of Rapid Casting(15k): Gives you some charges to quicken spells for reasonably cheap. A bit expensive, but getting quickened spells in early is very useful.
Belt of Battle(12k): Pick this up over the circlet most likely. +2 initiative and lets you get a bonus standard action once per day.
Ring of Anticipation(6k): Roll intiative twice, pick your choice. Amazing for anyone who likes to go first.
Ring of Enduring Arcana(8k): Increases your CL by 4 for the purposes of dispell DCs. Really good and dirt cheap if your DM likes throwing dispels or counterspells at you frequently.
Pearls of Power 1st level(1k): The higher level versions are expensive, but 1st level pearls are only 1k gp each and let you get some serious staying power out of your 1st level slots, especially for utility.

You might also want to pick up other initiative boosting gear. Warning/Eager weapons are good.

[Tvtyrant]

See if you can get a Drow House Insignia of Heart of Water. Costs 3-4 thousand GP, nets you Freedom of movement.

[Rubik]

A shirt of wraith stalking for 6,000 gp, from the MIC. Undead can't see, hear, or smell you, or otherwise tell you're there.

[INDYSTAR188]

I hate to hand off guides like this... But...

First off... this one has a misleading title. It's a list of necessary effects, and magic items that are good at giving those effects.
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?187851-3-5-Lists-of-Necessary-Magic-Items
As a diviner, you can skip out on a lot of those effects because spells give the same effect. But some of them still apply.

Second off... Bunko's Bargain Bin. Excellent source.
http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=1002.0

Finally, Fill that Slot
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?149464-Fill-That-Slot!-3-5

Of course, before any of that, I'd buy a Headband of Intellect +4 (16000 gp), and fill up my spellbook as appropriate. If you want, you can get a Headband of Intellect +6 instead, but that costs 36000 gp, and is therefore quite expensive... I'd personally hold off a tad, unless you really want that extra +2 int.

For the particular weakness you pointed out... I suggest the Ring of Action before Thought and the Ring of Mind over Body.

For the low price of 3000 gp, you can have one of these rings. You can use them to replace a reflex (Action before Thought) or fortitude (Mind over Body) save with a Concentration check as an immediate action. However... they take a minute to recharge, so it's a once/encounter deal. (They do require access to Tome of Battle, but I'm assuming that's not a major problem).

Thank you everyone for your input! I really appreciate your help and I basically spent my gold on some of the items suggested here and a Robe of Arcane Might. For the wishlist item I asked for a Ring of Shooting Stars ☆ミ. I don't think it's really going to work so I'm going to request a meta-magic rod instead. Could you please tell me where the Ring of Action before Thought can be found?

[Rubik]

Thank you everyone for your input! I really appreciate your help and I basically spent my gold on some of the items suggested here and a Robe of Arcane Might. For the wishlist item I asked for a Ring of Shooting Stars ☆ミ. I don't think it's really going to work so I'm going to request a meta-magic rod instead. Could you please tell me where the Ring of Action before Thought can be found?Diamond mind ring, from Tome of Battle. Use it to nab the Action Before Thought maneuver.

[edit] It's under the entry for the crown of the white raven.

[thethird]

One list wish items eh?

My most favorite item to get as a wizard is the hat of many spells.

What's a hat of many spells you might ask? Well it is a rod of wonders (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/rods.htm#wonder) for one. But it is much more, so much more. It's two most obvious uses is letting you empower your spells and cast them spontaneously (as long as you have that spell in the spellbook) at the 1/3 chance of wasting the spell slot but activating a rod of wonders effect. The third use is to provide any material component costing up to 10k. Now this third use I like. Open your complete champion, complete arcane, book of exalted deeds, book of vile darkness... and others and read on optional spell components. USE THEM ALL ALL THE TIME.

So how much does it cost you to empower all your spells, cast them spontaneously, have some wonderful fun, get rid of spell component cost and enhance your spells further? 25k

The energy bowk (hank's) did a lot for mundanes but it isn't the most powerful item in the animated series handbook.

[Rebel7284]

Boccob's blessed book will save you tons of money in the long run.

[Rubik]

One or more of the shurikens from here: http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=10419.0

[Tvtyrant]

One or more of the shurikens from here: http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=10419.0

The whole "single arrow/Shuriken" debate has become an official magic item in my setting. I call them Spirit Knives, they are 1 use glass weapons which cost 1/60 the normal amount to enchant.