Melee Arcane Caster with spells prepared.

[Oerlaf]

I wanted to ask you if there is a class that satisfies the following conditions:

- He is good at melee combat
- He can cast arcane spells
- He HAS TO prepare spells.
- No PrC allowed.

[inuyasha]

I wanted to ask you if there is a class that satisfies the following conditions:

- He is good at melee combat
- He can cast arcane spells
- He HAS TO prepare spells.
- No PrC allowed.

Well, if Pathfinder's allowed, the Magus is exactly what you're looking for.

[Troacctid]

Here is a list of base classes in 3.5 that prepare arcane spells.


Wizard (Player's Handbook)
Wu Jen (Complete Arcane)
Death Master (Dragon Compendium)

That's it, those are the only three. (Magewright doesn't count.) Are any of them good at melee combat (without prestige classes)? Well, Wizards and Wu Jen both have Polymorph, which is usually good enough if you're high enough level. Death Masters have undead minions to do the melee combat for them by proxy. So, sure, they're fine, sort of.

[Thurbane]

Wizard is good at melee with persisted Tenser's Transformation, but that stops you casting spells...

You'd be able to get closer to what you want in 3.5 if you're allowed to add PrCs to the mix. It's quite easy to get a Wizard to +16 BAB by 20th level, along with ability to cast spells in some armors.

Isn't there a feat that would allow spontaneous casters like Duskblade or Hexblade to prepare their spells?

[Troacctid]

Wizard is good at melee with persisted Tenser's Transformation, but that stops you casting spells...

How are you persisting it without prestige classes?

[Thurbane]

How are you persisting it without prestige classes?

Well, that's another fly in the ointment, isn't it. :smalltongue:

Of course, another option is to simply multiclass as a Wizard/melee base class of your choice, but your spell selection is going to be quite limited.

[HolyDraconus]

Warmage or Duskblade or Beguiler with the Arcane Preparation feat from Complete Arcane.

[Urpriest]

Warmage or Duskblade or Beguiler with the Arcane Preparation feat from Complete Arcane.

Doesn't meet the HAS TO prepare spells. That can be circumvented by getting someone to cast a Geas or the like on you though.

[fishyfishyfishy]

What level do you need to fulfill these qualifications? A Wizard is arguably good at melee combat at higher levels once they can draconic polymorph into war trolls but at low levels you're stuck with Fist of Stone being your best bet. Otherwise without prestige classes you're basically stuck with spontaneous casters or just going as a multi-class with a melee class.

[Urpriest]

Also, it's worth pointing out that when DMs prohibit PrCs, it's usually because they don't want players playing hybrid concepts or other interesting builds, so any build we do find for you would likely be banned on the same grounds.

[Inevitability]

Does factotum count? It has 3/4 BAB, several abilities that enhance melee combat, and can choose several spells to cast as spell-like abilities each day.

[ShurikVch]

Technically, Savant from Dragon Compendium need to prepare spells, and even have Divine Power on divine spell list (which come online at 18 level - way too late; appropriate Arcane Disciple may give access at 15)

[Telonius]

Single-classed is kind of hard. You'd probably have to do something like get a Skillful Greatsword (to bring you up to 3/4 BAB), and (if Bastards and Bloodlines is allowed) the Lost Tradition feat to allow Strength as your casting stat. You'd pretty much have to get Power Attack to qualify as "good at melee." Then spend some feats on Maneuvers or Incarnum to taste.

[Psyren]

Well, if Pathfinder's allowed, the Magus is exactly what you're looking for.

That was easy, let's knock off for lunch!