Jade Phoenix Mage Build

[Jopustopin]

I'm looking to build a Jade Phoenix Mage. I'm probably going to take a template or something just to make it more challenging for me at low levels (you know like Phrenic or Half Dragon because D&D too easy now). Obviously with LA buyoff...

I'm looking at a +17 BAB (Fractional Variant used), 15 IL, 9th level spells here.

Build

Crusader 1/Diviner 3/Master Specialist 3/Abjurant Champion 3/Jade Phoenix Mage 10

Level 1) Crusader (Extra Granted Maneuver, Stone Power)
Level 2) Diviner (Focused Specialist Variant, Fighter Feat Variant, Enhanced Awareness Variant) (Improved Sunder)
Level 3) Diviner (Spell Focus: Divination)
Level 4) Diviner
Level 5) Master Specialist (Skill Focus: Spellcraft)
Level 6) Master Specialist (Practiced Spellcaster)
Level 7) Jade Phoenix Mage
Level 8) Jade Phoenix Mage
Level 9) Jade Phoenix Mage (Arcane Strike)
Level 10) Abjurant Champion
Level 11) Abjurant Champion
Level 12) Abjurant Champion (Minor Shapeshift)
Level 13) Master Specialist (Greater Spell Focus: Divination)
Level 14) Jade Phoenix Mage
Level 15) Jade Phoenix Mage (Combat Brute)
Level 16) Jade Phoenix Mage
Level 17) Jade Phoenix Mage
Level 18) Jade Phoenix Mage (????)
Level 19) Jade Phoenix Mage
Level 20) Jade Phoenix Mage


Maneuvers

Level 1: Crusader's Strike, Stone Bones, Charging Minotaur, Douse the Flames, Vanguard Strike, Leading the Charge
Level 7: Distracting Ember or whatever
Level 9: Flashing Sun
Level 15: Leaping Flame
Level 17: Rallying Strike, Thicket of Blades
Level 19: Shield Counter


My idea is that I have a lot of divination spells that I can just sack for arcane strike and/or arcane wrath. Since it's a divination focused specialist I only lose two non-important schools keeping a wizards versatility (I would give up evocation and enchantment). At low levels I use stone power to stay tanky and use it to meet the prerequisites for Combat Brute which I'll power later on by casting Bite of the X to get power attack for real. On the round that I use Combat Brute I can Flashing Sun for an extra attack, arcane strike/arcane wrath. More damage, more accuracy, sacking divination spells.

Only three levels of Abjurant champion as I can't see myself ever using the fourth level ability (it's not as strong as JPM and I won't have the swift actions to use it).

I feel like if combat calls for me to be tanky I have Stone Power and Minor Shapeshift, if I need to be a wizard I have every important school open to me, if I need to wade in I can charge and then sack all my divination spells.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

[Darrin]

At low levels I use stone power to stay tanky and use it to meet the prerequisites for Combat Brute which I'll power later on by casting Bite of the X to get power attack for real.

Can you explain what exactly Combat Brute is supposed to do for you? I don't really see how it would be better than just taking the usual Power Attack/IBR/Shock Trooper/Leap Attack/etc. stuff.

[Jopustopin]

I don't have pounce so Shock Trooper is gonna just be one swing. My BAB is pretty high and I can buff my attack bonus with arcane strike and arcane wrath. Shock Trooper is about making sure your one hit, hits. Accuracy is important obviously. But since I can cover my penalties by sacking spells I'm more interested in doing damage.

After I charge, on round two, I can use Combat Brute to full attack and use the maneuver Flashing Sun to get one extra attack (not mentioning haste but I'll probably be hasted so two extra attacks). All of these attacks would be -X to hit +3X to damage from combat brute. Not counting whatever spells I sack for arcane strike and arcane wrath.

Say I sacrifice two 4th level spells. I'd be getting +8 to hit, +4d4 and +4d10 points of damage on all my attacks for that round.

[Ethernil]

Have you considered using wu jen instead of diviner? They have some very cool gish spells and a fun combo with the JPM capstone ability.

[Jopustopin]

I originally started with Wu Jen for the obvious reasons. But honestly at the end of the day a Diviner is just going to have more options and more versatility. We play combat heavy and role playing heavy and I honestly don't like what I come up with when thinking about role playing a Wu Jen. Basically from both a crunch and fluff stance, I like Diviner better.



When I read guides everyone tells me that the Setting Sun maneuvers suck, but I found myself after reviewing my options, dipping three maneuvers deep in that school. The Devoted Spirit maneuvers just aren't as useful. Anyone else find that as well? Does anyone else think I should do something different with my feats?

[Rebel7284]

I don't see what Master Specialist is giving you. Spell Focus divination is only useful on a small number of spells, and your chasis stays super fragile.

I would suggest just using Crusader 1/Diviner 5 for an extra fighter feat (grand total of two better feats in the build.) Or, Diviner 4/Crusader 1/Diviner +1 for second level maneuvers.

Dip Spellsword later.

[Darrin]

When I read guides everyone tells me that the Setting Sun maneuvers suck, but I found myself after reviewing my options, dipping three maneuvers deep in that school.


There are some good maneuvers in there, but I find most of Setting Sun to be too situational or it depends on an opposed check of some sort.



The Devoted Spirit maneuvers just aren't as useful.


If you've already resigned yourself to one standard attack per round, it's actually pretty darned useful to be able to attack and heal yourself with the same action. And yes, I know the healing doesn't scale compared to the amount of damage you take, but it's better than a poke in the eye.



Anyone else find that as well? Does anyone else think I should do something different with my feats?

Well, you're missing Combat Casting for Abjurant Champion. And I agree, Master Specialist isn't doing much for you here. Ruathar might be better, as it frees up more feats.

I'm not really sold on Combat Brute. Advancing Blows might get you a +1 bonus here and there, but how often do you expect to bull rush opponents? Improved Sunder destroys loot, and you're dependent on the DM actually remembering that creatures can wield weapons. Momentum Swing doesn't really work because you don't actually have Power Attack. If you want more damage, then Power Attack + Leap Attack is going to be easier to use. If you need to move + charge or move + full attack, then Travel Devotion gets you 10 rounds of swift movement per day, and you can get more uses by taking it more than once.

[Jopustopin]

I noticed the same issue: Arcane Strike and Arcane Wrath both benefit from multiple attacks. Devoted Spirit is a one swing school. I had to choose between swinging once or swinging as often as possible. I chose the latter, thus going into setting sun for flashing sun, a maneuver that gives you another swing that round and at that point two levels later, Leaping Flame was better than anything Devoted Spirit was offering me.

I'd have to cast Bite of the Weretiger in order to use combat brute (as the spell actually gives me power attack). I realize that. I just don't know what feat chain is going to give me more damage on multiple attacks when I use Arcane Strike and Arcane Wrath.

I'll probably drop Master Specialist, again I was thinking that +2 DC on divination spells might be worth it (unluck is a pretty beast spell, Scrying obviously, i dunno Brain Spider). Not many spells in divination require a saving throw though. Although Diviner 5 gets me a second fighter bonus feat which I hadn't realized so I'll probably go that route.

Crusader 1/Diviner 5/Jade Phoenix Mage 3/Abjurant Champion3/Spellsword1/Jade Phoenix Mage 7