How to survive as a wizard with +3 or +4 LA...

[Goladar]

So I was perusing the MM and I found the half-dragon and half-fiend template. Oh the FLUFF!!!!! One problem, I want to be a wizard and we're at 5th level. I'd like to be either a Gnome Half-Green dragon Dragonborn or a Gnome Half-fiend Dragonborn. What's the best way to optimize this to make sure I stay useful to the party and don't die?

It's a 28 point buy and I've decided on 8, 10, 16, 18, 8, 8. I'm thinking of going into warblade, wizard, and abjurant champion. What do y'all think?

Sources:Core, SRD, Complete Arcane

Approved PrCs: Abjurant Champion and Jade Phoenix Mage

p.s. Feel free to make suggestions from other sources. He approved AC and JPM, but he thinks Spellsword and Touch of Golden ice are unbalanced.

ETA:

Transmutation Doman Wizard3/Sav. Prog. half-fiend 2, Gnome Dragonborn of Bahamut(Mind)

Adjusted stats
Str 8
Dex 10
Con 22
Int 18
Wis 8
Cha 8

Feats:Imp. Initiative(traded scribe scroll), Spell Focus(Conjuration), Augment Summoning

I'll have a fly speed of 20(keeps me away from melee)
I'll have 3+1 1sts and 2+1 2nd level spells
I'll have 24hp

[mecucu]

I can't help you with Half-Fiend, but for Half-Dragon, be a Sorcerer with Loredrake dragon archetype and Spellhoarding. You now cast as a wizard of your sorcerer level +2.

You'll die in a single hit, though.

[Inevitability]

Ask your DM if the game uses LA buyoff or gestalt rules?

Apart from that... I don't recommend it. Level 5 would mean you have only one or two HD. As a wizard. The moment a monster looks at you funny, you probably die. To say nothing of 'save for half' AoE's, where even half damage should already bring you down. What's more, you'll only have 1st-level spells, making it nearly impossible to properly defend yourself against these threats.


EDIT: Alternatively, if you're okay with being a sorcerer or cheesing in spontaneous casting, the Fiend-Blooded PrC may help.

[flappeercraft]

Just don't play a LA +0 or maximum +1 character and later on at high levels get someone to cast Nar Fiendbond on you which makes you a Half Fiend, so basically level up now, get LA template later.

[Kantolin]

Personally, I'd focus on buffs and control. Being a force multiplier on the rest of your team is a way to bypass your own stats altogether. It'll be most rough when you are still stuck with first level spells when the game expects you to have third level spells, but them's the breaks.

Enlarge person is a good pick. Mage armour for anyone's companion. Obscuring mist to frustrate ranged attackers (just keep it away from your own melee'rs). Silent image, if you're creative and depending a bit on your DM. Ray of Enfeeblement is a more offensive spell you could use that would still help.

If you do have a good int, you're at the very edge of the 'Color Spray is useful' range, and you can do worse than Reduce Person, but your spells are basically two below where they 'should' be so you're probably better off focusing defensively.

Jumping to the spell compendium, Benign transposition can be nifty. Especially if you're willing to be a little risky and go into melee yourself before casting it (thus enabling the party fighter to full attack things), although that aspect is best when they've got need of a full attack (Two-weapon fighter?). Monks or Natural Attackers will like blood wind, Rogues will love Persistent Blade giving them flanking (and doing a little bit of damage as it does so, although you've only got one round of it at first), Shieldbearer is great to carry around a tower shield (Maybe even a +1 tower shield if you can spend the money) to give some random person who isn't already using a shield a nifty +4 or +5 to their AC, while Wall of Smoke can block sight, again foiling ranged attackers.

Either way, you will be unbelievably squishy at the beginning, to the point where toughness is something to consider (And it won't save you, just gives you a little more of a cushion). Definitely stay waaaaaaaaaay in the back and try to avoid calling too much attention to yourself, at least for a few levels, as random people with crossbows can (and likely will) blow you up.

Personally, with or without shieldbearer, I'd carry around a tower shield anyway just for the defenses. Drop it when combat starts (or use it for shieldbearer)... or, in fact, just keep holding onto it in case you don't want to cast on the first turn. As again, 'unbelievably squishy', haha.

[Hurnn]

Half demon for sure as a wizard. Better stats and you get a fist full or resistances and immunities which should improve survivability. SR 11 to start wont be great, but it is still a 25% chance vs a level appropriate enemy caster. DR 5/magic will help against being attacked, with that point buy you are looking at an 20 Con so 9 HP you can probably survive 1 or 2 hits at range. Just make sure you hide in the back and you should be fine for a while. Also dont forget you get 3/day darkness, you can make yourself very hard to hit. Go with specialist wizard between that and your 22 INT base you are looking at 6 1st level castings a day.

[Goladar]

I can't qualify for Fiend-Blooded(I'm already half-fiend) and I can't qualify for Loredrake because i'm not a True Dragon. And I'm positive my DM would never allow either of them.

[flappeercraft]

Half demon for sure as a wizard. Better stats and you get a fist full or resistances and immunities which should improve survivability. SR 11 to start wont be great, but it is still a 25% chance vs a level appropriate enemy caster, and DR 5/magic will help against being attacked. Just make sure you hide in the back and you should be fine for a while.

The problem is the LA though, he would lose 4 Caster levels due to the LA as he would be leveling as a character 4 levels higher. So at ECL 17 he would still be barely casting 7th level spells instead of 9th level. That is if he loses a single CL from multiclassing of a PrC. Even with no CL loss, at ECL 20 he would still be unable to cast 9th level spells while if at lets say level 17 without the template he gets someone to cast Nar Fiendbond on him, he then is a Half Fiend and can cast 9th level spells although from that moment forth the LA would count for his total character level making him ECL 21 but it would still be a better investment to wait for a higher level and then getting the template instead of at the moment. Also, DR 5/Magic is not really that good as when someone hits him with a +1 weapon its all over as due to the LA he would have less HD and therefore less HP especially since at higher levels basically everyone has magic weapons. Also he would be more vulnerable to HD depending effects by a lot, Cloudkill, Holy Word, Daze monster, Deep Slumber, etc, would all be pretty powerful against him for longer and he would be more vulnerable, of course they have SR negates but SR is easy to bypass by any caster worth his salt.

[Hurnn]

The problem is the LA though, he would lose 4 Caster levels due to the LA as he would be leveling as a character 4 levels higher. So at ECL 17 he would still be barely casting 7th level spells instead of 9th level. That is if he loses a single CL from multiclassing of a PrC. Even with no CL loss, at ECL 20 he would still be unable to cast 9th level spells while if at lets say level 17 without the template he gets someone to cast Nar Fiendbond on him, he then is a Half Fiend and can cast 9th level spells although from that moment forth the LA would count for his total character level making him ECL 21 but it would still be a better investment to wait for a higher level and then getting the template instead of at the moment. Also, DR 5/Magic is not really that good as when someone hits him with a +1 weapon its all over as due to the LA he would have less HD and therefore less HP especially since at higher levels basically everyone has magic weapons. Also he would be more vulnerable to HD depending effects by a lot, Cloudkill, Holy Word, Daze monster, Deep Slumber, etc, would all be pretty powerful against him for longer and he would be more vulnerable, of course they have SR negates but SR is easy to bypass by any caster worth his salt.

The LA is irrelevant he asked: "What's the best way to optimize this to make sure I stay useful to the party and don't die?".

As to most of what you said yep it's true, but "only being able to cast 7th level spell still makes him more powerful than 2/3 of all character classes. Also how many monsters are rolling around with a +1 ranged attack weapon in the cr 3-7 range in the SRD? Once he gets to the range everything is packing a magic weapon he will have more defenses against being hit.There is a reason I said hide in the back, use your SLA darkness. BTW cloud kill is a bad example, Half Fiend is immune once he has 4 HD, and I don't see a level 7 party running into to many level 10 wizards. Holy Word unless it is an all evil campaign where they are regularly fighting the forces of good it's never going to be an issue.

[Particle_Man]

Would Tiefling (under planetouched in the MM) be an acceptable substitute for half-fiend? Similar fluff, int boost, and less painful LA?

[Inevitability]

I can't qualify for Fiend-Blooded(I'm already half-fiend) and I can't qualify for Loredrake because i'm not a True Dragon. And I'm positive my DM would never allow either of them.

I'm suggesting not being a half-fiend because frankly, it's a horrible option if you're eating the full +4 LA. This applies even to the most unoptimized of games.

[ShurikVch]

Firstly, do you know about the Savage Progressions (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/arch/sp) articles?
There are Half-Dragon (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/sp/20030912a) and Half-Fiend (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/sp/20031010a).
The nice thing there is: you aren't forced to take all levels of those classes
Also, there is a possibility to turn Tiefling into Half-Fiend (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/sp/20040319a) in 3 steps levels; by using Lesser Tiefling, you may get 1 LA less

If it isn't a variant, then how about the different Half-Fiends?
Half-Ice Devil (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/eo/20070209a) will give you +2 Dex, +4 Con, and +4 Int, thus notably better for a Wizard; unfortunately, no wings
If fly is crucial to you, then you may choose between Half-Succubus (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20060630x&page=3) (+2 Dex, +4 Int) and Lemorian (+4 Dex, +2 Con, +4 Int; Dungeon #143 & 146)

About the Half-Dragons...
They're geared to Sorcery so hard it's not even funny
The only advice which I can give there - try to enter Dragon Mystic PrC (Dragon #296) ASAP
This class will give you:
full CL progression
+1d6 damage to your damaging spells (type of damage is the same as your Breath Weapon)
+2 DC to your Enchantment spells and spells which do damage of the same type as your BW
Metamagic Breath Weapon - you will be able to apply some metamagical feats to your BW; Empower Spell (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/feats.htm#empowerSpell), Enlarge Spell (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/feats.htm#enlargeSpell), Maximize Spell (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/feats.htm#maximizeSpell), and Quicken Spell (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/feats.htm#quickenSpell); no, it's not [metabreath] feats from Draconomicon - it's actual [metamagic] feats which linked there, but works similarly (by delaying next breath)Also, it's really easy to qualify for this PrC: all you will need is Dragon type, 3rd-level arcane spells, and 5000 gp of diamonds
EDIT:
But if you pick Sorcerer instead Wizard, then I suggest instead Half-Dragon use Dragonspawn Abomination from Bestiary of Krynn, Revised - just one good roll on Abomination Mutations table can give you +2 effective sorcerer levels - for the low price of LA +2

[Gruftzwerg]

consider instead a "white dragonspawn" Sorcerer:

- +1 LA
- +7 NA
- +1 spellprogress for Sorcerer (or counts as Sorcerer lvl 1)
- immunity to sleep, paralysis and cold damage (cold subtype)
- fly (landspeed) ft.
- Bite & Claw attacks according to size
- Breathweapon
- +2 Dex +2 Con
- lowlight vision and darkvision 60ft.

Imho you get most of the good stuff and only lose 1HD (and no spell progression lost beside from Wiz>Sorc).

If you go DWK and take the feat at lvl 6 for the extra spell progression, you get spells as soon as a wizard does.

If you don't like Sorcerer casting, take the Spellhording psychosis from Dragon Magazine #313. Changes you way to cast spells like a wizard does. You can learn all spells like a wizard. Unless you aim for the extra wizard feats or Specialization, you could easily change to Sorcerer.

[Goladar]

Tiefling is a possibility. So is the savage progression for H-D and H-F. For the savage progressions, should I alternate between Wizard and half-X until I have all the half-x levels?

Dragonspawn, Dragon Mystic, Half-Ice Devil, and Half-Succubus are all out.

[Flickerdart]

Tiefling is a possibility. So is the savage progression for H-D and H-F. For the savage progressions, should I alternate between Wizard and half-X until I have all the half-x levels?

I would recommend focusing on Wizard levels up until about level 5. Those 3rd level spells are really good, and you'll have enough HP not to die in one shot.

[Jopustopin]

Just get abrupt jaunt and an amulet of tears. You'll be fine unless the DM is a jerk. I played a phaethon (+2 LA) as a conjurer with abrupt jaunt and was carrying the party by ECL 5 (basically when I got 2nd level spells).

[Inevitability]

Just get abrupt jaunt and an amulet of tears. You'll be fine unless the DM is a jerk. I played a phaethon (+2 LA) as a conjurer with abrupt jaunt and was carrying the party by ECL 5 (basically when I got 2nd level spells).

What phaethon? I can only find these (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/epic/monsters/abomination.htm#phaethon).

[Goladar]

Forgot to mention, the dm is pretty stingy with magic items. When we respawn(there's no resurrection, an alternate version of ourself appears when we die.), we're only allowed 400gp of items. And abrupt jaunt is not allowed. Amulet of tears is too expensive for 5th level(the level I'm.coming in at).

My dm has ideas that go against most of the ideas expressed on this site. Like i mentioned in the op, he thinks IotSV is balanced, but Spellsword is unbalanced. He thinks monk and wizard are evenly matched at 20th level.

[Dagroth]

Forgot to mention, the dm is pretty stingy with magic items. When we respawn(there's no resurrection, an alternate version of ourself appears when we die.), we're only allowed 400gp of items. And abrupt jaunt is not allowed. Amulet of tears is too expensive for 5th level(the level I'm.coming in at).

My dm has ideas that go against most of the ideas expressed on this site. Like i mentioned in the op, he thinks IotSV is balanced, but Spellsword is unbalanced.

IotSV is balanced... as far as "Wizards rule" balance goes. Honestly, there should a be a reason for someone to take a prestige class. If taking a prestige class is no better than staying in the base class, why bother? Of course, not staying as Wizard will lose you bonus feats... which is why Sorcerers get more out of prestige classes, I guess.

Spellsword is unbalanced because... why? The class picture that shows the guy casting in full plate? Yeah, that's unrealistic even after all 10 levels in the class.


He thinks monk and wizard are evenly matched at 20th level.

Simple solution to that. Have him build a single-class level 20 Monk. You build a single-class level 20 Wizard (you can even do core-only, if you really want to rub it in. You might even ask for some advice on the boards).

Plop both characters down in an empty arena 400 feet apart. Allow for random terrain, if he thinks that will help.

Proceed to curb-stomp him.

[Goladar]

So....

Transmutation Doman Wizard3/Sav. Prog. half-fiend 2, Gnome Dragonborn of Bahamut(Mind)

Adjusted stats
Str 8
Dex 10
Con 22
Int 18
Wis 8
Cha 8

Feats:Imp. Initiative(traded scribe scroll), Spell Focus(Conjuration), Augment Summoning

I'll have a fly speed of 20(keeps me away from melee)
I'll have 3+1 1sts and 2+1 2nd level spells
I'll have 24hp

How does that look?

ETA: I just realized, i'm goin to be a outsider! That means I can use Alter Self to turn into other outsiders, right?

[Dagroth]

So....

Transmutation Doman Wizard3/Sav. Prog. half-fiend 2, Gnome Dragonborn of Bahamut(Mind)

Adjusted stats
Str 8
Dex 10
Con 22
Int 18
Wis 8
Cha 8

Feats:Imp. Initiative(traded scribe scroll), Spell Focus(Conjuration), Augment Summoning

I'll have a fly speed of 20(keeps me away from melee)
I'll have 3+1 1sts and 2+1 2nd level spells
I'll have 24hp

How does that look?

Why Transmutation? Unless I'm missing something here, there's no such domain. There's a Transformation Domain in Races of Ebberon.

If you get the Domain Granted Power, there's Summoner Domain (Spell Compendium)
Granted Power: You cast all conjuration (summoning) and conjuration (calling) spells at +2 caster level.

Edit: A Half-Fiend Dragonborn of Bahamut? Really? Don't you see a little bit of conflict there?

[Inevitability]

Why Transmutation? Unless I'm missing something here, there's no such domain. There's a Transformation Domain in Races of Ebberon.

If you get the Domain Granted Power, there's Summoner Domain (Spell Compendium)
Granted Power: You cast all conjuration (summoning) and conjuration (calling) spells at +2 caster level.

Edit: A Half-Fiend Dragonborn of Bahamut? Really? Don't you see a little bit of conflict there?

Transmutation domain wizard. (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#transmutationDomain)

Half-fiends can change away from evil in various ways, a Helm of Opposite Alignment being one. If one got altered in this way, they may want to emphasize/disguise their goodness and turn to Bahamut.

[flappeercraft]

Why Transmutation? Unless I'm missing something here, there's no such domain. There's a Transformation Domain in Races of Ebberon.

If you get the Domain Granted Power, there's Summoner Domain (Spell Compendium)
Granted Power: You cast all conjuration (summoning) and conjuration (calling) spells at +2 caster level.

Edit: A Half-Fiend Dragonborn of Bahamut? Really? Don't you see a little bit of conflict there?

The Transmutation domain is from UA Domain Wizard acf

[Goladar]

Why Transmutation? Unless I'm missing something here, there's no such domain. There's a Transformation Domain in Races of Ebberon.

If you get the Domain Granted Power, there's Summoner Domain (Spell Compendium)
Granted Power: You cast all conjuration (summoning) and conjuration (calling) spells at +2 caster level.

Edit: A Half-Fiend Dragonborn of Bahamut? Really? Don't you see a little bit of conflict there?

As one of the downtrodden of the lower planes, he had no fealty to anyone there. He left of his own volition and an agent of Bahamut came to him in a dream. He was offered an exchange, Power for Service. He accepted and is now a Good aligned Half-Fiend. IOW, the DM refluffed Half-Fiend into a Good version of itself. Smite Evil is now Smite Good, Darkness is Light, Unholy Blight is Holy Smite, etc...

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#transmutationDomain

And I'm choosing it because I automatically know Polymorph when I get 4th level spells. So if the DM messes with my spellbook, I can still cast a very powerful spell.

[Flickerdart]

ETA: I just realized, i'm goin to be a outsider! That means I can use Alter Self to turn into other outsiders, right?

Yes. Dwarven Ancestor gives you +18 NA, which helps with not dying.

[Dagroth]

Transmutation domain wizard. (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#transmutationDomain)

Half-fiends can change away from evil in various ways, a Helm of Opposite Alignment being one. If one got altered in this way, they may want to emphasize/disguise their goodness and turn to Bahamut.


The Transmutation domain is from UA Domain Wizard acf

Wait... how is that a variant? It's "You're a Wizard, but you also get more spells than a Wizard... and you know a few more spells automatically than a Wizard!" :smallconfused:

Sure, specialization is often a better route... but most people don't bother with specializing.

[Flickerdart]

Sure, specialization is often a better route... but most people don't bother with specializing.

That's not even close to true.

[flappeercraft]

Wait... how is that a variant? It's "You're a Wizard, but you also get more spells than a Wizard... and you know a few more spells automatically than a Wizard!" :smallconfused:

Sure, specialization is often a better route... but most people don't bother with specializing.

Actually, most people go for Specialization for abilities like Abrupt Jaunt instead of going domain wizard or similar. I personally rather DOmain wizard over Specialist but most people are Specialization fans.

Now about the thread itself, I would reccomend instead of taking Half fiend savage progression, to instead take Half dragon template and the feat Human Heritage at first level and get someone to cast the Nar Fiendbond spell on you. That way you are both a Half Dragon and Half fiend

[ShurikVch]

So....

Transmutation Doman Wizard3/Sav. Prog. half-fiend 2, Gnome Dragonborn of Bahamut(Mind)

Adjusted stats
Str 8
Dex 10
Con 22
Int 18
Wis 8
Cha 8

Feats:Imp. Initiative(traded scribe scroll), Spell Focus(Conjuration), Augment Summoning

I'll have a fly speed of 20(keeps me away from melee)
I'll have 3+1 1sts and 2+1 2nd level spells
I'll have 24hp

How does that look?

ETA: I just realized, i'm goin to be a outsider! That means I can use Alter Self to turn into other outsiders, right?1) Where, exactly, you get fly 20? Half-Fiend gets fly only at 4th level; Dragonborn - only if Wings aspect, and only if 6+ HDs
2) Dragonborn transformation will cause loss of Bite, Claws, Poison Immunity, Resistances, and Spell Resistance. Are you OK with it?
3) Ask DM about using Fire Gnome. Despite there are no such printed variant, but if in Races Of Fire such different folks as Elves and Hobgoblins both got +2 Int/-2 Cha, then it shouldn't be a stretch to presume Fire Gnome will get the same

[Inevitability]

1) Where, exactly, you get fly 20? Half-Fiend gets fly only at 4th level; Dragonborn - only if Wings aspect, and only if 6+ HDs
2) Dragonborn transformation will cause loss of Bite, Claws, Poison Immunity, Resistances, and Spell Resistance. Are you OK with it?
3) Ask DM about using Fire Gnome. Despite there are no such printed variant, but if in Races Of Fire such different folks as Elves and Hobgoblins both got +2 Int/-2 Cha, then it shouldn't be a stretch to presume Fire Gnome will get the same

2. What if they become a half-fiend after becoming a dragonborn? Sure, it's probably an evil act, but can either be fluffed as something beyond their control or a one-time act that didn't drag their alignment all the way to evil.

3. This may be made difficult by Fire Gnomes actually existing. They're in the Planar Handbook and have +1 LA.

[Jopustopin]

p.s. Feel free to make suggestions from other sources. He approved AC and JPM, but he thinks Spellsword and Touch of Golden ice are unbalanced.

Okay here we go: Half-Dragon Gnome (eventually dragonborn) Jade Phoenix Mage



28 Point Buy (Assuming Half-Dragon Gnome):
Str (6) 20
Dex (6) 14
Con (6) 18
Int (10) 18
Cha (0) 10
Wis (0) 8



Martial Variant (UA)
Enhanced Awareness Variant (UA) Optional.
Focused Specialist Variant (Complete Mage)

Human would help out this build A LOT for the bonus feat at first level. Extra Granted Maneuver and/or Power Attack at 1st helps out a lot.

(ECL 4) Level 1: Crusader - Why? To survive. Get Martial Spirit and you could possibly heal yourself up to six hit points a round with a claw claw bite routine. Your Feat should be Stone Power in order to help you survive as well. Start the battle with a Glaive and you threaten as a large creature (due to your bite attack). Look for flanking opportunities constantly to find anyway you can of increasing your bonus to hit on all your attacks. DO NOT IMMEDIATELY TAKE DRAGONBORN TEMPLATE OR YOU LOSE CLAW/CLAW/BITE ROUTINE.

(ECL 5) Level 2: Now you start as a focused specialist (divination). Why focused divination? To have more spells to sack for arcane strike and the JPM class features. You only lose two schools instead of three (so sacrifice the usual Enchantment and Evocation). You also are using the martial wizard variant so get rid of Scribe Scroll and pick up Improved Bullrush.

(ECL 6) Level 3: Grap Spell Focus (Divination). This might seem odd but you need a way to delay your 5th level of Diviner until you qualify for Shock Trooper. Master Specialist is the only way I've found to do this.

Level 4, Level 5 - Diviner
(ECL 9) Level 6 - Master Specialist - Get Combat Casting

(ECL 10, 11, and 11) Level 7, 8, and 9 - Assuming you have LA buy off you get to buy off your first level adjustment at 9 HD. Take the first three levels of Jade Phoenix Mage. Get the feat Arcane Strike.

(ECL 12) Level 10 - Diviner. You get a bonus feat, get Shock Trooper. You'll need to cast Bite of the X to get power attack for real. Or I think there is another spell that gives you a bonus fighter feat. Up to you man.

(ECL 13,14,15) Level 11,12,13 - Abjurant Champion. You can grab Minor Shapeshift if you need to be tankier. Otherwise Get Power Attack for real.

Level 14 - 20 - Jade Phoenix Mage.


Level 1: Crusader (Stone Power)
Level 2: Diviner (Improved Bullrush)
Level 3: Diviner (Spell Focus: Divination)
Level 4: Diviner
Level 5: Diviner
Level 6: Master Specialist (Combat Casting)
Level 7: Jade Phoenix Mage
Level 8: Jade Phoenix Mage
Level 9: Jade Phoenix Mage (Arcane Strike)
Level 10: Diviner (Shock Trooper)
Level 11: Abjurant Champion
Level 12: Abjurant Champion (Minor Shapeshift or Power Attack)
Level 13: Abjurant Champion
Level 14: Jade Phoenix Mage
Level 15: Jade Phoenix Mage (Whatever you need, Martial Study or Extra Granted Maneuver, Improved Sunder, etc)
Level 16: Jade Phoenix Mage
Level 17: Jade Phoenix Mage
Level 18: Jade Phoenix Mage (see above: campaign specific)
Level 19: Jade Phoenix Mage
Level 20: Jade Phoenix Mage

[ShurikVch]

3. This may be made difficult by Fire Gnomes actually existing. They're in the Planar Handbook and have +1 LA.LA isn't the worst thing about them - the lack of Int bonus is...
Otherwise, I don't see a problem about possibility of existence of several different variations of Fire Gnomes: after all, there are Arctic Dwarf in Unearthed Arcana and different Arctic Dwarf in Monsters of Faerûn

[Goladar]

So LA buyoff is probably off the table("Because it's an integral part of game balance."). The DM hasn't decided on Master Specialist yet.

[Jopustopin]

So LA buyoff is probably off the table("Because it's an integral part of game balance."). The DM hasn't decided on Master Specialist yet.

If he's a good DM, by the time you get to ECL 12, he will probably approve the LA buy-off because he'll notice how far you are lagging behind the party. You having a strength of 20 just won't be impressive. Your once a day breath weapon will be pathetic. And you won't be using claw/claw/bite at all. Basically, you won't be using the half-dragon template by then. Or, your group isn't optimized and you will fit right in. Hard to say man. With a LA of +3 you buy it off very slow: 9 HD, 15 HD, 18 HD (ECL 12, 17, 19); so it's not really a big deal. I'd be shocked if your game was still going on long enough to even buy off the second LA.

But if you compare Half-Dragon (+3 LA) to Phrenic (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/monsters/phrenicCreature.htm)(+2 LA), phrenic blows it out of the water. It's just comically better. It's comically better for any spell caster or any non spell caster... Half-Ogre (+2 LA) is probably the closest to the Half-Dragon and, from a mechanical standpoint, Half-Ogre is marginally better than Half-Dragon due to his large size.

This thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?485938-The-LA-assignment-thread) is about to rate the Half-Dragon's LA (probably about in a week or two). It's possible your DM may in the first several gaming sessions realize that half-dragon is overrated and over Level Adjusted.

[Goladar]

If he's a good DM, by the time you get to ECL 12, he will probably approve the LA buy-off because he'll notice how far you are lagging behind the party. You having a strength of 20 just won't be impressive. Your once a day breath weapon will be pathetic. And you won't be using claw/claw/bite at all. Basically, you won't be using the half-dragon template by then. Or, your group isn't optimized and you will fit right in. Hard to say man. With a LA of +3 you buy it off very slow: 9 HD, 15 HD, 18 HD (ECL 12, 17, 19); so it's not really a big deal. I'd be shocked if your game was still going on long enough to even buy off the second LA.

But if you compare Half-Dragon (+3 LA) to Phrenic (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/monsters/phrenicCreature.htm)(+2 LA), phrenic blows it out of the water. It's just comically better. It's comically better for any spell caster or any non spell caster... Half-Ogre (+2 LA) is probably the closest to the Half-Dragon and, from a mechanical standpoint, Half-Ogre is marginally better than Half-Dragon due to his large size.

This thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?485938-The-LA-assignment-thread) is about to rate the Half-Dragon's LA (probably about in a week or two). It's possible your DM may in the first several gaming sessions realize that half-dragon is overrated and over Level Adjusted.

No psionics, unfortunately. And the DM likely wont reduce the LA. The DM has set ideas about game balance and won't be swayed. For example: Spellsword is unbalanced because it reduces ASF.

[Jopustopin]

I wasn't recommending you take phrenic. I was pointing it out as an example that "game balance" is done by the DM, not by Wizards of the Coast.

With a +3 LA, buying off LA's is the least of your concern. You probably won't play in a campaign long enough to buy off your first LA. My point is that most DM's that care about there players having fun, and noticing that they are weaker than the rest of the party, will in fact realize that the game is not in balance and rectify it. You know your DM better than I do though.

You know what you're getting yourself into more than I do by picking half-dragon. I hope my build helps you survive. On the bright side, if you don't survive, come back a druid with a riding dog.

[Goladar]

I wasn't recommending you take phrenic. I was pointing it out as an example that "game balance" is done by the DM, not by Wizards of the Coast.

With a +3 LA, buying off LA's is the least of your concern. You probably won't play in a campaign long enough to buy off your first LA. My point is that most DM's that care about there players having fun, and noticing that they are weaker than the rest of the party, will in fact realize that the game is not in balance and rectify it. You know your DM better than I do though.

You know what you're getting yourself into more than I do by picking half-dragon. I hope my build helps you survive. On the bright side, if you don't survive, come back a druid with a riding dog.

Hopefully I can convince him. Thanks for your build BTW. And yes, If I die, I'm coming back as a straight Druid, Cleric, or Wizard.