Level 15 Character, Wizard 3/Master Specialist 10/2?

[muichimotsu]

We finished another big act for our main campaign, defeating an ancient-ish Red Dragon and our characters all gained 2 levels, plus about 42K gold each after raiding its hoard.

There's a month in game time for us to recuperate, prepare, etc, so I'm wondering what to do.

Class wise I'm thinking it'd be better to just stick with Wizard after I finished Master Specialist, continuing to advance in spell level, getting 8th level spells finally. I'm a Focused Specialist from Complete Mage, so can't access Archmage even if I wanted to without more splitting of my foci for the character

Evocation Specialist, 90% of the spellbook is Evocation spells, with some Conjuration, Transmutation and Abjuration sprinkled throughout. We have an Arcane Trickster who I'm thinking might lend me his spellbook to find some stuff, though he may not be interested in mine, more focused on making magic items and such. Prohibited schools for me are Necromancy, Illusion and Enchantment, so probably 50% of his spells are likely prohibited, though I think he has some I don't have in his book

Item wise, I'm thinking I should just try to enhance the items I have, adding deflection bonus to an Amulet of Undetectable Alignment, for instance, or enhancing my Cloak of Resistance's bonus

Investing in a Wand of Magic Missile (9th) is possible, esp. if I sell the other wands I wasn't using

[Covenant12]

Need to know a bit more about your character, most especially feats. Race as well.

I would definitely take at most 2 more wizard levels (Wizard 5/Master Specialist 10) and start looking for a PrC to get goodies from. I don't know why you don't like archmage. Mastery of shaping is utterly fantastic for every wizard ever, and mastery of elements is nearly as good for an evocation specialist. There are other good options, but I'd need to see your spells known to comment more. Even if you view the second spell focus feat as setting a feat on fire that's a fair tax for archmage. Combat casting is a terrible feat for you, but if an elf abjurant champion has some nice perks. Not as good as archmage, but nice.

Generally nothing wrong if a bit boring to just increasing pluses on existing gear, I'd need a list to see if you are missing something vital.

[muichimotsu]

Feats
Spell Focus and Greater Spell Focus (Evoc) <Latter from Master Specialist>
Flash Frost Spell
Lord of the Uttercold
Energy Substitution <Which I also have a more swift action version by sacrificing bonus feats at 5, 10 and 15, which might also mean I don't have Scribe Scroll, unless that doesn't apply?>
Skill Focus Spellcraft(Also from Master Specialist)
Piercing Evocation
Spell Mastery (7 spells)

Human race, I'm vanilla most of the time, though I have concepts I still need to work on like an Unarmored Warforged Transmuter Specialist and a Thri Kreen [Class Unknown For Now, Possibly Monk]

Equipment
Ring of Prot +3, Ring of Sustenance, Amulet of Undetectable Alignment, Cloak of Resistance +3, Robe of Arcane Might, Headband of Intellect +6


Was looking at a Runestaff of Evocation, though I feel like I'm missing mobility in my spellbook, which has a fair amount in it, mostly Evocation


Spellbook

Level 0 Spells
All Except Disrupt Undead, Touch of Fatigue, Daze, Silent Portal and Ghost Sound (Player’s Handbook and Spell Compendium)

Level 1 Spells (7) <7 Pages>
Alarm <Abj>
Burning Hands <Evoc>
Enlarge Person <Trans>
Mage Armor <Conj>
Magic Missile <Evoc>
Reduce Person <Trans>
Shocking Grasp <Evoc>

Level 2 Spells (4)<8 Pages>
Flaming Sphere <Evoc> (Player’s Handbook)
Fox’s Cunning <Trans> (Player’s Handbook)
Ray of Ice <Evoc> (Spell Compendium)
Scorching Ray <Evoc> (Player’s Handbook)

Level 3 Spells (4+1 Exp. Spellbook) <12 Pages>
Dispel Magic <Abj> (Player’s Handbook)
Fireball <Evoc> (Player’s Handbook)
Hailstones <Evoc> (Spell Compendium)
Lightning Bolt <Evoc> (Player’s Handbook)
Sound Lance <Evoc> (Spell Compendium)


Level 4 Spells (4+1 Exp. Spellbook) <16 Pages>
Ice Storm <Evoc> (Player’s Handbook)
Wall of Fire <Evoc> (Player’s Handbook)
Wall of Ice <Evoc> (Player’s Handbook)
Evard’s Black Tentacles <Conj> (Player’s Handbook)
Rary’s Mnemonic Enhancer <Trans> (Player’s Handbook)

Level 5 Spells (5+1 Exp. Spellbook) <20 Pages>
Cone of Cold <Evoc> (Player’s Handbook)
Wall of Force <Evoc> (Player’s Handbook)
Rary’s Telepathic Bond <Trans> (Player’s Handbook)
Sonic Rumble <Evoc> (Spell Compendium)
Ball Lightning <Evoc> (Spell Compendium)
[Force Missiles <Evoc> (Spell Compendium)]

Level 6 Spells (4) <24 Pages>
Otiluke’s Freezing Sphere <Evoc> (Player’s Handbook)
Chain Lightning <Evoc> (Player’s Handbook)
Greater Dispel Magic <Abj> (Player’s Handbook)
Mordenkainen’s Lucubration <Trans> (Player’s Handbook)

Level 7 Spells (4 Max, 2 Confirmed) <14 Pages>
Ice Claw <Evoc> (Spell Compendium)
Delayed Blast Fireball <Evoc> (Player’s Handbook)
[Forcecage <Evoc> (Player’s Handbook)]
[Prismatic Spray <Evoc> (Player’s Handbook)]


Level 8 Spells (2 Max) <16 Pages>
[Field of Icy Razors (Spell Compendium)]

[sleepyphoenixx]

I'd suggest 2 more levels of wizard for the Spontaneous Divination ACF, but your Energy Sub ACF means you can't.
That means there's no point getting more wizard levels and you're better off looking for a PrC.
Mage of the Arcane Order would be my suggestion for the added versatility since your spellbook looks rather focussed on blasting. If you can get Cooperative Spell retrained it would be ideal.

For feat choices there's always Uncanny Forethought (EoE), if the source is allowed. You already have Spell Mastery after all, no reason not to get it.
Otherwise there's also Arcane Mastery to consider since beating SR is important for evokers.

Your spell list is also seriously anemic for your level. I'd suggest getting a Blessed Book and using your time to scribe some (non-evocation) spells to get some variety in there.
I'd especially look into picking up the staples that every wizard should have - Teleport, Scrying, Solid Fog, Resist Energy, Wall of Stone and so on.
Even if you do take MotAO spellpool access is limited, so being able to cover at least some of those yourself should help. Especially if you also take Uncanny Forethought.

Other items you might want to look at are those that increase your CL - Ring/Robe of Arcane Might, Orange Prism Ioun Stone and so on.

[Zexionthefirst]

I've been fond of Elemental Savant ever since I read (or rather, started reading) Tales of Wyre. Since you're focusing on Evocation, it immediately came to mind. It's... from a game mechanic standpoint it's not the best. I'm sure there are bound to be better ways to a lot of what this class offers, but on the off chance it would fit thematically with your game's setting I figured it couldn't hurt to suggest it.

[noob]

Two levels in fatespinner gives one time per day as an immediate action a bonus reroll to an ally or opponent.(so if you do not use your swifts and immediates a lot you can try that.)

[muichimotsu]

I've been fond of Elemental Savant ever since I read (or rather, started reading) Tales of Wyre. Since you're focusing on Evocation, it immediately came to mind. It's... from a game mechanic standpoint it's not the best. I'm sure there are bound to be better ways to a lot of what this class offers, but on the off chance it would fit thematically with your game's setting I figured it couldn't hurt to suggest it.

Major problem is that we haven't made peaceful contact with an elemental or outsider, one of the requirements. I've played one before, mechanically it does constrain you, since unlike the Energy Substitution feat or the alternate class feature for Evoker specialists, it forces your spells to all be one energy type as I remember

[sleepyphoenixx]

Major problem is that we haven't made peaceful contact with an elemental or outsider, one of the requirements. I've played one before, mechanically it does constrain you, since unlike the Energy Substitution feat or the alternate class feature for Evoker specialists, it forces your spells to all be one energy type as I remember

It's not really a problem if you pick fire or cold and take the Searing Spell or Piercing Cold metamagics. That's not an issue. I've had tons of fun with a cold specialized blaster druid one game, casting nothing but [Cold] spells (cold being probably the best supported energy type thanks to Frostburn).

The main problem with Elemental Savant is that it doesn't really add anything that'd help you be better at blasting. You get +4 against SR (competence, easily replaced by an item or feat) and +2 to save DCs (also pretty easy to get through feats/items, though it does stack with those). That's not worth losing two levels of casting progression.
The PrC makes you actively worse at what you're trying to do. It's fine in a lower power game if you take it for roleplaying purposes, but there's no conceivable mechanical reason to ever take the class.

[muichimotsu]

I'd suggest 2 more levels of wizard for the Spontaneous Divination ACF, but your Energy Sub ACF means you can't.
That means there's no point getting more wizard levels and you're better off looking for a PrC.
Mage of the Arcane Order would be my suggestion for the added versatility since your spellbook looks rather focussed on blasting. If you can get Cooperative Spell retrained it would be ideal.

For feat choices there's always Uncanny Forethought (EoE), if the source is allowed. You already have Spell Mastery after all, no reason not to get it.
Otherwise there's also Arcane Mastery to consider since beating SR is important for evokers.

Your spell list is also seriously anemic for your level. I'd suggest getting a Blessed Book and using your time to scribe some (non-evocation) spells to get some variety in there.
I'd especially look into picking up the staples that every wizard should have - Teleport, Scrying, Solid Fog, Resist Energy, Wall of Stone and so on.
Even if you do take MotAO spellpool access is limited, so being able to cover at least some of those yourself should help. Especially if you also take Uncanny Forethought.

Other items you might want to look at are those that increase your CL - Ring/Robe of Arcane Might, Orange Prism Ioun Stone and so on.

Uncanny Forethought wouldn't be bad, though the phrasing on it's a bit vague. I have to choose the spell slot levels each day, right? That seems to make sense within the rules it sets up

I have a Blessed Book, I was going to use it, possibly taking the month to copy all my spells into it and have the original spellbook as a backup

The reason the spellbook is so limited is because I rolled the character up to be level 13 rather than raising her up to level 13 from around 9~, though things would've been a LOT different if I'd started the campaign 2 years ago as this character. Scrying doesn't seem to have been a thing our group uses anyway and it's not my character's style. Teleport wouldn't be bad, Resist Energy could be nice coupled with the Esoterica from Master Specialist, which gives me resistance 20 to whatever energy type I cast.

Roleplaying wise, not sure if the character would really be up for joining a guild, and the Cooperative Spell feat would be near useless unless our other arcane casters have it, which I'm not certain is the case. Sticking with the 2 levels of Wizard gives me access to 4 guaranteed spells and 8th level Evocation, of which Field of Icy Razors seems the best choice

Not sure how using Uttercold metamagic would work on a spell that already halves damage....would it just be divided into 1/3 instead? 1/3 cold, 1/3 slashing, 1/3 negative energy?

[muichimotsu]

It's not really a problem if you pick fire or cold and take the Searing Spell or Piercing Cold metamagics. That's not an issue. I've had tons of fun with a cold specialized blaster druid one game, casting nothing but [Cold] spells (cold being probably the best supported energy type thanks to Frostburn).

The main problem with Elemental Savant is that it doesn't really add anything that'd help you be better at blasting. You get +4 against SR (competence, easily replaced by an item or feat) and +2 to save DCs (also pretty easy to get through feats/items, though it does stack with those). That's not worth losing two levels of casting progression.
The PrC makes you actively worse at what you're trying to do. It's fine in a lower power game if you take it for roleplaying purposes, but there's no conceivable mechanical reason to ever take the class.

Roleplaying wise, the character has barely stood out beyond her amazing Evocation stuff, including the Uttercold spells dealing more damage against a red dragon already vulnerable to cold. Her background being nobility and also having the feeling of alienation made her more evil in a way, though the way I've played her, it's been more neutral. The evil aspect would come up in terms of her power growing enough that she thinks she doesn't need the help of others, though it's not like she doesn't acknowledge the power of the other PCs in our group. If anything, it's a situation not unlike my Demonologist, where he betrayed the group when a demon offered him power for an alliance/pact.

[sleepyphoenixx]

Uncanny Forethought wouldn't be bad, though the phrasing on it's a bit vague. I have to choose the spell slot levels each day, right? That seems to make sense within the rules it sets up
No spell levels, just spell slots. With 20 Int you could reserve 5 slots of any level you want. Personally i just keep one slot free of every level i can cast with any excess spread among the most used ones, for maximum versatility.
But you'd really need to expand your spellbook to get the most out of it.


The reason the spellbook is so limited is because I rolled the character up to be level 13 rather than raising her up to level 13 from around 9~, though things would've been a LOT different if I'd started the campaign 2 years ago as this character. Scrying doesn't seem to have been a thing our group uses anyway and it's not my character's style. Teleport wouldn't be bad, Resist Energy could be nice coupled with the Esoterica from Master Specialist, which gives me resistance 20 to whatever energy type I cast.
They're just examples. There's a lot of staples you're missing. Your list is almost entirely blasting spells, which is kinda missing the point of being a wizard imo. It's fine if you're happy with it, but it's at least worth looking into.
Especially if you do take Uncanny Forethought it pays to have situational spells in your book. Buffs, BFC, utility spells, summons. It's nice to have options.


Roleplaying wise, not sure if the character would really be up for joining a guild, and the Cooperative Spell feat would be near useless unless our other arcane casters have it, which I'm not certain is the case. Sticking with the 2 levels of Wizard gives me access to 4 guaranteed spells and 8th level Evocation, of which Field of Icy Razors seems the best choice
I don't think i've ever seen anyone actually use Cooperative Spell. It's just the feat tax for MotAO. Which does offer full spellcasting advancement, so that's not an issue.
The main reason for taking it is the spellpool, again to increase your versatility. Spontaneous access to every core wizard spell (and others at DM discretion) is a pretty powerful thing.
And there aren't really any PrC i can think of that'd improve your blasting. At least none worth taking.
Most of the other "good" wizard PrCs either don't work with your specialization or have requirements that you'd have needed to build towards for a few levels already. I don't think you want to rebuild most of your character, right?


Not sure how using Uttercold metamagic would work on a spell that already halves damage....would it just be divided into 1/3 instead? 1/3 cold, 1/3 slashing, 1/3 negative energy?
I don't think it's ever clarified anywhere. Personally i just halve the elemental damage again and leave the other half as-is, but that's just my interpretation.

[Kelb_Panthera]

If you're willing and able to retrain a feat, you could go archmage. You just need spell focus in a second school of magic if I'm reading your character right.

[muichimotsu]

If you're willing and able to retrain a feat, you could go archmage. You just need spell focus in a second school of magic if I'm reading your character right.

Not sure if I have any feats I could retrain that wouldn't lose me other feats I have in a tree of sorts as it is. Lord of the Uttercold is one of the better, along with Energy Substitution, which was needed for LotUC.

Archmage is tempting, from what I've looked into, but with the Master Specialist in terms of the character's motivations, not sure they'd seek that out versus the Elemental Savant, though mechanically, it's questionable in structure

A prestige class that would enhance my character's ability to fight almost like a Warmage is possible (which makes me wonder why I didn't just do that, but I rarely do Charisma based casters) Arcane Devotee from Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting looks nice, but it'd feel a bit forced if I suddenly have my character get interested in devotion to a deity when they're independent, fiercely so.

[KillingAScarab]

A prestige class that would enhance my character's ability to fight almost like a Warmage is possible (which makes me wonder why I didn't just do that, but I rarely do Charisma based casters) Arcane Devotee from Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting looks nice, but it'd feel a bit forced if I suddenly have my character get interested in devotion to a deity when they're independent, fiercely so.Are you referring to the 3.0 FRCS (http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Forgotten_Realms_Campaign_Setting_3rd_edition)? I think you want Player's Guide to Faerûn (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20040305a) for the updated version of arcane devotee.


Even if you view the second spell focus feat as setting a feat on fire that's a fair tax for archmage. Combat casting is a terrible feat for you, but if an elf abjurant champion has some nice perks. Not as good as archmage, but nice.I think I second this. Even if you don't want to retrain that spell mastery feat, you could take your two wizard levels and pick up the feat to qualify for the prestige class you want.

[muichimotsu]

Are you referring to the 3.0 FRCS (http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Forgotten_Realms_Campaign_Setting_3rd_edition)? I think you want Player's Guide to Faerûn (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20040305a) for the updated version of arcane devotee.

I think I second this.

Need to find a reference for discerning 3.0 from 3.5 material. Then again, I still have MM2 and not sure if that was ever re released for 3.5 rules, except maybe in an online version?

Like I said, it could work if the character wasn't fiercely independent, not to mention Lawful Evil (though that could easily change by DM discretion if I roleplay the character in a certain way), Archmage and MotAO both feel like they don't mix with the flavor, or I'd be retraining a feat that's essential to acquiring others, such as access to the Master Specialist in the first place

Looking at Warmage, it almost feels more like what my character idea was, except that being a Wizard fit better, since they're a Wizard themselves in having a spellbook, though the character's from a universe where they can use magic without a spellbook, it focuses the magic moreso than enables it innately.