Ray specialist

[Solo]

[15:33] Solo: One day, I will make a ray based sorcerer
[15:33] Solo: I shall call him.... RAYMAN!
[15:34] Chosen_of_Vecna: haha
[15:35] Solo: ..... well damn. Now I'm really going to have to do it.


Won't you assist me, Optimizers in the Playground, in creating RAYMAN?

I'm compiling a list of feats, ray spells* and complimentary sorcerer spells (ie, True Strike) that would be appropriate for a ray based sorcerer.


*Orbs, Lightening Bolt, and etc will count as Ray spells for the purpose of this exercise, as they are either mechanically or visually similar. Touch spells might work too, as I plan to have a level of Archmage/Reach Spell in this build, if possible.


So far, I am thinking of using

Feats: Split Ray, Chain Spell, Empower Spell, Reach Spell/Arcane Reach, Energy Substitution/Mastery of Elements, Quicken Spell,

0:
Ray of Frost


1:
Ray of Enfeeblement
True Strike
Magic Missile
Color Spray
Jet of Steam

2:
Scorching Ray
Seeking Ray
Resist Energy
Melf's Acid Arrow

3:
Ray of Exhaustion
Protection from Energy
Lightening Bolt
Melf's Unicorn Arrow
Dispel Magic

4:
Orb of Force
Enervation
Dimensional Anchor
Assay Spell Resistance

5:
Prismatic Ray
Lightening Leap

6:
Disintegrate
Greater Dispel Magic

7:
Prismatic Spray
Ray of Stunning
Antimagic Ray
Avasculate

8:
Polar Ray
Prismatic Bow
Blackfire
Avascular Mass

9:
Meteor Swarm
Energy Drain
Lash of Force

[Meat Shield]

Well obviously we'll need that ray specialist PrC from Comp Scoundrel. Turn all AoE spells into ray spells (thus no Reflex save)? Yes please.

[BRC]

Well obviously we'll need that ray specialist PrC from Comp Scoundrel. Turn all AoE spells into ray spells (thus no Reflex save)? Yes please.

Ah the Spellwarp Sniper. Tis an awsome PRC.

[Zocelot]

Spellwarp Sniper usually ends up being fairly useless at high levels, as you can only turn AoE spells level 5 or lower into rays.

[MorkaisChosen]

10d6 no-save for a 3rd-level spell slot isn't bad. It's not as good as what you can do later, but it's a reasonable backup.

[Vortling]

What are people suggesting for obtaining the sneak attack or sudden strike to meet the entry requirements for Spellwarp Sniper? Rogue? Spellthief?

[MorkaisChosen]

I expect Spellthief plus Master Spellthief would be better for a caster.

[MeklorIlavator]

Prismatic Ray, Complete Arcane P118, would seem to be a good idea to put in the 5th level slot. Also, dimensional anchor is described as a ray, so that might work. Also, from the Complete Mage, I found the following spell that might fit;
Lvl 1: Jet Of Steam
Lvl 5: Lighting Leap
Lvl 8: Prismatic bow
Lvl 9: Lash of Force

[Meat Shield]

Forgot about the Prismatic Spray. With the Spellwarp sniper, you can hit a single guy with every color instead of randomness. Ouch.

[Bauglir]

One of my favorite things to do with Spellwarp Sniper is to use a metamagicked Greater Fireburst converted into a ray. Greater Fireburst is d10/level max 15d10 to everything in a 20ft radius, but it has to be centered on you. Not so with Spellwarp Sniper! Tack on things to boost damage and you can do fairly decently. Better damage than your d6/level spells up till level 24.

[Solo]

Alas that I do not own the Complete Scoundrel.

I have the PHB I and II, CWar, C Arcane, C Mage, RotD, C Divine, SpC, and that's pretty much it.

[Chosen_of_Vecna]

As for being a Ray specialist instead of a ray damage specialist, level 7, Ray of Stun. 1d4+1 rounds of stun, no save.

Also you could use Antimagic Ray. It's not always the best option, but it does fit the Ray flavor.

[TempusCCK]

Actually, I've always felt that antimagic ray, while a little expensive, was probably the best way to shut down casters. Your chances of hitting are good and they can't cast most of their spells, good stuff.

[Nohwl]

isnt there a feat that lets you shoot rays from your eyes?

[MorkaisChosen]

Ocular Spell- LoM, I think.

Evil sneakiness: Spellthief can be found as a WotC preview on their own website. Doesn't even lack a spell list (not that you'd need it), seeing as it's just Sorc/Wiz with a couple of schools banned.

[Nohwl]

i guess you could add ocular spell to the list of feats. if only to shoot laser beams from your eyes.

theres also weapon focus (ray).

[Chosen_of_Vecna]

Actually, I've always felt that antimagic ray, while a little expensive, was probably the best way to shut down casters. Your chances of hitting are good and they can't cast most of their spells, good stuff.

Except the ones with Persistent Ray Deflection.

[Nohwl]

i think taking reach spell would be better than one level of archmage, just because archmage requires a few feats to get into. the feats would be put to better use on other things. prestige classes that dont require feats are the ones you would be better off going into.

if you include the other two feats i listed, and if you were a human, you would have room for one more feat. unless i cant add.

quicken spell wouldnt be too bad.

[Bauglir]

Antimagic Ray would be great if it weren't for the fact that it's a Will Negates spell, and that tends to be most casters' strong point.

[AmberVael]

You have to get Ocular spell.
What's better... being mechanically optimized...
Or being able to shoot LASERS out of your EYES?
Link to Ocular Spell. (http://realmshelps.dandello.net/cgi-bin/feats.pl?Ocular_Spell,all)
That aside, it lets you turn some spells into rays as well, which could be quite handy if you're intent on using only ray-ish like stuff.

[Solo]

Very well.... behold Rayman (http://www.thetangledweb.net/addon.php?addon=Profiler&page=view_char&cid=11312)!

[AmberVael]

Ooo, lightning leap. I love lightning leap. ^-^
It's just such a fun spell- I mean really, there is teleporting... then there is teleporting by turning into a lightning bolt. Really nasty for escaping grapples.

[drengnikrafe]

Solo...
No matter how well it fits the total awesomeness of this build, Chaotic Awesome is not an acceptable Alignment...

[MeklorIlavator]

Solo...
No matter how well it fits the total awesomeness of this build, Chaotic Awesome is not an acceptable Alignment...

I don't know about that. I would allow it.

Now I want to make a Neutral awesome Druid.

[shadow_archmagi]

I don't know about that. I would allow it.

Now I want to make a Neutral awesome Druid.

You can't. Only solo is allowed to use the Awesome alignment. Also, the character should wear red sunglasses whenever not fighting.

[Kizara]

Except the ones with Persistent Ray Deflection.

Where is that spell/ability found?

[Gralamin]

Where is that spell/ability found?

Ray Deflection is a level 4 spell found in the Spell compendium (p. 166). Persisting it would negate all ranged touch attacks on you for 24 hours (Presumably through the use of arcane thesis or other metamagic reducers)

[Kizara]

Ray Deflection is a level 4 spell found in the Spell compendium (p. 166). Persisting it would negate all ranged touch attacks on you for 24 hours (Presumably through the use of arcane thesis or other metamagic reducers)

Thank you.

[Sstoopidtallkid]

Awh, I was hoping you'd be a Kobold with Underdark Sungoggles. :smallfrown:

[Chosen_of_Vecna]

Ray Deflection is a level 4 spell found in the Spell compendium (p. 166). Persisting it would negate all ranged touch attacks on you for 24 hours (Presumably through the use of arcane thesis or other metamagic reducers)

Personally I'd just use Metamagic effect/Vestige Casting/Instant Metamagic.

Though actually, it only makes you immune to "Rays" so Orbs and such still hit you.

[Gralamin]

Personally I'd just use Metamagic effect/Vestige Casting/Instant Metamagic.

Though actually, it only makes you immune to "Rays" so Orbs and such still hit you.


For the duration of the spell, you are protected against ranged touch attacks, including ray spells and ray attacks made by creatures. Any ray attack directed at you is automatically reflected harmlessly away.
Now it might just be me, but the first part of the spell implies that ray is used in a broader sense then its mechanical equivalent "Ray".

[Solo]

Awh, I was hoping you'd be a Kobold with Underdark Sungoggles. :smallfrown:

Alter Self, anyone?


Now it might just be me, but the first part of the spell implies that ray is used in a broader sense then its mechanical equivalent "Ray".
So it's really "Ranged Touch Spell Deflection"

[Hectonkhyres]

Awh, I was hoping you'd be a Kobold with Underdark Sungoggles. :smallfrown:

Called Riddick.

[Chosen_of_Vecna]

Now it might just be me, but the first part of the spell implies that ray is used in a broader sense then its mechanical equivalent "Ray".

Hmm. Maybe, I always remember that last line as paramount in my head, not the first. I guess it could very easily be against all ranged touch attacks. Even better I suppose.

[senrath]

It does work against all ranged touch attacks, not just rays.

And now you need to figure out a way to lose your arms and have your hands just float by your sides. Or just make your arms invisible.

[Solo]

I'm sure Disguise Self covers that bit.

And Overland Flight means I can make large "jumps" all day long.

[Kizara]

I'm sure Disguise Self covers that bit.

And Overland Flight means I can make large "jumps" all day long.

Or, you know, the Jump spell.

[cupkeyk]

No one has mentioned avasculate and avascular mass. did anyone mention stun ray?

[Solo]

Or, you know, the Jump spell.

I prefer my way.

[FinalJustice]

No one has mentioned avasculate and avascular mass. did anyone mention stun ray?

Those are awesome. Splited Avasculate is real fun!

[cupkeyk]

I have been told its a waste of spell slots but I like casting greater arcane fusion to cast arcane fusion so i can cast ray of enfeeblement, escalating enfeeblement and ray of exhaustion in a single round, in that order.